SELECTIVE PASSIVE RELEASE SYSTEM

A system and method to release a subject device includes a passage associated with the subject device, the passage having a first end and a second end, at least one hinged door associated with the second end of the passage, and at least one urging member to urge the at least one hinged door closed and to selectively open the at least one hinged door in response to the subject device contacting the at least one hinged door.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to releasing subject devices from an aircraft, and to a system and a method for selectively and passively releasing subject devices from an aircraft.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Modern aircraft, e.g. fixed wing aircraft, rotary wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc., can utilize deployable devices, such as sonobuoys, to obtain information from remote locations. Further, such deployable devices may need to be deployed from an aircraft during flight to reach intended locations. Deployment of such devices may require a passage from within the aircraft to outside the aircraft.

Aircraft may be sensitive to aerodynamic disturbances caused by such a passage to deploy devices. Electronic or other active mechanisms to selectively cover and uncover the passage may add additional cost, weight, and complexity to aircraft. A system and method that can selectively and passively deploy a subject device is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a selective passive release mechanism to release a subject device includes a passage associated with the subject device, the passage having a first end and a second end, at least one hinged door associated with the second end of the passage, and at least one urging member to urge the at least one hinged door closed and to selectively open the at least one hinged door in response to the subject device contacting the at least one hinged door.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the subject device has a subject weight.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the first end of the passage is associated with a subject device dispenser.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one urging member is at least one torsion spring.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the subject device is a sonobuoy.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the selective passive release mechanism is associated with an aircraft.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one hinged door is urged closed by the at least one urging member in response to at least one of an aerodynamic force, and an aircraft acceleration.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for selectively releasing a subject device includes, providing a passage associated with the subject device, the passage having a first end and a second end, providing at least one hinged door associated with the second end of the passage, urging the at least one hinged door closed via at least one urging member, selectively opening the at least one hinged door in response to the subject device contacting the at least one hinged door.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the subject device has a subject weight.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the first end of the passage is associated with a subject device dispenser.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one urging member is at least one torsion spring.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the subject device is a sonobuoy.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the selective passive release mechanism is associated with an aircraft.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include urging the at least one hinged door closed via the at least one urging member in response to at least one of an aerodynamic force, and an aircraft acceleration.

Technical function of the embodiments described above includes at least one urging member to urge the at least one hinged door closed and to selectively open the at least one hinged door in response to the subject device contacting the at least one hinged door.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates a general schematic view of an aircraft10for use with a release system30suitable to release sonobuoys40. In certain embodiments, aircraft10is a rotary wing aircraft10with a body20, a rotor22, and a release system30at least partially associated with the body20. In an embodiment, aircraft10is an optionally piloted vehicle and can autonomously deploy devices via release system30autonomously. In certain embodiments, aircraft10can be any suitable aircraft, including fixed wing, rotary wing aircraft, etc.

Although a particular aircraft is illustrated and described in the disclosed embodiment, it will be appreciated that other configurations and/or machines including autonomous and optionally piloted aircraft that may operate in land or water including fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, and land vehicles (e.g., trucks, cars, etc.) may also benefit from embodiments disclosed.

In an exemplary embodiment, aircraft10can contain sonobuoys40or any other suitable subject deployable device. Sonobuoys40can be deployed from an aircraft10and activated upon impact or otherwise reaching a destination. In an exemplary embodiment, sonobuoys40are deployed in bodies of water, and transmit sensor readings, such as acoustic readings to an aircraft10or other receiving location. In an exemplary embodiment, sonobuoys40have a characteristic or otherwise predetermined weight that can be used to calibrate or configure release system30.

In an exemplary embodiment, sonobuoys40, or other deployable devices are deployed from a dispenser26. Dispenser26may be any suitable dispenser, including a rotary dispenser, etc. In certain embodiments, dispenser26can dispense one or more sonobuoys40at a desired time, altitude, or position along a flight plan. In certain embodiments, dispenser26may manually or automatically dispense sonobuoys40as required. In an exemplary embodiment, dispenser26is attached to a passage28to direct dispensed sonobuoys40outside of aircraft10.

