U.S. patent application number 10/224229 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment.
Invention is credited to Moody, Paul E., Williams, Michael W..
Application Number | 20040031381 10/224229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31715226 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040031381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams, Michael W. ; et
al. |
February 19, 2004 |
APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING AN OBJECT IN A FLUID ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
An apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment
having a tubular member with a forward muzzle end, an opposed
rearward end. The object is positioned in the tubular member. Ends
of the tubular member are closed by expellable members. Flood
valves are located on the expellable members and, on activation,
allow flooding of the tubular member by external fluid. A
propellant device and an object contact member are disposed within
the tubular member. When the propellant device is activated, the
object contact member moves the object. These actions are
controlled by a control device which first causes the flood valves
to enable fluid to flood the interior region. Next, the control
device causes the expellable members to be expelled from the
tubular member. The control device then causes the propellant
device to generate gas in a predetermined manner launching the
object from the tubular member.
Inventors: |
Williams, Michael W.;
(Portsmouth, RI) ; Moody, Paul E.; (Barrington,
RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Naval Undersea Warfare Center
Division, Newport
Office Of Counsel, Bldg 112T
1176 Howell Street
Newport
RI
02841-1708
US
|
Family ID: |
31715226 |
Appl. No.: |
10/224229 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/1.809 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41F 3/07 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/1.809 |
International
Class: |
F41F 003/00 |
Goverment Interests
[0001] The invention described herein may be manufactured and used
by or for the Government of the United States of America for
governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon
or therefor.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment,
comprising: a tubular member having a forward muzzle end and an
opposed rearward end, the tubular member having a longitudinally
extending axis, an exterior wall confronting the fluid environment
and an interior wall defining an interior region for receiving an
object to be launched; a muzzle expellable member closing the
forward muzzle end of the tubular member; a breech expellable
member closing the rearward end of the tubular member; at least one
flood valve member enabling environmental fluid to flood the
interior region so as to equalize pressure between the interior and
exterior walls of the tubular member; an object contact member
slidably disposed within the tubular member interior region and
movable along the longitudinally extending axis, the object contact
member contacting and moving the object; a propellant device
disposed in said tubular member between the breech expellable
member and the object contact member, the propellant device being
configured to produce gas in successive bursts that are sufficient
to propel the object contact member in the direction of the forward
muzzle end; and a control device joined to the flood valve member,
the expellable members and the propellant device.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: the control device
first causes the flood valve member to allow fluid to flood the
tubular member interior region, the control device next causing the
muzzle expellable member and breech expellable member to be
expelled from the tubular member, and the control device causing
the propellant device to produce the gas in a preprogrammed manner;
and the propellant device is configured to produce the gas in
accordance with the preprogrammed manner.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the propellant device
comprises a plurality of gas generators, each gas generator
producing a predetermined amount of gas.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of gas
generators are symmetrically arranged.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each gas generator
comprises a selected one of a chemical generating a gas and a
combination of a chemical generating a gas with a compressed
gas.
6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: the propellant
device comprises a plurality of gas generators, each gas generator
producing a predetermined amount of gas; and the control device is
configured to control the plurality of gas generators in a manner
such that each gas generator produces gas therein in accordance
with the preprogrammed manner.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the predetermined
timed sequence effects production of the gas of each gas generator
in a sequential manner.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the object contact
member is generally cylindrical in shape and defines an interior
space.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the propellant device
is disposed within the interior space of the object contact
member.
10. The apparatus according claim 1 wherein the object contact
member slides out of the tubular member after the object is
launched.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the muzzle
expellable member is attached to the forward muzzle end and the
breech expellable member is attached to the rearward end, the
apparatus further comprising a plurality of exploding bolts for
attaching the muzzle expellable member to the forward muzzle end
and the breech expellable member to the rearward end.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one
valve member comprises a pair of valve members, one valve member
being located on the muzzle expellable member, the other valve
member being located on the breech expellable member.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one
valve member comprises an exploding valve.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for
attaching the tubular member to a vessel.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the attaching means
comprises means for releasing the tubular member from the vessel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] (1) Field Of The Invention
[0004] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for
launching an object in a fluid environment.
[0005] (2) Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Devices and systems for launching objects, weapons or
vehicles into the ocean or other fluid or liquid environments are
known in the art. For example, such devices are used to launch or
eject buoys at relatively deep depths from a submerged submarine.
Some of these devices and systems for launching objects are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,476,048, 3,516,380, 4,185,345 and
5,918,307. One particular well known prior art system uses gas
generators to launch objects underwater. One such system is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,307 entitled "Underwater
Projectile Launcher". U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,307 discloses that the
launcher described therein can use any of the well known types of
chemical energy storage--solid, liquid or gaseous propellants--for
generating the gas required to launch the projectile.
[0007] Typically, many launching systems currently in operation
utilize solid propellants. In such systems, the solid propellant is
ignited and gas is generated from the burning propellant. This gas
is used to effect the device launch. One significant problem with
such systems is that the solid propellant is highly flammable and
explosive and must be handled with great care. This problem creates
additional cost and expense associated with handling and storage of
the solid propellant, and significantly increases the time it takes
to initiate and effect a safe and successful launch of an
object.
[0008] What is needed is an apparatus for launching an object into
a fluid environment that eliminates the aforementioned deficiencies
of the prior art systems which utilize gas generation to launch an
object into a fluid environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for
launching an object into a fluid environment such as oceans,
rivers, lakes, or any fluid or liquid contained within any man-made
structure or made-made earthen works. In one embodiment, the
apparatus comprises a tubular member having a forward muzzle end
and an opposed rearward end. The tubular member has a
longitudinally extending axis, an interior region for receiving an
object to be launched, an exterior wall confronting the fluid
environment and an interior wall. The apparatus further includes
expellable members for closing the forward muzzle end and rearward
end of the tubular member, at least one flood valve member located
on a corresponding expellable member for enabling fluid confronting
the exterior wall to flood the interior region so as to equalize
forces on the interior and exterior walls of the tubular member,
and an object contact member disposed within the interior region
and movable along the longitudinally extending axis. The object
contact member contacts and moves the object when a propelling
force is applied to the object contact member. The apparatus
further includes a propellant device for producing the propelling
force. The device contains a gas generator and is configured to
generate gas in controlled amounts that are sufficient to propel
the object contact member in the direction of the forward muzzle
end. The apparatus further includes a control device that controls
the flood valve member, the expellable members and the propellant
device in accordance with a predetermined timed sequence wherein
the control device first controls the flood valve to allow fluid to
flood the interior region. Thereafter, the control device causes
the expellable members to be expelled from the forward muzzle end
and rearward end. Thereafter, the control device controls the
propellant device to release generated gas in successive bursts so
as to produce a continuous propelling force that causes the object
contact member to propel the object through the tubular member, out
through the forward end muzzle and into the fluid surrounding the
tubular member. The successive bursts of generated gas are
preferably uniform, continuous and stable thereby resulting in a
fully stable ejection of the object at a relatively high exit
velocity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features of the invention are believed to be novel and
the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for
illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The
invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of
operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed
description which follows taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a combination side-elevational view, partially in
cross-section, and schematic diagram of the apparatus of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a combination side-elevational view, partially in
cross-section, and schematic diagram of one embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] In describing the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-3 of the
drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the
invention.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown apparatus 10 of the
present invention. Apparatus 10 generally comprises tubular member
12 which has forward muzzle end 14 and opposed rearward end 16.
Tubular member 12 has longitudinally extending axis 18 and interior
region 20 for receiving object 22 (e.g. vehicle, torpedo, weapon,
buoy, hydroplane, etc.) that is to be launched into the fluid
environment surrounding apparatus 10. Tubular member 12 can be made
from any rigid material including metals, composites and plastics.
As used herein, the term "fluid environment" includes oceans,
rivers, lakes, or any body of fluid or liquid contained within any
man-made structure or made-made earthen works. In one embodiment,
tubular member 12 comprises a barrel. Such a barrel is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,307. Apparatus 10 includes clamping device 23
that allows tubular member 12 to be attached to the hull of a
vessel such as a ship, submarine or any other vessel or device that
travels through such a fluid environment. In one embodiment,
clamping device 23 is configured to allow tubular member 12 to be
releasably attached to the vessel. Such a configuration enables
tubular member 12 to be released from the vessel after object 22 is
launched.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, tubular member 12 has interior wall 24
and exterior wall 26 confronting the fluid environment. Apparatus
10 includes a muzzle expellable member 28 and breech expellable
member 30 for closing the forward muzzle end 14 and opposed
rearward end 16 of tubular member 12.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus 10 further comprises flood
valve members 32 for enabling fluid external to tubular member 12
to flood interior region 20 in a controlled manner so as to
minimize water hammer effects, especially at relatively deep
depths. One flood valve member 32 is located on expellable member
28. The other flood valve member 32 is located on expellable member
30. Although the foregoing description is in terms of two flood
valves 32, it is to be understood that apparatus 10 can utilize
just one flood valve 32 or more than two flood valves 32. Flood
valve or valves 32 can be positioned on tubular member 12 in an
alternate embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, each flood valve
32 comprises an exploding valve that is exploded upon receipt of an
electrical control signal. Once flood valve 32 explodes, fluid
enters interior region 20.
[0018] Apparatus 10 includes a plurality of exploding bolts 34 for
attaching muzzle expellable member 28 to the forward muzzle end 14
and breech expellable member 30 to the opposed rearward end 16.
Exploding bolts 34 are exploded upon receipt of an electrical
control signal. Explosion of bolts 32 propels expellable members 28
and 30 away from tubular member 12.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus 10 further comprises object
contact member 36 disposed within interior region 20 and movable
along longitudinally extending axis 18. Object contact member 36
contacts at contact surface 37 and moves object 22 when a
propelling force is applied to the object contact member 36. In one
embodiment, object contact member 36 is generally cylindrical in
shape and defines an interior space 38. In a preferred embodiment,
object contact member 36 comprises a sabot.
[0020] In an alternate embodiment of apparatus 10, tubular member
12 includes a rail (not shown) that longitudinally extends within
interior region 20. In such an embodiment, object contact member 36
is movably mounted on the rail.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 10 further includes propellant
device 40 for producing a propelling force. Propellant device 40 is
disposed within interior space 38 of object contact member 36.
Device 40 produces a propelling force that propels object contact
member 36. In accordance with the present invention, propellant
device 40 is a plurality of chemical or hybrid gas generators and
is configured to release generated gas via exit or exhaust opening
41 in controlled amounts that are sufficient to propel object
contact member 36. Device 40 includes an electrical interface 42
that is configured to receive an electrical control signal that
effects generation of the gas. The propelling force resulting from
the release of the gas propels object contact member 36 and object
22 in the direction indicated by arrow 43 and toward forward muzzle
end 14. Prior to the generation of gas from device 40, object
contact member 36 is positioned so that device 40 is located near
opposed rearward end 16.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, gas generator
device 40 comprises a plurality of chemical gas generators 44
wherein each gas generator 44 can generate a predetermined amount
of gas that is emitted from exit or exhaust opening 45 of each
device 44. Gas generators 44 can be chemical gas generators or
hybrid gas generators incorporating a chemical gas generator with
compressed gas. Compressed gas, in standard packaging, does not
have sufficient energy density to effect a launch. Each generator
44 includes an electrical interface 46 for receiving an electrical
control signal that effects generation of the gas in the
corresponding gas generator device 44. As shown in FIG. 2, exit 45
of each device 44 faces breech expellable member 30. Referring to
FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of gas generators
44 are symmetrically arranged. In one embodiment, each gas
generator 44 comprises a canister containing a gas generating
compound or a gas generating compound and a compressed gas as is
well known in the art of automobile airbag inflation devices. For
the purpose of simplicity, wires 48 are not shown in FIG. 3.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus 10 further comprises control
device 47. Control device 47 is preferably located on board the
vessel, ship or other device to which tubular member 12 is
attached. Control device 47 contains electrical circuitry and
electronic components that generate electrical signals that are
transferred by wires 48 to explosive bolts 34, explosive flood
valves 32, and interface 42 of device 40. Control device 47 is
configured so the electrical signals are generated in a
predetermined order and are separated by a predetermined time
duration. In such a configuration, control device 47 first produces
electrical signals that cause explosive valves 32 to 1s flood
interior region 20 so as to equalize the pressures on interior wall
24 and exterior wall 26 of the tubular member 12. After a
predetermined amount of time has elapsed which is sufficient to
allow interior region 20 to completely flood, control device 47
outputs electrical signals that cause explosion of explosive bolts
34 so as to expel expellable members 28 and 30 from forward muzzle
end 14 and opposed rearward end 16, respectively. After a
predetermined amount of time has elapsed which is sufficient to
allow expellable members 28 and 30 to fall away from tubular member
12, control device 47 outputs electrical signals to interface 46 of
device 40 to enable device 40 to generate gas in successive bursts
so as to produce a continuous propelling force that is applied to
object contact member 36. As a result, object contact member 36
propels object 22 through tubular member 12 and out through forward
muzzle end 14. If device 40 is comprised of the plurality of gas
generators 44 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, then wires 48 are
connected to each electrical interface 46 of each gas generator 44.
In such a configuration, control device 44 generates electrical
signals in a predetermined timed sequence so that each gas
generator 44 generates gas in accordance with the predetermined
timed sequence. In one embodiment, the predetermined timed sequence
effects generation of gas from each gas generator 44 in a
sequential order.
[0024] The gas generators 44 produce sufficient thrust to create a
continuous, even, and stable ejection force during the entire
launch of object 22 and causes object 22 to have a relatively high
exit velocity as it exits tubular member 12. Since expellable
member 30 is expelled from tubular member 12 before the compressed
gas is released, the full thrust produced by the released gas is
utilized to accelerate object 22 during launch without any thrust
being used to overcome sea pressure. Thus, the plurality of gas
generators 44 located within interior space 38 of object contact
member 36 in conjunction with the predetermined time sequence in
which each generator 44 generates its gas results in a full-power
stroke ejection of object 22.
[0025] If control device 47 is located on board the vessel or ship,
then clamping means 23 is configured to include an electrical
interface that is electrically connected to wires 48.
[0026] The present invention provides many other benefits and
advantages. Specifically, apparatus 10 reduces the danger
associated with explosive solid and liquid propellants.
Furthermore, the design of apparatus 10 is relatively less complex
than prior art systems and, therefore, can be implemented at
relatively lower costs and with commercially available components.
Additionally, apparatus 10 provides a consistent, continuous and
even propelling force that is applied to the object during the
entire launch process thereby resulting in a full-stroke ejection
of the object. Apparatus 10 also provides for relatively high exit
velocity of the object as it leaves tubular member 12. Apparatus 10
eliminates any impact related to varying sea pressures (or ship
depths).
[0027] Although foregoing description is in terms of apparatus 10
being used in a fluid environment, it is to be understood that
apparatus 10 can be used in gaseous environment wherein object 22
is launched in the gaseous environment.
[0028] While the present invention has been particularly described,
in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing
description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims
will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as
falling within the true scope and spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *