Patent GB-672346-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in devices for the projection and the stabilization of rockets
IPC: F41F3/04
Filed: 1950-02-03
Abstract: 672,346. Rocket discharge devices. S.E.R.A.M. SOC. D'ETUDES DE RECHERCHES ET D'APPLICATIONS MECANIQUES. Feb. 3, 1950. [Feb. 25, 1949] No. 2835/50. Classes 9 (i), 9 (ii) and 92 (ii). A device for launching and stabilising rockets includes a rotatable element with which the rocket is locked by connections broken when the rotation speed of the rocket reaches a given value, this element being caused to rotate by the pressure of the gases from the propellent charge of the rocket. Means are preferably provided for regulating the rotation of the rocket after launching. The base 1 of a rocket with a nozzle 2 is inserted in a mortar 3 mounted by means of ball-bearings 5 to rotate on a support 4. Gases emerging from the nozzle are deflected by an element 7 to laterally directed ports 6 in the mortar. A cushion 7<SP>1</SP> is placed between the element 7 and the base 7" of the mortar. Longitudinal keys 8 cause the rocket to rotate with the mortar while transverse keys 9 preventing longitudinal movement of the rocket are sheared when the propellent gas pressure exceeds a certain value. A sleeve 10 having sliding fit on the mortar is held between a spring 12 and the arms 13 of a governor fastened to the mortar. Apertures 14 in the sleeve correspond to the exhaust ports 6. On ignition of the propellent the merging gases cause the rocket and mortar to rotate together. As the speed of rotation rises the sleeve 10 is moved forward by the governor to cover the exhaust ports. The subsequent rise of pressure in the mortar shears the keys 9 to release the rocket. Guides 11 may cause the sleeve to move on a helical path, so that the ports are covered successively. Mounted on the mortar are slides 15, Fig. 4, which support the rocket and guide it initially. The sleeve 10 is locked for transport by a pin 17, which also short-circuits the firing leads to the rocket. If the rocket is fired accidentally the sleeve is prevented from moving by the pin 17 so that after a short interval latches 19 co-operating with pins 20 to keep the mortar base elements in place are moved aside after shearing of pins 22 (Fig. 5). The base elements are then ejected through the aperture 23 in the support and the mounting 24. The ejected elements enter a recess 26 in an expansion chamber 25 and bed themselves in a plastic cushion 26<SP>1</SP> while the gases expand through deflectors 27. The rocket body has blades obliquely arranged to reduce rotation after the rocket has started its flight, so that the ratio of the rotation speed to the translation speed reaches an optimum value. If the rocket is provided with one or more non-axial nozzles, the reduction of rotation may be obtained by the slope of the nozzles. In a modification the rocket is held in the mortar by spring-pressed latches extending from the mortar into recesses in the body of the rocket. The latches are withdrawn by centrifugal force as the speed of rotation rises. The springs may be omitted and the latches be held by pins sheared by centrifugal force. In another arrangement the rocket may be inserted in the mortar from the rear which is closed by a breech block. A plastic ring on the rocket bears against a conical seating in the mortar and the rocket is forced out by the gases.