초록 ▼

An apparatus for providing a rapid fluid impulse which can be used for launching vehicles into a liquid medium. The apparatus comprises a ring diaphragm of coupled concentric elastomeric rings, adapted to accept pressurized fluid at an interior side. The pressurized fluid extends the elastomeric rin

An apparatus for providing a rapid fluid impulse which can be used for launching vehicles into a liquid medium. The apparatus comprises a ring diaphragm of coupled concentric elastomeric rings, adapted to accept pressurized fluid at an interior side. The pressurized fluid extends the elastomeric rings of the ring diaphragm, placing them in shear strain. When the fluid is released, a kinetic impulse is provided and the ring diaphragm returns to its resting position. The apparatus further comprises a central check valve on the ring diaphragm. The check valve allows fluid to flow from an exterior side, through the ring diaphragm, to the interior side when exterior fluid pressure exceeds interior pressure. The invention is useful in a submarine vehicle launch assembly wherein the ring diaphragm is a component thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An elastomeric ring diaphragm for storing and delivering pressurized fluid to a component comprising:at least one elastomeric ring;at least one rigid ring sealed about an exterior periphery of each said at least one elastomeric ring, an outermost of said at least one ri

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An elastomeric ring diaphragm for storing and delivering pressurized fluid to a component comprising:at least one elastomeric ring;at least one rigid ring sealed about an exterior periphery of each said at least one elastomeric ring, an outermost of said at least one rigid rings being sealed to said component, said others of said at least one rigid rings being sealed within the inner periphery of another elastomeric ring, and said combined elastomeric rings and rigid rings forming a concentric structure of alternating elastomeric and rigid rings; anda central disc sealed within an interior periphery of an innermost one of said at least one elastomeric rings; said at least one elastomeric ring being elastically expandable and contractible in response to said pressurized fluid.