Storage, transportation and launching integrated low-altitude sounding rocket launching device
By integrating the launch tube, housing, and controller, the design achieves integrated storage, transportation, and launch of the rocket, solving the problems of complexity and unmanned control in traditional rocket devices, improving launch accuracy and safety, and making it suitable for rapid deployment in remote areas.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511793167.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-03
AI Technical Summary
Traditional rocket launchers are independent of each other in terms of storage, transportation and launch functions, resulting in a complex, large and poorly mobile system that is difficult to deploy quickly in remote areas. In harsh environments, rockets are prone to displacement, collision or corrosion, which affects launch accuracy and safety and makes it impossible to achieve unmanned remote control.
An integrated low-altitude sounding rocket launcher with storage, transportation, and launch capabilities was designed. It integrates a launch tube, housing, and controller, and uses a launch tube limiting seat and a plug for locking and fixing. Combined with a directional component and a push rod component, it realizes remote control and precise guidance of the rocket throughout the entire process. It has a modular structure that supports multi-unit deployment.
It integrates rocket storage, transportation, and launch functions, enhances safety and mobility in complex environments, supports unattended remote launches, improves launch accuracy and device adaptability, and is suitable for rapid deployment of unmanned vehicles in remote areas.
Smart Images
Figure CN121594705A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of low-altitude sounding rocket technology, specifically to a storage, transportation, and launch integrated low-altitude sounding rocket launcher. Background Technology
[0002] With the continuous development of aerospace technology and the demand for meteorological observation, low-altitude sounding rockets have demonstrated significant application value in fields such as ocean meteorological data acquisition and environmental monitoring. However, traditional rocket launchers still have many limitations in storage, transportation, deployment, and launch, making it difficult to meet the requirements of modern unmanned, mobile, and highly reliable missions.
[0003] Currently, common rocket launch equipment operates independently in terms of rocket storage, transportation, and launch functions. This results in a complex overall system structure, large size, and poor mobility, making rapid deployment in remote areas such as oceans and islands difficult. Furthermore, existing launch devices have limited capabilities in securing and protecting rockets, especially in harsh marine environments with turbulence, high humidity, and high salinity. In such conditions, rockets are prone to displacement, collisions, or corrosion, affecting launch safety and accuracy.
[0004] In terms of launch control, existing devices mostly rely on manual operation or short-range remote control, making it difficult to achieve true unmanned operation and remote control, thus limiting their application in unmanned vehicles such as unmanned surface vessels and autonomous platforms. In addition, there is a contradiction between sealing and initial launch control in traditional launch tubes: although the sealing structure can protect the rocket, it can easily cause pressure to accumulate inside the tube during launch, disturbing the rocket's exit trajectory and affecting launch accuracy.
[0005] Some technologies have attempted to improve upon these issues. For example, patent CN214276678U proposes a wirelessly controlled model rocket launcher that enables remote ignition. However, it remains a single-rocket vertical launch structure with limited functionality, lacking integrated storage, transportation, and launch capabilities, and failing to meet the demands of multi-unit and modular deployments. Furthermore, the design of this device in terms of rocket positioning, turbulence resistance, and waterproof sealing remains relatively simple, making it difficult to operate stably in complex marine environments. Summary of the Invention
[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides an integrated storage, transportation and launch low-altitude sounding rocket launch device, which integrates storage, transportation and launch functions and has the function of unattended remote launch.
[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: A low-altitude sounding rocket launcher integrating storage, transportation, and launch includes a launch tube, a housing, a housing cover, and a controller fixed to the housing. The launch tube includes a launch tube shell, a nozzle plug, a fragile plug, a push rod assembly, an igniter insert, a push rod insert, and a launcher assembly. The launcher assembly is disposed inside the launch tube shell for guiding the rocket launch. The nozzle plug and the fragile plug are respectively fixed to the rear half and top of the launch tube shell, sealing the launcher assembly and the rocket inside the launch tube shell. A rocket mounting seat is provided on the side of the nozzle plug facing the fragile plug, which is used to fix the rocket inside the launch tube. The push rod assembly... Fixed to the orienter assembly, it is used to receive controller commands to press the rocket safety button; the igniter connector and push rod connector are both located on the side wall of the housing, and are used for electrical connection of the rocket igniter and push rod assembly, respectively; the igniter receives controller commands for rocket ignition; there is one or more launch tube limiting seats at the bottom inside the housing, which are used to engage with the launch tube mounting slot at the bottom of the launch tube housing to limit the launch tube inside the housing; the housing cover has a through hole I corresponding to the launch tube limiting seat, and the housing cover can be fastened and fixed to the open top of the housing. When fastened, the fragile plug of the launch tube is limited to the through hole I.
