Patent ID: 6755111
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: F41F

Abstract:
A missile launcher for accepting a canisterized missile, which missile canister defines a missile launch end and a missile exhaust end, for, prior to missile launch, holding said missile canister in a generally vertical launch position below a deck, said missile launcher comprising:at least one elongated round exhaust gas chimney; a support structure defining a generally axial cavity defining a missile launch end and a missile exhaust end, said cavity of said support structure having length and cross-sectional dimensions sufficient to accommodate said missile canister, said at least one elongated round exhaust gas chimney lying along the exterior of said support structure and extending, parallel with said axis of said cavity, from near said missile launch end to near said missile exhaust end; a missile exhaust plenum attached near said missile exhaust end of said support structure, said missile exhaust plenum being coupled to said at least one elongated round exhaust gas chimney near said missile exhaust end of said support structure, said missile exhaust plenum further including attachment means for attachment to said missile exhaust end of said missile canister, for routing missile exhaust gas from said missile exhaust end of said support structure to said at least one elongated round exhaust gas chimney, for causing missile exhaust gas to vent from said at least one elongated round exhaust gas chimney near said missile launch end of said support structure; and a door structure attached to said missile launch end of said missile launch structure, for, when closed, protecting at least said support structure, said at least one elongated round exhaust gas chimney, and any missile canister accommodated within said cavity, and for, when open, providing clearance for launch of said missile, and for venting of said exhaust gas from said at least one elongated round exhaust gas chimney.