Development and Evaluation of the TC13 Mod 1 Steam Catapult
Abstract
This first periodic report presents the results of the following test programs: NAEL(SI) deadload calibration, preliminary aircraft launchings, and retraction-engine development tests; and NATF(SI) deadload calibration, aircraft compatibility, and effect of cylinder elongation. Events 1 through 4,913 were accomplished (1,205 deadload, 398 aircraft, and 3,310 no-load launchings). An average of 6.5 deadload/aircraft launchings per day was achieved. Four type I failures (must stop to fix) occurred, and yielded a mean-time-between-failures of 909 and a reliability of 95.5 percent with respect to 40 consecutive launchings (nearly 75% of the launchings conducted were no-loads, which accounts for the high reliability index). The evaluation program revealed two major deficiencies resulting from the long stroke of the TC13 Mod 1 steam catapult: (1) the retraction-engine ram can be damaged if a launching occurs with the grab accidentally latched; (2) the service life of the standard piston guides is less than 1,000 launchings. Extended piston guides originally designed for the seven-ft water brakes are being tested as a possible solution to this problem.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 22, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0480610
Entities
People
- S. W. Brocklebank