Abstract: A bladder assembly for retaining and discharging a fluid under pressure iudes a first expandable elastomeric bladder member having a first annularly-shaped base end for anchoring to a foundation and defining a first fixed end, and a first dome-shaped wall portion upstanding from the first fixed end and defining a first movable end. The assembly further includes a second expandable elastomeric bladder member disposed within and contiguous to the first bladder member, and having a second annularly-shaped base end for anchoring to the foundation and defining a second fixed end, and a second dome-shaped wall portion upstanding from the second fixed end and defining a second movable end. The first and second bladder members and the foundation are joined by fixing the first and second base ends to the foundation.

Abstract: An article ejector for use in marine applications which uses elastomeric ices for storing elastomeric energy to eject an article. Pressurized water is used for causing the devices to expand and store elastomeric energy at levels for ejecting the article at one of at least two velocities. A valve is provided for releasing the water and causing the elastomeric devices to release the stored elastomeric energy and move the water at a high velocity and force. The devices, water and valve are contained in a support housing connected with a launch tube, wherein upon the release of the stored elastomeric energy, the elastomeric devices move the water through the support housing and into the launch tube for ejecting the article at one of the at least two velocities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and hardware for bonding together nds of a sealing strip. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of cutting a slot in both a first end and a second end of a sealing strip, inserting an attachment strip having a plurality of engaging members into the slot cut into the first end, applying adhesive to the second end of the sealing strip, and placing the two ends of the sealing strip into an abutting relationship by inserting the attachment strip into the slot in the second end and sliding the ends together. The hardware used to effect the method includes an alignment guide having a substantially C-shaped channel for receiving the ends of the sealing strip to be joined together. The alignment guide has an end cap associated therewith having one or more slots for receiving a cutting tool for cutting slots in the ends of the sealing strip. The hardware further includes an attachment strip which is used to join the ends of the sealing strip together.

Abstract: A grate for a torpedo tube flow slot consists of a rigid metal frame and a ire chain link structure extending across the interior area of the frame. The chain link structure significantly reduces the surface area of the grate and permits greater flow through the flow slots. The dimensions of the frame are preferably larger than the flow area so that the frame structure does not block the flow path.

Abstract: A torpedo tube shutter door assembly includes a series of segmented, abutg panels constituting a shutter door for selectively blocking an elongate opening formed in an outer hull of a submarine. The panels are movable between a closed position in which the panels fair to the outer hull and block the opening, and an open position in which the panels slidably move away from the opening along a longitudinal axis. Links connect the panels together and a guide mechanism guides the sliding movement of the panels between their closed and open positions. A drive actuates sliding movement of the panels between closed and open positions.

Abstract: A torpedo tube and slide valve assembly includes a torpedo tube having a rality of circumferentially spaced slots therein and an impulse tank surrounding the torpedo tube wherein the slots provide a flow path between the impulse tank and the interior of the torpedo tube. A cylindrical slide valve is slidably received on the outer surface of the torpedo tube but inside the impulse tank. The slide valve is slidably movable inside the impulse tank between a first position wherein the slide valve covers the slots and a second position wherein the slots are uncovered. The impulse tank includes a cylindrical sleeve portion which extends in a breechward direction to accommodate movement of the slide valve within the impulse tank. Circumferential sealing gaskets are preferably secured on the outside surface of the torpedo tube at each end of the slots for providing spaced circumferential seals between the torpedo tube outer surface and the slide valve inner surface.

Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle recovery device being joinable with the brh of an existing torpedo tube. The recovery device comprises a plurality of concentric tubes which telescope through the torpedo tube to the exterior of the hull of a submarine to provide a mechanism for aligning the recovered unmanned underwater vehicle with the torpedo tube launchway. A recovery vehicle is held within the recovery device by a deployable tether. During recovery the recovery vehicle is launched from the recovery device in the torpedo tube of the submarine. The recovery vehicle travels out and mates with a coupling at the rear of the unmanned underwater vehicle. The tether is retracted and joined recovery vehicle/unmanned underwater vehicle is pulled into the torpedo tube launchway. The concentric tubes are retracted and the unmanned underwater vehicle is left in the torpedo tube.

Abstract: A support system for submarine weapons. Fore and aft support structures iude a plurality of vertically oriented channels spaced to engage rollers on the ends of the saddles that engage and support a weapon on diametrically opposed sides of the weapon. Locking structures position the ends of the saddle in the supporting structure. A crane mechanism can selectively engage the saddles and elevate the weapon into the crane for transport to a loading structure. Upon use of a column of weapons, the saddles can be stored horizontally allowing other operations in the storage space between the support structures.

