Missile Container Door Linkage Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing missile container egress methods are overly complex, expensive, and potentially damage sensitive missile surfaces during launch, or require separate actuation systems leading to reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A missile container sealing assembly that uses the missile's propulsion system to actuate and control the opening of the container door through a linkage assembly, including a guide track and pivotally connected links, allowing the door to open without external actuation, and featuring a unitary structure with frangible tear lines and locking mechanisms for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separately powered actuation system is used to open the container door, then the door can be opened in advance of missile launch, but the system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The missile container door opening system uses the missile's own propulsion system to provide the force needed to open the door. The linkage assembly is actuated by the missile's forward motion and propulsion forces, eliminating the need for separate powered actuators. This self-service approach reduces system complexity while maintaining reliable door opening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage assembly serves multiple functions: it connects the door to the container structure, provides the opening force through the missile's propulsion, controls the door opening sequence, and maintains sealing during storage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated actuation components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If the missile pierces a protective cover to exit the container, then egress is achieved, but sensitive missile surfaces may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The container door is opened in advance of missile egress through the linkage assembly actuation. The door begins opening before the missile needs to pass through, creating a clear path ahead of time. This preliminary action prevents the missile from contacting or damaging the door edges during egress, while still achieving rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the missile's propulsion system and the door opening action. It translates the missile's forward motion into controlled door opening, ensuring the door moves away from the missile path smoothly without requiring the missile to pierce or contact the door structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a unitary structure with frangible tear lines is used for the end cap, then manufacturing is simplified, but door locking reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary end cap structure incorporates frangible tear lines that segment the door portion from the frame portion along predetermined paths. These tear lines allow the door to separate cleanly from the frame during opening while maintaining the structural integrity of both components. The segmentation is built into the monolithic structure, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring reliable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary end cap structure combines the door portion and frame portion into a single integrated component made from the same material. This composite construction simplifies manufacturing by eliminating separate parts and assembly steps, while the frangible tear lines provide controlled separation paths that maintain locking reliability during storage and controlled opening.
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
This solution simplifies the manufacturing process, enhances reliability, minimizes contact with sensitive missile parts, reduces debris, and eliminates the need for separate actuation systems, ensuring efficient and damage-free egress with minimal delay.
Implementation Method 1
a linkage assembly, each for opening a respective one of the one or more doors
Implementation Method 2
a second link pivotally connected to the first link and to the door
Implementation Method 3
a guide track. The first link is pivotally connected to the guide track at a location removed from the connection between the first link and the second link, and the first link is mounted for sliding movement relative to and along the guide track
Implementation Method 4
both the frame portion and the door portion are formed as a unitary structure, and the one or more doors are defined by frangible tear lines in the unitary structure that separate the one or more doors from the frame portion
Implementation Method 5
The locking assembly includes a pair of locking bolts and a spring associated with each bolt that biases the bolt out of engagement with the frame portion
Implementation Method 6
a latch release connected to the second link. The bolts are mounted to the door, aligned with the recesses in the frame portion, and are movable between a locking position where the bolts are received in respective recesses, and a releasing position where the bolts are retracted from the recesses
Data Source
AI summary
A missile container sealing assembly includes an end cap capable of sealing an end of a container for a missile, and one or more linkage assemblies for controllably opening the end cap. The end cap has a frame portion that defines an opening for a missile and is mountable to the end of the missile container, and a door portion that includes one or more doors that close and seal the opening in the frame portion. Each linkage assembly is associated with a respective one of the one or more doors, for opening the doors relative to the frame portion. Moreover, each linkage assembly includes a link that transmits a force ahead of the leading end of the missile to open the doors and permit the missile's egress through the opening.