Projectile launching device, in particular for a marine or submarine vehicle, comprising a locking device with an internal rod

Abstract

The launching device (10) comprises a launching tube (12) having a first door (18) and a second door, and a door locking device (22) including a first locking ring (24) for the first door (18), a second locking ring for the second door, and a rod (34) for coordinating the rings. The rod (34) extends, at least partially, inside the launching tube (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a projectile launching device, in particular for a marine or underwater vehicle.

[0002] We already know, in the state of the art, a projectile launching device, comprising a launching tube extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal end, comprising a first gate, and a distal end, comprising a second gate.

[0003] The launch tube is typically arranged to pass through the vehicle's body. Thus, the proximal end is inside the vehicle, and the distal end is outside. The first opening is then generally called the "inner door," and the second the "outer door."

[0004] The first door is opened when the projectile is loaded into the launch tube, or unloaded from the launch tube, and then closed. The second door is opened to allow the projectile to be launched.

[0005] These doors must not be opened simultaneously, as this could create an uncontrollable leak into the vehicle. A locking device is therefore necessary to ensure that each door remains closed and locked when the other door is opened.

[0006] The invention aims in particular to provide such a locking device, which also has the advantage of being easy to maintain.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates in particular to a projectile launching device, especially for a marine or underwater vehicle, comprising a launching tube equipped, at a proximal end, with a first door, and at a distal end, with a second door, characterized in that it comprises a door locking device, including: a first locking ring for the first door, movable between a locked position and an unlocked position of the first door, a second locking ring for the second door, movable between a locked position and an unlocked position of the second door, and a coordinating rod for the rings, movable between a first position in which the second ring is in the unlocked position and the first ring is blocked in the locked position, and a second position in which the second ring is in the locked position and the first ring is free to move in the unlocked position, the rod extending, at least in part, inside the launching tube.

[0008] It should be noted that since the launch rod is housed inside the launch tube, there is no need to provide a specific hull passage for it. The hull is thus only penetrated by the launch tube.

[0009] By limiting the hull penetrations, we limit the risks of sealing defects.

[0010] Furthermore, in the event of maintenance on the locking mechanism, it is not necessary to dismantle the tube to separate it from the hull. Indeed, the locking mechanism is fully accessible to an operator, particularly inside the launch tube.

[0011] A device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically feasible combination: the first door has, on its periphery, first teeth, and the first ring has, on its inner surface, first stops separated circumferentially by first recesses, the first stops being opposite the first teeth when the first ring is in the locking position, and the first recesses being opposite the first teeth when the first ring is in the unlocking position; the second door has, on its periphery, second teeth, and the second ring has, on its inner surface, second stops separated circumferentially by second recesses, the second stops being opposite the second teeth when the second ring is in the locking position, and the second recesses being opposite the second teeth when the second ring is in the unlocking position;inside the launching tube, the rod is guided in rotation around its longitudinal axis by two bearings fixed to an internal surface of the launching tube; the launching tube has, at each end of the rod, a sealed means for passing through a wall; the sealing of each means for passing through is achieved by autoclave;The locking device comprises: a locking disc connected to a first end of the rod, movable in rotation about an axis passing through the center of this disc, and driven in rotation about this axis by the first end of the rod, the locking disc having an eccentric pin, extending in projection from the disc parallel to its axis of rotation, and a locking plate integral with the first ring, and cooperating with the pin, shaped to form a stop for the pin in the first angular position of the rod, and to leave a passage for the pin in the second angular position of the rod; the locking device comprises, at the distal end, a connecting rod connected on one side to a second end of the rod, and on the other side to the second ring;Each door is mounted on a hinge comprising an axle, each axle being integral with a portion of a disc, the corresponding ring comprising a notch opposite the portion of the disc when this ring is in the unlocked position, the portion of the disc being configured to be inserted into the notch when the door is in the open position, and to extend out of the notch when the door is in the closed position.

[0012] Various aspects and advantages of the invention will be highlighted in the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the attached figures, among which: [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 presents a partial perspective view of a launching device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, viewed from its proximal end, with the door in the closed position; [ Fig 2 ] There figure 2 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the launching device of the figure 1 , with the door in the open position; [ Fig 3 ] There figure 3 presents a partial perspective view of the launch device of the figure 1 , seen from its distal end; [ Fig 4 ] There figure 4 is a perspective view of a rod equipping the launching device of the figure 1 .

[0013] We have represented, on the figures 1 à 3 , a projectile launching device 10, specifically intended to equip a marine or underwater vehicle.

