EP0933611A2 - Multiple missile launcher structure with interchangeable containerized missiles and chimneys - Google Patents
Multiple missile launcher structure with interchangeable containerized missiles and chimneys Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0933611A2 EP0933611A2 EP19990101134 EP99101134A EP0933611A2 EP 0933611 A2 EP0933611 A2 EP 0933611A2 EP 19990101134 EP19990101134 EP 19990101134 EP 99101134 A EP99101134 A EP 99101134A EP 0933611 A2 EP0933611 A2 EP 0933611A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- canister
- chimney
- canisters
- holding
- shield plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41F—APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS; LAUNCHERS FOR ROCKETS OR TORPEDOES; HARPOON GUNS
- F41F3/00—Rocket or torpedo launchers
- F41F3/04—Rocket or torpedo launchers for rockets
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41F—APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS; LAUNCHERS FOR ROCKETS OR TORPEDOES; HARPOON GUNS
- F41F3/00—Rocket or torpedo launchers
- F41F3/04—Rocket or torpedo launchers for rockets
- F41F3/0413—Means for exhaust gas disposal, e.g. exhaust deflectors, gas evacuation systems
Definitions
- This invention relates to multiple missile holding structures, and more particularly to such structures for holding containerized missiles and similarly dimensioned chimneys in positions suitable for firing of the missiles.
- Modern warship weapon systems rely to a great extent on powered missiles.
- some warships carry a plurality of missiles, which may be of different types.
- common launchers may be used for these different missile types.
- Some missiles come from the manufacturer encased in a protective container or canister, at least a part of which becomes part of the launcher.
- a canister is described in U.S. Patent 5,153,367, issued October 6, 1992 in the name of Marquart et al.
- Such containers or canisters may have different lengths as they arrive from the missile manufacturer, to accommodate different types of missiles.
- each missile-bearing canister fits into the common launcher.
- the rigid end covers of the canister are removed, exposing a frangible or "fly-through" protective covering, and the canister is then inserted into a canister chamber of the multiple launcher.
- Each missile-bearing canister also has a standardized canister connector by which signals can be coupled between the missile within the canister and the outside world.
- the canister connector is coded by the manufacturer, by interconnecting or jumpering certain pins by means of a coding plug within the canister, to identify the missile within, to avoid the possibility of human error in programming the missile.
- the standardized canister connector is connected by a standardized umbilical cable, which in one version contains 145 conductors, with a launch controller, which is controlled so that any one of the missiles may be armed and launched.
- a complete missile launching system for a warship may include several multiple missile launching structures, each capable of holding and launching a particular number of missiles, such as eight.
- the number of such multiple missile launching structures which a warship will carry depends, in part, on the number of missiles which may be required during any engagement, since removal of a spent canister from the missile launching structure, and replacing it with a fresh canister, may take more time than is acceptable during an engagement.
- each warship must be fitted with as many multiple missile launchers as it can conveniently carry.
- Each of the several multiple missile launching structures carried by a warship is mounted within the ship, flush with an upper deck, and with the missile canisters within the multiple missile launching structure protected from the environment by the ship's hull and deck, by the structure of the multiple missile launcher, and by the canister.
- the controller commands opening of a hatch, if any, over the particular one of the canisters containing the missile to be launched, and the missile's engine is started.
- the missile leaves the canister through the frangible protective sheet, and engages the target.
- the hatch is then closed to prevent ingress of water.
- Each multiple missile launcher also includes a missile exhaust receiving chamber below the missile canisters, which receives the plasma from the rocket engine of the missile while the missile is within the canister, and before it leaves the warship, to prevent damage to the ship.
- the chamber is vented to the deck by way of a chimney.
- the very high temperatures of the missile exhaust, and its corrosive qualities, tend to erode both the chamber and the chimney.
- the high volume of the missile exhaust gases, in conjunction with the limited cross-section of the chimney results in high transient pressures within the chamber. This high pressure, in turn, results in a need for substantial reinforcement of the walls of the chamber, to avoid rupture.
- the design of ships requires careful consideration of the location of the ship's payload.
- the mass center of the ship's load should preferably be below the waterline, to avoid a tendency to capsize.
- the multiple missile launcher since the multiple missile launcher is necessarily located immediately below an uppermost deck, much of the mass of the multiple missile launcher lies above the waterline. Consequently, it is desirable to minimize the mass of the multiple missile launcher. This minimization of mass, in turn, makes it desirable to minimize the mass used for the missile exhaust receiving chamber and for its reinforcement.
- the missile exhaust gases leaving the missile exhaust receiving chamber also tend to erode the chimney which extends from the chamber to the upper deck.
- the erosion of the chimney must he reduced to a level such that the chimney lasts until the multiple missile launcher itself is replaced, and ablative material is used within the chimney, and particularly at the juncture of the chimney and the missile exhaust receiving chamber, to minimize such erosion.
- the multiple missile launchers are mounted within a warship, removal is difficult, and may require that the ship be returned to a shipbuilding facility. It is desirable that the multiple missile launcher be made to serve its purpose for as long as possible. Improved missile launch arrangements are desired.
- a structure for holding canisterised missiles or similarly dimensioned chimneys includes a structure which defines an array of canister/chimney holding chambers.
- the structure has a plenum at its lower end, which allows missile exhaust to communicate with one or more chimneys.
- the structure may have movable hatches which are opened to allow the missile to leave and exhaust gases to be released by the chimney.
- a multiple missile holding structure for holding missiles loaded into standardized canisters includes at least one chimney having a length substantially equal to the length of one of the standardized canisters, and also having cross-sectional dimensions no greater than those of one of the standardized canisters.
- the multiple missile holding structure also includes a multiple canister/chimney holding structure.
- the multiple canister/chimney holding structure defines an array of canister/chimney holding chambers, for holding a plurality of the canisters and chimneys mutually parallel in an array, with the exhaust ends of the canisters in a first common plane, and with the missile exit ends of the canisters in a second common plane.
- a shield plate has a thickness, and defines a first side and a second side.
- the first side of the shield plate is affixed to that end of the multiple canister holding structure which is adjacent to the first common plane.
- the shield plate defines a first array of canister/chimney apertures dimensioned and registered to closely fit the ends of canisters/chimneys held in the multiple canister holding structure.
- a plenum is coupled to, and completely encloses the second side of the shield plate, for providing a path for the flow of fluids or gases between any aperture in the shield plate and any other aperture in the shield plate.
- the plenum having at least one wall which is in the form of a portion of a circular cylinder.
- the multiple missile holding structure also includes a frame defining an array of canister/chimney apertures having dimensions no smaller than the exterior cross-sectional dimensions of one of the standardized canisters.
- the frame is affixed to the multiple canister holding structure adjacent to the second common plane, with the canister/chimney apertures registered with the array.
- each of the canister/chimney chambers includes a dog adapted for engaging a hold-down associated with a particular location on each of the canisters/chimneys.
- the structure further includes energy absorbing material lying against at least a portion of the cylindrical wall of the plenum.
- the energy absorbing material may include ablative material. This ablative material may be affixed to the wall of that one of the canister/chimney apertures of the shield plate which is associated with the chimney, with the ablative material lying in the canister/chimney aperture at a location lying between the first and second sides of the shield plate.
- the structure further includes a plurality of hatches affixed to the frame and movable relative thereto, with each of the hatches being associated with one of the canister/chimney apertures in the frame, for individually closing or opening the canister/chimney apertures in the frame.
- a sealing arrangement is coupled to the chimney aperture in the shield plate and to that end of the chimney adjacent to the first plane, for sealing the joint therebetween.
- the chimney may have a square or round cross-section, or any other desired shape.
- a warship 10 includes a hull 12, an upper deck 14, and a superstructure 16, all as well known.
- the deck 14 has a plurality of regions, some of which are illustrated as 18a and 18b, which contain an array of a plurality of apertures or hatches (not illustrated in FIGURE 1), which are more readily understood with reference to FIGURES 2a and 2b.
- multiple missile holding arrangement 18 includes a multiple canister/chimney holding structure designated generally as 20, which includes a plurality, illustrated as ten, of elongated canister/chimney holding structures, illustrated as an array of tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j, each having a square cross-section.
- Each tube 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j has identical length, and also has identical cross-sectional dimensions.
- the canister/chimney holding chambers which are defined by tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j are designated generally as 22, and individually as 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22h, 22i, and 22j, respectively.
- the upper ends of the canister/chimney holding tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j, which correspond with the missile exit ends, are coterminous at a common plane 24, and the lower ends of the tubes, corresponding to the missile exhaust ends, are conterminous at a common plane 26.
