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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to launch mechanisms and more particularly
to underwater launch mechanisms.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
As is known in the art, there generally exist two categories of submarine
launch mechanisms. A first category includes those launchers which are
internally mounted in a ship. A second category include those launchers
which are mounted external to the hull of a ship.
Conventional internally mounted underwater launch systems generally include
tube launchers that use a containment tube disposed inside a submarine or
a ship. Such underwater launch mechanisms incorporate environmentally
sealing, remotely operated muzzle and breech end doors, flooding and
drainage systems, and a launch impetus system to expel a device from the
launching system.
Internally mounted launchers can be reloaded at sea using devices stored
inside the submarine or surface ship. These launchers are generally
relatively large, complicated and heavy, and require several minutes to
reload. A submarine based system places large demands on the ship's
available space and ballast since all launcher equipment, loading and
handling equipment and devices are located inside the submarine and are
typically concentrated in one magazine area. Furthermore such internally
mounted launchers typically generate a relatively large noise signature
during launch.
External submarine launchers can be mounted on a stabilizer support, a
rudder support, or the sail of a submarine. External type launchers
generally incorporate a containment tube to stow and protect the device
prior to launch. Such external launchers may require a launch impetus
system to expel the devices, and may incorporate environmentally sealed
doors to protect the devices prior to launch.
The size and number of devices such external launchers can carry is
severely limited by their mounting location. These launchers are generally
not reloaded at sea. The noise signature generated by such externally
mounted launch systems during launch varies depending on the type of
launch impetus used, if any.
It would, therefor be desirable to provide a relatively compact launch
system which can be internally or externally mounted on a ship.
Furthermore in some applications, such as military applications for
example, it is desirable to provide such a compact launch system having a
relatively quiet noise signature upon launching of a device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general purpose and object of the present invention to
provide a compact launch system for launching underwater vehicles,
countermeasures, or other devices.
It is a further object that such launch system be reliable, and therefore
mechanically simple.
Another object is that the launch system have a relatively low acoustic
signature during launch.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a launcher for launching
devices from a vessel which includes front and rear connectors coupled to
movable collets which travel in tracks disposed perpendicular to the
vessel's hull surface. With this arrangement a relatively compact
launching system having a relatively quiet noise signature is provided.
The launching system can be used to launch devices including but not
limited to underwater vehicles, torpedoes, encapsulated missiles, mines,
and countermeasure devices having a substantially cylindrical cross
section. The length to diameter ratio of such devices is typically be
greater than five. The launcher system utilizes the weight or buoyancy of
the device to separate the device from the host vessel. The launcher can
be disposed on the vessel such that the device can be launched from a
bottom surface of the vessel. Thus, in such applications the device should
be negatively buoyant. Alternatively, the launcher can be disposed on the
vessel such that the device can be launched from a top surface of the
vessel such as the top surface of a submarine for example. In such
applications, the device should be positively buoyant. Thus, to ensure a
safe launch trajectory, the device can be either negatively buoyant and
launched from the bottom of a surface vessel or submarine, or positively
buoyant and launched from the top of a submarine. The device is stored in
a free flooding (not environmentally sealed) launch bay having a
longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal access of the host ship. Each
device is stored in a dedicated launch bay having opening doors and a
launch mechanism. Thus the launcher cannot ordinarily be reloaded at sea.
The launcher can be installed external or internal to the ship's external
hull. When the launcher is externally mounted, the launcher can have a
shape selected to present a minimum frontal area to reduce hydrodynamic
drag and flow noise generated by such external installations. When the
launcher is internally mounted, however, the launcher requires a minimum
of interior space. A compact and quiet launcher is especially advantageous
in military applications to maximize efficient use of space while
minimizing the impact on the vessel's operating envelope and radiated
noise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing features of this invention as well as the invention itself
may be more fully understood from the following detailed description of
the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the launch system of the current invention with
the bay doors closed;
FIG. 1A is an end view of the launch system of the current invention
employing a drive screw;
FIG 1B is an end view of the launch system of the current invention
employing a fluidic actuator;
FIG. 1C is a side view of the launch system of the current invention with
the bay doors opened;
FIG. 1D is a detail view of the second connection mechanism of the
inventive device.
FIGS. 2 and 2A are a series of views showing a device being launched using
the launch system of FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 3-3C are a series of end views showing the steps in a launch process.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show use of a spring induced separation force in a launch
system of the current invention.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show use of a drogue parachute to provide a separation
force in a launch system of the current invention.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show use of an electromagnetic force to provide a
separation force in a launch system of the current invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Throughout the several drawings, like elements are provided having like
reference designations.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an underwater delivery system or launcher 10, is
shown disposed in a portion of a vessel 11. The vessel 11 may be provided
as a surface ship or a submarine for example. The launcher 10 includes
first and second connection mechanisms 14, 12 coupled to first and second
ends 16a, 16b of a device 16 to be launched from a launch bay 18.
