Submarine steam generator missile ejection system

摘要

A steam generator missile ejection system has a vessel that contains water that becomes the pressurized steam source for missile ejection. A heating system within the vessel heats the water to steam and to the desired launch pressure. The heater is controlled to sequence operation and heat generation with a command from a controller shortly before initiation of a firing valve. A valve controls piping from the vessel to direct steam to a piping header and onto the ejection chamber of a launch tube. This event provides the launch pulse required to eject the payload from the missile tube. The launch energy requirements can be modulated by varying the pre-launch temperature of the water in the pressure vessel and can be controlled by an opening rate and length of open duration of the valve.