IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0985083
(2004-11-08)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Ansay,Michael T.
- Zervas,Harry
- Wroblewski,Michael J.
- Broadmeadow,James T.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
5 인용 특허 :
5 |
초록
▼
An underwater missile launch system includes one or more missile loading modules for supporting a plurality of missiles disposed within protective capsules in a stackable, in-line configuration within a pressure vessel. The missiles are arranged inside the modules, which may be stacked in groups ins
An underwater missile launch system includes one or more missile loading modules for supporting a plurality of missiles disposed within protective capsules in a stackable, in-line configuration within a pressure vessel. The missiles are arranged inside the modules, which may be stacked in groups inside a single pressure vessel, or payload bay. Each module is preferably substantially identical including a common size, shape, and payload of missiles in common with the module above and below it. A one-way positioning latch is provided that prevents the upper missiles from dropping down on top of the lower missiles, while allowing the lower missiles to later pass up through the same launch tube as the upper missiles, after the upper missiles have been ejected.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. An underwater missile launch system for use with an underwater vehicle comprising: a pressure vessel having an upper end and a bottom constructed and arranged to be supported on a hull of the vehicle; at least a first module and a second module supported within said pressure
What is claimed is: 1. An underwater missile launch system for use with an underwater vehicle comprising: a pressure vessel having an upper end and a bottom constructed and arranged to be supported on a hull of the vehicle; at least a first module and a second module supported within said pressure vessel, the first and second modules each including a plurality of launch tubes, the second module supported on top of the first module such that the launch tubes of the second module are substantially aligned with the launch tubes of the first module, and said launch tubes having a muzzle opening positioned on a launch end of each launch tube; a capsule configured and dimensioned to support and protect a missile and adapted to fit within one of the launch tubes; and a latching mechanism constructed and arranged to support the capsule within the launch tube at a predetermined location, the latching mechanism preventing downward movement of the capsule into the tube, while allowing for upward movement of the capsule. 2. The underwater launch system of claim 1, wherein the first and second modules have substantially the same size, shape and payload of capsules. 3. The underwater launch system of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable air bag supported on each capsule, the air bag being constructed and arranged to raise the capsule to a launch surface. 4. The missile launch system of claim 3, wherein the capsule includes a detachable nose cone, and wherein the air bag is supported on the nose cone. 5. The missile launch system of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism includes a hinged portion supported on the capsule and a stop mechanism supported on an interior of each of the launch tubes. 6. The missile launch system of claim 5, wherein the hinged portion folds to conform to an outside diameter of the capsule. 7. The missile launch system of claim 1, further comprising a water pump supported at the bottom of the pressure vessel, the water pump constructed and arranged to provide pressurized water to the launch tubes, sufficient to eject the capsule from within the tube. 8. The missile launch system of claim 1, further comprising a movable muzzle closure disposed at the launch end of each launch tube and constructed and arranged to prevent high-pressure water build up within the launch tubes. 9. The missile launch system of claim 1, further comprising a shock mitigation material disposed within each launch tube. 10. The missile launch system of claim 1, further comprising a hatch positioned at the upper end of the pressure vessel. 11. An underwater launch system for use with an underwater vehicle comprising: a pressure vessel having an upper end and a bottom constructed and arranged to be supported on a hull of the vehicle; at least a first module and a second module supported within said pressure vessel, the first and second modules each including a plurality of launch tubes, the second module supported on top of the first module such that the launch tubes of the second module are substantially aligned with the launch tubes of the first module, and said launch tubes having a muzzle opening positioned on a launch end of each launch tube; a capsule configured and dimensioned to support and protect a missile and adapted to fit within one of the launch tubes; an inflatable airbag supported on the capsule and constructed and arranged to raise the capsule to a launch surface; and a latching mechanism constructed and arranged to support each capsule within its corresponding launch tube at a predetermined location, the latching mechanism preventing downward movement of the capsule into the tube, while allowing for upward movement of the capsule, the latching mechanism further including a hinged portion supported on the capsule and a stop mechanism supported on an interior of each of the launch tubes. 12. The underwater launch system of claim 11, wherein the first and second modules have substantially the same size, shape and payload of capsules. 13. The underwater launch system of claim 11, wherein the hinged portion of the latching mechanism folds to conform to an outside diameter of the capsule. 14. The underwater launch system of claim 11, further comprising a water pump supported at the bottom of the pressure vessel, the water pump constructed and arranged to provide pressurized water to the launch tubes, sufficient to eject the capsule from within the tube. 15. The underwater launch system of claim 11, further comprising a movable muzzle closure disposed at the launch end of each launch tube and constructed and arranged to prevent high-pressure air build up within the launch tubes. 16. The underwater launch system of claim 11, further comprising a shock mitigation material disposed within each launch tube. 17. A method of launching a missile from an underwater vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a pressure vessel constructed and arranged to be supported on a hull of the vehicle; providing at least one missile; providing a first module and a second module within said provided pressure vessel, the first and second modules each including a plurality of launch tubes; providing at least one capsule including a detachable nose cone, the at least one capsule being configured and dimensioned to support and protect a missile, and adapted to fit within one of the launch tubes; positioning each of the at least one missiles within a corresponding protective capsule; providing a latching mechanism constructed and arranged to support each capsule within its corresponding launch tube at a predetermined location, the latching mechanism preventing downward movement of the capsule into the tube, while allowing for upward movement of the capsule; loading the protective capsule within one of the plurality of launch tubes until it engages the latching mechanism; supporting the second module on top of the first module such that the launch tubes of the second module are substantially aligned with the launch tubes of the first module; ejecting the capsule from the launch tubes; raising the capsule to the water's surface; jettisoning the nose cone of the capsule; and launching the missile from the capsule. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: providing an air bag supported on the nose cone of the capsule; and inflating the air bag to raise the capsule to the water's surface. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: providing a water pump supported within the pressure vessel; and pumping water to the launch tube of the capsule to be ejected in order to eject the capsule from the tube.
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