- the canister/chimney holding tubes of FIGURES 2a and 2b are held in a regular array, with the longitudinal axes of the canister/chimney holding chambers, some of which are designated as 8e, 8f, and 8j, mutually parallel.
- a shield plate 28 having an upper side 28u adjacent the canister/chimney holding chambers, and also having a lower side 281 remote therefrom, defines a plurality 30 of canister/chimney apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, 30h, 30i, and 30j, which are registered with the missile-exhaust ends of their corresponding canister/chimney holding tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j, respectively, and affixed thereto.
- a plenum 32 is defined by a plenum chamber 34 in FIGURES 2a and 2b.
- Plenum chamber 34 includes a wall 36 in the form of half a cylinder centered on an axis 7. The ends of the plenum are closed off by semicircular walls 38a and 38b.
- FIGURES 2a and 2b An upper frame illustrated as 40 in FIGURES 2a and 2b.
- Upper frame 40 is affixed to the deck 14 of ship 10 of FIGURE 1.
- Frame 40 defines a plurality of apertures, which are no smaller in cross-section than a canister or chimney which are accommodated by a canister/chimney holding chamber 22 of FIGURES 2a and 2b, to allow loading into a canister/chimney holding chamber 22 of a standardized missile canister or a standardized chimney.
- the apertures in upper frame 40 are not separately designated in FIGURE 2a, but correspond to the designations 22, and therefore the designation 22 is also applied to the array of apertures in upper frame 40.
- FIGURE 3 is a more detailed representation of the arrangement of FIGURES 2a and 2b, and also illustrates a structure which may be either a canister or a chimney of rectangular cross-section, and which also illustrates two chimneys of round cross-section.
- elements corresponding to those of FIGURES 2a and 2b are designated by like reference numerals.
- FIGURE 2a The structure illustrated in FIGURE 2a as canister/chimney holding tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j is represented in FIGURE 3 as a framework or latticework designated generally as 50, including an upper portion 50a, a middle portion 50b, and a lower portion 50c, which together define the canister/chimney holding chambers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22h, 22i, and 22j.
- Lower portion 50c of the latticework 50 when affixed to shield plate 28, forms a truss structure not unlike that of a bridge, which supports the weight of the remainder of the structure and of the canisters loaded therein.
- Lattice portion 50b provides a framework for the canister/chimney holding chambers, and upper lattice section 50a supports the hatch actuation system.
- a structure 310 having a rectangular cross-section represent either a canister or a chimney which may be used in any of the chambers of the multiple missile holding-arrangement 18.
- structure 310 is hollow, suggesting a chimney, but if its ends were closed, it would represent a canisterized missile.
- the length of structure 310 must be substantially equal to the length of the canister/chimney holding chambers 22. If the length of structure 310 were to be shorter than the length of the canister/chimney holding chamber, an additional section or spacer, illustrated as 314, could be added, to bring its length to the standard length.
- Structure 314 may be either an additional spacer, or an aid to providing a leak-free seal between the lower end of the canister and the corresponding aperture 30 in the shield plate 28.
- apertures 30c and 30h extending through shield plate 28 are circular, rather than square, to accommodate round chimneys.
- the round chimneys are illustrated as 316a and 316b.
- Each chimney 316a and 316b is fitted at its upper end with a square flange, one of which is illustrated as 318a.
- the round apertures 30c and 30h provide a region of plate 28 to which the flanges, such as flange 318a, can be fastened to provide a leak-free joint.
- a set of hatches 320 is illustrated as being fastened to upper frame 40 of FIGURE 3.
- Set 320 of hatches includes hatches 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d, 320e, 320f, 320g, 320h, 320i, and 320j.
- Each hatch is registered with, and movable with respect to, upper frame 40, to close off or open the end of the corresponding canister/chimney holding chamber 22.
- the structures illustrated as 322a and 322b are motorized mechanisms for opening and closing the hatches 322.
- a set 324 of elements some of which are designated 324a, 324b, 324c, and 324d, which are affixed to the lowermost portion of latticework portion 50b, are dogs or clamps for engaging corresponding portions (not illustrated) of the standardized canisters or chimneys, for aiding in preventing longitudinal movement in the canister/chimney holding chambers 22.
- the fit between the lower end of the canister 310 and the associated aperture 30 in the shield plate 28 is close enough to effectively seal the joint. If necessary, of course, some type of sealant structure can be added to the joint, as mentioned in relation to item 314.
