U.S. patent application number 15/989422 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-06 for missile cable cutting system.
The applicant listed for this patent is AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT. Invention is credited to Minji BAE, Jonghwan KIM, Sanghwa KIM, Hajun LEE.
Application Number | 20180347942 15/989422 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61083027 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180347942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAE; Minji ; et al. |
December 6, 2018 |
MISSILE CABLE CUTTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A missile cable cutting system includes a tubular housing opened
at one end and allowing a missile to be loaded therein, a cable
housing fixed to and installed on one surface of the tubular
housing and accommodating an umbilical cable protruding from the
inside of the missile, a fixing plate installed in the cable
housing and allowing the umbilical cable to be inserted between the
fixing plate and the cable housing, and a cable cutter installed to
be adjacent to the umbilical cable and cutting one side of the
umbilical cable when the missile is fired and moved in a traveling
direction.
Inventors: |
BAE; Minji; (Daejeon,
KR) ; KIM; Sanghwa; (Daejeon, KR) ; KIM;
Jonghwan; (Daejeon, KR) ; LEE; Hajun;
(Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT |
Daejeon |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
61083027 |
Appl. No.: |
15/989422 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41F 3/055 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41F 3/055 20060101
F41F003/055 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 30, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0067158 |
Claims
1. A missile cable cutting system comprising: a tubular housing
opened at one end and allowing a missile to be loaded therein; a
cable housing fixed to and installed on one surface of the tubular
housing and accommodating an umbilical cable protruding from the
inside of the missile; a fixing plate installed in the cable
housing and allowing the umbilical cable to be inserted between the
fixing plate and the cable housing; and a cable cutter installed to
be adjacent to the umbilical cable and cutting one side of the
umbilical cable when the missile is fired and moved in a traveling
direction.
2. The missile cable cutting system of claim 1, wherein the cable
housing includes: a first member extending in an outward direction
of the tubular housing; and a second member extending from one end
of the first member in the traveling direction of the missile along
the tubular housing to intersect the extending direction of the
first member.
3. The missile cable cutting system of claim 2, wherein the
umbilical cable and the fixing plate are positioned in a mounting
portion formed by the first member and the second member.
4. The missile cable cutting system of claim 1, wherein a first
groove portion is formed in the cable housing such that the fixing
plate is slidably inserted and drawn out.
5. The missile cable cutting system of claim 4, wherein a second
groove portion is formed below the first groove portion such that
the umbilical cable is positioned in the cable housing.
6. The missile cable cutting system of claim 5, wherein widths of
the first groove portion and the second groove portion are
different.
7. The missile cable cutting system of claim 1, wherein the cable
cutter is installed in an outer recess portion of the missile to
face the traveling direction of the missile.
8. The missile cable cutting system of claim 1, wherein the cable
cutter is installed at one end of the fixing plate to face the
cable housing.
9. The missile cable cutting system of claim 1, wherein the cable
cutter is detachable.
10. The missile cable cutting system of claim 6, wherein the width
of the first groove portion is larger than the width of the second
groove portion such that the first groove portion and the second
groove portion are formed stepwise.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a), this application claims
the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean
Application No. 10-2017-0067158, filed on May 30, 2017, the
contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a missile cable cutting
system capable of cutting an umbilical cable when a missile is
fired.
2. Background of the Invention
[0003] A missile is a shell that flies toward an intended target
and causes a warhead to collide with the target. A missile launcher
is a device that launches a missile, and the missile is loaded and
kept in storage inside the launcher until it is fired (or lunched).
The missile and the missile launcher are electrically connected
through a cable, and the missile is fired by applying an electrical
signal the missile.
[0004] When the missile is loaded inside the missile launcher,
without being lunched, the missile is provided with power using the
umbilical cable of the missile and transmits and receives a
required signal to and from the missile launcher. When the missile
is fired from the missile launcher, an electrical connection of the
missile is released.
[0005] Generally, as the missile is released from the missile
launcher using thrust generated by igniting a propulsion engine, a
connector positioned in the missile and a connector installed in a
launching tube, which are connected to each other, are separated to
release the electrical connection or naturally cut the umbilical
cable.
[0006] However, in the case of separating the connector, the
electrical connection between the missile and the missile launcher
may be released. However, as the connector is assembled, the design
and manufacture of the missile and the missile launcher may be
complicated or a problem may arise in a connector separating device
while the missile is released from the missile launcher.
[0007] Thus, a cutting system which stably maintains electrical
connection between the missile and the missile launcher before the
missile is fired, while simplifying the design and manufacture of
the missile and the missile launcher, is required.
[0008] In addition, a cutting system which may be able to smoothly
cut off electrical connection between a missile and a missile
launcher in the process of launching the missile, which may
minimize an influence on a flight trajectory of the missile while
the missile is being released from the missile launcher, which may
not generate by-products of the missile and other residues after
the missile is fired, and which may be recycled by minimizing
damage to the missile launcher is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to
provide a structure of a missile cable cutting system capable of
smoothly releasing electrical connection between a missile and a
missile launcher when the missile is separated from the missile
launcher.
[0010] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a
structure of a missile cable cutting system capable of minimizing a
possibility that residues of a cut umbilical cable change a flight
trajectory of the missile when the missile is fired from a missile
launcher.
[0011] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a
structure of a missile launcher capable of rapidly cutting an
umbilical cable at the same time when a missile moves, to thereby
minimize an influence of an impact of cutting of the umbilical
cable inside the missile launcher, on a flight trajectory of the
missile.
[0012] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a
structure capable of preventing damage to an umbilical cable
against vibration and impact in a state in which a missile is
loaded in a missile launcher.
[0013] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly
described herein, a missile cable cutting system includes: a
tubular housing opened at one end and allowing a missile to be
loaded therein; a cable housing fixed to and installed on one
surface of the tubular housing and accommodating an umbilical cable
protruding from the inside of the missile; a fixing plate installed
in the cable housing and allowing the umbilical cable to be
inserted between the fixing plate and the cable housing; and a
cable cutter installed to be adjacent to the umbilical cable and
cutting one side of the umbilical cable when the missile is fired
and moved in a traveling direction.
[0014] According to an example related to the present invention,
the cable housing may include: a first member extending in an
outward direction of the tubular housing; and a second member
extending from one end of the first member in the traveling
direction of the missile along the tubular housing to intersect the
extending direction of the first member.
[0015] According to an example related to the present invention,
the umbilical cable and the fixing plate may be positioned in a
mounting portion formed by the first member and the second
member.
[0016] According to an example related to the present invention, a
first groove portion may be formed in the cable housing such that
the fixing plate is slidably inserted and drawn out.
[0017] According to an example related to the present invention, a
second groove portion may be formed below the first groove portion
such that the umbilical cable is positioned in the cable
housing.
[0018] According to an example related to the present invention,
widths of the first groove portion and the second groove portion
may be different.
[0019] According to an example related to the present invention,
the cable cutter may be installed in an outer recess portion of the
missile to face the traveling direction of the missile.
[0020] According to an example related to the present invention,
the cable cutter may be installed at one end of the fixing plate to
face the cable housing.
[0021] According to an example related to the present invention,
the cable cutter is detachable.
[0022] According to the present invention, the missile cable
cutting system may simplify design and manufacture of a missile and
a missile launcher and smoothly release electrical connection
between the missile and the missile launcher when the missile is
fired from the missile launcher.
[0023] Also, since the umbilical cable connecting the missile and
the missile launcher is smoothly cut during a process of firing the
missile, it does not cause unnecessary damage to the missile or
lower a possibility of changing a flight trajectory of the
missile.
[0024] In addition, when the missile is loaded to the missile
launcher, the umbilical cable is tightly attached and supported by
the cable housing and the fixing plate, damage to the umbilical
cable during the loading process may be restricted.
[0025] Furthermore, since the umbilical cable protruding from the
missile is quickly cut by the cable cutter during a process of
firing the missile, influence of the cut umbilical cable on the
missile inside the missile launcher may be minimized.
[0026] Further scope of applicability of the present application
will become more apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of
the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
[0028] In the drawings:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a missile cable cutting
system.
[0030] FIG. 2A is a view illustrating an umbilical cable protruding
from a missile.
[0031] FIG. 2B is a view illustrating a shape of the umbilical
cable protruding from the inside of a missile.
[0032] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a missile cable cutting
system.
[0033] FIGS. 4A and 4B are conceptual views illustrating a state
before and after a missile is fired from a tubular housing.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a conceptual view illustrating another embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Hereinafter, a missile cable cutting system according to the
present invention will be described in detail with reference to the
drawings.
[0036] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
[0037] In describing the present invention, if it is determined
that a detailed description of known functions and components
associated with the present invention unnecessarily obscure the
gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof
will be omitted.
[0038] The accompanying drawings of the present invention aim to
facilitate understanding of the present invention and should not be
construed as limited to the accompanying drawings. Also, the
present invention is not limited to a specific disclosed form, but
includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a missile cable cutting
system 100, illustrating a state in which the missile 10 is placed
inside the missile cable cutting system 100.
[0040] The missile cable cutting system 100 is a system which is
equipped with the missile 10 and which cuts the umbilical cable of
the missile 10 when the missile 10 is fired upon receiving an
electrical signal from the missile launcher.
[0041] The missile cable cutting system 100 includes a tubular
housing 110, a cable housing 120, a fixing plate 130, and a cable
cutter 140. The missile 10 is loaded inside the tubular housing 110
and, as the missile 10 is fired, electrical connection between the
missile cable cutting system 100 and the missile 10 is
released.
