Poppet Valve Gas Supply for Rapid Pneumatic Store Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas supply systems for pneumatic store ejection are slow to recharge, require manual resetting, and perform poorly under varying environmental conditions, limiting quick mission turn-around and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained, high-flow gas supply system with a replaceable gas storage vessel, featuring a main and pilot poppet mechanism that allows for rapid gas release and automatic resetting, utilizing a solenoid-actuated plunger and sequencing valve for efficient operation across different conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an on-board compressor is used to recharge the gas supply system, then the system can be recharged, but the recharging time is too long due to compressor size limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem recharging capabilityVSAvoidrecharging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gas supply system is segmented into a reusable receiver assembly and replaceable gas storage vessels. This allows the gas storage function to be separated from the recharging function, enabling rapid replacement of pre-charged vessels without waiting for the onboard compressor to recharge the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a discard and recover strategy where gas storage vessels are pre-charged offline, then rapidly swapped into the receiver assembly. The old vessels are discarded (temporarily set aside) and can be recovered (recharged) later by ground support equipment, eliminating the time constraint of onboard compressor recharging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of operation

If manual resetting of system components is required, then the system can be reset, but the mission turn-around time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reset capabilityVSAvoidmission turn-around time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates automatic resetting mechanisms where components self-reset after actuation. The poppet valve assembly automatically returns to its closed position after gas release, and the system is designed to be ready for the next operation without requiring manual intervention for resetting, thereby reducing mission turn-around time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a conventional gas supply system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the system performance varies under different environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidperformance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Gas storage vessels are pre-charged to specific pressure levels before being installed in the receiver assembly. This preliminary action ensures that regardless of environmental conditions during operation, the system starts with known, controlled parameters, improving performance consistency without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the main poppet is held closed by gas pressure, then the system is simple, but the system cannot release gas quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepoppet holding mechanismVSAvoidgas release speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

A pilot poppet is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to control the main poppet. The pilot poppet, when opened, allows a small amount of gas to escape, which then acts as a mediator to reduce the pressure holding the main poppet closed, enabling rapid main poppet opening and high-speed gas release without requiring a complex direct actuation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables quick mission turn-around with high-flow gas output and automatic system resetting, maintaining performance across various environmental conditions, reducing turn-around time and enhancing operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a gas storage vessel (101) removably coupled to the receiver assembly (200)... when the pilot poppet opens, gas from the gas storage vessel is released into the chamber to exert pressure on the main poppet to open the main poppet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a solenoid-actuated plunger... Prior to actuation, the plunger is held in a retracted position by a trigger sear linkage, which is actuated by a solenoid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentUS8631819B2Gas supply system for pneumatic store ejection utilizing a removable, replaceable and on-board rechargeable gas storage vessel

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 AUSCO INC

AI summary

A gas supply system includes a receiver assembly, a gas storage vessel coupled to the receiver assembly, a main poppet positioned at an end of the gas storage vessel and sealing the gas storage vessel when the main poppet is closed, a pilot poppet positioned in the main poppet and sealing the gas storage vessel when the pilot poppet is closed, and a chamber positioned behind the main poppet, wherein when the pilot poppet opens, gas from the gas storage vessel is released into the chamber to exert pressure on the main poppet to open the main poppet.