[0008] Furthermore, the directional assembly includes a positioning frame and two or more guide rails arranged parallel to the launch tube axis; the positioning frame includes two or more annular structures coaxial with the rocket tube, the outer side of the annular structure is fixed to the inner wall of the launch tube shell, and the inner side of the annular structure is fixedly connected to the outer side of the guide rail; the rocket is placed on the inner side of the guide rail along the axis of the annular structure, and the guide rail is used to provide guidance for rocket launch.
[0009] Furthermore, the launch tube housing is divided into a lower protective tube and an upper housing; the bottom end face of the lower protective tube is provided with a launch tube mounting groove; the side wall of the lower protective tube is provided with two or more flow guide holes; the top of the lower protective tube is used to engage and fix with the bottom of the upper housing; the upper housing is fitted outside the positioning frame and fixedly connected to it, and the nozzle plug and the fragile plug are respectively fixed to the rear half and the top of the upper housing.
[0010] Furthermore, the push rod assembly includes an outer protective shell and a miniature push rod, a drive motor, and a micro switch disposed inside the outer protective shell; one end of the outer protective shell is fixed to a guide rail, and the other end of the outer protective shell extends out of a through hole provided in the launch tube shell, and a sealing structure is provided between the protruding part of the outer protective shell and the launch tube shell; the drive motor receives commands from the controller to control the extension and retraction of the miniature push rod from the outer protective shell, and presses the rocket safety button when the miniature push rod extends; the micro switch is used to monitor the status of the miniature push rod and send the status signal of the extension or retraction of the miniature push rod to the controller.
[0011] Furthermore, the housing is also provided with a launch tube support, which is located between the push rod assembly and the fragile plug, and has a through hole II corresponding to the launch tube limiting seat.
[0012] Furthermore, the fragile plug is uniformly provided with several radial grooves, which do not penetrate the fragile plug.
[0013] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention relies on the integrated design of the launch tube, housing, cover, and controller. Through the locking and fixing of the launch tube limiting seat and the launch tube mounting slot, combined with the sealing protection of the nozzle plug and fragile plug, it achieves integrated rocket storage, transportation, and launch functions without disassembly or additional assembly, significantly simplifying the deployment process. It also avoids rocket displacement and collisions during transportation, improving storage and transportation safety in complex environments. This invention possesses high adaptability, high reliability, and supports remote control, solving the problem that manned equipment cannot reach deep ocean areas for distant meteorological data detection.
[0014] 2. This invention utilizes a push rod assembly to receive controller commands to press the rocket safety button. Combined with the independent electrical connection design between the igniter connector and the push rod connector, it enables remote control of the entire process of rocket power-on and ignition without the need for close-range manual operation. It is compatible with unmanned surface vessels, autonomous platforms, and other unmanned vehicles, meeting the requirements of unmanned missions.
[0015] 3. The launch tube shell internal orienting component of the present invention provides precise guidance for the rocket. The radial groove design of the fragile plug allows it to break along the groove during launch, reducing the rocket's exit resistance. At the same time, the guide hole of the lower protective tube can quickly discharge the exhaust flame, avoiding pressure buildup inside the tube that would disturb the rocket's trajectory and significantly improving launch accuracy. It achieves both sealing during rocket storage and transportation and avoids initial disturbances caused by launch from a sealed tube.
[0016] 4. The modular structure of the launch tube and housing of this invention supports multi-unit deployment. The number of launch tubes can be flexibly increased or decreased according to the detection requirements, which greatly improves the mobility and adaptability of the device and can meet the rapid deployment needs of remote areas such as oceans and islands. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the box of the present invention (only part of the box is shown in the figure).
[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the oblique cross-section of the box body of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the launching tube of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the directional component of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the miniature push rod of the present invention.
[0023] Among them, 1-base plate, 2-box structure, 3-launch tube, 4-controller, 5-waterproof connector, 6-hook assembly, 7-lock, 8-fragile plug, 9-box cover, 10-push rod connector, 11-launch tube bracket, 12-push rod assembly, 13-wire trough, 14-igniter connector, 15-lower protective tube, 16-launch tube limit seat, 17-rocket mounting base, 18-positioning frame, 19-director, 20-miniature push rod motor, 21-miniature push rod, 22-micro switch. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0025] This invention provides an integrated storage, transportation, and launch system for low-altitude sounding rockets, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the launching device includes a launching tube 3, a housing, a housing cover 9, and a controller 4.