- a chimney When a chimney is located in one of the canister/chimney holding chambers 22, the chimney may define a flange at its lower end, as well as at its upper end, as illustrated, for fastening to the shield plate aperture 30 to aid in sealing.
- shield plate 28 has a set 328 of a plurality of projecting tabs,some of which are designated 328a, 328b, 328c, 328d, and 328e. These tabs provide a load-bearing connection of the structure 18 to the underlying structure.
- FIGURE 4 illustrates an alternate plenum structure in which four sides are curved.
- the described structure has the salient advantages that the chimney itself is not an integral or monolithic part of the structure, and so may be removed and replaced when eroded. More important, when more energetic missiles (missiles with more voluminous exhaust gas generation) are introduced, the same canisterized missile holding structure may be used therewith, simply by substituting a second (or further) chimney for one or more of the missile canisters.
- the semicircular shape of the plenum provides the strength necessary for current and more energetic missiles, without the need for excessive reinforcement, thereby reducing the mass above the waterline, and also reducing cost.
- the number of individual canister/chimney holding chambers 22 which may be associated with a given multiple missile holding structure may be more or less than the number (ten) which is illustrated, and the number of such multiple missile holding structures which may be associated with any one vessel or underlying support may be more or less than the number illustrated in FIGURE 1.
- the entire plenum housing 34 would ideally be in the form of a hemisphere, so as to achieve maximum strength.
- An alternative might be a flat-bottomed, curved-sided structure such as that illustrated in FIGURE 4.
- a structure (18)for holding canisterized missiles (318) or similarly dimensioned chimneys (318; 316) includes a structure (20) which defines an array of canister/chimney holding chambers (22).
- the structure (18) has a plenum (34) at its lower or missile exhaust end (2601), which allows missile exhaust to communicate with one or more chimneys (310; 316).
- the structure may have movable hatches (320) which are opened to allow the missile to leave and to allow exhaust gases to be released by the chimney.
- a multiple missile holding structure (18) for holding missiles loaded into standardized canisters (310) includes at least one chimney (310; 316) having a length substantially equal to the length of one of the standardized canisters, and also having cross sectional dimensions no greater than those of one of the standardized canisters.
- the multiple missile holding structure (18) also includes a multiple canister/chimney holding structure (20).
- the multiple canister/chimney holding structure (20) defines an array (22) of canister/chimney holding chambers, for holding a plurality of the canisters (310) and chimneys (310; 316) mutually parallel in an array, with the exhaust ends (2601) of the canisters in a first common plane (26), and with the missile exit ends (260u) of the canisters in a second common plane (24).
- a shield plate (28) has a thickness, and defines a first side (28u) and a second side (281). The first side (28u) of the shield plate (28) is affixed to that end of the multiple canister holding structure (20) which is adjacent to the first common plane (26).
- the shield plate (28) defines a first array (30) of canister/chimney apertures (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, 30h, 30i, 30j) dimensioned and registered to closely fit the ends of canisters/chimneys held in the multiple canister holding structure (20).
- a plenum (34) is coupled to, and completely encloses the second side (281) of the shield plate (28), for providing a path for the flow of fluids or gases between any aperture (30) in the shield plate (28) and any other aperture (30) in the shield plate (28).
- the plenum (34) has at least one wall (36) which is in the form of a portion of a circular cylinder.
- the multiple missile holding structure (18) also includes a frame (40) defining an array (22) of canister/chimney apertures having dimensions no smaller than the exterior cross-sectional dimensions of one of the standardized canisters (310).
- the upper frame (40) is affixed to the multiple canister holding structure (20) adjacent to the second common plane (24), with the array (22) of canister/chimney apertures of the upper frame 40 registered with the array (20) of canister/chimney holding chambers (22).
- each of the canister/chimney holding chambers (22) includes a dog (324) adapted for engaging a hold-down associated with a particular location on each of the standardized canisters or chimneys.
- the multiple missile holding structure (18) further includes energy absorbing material (270) lying against at least a portion of the cylindrical wall (36) of the plenum (34). The energy absorbing material may include ablative material.
- This ablative material may be affixed to the wall of that one of the canister/chimney apertures (30) of the shield plate (28) which is associated with a or the chimney, with the ablative material lying in the canister/chimney aperture (30) at a location lying between the first (28u) and second (281) sides of the shield plate (28).
- the multiple missile holding structure (18) further includes a plurality of hatches (320) affixed to the frame (40) and movable relative thereto, with each of the hatches being associated with one of the canister/chimney apertures in the frame, for individually closing or opening the canister/chimney apertures in the frame.
- a sealing arrangement is coupled to the chimney aperture (30) in the shield plate (28) and to that end of the chimney adjacent to the first plane (26), for sealing the joint therebetween.
- the chimney may have a square or round cross-section, or any other desired shape.
Abstract
A structure for holding canisterized missiles
or similarly dimensioned chimneys includes a structure
which defines an array of canister/chimney holding
chambers. The structure has a plenum at its lower end,
which allows missile exhaust to communicate with one or
more chimneys. At the upper end, the structure may
have movable hatches which are opened to allow the
missile to leave and exhaust gases to be released by
the chimney.
Description
This invention relates to multiple missile
holding structures, and more particularly to such
structures for holding containerized missiles and
similarly dimensioned chimneys in positions suitable
for firing of the missiles.
Modern warship weapon systems rely to a great
extent on powered missiles. For this purpose, some
warships carry a plurality of missiles, which may be of
different types. For convenience, common launchers may
be used for these different missile types. Some
missiles come from the manufacturer encased in a
protective container or canister, at least a part of
which becomes part of the launcher. Such a canister is
described in U.S. Patent 5,153,367, issued October 6,
1992 in the name of Marquart et al. Such containers or
canisters may have different lengths as they arrive
from the missile manufacturer, to accommodate different
types of missiles. When missile canisters which are
shorter than the longest standardized canister are to
be used in a multiple-missile launcher, the shorter
canisters can be fitted with external canister
extensions to bring their lengths to a common
dimension. With such an adjustment, each missile-bearing
canister fits into the common launcher. When
preparing a particular canisterized missile for loading
into a multiple missile launcher, the rigid end covers
of the canister are removed, exposing a frangible or
"fly-through" protective covering, and the canister is
then inserted into a canister chamber of the multiple
launcher. Each missile-bearing canister also has a
standardized canister connector by which signals can be
coupled between the missile within the canister and the
outside world. The canister connector is coded by the
manufacturer, by interconnecting or jumpering certain
pins by means of a coding plug within the canister, to
identify the missile within, to avoid the possibility
of human error in programming the missile. The
standardized canister connector is connected by a
standardized umbilical cable, which in one version
contains 145 conductors, with a launch controller,
which is controlled so that any one of the missiles may
be armed and launched.
The fabricators of warships acquire the
multiple missile launching apparatuses from fabricators
of such systems. A complete missile launching system
for a warship may include several multiple missile
launching structures, each capable of holding and
launching a particular number of missiles, such as
eight. The number of such multiple missile launching
structures which a warship will carry depends, in part,
on the number of missiles which may be required during
any engagement, since removal of a spent canister from
the missile launching structure, and replacing it with
a fresh canister, may take more time than is acceptable
during an engagement. Thus, each warship must be
fitted with as many multiple missile launchers as it
can conveniently carry.
Each of the several multiple missile
launching structures carried by a warship is mounted
within the ship, flush with an upper deck, and with the
missile canisters within the multiple missile launching
structure protected from the environment by the ship's
hull and deck, by the structure of the multiple missile
launcher, and by the canister. When a missile is to be
launched, the controller commands opening of a hatch,
if any, over the particular one of the canisters
containing the missile to be launched, and the
missile's engine is started. The missile leaves the
canister through the frangible protective sheet, and
engages the target. The hatch is then closed to
prevent ingress of water.
Each multiple missile launcher also includes
a missile exhaust receiving chamber below the missile
canisters, which receives the plasma from the rocket
engine of the missile while the missile is within the
canister, and before it leaves the warship, to prevent
damage to the ship. The chamber is vented to the deck
by way of a chimney. The very high temperatures of the
missile exhaust, and its corrosive qualities, tend to
erode both the chamber and the chimney. The high
volume of the missile exhaust gases, in conjunction
with the limited cross-section of the chimney, results
in high transient pressures within the chamber. This
high pressure, in turn, results in a need for
substantial reinforcement of the walls of the chamber,
to avoid rupture. The design of ships requires careful
consideration of the location of the ship's payload.
More particularly, the mass center of the ship's load
should preferably be below the waterline, to avoid a
tendency to capsize. Thus, since the multiple missile
launcher is necessarily located immediately below an
uppermost deck, much of the mass of the multiple
missile launcher lies above the waterline.
Consequently, it is desirable to minimize the mass of the multiple missile launcher. This minimization of mass, in turn, makes it desirable to minimize the mass used for the missile exhaust receiving chamber and for its reinforcement.
Consequently, it is desirable to minimize the mass of the multiple missile launcher. This minimization of mass, in turn, makes it desirable to minimize the mass used for the missile exhaust receiving chamber and for its reinforcement.
The missile exhaust gases leaving the missile
exhaust receiving chamber also tend to erode the
chimney which extends from the chamber to the upper
deck. The erosion of the chimney must he reduced to a
level such that the chimney lasts until the multiple
missile launcher itself is replaced, and ablative
material is used within the chimney, and particularly
at the juncture of the chimney and the missile exhaust
receiving chamber, to minimize such erosion.
Once the multiple missile launchers are
mounted within a warship, removal is difficult, and may
require that the ship be returned to a shipbuilding
facility. It is desirable that the multiple missile
launcher be made to serve its purpose for as long as
possible. Improved missile launch arrangements are
desired.
A structure for holding canisterised missiles
or similarly dimensioned chimneys includes a structure
which defines an array of canister/chimney holding
chambers. The structure has a plenum at its lower end,
which allows missile exhaust to communicate with one or
more chimneys. At the upper end, the structure may
have movable hatches which are opened to allow the
missile to leave and exhaust gases to be released by
the chimney.
More particularly, a multiple missile holding
structure for holding missiles loaded into standardized
canisters includes at least one chimney having a length
substantially equal to the length of one of the
standardized canisters, and also having cross-sectional
dimensions no greater than those of one of the
standardized canisters. The multiple missile holding
structure also includes a multiple canister/chimney
holding structure. The multiple canister/chimney
holding structure defines an array of canister/chimney
holding chambers, for holding a plurality of the
canisters and chimneys mutually parallel in an array,
with the exhaust ends of the canisters in a first
common plane, and with the missile exit ends of the
canisters in a second common plane. A shield plate has
a thickness, and defines a first side and a second
side. The first side of the shield plate is affixed to
that end of the multiple canister holding structure
which is adjacent to the first common plane. The
shield plate defines a first array of canister/chimney
apertures dimensioned and registered to closely fit the
ends of canisters/chimneys held in the multiple
canister holding structure. A plenum is coupled to,
and completely encloses the second side of the shield
plate, for providing a path for the flow of fluids or
gases between any aperture in the shield plate and any
other aperture in the shield plate. The plenum having
at least one wall which is in the form of a portion of
a circular cylinder. The multiple missile holding
structure also includes a frame defining an array of
canister/chimney apertures having dimensions no smaller
than the exterior cross-sectional dimensions of one of
the standardized canisters. The frame is affixed to
the multiple canister holding structure adjacent to the
second common plane, with the canister/chimney
apertures registered with the array.
In a particular embodiment of the invention,
each of the canister/chimney chambers includes a dog
adapted for engaging a hold-down associated with a
particular location on each of the canisters/chimneys.
In another embodiment of the invention, the structure
further includes energy absorbing material lying
against at least a portion of the cylindrical wall of
the plenum. The energy absorbing material may include
ablative material. This ablative material may be
affixed to the wall of that one of the canister/chimney
apertures of the shield plate which is associated with
the chimney, with the ablative material lying in the
canister/chimney aperture at a location lying between
the first and second sides of the shield plate.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the structure further includes a plurality of hatches
affixed to the frame and movable relative thereto, with
each of the hatches being associated with one of the
canister/chimney apertures in the frame, for
individually closing or opening the canister/chimney
apertures in the frame.
In another embodiment of the invention, a
sealing arrangement is coupled to the chimney aperture
in the shield plate and to that end of the chimney
adjacent to the first plane, for sealing the joint
therebetween. The chimney may have a square or round
cross-section, or any other desired shape.
