Ordnance – Rocket launching – Underwater launching
Patent
1998-02-13
2000-04-04
Jordan, Charles T.
Ordnance
Rocket launching
Underwater launching
102399, F41F 307
Patent
active
060447451
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a seabed enclosure for holding weaponry, communication and/or recording equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an enclosure for weaponry, communications, listening, identification or recording equipment or the like for use on/in the seabed comprising an outer cylindrical container having means to render one end of the container more buoyant than the other so that the container lies in a vertical orientation when disposed in the sea, means at the other end of the container for activating sand/silt/shingle on the seabed to create a cavity below the container into which the container can self bury and a payload compartment within the container for holding weaponry and/communications, listening identification or recording equipment, wherein the container wall is formed with a plurality of separate passages extending spirally from inlets at the lower end of the container upwardly to outlets at the top of the container through which activated sand/silt/shingle and water generated at the lower end of the container can flow upwardly as the container self buries in the seabed.
Preferably the container has inner and outer concentric walls partitioned to form a plurality of spirally extending passageways leading from inlets at the lower end of the container to outlets at the upper end of the container for delivery of sand/silt/shingle, and water activated at the lower end of the container to the upper end of the container.
More specifically said inlets may be formed between the concentric walls of the container at the lower end thereof.
In addition said outlets may be formed in the outer periphery of the upper end of the container.
In any of the above arrangements the upper end of the container may be a cup shaped head through which said passages extend to outlets at the outer periphery of the cup and a buoyancy chamber is formed within the cup to render the upper end of the container more buoyant than the lower end as aforesaid.
Also in any of the above arrangements a plurality of motor driven impellers/propellers are mounted within the lower end of the container to act on the seabed below adjacent the respective inlet to the passages between the container walls.
Thruster pumps may be provided at spaced locations around the upper end of the container for maintaining the container upright as it self buries into the seabed and the inner container has gyro control equipment for controlling the thruster pumps.
The inner container may also include means to detect signals, vibration or noise transmitted through the seabed to activate the weaponry, identification/ communications, listening or recording equipment enclosed in the inner container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following is a specific description of some specific embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the seabed enclosure according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an under view of the enclosure;
FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a portion of the enclosure;
FIG. 4 illustrate an embodiment of the enclosure containing a weapon;
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the enclosure containing communication devices;
FIG. 6 illustrates the enclosure buried in the seabed and receiving signals from surface ship and submarine;
FIG. 7 is a similar view to FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a similar view to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 showing a communications device released from the enclosure partway to the surface;
FIG. 9 is a similar view to FIG. 8 showing the communication device at the surface and transmitting a signal to a passing aircraft; and
FIGS. 10 to 12 show a modified form of the enclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a seabed enclosure in the form of an upright outer cylindrical container 10 which terminates in a cup shape head 11 at its upper end and has an open lower end 12. Preferably the conta
REFERENCES:
patent: 3035285 (1962-05-01), Squires, Jr.
patent: 4395952 (1983-08-01), Hickey
patent: 4566367 (1986-01-01), Hickey
patent: 4586421 (1986-05-01), Hickey et al.
patent: 5837919 (1998-11-01), Yagla et al.
Buckley Denise J.
Jordan Charles T.
Lawborough Consultants Limited
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