[0014] The launching device 10 comprises a launching tube 12, extending longitudinally between a proximal end 14, shown in the figure 1 , and a distal end 16, shown on the figure 2 .

[0015] The launch tube 12 is equipped, at its proximal end 14, with a first door 18, called the inner door, which can be opened to allow the tube 12 to be loaded with a projectile or to unload this projectile from the tube 12.

[0016] The launch tube 12 is equipped, at its distal end 16, with a second door 20, called the outer door, which can be opened to allow the projectile to be launched.

[0017] Each of the doors 18, 20 is equipped with a conventional operating mechanism, allowing it to be opened and closed. In particular, each door 18, 20 is movable by rotation around a hinge.

[0018] We have represented, on the figure 2 The first door 18 is in the open position. The first door 18 is movable about a hinge 21, comprising, for example, two fixed hinges 21a connected to the launching tube 12, two movable hinges 21b connected to the door, and an axle 21c connecting the two movable hinges 21b, passing through the two fixed hinges 21a. In all cases, the hinge 21 preferably includes the axle 21c which is rotationally fixed to the door 18.

[0019] The second door 20 is also movable around a hinge which also includes an axis fixed in rotation to this second door 20.

[0020] The launching device 10 includes, in a conventional manner, means for launching the projectile, which will not be described in further detail.

[0021] For safety reasons, the launching device 10 includes a locking device 22, configured to ensure that each of the doors 18, 20 is locked when the other door is unlocked. The locking device 22 prevents one door from opening when the other is unlocked, thus preventing both doors from being opened simultaneously.

[0022] The locking device 22 includes, at the proximal end, a first locking ring 24 surrounding the first door 18.

[0023] The first gate 18 has, on its periphery, first teeth 26, and the first ring 24 has, on its inner surface, first stops 28 separated circumferentially by first recesses 30.

[0024] When the first ring 24 is in the locking position, the first stops 28 are opposite the first teeth 26, so that the first door 18 cannot be opened, the first teeth 26 coming into contact with the corresponding first stops 28.

[0025] On the other hand, when the first ring 24 is in the unlocked position, the first recesses 30 are opposite the first teeth 26, so that the first door 18 is free to be opened, the first teeth 26 passing through the first recesses 30.

[0026] The first ring 24 is thus rotatable between an unlocked position, allowing the first door 18 to be opened, and a locked position, in which the first door 18 cannot be opened. The first door 18 can only be opened in the unlocked position, where the first teeth of the first door 18 can pass through the first recesses 30. In any intermediate position between the unlocked and locked positions, the first teeth are at least partially aligned with the first stops, which prevents the first door 18 from being opened.

[0027] The first ring 24 is, for example, driven in rotation by dedicated actuation means 29. The actuation means 29 comprise, for example, a motorized wheel 29a provided with a first set of teeth, meshing with a second set of teeth 29b carried by the first ring 24.

[0028] It should be noted that the first ring 24 is shaped so that it cannot be moved when the first door 18 is open. To this end, the hinge 21 has a portion of a disc 31, supported by and integral with the axis 21c, extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis 21c. The first ring 24 has a notch 33 opposite the portion of the disc 31 when the first ring 24 is in the unlocked position.

[0029] The portion of the disk 31 is configured to be inserted into the notch 33 when the first door 18 is opened, and to extend outside the notch 33 when the first door 18 is closed.

[0030] Thus, when the first gate 18 is opened, the first ring 24 is blocked from rotating by the cooperation of the portion of the disk 31 in the notch 33.

[0031] On the other hand, when the first door 18 is closed, the portion of the disc 31 extends outside the notch 33, and the first ring 24 can rotate freely.

[0032] The locking device 22 has, at the distal end, a second locking ring 32 surrounding the second door 20. The second locking ring 32 is identical, mutatis mutandis, to the first locking ring 24.

[0033] Thus, the second gate 20 has, on its periphery, second teeth, and the second ring 32 has, on its inner surface, second stops separated circumferentially by second recesses.

[0034] When the second ring 32 is in the locking position, the second stops are opposite the second teeth, so that the second door 20 cannot be opened, the second teeth coming into contact with the corresponding second stops.

[0035] On the other hand, when the second ring 32 is in the unlocked position, the second recesses are opposite the second teeth, so that the second door 20 is free to be opened, the second teeth passing through the second recesses.

