USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Systems Engineering Associates Corporation

Gary R Berlam

Ivan N Kirschner

Nicholas Bitsakis

Daniel M Godfrey

Laurent C Bissonnette

George M Duarte

Michael W Williams

Brenda Brennan MacLeod

Laurence M Dean

Clifford M Curtis

David A Lussier

Peter R Bodycoat

James A Lilley

Byron G Sjoblom

Kenneth G Sharpe

Michael J Lanowy

Mark A Rodrigues

A launch tube assembly including an aft launch tube portion, a forward launch tube portion, and a transfer sleeve having a first end fixed to and adjacent the forward end of said aft launch tube portion and a second end adjustably receiving the forward launch tube portion. A forward end of the aft launch tube portion faces a rearward end of the forward launch tube portion within the transfer sleeve. An adjustable plenum is present having a volume within the transfer sleeve defined by an adjusted distance between the facing ends of aft and forward launch tube portions. An end cap is pinned to a forward end of the forward launch tube portion, a gas generator housed in the aft launch tube portion, and a countermeasure device is housed in the forward launch tube portion. An adjustably selected volume of the plenum is such that a gas generated by the gas generator will enable propulsion of the countermeasure device at a predetermined acceleration from the forward launch tube portion.

Launch tube with adjustable plenum

A flow meter strut assembly includes a strut portion having a first end plate, a second end plate, a longitudinally adjustable flow meter support structure between.the first and second end plates, and curved mounting surfaces formed on outer surfaces of each of the first and second end plates of the strut portion. At least one flow meter is adjustably mounted on the flow meter support structure. The flow meter support structure is adjustable longitudinally by a turnbuckle assembly connected between the flow meter support structure and the second end plate.

Flow meter strut

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

An actuated recoil absorbing mounting system is used to reduce recoil velties and to absorb the recoil energy from an underwater projectile launcher, such as a high discharge energy underwater gun. The recoil absorbing mounting system includes a projectile launcher frame that supports the projectile launcher during firing. The projectile launcher frame is slideably supported by one or more launcher frame supports to allow movement substantially in a linear direction. One or more recoil plates are coupled to the underwater projectile launcher frame to provide hydrodynamic added or virtual mass and damping to the projectile launcher frame and projectile launcher. The recoil absorbing mounting system further includes one or more actuators for repositioning or returning the projectile launcher frame and projectile launcher to an original position after firing.

Actuated recoil absorbing mounting system for use with an underwater gun

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

A baffled muzzle brake and seal system for submerged gun operation includes a muzzle brake chamber mounted to the muzzle of a submerged gun barrel. A baffle assembly mounted within the chamber deflects the propellant gasses produced by operation of the gun and sabot fragments into an annular cher surrounding the baffle assembly while allowing passage of a projectile through the assembly. A valve seal in the muzzle end of the muzzle brake chamber cycles between a fully open condition, to allow passage of the projectile, and a fully closed position, to seal the muzzle brake chamber against the entry of water. At least one pressurized air input allows the muzzle brake chamber to be pressurized when the seal is not in the fully closed position, thereby preventing entry of water. A gas exhaust provides a means for removing propellant gasses from the chamber.

Baffled muzzle brake and seal system for submerged gun operation

A test assembly for testing an underwater gun in a tank of liquid includes or disposition in the tank in the liquid, a mount for accepting and retaining the gun to be tested, a plurality of baffle plates, each having an aperture therethrough for alignment with a muzzle portion of the gun, a plurality of witness screens for alignment with the gun muzzle portion, a plurality of motion detection sensors for alignment with the apertures of the baffle plates, and a bullet receptacle for alignment with the gun muzzle portion for receiving a bullet fired from the gun. The invention further contemplates a method for testing underwater guns, utilizing the above assembly.

Assembly and method for testing an underwater gun

A device for use as a muzzle brake for an underwater gun having a project conveying structure with concentric inner and outer cylinders. The inner cylinder has at least one longitudinal slot formed therein. A sealing means joins the projectile conveying structure to the underwater gun at the structure's first end. A second end of the structure is provided with a seal for closing the second end after a projectile is fired through it. A piston having an aperture therethrough is positioned inside the inner cylinder and is axially moveable therein adjacent the longitudinal slot. An actuator is positioned between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. Actuator links through the longitudinal slot connect the piston with the actuator. After a projectile is fired through the projectile conveying structure to displace the piston from its initial position, the actuator means returns the piston to that initial position to ready the device for reuse.

Muzzle brake for an underwater gun

A system for launching a projectile includes a source of stored energy such s a pressurized fluid, a projectile within a launch barrel which communicates with the source of pressurized fluid, a fluid flow path between the two having at least one flow port, an object for blocking the at least one flow port and a valve for moving the blocking object and thereby allowing the pressurized fluid to enter the launch barrel and initiate launch of the projectile. The valve for moving the blocking object communicates directly with the energy storage device of the launch system and is used to move the blocking means by introducing fluid against a rear face thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, the blocking object may be a disposable poppet. In an alternative embodiment, it may be the projectile itself. The launch system of the present invention has the advantages of being relatively simple, quiet and highly reliable. It also has the advantage of very rapidly opening a flow port substantially equal in size to the projectile to be launched.

Pressure balanced fast opening firing system for a stored energy

A firing assembly for a stored energy projectile launcher of the type hav an energy storage device that is pressurized by a fluid. The projectile is mechanically latched in its launch tube and the aft end of the projectile cooperates with the breach end of the launch tube to define a breach chamber that communicates with and is pressurized with the bladder. A valve in a line from the breach chamber is electrically controlled to move a piston and release the mechanical latch when fluid pressure is provided to the piston chamber. The pressure used to overcome the force needed to raise the piston is taken from the energy storage device. No addition of energy to the system is required, with the exception of a short electrical impulse signal, to open a full port valve acting instantaneously on the rear face of the projectile.

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Warwick, RI, United States of America

Gary R Berlam