Abstract: There is presented a slide valve assembly comprising an impulse tank adap to receive and retain fluid, under pressure and a fluid launch tube extending through the impulse tank, the fluid launch tube having openings therein adapted to be in communication with the impulse tank. The assembly further comprises a slide valve head slidably disposed in the impulse tank and adapted to move in the impulse tank between a first position in which the slide valve head covers the openings to prevent fluid flow between the impulse tank and the fluid launch tube, and a second position in which the slide valve head is removed from the openings to permit fluid flow between the impulse tank and the fluid launch tube. The assembly still further comprises a fluid flow resistance element fixed to the slide valve head and adapted, when covering the openings, to permit frictionally resisted flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a pressurized liquid to a launch tube for launng projectiles into a liquid medium. The device comprises an elastomeric bladder disposed inside a cylindrical bypass tube. The forward end of the bypass tube is open to the liquid medium, and the aft end of the tube is hydraulically connected to the launch tube. The elastomeric bladder is externally of generally cylindrical shape and has an open aft end, a closed forward end and a side wall of varying thickness. The open end of the bladder is hydraulically connected to valves which act to control charging of the bladder and firing of the bladder. The bladder expands to contact the wall of the bypass tube when the bladder is filled with pressurized seawater. Ultimately the whole bladder will act to seal the bypass tube by contact with the bypass tube wall to prevent the external liquid medium from communicating with the launch tube through the bypass tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and hardware for bonding together nds of a sealing strip. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of cutting a slot in both a first end and a second end of a sealing strip, inserting an attachment strip having a plurality of engaging members into the slot cut into the first end, applying adhesive to the second end of the sealing strip, and placing the two ends of the sealing strip into an abutting relationship by inserting the attachment strip into the slot in the second end and sliding the ends together. The hardware used to effect the method includes an alignment guide having a substantially C-shaped channel for receiving the ends of the sealing strip to be joined together. The alignment guide has an end cap associated therewith having one or more slots for receiving a cutting tool for cutting slots in the ends of the sealing strip. The hardware further includes an attachment strip which is used to join the ends of the sealing strip together.

Abstract: An acoustic isolation structure providing an acoustically isolated opening nd comprising coaxial inner and outer annular structural members defining an irregular annulus between them. Acoustical isolation material is provided within this annulus to acoustically uncouple the two members. Radially overlapping structural rings extending from the members into the annulus limit lateral movement of the inner member and preserve the generally coaxial relation of the members.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for operating the shutter door of a torpedo tube indes two hydraulic cylinders connected in series and a plurality of interconnected links pivotally connected between the inner hull and the shutter door. In operation, the combined movement of the hydraulic cylinders rotates an elongated torque arm and a transfer link about a rotatable shaft. As the transfer link rotates it moves the end of the link inwardly away from the outer hull. As the transfer link further rotates away from the outer hull, it draws the connector link and the shutter door inwardly. The added throw of the two cylinders cooperate with the longer torque arm to provide an increased moment, and hence greater opening force on the shutter door.

Abstract: An eccentric drive rotates inside a ring that is hinged to a plate and an astomeric curtain is wrapped around the ring and across an articulated plate. The curtain moves along a cylindrical wall inside the pump cavity to move fluid from an inlet to an outlet end of the chamber. Two or more chambers can be coupled in series or in parallel with one another.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for a submarine balanced ejection system incing upper and lower launch tubes and upper and lower launch tube ejection systems, the assembly including a hull insert fixed in the pressure hull of the submarine and having first and second openings therein, a valve spool rotatably mounted and having ports therein selectively alignable with the first and second openings and with the upper and lower launch tubes and upper and lower launch tube ejection systems.

Abstract: A submarine is equipped with a conventional main hydraulic system and has least one hydraulic actuator located outside the vessel's pressurized hull where it is susceptible to contamination of its hydraulic fluid. The actuator is operated from an isolation system that includes a slave piston driven by a power piston from the main hydraulic system to keep a desired pressure in the secondary system by operating the power piston only as required for this purpose. Both power and slave piston positions are related and a two position limit switch is tripped by switch actuators linked to these pistons for operating the power and slave pistons. This isolation system prevents any contaminants in the external system from contaminating the internal system.

Abstract: A densely packaged torpedo tube hull liner cluster for use in a pressure l of a submarine, the cluster comprising a rigid I-beam having first and second flanges interconnected by a web portion, and having an end block fixed to either end of the beam. The flanges and the end blocks are provided with oppositely disposed seats of respective first and second radii therein. A first torpedo tube liner having a radius substantially equal to the first radius is fixed to the beam flanges and end blocks in a first of the seats, and a second torpedo tube liner having a radius substantially equal to the second radius is fixed to the beam flanges and end blocks in a second of the seats. The beam is disposed between the first and second liners and is adapted for attachment to a submarine pressure hull in an opening therein adapted to receive the beam and liners. Further contemplated, is a method for making the cluster of beam and liners and fixing the cluster to the submarine pressure hull.

Abstract: A submarine torpedo launching and control assembly has a multiplicity of pedo tubes each having muzzle and breech doors and a series of fluid operated mechanisms for operation of various elements and actuator valves for operating these mechanisms. A source of fluid under pressure and conduits therefrom to said actuator valves for operating said fluid operated mechanisms. A control panel has a series of manipulatable fluid control members associated with the actuator valves for operating the fluid operated mechanisms, and these members are movable from a first position to a second position to effect the direction of flow of fluid to and from the actuator valves and thereby to move the mechanisms between the first and second positions. Visual indicators indicate the position of the associated fluid control members and thereby that of the fluid operated mechanisms.

Abstract: A positioning assembly for a torpedo having a projection thereon including support mounted on the torpedo tube adjacent the projection, and a control member movable on the support transversely of the torpedo tube. The control member has a control surface with a series of abutment surfaces for the projection to limit motion of the torpedo within the tube. A first transverse abutment surface limits movement of the torpedo towards the muzzle end of the tube during loading, and a second transverse abutment surface cooperates with a portion of the first abutment surface to limit movement of the torpedo in either direction axially in the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressurizing a submarine launch tube in order to launch a evice therefrom includes a weighted first piston received in a vertically disposed first cylinder member, a second piston received in a second cylinder member, a connecting rod mechanically connecting the first and second pistons and a conduit connecting the second cylinder member to a launch tube. The first piston member is constructed such that downward gravitational movement thereof in the first cylinder member is operative for moving the second piston member in the second cylinder member in order to force water received in the second cylinder member outwardly under pressure through the conduit and into the launch tube.