Importance

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Abstract

A pneumatic actuator operable to carry a missile on an aircraft and to eject the missile from the aircraft in flight on demand, includes a differential area piston which is slidable in a closed chamber which is filed with air under pressure. The smaller diameter portion of the piston is slidably engaged in a cavity which is formed in an end wall of the closed chamber. An actuating rod extends co-axially from the smaller diameter piston portion out of the closed chamber. Initial movement of the piston to actuate ejection of the missile is effected under low force by the application of pressure to the end of the smaller diameter piston portion remote from the larger diameter piston portion until the smaller diameter portion is displaced from the cavity into the closed chamber which allows the largest possible force to be exerted on the piston by the action of the compressed air on the larger diameter piston portion. Releasable hold back means operable to hold the piston with the smaller diameter piston portion slidably engaged in the cavity are provided in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the interior of the closed chamber serves as the compressed air storage reservoir. In a further embodiment, the compressed air storage means includes an air pressure intensification system.

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First Claim