cloth tow target carrier (1949)

8/22/2019 Cloth Tow Target Carrier (1949)

1/18

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 8e p t . 2 6 , 1950 c . G . TRIMBACHTOW TARGET CARRIER

9 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 2 1 , 1949


2/18


3/18

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 8e p t . 2 6 , 1950 c . a . TRIMBACHTOW TARGET CARRIER

9 Sheets-Sheet 3i l e d M a r c h 2 1 , 1 9 4 9

INVENTOR.(If/)7 . 72/443964

H i r a m / 5 ) : ;

liilllllllllllll

Q


4/18

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 8e p t . 2 6 , 1950 c . e . TRIMBACHTOW TARGET CARRIER

9 Sheets-Sheet 4i l e d M a r c h " 2 1 1 * , 1 9 4 9 '

M. (4%! BYMW,

Flint/n75


5/18

S e p t . 2 6 , 1950- c . G . TRIMBACH 2,523,738 - TOW TARGET CARRIER .

F i l e d March 2 1 , 1 9 4 9 . ' 9 S h e e t s - S h e e t 5

- INVENTOR.t? . 72/4/59!% BY '

IIIII/Vl/ -


6/18

S e p t . 2 6 , 1950 c . G . TRIMBACH 2 ,52 3,738' TOW TARGET CARRIER

F i l e d M a r c h 2 1 , 1 9 4 9 9 S h e e t s - S h e e t 6

H I > Ilv ae n l t /J


7/18


8/18

Sept. 2 6, 1950 c . G . TRIMBACHTOW TARGET CARRIER

F i l e d M a r c h 1 5 2 1 1 1 9 4 9 ? "

232i

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 89 S h e e t s - S h e t a v

I .

mar/#24: 772667 7

"/98

_ INVEN OR.Z .67% 4 9/0/84!40mMlMIRA/13


9/18

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 8e p t . 2 6 , 1 9 5 0 c . G . TRIMBACHTOW TARGET CARRIER

F i l e d M a r c h : 2 1 , 1 , 9 4 9 9 _ S h e e t s - S h e e t 92 m m

M - Q L

IN EN O R .(/[Md 7 9 / 4 / 5 7 5 4

l r r a i / l / J


10/18

P a t e n t e d S e p t . 2 6 , 1 9 5 0 2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 8UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 8TOW TARGET CARRIER

Clem G . T r i m b a c h , E g g e r t s v i l l e , N . Y . , a s s i g n o rt o th e United S t a t e s o f America a s representedby th e S e c r e t a r y o f t h e A i r ForceA p p l i c a t i o n March 1 , 1 9 4 9 , S e r i a l N o . 3 2 , 6 9 6

1 0 C l a i m s ., 1Th e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n r e l a t e s t o means f o r

c a r r y i n g , d i s c h a r g e and r e l e a s e o f a e r i a l towt a r g e t s from h i g h s p e e d a i r c r a f t an d i n c l u d i n gmeans t o permit a c t u a t i o n o f t h e equipment byt h e p i l o t throug h remote c o n t r o l .The t o w i n g o f a e r i a l t a r g e t s a t h i g h s p e e d bys i n g l e s e a t ?ghter a i r c r a f t w h i l e very d e s i r a b l er a i s e s many roblems not p r e s e n t i n r e l e a si n g andtowing t a r g e t s from slow s p e e d c a r g o a i r c r a f twhere crew members o t h e r than t h e p i l o t a r ea v a i l a b l e t o o p e r a t e t h e r e l e a s e and towing e q u i pment. Space i n t h e f u s e l a g e i s i n s u f ? c i e n t f o rs t o r a g e o f t h e t a r g e t s and b e c a u s e o f shock l o a d st h e t a r g e t s cannot b e r e l e a s e d and exchanged bya l l o w i n g t h e t a r g e t s t o s l i d e a l o n g t h e c a b l e t oa c t u a t e automatic r e l e a s e and exchange mechanism a t t h e end o f t h e tow c a b l e .In one experimental system the t a r g e t s werehoused i n c o n t a i n e r s mounted under th e wing ono p p o s i t e s i d e s t o t h e a i r c r a f t and d i s c h a r g e d byg r a v i t y through t h e r e a r o f t h e c o n t a i n e r . Thet a r g e t s were each provided with i n d i v i d u a l towc a b l e s which were disconnected from the a i rc r a f t w hen i n d i v i d u a l t a r g e t s were t o be r e l e a s e dand dropped t o t h e g r o u n d . T h i s system had t h ed i s a d v a n t a g e o f i m p o s i n g high shock l o a d s o nt h e a i r c r a f t , e x c e s s i v e weight due t o t h e i nd i v i d u a l tow c a b l e s r e q u i r e d , l i a b i l i t y o f c a b l e f o u li n g during d i s c h a r g e and g e n e r a l l y i n l o s s o f t h ec a b l e s du e t o t a n g l i n g a f t e r t h e t a r g e t s r e a c h e dthe ground.

I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n t h e

10

1 5

20

30

tow targets are h o u s e d in a streamline container ,o r c a r r i e r p r e f e r a b l y mounted by s t r u t s below thefuselage o f an a i r c r a f t such a s a ?ghter p l a n e .The c a r r i e r i s provided with a bottom openingc l o s e d by doors which may be automatically r el e a s e d t o a l l o w a t a r g e t t o drop therethrough. Awinding r e e l having a tow c a b l e thereon i s p o s it i o n e d i n t h e a f t e r p o r t i o n o f t h e c a r r i e r , t h er e e l b e i n g f r i c t i o n braked d u r i n g unwinding o f t h ec a b l e and d r i v e n by an e l e c t r i c motor during th er e e l in g o p e r a t i o n . T h e r e s p e c t i v e t a r g e t s a r ep r o v i d e d with e x p l o s i v e ruptured f r a n g i b l e co nnecting r i n g s mounted on a g u i d e and adaptedu p o n discharge o f a target t o engage a h oo k ont h e tow c a b l e . The aerodynamic drag o f th et a r g e t then c a u s e s t h e c a b le t o b e s l o w l y payedou t a v o i d i n g any heavy shock l o a d . The t a r g e t sa r e r e l e a s e d from the end o f th e tow c a b l e b ye l e c t r i c a l l y d e t - o n a t i n g th e e x p l o s i v e i n t h e conn e c t i n g r in g t o t h u s drop t h e t a r g e t . An a u t omatic emergency r e l e a s e i s a l s o provided f o r d i sc o n n e c t i n g t h e c a b l e from t h e winding drum s othat t h e c a b l e may e dropped f t h e n e c e s s i t y f o rsuch action a r i s e s .

, A l l o f t h e f u n c t i o n s o f a u t o m a t i c a l l y d i s c h a r gi n g t h e t a r g e t s s e q u e n t i a l l y , r e l e a s i n g t h e samean d winding i n the cable a f t e r each r e l e a s e i s cont r o l l e d by a p i l o t a c t u a t e d s t e p p i n g s w i t c h having

35

40

- l I )

00

( C l . 273-1053) 2i n d i c a t i n g means i n d i c a t i n g which o p e r a t i o n i sb e i n g performed and p r o v i d e s f o r t h e o p e r a t i o n sb e i n g accomplished o n l y i n a predetermineds e q u e n c e . By means o f a s e p a r a t e switch th e p i l o tmay e f f e c t emergency r e l e a s e o f the tow c a b l ewh e n n e c e s s a r y .

I t i s a c c o r d i n g l y an o b j e c t o f t h i s i n v e n t i o nt o provide a c a r r i e r f o r a e r i a l tow t a r g e t s comp r i s i n g a housing adapted t o be mounted on ahigh speed a i r c r a f t , t h e c a r r i e r having means f o rhousing t h e t a r g e t s and a u t o m a t i c a l l y sequent i a l l y d i s c h a r g i n g t h e same, t h e c a r r i e r havi n g a power a c t u a t e d r e e l i n g mechanism p o s it i o n e d t h e r e i n such that th e t a r g e t s a r e coupledt o a tow c a b l e on the r e e l i n g d e v i c e a f t e r d i s c h a r g e t o cause paying ou t o f th e c a b l e andthe l a t t e r being r e e l e d a f t e r r e l e a s e o f a t a r g e tbeing towed t o e f f e c t a t a r g e t exchange upon d i scharge o f a succeeding t a r g e t , th e means f o rc o u p l i n g t h e t a r g e t t o t h e tow c a b l e b e i n g ane x p l o s i v e de v i c e e l e c t r i c a l l y a c t u a t e d by e n e r g i zi n g t h e tow c a b l e , t h e r e b e i n g a remote c o n t r o ls y s t e m c o n t r o l l e d by t h e p i l o t f o r a u t o m a t i c a l l ye f f e c t i n g t a r g e t d i s c h a r g e , t a r g e t r e l e a se and r e e lin g i n a predetermined s e q u e n c e .

I t i s a further o b j e c t o f the invention t o pr ovide in a tow target c a r r i e r an d r e l e a s e system o ft h e c h a r a c t e r d e s c r i b e d t o p r o v i d e i n d i c a t i n gmeans t o i n d i c a t e t h e system o p e r a t i o n l a s t p e rformed.

I t i s a n o t h e r o b j e c t o f t h e i n v e n t i o n t o p r o v i d e ,i n a tow t a r g e t system o f th e c h a r a c t e r d e s c r i b e d ,a means c o n t r o l l e d by th e p i l o t f o r automaticallyd i sc o n n e c t i n g t h e to w c a b l e from t h e r e e l i n g d ev i c e t o permit the c a b l e ' t o be dropped i n c a s eof an em er g e n c y .

Other o b j e c t s and f e a t u r e s o f t h e i n v e n t i o n w i l lappear by r e f e r e n c e t o t h e d e t a i l e d d e s c r i p t i o nh e r e i n a f t e r g i v e n taken i n conjunction with th eappended d r a w i n g s i n which:

F i g . 1 i s a p e r s p e c t i v e view i l l u s t r a t i n g th emounting o f th e c a r r i e r on a f i g h t e r a i r p l a n e a n d .the manner i n which a t a r g e t i s towed i n ? i g h t ;

F i g . 2 i s an i s o m e t r i c view p a r t l y i n s e c t i o ni l l u s t r a t i n g t h e g e n e r a l c o n s t r u c t i o n o f thecarrier;

F i g . 3 i s a front view o f the c a r r i e r or housingo f F i g . 2 with the nose section and support r emoved; , , '

F i g . 4 i s a v i e w , p a r t l y i n s e c t i o n , i l l u s t ra t i n ga s o l e n o i d actuated mechanism f o r r e l e a s i n g th eexternal doors on the c a r r i e r ;

F i g . 5 i s a view s i m i l a r t o F i g . 4 i l l u s t r a t i n g as i m i l a r mechanism employed i n r e l e a si n g i n t e r n a lpartitions or tow target supports; '

F i g . 6 i s an i s o m e t r i c view i l l u s t r a t i n g t h e automatic tow l i n e r e e l i n g mechanism mounted ont h e c a r r i e r s t r u c t u r e ;

F i g . ' 7 i s a s i d e e l e v a t i o n p a r t l y i n s e c t i o n f u r


11/18

2 , 5 2 8 , 7 3 83t h e r i l l u s t r a t i n g t h e r e e l i n g d e v i c e shown i nF i g . 6 ;F i g . 8 i s a t o p plan view p a r t l y i n s e c t i o n i l l u st r a t i n g t h e r e e l d r i v i n g and braking mechanism;

F i g . 9 i s a fragmentary view i l l u s t r a t i n g a s o l enoid f o r actuating an automatic tow c a b l e r el e a s e shown i n F i g . 8 ;F i g . 1 0 i s a t o p plan view p a r t l y i n s e c t i o n o ft h e s o l e n o i d a c t u a t o r o f F i g . 9 ;

