Projectile launching device, particularly for marine or underwater vehicles, comprising an externally linked locking device
The external rod locking system for projectile launching devices in marine or underwater vehicles addresses the challenge of simultaneous door opening by coordinating door positions externally, ensuring watertight integrity and simplifying assembly.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NAVAL GRP
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing projectile launching devices for marine or underwater vehicles require a locking mechanism to prevent both doors from being opened simultaneously, which could lead to uncontrollable water leaks, and existing solutions often necessitate a passage through the vehicle's hull, complicating assembly.
A projectile launching device with an external rod locking system that coordinates the locking and unlocking positions of two doors using movable rings and a coordinating rod outside the launch tube, ensuring one door remains locked when the other is opened, without requiring a passage through the vehicle's hull.
The external rod locking system effectively prevents simultaneous door opening, simplifying assembly and maintaining watertight integrity by coordinating door positions externally, thus preventing water leaks.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Projectile launching device, particularly for marine or underwater vehicles, comprising an external rod locking device
[0001] The present invention relates to a projectile launching device, in particular for a marine or underwater vehicle.
[0002] In the prior art, a projectile launching device is already known, 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 generally arranged to pass through a hull of the vehicle. Thus, the proximal end is located inside the vehicle, and the distal end outside. The first door is then generally called the "inner door", and the second door 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 water 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.
[0007] To this end, the invention relates in particular to a projectile launching device, in particular 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:
[0008] - a first locking ring of the first door, movable between a position locking and unlocking positions for the first door,
[0009] - a second locking ring for the second door, movable between a position of locking and unlocking position of the second door, and
[0010] - a coordinating rod for the rings, movable between a first position in in which the second ring is in the unlocked position and the first ring is locked 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,
[0011] the rod extending entirely outside the launching tube.
[0012] It should be noted that since the rod is housed outside the launch tube, it is not necessary to provide a passage in the wall of this launch tube for the rod. The assembly of the locking means with the launch tube is therefore facilitated.
[0013] A device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or in any technically feasible combination:
[0014] - the first gate has, on its periphery, initial teeth, and the first ring has, on its inner surface, first stops separated circumferentially by first recesses, the first stops being located opposite the first teeth when the first ring is in the locking position, and the first recesses being located opposite the first teeth when the first ring 24 is in the unlocking position;
[0015] - the second gate 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 located opposite the second teeth when the second ring is in the locking position, and the second recesses being located opposite the second teeth when the second ring is in the unlocking position;
[0016] - the rod is guided in rotation around its longitudinal axis by two bearings attached to an external surface of the launch tube;
[0017] - the locking device comprises:
[0018] - a locking disc connected to a first end of the rod, movable in rotation around an axis passing through the center of this disk, and driven in rotation around this axis by the first end of the rod, the locking disk having an eccentric pin, extending outward from the disk parallel to its axis of rotation, and
[0019] - a locking plate integral with the first ring, and cooperating with the pawl, shaped to form a stop for the pawl in the first angular position of the rod, and to leave a passage for the pawl in the second angular position of the rod;
[0020] - the locking device comprises, at the distal end, a connecting rod on one side to a second end of the rod, and on the other side to the second ring;
[0021] - each door is mounted on a hinge comprising an axle, each axle being attached to a portion of the disc, the corresponding ring having 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 extends out of the notch when the door is in the closed position.
[0022] 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 accompanying figures, among which:
[0023] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic profile view of a launching device according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;
[0024] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents a partial perspective view of the launching device of Fig.1, seen from its proximal end, with the door in the closed position;
[0025] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] represents a partial perspective view of the launching device of the [Fig.1], seen from its proximal end, with the door in the open position;
[0026] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] presents a partial perspective view of the launching device of the [Fig.1], seen from its distal end;
[0027] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a rod equipping the launching device of the [Fig.1].
[0028] Figures 1 to 4 show a projectile launching device 10, in particular intended to equip a marine or submarine vehicle.
[0029] The launching device 10 comprises a launching tube 12, extending longitudinally between a proximal end 14, shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a distal end 16, shown in [Fig.4].
[0030] The launch tube 12 extends between an interior area of the vehicle and an exterior area. For this purpose, the launch tube 12 passes through a watertight hull 13 as well as two ballast walls 15a, 15b.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] Each of the doors 18, 20 is equipped with a conventional actuation means, allowing it to be opened and closed. In particular, each door 18, 20 is movable in rotation around a hinge.
[0034] Figure 3 shows the first door 18 in the open position. The first door 18 is movable about a hinge 21, comprising, for example, two fixed shanks 21a connected to the launching tube 12, two movable shanks 21b connected to the door, and an axle 21c connecting the two movable shanks 21b, passing through through the two stationary carriages 21a. In all cases, the hinge 21 preferentially includes the axis 21c which is rotationally fixed to the door 18.
[0035] The second door 20 is also movable around a hinge also comprising an axis fixed in rotation to this second door 20.
[0036] The launching device 10 conventionally includes means for launching the projectile, which will not be described in further detail.
[0037] 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.
[0038] The locking device 22 includes, at the proximal end, a first locking ring 24 surrounding the first door 18.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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. 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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 disk 31, carried by the axis 21c and fixed to this axis 21c, extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis 21c. The first ring 24 has a notch 33 opposite the portion of disk 31 when the first ring 24 is in the unlocked position.
[0045] The portion of the disk 31 is configured to be inserted into the notch 33 when the first door 18 is open, and to extend outside the notch 33 when the first door 18 is closed.
[0046] Thus, when the first door 18 is opened, the first ring 24 is blocked in rotation by the cooperation of the portion of the disk 31 in the notch 33.
[0047] 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.
[0048] The locking device 22 includes, 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.
[0049] Thus, 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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 above. 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] In order to coordinate the positions of the two rings, the locking device 22 includes a ring coordination rod 34, shown in [Fig.5], extending along a longitudinal axis, along the launch tube 12, between a first end 34a and a second end 34b.
[0056] As shown in [Fig. 1], the rod 34 extends outside the launch tube 12, parallel to it. The rod 34 is, for example, supported by bearings 36, which are fixed to an external surface of the launch tube 12.
[0057] Since the rod 34 extends outside the launch tube 12, watertight means for passing through are provided in the ballast walls 15a, 15b and in the watertight hull 13. More particularly, a first watertight means for passing through the wall 38a is provided at the proximal end 14 for the passage of the first end 34a of the rod 34 through the hull 13, and second 38b and third 38c watertight means for passing through the wall are provided in each of the ballast walls 15a, 15b for the passage of the rod 34.
[0058] Preferably, the rod 34 has a first cardan 40a at the first end 34a, and a second cardan 40b at the second end 34b, allowing a change of axis of rotation at the ends.
[0059] The rod 34 is actuated by an actuator, for example an electric or hydraulic actuator.
[0060] Preferably, the locking device 22 includes position sensors for the rod 34, allowing the position of the rod 34 to be known at all times.
[0061] The locking device 22 comprises a locking disc 42 connected to the first end 34a, movable in rotation around an axis preferably eccentric with respect to the center of this disc, and driven in rotation around this axis by the first end 34a.
[0062] The locking disc 42 has an eccentric pin 44, extending outward from the disc parallel to its axis of rotation. Due to its eccentricity, the position of the pin 44 varies when the locking disc 42 rotates. This phenomenon is accentuated by the fact that the locking disc 42 carrying it is driven in rotation by the rod 34 in an eccentric manner.
[0063] The locking device 22 further comprises 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 locking position, and to form a passage for the pin 44 in an unlocking position.
[0064] The locking device 22 further comprises 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.
[0065] For this purpose, the plate 46 includes, 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] Two angular positions of the rod 34 will be considered below.
[0068] 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.
[0069] In a second angular position, the second ring 32 is in its locked position. It is therefore impossible to open the second door 20. On the other hand, 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 into the unlocked position, using the dedicated actuation means 29.
[0070] 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 in [Fig. 2]. The second ring 32 therefore cannot rotate since it is rotationally linked to this locking disc 42 by means of the rod 32.
[0071] 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.
[0072] More specifically, a process for opening / closing the doors will be described below.
[0073] 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 to 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 cooperates with the disc portion of the second door 20.
[0074] 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 to 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 that 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.
[0075] 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
Demands
1. Projectile launching device (10), particularly for a marine or underwater vehicle, comprising a launching tube (12) having, at a proximal end (14), a first door (18), and at a distal end (16), a second door (20), characterized in that it comprises a door locking device (22), comprising: - a first locking ring (24) for the first door (18), movable between a locked position and an unlocked position of the first door (18), - a second locking ring (32) for the second door (20), movable between a locked position and an unlocked position of the second door (20), and - a ring coordination rod (34), movable between a first position in which the second ring (32) is in the unlocked position and the first ring (24) is blocked in the locked position,and a second position in which the second ring (32) is in the locked position and the first ring (24) is free to move in the unlocked position, the rod extending fully outside the launching tube (12).
2. Launching device (10) according to claim 1, wherein 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), 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 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, the second stops being located opposite the second teeth when the second ring (32) is in the locked position, and the second recesses being located opposite second teeth when the second ring (32) is in the unlocked position.
4. Launching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod (34) is guided in rotation about its longitudinal axis, by two bearings (36a, 36b) fixed to an external surface of the launching tube (12).
5. 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).
6. 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).
7. 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.