Abstract: A multiple advanced missile and bomb ejector rack carriage system employs a carriage mountable to an air to ground (AG) bomb release unit (BRU) on an aircraft pylon. A single MIL-STD-1760 electrical interface is integral to the carriage and has a first power connection and first signal connection. Onboard carriage avionics are supported within the carriage and connected to the MIL-STD-1760 electrical interface. The onboard carriage avionics are adapted to receive communications from an aircraft central computer through the first power connection and first signal connection and provide store specific communications independent of specific original aircraft wiring to at least one ejector and store.

Abstract: A multiple advanced missile and bomb ejector rack carriage system employs a carriage mountable to an air to ground (AG) bomb release unit (BRU) on an aircraft pylon. A single MIL-STD-1760 electrical interface is integral to the carriage and has a first power connection and first signal connection. Onboard carriage avionics are supported within the carriage and connected to the MIL-STD-1760 electrical interface. The onboard carriage avionics are adapted to receive communications from an aircraft central computer through the first power connection and first signal connection and provide store specific communications independent of specific original aircraft wiring to at least one ejector and store.

Abstract: A cover for an empty rail missile launcher that can be used in flight. The cover is shaped to reflect radar signals transmitted by a radar transmitter away from the radar transmitter to reduce detectibility by radar. The cover may also be coated with radar absorbent material to reduce detectibility by radar. Hangers are used to mount the cover to the rail missile launcher. The cover is provided with a grounding mechanism to dissipate precipitation static. A restraint mechanism is provided to prevent the cover from inadvertently sliding off the rail missile launcher.

Abstract: A cover for an empty rail missile launcher that can be used in flight. The cover is shaped to reflect radar signals transmitted by a radar transmitter away from the radar transmitter to reduce detectibility by radar. The cover may also be coated with radar absorbent material to reduce detectibility by radar. Hangers are used to mount the cover to the rail missile launcher. The cover is provided with a grounding mechanism to dissipate precipitation static. A restraint mechanism is provided to prevent the cover from inadvertently sliding off the rail missile launcher.

Abstract: A store ejector is adapted for in-flight adjustment of the pitch attitude imparted to a store by a pair of ejector pistons. The pitch attitude of the store is adjustable to correspond to a flight condition of the aircraft at time of store release. The aircraft has a flight computer that provides store release pitch data corresponding to the aircraft flight conditions. The store ejector includes an orificing assembly that varies the flow of pressurized gas to the ejector pistons by translating a mandrel within a bore formed in the orificing assembly. Orifices within the bore are adjusted to apportion the flow of pressurized gas to the ejector pistons in accordance with an optimum orifice setting corresponding to the desired pitch attitude of the store for the given flight condition.

Abstract: A store ejector is adapted for in-flight adjustment of the pitch attitude imparted to a store by a pair of ejector pistons. The pitch attitude of the store is adjustable to correspond to a flight condition of the aircraft at time of store release. The aircraft has a flight computer that provides store release pitch data corresponding to the aircraft flight conditions. The store ejector includes an orificing assembly that varies the flow of pressurized gas to the ejector pistons by translating a mandrel within a bore formed in the orificing assembly. Orifices within the bore are adjusted to apportion the flow of pressurized gas to the ejector pistons in accordance with an optimum orifice setting corresponding to the desired pitch attitude of the store for the given flight condition.

Abstract: Store ejector rack systems and methods having an improved fluid actuator assembly for sequencing the opening of the hooks from which the store is suspended and the pressurization of thrusters which force the store away from the aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, an actuator assembly includes a staged valve assembly including a primary valve for controlling the flow of high pressure fluid from an accumulator to the thrusters, and a slave piston independently movable with respect to the primary valve for actuating the hook release mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a store ejection system and method that use a pressurized non-pyrotechnic gas as the source of energy and transfer mechanism for jettisoning a store, such as from an aircraft. The ejection system includes an on-board pressure vessel for holding the pressurized gas with a releasable valve configured to hermetically seal the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is releasably connected to system and the releasable valve is configured to be released after the pressure vessel is connected thereto so that the releasable seal hermetically seals the pressure vessel before the pressure vessel is connected to the pressure regulator. The ejection system also includes at least one actuation system and at least one pneumatically-driven jettison mechanism for releasably retaining the store.

