초록 ▼

An elastomeric impulse energy storage and transfer system comprising an accumulator body of elastomeric material, the body having an opening at a base portion thereof, the body having in elevation a frusto-ellipsoidal configuration, and the body taken along a sectional plane parallel with the base p

An elastomeric impulse energy storage and transfer system comprising an accumulator body of elastomeric material, the body having an opening at a base portion thereof, the body having in elevation a frusto-ellipsoidal configuration, and the body taken along a sectional plane parallel with the base portion having an ellipsoidal configuration, the body being adapted to receive and discharge fluid through the opening, the body being expandable and contractible in response to receiving and discharging, respectively, the fluid, the body being adapted to retain the frusto-ellipsoidal and ellipsoidal configurations when in an expanded condition, and a submarine projectile launch system having the accumulator body as a component thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

An elastomeric impulse energy storage and transfer system for launch of projectiles into a liquid medium, said system comprising: a launch tube having a muzzle end and a breech end, said launch tube being adapted to house a projectile and slidably guide said projectile during a launch; a breech valv

An elastomeric impulse energy storage and transfer system for launch of projectiles into a liquid medium, said system comprising: a launch tube having a muzzle end and a breech end, said launch tube being adapted to house a projectile and slidably guide said projectile during a launch; a breech valve attached to said launch tube at said breech end, said breech valve being adapted to provide access to the interior of said launch tube from said breech end for loading said projectile; a muzzle valve attached to said launch tube at said muzzle end, said muzzle valve being adapted to permit egress of said projectile from said launch tube into said liquid medium; a cylindrical collar fixed to said launch tube between said muzzle end and said breech end, nearer to said breech end, so as to be disposed behind said projectile, said collar means having a longitudinal axis generally normal to a longitudinal axis of said launch tube, said cylindrical collar being adapted to provide access by a working fluid to said launch tube at a point behind said projectile; a control valve mounted on said collar for selectively placing the interior of said collar in communication with said interior of said launch tube; an elastomeric accumulator fixed to said collar at a planar base of said accumulator, said accumulator having in elevation a frusto-ellipsoidal configuration, and said accumulator having an ellipsoidal configuration along a sectional plane parallel with said accumulator base plane; said accumulator being adapted to store energy by elastic expansion of walls thereof, an exterior surface of said accumulator being exposed to the pressure of said liquid medium; and a pump having a suction side thereof in communication with said liquid medium and a discharge side thereof in communication with said accumulator via said collar, for selectively pumping said liquid into said accumulator to inflate and distend said accumulator; whereby upon opening of said muzzle valve to flood said launch tube and opening said control valve to place said accumulator in communication with said launch tube via said collar, said accumulator contracts, thereby forcing the liquid medium stored in said accumulator through said collar and out said muzzle end of said launch tube along with said projectile.