US3633846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable aerodynamic fin
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-05-28
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-05-28
Abstract
Abstract An expandable aerodynamic fin comprising a hollow primary fin housing provided with a recess within which is sealed a secondary fin composed of a flexible membrane in the form of a pouch being attached at its edges to the periphery of the inner wall of said primary fin. A pressurization device is positioned adjacent the primary fin base with gas pressure lines leading through the base to the recess. Upon actuation of this device sufficient gas pressure is created to fill the secondary fin and force it to expand thereby rupturing the seal and fanning out to become an integral part of the primary fin.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence M Biggs Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:33
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B10/00; F42B10/02; F42B10/14; F42B10/146; F42B10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
Expandable aerodynamic fins which comprise in combination with a hollow cylindrical casing a plurality of radially extending fins affixed to the outside circumference of the aft end of said casing each of said fins comprising a fixed primary fin consisting of a hollow housing having a base and body portion; said base having laterally projecting flanges secured to the outer circumference of said casing; a recess provided in the aft portion of said body portion of said primary fin; a pressure baffle plate secured to the inner walls of said recess and forming the bottom of said recess; a secondary fin nested within the recess provided in said primary fin; said secondary fin being in the shape of a pouch open at one end the edges of which are sealed to the inner walls of said recess adjacent said baffle plate; a closure cap mounted atop said recess adapted to hermetically seal said secondary fin within said primary fin housing; a gas pressurization means mounted on the outside of said casing adjacent said primary fin base portion and provided with a gas lead extending through said base portion into the recess of said primary fin housing whereby gas produced upon the actuation of said pressure means fills said secondary fin and creates sufficient pressuRe to rupture said cap thereby releasing said secondary fin which fans out as an integral part of said primary fin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
Expandable aerodynamic fins which comprise in combination with a hollow cylindrical casing a plurality of radially extending fins affixed to the outside circumference of the aft end of said casing each of said fins comprising a fixed primary fin consisting of a hollow housing having a base and body portion; said base having laterally projecting flanges secured to the outer circumference of said casing; a recess provided in the aft portion of said body portion of said primary fin; a pressure baffle plate secured to the inner walls of said recess and forming the bottom of said recess; a secondary fin nested within the recess provided in said primary fin; said secondary fin being in the shape of a pouch open at one end the edges of which are sealed to the inner walls of said recess adjacent said baffle plate; a closure cap mounted atop said recess adapted to hermetically seal said secondary fin within said primary fin housing; a gas pressurization means mounted on the outside of said casing adjacent said primary fin base portion and provided with a gas lead extending through said base portion into the recess of said primary fin housing whereby gas produced upon the actuation of said pressure means fills said secondary fin and creates sufficient pressuRe to rupture said cap thereby releasing said secondary fin which fans out as an integral part of said primary fin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fin in accordance with claim 1 wherein the primary fin housing is aluminum and the secondary fin is nonporous nylon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
152 words
An expandable aerodynamic fin which comprises a primary fin consisting of a hollow housing having a base and body portion; said base having laterally projecting flanges; a recess located in the aft portion of said body portion of the primary fin; a gas permeable pressure baffle plate secured to the inner walls of said recess; a secondary fin composed of an impermeable membraneous pouch nested within the recess; said pouch being open at one end with the edges sealed to the inner walls of said recess adjacent the baffle plate; a closure cap mounted atop said recess adapted to hermetically seal said primary fin housing; and a gas pressurization means mounted adjacent the base of said fin whereby gas produced therefrom passes through said baffle plate filling said secondary fin and creating sufficient pressure to pop said cap thereby releasing the secondary fin which fans out forming an extension of primary fin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
152 words
An expandable aerodynamic fin which comprises a primary fin consisting of a hollow housing having a base and body portion; said base having laterally projecting flanges; a recess located in the aft portion of said body portion of the primary fin; a gas permeable pressure baffle plate secured to the inner walls of said recess; a secondary fin composed of an impermeable membraneous pouch nested within the recess; said pouch being open at one end with the edges sealed to the inner walls of said recess adjacent the baffle plate; a closure cap mounted atop said recess adapted to hermetically seal said primary fin housing; and a gas pressurization means mounted adjacent the base of said fin whereby gas produced therefrom passes through said baffle plate filling said secondary fin and creating sufficient pressure to pop said cap thereby releasing the secondary fin which fans out forming an extension of primary fin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |