The present disclosure provides an assembly including at least one adjustable coupling mechanism. In one aspect, the first coupling mechanism includes a first component having a central axis parallel to its outside surface. The first component further includes an inside surface defined by a bore formed in the first component along a central bore axis. The central bore axis is offset from the central axis. The first component can be coupled to the assembly, uncoupled, rotated about its central axis, and recoupled to change a distance between the first coupling mechanism and another part of the assembly. The first component further includes a plurality of holes formed circumferentially around the bore bottom and extending through the bore bottom and the bottom surface of the first component that can be used to removably couple the first component to the assembly.

An ejector system for ejecting/separating a store, such as a weapon, from a launch platform includes a pair of spring assemblies that each include nested springs that are contained in a housing when the spring assemblies are in a compressed configuration. To separate the store from the aircraft the spring assemblies each move from the initial compressed configuration to an extended configuration, using the potential energy stored in the springs when compressed. The extension of the springs extends the springs mostly out of the spring assembly housings, extending telescoped sleeves of the spring assemblies. The extension of the spring assemblies provides a safe and steady way of separating the store from the launch platform, while having the advantages of being reusable, low cost and low weight, not producing any debris, and providing a softer push than may be produced by other separation mechanisms, such as the use of pyrotechnic devices.

A selectable force gas generator (SFGG) includes support material of honeycomb structure and a gas collection chamber contained in a housing. Gas-generating propellant cells are partially embedded in the support material. Each of the gas-generating propellant cells includes a steel jacket having a convex portion exposed to the gas collection chamber. The steel jacket has an orifice through the convex portion. Each propellant cell includes a propellant packet contained in the jacket. Each propellant cell includes a fire wire electrically connectable to an electrically-fired initiator and electrically connected to the propellant packet. The fire wire transmits a firing signal that causes the propellant packet to produce gas. A cap is positioned between the propellant packet and the jacket. The cap has a tip that blocks the orifice of the jacket and the thickness of the jacket is sufficient to prevent sympathetic detonation of the propellant packet.

A tube launch system is used for launching payloads from a platform and includes at least one tube launch section that is removably mounted to the platform, a plurality of powered wheels that are electrically powered and arranged in the tube launch section for propelling the payloads through the tube launch section, and a power source configured to operate the powered wheels. The tube launch system may include a magazine having an endless conveyor and powered magazine wheels that are engageable with the payloads to move the payloads from the endless conveyor to the tube launch section.

A system includes a payload ejector configured to contact a payload carried by a flight vehicle and to push the payload away from the flight vehicle. The payload ejector includes a piston configured to extend from the payload ejector and a shock attenuator coupled to the piston, where the shock attenuator is configured to push the payload away from the flight vehicle. The shock attenuator includes a shock attenuator housing and a plunger that is movable within the shock attenuator housing and that extends from the shock attenuator housing. The plunger is configured to be pushed at least partially into the shock attenuator housing in order to damp a shock pulse applied to the payload. The shock attenuator housing may have an interior space, and the shock attenuator may further include a spring, compliant material, or fluid within the interior space.

A system includes a payload ejector configured to contact a payload carried by a flight vehicle and to push the payload away from the flight vehicle. The payload ejector includes a piston configured to extend from the payload ejector and a shock attenuator coupled to the piston, where the shock attenuator is configured to push the payload away from the flight vehicle. The shock attenuator includes a shock attenuator housing and a plunger that is movable within the shock attenuator housing and that extends from the shock attenuator housing. The plunger is configured to be pushed at least partially into the shock attenuator housing in order to damp a shock pulse applied to the payload. The shock attenuator housing may have an interior space, and the shock attenuator may further include a spring, compliant material, or fluid within the interior space.

A selectable force gas generator (SFGG) includes support material of honeycomb structure and a gas collection chamber contained in a housing. Gas-generating propellant cells are partially embedded in the support material. Each of the gas-generating propellant cells includes a steel jacket having a convex portion exposed to the gas collection chamber. The steel jacket has an orifice through the convex portion. Each propellant cell includes a propellant packet contained in the jacket. Each propellant cell includes a fire wire electrically connectable to an electrically-fired initiator and electrically connected to the propellant packet. The fire wire transmits a firing signal that causes the propellant packet to produce gas. A cap is positioned between the propellant packet and the jacket. The cap has a tip that blocks the orifice of the jacket and the thickness of the jacket is sufficient to prevent sympathetic detonation of the propellant packet.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to devices for carrying and releasing stores from a vehicle, such as ejector racks for carrying and releasing a store with respect to an air vehicle.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to devices for carrying and releasing stores from a vehicle, such as ejector racks for carrying and releasing a store with respect to an air vehicle.

An ejector system for ejecting/separating a store, such as a weapon, from a launch platform includes a pair of spring assemblies that each include nested springs that are contained in a housing when the spring assemblies are in a compressed configuration. To separate the store from the aircraft the spring assemblies each move from the initial compressed configuration to an extended configuration, using the potential energy stored in the springs when compressed. The extension of the springs extends the springs mostly out of the spring assembly housings, extending telescoped sleeves of the spring assemblies. The extension of the spring assemblies provides a safe and steady way of separating the store from the launch platform, while having the advantages of being reusable, low cost and low weight, not producing any debris, and providing a softer push than may be produced by other separation mechanisms, such as the use of pyrotechnic devices.