Multi-Shoot Launcher Comprising a Load-Redirecting Pusher Plate

Abstract

Stacked munitions are launched at high velocity from a launcher by redirecting, to the barrel of launcher, the static load that would otherwise be borne by the nose the projectile in position three for launch. This is accomplished via a load-redirecting pusher plate comprising a load-receiving surface and a plurality of compression members.

1 . A launcher for launching stacked munitions, comprising:
 a barrel having a bore, wherein the bore is dimensioned to contain at least a first munition in a first position for launch, a second munition in a second position for launch, and a third munition in a third position for launch, and wherein the munitions are arranged one behind another; and   a load redirecting pusher plate, wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate has a load-receiving surface and at least two compression members, and wherein the load-receiving surface is configured to abuts an aft end of the second munition, and further wherein a distal end of each compression member is in physical contact with and supported against the barrel so that a load generated upon launch of the first munition is received by the load-receiving surface and transferred through the compression members to the barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The launcher of  claim 1  wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate has three compression members. 
     
     
         3 . The launcher of  claim 1  wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate has a body, wherein a forward surface of the body comprises the load-receiving surface and wherein the compression members are pivotally coupled proximal to an aft end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The launcher of  claim 1  wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate is attached to the aft end of the second munition. 
     
     
         5 . The launcher of  claim 1  wherein the barrel comprises slots, wherein the distal end of each compression members is disposed in the slots. 
     
     
         6 . The launcher of  claim 1  wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate has a body, wherein the compression members are pivotally coupled, at a proximal end thereof, to an aft end of the body, wherein the pivotal coupling enables the distal end of each compression member to move in a radial direction with respect to the barrel. 
     
     
         7 . The launcher of  claim 1  wherein a forward end of the launcher comprises a physical adaptation for keeping water out of the bore of the barrel when the launcher is fired underwater. 
     
     
         8 . The launcher of  claim 1  wherein a body of the launcher comprises a plurality of flanged portions that are attached, end to end, to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The launcher of  claim 8  wherein the flanged portions are identical to each other. 
     
     
         10 . A launcher for launching stacked munitions, comprising:
 a barrel having a bore, wherein the bore is dimensioned to contain at least three munitions that are arranged one behind another; and   a load-redirecting pusher plate, wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate has a body having a load-receiving surface and wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate has at least two compression members that are pivotally coupled to an aft end of the body, and further wherein:
 (i) the load-redirecting pusher plate is dimensioned and arranged so that the load-receiving surface receives a static load generated upon launch of one of the munitions; 
 (ii) a distal end of each compression member is received by a respective slot on the inside surface of the barrel, the distal end of the compression members thereby extending radially beyond the bore of the barrel into the slots; and 
 (iii) the pivotal coupling is arranged so that the distal end of each compression member is capable of moving in a radial direction with respect to the barrel. 
   
     
     
         11 . The launcher of  claim 10  wherein the compression members comprise maraging steel. 
     
     
         12 . The launcher of  claim 10  wherein a forward end of the launcher comprises a physical adaptation for keeping water out of the bore of the barrel when the launcher is fired underwater. 
     
     
         13 . The launcher of  claim 10  wherein there are a number, n, of munitions in the bore, wherein munitions in positions 2 through n−1 for launch comprise a load-redirecting pusher plate. 
     
     
         14 . The launcher of  claim 10  wherein each slot is in fluidic communication with a source of propellant. 
     
     
         15 . The launcher of  claim 14  wherein the source of propellant is a cartridge filled with propellant. 
     
     
         16 . The launcher of  claim 10  wherein the load-redirecting pusher plate abuts an aft end of the munition in the second position for launch. 
     
     
         17 . A method for launching stacked projectiles, the method comprising:
 loading at least three projectiles, one after another, into a first launch position, second launch position, and third launch position in a bore of a barrel of a launcher;   igniting propellant for the munition in the first launch position; and   redirecting, into the barrel, a static load caused by propellant ignition that the projectile in a third launch position would otherwise be exposed to by:   providing a load-receiving surface for receiving the static load; and   providing at least two compression members, wherein a first end of each of the two compression members is operatively coupled to the load-receiving surface to receive the static load therefrom and wherein a second end of each of the two compression members is operatively coupled to the barrel for transferring the static load thereto.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The A method of  claim 17  for launching stacked projectiles, the method comprising:
 loading at least three projectiles, one after another, into a first launch position, second launch position, and third launch position in a bore of a barrel of a launcher; 
 igniting propellant for the munition in the first launch position; 
 redirecting, into the barrel, a static load caused by propellant ignition that the projectile in a third launch position would otherwise be exposed to; and 
 preventing water from entering the bore after the munition in the first launch position is fired.