First and second connection mechanisms 12 and 14 are disposed on collets
24. As collets 24 are lowered along drive screws 23, actuator arms 28 open
bay doors 20a, 20b (FIG. 1A) generally denoted by 20, device 16 is
simultaneously lowered from launch bay 18. Drive screws 23 are coupled on
one end to vessel 11 using any conventional technique. Drive mechanisms 13
are coupled to drive screws 23 and are provided for turning the screws 23
in first and second opposite directions.
Connection mechanism 14 includes a first latch 29a disposed on collet 24
and coupled to end 16a of device 16. In the preferred embodiment,
connection mechanism 12 includes a pin 15 having a first end thereof
rotatably coupled to a pivoting latch 29b. A second end of pin 15 is
removably coupled to end 16b of device 16. See FIG. 1D.
In FIG. 1, device 16 is shown secured in the stowed position of launch bay
18 with a pair of launch bay doors 20a, 20b, (FIG. 1A) generally denoted
20, in a closed position. In the stowed position, supporting chocks
22a-22c are disposed to support device 16 to allow device 16 to withstand
shock loading due to high impact forces.
Referring now to FIG. 1A, there is shown an end view of the inventive
device with doors 20a, and 20b partially open. Doors 20a, 20b, are coupled
to moveable collet 24 through actuator arms 28. Collet 24 can travel in
optional tracks (not shown) which define and confine the motion of collet
24. Such tracks can, for example, be located along a centerline 19 of
launch bay 18 at front and rear ends of launch bay 18. Collets 24 are
moved via a drive mechanism here provided as drive screw 23 about which
collet 24 is disposed.
Drive screw 23 can rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise
directions. In response to the drive screw 23 rotating in a first
direction, collet 24 moves to the external end 23a of the drive screw 23.
In response to the drive screw 23 rotating in a second direction, the
collet 24 moves to the internal end 23b of the drive screw 23.
A first end of each actuator arm 28 is rotatably coupled to collet 24 and a
second end of each actuator arm is rotatably coupled to one of the bay
doors 20a, 20b at connection point 27. Bay doors 20a, 20b rotate on hinge
pins 26 located inside launch bay 18 such that doors 20a, 20b rotate and
retract inside launch bay 18 when doors 20a, 20b, are opened. As mentioned
above, when collet 24 is lowered along drive screw 23, actuator arms 28
open bay doors 20a, 20b and device 16 is simultaneously lowered from
launch bay 18. Thus, drive screw 23, collet 24 and actuator arms 28
together provide a door actuating launch mechanism 21.
Referring briefly to FIG 1B, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the
inventive device employing a fluidic actuator 30 in place of drive screw
23 and collet 24. A fixed end 32 of actuator 30 is coupled to the inner
surface of launch bay 18. A moveable rod 34 of actuator 30 extends toward
bay doors 20a and 20b. Moveable rod 34 has a terminator 24' coupled
thereto. Actuator arms 28 and connection mechanisms 12 and 14 (FIG. 1) are
coupled to terminator 24' and in response to movements of rod 34 bay doors
20a and 20b open while lowering device 16. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize, of course, that other mechanisms can also be used to
lower device 16 and open launch bay doors 20.
Referring again to FIG. 1A, in this particular embodiment, bay doors 20a,
20b are each provided having a width greater than one half the diameter of
the device 16 to thus ensure clearance is provided while the doors 20 are
opened and to ensure complete closure when the doors 20 are closed.
Furthermore, the bay doors 20a, 20b have a length selected to be longer
than the device 16 to allow clearance for actuating launch mechanism 21.
It is recognized, of course, that doors 20a, 20b can have any length and
width selected to expose an opening in launcher 18 through which device 16
can be launched. Moreover, in some applications it may be desirable to
provide the doors 20a, 20b having widths and lengths which are not equal.
Referring now to FIG. 1C, device 16 is coupled to collets 24 via connection
mechanisms 12 and 14 which, as mentioned above, are here provided from pin
15, and latches 29a, 29b. Thus, when bay doors 20 are in the fully open
position, a centerline 17 of device 16 is located beyond the outer surface
11a of vessel 11 and of launcher 18.
Positioning device 16 prior to release such that the mid point 17 of device
16 is beyond all launcher/vessel structures prevents interference between
device 16 and launcher/vessel during launch. Furthermore, retraction of
doors 20a, 20b into the cavity in which the device 16 is stored minimizes
the possibility of interference occurring between device 16 and doors 20a,
20b.