F i g . 1 1 i s a View i l l u s t r a t i n g d e t a i l s o f thee x p l o s i v e r e l e a s e coupling between a tow t a r g e tand t h e tow c a b l e ;F i g . 1 2 i s a general c i r c u i t diagram o f th e towt a r g e t c o n t r o l s y s t e m ;

F i g . 1 3 i s a f r o n t e l e v a t i o n view o f the c o n t r o lbox and i n d i c a t o r o f t h e c o n t r o l system o f F i g .1 1 2 ;F i g . 1 4 i s a fragmentary c i r c u i t diagram i l l u st r a t i n g t h e p o r t i o n s o f t h e c i r c u i t d i a g r a m , F i g .1 2 , o p e r a t i v e i n d i s c h a r g e o f t h e ? r s t t a r g e t ;

F i g . 1 5 i s a fragmentary c i r c u i t diagram i l l u st r a t i n g t h e c i r c u i t components o f F i g . 1 2 operat i v e i n e x p l o s i v e l y r e l e a s i n g a t a r g e t ;

F i g . 1 6 i s a fragmentary c i r c u i t diagram i l l u st r a t i n g t h e components o f t h e c o n t r o l system o fF i g . 1 2 employed i n c o n t r o l o f t h e r e e l i n g i n o ft h e c a b l e a f t e r t a r g e t r e l e a s e ; and

F i g . 17 is a fragmentary c i r c u i t d i a g r a m i l l u st r a t i n g components o f th e c i r c u i t o f F i g . 1 2 emp l o y e d i n c o n t r o l o f t h e d i s c h a r g e o f t a r g e t shoused i n the upper part o f th e c a r r i e r .Referring t o t h e drawings, F i g . 1 i l l u s t r a t e s ac o n v e n t i o n a l ?ghter a i r c r a f t I c a p a b l e o f s p e e d si n excess o f three h undre d miles pe r hour andhaving t h e to w t a r g e t c a r r i e r o r h o u s i n g gene r a l l y i n d i c a t e d by r e f e r e n c e numeral 2 p o s i t i o n e dbelow t h e a i r p l a n e f u s e l a g e and s u i t a b l y supp o r t e d by s t r u t s 3 . A e x i b l e metal tow c a b l eI 5 6 extends from th e c a r r i e r 2 and connects bymeans f an explosive rupturable coupling t o the . , ib r i d l e B1 o f a conventional banner type a e r i a ltow t a r g e t T 1 p r e f e r ab l y i n c o r p o r a t i n g m e t a l l i c?bers so as to serve as a re?ector fo r a trackingr a d a r .As seen i n F i g . 2 the tow t a r g e t c a r r i e r , g ene r a l l y i n d i c a t e d by th e r e f e r e n c e numeral 2 , comp r i s e s a generally c y l i n d r i c a l sheet metal cont a i n e r 4 made from l i g h t aluminum a l l o y s h e e tor the l i k e . The container i s provided with ar i g i d c e n t r a l v e r t i c a l w a l l o r p a r t i t i o n 5 s u i t a b l ys t i f f e n e d by v e r t i c a l s t i f f e n e r members 6 , t h eo u t e r s h e l l o f th e c o n t a i n e r being s u i t a b l y su pp o r t e d from t h e c e n t r a l p a r t i t i o n by means o fc i r c u l a r s t i f f e n i n g r i n g s 1 . At i t s forward endthe c a r r i e r 2 i s provided with a c i r c u l a r ring 3 , .s t r e n g t h e n e d by t u b u l a r members 9 , t h e r i n g 8s e r v i n g a s an attachment p o i n t f o r hinges l l o fdoors i 0 and I 8 which cover th e open bottomo f the c a r r i e r 2 and a r e movable outw ard s i m i l a rt o c o n v e n t i o n a l bomb bay d o o r s , n o t e a l s o F i g s .3 and 6 f o r d i s c h a r g e o f t a r g e t s from th e i n t e r i o ro f th e c o n t a i n e r . Each o f the doors I l l and [ 0 are provided with l e v e r extensions I 2 wh ich ar econnected b y means o f c a b l e s I 3 t o s p r i n g s l 4 ,only one o f which i s shown i n F i g . 2 , f o r r et r a c t i n g t h e d o o r s I 0 and I D . The weight o ft h e tow t a r g e t s r e s t i n g on t h e d o o r s i s s u f f i c i e n tt o open the same a f t e r r e l e a s e o f s u i t a b l e l a t c hin g means and the s p r i n g s I 4 ar e o f s u f f i c i e n ts t r e n g t h t o c l o s e t h e d o o r s a g a i n s t t h e e f f e c t so f a i r r e s i s t a n c e .As seen i n F i g . 2 i n t e r n a l transverse p a r t i t i o n sl 5 and I 5 a r e hinged t o the v e r t i c a l w a l l o rp a r t i t i o n 5 b y means o f hinges such a s indicateda t l 6 s o that th e i n t e r n a l p a r t it i o n s may be

1 0

1 5

25

30

3 5

7 0

4dropped, such a s i n the p o s i t i o n s h o w n f o r part i t i o n I S i n F i g . 3 , p e r m i t t i n g a t a r g e t s u p p o r t e dabove t h e p a r t i t i o n t o drop i n t o t h e l o w e r p o r t i o no f t h e c a r r i e r housing 4 and t o b e s u b s e q u e n t l ydischarged therefrom by opening o f door I E } o ri l l . The hinged p a r t i t i o n s l 5 and E 5 o f F i g . 2 ,when latched i n p o s i t i o n , serve as a means f o rs u p p o r t i n g t a r g e t s t h e r e a b o v e and wh e n t h edoors [ 0 and i 0 are c l o s e d two additional t a rg e t s may be housed within the c a r r i e r 2 . Thet a r g e t p o s i t i o n s a r e indicated i n F i g . 3 b y th et a r g e t i n d i c i a T 2 t o T 4 , i n c l u s i v e , t h e t a r g e t s b ein g o f th e banner type and wound n a r o l l andextending throughout a c o n s i d e ra b l e p o r t i o n o ft h e length o f t h e c a r r i e r .As seen i n F i g . 2 the c a r r i e r may be c l o s e d a ti t s forward end b y means o f a dome shapedstreamlined n o s e p i e c e l 8 which i s removably s ecured b y means o f a fastener stem 2 9 an d f a st e n e r element 2 0 which i s mounted a t th e i n t e rs e c t i o n o f t h e s u p p o r t i n g t u b u l ar s t r u c t u r e 9 .( N o t e F i g . 3 . ) The c a r r i e r 2 i s a l s o i n c l o s e d a ti t s r e a r end b y a removable p l a s t i c housing I 8 which must be made o f an e l e c t r i c a l i n s u l a t i n gm a t e r i a l t o a v o i d a c c i d e n t a l c o n t a c t with highv o l t a g e e l e c t r i c i t y , a s w i l l be subsequently e xp l a i n e d . Th e rear portion o f th e c a r r i e r 2 a l s os e r v e s a s the mounting o r support f o r a r e e l i n gs t r u c t u r e H i l l t o b e l a t e r d e s c r i b e d .As seen i n F i g s . 2 and 3 t h e l a t c h i n g mechanism f o r the doors I l l an d H ) i s g e n e r a l l y i n d icated b y th e r e f e r e n c e numeral 2 5 and comprisestwo i d e n t i c a l , b u t s e p a r a t e l y a c t u a t e d , l a t c h i n gmechanisms only one o f which i s shown i n F i g .4 and w i l l now be d e s c r i b e d .

R e f e r r i n g t o F i g . 4 , t h e d o o r l a t c h i n g mechanism generally indicated a s 2 5 has one o f th etwo door l a t c h i n g mechanisms i l l u s t r a t e d a s i ncluding an e l e c t r i c a l spring biased s o l e n o i d 2 6o f conventional construction supported from av e r t i c a l mounting w a l l 2 7 a n d having a plungerelement 2 8 which i s normally extended by t h es p r i n g within th e s o l e n o i d 2 6 and r e t r a c t e d t ot h e l e f t by e l e c t r i c a l l y e n e r g i z i n g t h e s o l e n o i d .Th e plunger 2 8 i s pivoted a t 2 9 t o a l i n k 3 0wh ich in turn i s pivoted a t 5 ! t o a l e v e r 3 2 whichi n turn i s rockable about a p i v o t 3 3 provided i na bracket 34 r i g i d l y mounted on a front supp o r t i n g bracket 3 5 . The l e v e r 3 2 i s provided a ti t s upper en d with a n arcuate shaped cam 3 6which normally i s i n engagement with a p r o j e ction 3 1 on on e arm of a b e l l crank 3 ? whic h i sp i v o t a l l y s u p p o r t e d a t 3 8 from t h e b r a c k e t 3 4 .The lever arm ' ! has an arcuate recess thereina s shown a t 3 9 such that when cam 6 i s rotatedi n a clockwise direction u n t i l a lower edge o f th ecam i s i n r e g i s t e r with th e r e c e s s 3 9 , l e v e r 3 7can then rock about i t s p i v o t 3 8 .The b e l l crank 3 7 has a h o r i z o n t a l l y extendin g arm 5 0 which terminates i n a t o e p o r t i o n 4 |which i s urged by means o f a r a t trap s p r i n g 4 2i n t o camming engagement with an i n c l i n e d s u rf a c e 4 3 o f a l e v e r 4 4 p i v o t a l l y supported a t 4 5from bracket 3 4 . Th e l e v e r 4 4 has a l a t e r a l l yand downwardly extending f o r k 4 6 i n which anarcuate l a t c h member Q T i s p i v o t e d a t 4 8 . Th el a t c h 4 1 i s s l o t t e d a t 4 9 t o r e c e i v e a guide p i n5 0 and i s urged by a b i a s i n g s p r i n g 5 | t o extendi n t h e l a t c h i n g p o s i t i o n a s i l l u s t r a t e d . t h e l a t c hentering an aperture 5 2 i n the en d o f a tubularmember 5 3 s e c u r e d along the o u t e r edge o f d o o r1 0 .By e n e r g i z i n g s o l e n o i d 2 6 p l u n g e r 2 8 w i l l b eretracted t o the l e f t from the p o s i t i o n a s seeni n F i g . 4 , and through l i n k 3 0 and l e v e r 3 2 w i l l


