EP0662599B1 - Container for the surface launching of a light torpedo - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the launching of weapons of the light torpedo type from a surface building, and in particular a container intended to store the weapon with launch to its launch pad.

Light torpedo type weapons are generally launched from surface buildings using tubes horizontal launching or catapults. These means of launch are arranged on the deck of the boat where they are generally grouped by two or three. So they are subject to direct exposure to the marine environment and bad weather, risks due to splinters during a fight naval, and in addition they need to be insulated to to protect the organs of the weapon.

Light torpedoes are stored in containers. When launching the weapon, you must therefore take the weapon out of the container, condition it for launch, set up the launch medium, etc. During all these handling, unfortunately, the weapon is not protected and is even weakened. This puts question the very security of the building.

Finally, the launch is implemented by using compressed air bottles. For a launch by tube, the compressed air bottles are placed in the cylinder head door; the sudden opening of a valve creates an overpressure on the back of the weapon which is then propelled towards the front of the tube and ejected outside the boat. For a catapult launch, the bottles compressed air supplies energy to a jack that propels the weapon to eject it from the boat.

Light torpedo type weapon has batteries used to power the propulsion means and of which priming is done by entering water when leaving tear. Generally, a security isolates the case charge arming and is cleared upon departure of the weapon. In addition, the torpedo has a socket for remote control connected to the control computer for programming of the machine, and which must be removed the most late possible at launch. We know a device ensuring the disconnection of the remote control socket by the separation of the weapon from its container, which is described in French patent 2301802 in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. These priming devices and security means must therefore be in place at the time of positioning of the torpedo on its launching bench with all the disadvantages inherent in their handling.

This is why the main object of the invention is to provide a container for a light torpedo-type weapon avoiding maximum manipulation of the weapon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the above type intended to be brought on the launching bench with the weapon held in the storage position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a container of the above type having the devices for security necessary for launching the weapon, thus avoiding handling of the weapon at the time of its launch.

Therefore, the object of the invention is a container intended to contain a light torpedo type weapon to be launched at from a surface building, said weapon comprising a means of priming power supply batteries for its propulsion, a means of extracting weapon security from launch time and a remote control socket to provide the programming of weapon controls from a computer control, said remote control socket being integral with said container and its disconnection taking place automatically at moment of launching the weapon by separation from the latter and said container]. These various means are integral with the container which is brought to the launch pad with the weapon kept in the container in storage position. The activation of the battery priming means and of the means takes place automatically by separating the weapon from its container.

la figure 1 est une représentation simplifiée du conteneur et de la torpille qu'il contient, laissant apparaítre l'épingle d'entrée d'eau, l'épingle du boítier d'armement et la prise de téléréglage,

la figure 2 est une vue en coupe du dispositif d'immobilisation longitudinale de la torpille et montrant la sphère terminale retenue par des pinces

la figure 3 est une représentation simplifiée de l'épingle utilisée pour l'entrée d'eau ou la sécurité du boítier d'armement de la torpille et,

les figures 4a et 4b représentent le dispositif permettant à la prise de téléréglage d'être arrachée lors du lancement de la torpille.

The objects, objects and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description made in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of the container and of the torpedo which it contains, revealing the water inlet pin, the armament box pin and the remote control socket,

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the longitudinal immobilization device of the torpedo and showing the terminal sphere retained by clamps

FIG. 3 is a simplified representation of the pin used for the entry of water or the security of the torpedo cocking box and,

Figures 4a and 4b show the device allowing the remote control socket to be torn off when the torpedo is launched.

As already mentioned, the object of the invention is avoid handling the torpedo when it is installed in its firing position. The container according to the invention achieves this goal since it is brought itself with the torpedo it contains, on the launch pad.

