U.S. patent application number 11/217500 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for water cannon.
Invention is credited to Donald E. Cornell, William M. Farrell.
Application Number | 20060204384 11/217500 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36971136 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060204384 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cornell; Donald E. ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
Water cannon
Abstract
A water cannon utilizing ultra high pressure to propel a
collimated beam of water or other liquid through a nozzle at high
speeds at great distances. Ultra high pressure is achieved by
multiple serially communicating pumping stations that successively
build fluid pressure within respective annular chambers having
cross-sectional areas that decrease between the pumping stations as
fluid speed increases in the downstream direction. To attain the
desired velocity head at the nozzle, a gearbox connected to a prime
mover, e.g., a gas turbine engine on-board an ocean vessel, drives
multi-stage axial flow pumps at successively increasing speeds
commensurate with a volumetric rate of flow. Optionally, the axial
flow pumps may include variable stator vanes between rotor blades
and/or variable inlet guide vanes at an inlet in order to control
flow volume, fluid pressure, engine load, or impact force delivered
by the cannon. Further, the collimated beam exiting the cannon may
be electrified with a high voltage in order to disable the target's
on-board processing or communication equipment. Depending on design
criteria, beam size (e.g., three to six inches, more or less),
ejection speed, ejection pressure (e.g., 3,000 to 10,000 psi), flow
rate (several hundred to several thousand pounds per second),
and/or range (e.g., two to five miles) may be adjusted to achieve a
desired effect on a target.
Inventors: |
Cornell; Donald E.; (New
Port Richey, FL) ; Farrell; William M.; (Walton,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAWRENCE HARBIN;MCINTYRE HARBIN & KING LLP
500 9TH STREET, S.E.
WASHINGTON
DC
20003
US
|
Family ID: |
36971136 |
Appl. No.: |
11/217500 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60606904 |
Sep 3, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/423.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 13/12 20130101;
F04D 1/06 20130101; F04D 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/423.5 |
International
Class: |
F04B 17/00 20060101
F04B017/00 |
Claims
1. A water cannon comprising: an inlet, a first pumping station
having a first multistage axial flow pump, a second pumping station
having a second multistage axial flow pump, a primary conduit
disposed between the first and second pumping stations having a
cross-sectional area the converges in a downstream direction, a
third pumping station having a third multistage axial flow pump, a
secondary conduit between the second and third pumping stations
having a cross-sectional area the converges in a downstream
direction, and a nozzle that includes a flow straightener that
receives water from the third pumping station to produce a coherent
beam of fluid.
2. The water cannon of claim 1, comprising independent drive shafts
to drive rotor blades in the respective axial flow pumps of the
pumping stations and a gearing mechanism coupling an engine to
rotate each shaft at a speed commensurate with desired fluid
velocity within the respective pumping stations.
3. The water cannon of claim 2, wherein said pumping stations are
disposed substantially in physically parallel relation and said
primary and secondary conduits are U-shaped.
4. The water cannon of claim 2, wherein said pumping stations are
substantially axially aligned with substantially axially disposed
primary and secondary conduits between said pumping stations.
5. The water cannon of claim 1, further including a terminal
conduit between the third pumping station and the nozzle that
converges towards said nozzle whereby to further increase velocity
of ejected water.
6. The water cannon of claim 5, further comprising a turret that
controls direction of said nozzle about a vertical axis and an
azimuth of said nozzle about a horizontal axis.
7. The water cannon of claim 1, wherein said nozzle produces a
collimated beam of fluid greater than 100 mm in diameter and said
first, second, and third pumping stations include an arrangement of
rotors and stators to successively build fluid pressure beyond 3000
psi at said nozzle.
8. The water cannon of claim 1, further including a venturi
injector in a flow path of said fluid to add a substance to said
fluid prior to ejection from said nozzle.
9. The water cannon of claim 1, wherein said axial flow pumps
include variable stator vanes within multistage sections thereof
whereby to control loading and fluid flow rate within the axial
flow pumps.
10. The water cannon weapon of claim 9, wherein said stator vanes
of said axial flow pumps are independently controllable.
11. The water cannon of claim 1, wherein at least said first axial
flow pump includes a variable inlet guide vane at an inlet
thereof.
12. A device that generates ultra high fluid pressure, said device
comprising: a fluid inlet; multiple serially communicating pumping
stations that each comprise a multistage axial flow pump, each said
axial flow pump including multiple rotor sections and stator
sections; a conduit between each pumping station having a
decreasing cross-sectional area in a downstream direction, and a
flow straightener to convey a coherent beam of fluid from a final
pumping station to an outlet.
13. The device of claim 12, further comprising an independent drive
shaft for each pumping station.
14. The device of claim 13, further including an engine having a
main shaft and a gearbox coupled to the main shaft of the engine
and each said independent shaft in order to rotate each independent
shaft at a speed commensurate with a given rate of mass flow of
liquid.
15. A method of ejecting high pressure liquid from a nozzle
comprising the steps of: providing at least three
serially-communicating multistage axial flow pumps having liquid
flow paths therein of decreasing diameters in a downstream
direction, operating said pumps to increase liquid pressure between
successive pumps, conveying said liquid between successive pumps
along a path having a decreasing cross-sectional area in the
downstream direction whereby to correspondingly increase speed of
said liquid along the path, and ejecting said liquid from a nozzle
communicating with a final one of said serially communicating
pumps.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of
collimating said liquid prior to said ejecting step in order to
reduce dispersion after said ejecting.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of
controlling at least one of a direction and azimuth of ejection of
said liquid during said ejecting step.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of gearing
a common shaft to rotate said serially communicating axial flow
pumps at different speeds commensurate with a volumetric rate of
flow.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising physically arranging
said serially communicating pumps to cancel moments generated by
accelerating liquid mass through said pumps.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This invention claims the benefit of provisional application
Ser. No. 60/606,904 filed in the names of the inventors hereof on
Sep. 3, 2004 and entitled "Water Cannon Weapon and Defense
System.
[0002] This invention is also related to U.S. application Ser. No.
10/801,705 filed in the name of Donald Cornell on Mar. 17, 2004 and
entitled "Axial Flow Pump and Marine Propulsion Device," which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention relates to a water cannon that may be
used for irrigation, fire or flood control, large area
decontamination, or as a weapon or defense mechanism against
incoming missiles or projectiles.
[0004] Historically, such devices have been used for close-range
defense, firefighting, irrigation, and crowd control by propelling
a collimated beam or spray of water. For many applications, prior
systems at best were marginally effective due to the inability to
pump large volumes of water at ultrahigh pressures of a few
thousand psi (pounds per square inch). Operating pressures of
conventional centrifugal, axial flow, and mixed-flow pumps having a
flow rate of more than a few hundred pounds per second were limited
to a few hundred pounds-per-square inch (psi). Such pumps also
traded off water pressure with flow volume, or vice versa.
Displacement pumps, although producing ultrahigh pressures of
10,000 psi or more pumped only infinitesimal amounts of water in
comparison to other pump types.
[0005] Due to extremely high flow rates of a few hundred pounds of
water per second (or more) and extremely high pressures of a few
thousand psi (or more), the present invention may be used as a more
effective fire control or irrigation/flood control device; a more
effective weapon to fend off small vessels at a greater range than
heretofore possible; an artillery mechanism; an excavation tool; a
mine sweeping device; or as a defense mechanism to disable or blind
incoming missiles or "smart" projectiles by drowning out their
turbojet propulsion, disrupting its trajectory path by water mass
impact, or shielding against any on-board IR tracking and
targeting.
SUMMARY
[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present
invention comprises a water cannon utilizing ultra high pressure to
propel a collimated beam of water or other fluid through a
collimating nozzle at such high speeds (e.g., mach speeds) in order
to project water to a greater distance (e.g., several thousands of
feet) or to pierce steel, concrete, or other materials of a target
at a closer range. The collimating nozzle, if employed, may be
designed to maintain fluid coherency and/or to minimize dispersion
of the collimated beam of liquid.
[0007] An ultra high discharge pressure required for high fluid
velocity is achieved by deploying multiple axial flow pumping
stations that successively build fluid pressure within annular
chambers of each pump as well as between pumps. The cross-sectional
area of the respective annular chambers may decrease between pumps
as fluid speed increases in the downstream direction. Each pumping
station comprises a multi-stage axially flow pump that may have
variable pitch stator vanes and fixed pitch rotor blades.
Optionally, the rotor blade pitch may be variable. In addition, the
serially communicating pumping stations may be physically arranged
in parallel with U-shaped conduits between the stations, or
serially (in-line) arranged with interconnecting conduits between
the stations. The U-shaped bends in the conduits may also provide
moment cancellation to help stabilize an aiming platform for the
nozzle. Taps may be located at successive stations to draw a volume
and pressure of water generated at the respective stages.
[0008] To attain a desired velocity head at the discharge nozzle, a
gearbox connected to a multi-megawatt power source, e.g., a gas
turbine engine on-board an ocean vessel or an electric motor driven
by land-based power station, drives the multi-stage axial flow
pumps within the respective pumping stations at successively
increasing speeds. Optionally, the axial-flow pumps may include
variable inlet guide vanes at their inlets in order to control flow
volume, fluid pressure, engine load, and/or impact force delivered
by the cannon. The fluid may also include solid projectiles,
abrasives, or chemical additives. Further, the collimated beam of
water or other fluid exiting the cannon may be electrified with a
high voltage in order to disable the target's on-board processing
or communication equipment. Depending on design criteria, beam size
(e.g., four to six inches, more or less), water ejection speed (300
to 2000 feet/second or more), ejection pressure (e.g., 2,000 to
10,000 psi more or less), mass flow rate (several hundred to
several thousand pounds per second), and/or range (e.g., 3,000 to
20,000 feet, more or less) may be adjusted to achieve a desired
goal or impact on a target.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of
ejecting high pressure liquid from a nozzle comprising the steps of
providing at least three serially-communicating multistage axial
flow pumps having liquid flow paths therein of decreasing diameters
in a downstream direction, operating the pumps to increase liquid
pressure between successive pumps, conveying liquid between
successive pumps along a path having a decreasing cross-sectional
area in the downstream direction whereby to correspondingly
increase speed of said liquid along the path, and ejecting the
liquid from a nozzle communicating with a final one of said
serially communicating pumps. The method of claim 15, further
comprising the step of collimating said liquid prior to said
ejecting step in order to reduce dispersion after said ejecting.
The method may include collimating the liquid prior to ejecting in
order to reduce dispersion after ejecting, controlling at least one
of a direction and azimuth of ejection of the liquid during
ejecting, gearing a common shaft to rotate the serially
communicating axial flow pumps at different speeds commensurate
with a volumetric rate of flow, or physically arranging the
serially communicating pumps to cancel moments generated by
acceleration of liquid mass through said pumps.
[0010] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent of
review of the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings. The invention, though, is pointed out with
particularity by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a first arrangement of serially communicating
in-line axial flow pumps, drivers, and interconnecting conduits to
produce ultra high-pressure water ejection.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a second arrangement of serially communicating
by physically parallel arranged axial flow pumps, drivers, and
interconnecting conduits to produce ultra high-pressure water
ejection.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an effective missile kill range of an
ultra high-pressure water cannon deployed on a vessel.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of axial flow
pumps arranged to cancel opposing moments generated by acceleration
of liquid mass through the pumps in order to reduce overall
disturbances in displacement when operating the water cannon
system.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows water cannon device comprising a serially
arranged group of pumping stations 12, 14, and 16, each comprising
a multistage axial-flow pump similar to that disclosed in the
aforementioned, commonly-owned, incorporated U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/801,705. The exemplary water cannon of FIG.
1 has a flow rate of about 900 pounds of water per second and a
pressure of 3600 to 6000 psi at the discharge nozzle. According to
design criteria, it is projected to propel a four inch collimated
beam of water about 15,000 feet vertically and 31,000 feet
horizontally, depending on azimuth of ejection, as shown in FIG. 3.
A tank 18 provides an inlet to pumping station 12, which is driven
via gearbox 22 and drive shaft 24 by an electric motor 20
producing, for example, 500 horsepower, to drive the pump at about
2000 revolutions per minute (rpms). Instead of a tank, the inlet of
station 12 may be fed directly from an ocean, lake, river, or water
reservoir. Pumping station 12 may optionally include a tap 26 as
well as a valve to provide an auxiliary output should the pressure
of station 12 to provide adequate flow for a particular
application, e.g., lower pressure (e.g., 100 psi more or less) at a
much higher volume. In one embodiment, pumping station 12 comprises
seven rotor-stator sections and variable inlet guide vanes. In
addition, rotor or stator vanes of pumping station 12 may be
variable to regulate pressure and flow rate.
[0016] Similarly, pumping station 14, which builds upon the fluid
pressure generated by pumping station 12, includes a motor 30 that
drives a multistage axial-flow pump via gearbox 32 and shaft 34.
The exemplary motor 30 produces 40,000 horsepower to drive the
second stage pump at about 9600 rpms. Pumping station 14 also
includes an auxiliary tap 36 and valve to provide a pressure, for
example, of 850 psi. An interconnecting conduit 40 between stations
12 and 14 has a decreasing cross-sectional area to accommodate an
increase in flow speed as the water transgresses the pumping
stations. The smaller diameter multi-stage pump at station 14 spins
at a faster rate, e.g., around 9600 rpms, than the pump at station
12. A third pumping station 16 also includes a multi-stage axial
flow pump, a motor 44, gearbox 46, and drive shaft 47. In the
exemplary embodiment, the exemplary motor 44 produces 30,000
horsepower to drive the axial flow pump at about 22,000 revolutions
per minute to produce a pressure of 3600 to 6000 psi. One or more
engines of an ocean vessel, a land-based power grid, or a gas
turbine engine may power motor 30.
[0017] Conduit 42 between stations 14 and 16 defines a fluid path
that decreases in cross-sectional area in the downstream direction
as the speed of the water increases. Conduit 43 between station 16
and the nozzle is preferably constant in cross-sectional area and
also includes an auxiliary tap 37 and valve. Alternatively, conduit
43 may also define a path having decreasing cross-sectional area in
the downstream direction. Nozzle 50, preferably mounted on a
turret, has an azimuth control and rotates 360 degrees. For safety
reasons, an operator in a protected cage remotely controls the
nozzle. Nozzle designs known in the art are employed to collimate
the water beam, create a mist or spray, or provide a desired
dispersion. Additives may be included in mixing tank 18 via
chemical feed tank 60 to enhance conductivity or other properties
of the collimated water beam.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an alternative design where pumping stations
12, 14, and 16 are physically arranged in parallel (but flow still
being cascaded), and a common gearbox 60 is provided to drive the
respective pumping stations at different speeds.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a possible range or coverage area of the
water cannon weapon mounted on a vessel 68 having nozzle 70 to
propel a coherent or collimated beam of sea water throughout a kill
radius shown by hatched area 71. In the illustrated embodiment, a
water spray 69 about four inches at the nozzle 70 is propelled
approximately three miles vertically and about five-six miles
horizontally. The water cannon may be powered by on-board
propulsion units of the vessel 68 or by independent power plants.
If land-based, the water cannon may be powered by the
electrification grid or by a mobile power plant such as a gas
turbine. Various nozzle designs may be employed, depending on the
purpose of use. In addition, gearing need not be use to drive the
multistage axial flow pumps. In certain designs, the pump may be
direct-driven by the drive shaft without gearing.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment comprising a gearbox 60
that gears a common shaft 81 driven by a prime mover producing
approximately 99,000 horse power (145,000 foot-pounds of torque at
3600 rpms) to rotate serially communicating axial flow pumps 72,
74, 76, and 77 via shafts 82, 83, and 84. Shaft 84 turns at 2000
rpms, shaft 83 turns at 11,000 rpms, and shaft 82 turns at 43,000
rpms. Shaft 82 drives both pumps 76 and 77 at 43,000 rpms. The
diameters of annular chambers in the respective pumps and their
respective rotational speeds enable a given flow rate of, for
example, 53,000 gallons per minute, and a water ejection speed from
nozzle 70 of about 400 mph. The cross-sectional area of the
interconnecting conduits 87 and 88 decrease in the downstream
direction to match the diameter of the follower pump. Conduit 89 is
provided to reverse the liquid flow 180 degrees in order to offset
opposing forces generated by accelerating the mass of liquid in
pumping stages 76 and 77. Advantageously, opposing moments
developed by pumps 76 and 77 are cancelled to as avoid disturbance
of any aiming mechanisms for the nozzle. Similarly, opposing
moments generated by liquid mass acceleration in pumps 72 and 74
are also cancelled.
[0021] Without regard to structure, another embodiment of the
invention comprises a method of ejecting high pressure liquid,
e.g., water, from a nozzle. Such a method comprises the steps of
providing at least three serially-communicating multistage axial
flow pumps having liquid flow paths therein of decreasing diameters
in a downstream direction, operating the pumps to increase liquid
pressure between successive pumps, conveying the liquid between
successive pumps along a path having a decreasing cross-sectional
area in the downstream direction whereby to correspondingly
increase speed of the liquid along the path, and ejecting said
liquid from a nozzle communicating with a final one of said
serially communicating pumps. Variations may include the step of
collimating said liquid prior to the ejecting step in order to
reduce dispersion after said ejecting; controlling the direction or
azimuth of ejection of the liquid during the ejecting step; gearing
a common shaft to drive or rotate the serially communicating axial
flow pumps at different speeds commensurate with a volumetric rate
of flow; or physically arranging the serially communicating pumps
to cancel moments generated by accelerating liquid mass through
said pumps.
[0022] Various other embodiments may become apparent to those
skilled in the art based on the teachings herein. Thus, the
illustrated embodiments are not intended to limit the invention
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *