Torpedo

Abstract

A torpedo comprises an outer cylindrical casing, an inner narrowing casing forming a passage and having an inlet and an outlet coinciding with the outer casing, a rocket engine having an annular exhaust nozzle directed into the rear portion of the passage, perforations in the inner and the outer casings and canals communicating the nozzle with the spaces adjoining perforations.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a torpedo.

[0002] When a known torpedo moves, a pressure before it and the surface friction generate a total resistance increasing with approximately fourth power of speed and decelerating its movement.

[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a torpedo, which eliminates said pressure and reduces the surface friction.

[0004] In keeping with this object and with others, which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a torpedo comprising a cylindrical outer casing and a narrowing inner casing forming a passage and having an inlet and an outlet, which substantially coincide with the outer casing. The torpedo is provided with a rocket engine having an annular exhaust nozzle directed into the rear portion of the passage.

[0005] The torpedo may be provided with a means for reducing the friction resistance consisting of a container with the compressed air, perforation at least in the narrow portion of the inner casing and a canal communicating the container with a space adjoining perforation.

[0006] The novel features of the invention will be defined in the claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood from the following description, which is accompanied by the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIGS. 1, 2 are longitudinal sections of a torpedo in accordance with the present invention.

[0008] FIGS. 3, 4 are fragmentary sectional views of the torpedo.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A torpedo in accordance with the present invention comprises a substantially cylindrical (round, oval) outer casing 1 (FIG. 1), a narrowing inner casing 2 forming a passage and having an inlet 3 and an outlet 4 substantially coinciding with outer casing 1, and at least one (which may be annular, if one) rocket engine 5 an exhaust nozzle 6 of which is directed into the rear portion of the passage. Outer and inner casings 1, 2 may have perforations, i.e. a plurality of holes 7 (FIG. 3). Spaces 8, 9 adjoining these perforations, communicate with nozzle 6 by canals 10, 11.

[0010] Reaction jet of rocket engine 5 propels the torpedo pushing water out of the rear portion of the passage, and therefore sucks the same quantity of water into the front portion of the passage independently on the speed of the torpedo. Hence, the pressure in the front portion of the passage, i.e. before the torpedo, becomes less than in the surrounding water (as in an inlet pipe of a regular pump).

[0011] The inventive torpedo may be regarded as a free-swimming ejector pump itself moving toward and instead of still sucking water, containing in an imagined horizontal cylinder, which coincides with inlet 3. Water, which is outside of that cylinder, is chopping away by the fast moving front edges of the inlet, and practically will not enter the latter. Moreover, an essential part of energy spent on acceleration the flow in the narrowing portion of the passage, returns in its diverging portion.

[0012] A part of reaction jet may be guided into spaces 8, 9 through canals 10, 11 and, then, through holes 7 outside of casings 1, 2 with a pressure, which somewhat exceeds the pressure of surrounding water. Therefore, the friction resistance will approach to the one, which generates in a gaseous medium, i.e. will be essentially less. Bulges 14 help to decrease contact of water with the surface of the casing.

[0013] Similarly (to a certain extent) to a shell, which acquires a high acceleration because the expanding gases are encased in a barrel and push the shell from its firm bottom, and unlike a regular rocket, pushing itself from its own exhaust gases, the inventive torpedo is continuously pushing from water by gases, encased between the nozzle and water, and does not generate the head resistance.

[0014] Thus, the inventive torpedo, overcoming the reduced resistance, will be able to move with supersonic speed.

[0015] A rocket engine 5a (FIG. 2) may be mounted in the passage. A compressed air (instead of reaction jet) may be guided from a container 12 through a canal 13 into space 9a adjoining perforation at least in the narrow portion of casing 2a. Because supersonic torpedoes reach distant targets within one minute, therefore they need a small supply of the compressed air.

[0016] A vibrator 15 (FIG. 4) may be installed instead of container 12, as a means for reducing the friction resistance. Rudders (not shown) may be mounted in the passage.

[0017] If the hydrogen-oxygen propellant will be utilized, the exhaust gases, i.e. steam, will condense in the surrounding water making difficult spotting the torpedo.

[0018] The combustion chamber of the rocket engine of a torpedo, intended for the underwater launching, may be provided with a segmental (annular, circular) watertight cover deflecting (throwing back) by reaction jet after igniting.

[0019] The invention is not limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the same.

Claims

1. A torpedo, comprising a substantially cylindrical outer casing, an inner casing forming a passage and having an inlet and an outlet substantially coinciding with said outer casing, and a narrowing, and at least one rocket engine having an exhaust nozzle directed into the rear portion of said passage.

2. A torpedo as defined in claim 1, in which said rocket engine and said nozzle are annular.

3. A torpedo as defined in claim 1, and farther comprising a means for reducing the friction resistance.

4. A torpedo as defined in claim 3, in which said means consists of perforation provided at least in said narrowing, a space adjoining said perforation and a canal communicating said nozzle with said space.