12/18

5r o t a t e cam 3 6 u n t i l t h e l o w e r e d g e t h e r e o f c l e a r sthe projection 3 1 a n d e n t e r s th e r e c e s s 3 9 . Th ew e i g h t ' o f t h e d o o r I l l a c t i n g o n l a t c h 4 ' ! c a n 'then r o t a t e l e v e r 4 4 and by camming a c t i o n ont o e L i l r o t a t e b e l l crank arm l i d u n t i l th e l a t c h4 ! c l e a r s t h e t u b e 5 3 u n l a t c h i n g t h e d o o r I t andp e r m i t t i n g t h e same t o d r o p due t o t h e w e i g h to f a t a r g e t r e s t i n g t h e r e o n . R e t r a c t i o n o f d o o ri t ] b y means o f t h e a c t i o n o f r e t r a c t i o n s p r i n gM ( F i g . 2 ) v c a u s e s t h e l a t c h member M o b ecammed inward a g a i n s t t h e r e s i s t a n c e o f s p r i n g5 | u n t i l t h e l a t c h i s r e g i s t e r e d w i t h t h e a p e r t u r e5 2 an d the door i s again l o c k e d . ' The structures o f a r d e s c r i b e d i s e f f e c t i v e t o l a t c h and supportonly one end o f t h e t a r g e t r e l e a s e d o o r s and supp l e m e n t a l l a t c h i n g mechanism f o r t h e r e a r en do f the doors w i l l now be d e s c r i b e d .The l e v e r 3 1 i s p i v o t a l l y connected a s a t 5 4 t oan extension ro d 5 5 and which extends withint h e c a r r i e r c a s i n g 4 t h e l e n g t h o f door i i i and t h ef a r end o f t h e rod 5 5 i s p i v o t a l l y connected a sa t 5 6 V t o a l a t c h i n g l e v e r 5 i p i v o t a l l y s u p p o r t e da t 5 8 by a bracket 5 9 from t h e r e a r end w a l l 5 9o f t h e t a r g e t c a r r i e r 2 , t h e en d W a l l c o n s t r u c t i o nb e i n g c l e a r l y shown i n F i g . 6 . The f o r c e t r a n smission ro d 5 5 s e r v e s t o actuate t h e l e v e r 5 1 si ~multaneous w i t h movement o f l e v e r M n d j l e v e r5 ' ! i s p r o v i d e d with a f o r k e d e x t e n s i o n 5 ! , a r c u a t el a t c h 6 2 , s p r i n g 6 3 and o t h e r p a r t s c o r r e s p o n d i n gt o e l e m e n t s 4 6 t h r o u g h 5 ! , i n c l u s i v e , a s s o c i a t e dwith l e v e r 9 9 . Thelatch 5 2 i s a d a ' p t e d ' t o e n t e ran aperture 1 1 i i n tube 5 3 an d cooperates i n l a t c hin g door I t ] i n th e same manner a s latch ? l l I tw i l l be noted t h a t t h e c o n t a c t i n g cam s u r f a c e si l l a n d 4 3 never become disengaged s o t h a t upondeenergization o f solenoid 2 6 the door 5 9 can ber e t r a c t e d by s p r i n g M, F i g . 2 , and moved i n t olatched p o s i t i o n b y 'camming the l a t c h e s i t ! and6 2 a g a i n s t t h e r e s i s t a n c e o f b i a s i n g s p r i n g s 5 iand 9 3 , r e s p e c t i v e l y . The d o o r l a t c h i n g mechan i s m . employed w i t h t h e o t h e r l o w e r d o o r I 9 , F i g s .3 and 6 , i s i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t shown i n F i g . 4 , andh e n c e n e e d n o t b e f u r t h e r d e s c r i b e d e x c e p t t h a ti n t h e c i r c u i t diagrams t h e door s o l e n o i d a c t u a t o rf o r t h e d o o r I i i w i l l b e i n d i c a t e d by r e f e r e n c echaracter 2 6 ' . I The l a t c h i n g mechanism f o r t h e i n t e r i o r hingedp a r t i t i o n s l 5 and 8 5 , F i g . 2 , a s i n d i c a t e d i n gene r a l i n F i g . 3 by th e r e s p e c t i v e r e f e r e n c e n umerals 9 5 and 6 5 ' . Each o f t h e s e l a t c h i n g mechanisms i s i d e n t i c a l i n c o n s t r u c t i o n and o n l y on esuch mechanism i s i l l u s t r a t e d and d e s c r i b e d i nc o n j u n c t i o n with F i g . 5 . R e f e r r i n g t o F i g . 5 , t h ei n t e r i o r door o r hinged p a r t i t i o n l a t c h i n g mecha n i s m , a s g e n e r a l l y i n d i c a t e d by r e f e r e n c e character 9 5 , i s seen a s including a conventional springbiased e l e c t r i c a l s o l e n o i d 6 6 mounted on a s u i ta b l e v e r t i c a l b r a c k e t E l and having a plunger6 8 which i s drawn inward from th e p o s i t i o nshown i n F i g . 5 upon e l e c t r i c a l l y e n e r g i z i n g t h es o l e n o i d 6 5 . The s o l e n o i d p l u n g e r 5 8 i s p i v o t a l l yconnected a t 6 9 t o a l i n k i t ! which i n turn i s vp i v o t a l l y connected a s a t H t o the lower end o fthe l e v e r i 2 pivoted a t ' 6 3 t o a bracket M mountedon a s u i t a b l e v e r t i c a l mounting p l a t e l 5 s e c u r e d t o t h e c a r r i e r s t r u c t u r e . L e v e r T 2 i s p r o v i d e da t i t s upper end with an arcuate cam i t ; whichi s n o r m a l l y i n engagement w i t h t h e i n n e r s i d eo f l e v e r arm l l o f a b e l l crank pivotallysupporteda t F 8 on the bracket M . Th e b e l l crank arm T !i s provided wi th an a r c u a t e r e c e s s l a which p e rm i t s r o t a t i o n o f t h e ' b e l l c r a n k . l e v e r whenevert h e c a m f s u r f a c e l ' E i i s r o t a t e d i n a c l o c k w i s e d i - lr e c t i o n u n t i l i t i s i n r e g i s t e r . w i t h - t h e r e c e s s ' 8 9 . The b e l l crank arm 8 b i s p r o v i d e d : w i t h a t o e

1 0

1 5

20

25

6p o r t i o n B l which s i n camming engagement w i t han i n c l i n e d s u r f a c e 8 2 on a l e v e r 8 3 p i v o t a l l ymounted a t 9 4 . The l e v e r 8 3 i s p r o v i d e d witha l a t c h i n g d e t e n t 8 5 which i s a d a p t e d t o e n t e r vthe open end o f a tubular memberv a s secureda l o n g t h e o u t e r e d g e o f d r o p p a b l e p a r t i t i o n l 5 . vSupplemental'latching means a r e provided i nwhich an e l o n g a t e d f o r c e t r a n s m i s s i o n rod 8 9 i sp i v o t a l l y connected a t 8 8 t o the b e l l crank arml l with a b i a s i n g s p r i n g 9 9 which u r g e s t h e l e v e rT ! i n a direction t o cause the b e l l crank arm 86t o cam the l a t c h i n g l e v e r 8 3 i n th e l a t c h i n g d ir e c t i o n and a l s o t e n s i o n s rod 8 9 . The ro d 8 9 i sp i v o t a l l y connected a t i t s o t h e r end a s a t 9 ! witha latching l e v e r 9 2 having a l a t c h i n g ' p r o j e c t i o n

' 9 3 wh ich i s adapted t o enter the rear op e n e n do f t u b e 8 9 1 3 0 a d d i t i o n a l l y s u p p o r t andlatch t h ei n t e r i o r door o r partition l 5 . - .The o p e r a t i o n o f t h e l a t c h i n g mechanism o fF i g . 5 i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t o f F i g . 4 s u c h t h a t w i t ht h e p a r t s i n t h e p o s i t i o n s h o w n , e n e r g i z i n g s o l en o i d 6 6 c a u s e s plunger 6 8 t o r e t r a c t and throughl i n k i i i and l e v e r l 2 r o t a t e s cam 1 6 u n t i l t h esame r e g i s t e r s w i t h r e c e s s i i i . The weight o f at a r g e t r e s t i n g on p a r t i t i o n i 5 i s then s u ? i c i e n tt o cause rotation o f latching l e v e r s 8 3 an d 9 2

3 0

i n o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n s a g a i n s t t h e r e s i s t a n c e o ff e r e d b y b i a s i n g s p r i n g 9 9 t o d i r e c t t e n s i o n f o r c ei n r o d 8 9 an d t o f o r c e produced'by cam a c t i o n .a t s u r f a c e s 8 2 and 8 ! t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h b e l l' crank arms 8 9 and T i t o the spring90 s o that the

60

7 0

7 5

l a t c h i n g e l e m e n t s emerge from l a t c h i n g e n g a g ement w i t h t h e t u b e 8 6 v and a l l o w t h e p a r t i t io n t odrop. ' .When h e p a r t i t i o n o r d o o r I t i s d r o p p e d a f t e r

i t moves approximately ?fteen degrees a switch(shown i n t h e w i r i n g diagram) i s a c t u a t e d t od e e n e r g i z e th e s o l e n o i d 6 6 and s p r i n g 9 3 r e t u r n st h e p a r t s t o t h e l a t c h e d p o s i t i o n and t h e p a r t i t i o n 1 5 ca n b e r e l a t c h e d by manually r a i s i n gt h e same on t h e ground and manually r e t r a c t i n gt h e s o l e n o i d p l u n g e r s o t h a t t h e t u b e 8 9 maycam t h e l a t c h i n g d e t e n t s a p a r t and permit t h esame t o e n t e r t h e t u b e e n d s .

Since the latching device g e n e r a l l y i n d i c a t e d a s6 5 " F i g . 2 i s i d e n t i c a l t o that o f t h e d e v i c e o fF i g . 5 both a s t o s t r u c t u r e and o p e r a t i o n , f u r t h e rd e s c r i p t i o n o f th e same s unnecessary except thatt h e s o l e n o i d a c t u a t o r t h e r e o f w i l l be subsequentlyi d e n t i ? e d i n t h e g e n e r a l w i r i n g d i a g r a m , F i g . 1 2 ,b y t h e r e f e re n c e c h a r ac t e r 6 6 .

R e e l i n g mechanismAs p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d with r e f e r e n c e t o F i g .2 , t h e r e e l i n g mechanism g e n e r a l l y i n d i c a t e d by

r e f e r e n c e numeral I 0 0 , i s employed f o r t h e purp o s e o f t a r g e t e x c h a n g e , t h e r e e l i n g mechanismb e i n g b e s t u n d e r s t o o d from t h e d i s c l o s u r e s o f F i g s .6 , 7 and 8 . As seen i n F i g . 6 , t h e r e e l i n g mechanism c o m p r i s e s i n s u l a t i n g mounting b r a c k e t sN i l s u i t a b l y supported from t h e r e a r end w a l l6 9 o f t h e t a r g e t c a r r i e r , v t h e i n s u l a t i o n s e r v i n g t oe l e c t r i c a l l y i s o l a t e t h e r e e l i n g s t r u c t u r e from t h ec a r r i e r body and a i r p l a n e , s i n c e d u r i n g t a r g e tr e l e a s e th e r e e l i s subjected t o an e l e c t r i c a l pot e n t i a l o f t h i r t y thousand v o l t s with r e s p e c t t og r o u n d . The r e e l i n g s t r u c t u r e p r o p e r c o m p r i s e sa p a i r o f s i d e p l a t e s H i 2 and M3 , r e s p e c t i v e l y ,secured by b o l t s o r the l i k e t o i n s u l a t e d mounti n g b r a c k e t s I E I . An l e c t r i c d r i v i n g motor H 1 5having a b u i l t - i n g e a r r e d u c t i o n issecured b ymeans o f b o l t s I t ! t o th e end w a l l 5 0 2 , and a sseen i n F i g . 8 i n c l u d e s a d r i v i n g shaft H i 6 s u i t a b l yjournalled i n the end w a l l m3 n a manner herea f t e r d e s c r i b e d f o r d r i v i n g th e r e e l i n g drum. Th e