[0026] The box body consists of a base plate 1 and a box-type structure 2 with open ends. The bottom end of the box-type structure 2 is welded and fixed to the base plate 1, and the launch tube 3 can be inserted into the box body from the top of the box-type structure 2.
[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the base plate 1 is provided with one or more launch tube limiting seats 16, which are used to limit the launch tube 3 within the housing. The longer sides of the base plate 1 are provided with mounting holes, which are used to connect and fix the launch device to the carrier by fasteners. The controller 4 is fixed on one side wall. If the box is a cuboid structure, the controller 4 is fixed on the side wall with the larger area of the box. The side wall is also provided with several waterproof connectors 5 for electrical connection with the outside. The side wall is also provided with two or more sets of hook assemblies 6.
[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the box cover 9 is provided with a through hole I corresponding to the launch tube limiting seat 16. The through hole I, the launch tube limiting seat 16 and the launch tube 3 located on the launch tube limiting seat 16 are coaxial. The box cover 9 can be fastened and fixed to the open top of the box body (i.e. the top of the box structure 2). When fastened, the launch tube 3 is limited to the through hole I.
[0029] In this embodiment, the lid 9 is fastened to the box body and then fixedly connected by a latch 7. The latch 7 is not specifically limited and can be a conventional latch 7, as long as it ensures the fixed connection between the lid 9 and the box body. For example, the latch 7 can adopt a quick-release male and female latch structure, with the male latch fixedly connected to the lid 9 and the female latch fixedly connected to the box body. The engagement of the male and female latches limits the lid 9 to the box body.
[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, the launch tube 3 includes a launch tube housing, a nozzle plug, a fragile plug 8, a push rod assembly 12, an igniter insert 14, a push rod insert 10, and a direction finder assembly.
[0031] The launch guide assembly is housed inside the launch tube casing to guide the rocket launch. The launch tube casing is a cylindrical structure with an open top. The bottom of the launch tube casing has a launch tube mounting groove that engages with the launch tube limiting seat 16. The engagement of the launch tube mounting groove and the launch tube limiting seat 16 fixes the launch tube 3 inside the casing.
[0032] The nozzle plug and the fragile plug 8 are fixed to the rear half and top of the launch tube shell, respectively, and seal the directional assembly and rocket inside the launch tube shell. The nozzle plug is provided with a rocket mounting seat 17 in the middle of the side facing the fragile plug 8. The rocket mounting seat 17 is used to fix the rocket inside the launch tube 3.
[0033] In this embodiment, the rocket mounting base 17 is provided with external threads for connection with the internal threads at the tail of the rocket. The rocket mounting base 17 confines the rocket within the launch tube 3, while the launch tube limiting seat 16 confines the launch tube 3 within the housing, adapting to bumpy environments. It can be used for rocket storage and transportation, and provides support for launch.
[0034] The push rod assembly 12 is fixed to the orienter assembly and is used to receive commands from the controller 4 to press the rocket safety button. The igniter connector 14 and the push rod connector 10 are both located on the side wall of the launch tube housing and are used for electrical connection between the igniter and the push rod assembly 12, respectively.
[0035] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 As shown, the orientation assembly includes an orientation device 19 and a positioning frame 18. The orientation device 19 includes two or more guide rails arranged parallel to the axis of the launch tube 3, and the guide rails are arranged in a ring with the axis of the launch tube 3 as the center line. The rocket is placed inside all the guide rails along the axis of the launch tube 3. The guide rails are used to provide guidance for rocket launch. During rocket launch, the rocket slides in the guide rails and is constrained by the guide rails, which provide the rocket with an initial orientation.
[0036] The positioning frame 18 includes two or more annular structures. The outer side of the annular structure is fixed to the inner wall of the launch tube 3 shell, and the inner side of the annular structure is fixedly connected to the outer side of the guide rail. The annular structure, the directional device 19, the launch tube 3, and the rocket are all coaxially arranged. In this embodiment, there are a total of three positioning frames 18, located at the bottom, middle, and top of the guide rail, respectively. The positioning frame 18 located at the bottom abuts against the nozzle plug.