The preferably cylindrical container 10 has been shown on Figure 1 without its upper part to reveal the torpedo 12 which it contains. Torpedo 12 is immobilized in the container by slides (not shown) to transverse immobilization, and by a terminal sphere 14 for longitudinal immobilization and whose explanation will be given below.

a) une sécurité 16 qui isole le boítier d'armement de la charge et qui sera effacée au moment du départ de la torpille. Cette sécurité est également maintenue par une épingle. Une telle sécurité pourrait être constituée par une capsule arrachable, mais le dispositif selon la présente invention peut également être utilisé pour arracher cette capsule avec la même efficacité.

b) une entrée d'eau 18 destinée à l'amorçage de la pile qui délivrera l'énergie nécessaire à la propulsion de l'arme. Cette entrée d'eau 18 est fermée par une pièce maintenue par une épingle qui doit être arrachée au moment du lancement

c) une prise de téléréglage 20 destinée à la programmation de la torpille et qui doit être retirée le plus tard possible au moment du lancement.

d) L'empennage 22 et les moyens de propulsion 24 de la torpille, et

e) la sphère 14 d'immobilisation longitudinale.

The torpedo has from front to back,

a) a safety device 16 which isolates the cocking box from the load and which will be deleted when the torpedo leaves. This security is also maintained by a pin. Such security could be constituted by a tear-off capsule, but the device according to the present invention can also be used to tear off this capsule with the same efficiency.

b) a water inlet 18 intended for priming the battery which will deliver the energy necessary for propelling the weapon. This water inlet 18 is closed by a piece held by a pin which must be torn off at the time of launch.

c) a remote control socket 20 intended for programming the torpedo and which must be removed as late as possible at the time of launch.

d) the tail 22 and the propulsion means 24 of the torpedo, and

e) the longitudinal immobilization sphere 14.

Until the launch of the torpedo, it is held in its container by number of slides of 4, with spacing between them intended for passage of the torpedo fins.

The slides, classic, are therefore used for storage torpedo in its container at the same time as sliding the torpedo forward and guiding it at launch. In addition, the upper slide includes reservations for the water inlet pin 16, the safety pin of the armament box 18, and the socket remote control 20.

Once the container has been positioned and secured on its launching bench, the front and rear closures are withdrawn. Then a launch module or device flush is attached to the back of the container. Although not falling within the object of the invention, it is good to specify that this launch module includes a tank of compressed gas and a launch valve.

The torpedo is immobilized longitudinally thanks to its terminal sphere 14 held by the device shown in Figure 2. This device has two clamps 30 and 32 which are held in place and immobilize the torpedo via the sphere 14, thanks to locks for immobilizing the clamps 34 and 36 fixed to the rear support plate 38.

At the time chosen for launch, the valve is opened by means of explosive bolts. This opening brutal releases compressed gas at the same time that it does jump the two immobilization locks of the clamps 34 and 36, which allows the two clamps 30 and 32 to open and thus release the sphere 14. Thanks to the force exerted by the gas under pressure, the torpedo is pushed forward and acquires a speed allowing it to touch the water according to a good tilt.

As we will see, when the torpedo begins its forward movement, entry closure pin of water, the safety pin of the armament box and the remote control socket are released.

Referring to Figure 3, the input device water for priming batteries usually has a water inlet lever 40 which tends to fade in a chamber provided for this purpose under the action of a spring 42. But the lever is actually held in place, so preventing any entry of water, by the pin 44 (in the form of pin) passing through lever 40 in a housing located above the wall of the torpedo 46. The ring of the pin 44 is placed in a carabiner 48 secured a leaf spring 50. The leaf spring 50 is fixed rigidly to the wall of the upper slide of such so, in the rest position shown in the figure 3, the spring is under tension.

When the torpedo begins its movement towards the front, that is to say towards the left part of FIG. 3, the pin 44 retained by the carabiner 48 is torn off its housing in the lever 40. At this instant, the spring 42 projects the lever 40 inside the chamber provided for this purpose, and the water inlet is released which will allow priming the batteries when the torpedo enters in seawater. When the pin is torn from its housing, the leaf spring 50 relaxes and drives the pin laterally in a slide housing provided for this purpose, so that the pin does not not on the empennage trajectory of the torpedo.

Security intended to isolate the armament box (16 in Figure 1) until the launch of the torpedo, is built identically to the device for priming Battery. Consequently, the tearing and retraction of the pin of the armament box which takes place so concomitant with the tearing and retraction of the battery primer pin will not described again.