13/18

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 87motor housing i s p r o v i d e d with l u g s I 0 8 whichb y means o f b o l t s I 0 9 support an inwardly d irected ? a n g e member I 0 wh ich serves as a seatf o r a b a l l bearing I I 2 . A imilar inward turned? a n g e I I I o f en d wall I 0 2 serves as a seat f o rthe s i m i l a r bearing H3 . Th e outer races o f th eb e a r i n g s I E 2 and H3 have bearing r i n g s I I 4 andH5 , r e s p e c t i v e l y , p r e s s e d thereon which i n t u r nare secured t o the c y l i n d r i c a l winding drum orr e e l H6. The cable receiving winding drum I I 6has a ? an g e d drum I 8 secured a t one end theret o , which drum i s s e c u r e d t o a f l a n g e s l e e v e I 2 0arranged c o n c e n t r i c with s h a f t I 0 6 and pinnedt o th e s h a f t b y means o f a taper pin I 2 I whichalso serves to mount a bevel gear I 2 2 on theouter end o f the s l e e v e I 2 0 . Rotation o f motorshaft I 0 6 through s l e e v e I 2 0 i s thus enabled t od r i v e t h e d r um I 6 t o wind i n c a b l e .Th e in-turned ?a n ge member I I 0 , which s e r v e sas a bearing support f o r th e drum bearing H2 ,i s p i e r c e d b y l o n g i t u d i n a l l y e x t e n d i n g c o o l i n ga p e r t u r e s , and i t s p e r i p h e r y I 2 5 i s s p l i n e d t o s ecure alternate p l a t e s o f a f r i c t i o n brake generallyi n d i c a t e d a t I 2 6 , t h e o t h e r p a i r s o f p l a t e s b e i n gs u i t a b l y s p l i n e d t o t h e d r um I I 6 . S u i t a b l e f r i c ~t i o n f a c i n g i s a p p l i e d t o a l t e r n a t e p l a t e s o f t h ef r i c t i o n brake which i s maintained under comp r e s s i o n by means o f a l o a d i n g s p r i n g I 2 1 ' s u i ta b l y supported b y p r o j e c t i o n s on an abutmentp l a t e I 2 8 which a b u t s an i n t e r n a l l y threaded r i n gI 2 9 and wh ich i s a d j u s t a b l e upon an e x t e r n a l l yt h r e a d e d i n w a r d l y d i r e c t e d ?ange I 3 0 i n t e g r a lwith d r u m member I I 8 s o that the s p r i n g loadingon the brake may be adjusted through a s u i t a b l eaperture i n th e d r um H8 t o apply a constantbraking f o r c e on t h e winding drum. The brakingf o r c e a p p l i e d by brake I 2 6 i s j u s t s u ? i c i e n t t oenable th e tow c a b l e t o be payed out with a targetattached a t a s a f e speed but not unduly overloadmotor I 0 5 d u r i n g t h e r e e l i n g o p e r a t i o n .As seen i n F i g . 8 th e pinion gear I 2 2 mesheswith a smaller pinion I 3 I secured t o one end o fthe shaft I 3 2 which i s r o t a t a b l y supported i n ab e a r i n g j o u r n a l I 3 3 s e c u r e d t o t h e end framemember I 0 3 . Th e shaft I 3 2 a t i t s outer end i sjournalled i n a s u i t a b l e bracket I 3 4 a n d has aworm I3 5 thereon whic h meshes with a wormwheel I 3 6 an d i s adapted t o d r i v e a shaft I 3 1journalled a t each end b y means o f bearings I 3 8formed i n th e end frame members I 0 2 an d I 0 3 .The s h a f t I 3 9 i s p r o v i d e d with r i g h t and l e f t handintersecting threads I3 9 thereon to form a conventional l e v e l wind f o r a cable guide head I 4 0 ,which i s provided with a p i n , not shown, whichengages an alternate one o f the threads I 3 9 i neach d i r e c t i o n o f t r a v e r s e r e l a t i v e t o th e s h a f tI 3 1 . Th e guide head I 4 0 i s provided with a guidep u l l e y I 4 2 over which th e tow c a b l e v p a s s e s .As seen in F i g . 6 th e c a b l e guide head I 4 0 i s provided with bearing guides I 4 3 an d I 4 4 which ar es l i d a b l e upon p a r a l l e l t u b u l a r guide members I 4 5a n d I 4 6 r e s p e c t i v e l y which ar e secured transv e r s e l y o f th e c a b l e d r u m I I 6 t o th e end f ramemembers I 0 2 a n d I 0 3 . I t w i l l be seen that duri n g winding and unwinding o p e r a t i o n s o f t h ed r um I I 6 t h e s h a f t I 3 2 w i l l d r i v e s h a f t I 3 1 t ocause t h e winding guide I 4 0 t o r e c i p r o c a t e backan d forth on th e guides I 4 5 and I 4 6 s o that thec a b l e l a y s are wound, one adjacent the other i nuniform l a y e r s . This l e v e l winding mechanismi s o f t h e t y p e w e l l k n o w n i n th e a r t whose operat i o n i s b e l i e v e d t o r e q u i r e no f u r t h e r e x p l a n a t i o n .As seen i n F i g s . 6 and 7 the c a b l e guide I 4 0 i sp r o v i d e d with an outwardly p r o j e c t i n g h o l l o wstem I 4 9 wh ich s made o f i n s u l a t i n g material

10

1 5

20

25

30

35

45

50

55

60

65

7 0

7 6

8having a s u i t a b l e rectangular base f o r attachmentt o t h e body o f t h e g u i d e member I 4 0 . The stemportion I 4 9 i s hollow an d s e r v e s a s a guide f o r th etow c a b l e I 5 0 which passes therethrough an dwhich i s provided a t i t s o u t e r e n d s , a s shown i nF i g . 6 , with a stop member I 5 I upon which i ssecured a conventional snap hook I 5 2 t o whichthe t a r g e t b r i d l e s are s e c u r e d . A spring I 5 4mounted concentric on the guide stem I 4 9 eng a g e s a collar I55 which i s actually slidable onthe guide stem an d i s retained b y means o f s t o p sI 5 6 from s l i p p i n g o f f t h e end o f th e g u i d e stemI 4 9 . The spring I 5 4 a n d c o l l a r I 5 5 serve as ameans t o push e x p l o s i v e c o u p l i n g members C 1 t oC 4 , i n c l u s i v e , u p a g a i n s t t h e s t o p s I 5 6 s o t h a t t h ecoupling members may e r e s p e c t i v e l y p u l l e d o v e rth e s t o p s o f f t h e g u i d e member I 4 9 and onto t h ec a b l e I 5 0 whenever a r e s p e c t i v e t a r g e t , connectedt o t h e c o u p l i n g member by a r e s p e c t i v e b r i d l e , B1t o B 4 , i n c l u s i v e , e x e r t s a s u ? i c i e n t p u l l thereona f t e r th e t a r g e t i s r e l e a s e d from t h e c a r r i e r . Byt h i s means s u c c e s s i v e t a r g e t s may l i d e b y meanso f t h e i r coupling members do wn th e tow c a b l et o u l t i m a t e l y engage th e snap hook I 5 2 t o c o u p l et h e t a r g e t i n towing r e l a t i o n t o th e c a b l e . Themeans f o r e x p l o s i v e l y r e l e a s i n g t h e t a r g e t w i l l b es u b s e q u e n t l y d e s c r i b e d .

Emergency c a b l e r e l e a s eBy reference t o F i g . 8 i t i s seen that the innerend o f th e tow c a b l e I 5 0 i s provided with a b a l lterminal I 5 1 which i s r e l e a s a b l y seated i n an

aperture I 5 8 formed i n a member I 6 0 secured t oand inwardly p r o j e c t i n g from t h e winding drumI I 6 . Member I 6 0 i s p r o v i d e d with a f u r t h e ra p e r t u r e I 6 I i n which s mounted a s p r i n g p r e s s e dl a t c h i n g l e v e r I 6 2 p i v o t a l l y supported a t I 6 3 andhaving a l a t c h i n g d e t e n t I 6 4 adapted t o engagea p i v o t a l l y mounted catch I 6 5 , which upon r e l e a s ew i l l allow a l a t c h i n g member I 6 2 t o r o t a t e abouti t s p i v o t I 6 3 r e l e a s i n g t h e b a l l t e r m i n a l I 5 1 t oallow th e same t o emerge from member I 6 0 an dthus r e l e a s e the c a b l e from connection t o th ewinding drum. The catch I 6 5 i s adapted t o beactuated b y means o f a plunger I 6 6 wh ich i surged b y a spring I 6 1 from engagement with t h ec a t c h member I 6 5 . Plunger I 6 6 sli olably mounted i n th e r i n g member I I 5 has i t s o u t e r end I 6 8rounded o f f and normally p r o j e c t i n g from t h es i d e o f t h e winding d r u m but o u t o f engagementfrom a tripping member I69 formed as a cam onthe end o f a rod I 1 0 s l i d a b l y mounted i n a s u i ta b l e bearing i n th e end frame member I 0 2 . Thero d o r plunger I 1 0 i s p i v o t a l l y connected t o a b e l lcrank I 1 I which, a s seen i n F i g s . 9 an d 1 0 , i s co nnected t o th e plunger 1 2 o f an actuating s o l e n o i dI 1 5 wh ich i s secured b y means o f a removablebracket I 1 6 t o t h e end frame I 0 2 . I t w i l l be c l e a rfrom Figure 1 0 that when the solenoid I 1 5 i s ene r g i z e d t h e plunger I 1 2 w i l l r o t a t e t h e b e l l crankHI a n d plunger I 1 0 to move th e cam actuatorI 6 9 outward s o that th e same w i l l be engaged b yt h e rounded t i p I 6 8 o f p l u n g e r I 6 6 pushing t h esame inward to actuate catch member I 6 5 an dthus r e l e a s e th e b a l l I 5 1 from i t s r e t a i n i n g so c k e t5 8 and f r e e the tow c a b l e I 5 9 from connectionwith th e winding drum. The s o l e n o i d I 1 5 i sadapted t o be energized b y means o f an emergency control which w i l l be described i n connect i o n w i t h d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e w i r i n g d i a g r a m .By again r e f e r ri n g t o F i g . 6 i t w i l l b e s e e n t h a tthe shaft I 3 1 has mounted on i t s f r e e end as p r o c k e t I 8 0 which i s adapted t o d r i v e c h a i n I 8 It o i n turn d r i v e a sprocket I 8 2 and s h a f t I 8 3which i s e x t e r n a l l y t h r e a d e d and a d a p t e d b y


14/18

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 3 8means o f a f e e d nut mounted thereon t o actuatea s w it c h mechanism I 8 5 . The s w i t c h I 8 5 i s e i f e ct i v e t o d e e n e r g i z e t h e r e e l d r i v i n g motor [ 9 5w h e n h e , tow c a b l e i s wo un d up on t h e r e e l i t thuss e r v e s a s a l i m i t switch f o r the winding motort o p r e v e n t t h e motor b e i n g b u r n t o u t d u e t o e x :c e s s i v e c u r r e n t . A f t e r t h e c a b l e i s ' r e e l e d i n t h es t o p I 5 I F i g . - 6 , engages t h e s t e r n M9 . The switchI 8 5 a c t u a l l y i s o p e r a t e d s l i g h t l y b e f o r e t h e c a b l e Ii s c o m p l e t e l y wound i n . Motor overrun t a k e scare o f the remainder o f the winding operation._Fig-l1 i l l u s t r a t e s t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f ' o n e o ft h e e x p l o s i v e c o n n e c t i n g r i n g s C 1 , e t c , e m p l o y e dt o connect a tow target t o t h v e tow c a b l e . 'The gbody C 1 o f th e connector i s madeof a moldedp l a s t i c i n s u l a t i n g m a t e r i a l such a s nylon i n th eform o f a r i n g with a p a i r o f m e t a l l i c conductorsegments I 8 6 and I 8 9 s e c u r e d t o t h e inner per i p h e r y o f t h e r i n g . A a i r o f e l e c t r i c a l l y i g n i t e de x p l o s i v e c a r t r i d g e s I 8 ? a r e imbedded i n t h e r i n gC . The c a r t r i d g e s I 8 ? a r e ' p r o v i d e d w i t h i n t e r n a ls p a r k ' g a p s not shown and each s e l e c t r i c a l l y c o nn e c t e d t o . one o f t h e segments I 8 9 and lad-andf u r t h e r connected in s e r i e s b y means o f a cond u c t o r I 9 8 . The conductor segments I 9 9 andI 9 6 are s h u n t e d b y means ofa leakage r e s i s t o rI 8 9 which prevents t h e c o l l e c t i o n o f s t a t i c on th etow cable from exploding the c a r t r i d g e s . In uset h e . tow t a r g e t b r i d l e such a s B1 ( F i g . ' 7 ) e n g a g e sone of the conductor segments s u c h ; a s I 9 9 while , - ;segment I 8 5 5 w i l l beengaged by t h e hook I 5 2 ont h e ' t o w c a b l e . When th e tow c a b l e i s e n e r g i z e dby a p o t e n t i a l o f from f o u r t e e n t o t h i r t y thousande v o l t s , . t h e d i s t r i b u t e d c a p a c i t y between t h e to wc a b l e andthe t a r g e t i s s u ? i c i e n t t o p e r m i t s p a r k s :t o jump t h e g a p s i n t h e c a r t r i d g e s I 8 1 e x p l o d i n gthe same. ' ' . ' I 3 1

. The explosionof the charges i n c a r t r id g e s I 9 1burststhe c o n n e c t o r r i n g which p e r m i t s t h e t a rget-and b r i d l e t o become" disconnected from th etow c a b l e and t h e w e i g h t . o f the tow ho o k I 5 2 ~issuf?cient t o maintain the cable I 9 9 sumciently.l o a d e d t o e n a b l e i t t o be r e e l e d i n .

