Launcher for firing in difficult conditions
By using speed sensors to synchronize launches with minimal seawater movement, the system addresses the issue of torpedoes and missiles deviating from the launch axis in stormy conditions, achieving safe and accurate firing on submarines and surface ships.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- RU · RU
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- АРЕФИН ОЛЕГ ЮРЬЕВИЧ
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing launch systems on submarines and surface ships face high accident probabilities during torpedo and missile launches in stormy conditions due to the reciprocating movements of the ship's hull, causing torpedoes and missiles to deviate from the launch axis and collide with the launcher, especially when the ship is in a vertical combat position.
Incorporating a speed sensor to measure the relative movement of seawater or ship's hull in relation to the launcher, allowing for synchronized launches at optimal moments to minimize the deviation of torpedoes and missiles from the launch tube, ensuring safe ejection even in stormy conditions.
Ensures trouble-free launches of torpedoes and missiles by aligning the launch with minimal movement of the seawater relative to the launcher, reducing the risk of collisions and ensuring accurate firing in difficult sea conditions.
Smart Images
Figure 00000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to the field of shipbuilding, namely to launchers for submarines and surface ships with underwater launch of torpedoes sideways from the axis of the hull of a moving ship or underwater launch of torpedoes or aerial launch of missiles in difficult conditions, when the launcher makes reciprocating movements along the vertical axis due to strong agitation of the sea surface across or along the axis of the launcher.
[0002] A submarine (PL) is known with torpedo launch containers (LC) located on each side outside the hull of the submarine, comprising a hull with control equipment inside it and removable-hinged or non-removable LCs with horizontal launch cups for launching weapons or technical means, located on each side outside the hull of the submarine and connected by a cable communication with the control equipment, characterized in that the LCs can be provided with both a device for their vertical rotation to the launch angle and a device for their horizontal rotation to the launch angle. The LCs are also provided with a device for horizontal extension to the launch position (RU 2151711, B63G 8 / 00, B63G 8 / 32, declared 02.02.1999, published 27.06.2000).
[0003] The submarine operates as follows. A command is sent via cable from the control equipment to the horizontal extension device, which extends the launch pad and launch cups to the launch position. A command is sent via cable from the control equipment to the vertical rotation device, which rotates the launch pad and launch cups to the launch angle. After launch or cancellation, the horizontal extension device returns the launch pad and launch cups to their original (stowed) position.
[0004] The disadvantage of such a launcher is that when launching torpedoes with a horizontal turn of the launcher in difficult conditions, when the submarine experiences vertical reciprocating oscillations due to the wave movement of water in the upper layers during strong waves on the sea surface, which, due to the large mass of the submarine, lag behind this wave movement of the sea, the torpedo, when leaving the launch cup of the submarine, can deviate from the axis of the launch cup and touch the edge of the launch cup of the launcher, which can cause an accident during the launch of the torpedo.
[0005] The Arefina is a sea-stump patrol ship, commonly known as a "skartimop," which has two operational positions. In its horizontal, transport position, the skartimop can quickly navigate the seas, while in its vertical, combat position, the skartimop serves as a stable armed platform, as it exhibits virtually no pitching, rolling, or even vertical motion in heavy seas and gale winds. In its vertical combat position, the skartimop is significantly less susceptible to damage than a conventional ship. The Scartimop can be equipped with both torpedo launchers for underwater firing and missile launchers for vertical firing of missiles in the air (RU 2834069, B63B 35 / 00, declared 30.07.2024, published 03.02.2025, Bulletin No. 4).