[0036] The second ring 32 is thus rotatable between an unlocked position, allowing the second door 20 to be opened, and a locked position, in which the second door 20 cannot be opened. The second door 20 can only be opened in the unlocked position, where the second teeth of the second door can pass through the second recesses. In any intermediate position between the unlocked and locked positions, the second teeth are at least partially aligned with the second stops, which prevents the second door 20 from being opened.

[0037] It should be noted that the second ring 32 is shaped so that it cannot be moved when the second gate 20 is open, in the same way as the first ring 24, as described previously. In particular, the second gate 20 also has a portion of a disk connected to its axis, and the second ring 32 also has a notch to accommodate the portion of the disk when the second gate 20 is in the open position.

[0038] The locking device 22 is configured so that when one of the rings is in the unlocked position, then the other ring is necessarily in the locked position.

[0039] In order to coordinate the positions of the two rings, the locking device 22 includes a ring coordination rod 34, shown on the figure 3 extending along a longitudinal axis, along the launch tube 12, between a first end 34a and a second end 34b.

[0040] Inside the launch tube 12, the rod 34 is guided in rotation around its longitudinal axis by two bearings 36a, 36b, for example each disposed at one of the respective ends 34a, 34b. The bearings 36a, 36b are fixed to an internal surface of the launch tube 12, for example on a boss.

[0041] Since the rod 34 extends inside the launching tube 12, but the rings 24, 32 are outside the launching tube 12, the launching tube 12 has, at each end of the rod 34, a watertight wall penetration means. More specifically, a first watertight wall penetration means 38a is provided at the proximal end 14 for the passage of the first end 34a of the rod 34, and a second watertight wall penetration means 38b is provided at the distal end 16 for the passage of the second end 34b of the rod 34.

[0042] The sealing of each means of passage 38a, 38b is for example carried out in an autoclave manner, that is to say reinforced by the pressure in the launching tube 12.

[0043] Preferably, the rod 34 has a first cardan joint 40a at the first end 34a, and a second cardan joint 40b at the second end 34b, allowing a change of axis of rotation at the ends, in order to allow the passage of the rod 34 through the passage means 38a, 38b.

[0044] The rod 34 is driven in rotation around its longitudinal axis of rotation by an actuator (not shown), for example an electric or hydraulic actuator.

[0045] Preferably, the locking device 22 includes position sensors for the rod 34, allowing the angular position of the rod 34 to be known at all times.

[0046] The locking device 22 includes a locking disc 42 connected to the first end 34a, movable in rotation about an axis preferably eccentric with respect to the center of this disc, and driven in rotation about this axis by the first end 34a.

[0047] The locking disc 42 has an eccentric pin 44, extending from the disc parallel to its axis of rotation. Due to its eccentricity, the position of the pin 44 changes when the locking disc 42 rotates. This phenomenon is accentuated by the fact that the locking disc 42, which carries the pin, is driven in rotation by the rod 34 in an eccentric manner.

[0048] The locking device 22 also includes a locking plate 46 integral with the first ring 24, and cooperating with the pin 44. The locking plate 46 is shaped to form a stop for the pin 44 in a locked position, and to form a passage for the pin 44 in an unlocked position.

[0049] For this purpose, the plate 46 has, for example, a stop notch 46a and a shoulder 46b. Depending on the position of the rod 34, the pin 44 is either in the stop notch 46a, which prevents the movement of the first ring 24, or above the plate 46, which allows the movement of the first ring 24. The pin 44 must pass over the shoulder 46b to move from one position to the other.

[0050] The locking device 22 includes, at the distal end 16, a connecting rod 48 connected on one side to the second end 34b of the rod 34, and on the other side to the second ring 32. Thus, the rotation of the rod 34 causes the rotation of the second ring 32, the movement being transmitted between the rod 34 and the second ring 32 by the connecting rod 48.

[0051] We will consider below two angular positions of the rod 34.

[0052] In a first angular position, the second ring 32 is in its unlocked position. It is therefore possible to open the second door 20. In this same first angular position, since the second door 20 can be opened, the first door 18 must remain locked. Thus, in this first angular position, the pin 44 cooperates with the stop notch 46a of the plate 46, preventing the rotation of the first ring 24. The first ring 24 is then in its locked position, and the first door 18 cannot be opened.

[0053] In a second angular position, the second ring 32 is in its locked position. It is therefore impossible to open the second door 20. However, in this second angular position, the pin 44 is radially beyond the plate 46, which allows the rotation of the first ring 24. The first ring 24 is then free to move to the unlocked position, using the dedicated actuation means 29.