In an exemplary embodiment, passage28is a tubular member with a first or upper end27and a second or lower end29. In other embodiments, passage28can be any suitable passage, including but not limited to any suitable shape, a cavity formed in aircraft body20, etc. In certain embodiments, passage28can be a straight passage, while in other embodiments, passage28can include bends to accommodate the relative position of the dispenser26and the lower end29. In an exemplary embodiment, the dispenser26is attached to dispense a sonobuoy40to upper end27of passage28. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the sonobuoy40travels through passage28to exit through lower end29of passage28.

In an exemplary embodiment, release system30allows for a dispensed sonobuoy40in passage28to pass through release system30, while otherwise closing or covering passage28when a sonobuoy40is not present. In an exemplary embodiment, release system30is associated with passage28to allow for coverage of lower end29of the passage28. In certain embodiments, release system30can be associated with the upper end27of the passage28, or any other suitable portion of passage28. In an exemplary embodiment, the release system30and the lower end29of passage28are associated with the release surface24of the body20. The release surface24can be any suitable surface of the body, including, but not limited to the lower portion of the body20to provide minimal disturbance to the trajectory of deployed sonobuoys40.

Advantageously, release system30can prevent air flow disturbances over the release surface24during flight, while allowing for sonobuoys40to be deployed. Further, the passive and selective capabilities of release system30allow for lower cost operation, reduced complexity, and reduced weight.

Referring toFIGS. 2-4, in an exemplary embodiment, release system30includes hinges32and doors34. In an exemplary embodiment, release system30includes at least one door34and at least one associated hinge32. In an exemplary embodiment, release system30includes two doors34and two hinges32associated with the two doors34. In other embodiments, release system30includes any suitable number of doors34to obstruct or cover passage28.

In an exemplary embodiment, doors34obstruct or cover passage28during normal operation. In certain embodiments, doors34also obstruct or cover release passage38associated with passage28. In an exemplary embodiment, doors34allow passage of sonobuoy40without exposing passage28at any other time. In an exemplary embodiment, release device30includes two doors34that work in concert to obstruct or cover passage28. In other embodiments, release device30can have any number of suitable doors. Doors34may be made of any suitable material, including metal, carbon fiber, composites, etc. In certain embodiments, doors34can have a sealing relationship with each other, passage28, body20, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, doors34are formed of a similar material as body20or release surface24. In an exemplary embodiment, doors34are of a configured weight to allow hinges32and springs36to selectively and passively open doors34in response to the additional weight of a dispensed device, such as sonobuoy40, such as when sonobuoy40contacts doors34.

In an exemplary embodiment, doors34are connected to body20via hinges32. In an exemplary embodiment, hinges32allow doors34to swing open to expose passage28. In an exemplary embodiment, hinges32are associated with springs36. In an exemplary embodiment, springs36are torsional springs. In an exemplary embodiment, springs36generally urge the doors34closed to obstruct or cover passage28when a sonobuoy40is not dispensed. In an exemplary embodiment, when a sonobuoy40is dispensed to passage28, the contact weight of sonobuoy40in addition to the weight of the doors34overcomes the configured force of the springs36to open the doors34to allow a release of sonobuoy40. In an exemplary embodiment, the characteristics of the springs36are selected to allow doors34to open when springs36are subjected to the additional weight of sonobuoy40. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the springs36are selected to urge the doors34closed during all portions of the flight envelope, including aerodynamic forces, high force inducing maneuvers, aircraft accelerations, etc. when the additional weight of a sonobuoy40is not present. After a sonobuoy40has passed, the force of the doors34and springs36is reduced, and the springs36urge the doors34shut.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. While the description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangement not hereto described will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, while the various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.