[0042] The missile 10 and the missile launcher are connected
through a missile cable to exchange electrical signals. Since the
cable has a shape of outwardly protruding from one side of the
missile 10, the cable is called the umbilical cable 20.
[0043] they are connected to each other through a missile cable so
as to send and receive electrical signals. The cable is called an
umbilical cable 20 because it has a shape protruding outward from
one side of the missile 10.
[0044] The umbilical cable 20 protruding from the missile 10 must
be stably stored inside the missile cable cutting system 100, and
when the missile 10 is fired, the umbilical cable 20 must be
rapidly disconnected by the missile cable cutting system 100.
[0045] The umbilical cable 20 protruding from the missile 10 may be
stably stored between the cable housing 120 and the fixing plate
130 before the missile 10 is fired, and when the missile 10 is
fired, the umbilical cable 20 may be quickly cut by the cable
cutter 140 installed on one side of the missile 10 so as not to
affect a trajectory of the missile 10.
[0046] FIG. 2A is a view illustrating the umbilical cable 20
protruding from the missile 10, and FIG. 2B is a view illustrating
the shape of the umbilical cable 20 protruding from the inside of
the missile 10.
[0047] The missile and the missile launcher are connected by a
missile cable, and the missile cable is called the umbilical cable
20 as described above. The umbilical cable may protrude from the
inside of the missile 10 and may be connected to the missile
launcher. The umbilical cable 20 is configured to protrude to the
outside of the missile 10 and extends toward the front of the
missile according to a structure of the missile launcher.
[0048] The umbilical cable 20 is a flexible PCB type cable which is
thin and flexible and suitable for wiring in a narrow space.
However, since the umbilical cable 20 does not have an insulating
sheath such as rubber like a general cable, the umbilical cable 20
may be advantageously cut using the cable cutter 140 but is
vulnerable to damage by an external impact. Thus, a structure
capable of preventing damage to the umbilical cable 20 in the
process of loading the missile 10 to the missile launcher.
[0049] An outer recess 12 is formed on one side of the missile 10
and positioned such that the umbilical cable 20 connected to a
circuit board provided inside the missile 10 may protrude outwards.
The cable cutter 140 is positioned on one side of the outer recess
12 and faces the umbilical cable 20 to cut the umbilical cable 20
when the missile 10 is fired and moved.
[0050] In the missile cable cutting system 100, since the umbilical
cable 20 protruding to the outside of the missile 10 is positioned
between the cable housing 120 and the fixing plate 130, the
umbilical cable 20 may be supported and protected.
[0051] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the missile cable cutting
system 100, and components of the missile cable cutting system 100
will be described with reference to FIG. 3.
[0052] The missile cable cutting system 100 includes the tubular
housing 110, the cable housing 120, the fixing plate 130, and the
cable cutter 140. The cable housing 120 is coupled to the tubular
housing 110 and supports and protects the umbilical cable 20
through the fixing plate 130.
[0053] The tubular housing 110, which allows the missile to be
loaded therein and serves to protect the missile against an
external environment, has a cylindrical shape and is open at one
end. The missile 10 is loaded inside the housing and the missile 10
may be inserted into and drawn out from the opened side. The
tubular housing 110 may be formed of a metal material.
[0054] The cable housing 120 is fixed to one surface of the tubular
housing 110 and is installed in the extending direction of the
tubular housing 110. A groove having a predetermined shape may be
provided on an upper surface of the cable housing 120 to
accommodate the umbilical cable 20 protruding from the inside of
the missile 10.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cable housing 120 may
include a first member 121 and a second member 122.
[0056] The first member 121 is configured to extend outwardly from
the tubular housing 110 and the second member 122 is configured to
extend from one end of the first member 121 in a direction in which
the missile 10 moves along the tubular housing 110, so as to be
perpendicular to the extending direction of the first member
121.
[0057] The first member 121 and the second member 122 may be formed
of different materials and coupled, or may be integrally formed of
one material.
[0058] Since the first member 121 and the second member 122 extend
in the directions perpendicular to each other, a mounting portion
may be formed. The umbilical cable 20 and the fixing plate 130 may
be positioned in the mounting portion.
[0059] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 3, mounting portions 123 and
124 formed in the cable housing 120 include a first groove portion
123 and a second groove portion 124. The first groove portion 123
and the second groove portion 124 may have different widths.
[0060] The first groove portion 123 is configured such that the
fixing plate 130 is slidably inserted and drawn out. The fixing
plate 130 may be inserted and supported by the first groove portion
123. The second groove portion 124 is positioned below the first
groove portion 123 and configured to allow the umbilical cable 20
to be positioned therein. The umbilical cable 20 may be inserted
and fixed in the second groove 124.