Doors 20a, 20b need not provide a watertight seal and need not be pressure
hardened. Thus the complexity of doors 20a, 20b and door actuating/launch
mechanism 21 is minimized.
Referring now to FIG. 2, when collet 24a at the forward end 16a of device
16 reaches the end of its stroke, latch 29a (FIG. 1) is actuated to
release the first end 16a of the device 16. Gravity (or buoyancy) then
causes the first end 16a of device 16 to rotate down (or up), while the
second end 16b of the device 16 is still attached to second collet 24b at
the rearward end 16b of device 16.
As device 16 rotates into a flow field caused by movement of the vessel's
hull 11 through the water, hydrodynamic drag causes first end 16a of the
device 16 to accelerate rapidly away from the host vessel. When device 16
rotates to a predetermined position, here corresponding to a position
wherein the central longitudinal axis 17 of device 16 is approximately
perpendicular to surface 11a of vessel 11, the weight (or buoyancy) of
device 16 separates pin 15 from device 16 at end 16b, allowing device 16
to drop (or rise) safely away from vessel 11. After launch, collets 24 are
retracted into launch bay 18 thus closing bay doors 20.
Quiet operation is thus achieved by using gravity or buoyancy as the launch
impetus. Quietness of operation can be further enhanced by providing drive
mechanism 13 as a low speed drive mechanism for actuating launch mechanism
21.
The amount of transient noise provided by launcher 10 during the launch
cycle can be reduced by controlling the acceleration rate of the drive
mechanism upon start up and the deceleration upon stopping. Furthermore by
providing launcher system 10 with doors 20a, 20b which retract into the
launch cavity when open and cover at least a portion of the launch cavity
when closed, flow noise before and during launch is minimized.
By providing a single mechanism for both door activation and device
deployment, launcher 10 allows device deployment from a reliable and
simple mechanism. Furthermore, full launch system redundancy is aided by
providing a plurality of separate launch systems 10 for a corresponding
plurality of devices 16. This approach eliminates internal weapons
handling that is required if one launch mechanism is used for several
devices and also reduces overall system complexity.
If the device 16 is provided as a neutrally buoyant device, then a
separating force can be used to launch a device by employing a force other
than gravity (or buoyancy) to separate device 16 from vessel 11. Such a
separating force can be provided, for example, by springs, a drogue
parachute or an electromagnetic induced force.
FIG. 4A shows a spring 32 mounted between vessel 11 and device 16. Upon
release of latch 29, spring 32 uncoils as shown in FIG. 4B to provide a
separating force in absence of an external force. FIG. 5A shows a drogue
parachute 34 joined to the forward part of device 16 to provide a
separating force. In FIG. 5B drogue parachute 34 is shown deployed to
allow hydrodynamic forces to separate device 16 from vessel 11. FIG. 6A
shows an electromagnet 36 and a magnet 38 deployed on vessel 11 and device
16 respectively. Upon extension of launch mechanism, FIG. 6B shows
activation of electromagnet 36 to provide a electromagnetically induced
repulsive force between vessel 11 and device 16.
As shown in FIGS. 3-3C, in operation device 16 is lowered out of the launch
bay 18 simultaneous with the opening of the bay doors 20a, 20b. In FIG. 3
device 16 is shown in the stowed position with bay doors 20a, 20b closed.
Thus, collet 24 is positioned at the end 23b of drive screw 23. (See FIGS.
3A-3C).
Referring now to FIG. 3A, collet 24 has moved along drive screw 23 a
predetermined distance and consequently actuator arms 28 have moved a
corresponding distance to provide an opening between doors 20a, 20b.
Furthermore, device 16 has simultaneously been lowered a distance
corresponding to the distance which collet 24 has moved. It should be
noted that the opening between doors 20a, 20b is of sufficient distance to
ensure that no interference between device 16 and doors 20a, 20b occurs.
Referring now to FIG. 3B, collet 24 has moved further along screw 23
resulting in corresponding movements of actuator arms 28, doors 20a, 20b
and device 16 as shown. It should be noted that movements of device 16
occur simultaneously with movements of doors 20a, 20b.
Referring now to FIG. 3C, collet 24 has reached end 23a of screw 23.
Consequently, doors 20a, 20b are fully open and are retracted within the
launch cavity. The center line of device 16 is beyond outer surface wall
11a and thus is disposed in the flow field of the vessel as described
above in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 2A.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will now become
apparent to one of skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating
the concepts can be used. It is felt, therefore, that these embodiments
should not be limited to disclosed embodiments but rather should be
limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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