Electrically-Powered Stores Rack Ejector for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bomb carriage and release systems in military aircraft rely on pyrotechnic Cartridge-Activated Devices (CADs) and pneumatic compressors, which pose safety concerns, require extensive handling and maintenance, and have reliability issues, leading to high logistical and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An electrically-powered stores ejector system using solenoids and capacitive energy storage to safely and reliably release ordnance, replacing pyrotechnic devices and pneumatic systems, with a design compatible with existing bomb rack configurations to handle various types and sizes of munitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If pyrotechnic Cartridge-Activated Devices (CADs) are used to actuate pistons for ordnance ejection, then sufficient ejection force is achieved, but safety hazards and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pyrotechnic CAD system with an electrically-powered solenoid actuator system. The solenoid converts electrical energy directly into mechanical motion to drive the ejector foot, eliminating the need for explosive devices while achieving the required ejection force for ordnance release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hazardous pyrotechnic CAD components from the ejection system, replacing them with inherently safer electrical actuators. This extraction eliminates the safety hazards associated with storing and handling explosive devices while maintaining the functional requirement for forceful ejection.
2Reliability
If pyrotechnic CADs are used for ordnance ejection, then ejection function is achieved, but maintenance requirements and logistical costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex pyrotechnic CAD system with a simpler electrically-powered solenoid system that has fewer maintenance requirements. Electrical solenoids are more reliable, have no shelf life limitations like pyrotechnics, and eliminate the need for specialized handling procedures and carbon residue cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves away from disposable pyrotechnic CADs that have finite shelf lives and require replacement, to a reusable electrical solenoid system that can be reset and fired multiple times without replacement, reducing logistical costs and maintenance burden.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pneumatic compressors are used to replace CADs, then safety is improved, but reliability and maintenance issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic compressor system with an electrically-powered solenoid system that directly converts electrical energy to mechanical motion. This eliminates the intermediate pneumatic transmission step, improving reliability by removing potential failure points in the pneumatic system while maintaining safety benefits.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bomb rack ejector systems are used, then ordnance release capability is achieved, but device complexity and logistical costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs an electrically-powered ejector system that can serve multiple aircraft platforms and ordnance types through a standardized interface. The solenoid-based actuator provides universal adaptability across different bomb rack configurations while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to platform-specific pyrotechnic systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The electrically-powered system enhances safety, reduces maintenance, and improves reliability by using stored electrical energy to actuate solenoids for ordnance release, offering adaptability and reduced logistical costs while maintaining compatibility with existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more solenoids coupled to the ejector foot and energizable to cause the extension of the ejector foot
Implementation Method 2
The housing of the stores ejector may also include an electrical energy storage device such as, for example, one or more capacitors or a capacitor bank
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically-powered stores rack ejector for aircraft may be configured to carry and release stores (e.g., various munitions, such as missiles and/or bombs, and/or auxiliary fuel tanks). The stores rack ejector may include a housing and an ejector foot movably coupled to the housing, and the ejector foot may be configured to extend from the housing. The housing of the stores rack ejector may also include one or more suspension hooks movably coupled to the housing and the suspension hooks may be configured to release in conjunction with an extension of the ejector foot. One or more solenoids may be coupled to the ejector foot and may be energizable to cause the extension of the ejector foot. The stores rack ejector may also include a controller that may be configured to cause, based upon receiving a command associated with stores release, an energizing of the one or more solenoids.