79results about "Torpedo launchers" patented technology

An underwater launch system includes a launch tube frangibly sealed at its forward end. At launch time, pressure equalization means introduces water at depth pressure into the launch tube between its frangibly sealed ends. A rotary electromagnetic pump coupled to the launch tube receives water at depth and expels the water at a higher pressure. The higher pressure water is coupled to the aft end of the launch tube.

An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a valve that is moved between a sealing and non-sealing state by a valve-actuator. In some embodiments, the valve actuator is driven by gases that result when a round is fired.

A muzzle break for a gun comprising a baffle, a series of slots in the housing of the muzzle break in which the slots exhaust gas of a pressure wave deflected by the baffle during firing of the gun. A membrane seals the slots for underwater use and is separable by the deflected exhaust gas. Another membrane seals a sabot separation chamber of the muzzle break adjacent to the baffle and in a projectile path from the baffle. The membrane for the separation chamber is detachable by a projectile fired from the gun.

A multiple torpedo mine is capable of launching multiple torpedoes in water simultaneously or at predetermined intervals. The mine has an elongate container having multiple launch tubes with launch tube covers and each containing a torpedo. A programmable target detection sensor unit in the elongate container senses impinging stimuli indicative of an approaching target and generates representative target signals. A main controller in the elongate container is coupled to receive the target signals from the target detection sensor unit, and the main controller is preprogrammed to recognize targets of interest and generate appropriate launch control signals for the torpedoes. A launching system in the elongate container is coupled to the main controller and each of the launch tubes to feed high pressure gas to the base and interior of the launch tubes to launch the torpedoes into the water.

An assembly for launching bodies from an underwater platform having a pressure hull, and an outer hull subject to free flooding. The assembly includes a module having a proximal end outboard of the pressure hull portion of the platform, a distal end disposed proximate and in alignment with a launch opening in the outer hull portion, and a chamber in the module extending from the distal end of the module to proximate the proximal end of the module, the module chamber being adapted to receive and retain one of the bodies. Support structure on the platform retains the module. A pump on the platform is in communication with water outside the pressure hull, and an impulse tank on the platform is in communication with the pump. A manifold is in communication with the impulse tank for directing outflow of water from the impulse tank to the chamber to eject the body from the chamber.

Provided is a launching apparatus capable of efficiently obtaining water pressure sufficient for launching an underwater payload, including a launch tube, a conduit including a first end portion and a communicating portion communicating with the launch tube, a plurality of conduit coils to axially aligned in a first region between the first end portion and the communicating portion, a plurality of main circuits passing an electric current through respective conduit coils, and a main-circuit control section. The main-circuit control section controls operation of the main circuits to pass electric currents through the conduit coils to generate an axial first magnetic field in the conduit and thereby cause an axial second magnetic field in a moving object, thereby moving the moving object in an advance direction toward a second end portion.

Disclosed is a launch system of an affixed lower section of launch tubing and an upper section of launch tubing configured to telescope vertically from a stowed position within the hull of a submarine to a position just above the ocean surface for a launch operation of a projectile, with the upper section returning to a stowed position after the launch operation. The launch system is capable of launching a projectile to engage air contacts by the discharge of high pressure fluid air, through the length of the upper and lower sections to impact the projectile for launch. The launch system includes surveillance, command and control elements as well as operational connection to additional projectile stowage and a supply of high pressure fluid. The projectile in use with the launch system can support surveillance and communications operations.

Disclosed are a cavitation device and an underwater moving body having the same. The underwater moving body includes a body; and a cavitation device for generating a cavity which encloses an outer circumferential surface of the body, wherein the cavitation device includes: a plurality of flap-up / down members rotatably connected to the body, disposed to cover the outer circumferential surface, and disposed in a circumferential direction and a lengthwise direction of the body in a matrix form; and a pressing module for flapping up the flap-up / down members such that the cavity is generated, as the flap-up / down members being rotated are inclined from the outer circumferential surface. Under this configuration, the cavitation device can freely generate a partial cavity or a super cavity on the surface of the underwater moving body. Furthermore, a ventilation module for forming a ventilated cavity may be coupled to the cavitation device.

The invention discloses a missile and barrel separation device of a high-submergence-depth underwater unpowered launching carrying system. The missile and barrel separation device comprises a launching barrel provided with a front cover, a sealing bottom plate arranged in the launching barrel and a catapult. The catapult is fixed to one side of the sealing bottom plate, and the other side of the sealing bottom plate is attached to the tail end of a guided missile. The sealing bottom plate can slide along the launching barrel. The launching barrel is further provided with a cover opening mechanism for opening the front cover. Pushing force generated by the catapult pushes the sealing bottom plate to further push the tail end of the guided missile so that the guided missile can slide towards the front cover along the launching barrel, and the guided missile slides to be separated out of the launching barrel. According to the missile and barrel separation device, the guided missile is placed in the launching barrel in an airtight manner; after the launching barrel comes out of water and reaches a set height and posture, a carrier sends out an instruction, the catapult works, the pushing force of the catapult acts on the sealing bottom plate to enable the guided missile to be popped out of the launching barrel, missile and barrel separation is achieved, and the sealing plate can be left in the launching barrel; the short-time watertight function of the launching barrel is achieved, and the launching barrel can float on the water surface; and launching barrel recycling is achieved, and cost is reduced.