I t i s n o t e d t h a t t h e f o r e g o i n g d e s c r i p t i o n - o f t h ec o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e e x p l o s i v e c o n n e c t i n g r i n g sadapted t o r e l e a s e tow t a r g e t s d o e s not pe r s e f o r m any part o f th e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n and i sd i s c l o s e d and c l a i m e d i n t h e copending a p p l i c at i o n o f James P . Welshand ' John L . J e w e t t , S e r .No. 2 0 , 6 3 4 , new Patent N u m b e r 2 , 4 9 9 , 9 1 2 , whichi s a s s i g n e d t o t h e Government o f t h e UnitedStates;

' Gener dlluiilr z'n g d'ia yr am . ,R e f e r r i n g n t o 1 2 which i l l u s t r a t e s t h e gene

e r a l w i r i n g diagram i t i s seen that r e f e r e n c e numeral I 9 9 indicates a conventional d i r e c t cu rrent source, such as an airplane b a t t e r y , f o re n e r g i z i n g t h e . s y s t e m . The n e g a t i v e s i d e o f t h eb a t t e r y i s grounded and a l l r e t u r n c i r c u i t s in t h esystem a r e grounded i n common ith the batteryt o f o r m ~ a conventional grounded return s y s t e m .The b a t t e r y I 9 9 ha s t s p o s i t i v e t e r m i n a l c o n n e c ted to a conductor I Q I w h i c h has a conventionalo v e r l o a d c u r r e n t r e l e a s e I 9 2 connected i n s e r i e st h e r e i n , The conductor I 9 I t e r m i n a t e s i n t h elower c o n t a c t I 9 3 o f a power r e l a y g e n e r a l l y i n d icated a t I 9 5 , the contact I 9 3 and a s i m i l a r upperc o n t a c t I 9 4 b e i n g adapted t o engage c o n t a c t s co nnected t o ' c o n d u c t o r s I 9 6 which s u p p l y c u r r e n t t ot h e w i n d i n g motor I 0 5 , p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d .Contact I 9 4 i s c o n n e c t e d t o ground t o form t h ereturn s i d e o f t h e s y s t e m , _ and upon a c t u a t i o no f r e l a y I 9 5 motorv I 0 5 w i l l be'energized t o r e e lin the tow cable. >

Conductor I 9 l has abranch c o n d u c t o r I 9 8 co nn e c t e d t h e r e t o and a l s o i s p r o v i d e d w i t h an o v e rload r e l e a s e I 9 9 and a push-button switch 2 9 9c o n n e c t e d i n a s e r i e s t h e r e w i t h . A - h o l d i n g r e l a y ,g e n e r a l l y i n d i c a t e d b y r e f e r e n c e n u m e r a l 2 9 , . h a si t s c o i l c o n n e c t e d t o c o n d u c t o r I 9 3 b e y o n d t h epush b u t t o n 2 6 0 an d i s o p e r a t i v e s u c h t h a t whenth e c o i l i s energized the normally op e n contacts,o f t h e h o l d i n g r e l a y s h u n t s t h e s w i t c h 2 9 9 , t ocomplete a c i r c u it i r r e s p e c t i v e o f whether t h eswitch299 i s " t h e r e a f t e r r e l e a s e d . The c o i l o f r el a y s o ! isconnected t o t h e normally c l o s e d cont a c t s o f a n o r m a l l y i n a c t i v e r e l a y 2 9 2 , t h e cont a c t s o f wh ich ar e connected t o a conductor 203w h i c h i s c o n n e c t e d t o t h e y n o r m a l l y c l o s e d c o nt a c t s o f a normally i n a c t i v e r e l a y 2 9 : ; and fromthence by means o f conductor 2 9 5 t o t h e c o n t a c t so f a normally i n a c t i v e re l a y 2 9 9 and from thencet o ground by means o f a conductor 2 9 ? . I t w i l l b e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t , upon o p e r a t i o n o f p u s h b u tt o n 2 9 9 a c i r c u i t w i l l b e formed t h r o u g h h o l d i n gr e l a y 2 9 I , . _ t h e c o n t a c t s o f r e l a y 2 9 2 , conductor

40

50

55

60

65

7 0

2 9 3 , c o n t a c t s o f r e l a y s Z 9 4 a n d v 2 9 9 toground'sot h a t c u r r e n t may o n t i n u e t o f l o w through t h e, shunt around push button 2 9 0 i n t o conductor I 9 8 .A f t e r p u s h - b u t t o n 2 9 9 i s r e l e a s e d c o n d u c t o r I 9 8i s connected t o th e c o i l o f r e l a y 2 0 9 which i n turni s c o n n e c t e d t o t h e c o n d u c t o r 2 4 ! which ma y b econnected to ground'through a number of sepa-r a t e l y a c t u a t e d s w i t c h e s l a t e r t o b e d e s c r i b e d f o rt h e p u r p o s e o f b r e a k i n g c o n t a c t b e t w e e n t h e n o rmally c l o s e d upper c o n t a c t s from r e l a y 2 99 t or e l e a s e t h e h o l d i n g r e l a y 29L Conductor I 9 8 h a sa s i g n a l lamp 2 9 8 c o n n e c t e d t h e r e t o and t oground such t h a t whenever t h e push-button 2 9 9i s actuated and holding'relay 2 1 H completes ac i r c u i t s i g n a l lamp 2 9 8 w i l l b e e n e r g i z e d . Thec o n v e n t i o n a l s t e p - b y - s t e p ' v r e l a y , g e n e r a l l y . i n d icated a t 2 H ] , i s c o n n e c t e d i n paralleltothe cond u c t o r I 9 9 and has i t s a c t u a t i n g I c o i l - 2 I I c o n e .nected through a normally closed switch ' 2 I 2 t oground s o t h a t each time t h e push-button 2 9 9c o m p l e t e s a c i r c u i t t h r o u g h c o n d u c t o r I 9 8 c o i l2 1 ! w i l l b e e n e r g i z e d . The w i t c h 2 I 2 i s shuntedby'means o f a r e s i s t o r 2 I 3 s o t h a t w h e n the s o l e. n o i d - p l u n g e r member 2 I 9 i s actuatedby e n e r g i z

l i n g c o i l H , s w i t c h 2 I 2 i s opened and c u r r e n t f l o wthrough t h e r e l a y c o i l 2 | I i s r e d u c e d ' t o minimumv a l u e , by m e a n s . o f t h e r e s i s t a n c e 2 I 3 b e i n g d ir e c t l y i n s e r i e s t h e r e w i t h , t h u s p r e v e n t i n g t h es t e p - b y - s t e p r e l a y from o v e r h e a t i n g . The r e l a ys o l e n o i d p l u n g e r 2 l 4 a c t u a t e s a s t a r wheel B I Sthrough th e a r c u a t e d i s t a n c e o f t h e spaceof onetooth each time the plunger 2 I 9 i s moved t o causea , c o r r e s p o n d i n g s t e p - b y - s t e p r o t a t i o n o f t h e s h a f t2 I 6 which s connectedto a switch arm I 9 . Th eswitch arm M8 s adapted t o engage a r e s p e c t i v eone o f a p l u r a l i t y o f r a d i a l l y arranged c o n t a c t ss e r i a t i m each time t h e s t a r wheel I 2 5 i s r o t a t e d .Switch arm 2 I 3 i s d i r e c t l y connected by means o fconductor 2 | 9 t o t h e conductor I 9 8 t o r e c e i v ecurrent therefrom and t o d e l i v e r c u r r e n t t o t h erespective step-by-step relay contacts w h i c h arearranged i n p a r a l l e l . connected g r o u p s . A l l ' o ft h e s w i t c h c o n t a c t s i n d i c a t e d by r e f e r e n c e c h a racter R re connected in parallel andoperative t o ,i n i t i a t e t h e t a r g e t r e l e a s e o p e r a t i o n and s i m i l a rs p a c e d p a r a l l e l c o n n e c t e d c o n t a c t s - i n d i c a t e d b yr e f e re n c e c h a r a c t e r W o n t r o l l i n g t h e windingo p e r a t i o n and o t h e r s p a c e d c o n t a c t s i n d i c a t e d bythe reference characters D1 t o D4 , r e s p e c t i v e l y ,c o n t r o l l i n g d i s c h a r g e o f r e s p e c t i v e t a r g e t s . Ther e l a y c o n t a c t s a r e s o arranged t h a t they f a l l i n t h e sequence 'D1R--W, D2R-W e t c . Eacht i m e t h e s t e p - b y - s t e p r e l a y 2 I 9 i s a c t u a t e d s w i t c h


15/18

1 1c o n t a c t 2 I 8 i s moved i n a c l o c k w i s e d i r e c t i o n fromon e c o n t a c t t o t h e nextand t h e r e l a y o p e r a t i n gtime o f a l l o f t h e r e l a y s employed i n t h e systema r e s o arranged w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e o p e r a t i n gtime o f th e r e l a y 2 0 that the switch a rm 2 1 8 canmove from i t s l a s t engaged contact t o the succ e e d i n g c o n t a c t w i t h o u t c a u s i n g o p e r a t i n g o f t h evcomponents o f t h e s y s t e m .> A 1 l o f t h e c o n t a c t s i n d i c a t e d by r e f e r e n c ec h a r a c t e r W, t h e r e b e i n g f o u r i n number, a r econnected i n p a r a l l e l by means o f a conductor 2 2 0 which i n turn i s connected by 'means o f aconductor 2 2 l t o th e c o i l o f r e l a y 2 0 6 which i nturn i s connected t o ground by means o f conductor 2 2 2 , the l a t t e r conductor having a normally open f o o t a g e s w i t c h 1 8 5 and c l o s u r e o f t h i ss w i t c h upon r e e l i n g i n o f p r e d e t e r m i n e d amounto f c a b l e e n e r g i z e s r e l a y 2 0 6 t o break t h e path t oground from h o l d i n g r e l a y 2 0 I t o conductor 2 0 1 ,p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d , t o d e e n e r g i z e the system a tt h e completion o f a Winding c y c l e .The s t e p - b y - s t e p r e l ay c o n t a c t s i n d i c a t e d b y r e f e r e n c e character R re a l l connected in paralle l t o a conductor 225 such that when t h e switcharm 18 engages any o f the R, or e l e a s e c o n t a c t s ,current from conductor 1 5 8 through conductor2 l 0 an d the switch arm l 8 w i l l energize the conductor 2 2 5 which i n turn w i l l e n e r g i z e th e c o i l

