METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ARRANGEMENT FOR STORING AND LAUNCHING COUNTER-MEASURES, AND ARRANGEMENT FOR STORING AND LAUNCHING COUNTER-MEASURES

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an arrangement for storing and lauching counter-measures, and an arrangement which has been produced in accordance with the principles of the method. A beam (4) with an essentially H-shaped profile is shaped to a suitable length by extrusion starting from an extrudable material, such as aluminium. A nose (2) is arranged at one end of the beam, and a tail (3) at the other end. Compartments (12) for storing counter-measures are also arranged in one opening (5) of the H-shaped profile, and means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft are arranged in the other opening (9) of the H-shaped profile. The final external shape of the arrangement is obtained directly by means of the method according to the invention, and the length of the arrangement can be easily varied as a function of the requirements which arise.

Description: Method for producing an arrangement for storing and launching counter-measures, and arrangement for storing and launching counter-measures. The present invention relates to a method for producing an arrangement for storing and launching counter-measures, such as flares and chaff, comprising an elongate body with compartments for counter-measures and means for feeding firing signals to the counter- measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft on which the arrangement is intended to be mounted. The invention also relates to an arrangement for storing and firing counter-measures, such as flares and chaff, comprising an elongate body with compartments for counter-measures and means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft or the like on which the arrangement is intended to be mounted. Counter-measures can include passive measures, such as chaff foil or metal-coated glass fibres, but can also include flares, for example IR flares, or other active measures. Arrangements for storing and launching counter- measures, so-called dispensers, have been produced, in accordance with previously known manufacturing principles, starting from a metal plate which has been bent to form an inner chassis. The inner chassis has then been coated with foamed plastic, for example, to give it its final external contour. This production method involves a number of demanding work stages before the final external shape is obtained. The length of the dispenser must also be able to be adapted to the type of aircraft on which the dispenser is to be mounted. This adaptation to a large number of different lengths is an expensive process in the known production method and is both time-consuming and results in a large amount of material wastage. The object of the present invention is to make available a method which results in the production of the arrangement requiring less labour, permits simple adjustment of length and minimizes material consumption and material wastage, and also an arrangement produced in accordance with the principles of this method. The object of the invention is achieved by means of a method which is characterized in that: a) a beam with an essentially H-shaped profile is shaped to a suitable length by extrusion starting from an extrudable material, the H-shaped projectile being extruded either directly or as two essentially symmetrical T-shaped profiles which, after extrusion, are joined together to form an H-shaped profile, b) a nose is arranged at one end of the beam, c) a tail is arranged at the other end of the beam, d) compartments for storing counter-measures are arranged in one opening of the H-shaped profile, e) means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft are arranged in the other opening of the H-shaped profile. An arrangement produced in accordance with the principles of the above method is characterized in that the arrangement comprises a beam formed by extrusion of an extrudable material and with an essentially H-shaped profile, with a first opening delimited by first and second opposite side walls and a bottom section, and a second opposite opening delimited by third and fourth opposite side walls and the bottom section common to the first opening, a nose arranged at one end of the beam, and a tail arranged at the other end of the beam, which beam comprises, in the first opening of the H- shaped profile, a plurality of compartments for storing counter-measures, and which beam, in the other opening of the H-shaped profile intended to be arranged on the aircraft or the like, comprises means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft. By forming a beam of H-shaped profile by means of extrusion, the length of the dispenser can in principle be determined individually without the slightest material wastage. After a single production stage, the shaped beam is ready with both inner and outer limit surfaces. Examples of suitable materials to be used for extrusion are metal materials such as aluminium. Other light metals or other metals or metal combinations, for example steel, can also be used. The openings of the H-shaped profile can be easily adapted to the demands in respect of, for example, stiffness, adaptation to the equipment which is to be mounted in the openings, for example magazines, etc. According to one advantageous embodiment, at least parts of the first and second side walls of the first opening are doubled. According to another advantageous embodiment, the first and second side walls of the first opening comprise shoulders arranged projecting towards each other. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the common bottom section of the first and second openings is designed with double walls. The invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of illustrative embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a dispenser arrangement produced in accordance with the principles of the method according to the invention. Figures 2 to 6 show examples of five different proposed profile shapes. The dispenser arrangement 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a front part in the form of a nose 2, a rear part in the form of a tail 3 and a middle part in the form of a beam 4 with an H profile. The beam 4 with the H-shaped profile has a first opening 5 with side walls 6, 7 and a bottom section 8. The beam also has a second opening 9 with two opposite side walls 10, 11 and with a bottom section 8 common to the first opening. The first opening is intended to accommodate a number of compartments, of which one is shown separately and designated by reference number 12. A magazine 13 with connection plate 14 is designed to be mounted in each of the compartments of the first opening. No elements have been shown in the other opening 9 of the beam 4, although it is possible to have cables here for connecting the magazine to the aircraft on which the dispenser is mounted. The second opening can also accommodate electronic circuits or the like which it may be desirable to place outside the aircraft body. The beam 4 with the H-shaped profile is formed to a suitable length by extrusion starting from a metal. The nose 2 is then arranged on one end and the tail 3 at the other end of the beam 4. Compartments 12 for storing counter-measures are also mounted in the first opening 5, and necessary means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures and for communication with the aircraft are mounted in the other opening 9. Figure 2 shows an H-profile shape in which the longitudinal direction of the beam 4 essentially corresponds to the beam according to Figure 1. The first opening 5 is designed with side walls 6 and 7 which are partially doubled by wall sections 15, 16. According to the H-profile shape proposed as an alternative in Figure 3, the side walls 6, 7 have been provided with projecting shoulders 17, 18, 19, 20. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the side walls delimiting the first opening 5 have been doubled entirely by wall sections 21, 22 so that air pockets 23, 24, 25, 26 have been formed. Figure 5 shows an example in which the bottom section 8 has also been designed with air pockets 27, 28. Figure 6 shows a T-shaped profile with air pockets 29, 30. By joining two T-shaped profiles of the type shown in Figure 6, an H-shaped profile is obtained. To join the two T-shaped profiles, a flat oblong plate (not shown) can be used which is riveted, bonded or otherwise connected to the leg 31 of the two T-shaped profiles which are intended to form the H shape. The invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments described above, but can be modified within the scope of the attached patent claims and the inventive concept.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. Method for producing an arrangement for storing and launching counter-measures, such as flares and chaff, comprising an elongate body with compartments for counter-measures and means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft on which the arrangement is intended to be mounted, characterized in that: a) a beam with an essentially H-shaped profile is shaped to a suitable length by extrusion starting from an extrudable material, the H-shaped projectile being extruded either directly or as two essentially symmetrical T-shaped profiles which, after extrusion, are joined together to form an H-shaped profile, b) a nose is arranged at one end of the beam, c) a tail is arranged at the other end of the beam, d) compartments for storing counter-measures are arranged in one opening of the H-shaped profile, e) means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft are arranged in the other opening of the H-shaped profile. 2. Method according to Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the beam is formed by extrusion starting from a metal, for example aluminium. 3. Arrangement for storing and launching counter- measures, such as flares and chaff, comprising an elongate body with compartments for counter-measures and means for feeding firing signals to the counter- measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft or the like on which the arrangement is intended to be mounted, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a beam formed by extrusion of an extrudable material and with an essentially H-shaped profile, with a first opening delimited by first and second opposite side walls and a bottom section, and a second opposite opening delimited by third and fourth opposite side walls and the bottom section common to the first opening, a nose arranged at one end of the beam, and a tail arranged at the other end of the beam, which beam comprises, in the first opening of the H- shaped profile, a plurality of compartments for storing counter-measures, and which beam, in the other opening of the H-shaped profile intended to be mounted on the aircraft or the like, comprises means for feeding firing signals to the counter-measures in the compartments and for communication with the aircraft. 4. Arrangement according to Patent Claim 3, characterized in that at least parts of the first and second side walls of the first opening are doubled. 5. Arrangement according to either of Patent Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the first and second side walls of the first opening comprise shoulders arranged projecting towards each other. 6. Arrangement according to any of Patent Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the common bottom section of the first and second openings is designed with double walls.

Inventors: SALIB RAMSES, SALIB, RAMSES
Applicants: CELSIUSTECH ELECTRONICS AB, SALIB RAMSES, SALIB, RAMSES
Application year: 2000
Main classification: F42B12
IPC codes: B64D1