Abstract:
A store ejection system that can be “blind-loaded” without the need to have physical access to the ejector rack. This invention provides the ability to carry certain unique weapon shapes that can not be carried on current ejector racks due to the lack of access to the rack once the weapon is raised into position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to store carriers for mounting a releasable store on an aircraft and, more particularly, to a store ejection system capable of ejecting stores of various size and shapes. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    The store referred to herein may be used to contain munitions, or to contain other material to be dropped from an aircraft. Military aircraft used to dispense bombs, rockets, and other stores in flight usually include racks located beneath the wings and fuselage, or in weapon bays designed to release the stores upon command. 
         [0005]    At the time of target acquisition, a release mechanism is activated which results in mechanical release and subsequent forcible ejection of that weapon away from the aircraft. Presently, most state of the art bomb ejector racks utilize pyrotechnic (explosive) cartridges which, on ignition, generate high pressure gas for actuating the mechanical release mechanism, as well as for providing high pressure to ejection rams which forcibly eject the store from the aircraft. 
         [0006]    Many new stores being developed can not be carried on conventional stores ejection systems because these weapons typically have fins, strakes, or protrusions that may hide or blanket access to the ejector rack once the store is raised into position, especially in weapon bays where access is limited. 
         [0007]    Current bomb ejector racks require direct access during the store loading process so that cartridges can be inserted, swaybraces can be tightened, and safety pins can be installed and/or removed. New generation weapon designs have larger fins as compared to previous weapon. Also, newer aircraft are being designed with smaller weapon bays. This combination results in minimal, to no, access being available to physically reach the bomb ejector rack. Loading of weapons has become cumbersome and time consuming. In some cases, the ability to carry certain types of weapons has been lost. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, what is needed is a stores ejection system for mounting jettisonable stores on an aircraft, where access to the stores ejection system is not required. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a stores ejection system that can be “blind-loaded” without the need to have physical access to the ejector rack. 
         [0010]    The invention provides the ability to carry certain unique weapon shapes that can not be carried on current ejector racks due to the lack of access to the rack once the weapon is raised into position. The present invention incorporates a pneumatic ejection system which eliminates the need for using pyrotechnic cartridges. Moreover, the present invention allows for non-manual tightening of swaybrace arms and eliminates the need to install and remove safety pins. 
         [0011]    In one aspect of the invention, a stores ejection system is provided including an adjustable swaybrace configured to be moved between a free hanging position and a store secure position; and a tightening screw for containing movement of the store when the adjustable swaybrace is in the store secure position. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, a stores ejection system is provided including an adjustable swaybrace configured to be moved between a free hanging position and a store secure position; a tightening screw for containing movement of the store when the adjustable swaybrace is in the store secure position; and a hook opening mechanism which secures the store when the adjustable swaybrace is in the store secure position. 
         [0013]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for mounting a store to an aircraft using a store ejection system. The method includes hoisting a store into contact with a swaybrace; moving the swaybrace between a free hanging position and a store secure position using en electro-mechanical actuation device; and adjusting a tightening screw for containing movement of the store when the swaybrace is in the store secure position. 
         [0014]    In one aspect of the invention, all functions of the ejection system may be operated from a remote control panel. 
         [0015]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description which follows. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding of the invention, illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention. In the drawings, the same components have the same reference numerals. The illustrated embodiment is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. The drawings include the following Figures: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a simplified cross sectional view of an internal arrangement of a weapon ejector rack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified illustrations of a swaybrace structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a simplified cross sectional view of a swaybrace arm tightening mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C are simplified illustrations of a Safety Lock/Unlock mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are simplified illustrations of components of forward and aft release systems in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 6A-6D  are exemplary illustrations of a remote control panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a simplified cross sectional view of an internal arrangement of a weapon ejector rack  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the internal components of ejector rack  100  include fore and aft swaybrace structures (“structures”)  102   a  and  102   b  (swaybrace structure  102   b  shown in cut-away cross-section), electro-mechanical actuators  112 , safety lock mechanisms  104  and  106  (shown in left and right side views, respectively) and manual release motor  114 . Each of these components has been designed to operate using an integration of electro-mechanical devices to drive the presently manually driven systems. 