, o f a relay g e n e r a l l y i n d i c a t e d a t 2 2 6 t o causethe relay t o c l o s e normally o p en contacts 221 ,and t o complete a c i r c u i t through conductors2 2 8 t o s t a r t u p the motor unit o f a conventionalmotor generator s e t o r i n v e r t e r , not shown, th eg e n e r a t o r o f w h i c h v d e l i v e r s f o u r hundred c y c l ea l t e r n a t i n g c u r r e n t through conductor 2 3 2 . Aconductor 2 2 9 connected i n p a r a l l e l t o conductor2 2 5 i s e n e r g i z e d c o n c u r r e n t l y therewith and del i v e r s current through a normally c l o s e d switch2 3 1 t o t h e c o i l o f arelay 2 3 0 and thence t oground t o thereby actuate the r e l a y s o that thec o n t a c t s - t h e r e o f complete a c i r c u i t from conduct o r 2 3 2 t o the primary o f a high-voltage autotransformer generally indicated b y reference numeral . 2 3 4 . Switch 2 3 l ' i s a p r o t e c t i v e switchwhich i s op e n e d whenever the insulating cover ,[ 8 ( F i g . ' 1 ) i s removed. The high-voltage s e condary o f t h e transformer 2 3 4 i s connectedthrough t h e c a b l e drum and c o n t a c t i n g p a r t s d ir e c t l y with thetow c a b l e I 5 6 such t h a t w h e n t h et r a n s f o r m e r primary i s r e c e i v i n g f o u r - h u n d r e dc y c l e a l t e r n a t i n g c u r r e n t from conductor 2 3 2 , t h esecondary d e l i v e r s a p o t e n t i a l o f from fourteent o t h i r t y thousand v o l t s , with r e s p e c t t o groundt o tow c a b l e I 5 0 f o r t h e purpose o f e x p l o s i v e l yr e l e a s in g a connected targetes w i l l be s u b s eq u e n t l y d e s c r i b e d . Conductor 225 i s c o n n e c t e dd i re c t l y t o th e upper terminal o f th e c o i l o f r e l a y2 0 2 which i s normally i n a c t i v e through a normally open thermal switch 2 3 5 t o ground and th ec o i l o f r e l a y 2 0 2 i s shunted by means'of a cont r o l potentiometer 2 3 1 and heater r e s is t a n c e 2 3 6f o r the switch 2 3 5 such that w h i l e conductor 2 2 5i s conducting c u r r e n t , h e a t e r 2 3 6 h e a t s t h ethermal switch 2 3 5 such that the same c l o s e sa f t e r a predetermined time such a s ? ve seconds.When thermal switch 2 3 5 i s c l o s e d th e c o i l o fr e l a y 2 0 2 i s e n e r g i z e d t o break t h e c i r c u i t throughi t s normally c l o s e d c o n t a c t s from h o l d i n g r e l a y2 0 ! t o conductor 2 0 3 and t h u s opens t h e c i r c u i tthrough conductor 1 9 8 t o t h e r e b y ' d e e n e r g i z e co nductor 2 2 5 and r e l a y 2 2 6 t o shut do wn t h e i nv e r t e r connected t o c o n d u c t o r s 2 2 8 and 2 3 2 andc a u s i n g t h e tow c a b l e I 5 0 t o b e e l e c t r i c a l l y d eenergized. 'When t h e s t e p - b y - s t e p r e l a y s w i t c h arm

1 0

1 5

20

25

60

65

7 0

7 5

122 1 8 c o n t a c t s t h e s wi t c h c o n t a c t D1 a c i r c u i ti s completed from b u s c o n d u c t o r I 9 8 t o c o nductor 2 4 5 and the c o i l o f door r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d2 6 , F i g . 4 , t o r e l e a s e t h e d o o r 1 0 , F i g . 2 , and allo w t h e t a r g e t housed i n t h e lower right-handcompartment o f F i g . 3 t o b e d i sc h a r g e d by g r a v i t y .As soon a s the door 1 0 ( F i g . 2 ) i s opened throughan angle o f ?fteen degrees a switch 246 i s actua t e d by t h e door c l o s i n g a c i r c u i t from conductor2 4 1 toground. Current then f l o w s from conductor I 9 8 through th e c o i l o f r e l a y 2 0 4 and cond u c t o r 2 4 1 e n e r g i z i n g t h e r e l a y and b r e a k i n g t h ec i r c u i t through i t s c o n t a c t s and conductors 2 0 3and 2 0 5 and t h u s d e e n e r g i z i n g t h e h o l d i n g r e l a y2 0 l which d e e n e r g i z e s t h e system i n c l u d i n g d o o rr e l e a s e s o l e n o i d 2 6 .When e l a y switch arm 2 1 8 engages the cont a c t D2 current i s conducted from th e switch a rmand contact through a conductor 2 4 8 t o the c o i lo f door r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d 26a which forms a parto f t h e r e l e a s e assembly 2 5 , F i g . 3 , and c a u s e s t h er e l e a s e o f door 1 0 t o e f f e c t discharge o f the t a rg e t T 4 ; Movement o f d o o r [ 0 , F i g . 3 , throughan angle o f ?fteen degrees e f f e c t s actuation o fa switch 2 4 9 t o connect conductor 2 4 1 . t o groundand by e n e r g i z i n g r e l a y 2 0 4 e f f e c t s d e e n e r g i z i n ga holding r e l a y 2 0 ! opening th e c i r c u i t t o t h ec o i l o f r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d 26a and renders the s y stem l e c t r i c a l l y d e a d .When th e switch arm 2 1 8 engages contact D3th e conductor 2 1 0 i s energized t o complete a c i rc u i t through r e l a y armature c o n t a c t 2 1 3 o f ar e l a y , g e n e r a l l y i n d i c a t e d a t 2 1 2 , t o complete ac i r c u i t through conductor 2 1 4 t o e n e r g i z e t h e c o i lo f the inner door r e l e a s e solenoid i 6 6 o f th e r el e a s e s o l e n o i d assembly 6 5 , shown i n F i g . 5 , t h u sa l lo w i n g t h e i n n e r p a r t i t i o n door [ 5 t o drop p e rmitting t a r g e t T2 t o f a l l from the upper compartment o f c o n t a i n e r 4 i n t o engagement w i t houter r e l e a s e door 1 0 . Movement o f the innerp a r t i t i o n door l 5 i n F i g . 2 through an a n g l e sucha s t h i r t y degrees causes a switch 215 t o be c l o s e d

- completing a further c i r c u i t from conductor 210t o a conductor 216and the c o i l o f r e l a y 2 1 2 t og r o u n d . Relay 2 1 2 , upon b e i n g e n e r g i z e d , opensth e c o n t a c t s a t 2 1 3 and breaks t h e c i r c u i t throughconductor 2 1 4 d e e n e r g i z i n g door r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d6 6 , but i n s o doing engages f u r t h e r c o n t a c t s t ocomplete a c i r c u i t from conductor 2 1 0 t o cond u c t o r 2 4 5 , thus e n e r g i z i n g t h e c o i l o f r e l e a s es o l e n o i d 2 6 c a u s i n g door 1 0 , F i g . 3 , t o be r e l e a s e dand t o open due t o t h e weight o f t a r g e t T2 r e s t i n gt h e r e o n , and p e r m i t t i n g t h e g r a v i t y d i s c h a r g e o fthe target i n th e same manner s previously d es c r i b e d . Opening movement o f d o o r I 0 , F i g . 2 ,a g a i n a c t u a t e s s w i t c h 2 4 6 t o e n e r g i z e r e l a y 2 0 4and t o open t h e c i r c u i t through h o l d i n g r e l a y 2 0 1t o d e e n e r g i z e t h e system i n th e manner p r e v i o u s l yd e s c r i b e d .When r e l a y 2 1 2 i s e n e r g i z e d lower c o n t a c t st h e r e o f complete a holding c i r c u i t through i t sc o i 1 t o maintain t h e r e l a y e n e r g i z e d u n t i l t h eh o l d i n g r e l a y 2 0 1 i s d e e n e r g i z e d by a c t u a t i o n o fswitch 2 4 6 i n the manner above d e s c r i b e d .Engagement o f s t e p - b y - s t e p r e l a y s w i t c h arm2 1 8 with contact D4 e n e r g i z e s a conductor 2 5 0which through the upper p a r a l l e l connected co nt a c t s o f a r e l a y 2 5 2 e n e r g i z e s a conductor 253 t oactuate the r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d 66 a t o r e l e a s e th einner p a r t i t i o n door l 5 o f F i g . 2 , a l l o w i n g ani n n e r t a r g e t T 3 . F i g . 3 , t o b e dropped i n t o engagement with lower door 1 0 . Movement f th e part i t i o n door 1 5 a c t u a t e s a switch 2 5 4 t o completea further c i r c u i t from conductor 250 t o a cond u c t o r 2 5 5 t o e n e r g i z e t h e c o i l 2 6 6 o f r e l a y 2 5 2


16/18

_. l3. . v .w h i c h p u l l s t h e r e l a y a r m a t u r e downward o . comp l e t e a h o l d i n g c i r c u i t through t h e r e l a y 2% anda l s o completes a c i r c u i t from conductor 5 6 ' t oconductor 2% t o actuate door r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d2 6 a t o r e l e a s e t h e d o o r I t and permit t h e g r a v i t yd i s c h a r g e o f t h e t a r g e t T 3 from t h e c o n t a i n e r 4 ,F i g . 3 . R e l e a s e o f d o o r I n a c t u a t e s s w i t c h 2 4 9which through c o n d u c t o r ' 2 4 ! a c t u a t e s r e l a y 2 0 4t o open t h e c i r c u i t through h o l d i n g r e l a y 2M anddeenergizes t h e system in the same manner a sp r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d .

In o r d e r that th e p i l o t may e a t a l l times awareo f t h e o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n o f t h e system t h e r e i sprovided a s seen in F i g . 1 3 a ' panel 2 8 8 on wh ichi s mounted a d i a l 2 8 2 having i n d i c i a angularlys p a c e d t h e r e o n i n d i c a t i v e of t h e l a s t o p e r a t i o nperformed and a p o i n t e r 2 8 3 adapted t o c o o p e r a t ewith t h e i n d i c i a and actuated by an e x t e n s i o n o ft h e s h a f t 2% f t h e s t e p p i n g r e l a y 2 I I which i smounted on th e back o f th e p a n e l . The mainc o n t r o l push button 2 0 9 ; t h e emergency push b u tt o n and t h e s i g n a l lamp 2 & 8 a r e a l s o mountedon t h e a s w e l l a s the master switch and i rc u i t b r e a k e r I 9 2 a n ' d ' t h e a u x i l i a r y s w i t c h and i rc u i t breaker E 9 9 . Each-time push button 2% sa c t u a t e d s i g n a l lamp 2 0 8 w i l l be i l l u m i n a t e d anda s t h e s t e p p i n g r e l a ' y 2 I I ( F i g . 1 2 ) . i n d e x e s t h es w i t c h a rm 2 i i i th e s h a f t 2 I E w i l l a l s o p o s i t i o n th ep o i n t e r 2 8 3 r e l a t i v e t h e i n d i c i a ' o n d i a l 2 8 2 t o i n d icate the operation being performed. Although t h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e system has beend e s c r i b e d w i t h r e s p e c t tothe g e n e r a l w i r i n g d i agram a further d e t a i l e d description of the sequence of operation willvnow b e described. Withr e f e r e n c e t o F i g . 1 4 i t willbeassumed t h a t t h es t e p - b y - s t e p r e l a y s w i t c h a r m 2 I 8 was l a s t a t r e s ton th e c o n t a c t W> immediately abovecontact D1as seen in t h i s ?gure.o r t h e ? r s t t a r g e t t h e p i l o t t h e n - c l o s e s pushb u t t o n s w i t c h 2 9 8 w h i c h e n e r g i z e s c o n d u c t o r I 9 8and i l l u m i n a t e s s i g n a l lamp 2 0 8 and e n e r g i z e st h e armature winding 2 H o f t h e s t e p - b y - s t e pr e l a y 2 5 3 , c a u s i n g t h e armature 2 I 4 t o movedownward and r o t a t e th e s t a r wheel 2 5 throught h e s p a c e o f o n e r a t c h e t t o o t h moving s w i t c harm 253 onto c o n t a c t D 1 . In th e meantime c l o

