Project
Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) and
the United States Air Force (USAF) are cosponsors of the 2005-2006 University
Design Competition. The subject for this year’s competition is a real
world problem that currently causes the USAF to spend additional money
and time during USAF operations. This year’s competition includes Engineering
Teams from three Universities: Arizona State University (ASU), Northern
Arizona University (NAU), and the University of Arizona (UA).
Raytheon Dampener Cable Release Mechanism Investigation
A launcher rail is used to mount a missile to an aircraft. A detent assembly inside the rail
locks the missile securely in place. The detent assembly can be disengaged during flight
by the pilot when ready to fire the missile, or can be disengaged manually.
To reduce vibration of the missile while mounted on the launcher, dampeners engage the
missile’s forward hook. After flight vibration, the locking force of the dampeners on the
hook is great, so the detent assembly includes a dampener release. The release mechanism consists of a cable cam, cable assembly, cable retainer, bushing, remote
control lever, shouldered shaft, and dampener. By actuating the forward dampener
release (cable cam), the dampeners are pulled up a ramp, which releases the dampener
force on the missile hook. The detent mechanisms can then be fully disengaged and the
missile can be down loaded.
The dampener release cable frays and cracks over time. The fraying of the cable occurs
between the remote control lever and the cable cam in the vicinity of the bushing.
Without the cable, release of the dampener would be difficult and would add time to
missile download. If a cable failure occurs, the missile launcher has to be removed from
serviceable inventory to be repaired and may cause a loss of mission time and/or pilot
flight hours.
Evaluate the mechanical design of the detent assembly’s dampener cable release
mechanism to determine if a mechanical design defect is evident. Design a retrofit for
the dampener cable release mechanism that will preclude future cable failures. The best
design will utilize as many of the current parts as possible. If piece parts are modified,
this modification should be able to be implemented in the field if possible. Cost and
logistics are other major contributors that will be judged for a successful design.
Team BILT Problem Statement
Evaluate a detent assembly's dampener cable release mechanism and design a self contained, cost effective, and easily implemented retrofit that will preclude future cable failures.
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