[0006] The Scartimope-class ship carries out combat duty as follows. In calm weather, the Scartimope-class ship has the same combat capabilities for firing torpedoes and missiles as a conventional warship. In stormy weather, the Scartimope-class ship, in its vertical combat position, oscillates vertically under the action of large waves, since when the sea surface is rough, the water moves up and down without moving horizontally. Due to the Scartimope-class ship's large mass, its vertical motion lags behind the wave motion of the water; that is, due to the wave motion of the sea, the water moves relative to the hull of the Scartimope-class ship, which is in its vertical combat position, reciprocating along the vertical axis of the ship's hull. At the same time, storm gusts of wind blow at high speed along the deck of the Scartimope-class ship, from which missiles are launched.At the same time, due to the vertical position of the hull of the scartimope type ship, which goes deep under water, the hull of the scartimope type ship practically does not experience lateral vibrations under the influence of waves and wind.
[0007] The disadvantage of the scartimope type ship when launching torpedoes or missiles from torpedo launchers and missile launchers when they are installed on the scartimope type ship in difficult conditions, when a strong wind blows and the sea surface is covered with large waves, is the high probability of an accident when launching a torpedo or missile due to the reciprocating movement of the scartimope type ship hull along the vertical axis of the ship hull, which is in a vertical combat position.In this case, when a torpedo is launched underwater, the torpedo body experiences strong lateral pressure at the cut of the launch tube of the launcher, since at the cut of the launch tube of the launcher there is a strong movement of water up and down along the hull of a scartimope-type ship, that is, along the cut of the launch tube of the launcher for firing torpedoes, due to which the torpedo can touch its hull with the inner surface of the launch tube of the launcher, and when a missile is launched vertically from the launcher, the missile body experiences alternating pressure due to high turbulence of the storm wind on the lateral surface of its hull during the launch of the missile, which tends to deflect the missile body from the vertical position, due to which the launched missile can touch its hull with the inner surface of the launch tube of the launcher.It should be noted that conventional ships in such difficult conditions experience not only vertical rolling, but also rolling and pitching, so in stormy conditions on such ships, the use of torpedoes and missile weapons is completely out of the question.
[0008] The closest technical solution, the prototype, is a launch complex containing a launcher, a transport and launch tube with a missile, a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected by a hinge to the launcher and, using electromechanical drives, under the influence of radio signals from the radio control panel, is capable of changing the angular position in the horizontal and vertical planes, while the video camera and optical quantum generator mounted on the control unit simultaneously change their angular position (RU 2835488, F41F 3 / 04, F41G 7 / 28, declared 7.11.2023, published 25.02.2025, Bulletin No. 6).
[0009] This technical solution operates as follows. A portable anti-tank missile system is pre-installed on the launcher at a firing position. The operator, using a remote control, takes cover and observes the target on the battlefield using a video camera and monitor. The target and crosshair are displayed on the control panel monitor. Using the levers on the control panel, the operator aims the crosshair at the target, presses the "Launch" button on the control panel, and the missile is launched from the transport and launch tube. Simultaneously, the optical quantum generator is activated and the target is illuminated with a laser. The operator maintains the crosshair on the target until the missile hits it. The portable anti-tank missile system, with remote radio control, allows for the engagement of armored and other targets by launching and controlling the missile from cover.
[0010] The disadvantage of this technical solution is that it is installed in a firing position on the ground, that is, it is not intended for installation on ships, especially in stormy conditions and with strong sea surface roughness, when the launcher experiences strong up-and-down reciprocating motion.
[0011] The aim of the invention is to more reliably launch a missile or torpedo in difficult conditions with a strong up-and-down reciprocating movement of the launcher, with a variable difference in the speed of movement of the launcher and the water environment, or a strong wind along the deck, under which the missile or torpedo is launched.
[0012] The essence of the invention lies in the use in the control unit for launching a torpedo or a missile of a speed sensor, for example, the speed of movement of seawater relative to the hull of a ship of the Scartimop type on which a launcher for underwater torpedo firing is installed, or a speed sensor for the movement of the hull of a ship of the Scartimop type along the vertical axis of the hull of a ship of the Scartimop type, which is in a combat, vertical position when firing missiles in the air in the vertical direction, which makes it possible to launch a torpedo or a missile either during minimal movement of seawater relative to the cut of the launch tube of the launcher for underwater torpedo firing, or, for example, at a certain time of movement of the launcher up and down when firing missiles in the vertical direction, in which the missile leaves the launch tube faster due to the difference in the speed of movement of the hull of the ship and the hull of the missile when launching the missile.
[0013] Figure 1 shows a Scartimop type ship in a vertical combat position, armed with a launcher for firing torpedoes underwater in difficult conditions and a launcher for firing missiles in the air in difficult conditions in stormy weather with a very rough sea surface.
[0014] Fig. 2 shows view A in Fig. 1 of a launcher for firing torpedoes in difficult conditions with a control unit.
[0015] Fig. 3 shows a launcher for firing missiles in difficult conditions with a control unit.
[0016] Figure 4 shows graphs of the vertical movement of water in the waves on which a Scartimope-type ship is rocking, the hull of a Scartimope-type ship, and the vertical movement of seawater relative to the hull of a Scartimope-type ship in a combat, vertical position.
[0017] Figure 1 shows a patrol ship 1 of the Scartimope type in a vertical, combat, position, on the hull 2 of which a launcher 3 is installed for firing torpedoes in a lateral direction in a submerged position under difficult conditions, including, for example, three launch tubes 4 and, for example, a single launcher 5 for firing missiles vertically upward under difficult conditions, including a launch tube 6. A missile 7 is loaded into the launch tube 6. Also, the launch tube 6 has a front cover 9, fixed on an axis 10. Figure 1 shows stormy weather conditions at the combat duty site of the patrol ship 1 of the Scartimope type. Therefore, along the deck 8 of the patrol ship of the 1st type of scartimop, a strong gusty wind blows with the speed of Vwind, and the surface of the sea 11 is covered with large waves 12. In fact, waves 12 are the vertical movement of water up and down with the speed of +Vwaves / -Vwaves. In Fig.2 shows view A of the launcher 3 for firing torpedoes in difficult conditions, which shows that a torpedo 13 is loaded in the launch tube 4 of the launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions. The launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions has a front cover 14 that can rotate on an axis 15 and a rear cover 16 that can rotate on an axis 17, as well as a firing device 18 that provides for the hydraulic launch of the torpedo 13 from the launch tube 4. Also, the launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions has a control unit 19, to which the "Start" button 20 is connected and a movement speed sensor 21, which measures the movement speed of the seawater relative to the launcher 3 along the vertical axis Vzab.vody. The output of the control unit 19 is connected to the input of the firing device 18. The front cover 14 opens before the launch of the torpedo 25 by rotating on the axis 15, so that it does not interfere with the launch of the torpedo 13.Torpedo 13 is loaded through rear hatch 16 in the horizontal transport position of hull 2 of the Type 1 Scartimope. To do this, rear hatch 16 opens by rotating it relative to axis 17.
[0018] Figure 3 shows a launcher 5 for firing missiles vertically upwards in difficult conditions with a missile 7 loaded into a launch tube 6, which includes a control unit 22, to which a "Launch" button 23 is connected, and a movement speed sensor 24, which measures the movement speed of the housing 2 on which the launcher 5 is mounted along the vertical axis Vcorp. The output of the control unit 22 is connected to the missile launch input 7.
[0019] Figure 4 shows a graph of the vertical movement of water in waves Vwaves, on which a ship of the Scartimop type is rocking, a graph of the vertical movement of the hull of a ship of the Scartimop type Vcorp and a graph of the vertical movement of seawater relative to the hull of a ship of the Scartimop type Vzab.vody, which is in a combat, vertical position.
[0020] Launcher 3 for firing torpedoes in a submerged position in difficult conditions, installed on a Type 1 Scartimope ship in a vertical combat position, operates in heavy seas as follows. Since the sea surface 11 is covered by large waves 12, in which the water moves up and down at a speed of +Vwaves / -Vwaves, hull 2 of Type 1 Scartimope ship, in a vertical combat position, also moves up and down in the vertical direction at a speed of Vcorp. Since hull 2 of Type 1 Scartimope ship in a vertical combat position is little subject to lateral motion under the action of waves 12, it can be considered that it moves only up and down under the action of waves.Given the large mass of Type 1 Scartimopes and the greater diving depth of Hull 2 of Type 1 Scartimopes in the vertical combat position compared to the above-water portion of Hull 2 in this position, the lateral oscillations of Hull 2 of Type 1 Scartimopes under the influence of wind blowing at the speed of Vwind can be neglected. Thus, for underwater torpedo firing in this case, only the seawater velocity Vzab.water relative to Hull 2, on which Launcher 3 is installed for firing in difficult conditions, is important. The vertical velocity of Hull 2 Vhull lags behind the water velocity in the waves Vwaves due to the large mass of Type 1 Scartimopes. At the same time, the vertical velocity of Hull 2 Vhull is less than the water velocity in the waves Vwaves since their oscillation periods are the same, and the greater mass of Hull 2 is harder to rock. Thus, the seawater velocity Vzab.The velocity of water is the difference between the velocity of water in waves Vwaves and the velocity of hull 2 Vcorp, which are highly correlated but differ in amplitude and phase, so that Vab.water differs significantly from zero. The velocity of seawater Vab.water can be measured by water velocity sensor 21 if it is installed on hull 2 or on launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions. Approximate graphs of Vwaves, Vcorp, and Vab.water are shown in Fig. 4. Moreover, at certain moments in time, the velocity Vab.water relative to the exit of launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions will be minimal or even equal to zero, sections "a" and "b". Obviously, for the safe launch of torpedo 13, it must be launched precisely at the moment when the velocity of seawater Vab.water relative to the exit of launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions is minimal.To this end, when preparing to fire torpedo 13 from launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions, front cover 14 is opened and rotates around axis 15 so that it will not interfere with the launch of torpedo 13. Control unit 19 receives and processes data on the seawater velocity Vzab.vody received from sensor 21 over time and identifies the moments in time, time intervals, and their periodicity in time when Vzab.vody is minimal or equal to zero. When button 20 "Launch" is pressed, control unit 19 issues the command to launch torpedo 13 not immediately, but precisely at the moment in time when the seawater velocity Vzab.vody is minimal or equal to zero at the time when torpedo 13 leaves launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions. Thus, in the launcher 3 for firing in difficult conditions, a trouble-free launch of a torpedo in the lateral direction relative to the hull 2 of the ship of the 1 type of scartimop located in the combat, vertical, position is ensured.The loading of the torpedo 13 into the launch tube 4 is carried out through the rear cover 16, which is opened by rotating around the axis 17, in the transport, horizontal position of the hull 2 of the ship 1 of the scartimop type.