o f push-button switch 2 8 0 completes a c i rc u i t t h r o u g h r e l a y 2 i ! i , t h e u p p e r c o n t a c t s o f l r e l a y2 & 2 , conductor 2 % , upper c o n t a c t s o f r e l a y 2%conductor 2 %, contacts o f relay 206 and con- ,d u c t o r 2 % ? t o ground a s p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d ;The 2M i l l thus be e n e r g i z e d t o complete ashunt holding c i r c u i t around push-button 2 0 9 s othat r e l e a s e o f th e same w i l l not i n t e r r u p t th e c i rc u i t t h ro u g h conductor. I 9 8 .otation o f switch arm 2 I i l 'onto contact D1completes a c i r c u i t from conductor I 9 8 t o c o nd u c t o r a r e through t h e s w i t c h arm 2 H 3 , c o n t a c tDr t o conductor 2 4 5 t o th e c o i l o f door r e l e a s e s o l en o i d 2 6 t o r e l e a s e t h e l o w e r d o o r I 0 , F i g s . 2 and ,a s p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d . Release o f the lower doori t p e r m i t s g r a v i t y d i s c h a r g e o f t h e ? r s t t a r g e tfrom t h e t a r g e t c a r r i e r 2 . R e l e a s e o f t h e t a r g e t

In order to e f f e c t discharge

10

1 5

20

2 5

30

3 5

energized and b r e a k i n g

g e n - a s2 0 3 i n c o n d u c t o r i t s c a u s i n g h o m i n g r e l a y 2 m t obecome d e e n e r g i z e d and t h u s d e e n e r g i z i n g th es y s t e m .

After th e ? r s t t a r g e t i s i n tow and i t i s d e s i r e dt o r e l e a s e t h e same t o p r o v i d e f o r targetexchanget h e o p e r a t i o n o f t a r g e t r e l e a s e i s n e x t i n o r d e rand the c i r c u i t components o f F i g . 1 2 e f f e c t i v et h e r e i n a r e shown i n F i g . 1 5 . R e f e r r i n g " t o t h i s?gure th e p i l o t again operates pus h button 2%which a g a i n i l l u m i n a t e s s i g n a l lamp 2 8 8 , e n e rg i z e s s t e p p i n g r e l a y 2 H and h o l d i n g r e l a y 2M.Stepping r e l a y switch arm i s moved onto an R switch contact causing current t o f l o w from conductors I 9 8 an d 2 5 9 t o conductor 2 2 5 which energ i z e s r e l a y 2 : 2 6 t o c l o s e t h e n o r m a l l y open c o nt a c t s 2 2 ? completing a power c i r c u i t through cond u c t o r s 2 2 8 t o e n e r g i z e t h e i n v e r t e r ( n o t shown)c a u s i n g t h e same t o d e l i v e r " f o u r - h u n d r e d - c y c l ea l t e r n a t i n g c u r r e n t t o c o n d u c t o r 2 3 2 . ' 7When o n d u c t o r 2 2 5 i s e n e r g i z e d c u r r e n t ?owst h r o u g h t h e p a r a l l e l c o n n e c t e d c o n d u c t o r 2 ' 2 9 and t h r o u g h t h e n o r m a l l y c l o s e d p r o t e c t i v e s w i t c h 2 3 Et h r o u g h t h e c o i l o f r e l a y 2 3 G c a u s i n g t h e c o n t a c t so r the same t o complete the c i r c u i t from cond u c t o r 2 3 2 t o t h e primary o f high v o l t a g e t r a n sformer 2 3 3 . High v o l t a g e output fromthe s e condary o f transformer 2 3 1 i e n e r g i z e s t h e tow c a b l ei 5 i l t o e x p l o s i v e l y r u p t u r e t h e f r a n g i b l e c o u p l i n gC a s d e s c r i b e d with reference t o F i g ; 1 1 an dc a u s e s t h e ? r s t tow targetto be d i s c o n n e c t e dfrom the tow cable and droppedv to the g r ou n dt o be subsequently r e t r i e v e d ; After the i n v e r t e rhas b u i l t up f u l l v o l t a g e s u p p l y t o t h e primary o ft r a n s f o r m e r . 2 3 4 h e a t e r c o i l 2 3 6 h e a t s the thermalswitch causing the same t o c l o s e a f t e r a predeterminedtime i n t e r v a l o f sa y ?ve seconds asd e t e r m i n e d by t h e s e t t i n g o f t h e p o t e n t i o m e t e r 2 3 ? w h i c h . c a u s e s t h e c o i l o f r e l a y 2 9 2 - t o become

the ho ldin g circuitthrough t h e c o n t a c t s t h e r e o f v f r o m h o l d i n g r e l a y2 ! ] ! t h u s d e e n e r g i z i n g t h e system a s p r e v i o u s l yexplained.

After r e l e a s e o f t h e ? r s t t a r g e t t h e p i l o t c a u s e st h e c a b l e t o b e r e e l e d i n which o p e r a t i o n t h e c i rc u i t c o m p o n e n t s o f t h e w i r i n g d i a g r a m , F i g . 1 2 ,such a s i l l u s t r a t e d i n F i g . 1 6 become e f f e c t i v eA f t e r th e r e l e a s e operation th e next actuation o fpushbutton 2 0 ! ] c a u s e s t h e s t e p p i n g r e l a y 2 I It o move the switch arm MS from the r e l e a s e o rR c o n t a c t t o t h e s u c c e e d i n g W o n t a c t andatvthe same time e s t a b l i s h e s a holding c i r c u i tthr o u g h holding relay Z i l l in the manner s previ

55

6 0

b y gravity'allows the same o b e b l o wn re arw ardb y t h e a i r s t r e a m c a u s i n g ' t h e b r i d l e B t o s l i d et h e connector C o f f t h e guide I 4 9 ( F i g . 7 ) t oengage t h e tow hook I 5 2 and p u l l o u t t h e towcable until the same i s a l l unreeled.

Release o i ? ! the door I l l causes actuation o fswitch 23 6 v a f t e r ' t h e door has moved through a n a n g l e o f ? f t e e n d e g r e e s which c o m p l e t e s 2 . C i rc u i t from c o n d u c t o r i t s through t h e c o i l o f r e l a y2M nd o n d u c t o r 2 d r ! t o g r o u n d . R e l a y 2 0 G uponb e i n g e n e r g i z e d b r e a k s t h e c i r c u i t through i t sn o r m a l l y c l o s e d upper c o n t a c t s from c o n d u c t o r

66

7 0

ously. d e s c r i b e d .a Current fr om conductor I Sdflows t h ro u g h cond u c t o r 2 2 0 connected i n p a r a l l e l with t h e c o n t a c t s _ W and b y . meansof conductors 2 2 ! and 2 2 3e n e r g i z e s r e l a y t o complete ' a c i r c u i t from b u sb a r i 9 ! through winding motor I 6 5 t o g r o u n d .The motor I i i5 t h e n a c t u a t e s ' the r e e l I I E t o windin h e to W c a b 1 e 5 5 f ] ( F i g . 8 ) .When a predetermined amount o f tow c a b l eha s been r e e l e d t h e normally open f o o t a g e switch

I 8 5 c l o s e s completingv a c i r c u i t from conductor2 2 l through relay 206 to g r ou n d a n d causing thec i r c u i t . t o groundfrom h o l d i n g r e l a y Z i l I t o b eb r o k e n and t h u s d e e n e r g i z i n g t h e s y s t e m i n c l u di n g r e l a y I 9 5 which when i t s ' c o n t a c t s I 9 3 and5 9 4 open deenergizesmotor I 0 5 .

7 The next actuation of p u s h button 29s b y thep i l o t e n e r g i z e s s t e p p i n g r e l a y 2 ! I t o move th eswitch arm 2 | 8 t o t h e c o n t a c t D2 which energ i z e s th e door r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d 26a t o permit openi n g o f t h e l o w e r d o o r I 0 , F i g . 3 , i n e x a c t l y t h esame manner a s i n t h e d i s c h a r g e o f v t h e ? r s t t a r . _g e t d e s c r i b e d a b o v e .


17/18

2 , 5 2 3 , 7 8 81 5The o p e r a t i o n s o f t a r g e t r e l e a s e and c a b l e r ewind next p r e c e d e t h e r e l e a s e o f t h e t h i r d t a r g e t ,F i g . 1 ' 7 , which i s e?ected w hen t h e s t e p p i n g r e l a ymoves the switch arm onto the contact D3 wh iche n e r g i z e s conductor 2 1 ! ] , upper c o n t a c t s 2 7 3 o fr e l a y 2 ' 1 2 and conductor 2 1 6 which e n e r g i z e s t h edoor r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d 6 6 which drops t h e i n n e rp a r t i t i o n d o o r 1 5 , F i g . 2 , and p e r m i t s t h e t a r g e ts u p p o r t e d t h e r e b y t o drop i n t o c o n t a c t with t h eo u t e r door I l l , F i g s . 2 and 3 . Movement o f t h ep a r t i t i o n l 5 through an a n g l e o f ?fteen d e g r e e sc l o s e s a switch 215 wh ich connects conductor 2 1 ! ]t o conductor 2 1 6 and e n e r g i z e s th e c o i l o f r e l a y2 1 2 causing the contact a t 2 7 3 t o be broken andconductor 2 1 0 connected t o conductor 2 4 5 throught h e r e l a y c o n t a c t s . The door r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d2 6 then i s e n e r g i z e d t o r e l e a s e t h e o u t e r doorI l l , F i g . 2 , p e r m i t t i n g t h e t h i r d t a r g e t r e s t i n gthereon t o be d i s c h a r g e d . Movement o f the door[ 0 actuates the switch 246 w h i c h completes a i r - .c u i t from conductor I 9 8 through r e l a y 2 6 4 causin g th e same t o break the holding c i r c u i t fromr e l a y 2 0 ! c o n t a c t s o f r e l a y 2 0 2 and conductors2 0 3 and 2 0 5 t o ground thus d e e n e r g i z i n g t h es y s t e m .

A f t e r d i s c h a r g e o f t h e t h i r d t a r g e t and th e subs e q u e n t o p e r a t i o n s o f t a r g e t r e l e a s e t h e f o u r t ht a r g e t i s discharged i n which door r e l e a s e s o l enoids 66 a a n d 26a ar e s e q u e n t i a l l y operated i nt h e same manner as above d esc r i b ed w i t h refer- a .ence t o discharge o f th e t h i r d t a r g e t .

At any time w h e n the tow c a b l e i s extendedth e same may be r e l e a s e d b y pressing the emergency push-button switch 2 4 0 which e n e r g i z e sth e emergency c a b l e r e l e a s e s o l e n o i d I 1 5 t o r el e a s e th e cable i n th e manner described abovewith r e s p e c t t o t h e w i r i n g diagram, F i g . 1 2 .