A submarine is equipped with an extending apparatus on whose free end a container (4) resistant to underwater pressure is arranged, in which an essentially recoil-free gun (5) lies. The container (4) in the submerged condition of the submarine may be brought to the water surface (15) by way of the extending apparatus, and pivoted out so that one may also shoot in the submerged condition.

A stowage unit for a payload such as a weapon, countermeasure or unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), and a method for using the unit to deploy the payload are described. The unit comprises an inner tube for holding the payload, wherein the inner tube is mounted in an outer vessel and so defines a volume between the outer vessel and inner tube. The volume has a first sealing element, which can be used to open or seal the volume at one end, and a valve enabling fluid communication between the volume and inner tube. After deployment of the payload, a weight of fluid equivalent to the deployed payload can be allowed to enter the volume from the inner tube, thus enabling the weight of the unit to remain substantially unaltered from before deployment to after deployment.

A launch tube system has two concentric sleeves. An inner sleeve having holes formed therethrough defines a launch tube, and an outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve and is spaced apart therefrom. One or more flexible bladders are disposed between the inner outer sleeves. When filled with fluid, the flexible bladder(s) expands and extends into and through the holes and into confines of the inner sleeve to thereby form shock isolation for a projectile housed in the inner sleeve.

A torpedo tail mounted dispenser (TMD) for deploying an elongated, flexible article generally along a deployment axis, which includes a receptacle for storing the article in a multiple-turn, multiple-layer configuration about the deployment axis in a storage volume. There is also a torpedo connector mechanism having a terminal forward face and a lateral peripheral surface extending away from the receptacle along the deployment axis. An elastomeric cushioning feature is mounted on the lateral peripheral surface of the connector mechanism. An annular elastomeric bumper is mounted on a forward peripheral face of the cushioning feature, the annular opening of the bumper surrounding the connector mechanism to allow connection of the TMD to a torpedo. The bumper provides protection to the TMD and torpedo under certain shock and vibration levels.

An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine that is disposed at the outlet of the muzzle of the gun. The turbine draws in water and, in various embodiments, either (a) vaporizes it, forming a vapor barrier along the spin axis that keeps water out of the barrel, (b) expels it radially, thereby re-directing it so that it does not enter the barrel, or (c) generates water jets that prevent water from entering the barrel.

A system includes a catamaran configured for use in a body of water and having twin hulls, the catamaran comprising an opening between the twin hulls, the opening having a size and shape substantially the same as a payload module. The system also includes the payload module removably coupled to the catamaran in the opening between the twin hulls. The system further includes a common interface coupled to the payload module and the catamaran, the common interface configured to exchange utilities between the payload module and the catamaran.

An umbilical cord retractor assembly and method is provided for retracting an umbilical cord from a torpedo or other vehicle prior to launching the vehicle. A guide arm is utilized to guide a slide member along a predetermined path within the guide arm. The slide is connected through a link to the umbilical cord such that the umbilical cord is pulled to a predetermined position within the launch tube out of the way of the fins, shroud, and propeller of the vehicle. Prior to activation of the retractor assembly, the slide is affixed in position within the guide arm by a lock. A spring under tension applies a force to the slide. A release cord pulls a pin from the slide to release the cord at a desired time, thereby retracting the umbilical cord to the predetermined position within the launch tube.

An object ejection system uses an energy storage flywheel to drive the fluid pump that is used to pressurize the ejection tubes. The energy storage flywheel is periodically spun-up using an electric motor. The energy stored in the energy storage flywheel is used, when needed, to drive the fluid pump and supply pressurized fluid to an impulse tank. The pressurized fluid in the impulse tank is used to eject an object, such as a weapon, from one or more ejection tubes.

The torpedo-filling device changes past all torpedo-launching course and influences submarine arrangement. All the filling and launching device are set between bulge and pressure housing. The invention comprises the following steps: filling device adopting rotary-chain means and drive sprocket driving cartridge chain to rotate; locating torpedo in double-duty packing tubular used to store and launch and loading packing tubular in said filling device; transferring data with weapon via photo-electric method; making sure that packing tubular connect with transmission tube and emitting propulsion unit firmly in launching process; providing sufficient dynamic to accomplish switching movement from storage to prolaunching state. Submarine is supplemented with torpedo, only if torpedo supply hatch is opened to replace used packing tubular.

An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adapter that attaches to the barrel and includes a physical adaptation that is capable of sealing the barrel. In some embodiments, the physical adaptation is actuated to un-seal the barrel via combustion gases from firing of a round.

An object ejection system uses an energy storage flywheel to drive the fluid pump that is used to pressurize the ejection tubes. The energy storage flywheel is periodically spun-up using an electric motor. The energy stored in the energy storage flywheel is used, when needed, to drive the fluid pump and supply pressurized fluid to an impulse tank. The pressurized fluid in the impulse tank is used to eject an object, such as a weapon, from one or more ejection tubes.