The remote control socket 60 shown in FIG. 4a, is in a fork 62 illustrated in Figure 4b (which is a top view of the assembly while the Figure 4a is an elevational view), when the torpedo is in the process of launching and receiving orders in from a control computer. As one can see in FIG. 4a, the fork 62 has a plane tilted which lifts the grip when the torpedo starts its forward movement when opening the launch valve as previously explained. After 30 mm of travel, the socket 60 is torn off, and the rod 64 also actuated by the opening of the valve, presses the internal slide lever 66 and propels it rotation. The lever 66 rotates the lever internal tube 68 and discharges the fork hitch on the side 62-outlet 60, which clears the passage where the drift of the torpedo.

So that the torpedo, after being launched from the boat, can enter the water at a sufficient angle avoiding any ricochet, we can add a parachute. In this case, the opening of the parachute is connected to a rope wound on a drum fixed to the container. The length of the rope is greater than the length of the container for allow the parachute to be put into service after crossing of a safety zone adapted to the boat. The drum is housed in a slide located at the part back of the container. At launch, the cable is unwinds and after a torpedo journey corresponding to the length of the rope, the traction exerted by the rope tears off the opening safety of the parachute which can then open up.

a) la torpille est protégée pendant toute la durée de la manutention,

b) le conteneur peut être utilisé aussi bien en extérieur qu'en intérieur,

c) le module de lancement peut être léger et amovible, et

d) la conception extérieure du conteneur est réalisée en fonction de la manutention et de la fixation sur les postes de combat.

In summary, the present invention therefore makes it possible, thanks to the use of a container serving both for storing the torpedo and for launching it, to obtain a certain number of advantages such as:

a) the torpedo is protected throughout the duration of handling,

b) the container can be used both outdoors and indoors,

c) the launch module can be light and removable, and

d) the external design of the container is carried out according to the handling and the fixing on the combat stations.

Claims (8)

1. A container (10) intended for containing a lightweight torpedo type weapon (12) to be launched from a surface craft, said weapon comprising a activation means (18) of the batteries supplying energy to the weapon, means (16) of extraction of the activation safety device when launching the weapon and a remote control connection (20) to supply the programming of the weapon commands before et is launched, said remote control connection being interdependent with said container and its disconnection being automatic at the moment the weapon is launched by separating the latter from said container,
   said container being characterised in that said activation means of the batteries, said means of extraction of the activation safety device and said remote control connection are interdependent with said container which is brought to the launching position, the weapon being held in storage position, and in that the activation of said activation means of the batteries and of said means of extraction of the activation safety device are automatic at the moment the weapon is launched by separating the latter from said container.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said activation means (18) of the batteries and said extraction means (16) of the activation safety device each comprise a pin (44) preventing the activation of said means when container (40) is in storage position, the launching of the weapon and its separation from the container causing said pin to be drawn out and the resulting activation of said activation means of the batteries or of said means of extraction of the activation safety device.
3. A container according to claim 2, wherein said pin (44) is connected to a leaf spring (50) fixed to said container and in tense position when the container is in storage position, the drawing out of said pin causing the release of said leaf spring and the retraction of said pin in a provided housing of the container, so that said pin is not on the trajectory of the weapon drift when it is launched from the container.
4. A container according to claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein which said remote control connection (60) is located in a fork (62) fitted with an inclined plane making it possible to lift said connection and its disconnection when the weapon is launched from container.
5. A container according to claim 4, wherein which said fork (62) is connected to a lever (66) actuated by a thrusting element (64) moved when the weapon is launched, so as to discharge said fork and said connection laterally and therefore clear the passage of the weapon drift.
6. A container according to one of the previous claims wherein a launching module comprising a compressed air chamber and a launching valve is fixed on the rear of the container before the launching operation, the valve opening causing the evacuation of the gas and the launching of the weapon outside the container.
7. A container according to claim 6, wherein the weapon (12) to be launched is fitted on its rear part with a sphere (14) blocked by two jaws in order to ensure the longitudinal immobilisation of the weapon, both jaws being loosened and said sphere being released when said launching valves opens.
8. A container according to any of the previous claims wherein the weapon to be launched is fitted with a parachute intended to ensure that the weapon enters the water at a better angle, the opening of said parachute being connected to a cable wound on a drum fixed to said container, so that the opening of said parachute occurs after the weapon has travelled a given distance after being launched from the container.

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