Ships – Torpedoes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-10
2001-06-05
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Ships
Torpedoes
C089S001810
Reexamination Certificate
active
06242684
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to munitions storage and in particular to torpedo shock protection devices.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
The heavy weight torpedoes, MK 48, MK48/ADCAP, and MK48/ADCAP/TPU, contain wire payout communication systems. These wire communication systems have two wire payout coils, a torpedo payout coil contained in the fuel tank and a submarine tube mounted payout coil which is attached to the tail of the torpedo in a torpedo-mounted dispenser (TMD) during stowage and tube loading. As a single, continuous wire is used for communication with the torpedo, part of which is wound within the torpedo and part of which is wound in the TMD which remains attached to the submarine when the torpedo is launched, it is necessary to transport and store both the torpedo and the TMD together. The current procedure is to attach the TMD to the torpedo drive shaft, thereby forming a single assembled unit for transport and storage operations. This assembly is shown in FIG.
1
. The TMD
102
contains a flexible outer shell
104
, surrounding a coiled flexible hose
106
. Both the flexible hose
106
and communications wire (not shown) are coiled within the TMD and payed out as the torpedo
108
is launched. The entire TMD
102
adds considerable weight to the tail of the torpedo
108
. During storage, transportation, and stowage in the torpedo room with the TMD
102
assembled onto the torpedo, any shock and vibration can have detrimental effects on the torpedo after body assembly. The TMD
102
and its isolation mount with ball release mechanism are attached to the torpedo drive shaft through the exhaust valve housing and bellmouth adapter housing
110
. Using a torpedo dolly to support the TMD
102
has been unsatisfactory due to the relative fragility of the TMD
102
when supported around the outer shell
104
. The current fleet torpedo stowage configurations, i.e., without the TMD
102
being strapped down, may not survive operational shock specifications, e.g., shock loads imposed on the torpedo
108
by the submarine stowage system when the submarine comes under depth charge or torpedo attack.
An ADCAP Warshot Propulsion Layout Assembly with the TMD
102
mounted on the propulsion shaft with the bell-mounted adapter is shown in FIG.
2
. The torpedo
108
is stowed in a torpedo room and the torpedo
108
is strapped down to the stowage deck
112
in the submarine. A standard torpedo dolly
114
, shown in an end view in
FIG. 3
, supports TMD
102
with a generic (crushable honeycomb) material
116
between dolly
114
and Tmd
102
. Even with honeycomb material
116
in place, shock and vibration caused primarily by wartime explosions can damage and/or disable the weapon in the stowage position. Once the propulsion unit is loaded into the torpedo tube, the TMD
102
remains attached to the inside of the tube door only and the vehicle is free to be launched separately. Shock protection is only required prior to loading in the torpedo tube, that is, during torpedo room storage or during transport. It is not possible to merely strap the TMD
102
directly to a support, such as the torpedo dolly
114
, and secure the support to the stowage rack because the exterior of the TMD
102
, i.e. outer shell
104
, can only sustain limited loads. Additionally, certain locations on the TMD
102
can support relatively high loads, such as at the foot support
118
of dolly
114
, whereas other locations are relatively fragile. A protective structure, which can provide varying degrees of support, is needed between the torpedo dolly
114
and the TMD
102
. The supports must withstand the clamping loads of the torpedo dolly
114
without damage and also satisfy the shock requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shock absorbing device which can be attached to and surround a torpedo-mounted dispenser and which can then be clamped down using a torpedo dolly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shock-absorbing device which has varying degrees of crushability at different locations.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a shock-absorbing device, which can be readily adapted and attached to existing torpedo-mounted dispensers of varying diameters without altering other components of the stowage and handling systems.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, three extender assemblies are mounted on the TMD. In a first embodiment, the extender assemblies consist of short sections of metal tubes mounted longitudinally on the TMD. When the dolly holding the TMD is subjected to a shock load, the tubes deform to take up shock loads applied to the TMD through the dolly. The tubes are mounted to inner plate portions which are bent to conform to the TMD radius. Outer plates are attached to the tubes and are in contact with the dolly. To attach the assemblies to the TMD, a slot of each inner plate is positioned over a hook on the outside surface of the TMD. The hooks are part of the TMD assembly and serve to secure tie down straps for the cable within the TMD. An eye bolt fits over the hook and is bolted to a bent tab on the plate. To facilitate loading of the TMD into and out of the dolly, the ends of the tubes and plates are chamfered. In a second embodiment, the tubes are aligned circumferentially about the TMD.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3072022 (1963-01-01), Wood et al.
patent: 3335757 (1967-08-01), Lynch
patent: 3364896 (1968-01-01), Hedenberg
patent: 3387537 (1968-06-01), Chakoian et al.
patent: 3395670 (1968-08-01), Betzold
patent: 4627327 (1986-12-01), Huber
patent: 4739691 (1988-04-01), Beutter et al.
patent: 4878416 (1989-11-01), Orquera et al.
patent: 5065688 (1991-11-01), Moody
patent: 5327809 (1994-07-01), Matterson et al.
patent: 5353677 (1994-10-01), Kennedy
patent: 5400689 (1995-03-01), Hutter et al.
patent: 5690044 (1997-11-01), Reise et al.
Oliver Stephen F.
Olson Stanley J.
Buckley Denise J.
Carone Michael J.
Gauthier Robert W.
Lall Prithvi C.
McGowan Michael J.
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