USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Systems Engineering Associates Corporation

Daniel M Godfrey

Gary R Berlam

Mark Chester

David A Lussier

Kenneth G Sharpe

Michael J Lanowy

Mark A Rodrigues

A retrofitable breech is disclosed for use on existing tubes for launching vehicles, such as torpedoes. The breech utilizes gas generators such as commercial off the shelf automotive airbag inflators, for propelling the torpedo from the tube. A plurality, typically three or four, generators are used and are fired in sequence with a controlled time delay. A retrofitable device is also disclosed for activating the weapons securing mechanism to release the torpedo. In addition, a release mechanism is disclosed for pulling the electrical connector plug on the torpedo. The sequence of releasing the torpedo, retraction of the plug and firing the inflators is controlled by a controller upon initiation of the firing sequence.

Torpedo launch mechanism and method

A release link for interconnecting first and second cables, includes a cylinder having an open first end and an aperture through a second end, a collar fixed to the cylinder first end, and having an annular internal flange, and a guide washer slidably disposed in the collar second end. The link further includes a piston extending through the cylinder aperture and through the guide washer, the piston including a neck portion and a head portion disposed at a first end of the piston. A cap is connectable to the collar. Balls are adapted to be disposed adjacent the piston neck portion and radially adjacent the collar internal flange. A spring is disposed in the cylinder and biases the guide washer toward the balls. A first connector is on the cap for attachment to the first cable, and a second connector is on a second end of the piston for attachment to the second cable. Tension on the cables exceeding the bias of the spring is operative to move the guide washer and the piston, to move the balls from radial adjacency to the collar internal flange, to permit the piston to disengage from the cylinder.

Release link for interconnected cables

A water-impact release mechanism has a hub with a first sleeve coupled thto. The first sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially distributed holes therein. A spring assembly, coupled to the hub, extends into the first sleeve. In a relaxed state, the spring assembly obstructs the holes while, in a compressed state, the spring assembly does not obstruct the holes. A second sleeve, concentric with the first sleeve, is elastically coupled to the hub and biased away therefrom. The second sleeve has an inwardly-facing annular groove. A ball resides in each of the holes and is large enough to extend beyond the confines of its hole. When the bias of the second sleeve is overcome, the annular groove aligns with the holes in the first sleeve thereby allowing the radial outward movement of the balls. A plate, coupled to the second sleeve, extends radially outward therefrom to define a water-impact surface. Water-impact forces impinging on the plate cause the bias of the second sleeve to be overcome such that the second sleeve abuts the hub.

Water-impact release mechanism

Apparatus for launching a device from a vessel includes a launcher having a air of launch bay doors retractable within a launch bay, and first and second connection mechanisms for holding first and second ends of the device. The connection mechanisms extend the device partially out of the launch bay simultaneous with the retraction of the bay doors into the launch bay. The first connection mechanism releases the first end of the device while the second connection mechanism rotatably holds the second end of the device. This allows the device to rotate away from the launch bay until a preset position is reached at which point the second end of the device separates from the second connection mechanism allowing the device to move away from the launcher.

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Kingstown, RI, United States of America

Daniel M Godfrey