热能动力工程——信息动态专栏

Working principles of a catapult system

(Continued from the previous issue)Power to drive the shuttle and its aircraft load comes from expanding steam piped to the catapult from the main steam system(Figure 3.8.2).This steam is placed under pressure in large tanks(called accumulators or receivers)located under the launching engine.Steam is admitted to the receivers through the flow control valve(sometimes called steam charging valves).From the receivers,the steam is transferred at the moment of launch into the power cylinders.Steam acts directly on the pistons and propels the piston-shuttle assembly through the cylinders.

Power to drive the shuttle and its aircraft load comes from expanding steam piped to the catapult from the main steam system （ Figure 3.8.2）. This steam is placed under pressure in large tanks （ called accumulators or receiv- ers） located under the launching engine. Steam is admitted to the receivers through the flow control valve （some- times called steam charging valves）. From the receivers, the steam is transferred at the moment of launch into the power cylinders. Steam acts directly on the pistons and propels the piston-shuttle assembly sealing strip closes the slot in each cylinder as the pistons are driven forward, thus preven through the cylinders. A ting the escape of steam from the cylinder slots through which the connector moves.