Propulsion module assembly for a projectile launcher
A propulsion system for a projectile launcher may comprise a propulsion source, the propulsion source having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a propulsion source wall. A puncture structure having a fluid channel may be located proximate to the first end. A puncher may be located proximate to the second end and configured to translate the propulsion source from a first position to a second position. Translation of the propulsions source from the first position to the second position may fluidly connect the fluid channel and the propulsion source. The projectile launcher may be activated upon the propulsion source being fluidly connected to the fluid channel.
1 . A puncher system associated with a propulsion system for a projectile launcher, the puncher system comprising:
a puncher casing having a first end opposite a second end and a puncher channel extending at least partially between the first end and the second end;
a puncher drive being proximate to the first end of the puncher casing and in communication with the puncher channel;
a puncher head being proximate to the first end of the puncher casing within the puncher channel, wherein the puncher head is configured to translate from the first end to the second end responsive to a drive force and via the puncher channel;
a puncher lock being proximate to the second end of the puncher casing within the puncher casing, wherein the puncher lock is configured to secure the puncher head proximate to the second end; and
a puncher casing cap of the puncher casing is configured to define a lock recess and a lock stop, the lock recess configured to contain the puncher lock in a first position at a first time and the lock stop configured to secure the puncher lock and the puncher head in a second position at a second time.
2 . The puncher system of claim 1 , wherein:
the puncher head is proximate to the first end at the first time; and
the puncher lock is in the first position based at least in part on the puncher head being proximate to the first end and is contained within the lock recess radially outside of the puncher head at the first time.
3 . The puncher system of claim 1 , wherein:
the puncher head is proximate to the second end at the second time; and
the puncher lock is in the second position based at least in part on the puncher head being proximate to the second end and extends from the lock recess between the first end and the puncher head at the second time.
4 . The puncher system of claim 1 , wherein:
the puncher drive is configured to translate the puncher head from the first position proximate to the first end to the second position proximate to the second end;
the puncher head is associated with a propellant cannister, wherein the drive force is generated by the puncher drive to translate the puncher head and the propellant cannister; and
the puncher head translates from the first position to the second position to cause the propellant cannister to couple with the propulsion system.
5 . The puncher system of claim 1 , the puncher head further comprising a puncher head seal recess configured to receive a puncher head seal and secure the puncher head seal proximate to an inner wall of the puncher casing, wherein:
the puncher head seal fluidly isolates a first volume of the puncher channel between the first end and the puncher head from a second volume of the puncher channel between the second end and the puncher head; and
the puncher head seal is configured to translate from the first end to the second end as the first volume expands based at least on the drive force.
6 . The puncher system of claim 1 , the puncher head further comprising a puncher lock recess configured to receive a portion of the puncher lock.
7 . The puncher system of claim 6 , wherein:
the puncher lock is disposed radially outward of the puncher head; and
the puncher lock is configured to couple with the puncher lock recess based at least on the puncher head translating from the first end to the second end.
8 . The puncher system of claim 1 , the puncher drive further comprising:
a puncher drive cap disposed substantially adjacent to the first end of the puncher casing and the puncher channel;
a drive force source configured to provide the drive force; and
a drive activator configured to receive an activation signal and cause the drive force source to apply the drive force to the puncher head.
9 . The puncher system of claim 1 , wherein
the puncher drive provides the drive force responsive to an activation signal; and
the puncher head is configured to transition from a first state to a second state responsive to the drive force, the first state associated with the puncher head being disposed proximate to the first end and the second state associated with the puncher head being disposed proximate to the second end.
10 . The puncher system of claim 9 , wherein:
the puncher lock is contained in the first position within the lock recess radially outside of the puncher head in the first state; and
the puncher lock in the second position extends from the lock recess towards the puncher head in the second state.
11 . The puncher system of claim 9 , wherein:
the first state comprises the puncher head disposed in the first position proximate to the first end;
the second state comprises the puncher head disposed in the second position proximate to the second end;
the drive force generated by the puncher drive translates the puncher head and a propellant cannister; and
the puncher head translates from the first position to the second position to cause the propellant cannister to couple with the propulsion system.
12 . The puncher system of claim 9 , wherein the puncher casing is configured as a puncher cap, the puncher cap comprising:
a puncher activation contact configured to electrically connect with the puncher drive and the puncher head in the first state and electrically disconnect from the puncher drive and the puncher head in the second state;
a puncher activation plate in electrical communication with the puncher activation contact, the puncher activation plate having a contact ring and a connector plate that extends between the contact ring and the puncher activation contact; and
a primer overmold configured to selectively expose the contact ring.
13 . The puncher system of claim 12 , the puncher cap further comprising a primer cap liner configured to selectively expose the contact ring in combination with the primer overmold, wherein:
the primer overmold is proximate to a first surface of the puncher activation plate; and
the puncher activation contact and the primer cap liner are proximate to a second surface of the puncher activation plate, the second surface being substantially opposite the first surface.
14 . The puncher system of claim 12 , wherein the activation signal transitions the puncher head from the first state to the second state and modifies the puncher activation contact to electrically disconnect from at least the puncher drive and the puncher head.
15 . The puncher system of claim 14 , wherein:
the puncher activation contact is in a conductive state while the puncher head is in the first state; and
the puncher activation contact is in a nonconductive state and electrically isolated from the puncher head in the second state.
16 . The puncher system of claim 9 , further comprising a control interface, wherein:
the control interface determines that the puncher head is in the first state based at least on a pilot signal; and
the control interface determines that the puncher head is in the second state based at least on receipt of the pilot signal and transmission of the activation signal.
17 . The puncher system of claim 16 , wherein:
the control interface is a projectile launcher safety of the projectile launcher; and
the activation signal is transmitted based at least in part on the projectile launcher safety switching from a safety mode to a firing mode.
18 . The puncher system of claim 16 , wherein:
the control interface is a projectile launcher trigger of the projectile launcher; and
the activation signal is transmitted based at least in part on the projectile launcher trigger being at least partially depressed.
19 . The puncher system of claim 1 , wherein the puncher channel is defined by the puncher casing cap proximate to the second end and a channel lining proximate to at least the first end.
20 . The puncher system of claim 19 , wherein the lock recess is defined longitudinally between the puncher casing cap and the channel lining.