[0054] It should be noted that, in this second angular position, the locking disc 42 cannot rotate because the pin 44 comes to a stop against the outer edge 46c of the plate 46, as can be seen on the Figure 2 . The second ring 32 therefore cannot rotate since it is rotationally linked to this locking disc 42 via the rod 32.

[0055] To move from the first to the second position, the pawn 44 must overcome the shoulder 46b. This is only possible when the first ring 24 is in the locked position.

[0056] More specifically, we will describe below a process of opening / closing the doors.

[0057] When the first door 18 is to be opened, the first ring 24 must move to the unlocked position. In this case, the rod 34 must move into its second angular position, passing over the shoulder 46b. This has the effect of moving the second ring 32 to the locked position. The second door 20 is therefore locked in the closed position. Indeed, if the second door 20 is in the open position at this moment, then it is impossible to change the position of the second ring 32, whose notch engages with the disc portion of the second door 20.

[0058] When the second door 20 is to be opened, the second ring 32 must move to the unlocked position. In this case, the rod 34 must move into its first angular position, passing over the shoulder 46b. This can only be done if the first ring 24 is in the locked position. The first door 18 is therefore locked in the closed position. Indeed, if the first door 20 is in the open position at this moment, then it is impossible to change the position of the first ring 24, whose notch 33 cooperates with the disc portion 31 of the first door 18.

[0059] It thus becomes clear that it is impossible to open both doors simultaneously, each being necessarily locked in the closed position to allow the other to be opened.

Claims

1. Projectile launching device (10), in particular for a marine or underwater vehicle, comprising a launching tube (12) equipped, at a proximal end (14), with a first door (18), and at a distal end (16), with a second door (20), characterized in thatIt includes a door locking device (22), comprising: - a first locking ring (24) for the first door (18), movable between a locking position and an unlocking position of the first door (18), - a second locking ring (32) for the second door (20), movable between a locking position and an unlocking position of the second door (20), and - a rod (34) for coordinating the rings, movable between a first position in which the second ring (32) is in the unlocking position and the first ring (24) is blocked in the locking position, and a second position in which the second ring (32) is in the locking position and the first ring (24) is free to move in the unlocking position, the rod extending, at least in part, inside the launch tube (12).

2. Launching device (10) according to claim 1, in which the first door (18) has, on its periphery, first teeth (26), and the first ring (24) has, on its inner surface, first stops (28) separated circumferentially by first recesses (30), the first stops (28) being located opposite the first teeth (26) when the first ring (24) is in the locking position, and the first recesses (30) being located opposite the first teeth (26) when the first ring 24 is in the unlocking position.

3. Launching device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second door (20) has, on its periphery, second teeth, and the second ring (32) has, on its inner surface, second stops separated circumferentially by second recesses, the second stops being located opposite the second teeth when the second ring (32) is in the locking position, and the second recesses being located opposite the second teeth when the second ring (32) is in the unlocking position.

4. Launching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, inside the launching tube (12), the rod (34) is guided in rotation around its longitudinal axis, by two bearings (36a, 36b) fixed to an inner surface of the launching tube (12).

5. Launching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the launching tube (12) comprises, at each end of the rod (34), a sealed means (38a, 38b) for wall penetration.

6. Launching device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the sealing of each through-means (38a, 38b) is carried out by autoclave.

7. Launching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking device (22) comprises: - a locking disc (42) connected to a first end (34a) of the rod (34), movable in rotation about an axis passing through the center of this disc, and driven in rotation about this axis by the first end (34a) of the rod (34), the locking disc (42) having an eccentric pin (44), extending in projection from the disc parallel to its axis of rotation, and - a locking plate (46) integral with the first ring (24), and cooperating with the pin (44), shaped to form a stop for the pin (44) in the first angular position of the rod (34), and to leave a passage for the pin (44) in the second angular position of the rod (34).

8. Launching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking device (22) comprises, at the distal end (16), a connecting rod (48) connected on one side to a second end (34b) of the rod (34), and on the other side to the second ring (32).

9. Launching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each door (18, 20) is mounted on a hinge (21) comprising a shaft (21c), each shaft (21c) being integral with a portion of a disk (31), the corresponding ring (24, 32) comprising a notch (33) opposite the portion of the disk (31) when this ring (24, 32) is in the unlocked position, the portion of the disk (31) being configured to be inserted into the notch (33) when the door is in the open position, and to extend out of the notch (33) when the door is in the closed position.

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