Ammunition and explosives – Mines – Marine type
Patent
1996-07-10
1997-12-16
Carone, Michael J.
Ammunition and explosives
Mines
Marine type
F42B 2200
Patent
active
056988133
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a visual indicator assembly for use in underwater operations.
In particular the present invention relates to a visual indicator assembly for use with a Stonefish Exercise Mine ("SEM") to provide a visual indication to surface vessels that the SEM has been "detonated".
The Royal Australian Navy acquired recently a number of SEMs manufactured by Marconi Underwater Systems Limited for use in training exercises for mine detection and clearance. The SEM is a programmable magnetic/acoustic/pressure influence ground mine which can be used in depths of water to 90 meters and is deployed at sea by lowering the mine onto the water by crane and then releasing it to sink uncontrolled to the sea bed.
The SEM is capable of communicating through a ship-activated acoustic sonar link within the frequency range of 12 kHz to 16 kHz. When "fired" a firing signal generated by the SEM is recorded via an in-water receiver/recorder towed behind an attendant vessel. The mine firing signal is registered on a display in the ship's bridge to tell the commanding officer that the mine has "detonated".
The limited availability and the cost of the towed recorder precludes the fitting of this equipment to all ships which exercise with the SEM. Consequently, ships without the benefit of the in-water electronics must rely upon receiving the results of the mine data transmission messages from other ships. The delay in notifying the recipient, and other ships, that a critical mine encounter may have occurred causes a significant lack of realism and concern to participating ships and devalues the training exercise.
With the above in mind, an object of the present invention is to provide a real time visual mine firing indicator which will indicate to all ships in an exercise that a SEM has transmitted a detonation signal.
According to the present invention there is provided a visual indicator assembly for use in underwater applications comprising: adapted to provide visual and/or audible indications on the surface; to the surface; and release the marker to float to the surface.
It is preferred that the marker be adapted to provide visual indications when it floats to the surface.
It is preferred particularly that the marker be adapted to provide visual and audible indications when it floats to the surface.
It is preferred that the marker comprise visual and/or audible pyrotechnics components.
It is preferred that the marker comprises an ignition system for the visual and/or audible pyrotechnics components.
It is preferred that the release means be responsive to a "fired" signal from a Stonefish Exercise Mine.
It is preferred particularly that the "fired" signal be a sonar signal.
It is preferred that the release means comprises a means for receiving and recognizing the "fired" signal.
It is preferred that the release means comprises an ejection means for applying a tensile force between the marker and the support means to sever the coupling and to release the marker after the "fired" signal has been recognised.
It is preferred that the marker houses the ejection means.
It is preferred particularly that the marker comprises a watertight compartment and that the ejection means be located in the compartment.
It is preferred more particularly that the severable coupling couples together a forward section and a rear section of the marker.
With such an arrangement it is preferred that the ejection means be operable to apply a force against a rear end of the forward section of the marker and that the rear section of the marker be retained by the support means.
It is preferred that the ejection means be adapted simultaneously to actuate the ignition system for the visual and/or audible pyrotechnics components of the marker.
It is preferred that the visual indicator assembly further comprises a delay fuse to delay ignition of the ignition system for the visual and/or audible pyrotechnics components of the marker until the marker reaches the surface.
It is preferred that the visual indicator assembly comprises:
It is pref
REFERENCES:
patent: 2775939 (1957-01-01), Fogal
patent: 2912929 (1959-11-01), Mattingly et al.
patent: 2949853 (1960-08-01), Vogt
patent: 3086464 (1963-04-01), Butler
patent: 3709148 (1973-01-01), Costley et al.
patent: 4141295 (1979-02-01), Campbell et al.
De Sousa Manuel Pires
Galati John Christopher
Ramsay Peter
Carone Michael J.
Commonwealth of Australia
Lattig Matthew J.
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