[0021] Launcher 5 for firing missiles 7 in difficult conditions under storm conditions with a very rough sea surface 11 operates as follows. Launcher 5 for firing in difficult conditions is located vertically in the combat, vertical, position of hull 2 of the ship 1 of the Scartimop type. Since in the combat, vertical, position hull 2 of the ship 1 of the Scartimop type is little subject to lateral rolling under the action of the wind blowing at the speed Vwind and waves 12, it can be considered that it moves under the action of waves 12 only up and down at the speed Vcorp. When preparing for the launch of missile 7, front cover 9 is opened by rotating on axis 10 so as not to interfere with the launch of missile 7. Control unit 22 receives data from sensor 24 of the speed of movement of hull 2 in the vertical direction Vcorp, for example, due to the use of an accelerometer as such sensor 24.Since the up-and-down movements of hull 2 are periodic, as they arise from waves 12 on the surface of sea 11, control unit 22 can predict the vertical movement of hull 2. When button 23 "Launch" is pressed, control unit 22 delays the command to launch missile 7 until the beginning of the nearest of these time intervals, for example, until the beginning of interval "c" in Fig. 4, when launcher 5 moves with maximum upward speed, but when missile 7 begins to exit launch tube 6, hull 2 of patrol ship type Scartimop begins to reduce its upward speed. This reduces the time it takes for missile 7 to leave launch tube 6.Or the control unit 22 can delay the passage of the "Launch" command until the beginning of the time interval "d", which is correlated with the movement of hull 2 of the ship 1 of the scartimop type so that the launch of the missile 7 is carried out at zero speed of movement Vcorp of hull 2 while starting to gain speed of movement downwards, which also reduces the time of leaving the missile 7 of the launch tube 6. That is, the launch of the missile 7 is carried out at a time so that the storm wind blowing at the speed Vwind along the deck 8 has a minimal deflecting effect on the missile 7, due to the reduction in the time of exit of the missile 7 from the launch tube 6 due to the reverse movement of the launcher 5 installed on hull 2 of the ship 1 of the scartimop type, since after the start of the launch of the missile 7 it is not connected with the launch tube 6, from the start of the launch of the missile 7 until the moment of its complete exit from the launch tube 6. The missile 7 is loaded into the launch tube 6 from above by a crane known way.To protect the missile 7 from external influences during transportation and before the launch of the missile 7, the launch tube 6 is closed with a cover 9, which opens during the launch of the missile by rotating around the axis 10. The missile 7 can be loaded into the launch tube 6 in a transport and launch container (not shown).
[0022] Thus, the proposed technical solution ensures trouble-free launch of torpedo 13 in a submerged position, or missile 7 during vertical air launch, under difficult firing conditions during a storm and strong sea surface roughness, when hull 2 of patrol ship type 1 of the Scartimopes moves up and down under the action of waves or in a strong wind by synchronizing the launch of torpedo 13 or missile 7 with the most favorable moment in time of up and down movement of hull 2 of ship type 1 of the Scartimopes for trouble-free launch of torpedo 13 or missile 7.
Claims
1. A launcher for firing in difficult conditions, including a launch tube with covers, a control unit and a "Start" button connected to the control unit, characterized in that it additionally includes a vertical axis speed sensor, the output of which is connected to the input of the control unit, wherein the control unit, based on the speed sensor data, detects periodic changes in direction and speed along the vertical axis, and the command from the "Start" button is executed at the most favorable moment for launching the ammunition.
2. A launcher for firing in difficult conditions according to paragraph 1, in which firing is carried out with torpedoes in a submerged position, and a speed sensor is used as a speed sensor relative to the launcher for firing in difficult conditions.
3. A launcher for firing in difficult conditions according to paragraph 2, in which the launcher for firing in difficult conditions is installed on a ship of the scartimop type, the hull of which is positioned vertically in the combat position, the speed sensor measures the speed of the sea water, which moves up and down relative to the hull of the ship in conditions of strong roughness of the sea surface, and the control unit, based on its data, calculates the most favorable moment for launching the torpedo.
4. A launcher for firing in difficult conditions according to paragraph 3, in which the torpedo is launched in a submerged position in a lateral direction, and the most favorable moment for executing the “Launch” command is the moment at which the torpedo is launched during the lowest speed of movement of the seawater relative to the launcher for firing in difficult conditions under conditions of strong sea surface roughness.
5. A launcher for firing in difficult conditions according to paragraph 1, in which firing is carried out with missiles in the air.
6. A launcher for firing in difficult conditions according to paragraph 5, in which the launcher for firing in difficult conditions is installed on a ship of the Scartimop type, the hull of which is positioned vertically in the combat position, the speed sensor measures the speed of up and down movement of the hull of the ship in conditions of strong roughness of the sea surface, and the control unit, based on its data, calculates the most favorable moment for launching the missile.
7. A launcher for firing according to paragraph 6, in which the missile is launched vertically upwards in the air.