Reusable Forward Closure System

摘要

In this effort, a reusable Forward Closure System (FCS) prototype was designed, built and tested. The FCS prototype is designed to eliminate pyrotechnic, or fly through rupture; thus, eliminating conditions that produce debris. In addition, the FCS prototype is reusable, providing cost-effectiveness and does not damage the hatch or the hull, during normal and fail-safe operating conditions. Unlike the legacy closures, this FCS is an electromechanically actuated system that syncs with missile launch. The FCS also features a fail-safe mechanism that lets the closure to be opened by the missile nose, while the loads on the missile nose are below the maximum allowable nose tip loads. The FCS was tested for leak tightness and the elastomeric seal toughness was demonstrated.A computer controlled underwater test facility was built to test the FCS prototype for leak tightness, operational pressure, adjacent launch pressure, and cyclical pressure requirements. The underwater test facility is equipped with cameras, instrumentation and is computer controlled to provide visual feedback of system properties underwater. The FCS prototype operation is controlled by a system that communicates with the electromechanical actuators and the position sensors of the closure. The functionality of the control system was demonstrated in a laboratory environment.