Telescoping Piston Spring Assemblies for Munition Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing munition separation systems from aircraft face challenges due to the airstream altering the course of munitions, particularly when released from a bay, and previous methods like gravity or explosive systems are not optimal.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing nested spring assemblies that extend to separate the munition from the aircraft, maintaining contact to ensure orientation and using multiple springs in series for longer extension lengths with similar diameter and compressed system length, providing a softer and controlled push.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a single spring is used for separation, then the system is simpler, but the extension length is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coil springs are nested inside one another within a telescoping piston assembly, with each spring contained within the previous spring's diameter. This nesting arrangement allows multiple springs to occupy the same radial space, enabling long extension length while maintaining compact system diameter and manageable complexity
2Force
If explosive or pneumatic systems are used for separation, then separation force is sufficient, but debris and extreme forces are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assemblies are designed as reusable mechanical components that can be reset and reused multiple times, replacing single-use explosive or pneumatic systems. The springs provide sufficient separation force through elastic potential energy storage while generating no debris and avoiding extreme forces
Solution Approach 2:
Explosive or pneumatic separation systems are replaced with a purely mechanical spring-based system. The springs store elastic potential energy during compression and release it during separation, providing controlled force without the harmful effects of explosives or high-pressure gases
3Stability of the object's composition
If the spring assemblies engage the store early, then orientation control is improved, but the separation distance required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested spring configuration within the telescoping piston allows the spring assemblies to engage the store early in the separation process while maintaining a compact overall length. The nested arrangement maximizes the effective stroke length without increasing the compressed system length, enabling both early engagement for orientation control and limited separation distance
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 system achieves safe, steady, and controlled separation with reusable, low-cost, and low-weight components, avoiding debris and extreme forces, while maintaining munition orientation and reducing structural requirements.
Implementation Method 1
spring assemblies that engage different portions of the store; wherein the spring assemblies have a compressed position when the store is mechanically coupled to the launch platform; wherein the spring assemblies extend from the compressed position to an extended position to separate the store from the launch platform
Implementation Method 2
each of the spring assemblies includes at least two nested springs
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector system for ejecting/separating a store, such as a weapon, from a launch platform includes a pair of spring assemblies that each include nested springs that are contained in a housing when the spring assemblies are in a compressed configuration. To separate the store from the aircraft the spring assemblies each move from the initial compressed configuration to an extended configuration, using the potential energy stored in the springs when compressed. The extension of the springs extends the springs mostly out of the spring assembly housings, extending telescoped sleeves of the spring assemblies. The extension of the spring assemblies provides a safe and steady way of separating the store from the launch platform, while having the advantages of being reusable, low cost and low weight, not producing any debris, and providing a softer push than may be produced by other separation mechanisms, such as the use of pyrotechnic devices.