         [0024]    A pneumatic ejection system  108  is included in ejector rack  100  to provide energy for forcible ejection of store  110 . As previously discussed, most weapon ejection systems now use pyrotechnic cartridges to provide energy for forcible ejection. Pneumatic ejection system  108  eliminates the need for using pyrotechnic cartridges. Instead, energy for forcible ejection is provided by high pressure air which is generated from an on-board compressor. In one embodiment, pressurization is automatic upon application of aircraft power to the ejector rack. An operational embodiment of an exemplary pneumatic ejection system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,312, which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate cross-sectional end views of ejector rack  100  further illustrating an embodiment of forward swaybrace structure  102   a  before and after store loading. It should be understood that swaybrace structure  102   b  is identical to swaybrace structure  102   a . Swaybrace structure  102   a  includes swaybrace arms  302  that extend out substantially perpendicular from a swaybrace column  316  at about the center of swaybrace arms  302 . Each swaybrace arm  302  further includes a tightening screw  308 , which is used to position store  110  and counter movement of store  110 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, since store  110  typically has a substantially round shape, tightening screw  308  may be mounted at an angle to centerline  304  of ejector rack  100 . The angled positioning of tightening screw  308  allows the tightening screw to be directed toward the center of store  110 . In this manner, mounting pads  314  may make flush contact with store  110  when store  110  is raised into position. In addition, each mounting pad  314  may include the ability to swivel to further ensure that tightening screw  308  approximates a flush contact onto store  110 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment tightening screw  308  is adjustable between a full-up position  310  and a full-down position  312 . Accordingly, depending on the type of store  110  to be mounted, tightening screw  308  may be adjusted to accept a given store  110  diameter. For example, if store  110  has a 16 inch diameter, then tightening screws  308  may be adjusted such that each mounting pad  314  contacts the surface of store  110  in a flush manner. 
         [0028]    Swaybrace structure  102   a  also includes a structural housing  318  which defines a bore  320  that is positioned along centerline  304  of ejector rack  100 . Bore  320  is configured to receive column  316  within housing  318 . Thus, in one embodiment, column  316  may be moved in and out from housing  318  allowing swaybrace arm  302  to be moved vertically along centerline  304  a variable distance represented at  322 . 
         [0029]    In operation, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , column  316  may be placed in a hanging free position prior to the loading of store  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a swaybrace downstop  328  may be used to limit the “free hanging” travel of column  316  out from bore  320  when store  110  is not present. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , store  110  is hoisted upward using ground equipment (not shown) that lifts store  110  upward to contact tightening screws  308 . As store  110  continues to be hoisted, column  316  moves upward into housing bore  320  until suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b , shown in  FIG. 1 , engage and close around a complimentary attachment feature  330  located on store  110  to secure store  110  to ejector rack  100 . Once suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b  are closed, the ground equipment can be removed allowing the weight of store  110  to be supported by suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b.    
         [0031]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 3 , an electro-mechanical actuator  112  is used to rotate a threaded member  324 , which acts like a screw jack, to tighten swaybrace arm  302  down against store  110  to secure store  110  from moving. Electro-mechanical actuator  112  may be any suitable motor, for example, a high torque gear drive motor. Once a particular tightening load is reached, motor  112  is stopped and store  110  is secure. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C, safety lock mechanism  106  is shown, including a Safety Lock/Unlock mechanism  400 , suspension hook  404 , and hook over-center latching system  408  ( FIG. 1 ) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Both suspension hook  404  and hook over-center latching system  408  are conventional mechanisms, the operations of which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , Safety Lock/Unlock mechanism  400  further includes, safety shaft  402 , and an electro-mechanical actuator  406 , which may be a solenoid or a motor, used to rotate safety shaft  402  to either a safety lock position or a safety unlock position. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ), separate safety shafts  402   a  and  402   b  are designed to engage with separate hook over-center latching systems  408  (not shown forward in  FIG. 1 ) and forward suspension hook  404   a  and aft suspension hook  404   b , respectively, to ensure that safety shafts  402   a  and  402   b  lock only the suspension hook that it is made to engage. 
         [0035]    In operation, referring again to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C, electro-mechanical actuator  406  is operated to provide a rotational movement to safety shaft  402 . When rotated to a first position as shown in  FIG. 4A , a feature  410  of safety shaft  402  engages a feature  412  of hook over-center latching system  408  to block movement of hook over-center latching system  408  and thus prevent the opening of suspension hook  404 . 
         [0036]    Upon further rotation of safety shaft  402  to a second position as shown in  FIG. 4B , feature  412  from hook over-center mechanism  408  disengages from feature  410  of safety shaft  402  allowing hook over-center mechanism  408  to rotate. Accordingly, free rotation of hook over-center mechanism  408  allows suspension hook  404  to open as shown in  FIG. 4C . 
         [0037]    Prior systems typically use a “manual release” system to offload a store  110 . This is typically done when an aircraft returns from a mission and store  110  has not been ejected or used over a target. Prior systems use a manual method to release the suspension hooks, which requires physical access to the rack. 
         [0038]    The present invention provides a release system  500 , shown in  FIG. 1 , where access to ejector rack  100  is not required. The following exemplary embodiment of release system  500  is described as if Safety Lock/Unlock mechanism  400  is in the second position (as shown in  FIG. 4B ) as to allow the opening of suspension hooks  404 . It should be understood that release system  500  may be used with ejector rack  100  whether or not Lock/Unlock mechanism  400  is a part of the ejector system. 
         [0039]    Release system  500  operates to release both forward suspension hook  404   a  and aft suspension hook  404   b  ( FIG. 1 ). Thus, for clarity,  FIG. 5A  provides an illustration of the components used to release forward suspension hook  404   a  (hereafter forward release system  500   a ) and  FIG. 5B  provides an illustration of the components used to release aft suspension hook  404   b  (hereafter aft release system  500   b ). 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , in one embodiment, forward release system  500   a  includes hook opening striker crank  504 , linear actuator  506 , hook opening link  508   a  and hook opening crank  510 . 
