Abstract: An ejection pump apparatus of a torpedo launching system is provided with improved water piston which is more stable during use and which enables the intake end of the water cylinder and the sea valve to have a smaller diameter than that of the piston. In order to assemble the piston through the smaller diameter opening, the piston is segmented into four pie-shaped segments which are assembled together in adjacent relation with bolt fasteners that extend through the sidewalls of the segments. The outer wall of the piston includes a circumferential slot which divides the outer wall into two spaced bearing lands which provide the piston with more stability. The circumferential slot also enable water to flow through the sidewall of the piston into the piston and outwardly through an open top thereof.

Abstract: A cascade orificial resistive device for throttling fluid flow which minies acoustic noise and internal vibrations is described herein. The device has a hollow body defining a fluid passageway, a plurality of perforated plates mounted within the passageway, a fixed end ring adjacent one end of the perforated plates, and a threadable end ring adjacent an opposite end of the perforated plates to place the plates in compression. Each of the perforated plates is a single piece molded plate having an integral outer ring and an integrally formed center keying mechanism as well as a plurality of orifices. The keying mechanism formed on each plate is designed so that adjacent ones of the plates have their orifices misaligned. In this manner, a pressure drop across each plate is created and the fluid flow through the device is throttled. The device of the present invention has utility in a number of onboard marine vessel systems wherein reduced acoustic noise and internal vibrations are particularly desirable.

Abstract: A self-actuating slide valve system for launching a device in a fluid envnment is provided. An interior channel, in which the device is positioned, is provided with first and second openings in its radial walls for allowing the passage of pressurized fluid into the interior channel. The first opening is located at least partially behind a tail end of the device and the second opening is located forward of the first opening. A sleeve is slidably fitted within a portion of the interior channel and around at least a portion of the device. The sleeve is movable between at least a first and second position. In the first position, the sleeve prevents the pressurized fluid from entering the interior channel through the first opening. In the second position, the sleeve allows the pressurized fluid to enter the interior channel through the first opening whereby the pressurized fluid can act on the tail end of the device to launch same through an axial opening of the interior channel.