Self-actuating rocket chamber closures for multi-missile launch cells

摘要

Cells 74A and 74B in a common canister 70 have respective aft closure doors 78A and 78B hinged at 80. Spacer plates 92 on the rear faces of the doors prevent the doors meeting and thus maintain a stagnation space 102. The doors 78 open one at a time to allow exhaust gases to flow from a missile in one of the cells 74 into a plenum 86. When there is exhaust flow as shown from another canister into the plenum the doors 78 are forced shut by the pressure developed in the stagnation space 102. Preferably a locking device is provided to hold each door shut after the missile in the corresponding cell has been discharged.