[0037] In this embodiment, the positioning frame 18 and the orienter 19 are fixed by a connecting frame. One end of the connecting frame is fixed to the positioning frame 18 by fasteners, and the other end of the connecting frame is provided with a recess. The guide rail is embedded in the recess and fixed to the connecting frame by fasteners.
[0038] To prevent the exhaust plume from disturbing the rocket's exit from the barrel, as an improvement, the launch tube shell is divided into a lower protective tube 15 and an upper shell, with the lower protective tube 15 fixedly installed at the bottom of the upper shell.
[0039] The upper shell is fitted onto the positioning frame 18 and fixedly connected thereto. The nozzle plug and the fragile plug 8 are fixed to the rear half and top of the upper shell, respectively. The rocket is located inside the directional device 19, with the outer side of the rocket abutting against the inner side of the guide rail. The tail of the rocket is limited and connected to the nozzle plug by the rocket mounting seat 17. The nozzle plug and the fragile plug 8 seal the directional device assembly and the rocket inside the upper shell to adapt to the harsh marine environment.
[0040] The bottom end of the lower protective cylinder 15 is closed, and the launch tube mounting slot is provided at the bottom end of the lower protective cylinder 15. The launch tube mounting slot engages with the launch tube limiting seat 16 of the housing. In this embodiment, both the launch tube limiting seat 16 and the launch tube mounting slot are conical structures that cooperate with each other and can be locked together. The top of the lower protective cylinder 15 is used to engage and fix with the bottom of the upper housing. In this embodiment, the top of the lower protective cylinder 15 is provided with an annular engaging groove that is embedded in the inner side of the bottom of the upper housing to achieve a fixed connection.
[0041] The lower protective cylinder 15 has two or more guide holes on its side wall. During rocket launch, the airflow breaks through the nozzle plug, and the exhaust flame is discharged from the guide holes, avoiding disturbance to the rocket's exit from the barrel. At the same time, the fragile plug 8 has several radial grooves evenly distributed. The grooves do not penetrate the fragile plug 8. During rocket launch, the fragile plug 8 breaks along the grooves, reducing resistance to the rocket. The combined structure of the fragile plug 8, the nozzle plug, and the lower protective cylinder 15 achieves sealing during rocket storage and transportation, and avoids initial disturbance caused by launch from within the sealed cylinder.
[0042] As a further improvement, several tail flame exhaust holes are evenly provided at the bottom of the side wall of the housing to ensure that the tail flame can be discharged in time during launch.
[0043] The push rod assembly 12 includes an outer protective shell and a miniature push rod 21, a miniature push rod motor 20, and a micro switch 22 disposed inside the outer protective shell. One end of the outer protective shell is fixed to the guide rail of the directional device 19, and the other end of the outer protective shell extends out of the through hole provided in the upper shell of the launch tube 3. A waterproof sealing structure, such as silicone rubber, is provided between the protruding part of the outer protective shell and the launch tube shell.
[0044] The miniature push rod motor 20 receives commands from the controller 4 to control the extension and retraction of the miniature push rod 21 from the outer protective shell. The miniature push rod 21 serves as the rocket's power-on / off actuator. When the miniature push rod 21 extends, the outer protective shell presses the corresponding safety button on the rocket, powering it on and preparing for subsequent detection and data transmission. After pressing the safety button, the miniature push rod 21 retracts into the outer protective shell under the drive of the miniature push rod motor 20. Then, the controller 4 sends an ignition signal to the igniter, enabling unmanned remote-controlled ignition and launch. The pressure head of the miniature push rod 21 uses a spring-loaded pressure head to prevent rigid impact from damaging the projectile. The miniature push rod 21 employs a dynamic O-ring seal to further ensure waterproofing.
[0045] The micro switch 22 is used to monitor the status of the micro push rod 21 and send the status signal of the micro push rod 21 being extended or retracted to the controller 4; the controller 4 can only ignite and fire when it confirms that the micro push rod 21 is retracted, so as to avoid the problem of the micro push rod 21 not retracting and causing the cartridge to jam.
[0046] The push rod assembly 12 is connected to the push rod connector 10 via wiring. To optimize the circuit layout and reduce cable interference, the igniter connector 14 is located at the bottom of the side wall of the launch tube shell. The push rod assembly 12 corresponds to the position of the corresponding button on the rocket, and the push rod connector 10 is located on the side of the push rod assembly 12 near the fragile plug 8. The push rod connector 10, push rod assembly 12, and igniter connector 14 are all located in a straight line. The side wall of the launch tube shell is provided with a cable groove 13 to facilitate cable routing.