Although one embodiment o f t h e invention hasb e e n i l l u s t r a t e d an d d e s c r i b e d v a r i a t i o n s t h e r e o fw i l l be apparent t o t h o s e . s k i l l e d i n th e a r t a scoming within the scope o f the invention a s de? ne d i n th e appended c l a i m s .

I claim:1 . Apparatus f o r towing a e r i a l t a r g e t s fromhigh speed aircraft comprising a streamlined con- At a i n e r adapted t o be suspended from th e towinga i r c r a f t and having means f o r housing a pluer a l i t y o f a e r i a l tow t a r g e t s t h e r e i n , r e l e a s a b l e d i scharge doors on s a i d c o n t a i n e r , a braked powerd r i v e n r e e l p o s i t i o n e d i n th e r e a r p o r t i o n o f s a i dcontainer and having a tow c a b l e p o s i t i o n e dthereon, a towing h oo k on s a i d c a b l e , a cableg u i d e a s s o c i a t e d with s a i d r e e l and having t h etow c a b l e p a s s i n g t h e r e t h r o u g h , s a i d g u i d e havi n g means f o r s u p p o r t i n g a p l u r a l i t y o f e l e c t r ic a l l y r e l e a sa b l e t a r g e t c o u p l i n g d e v i c e s t h e r e o neach connected t o the towing b r i d l e o f a respect i v e tow t a r g e t , and an e l e c t r i c a l remote c o n t r o ls y s t e m a d a p t e d f o r s e q u e n t i a l a c t u a t i o n by t h ea i r c r a f t p i l o t t o o p e r a t e t h e d i s c h a r g e d o o r s t odischarge a t a r g e t from s a i d container i n t o thea i r stream t o thereby cause the associated coup l i n g d e v i c e t o engage th e tow hook and withdraw t h e towing c a b l e a g a i n s t th e braking r es i s t a n c e o f t h e r e e l , t o e l e c t r i c a l l y a c t u a t e t h ec o u p l i n g d e v i c e t o r e l e a s e t h e c o u p l e d to w t a r g e tand t o e n e r g i z e t h e r e e l d r i v i n g mechanism t or e e l i n th e extended t o w i n g ' c a b l e , s a i d e l e c t r ic a l c o n t r o l system being conditioned upon comp l e t i o n o f each c y c l e o f t a r g e t d i s c h a r g e , r e l e a seand c a b l e r e e l i n g o p e r a t i o n s t o b e o p e r a t i v e t or e p e a t such c y c l e s u n t i l a l l o f t h e t a r g e t s havebeen discharged and r e l e a s e d .2 . The s t r u c t u r e a s claimed i n claim , i n whichs a i d power d r i v e n r e e l i s p r o v i d e d w i t h r e l e a s a b l e

6 0

65

7 0

7 5

means f o r c o n n e c t i n g on e e ndof t h e tow c a b l et h e r e t o , s a i d r e l e a s a b l e means i n c l u d i n g remotel y c o n t r o l l e d a c t u a t i n g means o p e r a t i v e d u r i n gr o t a t i o n o f the r e e l t o disconnect th e c a b l e therefrom.

3 . I n a tow t a r g e t system o f the character des c r i b e d a t a r g e t housing comprising a streaml i n e d container having an opening i n the bottom t h e r e o f f o r g r a v i t y d i s c h a r g e o f t a r g e t st h e r e t h r o u g h , c l o s u r e means normally c l o s i n gs a i d opening and provided with r e t r a c t i n g meansan d l a t c h means f o r maintaining s a i d c l o s u r emeans i n the c l o s e d p o s i t i o n , i n t e r n a l hinged part i t i o n s i n s a i d housing s e r v i n g t o s u p p o r t towt a r g e t s r e s t i n g t h e r e o n , i n d i v i d u a l l a t c h meansh o l d i n g each o f s a i d p a r t i t i o n s i n t a r g e t s u p p o r ti n g p o s i t i o n , e l e c t r i c a l c o n t r o l means f o r thec l o s u r e l a t c h means an d th e r e s p e c t i v e p a r t i t io nl a t c h means, s a i d control means being sequent i a l l y o p e r a t i v e t o r e l e a s e s a i d c l o s u r e l a t c h meanst o d i s c h a r g e a tow t a r g e t i n i t i a l l y r e s t i n g t h e r e o nand t o ? r s t actuate a r e s p e c t i v e p a r t i t io n l a t c hmeans t o drop a t a r g e t r e s t i n g thereon onto s a i dclosure means a n d thereafter t o actuate thec l o s u r e l a t c h means t o discharge th e t a r g e t fromt h e c o n t a i n e r .4 . In a high speed a e r i a l tow t a r g e t system o fthe character d e s c r i b e d , a means f o r housing ap l u r a l i t y o f a e r i a l tow t a r g e t s i n c l u d i n g an openi n g f o r t h e g r a v i t y d i s c h a r g e o f t a r g e t s t h e r ethrough, c l o s u r e means f o r s a i d opening, meansf o r actuating s a i d c l o s u r e means t o th e open andc l o s e d p o s i t i o n p e r m i t t i n g s e l e c t i v e d i s c h a r g e o ft a r g e t s , a power driven r e e l having a tow cablet h e r e o n , s a i d c a b l e having a tow hook a t the endt h e r e o f , a g u i d e having t h e tow c a b l e p a s s i n gt h e r e t h r o u g h , a p l u r a l i t y o f e l e c t r i c a l l y explodedfrangible couplings positioned on said guide, eacho f s a i d c o u p l i n g s b e i n g connected t o t h e towingb r i d l e o f a r e s p e c t i v e t a r g e t , each t a r g e t upond i s c h a r g e i n t o t h e r e l a t i v e l y moving a ir streamc a u s i n g t h e c o u p l i n g member a s s o c i a t e d t h e r ewith t o pass o f f the guide an d engage th e hooko n the t o w l i n e and means for e l e c t r i c a l l y exploding a connected coupling t o r e l e a s e thec o u p l e d t a r g e t , s a i d r e e l b e i n g s u b s e q u e n t l y e n e rg i z e d f o r r e e l i n g i n t h e tow c a b l e f o r connectinga new target.

5 . A tow t a r g e t system a s claimed i n claim 4 ,including e l e c t r i c a l c i r c u i t s o p e r a t i v e f o r energ i z i n g s a i d c l o s u r e actuating means, s a i d exp l o s i v e c o u p l i n g s and s a i d r e e l , a s e l e c t o r switcho p e r a t i v e t o s e q u e n t i a l l y connect s a i d c i r c u i t s t oa po wer source in a predetermined order and acontrol switch adapted f o r actuation b y an occupant o f th e a i r c r a f t f o r a c t u a t i n g s a i d s e l e c t o rs w i t c h .

6 . The structure a s claimed i n claim 5 in whichindicator means ar e provided actuated i n unisonwith the s e l e c t o r switch t o g i v e a continuousi n d i c a t i o n o f th e o p e r a t i o n l a s t performed.

' 7 . A system f o r high s p e e d a e r i a l towing o ft a r g e t s comprising means f o r housing a p l u r a l i t yo f a e r i a l tow t a r g e t s , means f o r s e l e c t i v e l y ands e q u e n t i a l l y d i s c h a r g i n g s a i d t a r g e t s i n t o t h er e l a t i v e l y moving a i r s t r e a m , a power driven r e e lo p e r a t i v e l y a s s o c i a t e d with s a i d housing meansand having a tow c a b l e thereon adapted t o b eunreeled by aerodynamic drag f o r c e o f a connected t a r g e t and t o be r e e l e d i n t o e f f e c t t a r g e texchange, a towing hook on s a i d c a b l e , a guidemeans concentric with s a i d c a b l e , a p l u r a l i t y o fe l e c t r i c a l l y e x p l o d e d f r a n g i b l e c o u p l i n g s mountedon s a i d g u i d e each connected t o a r e s p e c t i v e towt a r g e t and a d a p t e d t o b e removed from s a i d .


18/18

2 , 5 2 8 , 7 3 8_ 17g u i d e by drag o f an a s s o c i a t e d t a r g e t i n t o co up l i n g engagement with t h e tow c a b l e hook andmeans f o r e l e c t r i c a l l y e n e r g i z i n g t h e tow c a b l et o cause i g n i t i o n an d e x p l o s i v e d i s r u p t i o n o f aconnected c o u p l i n g t o r e l e a s e a t a r g e t b e i n gtowed. I

8 . A a r r i e r f o r a e r i a l tow t a r g e t s c o m p r i s i n ga s t r e a m l i n e d housing f o r housing a p l u r a l i t y o ftow t a r g e t s , a d i s c h a r g e opening i n s a i d h o u s i n g ,c l o s u r e means f o r s a i d d i s c h a r g e opening andhaving r e l e a s e means p e r m i t t i n g s a i d c l o s u r emeans t o open due t o the weight o f a t a r g e t r e s ti n g t h e r e o n , h i n g e d p a r t i t i o n s i n s a i d h o u s i n gs e r v i n g as s u p p o r t s f o r r e s p e c t i v e t a r g e t s , r el e a s a b l e l a t c h e s f o r each p a r t i t i o n p e r m i t t i n gt h e p a r t i t i o n s t o drop s o t h a t i n d i v i d u a l t a r g e t smay be dropped t o r e s t on s a i d c l o s u r e means,means f o r actuating the c l o s u r e r e l e a s e means,means f o r a c t u a t i n g t h e r e s p e c t i v e p a r t i t i o nl a t c h e s and means f o r i n t e r l o c k i n g s a i d l a s t twon amed means f o r s e q u e n t i a l o p e r a t i o n .9 . Apparatus f o r h i g h s p e e d a e r i a l t o w i n g o ft a r g e t s comprising a means f o r housing a p l u - vr a l i t y o f tow t a r g e t s , a r e e l having a tow c a b l ew o u n d thereon and having braking means p e rm i t t i n g th e tow c a b l e t o be unreeled a t a slowr a t e by t e n s i o n l o a d due t o aerodynamic d r a g o f

10

1 5

20

( I I

18a connected t a r g e t , power means f o r d r i v i n g th er e e l t o wind i n t h e c a b l e , means f o r d i s c h a r g i n gt h e t a r g e t s i n d i v i d u a l l y from s a i d h o u s i n g means,a c o u p l i n g d e v i c e connected t o e a c h t a r g e t andadapted t o a u t o m a t i c a l l y c o n n e c t t o t h e end o ft h e t o w i n g c a b l e upon d i s c h a r g e o f t h e t a r g e ti n t o th e a i r s t r e a m , each coupling d e v i c e i n c l u d -i n g an e l e c t r i c a l l y i g n i t e d e x p l o s i v e r e l e a s e andmeans f o r e l e c t r i c a l l y e n e r g i z i n g s a i d tow c a b l et o e f f e c t e x p l o s i v e r e l e a se o f t h e c o u p l i n g betweena tow t a r g e t and t h e tow c a b l e .

1 0 . The s t r u c t u r e a s claimed i n claim 9 , i nc l u d i n g a r e l e a s a b l e c o n n e c t i n g d e v i c e b e t w e e nth e tow c a b l e and r e e l and means o p e r a b l e a tw i l l f o r a c t u a t i n g s a i d d e v i c e t o r e l e a s e t h e c a b l ewhen u n w o u n d from t h e drum and under t e n s i l el o a d .

CLEM G. TRIMBACH.REFERENCES CITED

Th e f o l l o w i n g r e f e r e n c e s a r e o f record i n the? l e o f t h i s p a t e n t :UNITED STATES PATENTS

Number Name Date2,183,540 Campbell _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Dec. 1 9 , 19392,460,194 S ch u l t z _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Jan. 25, 1949

cloth tow target carrier (1949)

Documents