         [0041]    In operation, hook opening striker crank  504  is coupled to shaft  502 , using for example, pin  512 . Retraction of linear actuator  506  imparts rotation into shaft  502  causing hook opening striker crank  504  to rotate. As hook opening striker crank  504  rotates, a feature  516  on hook opening striker crank  504  contacts boss  514  on hook opening crank  510  and forces hook opening crank  510  to rotate. When hook opening crank  510  rotates it drives hook opening link  508   a . Hook opening link  508   a  is coupled to over-center latching system  408  (see  FIG. 1 ) and thus movement of hook opening link  508   a  rotates over-center latching system  408  resulting, in the opening of suspension hook  404   a.    
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 5B , in another embodiment, aft release system  500   b , includes hook opening striker crank  530 , hook opening link  508   b , and hook opening crank  536 , used with linear actuator  506 . 
         [0043]    In operation, retraction of linear actuator  506  imparts rotation into hook opening striker crank  530  causing a feature on hook opening striker crank  530  to make contact with linkage pin  512  and impart rotation into hook opening striker crank  530 . When hook opening striker crank  530  rotates it moves hook opening link  508   b . Hook opening link  508   b  is coupled to over-center latching system  408  (see  FIG. 1 ) and thus movement of hook opening link  508   b  rotates over-center latching system  408  resulting, in the opening of suspension hook  404   b.    
         [0044]    Generally, the electro-mechanical actuators described above as used in the present invention are commanded to function by electrical switch logic from a remote panel. As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6D , remote panel  602  may be a combination of switches, indicators and logic that may be used to drive and operate the various actuated mechanisms associated with ejector rack  100 . Remote panel  602  may be located in any convenient location on the aircraft and wired to the electro-mechanical actuators. Alternatively, remote panel  602  may be portable and have mating connectors which allow remote panel  602  to be plugged in to ejector rack  100  being loaded at any convenient location. Remote panel  602  may also be wireless and use wireless technology. 
         [0045]    In one exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6A , remote panel  602  includes lock status lights  604 , forward lock status indicator light  605 , aft hook status indicator lights  607 , forward hook status indicator lights  606 , aft safety lock control switch  612 , forward safety lock control switch  614 , sway brace operation/tighten control switch  608  and manual release switch  610 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 6A  depicts remote panel  602  configuration as store  110  is hoisted to couple to ejector rack  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Aft lock status indicator lights  604  and forward lock status indicator lights  605  indicate unlocked while aft hook status indicator lights  607  and forward hook status indicator lights  606  indicate open. Aft safety lock control switch  612  and forward safety lock control switch  614  are in the unlocked position. Swaybrace operation loosen/tighten control switch  608  is in the loosen position. Manual release switch  610  is in the closed position. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6B  depicts remote panel  602  configuration as forward and aft suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b  of ejector rack  100  engage complimentary attachment feature  330  of store  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Forward and aft suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b  are closed. Aft lock status indicator lights  604  and forward lock status indicator lights  605  indicate unlocked. Aft hook status indicator lights  607  and forward hook status indicator lights  606  indicate closed. Aft safety lock control switch  612  and forward lock control switch  614  are in the unlocked position. Swaybrace operation loosen/tighten control switch  608  is in the loosen position. Manual release switch  610  is in the closed position. 
         [0048]      FIG. 6C  depicts remote panel  602  configuration as forward and aft suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b  are locked ( FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  4   c ). Aft lock status indicator lights  604  and forward lock status indicator lights  605  indicate closed. Aft hook status indicator lights  607  and forward hook status indicator lights  606  indicate closed. Aft safety lock control switch  612  and forward safety lock control switch  614  are in the locked position. Swaybrace operation loosen/tighten control switch  614  are in the locked position. Manual release switch  610  is in the closed position. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6D  depicts remote panel  602  configuration as an operator engages the swaybrace structure  102   a  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  3 ). Aft lock status indicator lights  604  and forward hook status indicator lights  606  indicate closed. Aft safety lock control switch  612  and forward safety lock control switch  614  are in the locked position. Swaybrace operation loosen/tighten control switch  608  is in the tighten position. Manual release switch  610  is in the closed position. 
         [0050]    Typically, visual inspection of forward and aft suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b  is made to determine if suspension hooks  404   a  and  404   b  have closed. As visual inspection may not be possible with certain stores, the present invention provides independent Safety Lock/Unlock mechanisms  400  at each suspension hook. Referring to  FIG. 4A , Safety Lock/Unlock mechanism  400  is configured such that safety shaft  402  can only be placed to “locked” or “safe” position when suspension hook  404  is fully closed. That is, feature  410  of safety shaft  402  can only be engaged with feature  412  of hook over-center latching system  408  if suspension hook  404  is fully closed. Accordingly, this configuration provides a means to determine if suspension hook  404  is closed absent the ability to make a visual inspection 
         [0051]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.