[0047] In this embodiment, the housing is further provided with a launch tube support 11, which is disposed between the push rod assembly 12 and the push rod insert 10, and has a through hole II corresponding to the launch tube limiting seat 16. The launch tube limiting seat 16, the through hole I, and the through hole II are coaxial. When the housing cover 9 is fastened, the launch tube 3 is limited to the inside of the through hole II.
[0048] The integrated storage, transportation, and launch low-altitude sounding rocket launcher provided by this invention features a modular design for each component, allowing for multi-unit assembly as needed. Its compact structure eliminates the need for additional packaging by placing the rocket within a prefabricated container, enhancing transportation and mobility. It enables unmanned rocket launches, allows for deep-sea meteorological exploration missions, and adapts to harsh marine environments.
[0049] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A storage, transportation, and launch integrated low-altitude sounding rocket launcher, characterized in that, Includes the launch tube, housing, housing cover, and controller fixed to the housing; The launch tube includes a launch tube shell, a nozzle plug, a fragile plug, a push rod assembly, an igniter insert, a push rod insert, and a launcher assembly. The launcher assembly is located inside the launch tube shell and is used to guide the rocket launch. The nozzle plug and the fragile plug are fixed to the rear half and top of the launch tube shell, respectively, sealing the launcher assembly and the rocket inside the launch tube shell. A rocket mounting base is provided on the side of the nozzle plug facing the fragile plug, which is used to fix the rocket inside the launch tube. The push rod assembly is fixed to the orienter assembly and is used to receive controller commands to press the rocket safety button; the igniter connector and the push rod connector are both located on the side wall of the housing and are used for electrical connection between the rocket igniter and the push rod assembly, respectively; the igniter receives controller commands for rocket ignition. The inner bottom of the box has one or more launch tube limiting seats, which are used to engage with the launch tube mounting groove at the bottom of the launch tube shell to limit the launch tube inside the box; the box cover has a through hole I corresponding to the launch tube limiting seat, and the box cover can be fastened and fixed to the open top of the box. When fastened, the fragile plug of the launch tube is limited to the through hole I.
2. The integrated storage, transportation, and launch low-altitude sounding rocket launcher as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The directional assembly includes a positioning frame and two or more guide rails arranged parallel to the axis of the launch tube; The positioning frame includes two or more annular structures coaxially arranged with the rocket launcher. The outer side of the annular structure is fixed to the inner wall of the launch tube shell, and the inner side of the annular structure is fixedly connected to the outer side of the guide rail. The rocket is placed along the axis of the annular structure inside the guide rail, which is used to provide guidance for rocket launch.
3. The integrated storage, transportation, and launch low-altitude sounding rocket launcher as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The launch tube housing is divided into a lower protective tube and an upper housing; The bottom end face of the lower protective cylinder is provided with a launch tube mounting groove; the side wall of the lower protective cylinder is provided with two or more flow guide holes; the top of the lower protective cylinder is used to engage and fix with the bottom of the upper shell; the upper shell is fitted outside the positioning frame and fixedly connected to it, and the nozzle plug and the fragile plug are respectively fixed to the rear half and the top of the upper shell.
4. The integrated storage, transportation, and launch low-altitude sounding rocket launcher as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The push rod assembly includes an outer protective shell and a miniature push rod, a drive motor, and a micro switch disposed inside the outer protective shell; One end of the outer protective shell is fixed on the guide rail, and the other end of the outer protective shell extends out of the through hole provided in the launch tube shell. A sealing structure is provided between the protruding part of the outer protective shell and the launch tube shell. The drive motor receives commands from the controller to control the extension and retraction of the micro push rod from the outer protective shell. When the micro push rod is extended, the rocket safety button is pressed. The micro switch is used to monitor the status of the micro push rod and send the status signal of the micro push rod extension or retraction to the controller.
5. The integrated storage, transportation, and launch low-altitude sounding rocket launcher as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The housing is also provided with a launch tube support, which is located between the push rod assembly and the fragile plug, and has a through hole II corresponding to the launch tube limit seat.
6. The integrated storage, transportation, and launch low-altitude sounding rocket launcher as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The fragile plug is uniformly provided with several radial grooves, which do not penetrate the fragile plug.