[0061] The missile 10 and the missile launcher are connected to
each other through a cable so as to be electrically connected to
each other. The cable playing such a role is called an umbilical
cable. The umbilical cable 20 serves to transmit information about
a target to a power source or the missile 10 before the missile 10
is fired, and serves to transmit information about a state of the
missile 10.
[0062] The fixing plate 130 extends in one direction and may be
formed as a thin plate. Since the fixing plate 130 serves to
support and protect the umbilical cable 20, the fixing plate 130
may have a shape in which the umbilical cable 20 extends.
[0063] The fixing plate 130 is installed in the cable housing 120
and serves to support and protect the umbilical cable 20 to be
inserted between the fixing plate 130 and the cable housing
120.
[0064] The cable cutter 140 is installed adjacent to the umbilical
cable 20 and may cut one side of the umbilical cable 20 when the
missile 10 is fired and moved in the traveling direction. The cable
cutter 140 may have a sharp blade and may cut the umbilical cable
20 by a force generated when the missile 10 moves upon receiving
thrust.
[0065] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views illustrating a state before and
after the missile 10 is fired from the tubular housing 110.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the missile 10 is loaded inside
the tubular housing 110, and a circuit board installed inside the
missile 10 is connected to the missile launcher through the
umbilical cable 20.
[0067] On one surface of the tubular housing 110, the cable housing
120 is installed in a direction in which the tubular housing 110
extends. The cable housing 120 serves to accommodate and support
the umbilical cable 20 before the missile 10 is fired, and the
umbilical cable 20 connected to the internal circuit board 11 of
the missile 10 may be inserted by the fixing plate 130 so as to be
supported and protected.
[0068] The cable cutter 140 is installed on the outer recess 12 of
the missile 10 and faces the traveling direction of the missile 10.
The cable cutter 140 has a front portion having a sharp edge and is
installed in the outer recess 12 of the missile 10 such that the
traveling direction of the missile 10 faces the front portion. The
cable cutter 140 may be formed of a sharp metal edge and may be
detachable.
[0069] When the missile 10 is fired and moved in the traveling
direction, the umbilical cable 20 accommodated in the cable housing
120 and supported by the fixing plate 130 may be naturally cut by
the cable cutter 140 installed in the outer recess 12 and
electrical connection between the missile 10 and the missile
launcher is disconnected, as illustrated in FIG. 4B.
[0070] The umbilical cable 20 is cut by the cable cutter located on
the missile and, since the cut umbilical cable 20 is located in the
cable housing 120, it does not affect a flight trajectory of the
missile 10.
[0071] Since the umbilical cable 20 is cut according to movement of
the missile 10, preferably, a width of the umbilical cable 20 is
smaller than the front portion of the cable cutter 140.
[0072] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0073] The missile cable cutting system 200 is a system for cutting
an umbilical cable electrically connecting the missile 10 and the
missile launcher and includes a tubular housing 210, a cable
housing 220, a fixing plate 230, and a cable cutter 240. These
components are the same as those described above.
[0074] The missile cable cutting system 200 according to another
embodiment of the present invention includes the cable cutter 240
which faces the cable housing 220 and is installed at one end of
the fixing plate 230.
[0075] The umbilical cable 20 is located at a mounting portion
formed in the cable housing 220, and, specifically, is inserted
into a second groove portion (See 124 of FIG. 3). Since the fixing
plate 230 is inserted into and supported by a first groove portion
(See 123 of FIG. 3), when the missile 10 is installed in the
tubular housing 210 before being fired, the umbilical cable 20
extending from the missile 10 may be fixed by the cable housing 220
and the fixing plate 230 (See FIG. 3). Accordingly, although the
missile launcher is moved with the missile 10 loaded therein,
movement of the umbilical cable 20 is restricted, preventing damage
to the umbilical cable 20.
[0076] Here, the cable cutter 240 may be installed at one end of
the fixing plate 230, and a sharp front portion of the cable cutter
240 is positioned to face the cable housing 220, and accordingly,
when the missile 10 is fired and moves in the traveling direction,
one end of the umbilical cable 20 protruding from the missile 10
may be cut by the protruding front portion of the cable cutter 240.
The cut umbilical cable 20 may protrude by a predetermined length
from the outer recess 12 of the missile 10 but it does not move
inside the tubular housing 210 and does not affect a flight
trajectory of the missile 10. Accordingly, the missile may be
smoothly released from electrical connection with the missile
launcher. However, since the umbilical cable 20 is cut according to
movement of the missile 10, a width of the umbilical cable 20 is
preferably smaller than the front portion of the cable cutter
240.
[0077] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting the present
disclosure. The present teachings may be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and
other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein
may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or
alternative exemplary embodiments.
[0078] As the present features may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also
be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited
by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within
its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all
changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of
the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore
intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *