This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/080,604, filed on Nov. 17, 2014 entitled “Small Vehicle Encapsulation (SVE) Capsule for Torpedo Tube Vehicle Launch” by the inventors Angelo DiBiasio, Christian Archeval-Rivera and Christopher Harding.
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a payload system and specifically to a system for deployment of small diameter payloads using existing submarine torpedo tubes and other similarly-shaped tubes.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
There is an increasing need to deploy small diameter payloads (weapons or vehicles) from submarine torpedo tubes. This type of deployment would enhance submarine capability for the Navy.
There is a known encapsulated payload and launcher assembly that could be loaded into a torpedo tube and could use ship services. A capsule of the assembly is self-equipped to catapult launch a vehicle. However, the capsule does not use either an impulse or swim-out launch. Also, the assembly can accommodate only one vehicle at a time.
It is therefore a general purpose and primary object of the present invention to provide a capsule and device capable of deploying multiple small diameter payloads such as weapons, vehicles or other devices.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a capsule and device which can be launched from existing torpedo tubes.
It order to attain the objects described above, the present invention provides a capsule and supporting device which uses a water impulse.
In the present invention, a vehicle loaded into a containment canister in which the vehicle is restrained by a nose cap, longitudinal leads and a ring which conforms to an aft section of the vehicle. The longitudinal leads separate the vehicle from an interior of the containment canister and assist in the launch of the vehicle. An actuator casing is affixed to an aft end of the containment canister.
The actuator casing encompasses a linear actuator with an extendable arm and plug. The plug is sized to move in alignment with each canister toward a sealing ring. When the actuator is in the extended position; the plug seats against the sealing ring in order to seal the containment canister.
Four containment canisters can be loaded into a module frame thru a canister forward alignment plate with the containers seated/secured on a canister foot plate. The module frame assists in positioning the containment canisters. A hollow center spine in the module allows the use of cabling, communication links, etc.
In operation, a signal is sent to one of the actuators to retract the plug to be aft of the flow ports. As the containment canister is flooded by a water impulse thru the flow ports; the impulse provides sufficient energy to expel the vehicle out of the containment canister and/or the small vehicle encapsulation capsule.
The present invention provides the benefits of modularity which include ease of design, manufacturing, and maintenance as well as the ease in loading and unloading vehicle and other items to be deployed.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments and to the drawing, wherein:
The present invention depicted in
The actuator casing 20 encompasses a linear actuator 22 with an extendable arm 24. A plurality of flow ports 26 are positioned in a periphery of the actuator casing 20. A plug 30 is affixed to an end of the actuator arm 24. The plug 30 (acting as valve) is sized to move in alignment with each containment canister 10 toward an individual sealing ring 40. When the actuator 22 is in the extended position (as shown in the figure); the plug 30 seats against the sealing ring 40. The default configuration of each containment canister 10 maintains the plug 30 in this closed position in order to seal the containment canister.
As shown in
The detail view of
In
In operation, a signal is sent to one of the actuators 22 to retract the plug 30 aft of the flow ports 26. As the containment canister 10 is flooded by a water impulse thru the flow ports 26; the impulse contacts the aft end of the vehicle 100. The water impulse provides sufficient energy to launch the vehicle 100 out of the containment canister 10 and the SVE capsule 60.
The impulse launch is actuated by an air turbine pump (not shown) that generates water flow into the SVE capsule 60 and thru the flow ports 26. The ports 26 are sized to control the impulse. Air turbine pump launch systems can produce relatively high pressures and flow rates thru a launching system. Launch from the SVE capsule 60 would be similar to that of a torpedo tube in that an equalizing valve floods the capsule (tube) thus equalizing pressure with a sea environment. A muzzle door is opened in preparation for payload launch. The SVE capsule 60 can be an existing military-suitable capsule capable of encapsulating the containment canister 10, the module frame 50 and the actuator casing 20.
The present invention provides the benefits of modularity which include ease of design, manufacturing, and maintenance as well as the ease of loading and unloading vehicle and other items to be deployed.
It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed; and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
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.
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