Patent ID: 7398721
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: F41B,F41F,F42B

Abstract:
1. A launch system, wherein the launch system is a cold-gas launch system for launching a munition without firing the munition's booster, the launch system comprising: a canister for receiving said munition, said canister having an aft end and a forward end; a sled for launching said munition, wherein said sled is disposed within said canister, and wherein said sled seals against an inside wall of said canister, and further wherein said sled is movable along the length of said canister; an expandable plenum, wherein said plenum is a region of said canister between said aft end and said sled; a source of gas, wherein said gas is introduced into said plenum to drive said sled toward the forward end of said canister; a plurality of vents for venting said gas from said canister to an ambient environment, wherein said vents are disposed in said canister proximal to said forward end thereof; and a vent control mechanism, wherein said vent control mechanism is operable to open said vents when said sled moves along said canister and passes said vents.