Abstract: There is provided a store ejection system and method for mounting and ejecting a jettisonable store. The system uses a pressurized non-pyrotechnic fluid from a fluid source as the source of energy and the transfer mechanism. An actuation system includes an accumulator for receiving and storing the fluid from the pressure source, a poppet valve for controlling a flow of the fluid from the accumulator, and a controller for actuating the poppet valve to an open position in response to a control signal to jettison the store. A pneumatically-driven jettison mechanism for releasably retaining the store is fluidly connected to the poppet valve such that actuating the poppet valve to the open position releases the pressurized fluid in the accumulator to flow to the jettison mechanism, thereby actuating the jettison mechanism to jettison the store.

Abstract: There is provided a store ejection system and method that use a pressurized non-pyrotechnic gas as the source of energy and transfer mechanism for jettisoning a store, such as from an aircraft. The ejection system includes an on-board pressure vessel for holding the pressurized gas with a releasable valve configured to hermetically seal the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is releasably connected to system and the releasable valve is configured to be released after the pressure vessel is connected thereto so that the releasable seal hermetically seals the pressure vessel before the pressure vessel is connected to the pressure regulator. The ejection system also includes at least one actuation system and at least one pneumatically-driven jettison mechanism for releasably retaining the store.

Abstract: Snap rings positioned in grooves on shaft members and the like for retaining component members on the shaft members. Retention members, such as retaining rings with counterbores, are positioned over the snap rings and prevent the snap rings from expanding outwardly and being released from the grooves. The retention members are installed such that axial loads force the retention members against the snap rings. The snap rings are preferably spiral snap rings.

Abstract: A method of ejecting or jettisoning stores from an aircraft is disclosed that pertains essentially to the over-pressurizing of an on-board gas storage system such that the pressure of the gas stored therein remains at or above the proper pneumatic actuation pressure during all foreseeable temperature ranges. When a control signal to release a store is provided, the pressure of the gas is reduced to be within the desired pneumatic actuation pressure and the gas is then used to release the store. The present invention eliminates many of the concerns associated with prior art ejection systems by providing a method of supplying proper pneumatic actuating pressures during store release without the need for on-board compressors or heating elements.

Abstract: A method of ejecting or jettisoning stores from an aircraft is disclosed that pertains essentially to the over-pressurizing of an on-board gas storage system such that the pressure of the gas stored therein remains at or above the proper pneumatic actuation pressure during all foreseeable temperature ranges. When a control signal to release a store is provided, the pressure of the gas is reduced to be within the desired pneumatic actuation pressure and the gas is then used to release the store. The present invention eliminates many of the concerns associated with prior art ejection systems by providing a method of supplying proper pneumatic actuating pressures during store release without the need for on-board compressors or heating elements.

Abstract: Snap rings positioned in grooves on shaft members and the like for retaining component members on the shaft members. Retention members, such as retaining rings with counterbores, are positioned over the snap rings and prevent the snap rings from expanding outwardly and being released from the grooves. The retention members are installed such that axial loads force the retention members against the snap rings. The snap rings are preferably spiral snap rings.

Abstract: A method of ejecting or jettisoning stores from an aircraft is disclosed that pertains essentially a method of supplying the gas storage system with compressed gas that has a pressure-to-temperature ratio that ensures proper jettisoning of stores under all design temperature specifications, without the need for on-board compressors, heating elements, or venting systems. The invention can be practiced by simply making a temperature measurement, during or before the step of supplying the gas storage system with compressed gas, and determining therefrom the necessary pressure of compressed gas to initially supply to the gas storage system. By so doing, the performance of the ejection system at various temperatures is automatically controlled, regardless of the temperature of the compressed gas immediately after such gas is supplied to the gas storage system.