An apparatus for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a magnetically-attractable water-impermeable disk. Via operation of a drive system, the disk is movable between a sealing position, wherein it prevents water from entering the barrel by moving into alignment with the first bore, and a firing position, wherein the first water-impermeable disk moves out of alignment with the first bore.

Embodiments of a submerged launch canister are provided for the remotely-initiated deployment of a waterborne object. In one embodiment, the submerged launch canister includes a pressure vessel and a remotely-triggered deployment system. The pressure vessel has an open end portion and a storage cavity configured to receive the waterborne object therein. The remotely-triggered deployment system is configured to propel the waterborne object from the storage cavity, through the open end portion, and into a body of water when remotely triggered.

A submersible vehicle object ejection control system stores a plurality of pump speed command profiles. Each pump speed command profile is based on vehicle depth, vehicle speed, type of object being ejected, maximum noise emission magnitude during object ejection, and object exit velocity. The system also receives data representative of current vehicle depth, current vehicle speed, and the type of object being ejected. In response to these data, the system retrieves one of the plurality of pump speed command profiles and supplies pump speed commands representative of the retrieved pump speed command profile.

The present invention provides a simple and inexpensive torpedo storage and launch system that has a sea-based buoyancy type torpedo storage and launch system that has a torpedo storage and launch apparatus that stores a buoyant rise type torpedo in vertical arrangement, and further has a torpedo launch mechanism unit that has an outer peripheral surface made of a material that minimizes electric or acoustic wave reflection, that is arranged on the sea floor, whereby automatic ship detection is performed by remote control from a radar station or the like or by a sonar and controlling means provided in the torpedo storage and launch apparatus itself so that if a ship comes into an encounter position and time then the torpedo is launched from the sea floor, rises by buoyancy, and detonates on collision with the ship, thereby torpedoing the ship.

A rail launch mechanism and method for launching a payload is configured to release payload lugs of a payload from a platform. A rack for launching a payload includes multiple rails that separately engage lugs in the respective payload of the rails, and a force actuator for launching the payload by accelerating the payload along the rails, causing the lugs to separate from the respective rails. A launching system for launching the payload from the platform may include a rail, at least one payload release shoe that carries a payload lug along the rail, and a force actuator for accelerating the payload release shoe such that inertia of the payload causes the payload lug to be released from the payload release shoe.

The invention provides a diving / buoyancy power / gliding (missile / torpedo) system to overcome the defects of existing torpedo carrying systems. Compared with existing various (missile / torpedo) carrying systems, the diving / buoyancy power / gliding (missile / torpedo) system has the advantages that production and use costs are quite low, and especially, no life sacrifice of combaters is caused. The system is simple and reliable in structure, simple in arrangement and has an advanced combating strategy of discovering targets, actively attacking and acquiring combat successes in the first place, realizes microminiaturization, unmanned operation, intelligentization and non-characterization, and has good hiding performance since gliding to approach targets through buoyancy energy. After completion of attacking tasks, the system and a controller are automatically destroyed. The system is especially beneficial to offshore water defending, oceangoing blocking of important waters, ship routes and ports and striking and intercepting of invasive large and medium surface ships and submarines. The system can improve offshore defending capability of Chinese navy, and is especially applicable to striking and restraining of large and medium surface ships and vessels.

A submersible vehicle object ejection control system stores a plurality of pump speed command profiles. Each pump speed command profile is based on vehicle depth, vehicle speed, type of object being ejected, maximum noise emission magnitude during object ejection, and object exit velocity. The system also receives data representative of current vehicle depth, current vehicle speed, and the type of object being ejected. In response to these data, the system retrieves one of the plurality of pump speed command profiles and supplies pump speed commands representative of the retrieved pump speed command profile.

Disclosed are a cavitation device and an underwater moving body having the same. The underwater moving body includes a body; and a cavitation device for generating a cavity which encloses an outer circumferential surface of the body, wherein the cavitation device includes: a plurality of flap-up / down members rotatably connected to the body, disposed to cover the outer circumferential surface, and disposed in a circumferential direction and a lengthwise direction of the body in a matrix form; and a pressing module for flapping up the flap-up / down members such that the cavity is generated, as the flap-up / down members being rotated are inclined from the outer circumferential surface. Under this configuration, the cavitation device can freely generate a partial cavity or a super cavity on the surface of the underwater moving body. Furthermore, a ventilation module for forming a ventilated cavity may be coupled to the cavitation device.

Embodiments of a method are provided for remotely deploying a waterborne object utilizing a submerged launch canister including a remotely-triggered deployment system. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of placing the remotely-triggered deployment system in a launch-ready state, and positioning the submerged launch canister within a body of water. In a further embodiment wherein the waterborne object assumes the form of an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, the method includes the step of transmitting a wireless signal to the remotely-triggered deployment system to initiate launch of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle after the submerged launch canister has been positioned on the seafloor.