USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Spx Corporation

James C Butts

Wayne C Tucker

Christa M Reise

Leonard E Burgmyer

Stephen F Oliver

Earl S Nickerson

David A Abdow

William S Wilkinson

Raymond A St Amand

Jeffrey H Steinkamp

Donald L Cox

A torpedo tail mounted dispenser (TMD) for deploying an elongated, flexible article generally along a deployment axis, which includes a receptacle for storing the article in a multiple-turn, multiple-layer configuration about the deployment axis in a storage volume. There is also a torpedo connector mechanism having a terminal forward face and a lateral peripheral surface extending away from the receptacle along the deployment axis. An elastomeric cushioning feature is mounted on the lateral peripheral surface of the connector mechanism. An annular elastomeric bumper is mounted on a forward peripheral face of the cushioning feature, the annular opening of the bumper surrounding the connector mechanism to allow connection of the TMD to a torpedo. The bumper provides protection to the TMD and torpedo under certain shock and vibration levels.

Torpedo mounted dispenser incorporating a shock mount bumper

A retractable radome strake is provided that includes an assembly of finger elements. The assembly of finger elements, when coupled to a radome, deflect at wind speeds greater than approximately twenty mph or wind pressures greater than approximately one psf. Accordingly, the retractable radome strake does not unnecessarily contribute to the wind load of a radome enclosed antenna structure when the strakes are not needed.

Retractable radome strake and method

A calibrated stop bolt is provided for measuring the dynamic load transmitted to the calibrated stop bolt during a shock test. The stop bolt includes an anterior extension and a posterior extension, for restraining a torpedo bearing plate therebetween, and also includes a plurality of strain gauges mounted at the top portion of each extension. In one embodiment, eight strain gauges are utilized, with two strain gauges placed on each side of the two extensions, i.e., in a full bridge arrangement. The calibrated stop bolt is preferably mounted to a base plate and bolted at each end to a longitudinal test fixture. The calibrated stop bolt can be utilized with a conventional longitudinal shock test fixture, torpedo shape and heavy weight shock machine.

Calibrated stop bolt for longitudinal shock test fixture

A platform for servicing of vertically positioned missiles in a ballistic ssile submarine. The platform includes a vertically inclined rail and a horizontal frame. In the frame there is a first element having a first and a second end superimposed over the inclined rail. This first element is movably mounted directly on the rail at the first end and movably mounted in vertically spaced relation above said inclined rail at said second end. At least one second element is spaced laterally from the first element to enclose a missile tube access opening. A vertical support means is also positioned in opposed relation to the inclined rail. The vertical support means is adjustable to the curved hull surface of the submarine to maintain the frame horizontal. The platform is constructed from a lightweight material such as aluminum, and it can be carried and assembled by two men for the efficient servicing of VLS equipped submarines and other similar vessels.

Two man loading platform for use on submarines

A system for shock hardening the nose fairing bearing plate assembly of a rpedo by controlling the deformation of the bearing plate under shock loads. A stop bolt within a torpedo tube engages the bearing plate to prevent relative movement between the torpedo tube and the torpedo and to transfer loads between the torpedo housing and the torpedo tube. The system includes providing a tang on the bearing plate to increase bending resistance of the plate and provide a bearing surface which more directly transfers loads from the stop bolt through the bearing plate and into the housing. Additionally, a relief slot is machined into the bearing plate to ensure the bearing plate deforms towards the torpedo and does not interfere with retraction of the torpedo from the tube. Finally, a nose fairing restraint prevents the nose fairing from rotating above the plane of the bearing plate when the deformation of the plate prevents the bearing plate from engaging the nose fairing.

System for shock hardening a torpedo nose fairing bearing plate assembly

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a titanium or titum alloy surface and a primer for use in the method. The method broadly comprises the steps of grit blasting portions of the surface to which an adhesive will be applied and thereafter applying an acid wash primer to the surface portions. The acid wash primer preferably consists essentially of 70% by weight isopropyl alcohol, 5% by weight ethyl alcohol, 15% by weight n-butyl alcohol, 5% by weight zinc chromate and 5% by weight phosphoric acid.

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Casco, ME, United States of America

James C Butts