Abstract: An assembly for moving objects by mechanical linkages has a power cylinder ith a shoulder at the juncture of a small bore and a large bore and with ports adjacent each end and one adjacent the shoulder. A shaft extends through the cylinder with a larger diameter portion in the smaller bore with a piston thereon sealing against the surface of the smaller bore. A second piston slidably seals on the small diameter of the shaft and against the larger bore, being biased towards the shoulder by a spring. A lost motion device on the end of the shaft projects outwardly of the smaller bore end of the power cylinder and has a housing with a chamber in which the end of the shaft is slidable against a spring which biases it outwardly of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is capable of a rapid firing sequence for an nderwater dual barrel launcher. An air cylinder assembly drives a water piston housed in a water cylinder in either of two opposing piston stroke directions. The water cylinder is continually supplied and balanced with sea pressure. A piston stroke in a first direction pressurizes impulse water in the water cylinder that is then supplied to a first launch tube of the dual barrel launcher. A piston stroke in an opposing second direction again pressurizes impulse water in the water cylinder that is then supplied to a second launch tube. Thus, each opposing piston stroke is a power stroke.

Abstract: An in-line hydraulic dashpot is disclosed that effectively decelerates the iston of a power cylinder by controllably choking off the oil which is providing pressure to the piston. The in-line hydraulic dashpot of the invention includes a valve spool member movable between an open and closed position along a fluid flow path that supplies oil to the power cylinder. An actuator rod is cooperative with the valve spool member and the piston shaft of the power cylinder to move the valve spool member between its open and closed positions. The in-line hydraulic dashpot eliminates the clashing of mechanical parts and therewith eliminates the noise that would otherwise be generated thereby. The in-line hydraulic dashpot of the present invention makes possible the adaptation of a fixed stroke power cylinder to applications that call for a variable stroke length.

Abstract: A dolly system having a pair of flexible lashing straps which are tightened y a single turnbuckle. The upper clamps to which the lashing straps attach are reversible, one position having an arcuate surface with a contour matching a first weapon diameter, D1, and the other position having an arcuate surface contour matching a second larger weapon diameter, D2. The strap connection point on this double contoured clamp piece permits the same lashing straps to be used for both weapon diameters. Further, each dolly has two reversible bottom clamping pads, each with an arcuate surface contour that selectively matches either the D1 or the D2 weapon diameter. Each bottom pad is held in place with a pivot pin and a position pin, each of which is of a quick release type. The primary advantage of such a dolly system is that storage of present size weapons is relatively unaffected by providing this future growth potential.

Abstract: A slide valve is described that has the capability to open rapidly at a rnably controlled speed. The valve has two concentric tubes with each tube having a plurality of slots. In the valve closed position the slots are misaligned both axially and circumferentially. In the valve open position the slots in the inner cylinder coincide with respective outer slot openings. On moving from the closed to open position the inner tube is connected to a bracket that rides in an outer tube cammed slot. The bracket and inner tube to which it is connected are driven first longitudinally in the axial direction and then rotated on its axis while being driven further in the axial direction.

Abstract: A submarine weapon launch system utilizing an external impulse tank. A surine has at least one cylindrical torpedo tube that has a breechward section residing within the pressure hull of the submarine and a muzzleward section residing outside the pressure hull. An impulse tank is mounted outside the pressure hull provides impulse water to the breechward section of the torpedo tube. A hull insert encases a space about a portion of both the breechward and muzzleward sections of the torpedo tube. The hull insert provides for venting of the encased space to the impulse tank outside the pressure hull and for venting of the encased space to the breechward section within the pressure hull. The hull insert protects the torpedo tube from pressure hull distortions while the encased space transports impulse water from the impulse tank to the breechward section of the torpedo tube.

Abstract: A submarine torpedo tube axial weapon restrainer for preventing a weapon m moving breechward in a torpedo tube once the weapon has been released for firing. An axial restrainer block is mounted within a housing on a wall of a torpedo tube. The block has a guide slot that extend into the torpedo tube for engaging a guide stud of a weapon to be loaded into the tube. The housing is provided with cam slots that allow the block to move axially along the torpedo tube. The cam slots permit the block's guide slot to receive, engage or release the weapon guide stud in one of a load, lock or fire position, respectively. A hydraulic control system having three power cylinders controls the movement of the block. A first power cylinder mechanically connected to the block moves the block. Second and third power cylinders are used to control the amount of movement of the first power cylinder toward the breechward and/or muzzleward end of the torpedo tube.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock system is disclosed having an interlock segment that s mechanically coupled to the breech door, to the slide valve, and to the muzzle door of an associated torpedo tube in such a way that the interlock segment positively prevents opening, or the initiation of the opening sequence, of the breech door if either the corresponding muzzle door or slide valve for a particular torpedo tube is open, and that positively prevents opening, or the initiation of the opening sequences for, either the corresponding slide valve or muzzle door of a particular torpedo tube, if and as soon as the breech door is free to open, is opened or if its opening sequence is once initiated. The interlock segment and mechanical coupling of the interlock system of the present invention exhibits improved breech door stress performance and reduced manufacturing, inventory, repair and other costs.

Abstract: An underwater receptacle has a pressure balancing arrangement that balances he underwater force that tend to hold a receptacle and its mated plug together. The pressure balancing arrangement also relieves the air pressure formed between the insert discs of the plug and receptacle when connecting the insert discs respective electrical pins and sockets. This is achieved by moving the volume of air formed between the discs on connecting the respective components. The volume of air passes through the receptacle disc and operates a piston to form a chamber for holding the volume of air. The other side of the piston is exposed to sea pressure. This forces the volume of air back into its original position and eliminates a vacuum suction by neutralizing the pressure on the plug when disconnecting the plug from the receptacle.

Abstract: A three-position submarine torpedo tube shutterway that adapts to one of swimout launch, the ejection launch or the non-launch mode. The shutterway resides within a housing that is located between the muzzleward end of the torpedo tube and an opening in the submarine's hull. The shutterway rotates to accommodate any one of the three modes.

Abstract: A bimodal flow restriction device having an open condition and a closed cition is disclosed. In its open condition, an annular fluid flow path defined between a torpedo enclosed within a larger torpedo tube is open to support a torpedo launch in a swim-out mode. In order to facilitate a swim-out launch, water must flow from the forward portion of the torpedo, along its body and into its propeller. In its closed condition, the annular fluid flow path defined between the torpedo enclosed within the larger torpedo tube is closed-off to enable torpedo launch in a pump-ejection mode. In the preferred embodiment, plural, cooperative elbows are disposed about an inside circumference of the torpedo tube, and are radially movable between a closed condition, where they provide an annular impediment in the annular fluid flow path to enable operation in the pump-ejection mode, and an open condition, where the annular fluid flow path is open, to enable operation in the swim-out mode.