USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Keith B Lewis

Matthew J Sanford

Nicholas V Nechitailo

An electromagnetic launcher is provided for accelerating a projectile from a breech end to a muzzle end. The launcher includes a container, a rail contained therein and a support. The container includes an inner surface along an axial direction. The rail is contained within the inner surface and includes a load surface to support the projectile and an interface surface. The support is disposed between the interface surface and the inner surface. The rail and the support provide a value to an expression for critical velocity where E is Young's modulus for the rail, I is moment of inertia for the rail, k is foundation modulus for the support, &#x3c1; is density for the rail and A is the cross-sectional area of the rail. The launcher is configured such that the critical velocity increases along the axial direction towards the muzzle. In particular, a material term &#x221a;E/&#x3c1; of the rail increases along the axial direction, such for the rail being made from a first material being proximate to the breech and a second material being proximate to the muzzle, such that the material term &#x221a;E/&#x3c1; of the second material being greater than that of the first material. Alternatively, the rail is made into a first shape being proximate to the breech and a second shape being proximate to the muzzle, such that a shape term &#x221a;I/A of the second shape is greater than that of the first shape.

Rails for electromagnetic hypervelocity launcher

A line charge assembly and system are provided for use in a shallow-water obstruction clearing operation. Each assembly has a propulsion unit capable of flight through the air, a line charge array, an air-safed water-armed fuze, and at least one explosive diode. The line charge array is defined by a plurality of line charges successively coupled to one another by a line capable of transferring detonation energy therealong successively to each of the line charges. One end of the line charge array is coupled to the propulsion unit and the other end is coupled to the fuze. The fuze is capable of generating the detonation energy only when in water. The explosive diode is positioned in the line charge array to limit transfer of the detonation energy in a direction of propagation running from the fuze to the propulsion unit. The system utilizes a plurality of the line charge assemblies deployed over an area. If a line charge assembly has a dud fuze, the explosive diode prevents the back propagation of sympathetic detonation energy to any of the assembly's line charges that reside between the dud fuze and explosive diode.

Line charge assembly and system for use in shallow-water clearing operations

A line charge assembly and system are provided for use in a shallow-water obstruction clearing operation. Each assembly has a propulsion unit capable of flight through the air, a line charge array, an air-safed water-armed fuze, a first interrupter disposed between the line charge array and the fuze, and a second interrupter disposed in the line charge array. The line charge array is defined by a plurality of line charges successively coupled to one another by a detonation line capable of transferring detonation energy therealong successively to each line charge. The line charge array has a first end coupled to the propulsion unit and has a second end coupled to the first interrupter. The fuze generates the detonation energy at the expiration of a first time period provided the fuse is in water. The first interrupter permits the detonation energy to be transferred from the fuze to the second end of the line charge array until the expiration of a second time period. The second interrupter permits the detonation energy to be transferred therethrough until the expiration of a third time period. The first time period expires before the expiration of the second and third time periods. The first interrupter operates independently of the fuze to essentially sterilize a dud fuze. The second interrupter operates independently of the fuze and first interrupter to prevent the back propagation of sympathetic detonation energy to any of the assembly's line charges that reside between it's fuze and the first interrupter in the case where the fuze is a dud.

A mechanical device for generating actuating movement has a housing defining a first bore and a second bore contiguous therewith. The housing also defines radial ports that allow an environment about the housing to communicate with the first bore. A first piston is slidably mounted in the first bore. A second piston is slidably mounted in the second bore and is positioned so that it is flush with the first bore. A spring, coupled to the first piston, is capable of an at-rest state in which the first piston seals off the radial ports while being spaced apart from the second piston. The spring is also capable of a compressed state in which the first piston is positioned such that the radial ports communicate with the first bore between the first and second pistons. When the spring is released from its compressed state and allowed to transition to its at-rest state, the first piston moves to seal off the radial port(s) and subsequently pressurize any fluid in the first bore between the first piston and the second piston. If the fluid is incompressible (e.g., water), the pressurized fluid drives the second piston along the second bore to create the actuating movement.

Air-safed mechanical water actuator

A water sensor includes a housing that has at least one inlet port formed therein for allowing water to pass therethrough when submerged in water. A drive piston is mounted in the housing for sliding engagement therein. A water-activated driver is coupled to the drive piston and is in communication with the inlet port(s). The water-activated driver is inert in air and reactive with water to exert pressure on the drive piston and so that the drive piston moves in the housing. A movable indicator is mounted relative to the housing and is positioned to be responsive to movement of the drive piston. The movable indicator moves from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the drive piston.

Mechanical water sensor

An air-safed underwater fuze system is provided for munitions that are to launch-deployed and water-detonated. A housing defines a first bore contiguous with a second bore. Radial ports in the housing communicate with the first bore. A first piston is slidably mounted in the first bore and a second piston is slidably mounted in the second bore and positioned flush with the first bore. Piston control means are coupled between the munitions and first piston for positioning the first piston in a first position prior to launch in which the first piston seals off the radial ports while being spaced apart from the second piston to define a chamber. The piston control means moves the first piston at launch to a second position so that the chamber expands and the radial ports are in communication with the chamber. The piston control means further drives the first piston from its second position towards its first position at a specified time after launch. Once the first piston seals off the radial ports, the first piston pressurizes the water in the chamber. As a result, the second piston is driven along the second bore as actuating movement. A firing mechanism is provided in communication with the second bore and coupled to the munitions. The firing mechanism is responsive to the actuating movement of the second piston to generate detonation energy for the munitions.

Air-safed underwater fuze system for launched munitions

A leak test adapter system and method for using same are provided for leak esting a container. A test port is defined in the container to have a cylindrical portion accessible from within the container and a slot accessible from the cylindrical portion and the exterior of the container. A housing fitted over the test port from the exterior of the container defines a chamber in line with the test port. A plug has a first portion sealable within the cylindrical portion of the test port, a second portion extending axially from the first portion for engagement in the slot when the first portion of the plug is sealed in the cylindrical portion, and a third portion extending axially from the second portion. A control rod is attachable to the third portion of the plug. The control rod forms a sealed fit with a portion of the chamber and is capable of movement along its longitudinal axis such that the first portion of the plug can be moved into the container to open the test port and into the cylindrical portion to seal the test port. A fluid passage is disposed in the housing in communication with the chamber between the container and the portion of the chamber forming a seal with the control rod. Fluid can pass through the fluid passage and the chamber about the control rod when moving to and from the test port.

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King George, VA, United States of America

Keith B Lewis