Abstract: An adaptive trajectory apparatus and method provide vehicle control comma to steer an underwater vehicle launched from a vessel towards a contact. A plurality of measured/estimated position and motion parameters associated with the contact are provided. The contact parameters also include information on quality and alertment status. The contact parameters are compared with an information matrix that defines a plurality of trajectory strategies and data parameters required to effect each of the trajectory strategies. A trajectory strategy is defined as a candidate trajectory strategy when the required data parameters are included in the measured/estimated contact parameter set. An expert system periodically selects a unique possible trajectory strategy based upon a predetermined set of rules that utilize the received contact parameters, quality thereof, contact alertment status and vehicle state information received from the underwater vehicle.

Abstract: A torpedo launching system with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pump for torp launches is disclosed. The system comprises a sea chamber, impulse tank and launch tube. The impulse tank has a magnetohydrodynamic pump which provides a Lorentz force to the seawater within the impulse tank thereby launching the torpedo. The MHD pump comprises supercooled superconducting electromagnets and seawater electrodes set up to provide perpendicular electric and magnetic fields.

Abstract: An impulse tank is provided in the free flood compartment of a submarine to ressurize a launcher tube from sea water that has been pumped into the tank for this purpose. The tank is defined in part by the submarine hull and in part by a diaphragm bladder that is designed to expand into the free flood compartment during this pressurization.

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.

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 conventional pressure transducer is provided on an adaptive connector wh fits either of two "wet side" bulkhead fittings on the breech door of a torpedo tube. The transducer is electrically connected to a recording device in the submarine by means of a cable with an adaptive connector that is configured to be received on either of the two "dry side" bulkhead fittings.

Abstract: An elastomeric impulse energy storage and transfer system comprising an amulator 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.

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.

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: The invention is low-noise, low-pressure torpedo launching system having cially designed ports connecting a water cylinder to an impulse tank and to a method for designing such ports. The invention uses specially designed C-shaped water cylinder discharge ports to provide a continuous and minimized pressure gradient as the ports are closed by the water piston. The resulting controlled deceleration of the water piston reduces operational noise, reduces mechanical stresses and eliminates the need for auxiliary dashpot components.

Abstract: A firing assembly for a stored energy projectile launcher of the type hav an energy storage device that is pressurized by a fluid. The projectile is mechanically latched in its launch tube and the aft end of the projectile cooperates with the breach end of the launch tube to define a breach chamber that communicates with and is pressurized with the bladder. A valve in a line from the breach chamber is electrically controlled to move a piston and release the mechanical latch when fluid pressure is provided to the piston chamber. The pressure used to overcome the force needed to raise the piston is taken from the energy storage device. No addition of energy to the system is required, with the exception of a short electrical impulse signal, to open a full port valve acting instantaneously on the rear face of the projectile.

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 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: 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.

Abstract: A toroidal circumferentially wound superconducting coil is provided for generating a constant magnetic field with a significant radial field component. A room-temperature resistive coil wound circumferentially and connected to launch activating means is coaxial with the superconductive coil. Interaction of the current in the resistive coil with the radial field component of the superconductive coil produces an axial force on the resistive coil and in turn on the launch activating means. The axial force is controllable in magnitude and direction by controlling the magnitude and direction of the current supplied to the resistive coil.

Abstract: A device for storing potential energy in the form of a distended elastome bladder and rapidly converting that stored energy into kinetic energy of a working fluid for quietly ejecting a projectile from the device into the surrounding fluid medium.

Abstract: A submarine weapon handling system and method includes a storage tray, ramming tray, and transfer tray. Each tray has a plurality of rotatable bands received in grooves in the trays and are movable between an open weapon receiving position and a closed weapon clamping position. The storage tray and ramming tray are stationary and the transfer tray is movable. The transfer tray is moved into contact with a weapon secured in the storage tray, the bands of the transfer tray are rotated around the weapon, and the bands in the storage tray are rotated from closed to open position permitting the transfer tray to move a selected weapon into the bands of the ramming tray which are then rotated into weapon clamping position while the bands of the transfer tray are opened permitting the transfer tray to be moved away from the ramming tray.

Abstract: A weapon dolly is disclosed for use in a submarine to handle weapons such as torpedos or the like. The dolly includes a base section having an arcuate weapon supporting surface formed from light composite material having a recess formed therein. A composite arcuate band is movable between a weapon clamping position above the base section and a stowed position slidably received within the base section below the weapon supporting surface. Arcuate links and clamp means with an associated positive locking mechanism are provided for clamping the weapon between the band and the base and for quickly releasing the weapon for movement into a launching tube or the like.

Abstract: An expelling mechanism adapted for use with discharge tubes and drain tubes of submarines for ejecting a weapon by compressed air includes a chamber formed with an outlet opening, and adapted to substantially communicate selectively with a storage container holding compressed gas, a discharge valve which may be moved towards the opening in a closing direction, and away therefrom in an opening direction at a selectable opening velocity, and a hydraulic control device for controlling the movement of the discharge valve. The hydraulic control device includes a cylinder adapted to be filled with hydraulic fluid, a piston reciprocally movable along a stroke within the cylinder, and partitioning the cylinder into two cylinder chambers, an overflow channel establishing communication between the cylinder chambers, and a connecting device connecting the discharge valve with the hydraulic control device.

Abstract: A torpedo launcher for a submarine, wherein the torpedo tube is encircled a cylindrical enclosure and a sack is disposed in the cylindrical enclosure and the sack is in fluid communication with the breech end of the torpedo tube. The torpedo tube and sack are filled with seawater and pressurized air is rapidly supplied to the cylindrical enclosure to eject the torpedo from the torpedo tube.

Abstract: A launching mechanism is provided for ejecting a small buoy from a high sd deep depth submersible. The buoy is held in place and constrained by a pair of latch levers that lock into a groove in the buoy tail piece. The latch levers are held in place by locking pins. On launch a solenoid valve is operated allowing ambient sea pressure to actuate a release system. The sea pressure retracts a release piston assembly to which the locking pins are attached. Upon withdrawal of the locking pins, the latch levers are released by the force of neg'ator ejection springs. The ejection springs accelerate an open ended cage containing the buoy through a four foot displacement. The buoy strikes a plunger actuating a muzzle plug release mechanism that permits ejection of the buoy from the launch cage.

Abstract: A dual loading and stowage apparatus for handling a pair of cylindrical bes, such as a pair of missiles, torpedoes, or projectiles. The apparatus includes an elongated base, and a pair of elongated trays which are positioned in tandem above the base and parallel thereto for receiving the cylindrical bodies. A device slidably mounts the trays for lateral movement on the base so that each tray can be selectively centered above the base for off-loading purposes. Each of the trays is pivoted to the mounting device along an inner edge so as to be capable of pivoting between downward and upward positions. The lateral dimension of the pair of trays in their downward positions is greater than the lateral dimension of the base, however, when one of the trays is pivoted to its upward position the lateral dimension of the trays is less than the lateral dimension of the base.

Abstract: A manifold controls the venting of pressurized gas from an ordnance launc. A manifold block is provided with a number of passageways which communicate with a pair of recesses machined in the block. A high pressure gas valve is disposed in one of the recesses while a venting valve is rotatably positioned in the other recess. Ports are included in both of the valves so that when they are rotated a venting sequence of the launcher is effected. A specifically configured handle is secured to each of the valves and a spring biased pawl engages a number of teeth on the venting valve handle to allow only one direction of rotation. The configurations of the handles, the ratchet and pawl ensure a preestablished venting sequence and readying of the launcher for another shot.