In FIGURE 1, a warship 10 includes a hull 12,
an upper deck 14, and a superstructure 16, all as well
known. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the deck 14 has a
plurality of regions, some of which are illustrated as
18a and 18b, which contain an array of a plurality of
apertures or hatches (not illustrated in FIGURE 1),
which are more readily understood with reference to
FIGURES 2a and 2b. In FIGURES 2a and 2b, multiple
missile holding arrangement 18 includes a multiple
canister/chimney holding structure designated generally
as 20, which includes a plurality, illustrated as ten,
of elongated canister/chimney holding structures,
illustrated as an array of tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d,
20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j, each having a square
cross-section. Each tube 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f,
20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j has identical length, and also
has identical cross-sectional dimensions. The
canister/chimney holding chambers which are defined by
tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and
20j are designated generally as 22, and individually as
22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22h, 22i, and 22j,
respectively. The upper ends of the canister/ chimney
holding tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h,
20i, and 20j, which correspond with the missile exit
ends, are coterminous at a common plane 24, and the
lower ends of the tubes, corresponding to the missile
exhaust ends, are conterminous at a common plane 26.
The canister/chimney holding tubes of FIGURES 2a and 2b
are held in a regular array, with the longitudinal axes
of the canister/chimney holding chambers, some of which
are designated as 8e, 8f, and 8j, mutually parallel.
At the lower end of the structure illustrated
in FIGURES 2a and 2b, a shield plate 28 having an upper
side 28u adjacent the canister/chimney holding
chambers, and also having a lower side 281 remote
therefrom, defines a plurality 30 of canister/ chimney
apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, 30h, 30i,
and 30j, which are registered with the missile-exhaust
ends of their corresponding canister/ chimney holding
tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and
20j, respectively, and affixed thereto.
A plenum 32 is defined by a plenum chamber 34
in FIGURES 2a and 2b. Plenum chamber 34 includes a
wall 36 in the form of half a cylinder centered on an
axis 7. The ends of the plenum are closed off by
semicircular walls 38a and 38b. The entire plenum
chamber 34, including semicylindrical wall 36, and end
walls 38a and 38b, is affixed to the edges of shield
plate 28, so as to define plenum 32 as being
semicylindrical.
An upper frame illustrated as 40 in FIGURES
2a and 2b. Upper frame 40 is affixed to the deck 14 of
ship 10 of FIGURE 1. Frame 40 defines a plurality of
apertures, which are no smaller in cross-section than a
canister or chimney which are accommodated by a
canister/chimney holding chamber 22 of FIGURES 2a and
2b, to allow loading into a canister/chimney holding
chamber 22 of a standardized missile canister or a
standardized chimney. The apertures in upper frame 40
are not separately designated in FIGURE 2a, but
correspond to the designations 22, and therefore the
designation 22 is also applied to the array of
apertures in upper frame 40.
FIGURE 3 is a more detailed representation of
the arrangement of FIGURES 2a and 2b, and also
illustrates a structure which may be either a canister
or a chimney of rectangular cross-section, and which
also illustrates two chimneys of round cross-section.
In FIGURE 3, elements corresponding to those of FIGURES
2a and 2b are designated by like reference numerals.
The structure illustrated in FIGURE 2a as
canister/ chimney holding tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e,
20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, and 20j is represented in FIGURE 3
as a framework or latticework designated generally as
50, including an upper portion 50a, a middle portion
50b, and a lower portion 50c, which together define the
canister/ chimney holding chambers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d,
22e, 22h, 22i, and 22j. Lower portion 50c of the
latticework 50, when affixed to shield plate 28, forms
a truss structure not unlike that of a bridge, which
supports the weight of the remainder of the structure
and of the canisters loaded therein. Lattice portion
50b provides a framework for the canister/chimney
holding chambers, and upper lattice section 50a
supports the hatch actuation system.
In FIGURE 3, a structure 310 having a
rectangular cross-section represent either a canister
or a chimney which may be used in any of the chambers
of the multiple missile holding-arrangement 18. As
illustrated, structure 310 is hollow, suggesting a
chimney, but if its ends were closed, it would
represent a canisterized missile. The length of
structure 310 must be substantially equal to the length
of the canister/chimney holding chambers 22. If the
length of structure 310 were to be shorter than the
length of the canister/chimney holding chamber, an
additional section or spacer, illustrated as 314, could
be added, to bring its length to the standard length.
Structure 314 may be either an additional spacer, or an
aid to providing a leak-free seal between the lower end
of the canister and the corresponding aperture 30 in
the shield plate 28.
As illustrated in FIGURE 3, apertures 30c and
30h extending through shield plate 28 are circular,
rather than square, to accommodate round chimneys. The
round chimneys are illustrated as 316a and 316b. Each
chimney 316a and 316b is fitted at its upper end with a
square flange, one of which is illustrated as 318a.
The round apertures 30c and 30h provide a region of
plate 28 to which the flanges, such as flange 318a, can
be fastened to provide a leak-free joint.
A set of hatches 320 is illustrated as being
fastened to upper frame 40 of FIGURE 3. Set 320 of
hatches includes hatches 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d, 320e,
320f, 320g, 320h, 320i, and 320j. Each hatch is
registered with, and movable with respect to, upper
frame 40, to close off or open the end of the
corresponding canister/chimney holding chamber 22. The
structures illustrated as 322a and 322b are motorized
mechanisms for opening and closing the hatches 322.
In FIGURE 3, a set 324 of elements, some of
which are designated 324a, 324b, 324c, and 324d, which
are affixed to the lowermost portion of latticework
portion 50b, are dogs or clamps for engaging
corresponding portions (not illustrated) of the
standardized canisters or chimneys, for aiding in
preventing longitudinal movement in the
canister/chimney holding chambers 22.
When a missile canister is loaded into a
canister holding chamber 22 of the canister holding
structure 20 of FIGURE 3, the fit between the lower end
of the canister 310 and the associated aperture 30 in
the shield plate 28 is close enough to effectively seal
the joint. If necessary, of course, some type of
sealant structure can be added to the joint, as
mentioned in relation to item 314. When a chimney is
located in one of the canister/chimney holding chambers
22, the chimney may define a flange at its lower end,
as well as at its upper end, as illustrated, for
fastening to the shield plate aperture 30 to aid in
sealing.
The semicylindrical plenum does not provide a
good foundation for connecting the entire structure 18
of the multiple missile holding structure to the
structure of the ship (or other carrier), because of
its curved shape. Referring to FIGURE 3, it will be
observed that shield plate 28 has a set 328 of a
plurality of projecting tabs,some of which are
designated 328a, 328b, 328c, 328d, and 328e. These
tabs provide a load-bearing connection of the structure
18 to the underlying structure.
FIGURE 4 illustrates an alternate plenum
structure in which four sides are curved.
The described structure has the salient
advantages that the chimney itself is not an integral
or monolithic part of the structure, and so may be
removed and replaced when eroded. More important, when
more energetic missiles (missiles with more voluminous
exhaust gas generation) are introduced, the same
canisterized missile holding structure may be used
therewith, simply by substituting a second (or further)
chimney for one or more of the missile canisters. The
semicircular shape of the plenum provides the strength
necessary for current and more energetic missiles,
without the need for excessive reinforcement, thereby
reducing the mass above the waterline, and also
reducing cost. It will be understood that in order to
fire a given containerized missile in the described
structure, it is necessary to open at least two
hatches, namely the one associated with that missile
holding chamber containing the missile to be launched,
and the one associated with the chimney. Naturally, if
more than one chimney is provided, the associated
hatches are also opened.
Other embodiments of the invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the
number of individual canister/chimney holding chambers
22 which may be associated with a given multiple
missile holding structure may be more or less than the
number (ten) which is illustrated, and the number of
such multiple missile holding structures which may be
associated with any one vessel or underlying support
may be more or less than the number illustrated in
FIGURE 1. Further, while only one wall of the plenum
34 has been illustrated as having a circular form, the
entire plenum housing 34 would ideally be in the form
of a hemisphere, so as to achieve maximum strength. An
alternative might be a flat-bottomed, curved-sided
structure such as that illustrated in FIGURE 4.
Thus, a structure (18)for holding
canisterized missiles (318) or similarly dimensioned
chimneys (318; 316) according to the invention includes
a structure (20) which defines an array of
canister/chimney holding chambers (22). The structure
(18) has a plenum (34) at its lower or missile exhaust
end (2601), which allows missile exhaust to communicate
with one or more chimneys (310; 316). At the upper end
(260u), the structure may have movable hatches (320)
which are opened to allow the missile to leave and to
allow exhaust gases to be released by the chimney.
More particularly, a multiple missile holding
structure (18) for holding missiles loaded into
standardized canisters (310) includes at least one
chimney (310; 316) having a length substantially equal
to the length of one of the standardized canisters, and
also having cross sectional dimensions no greater than
those of one of the standardized canisters. The
multiple missile holding structure (18) also includes a
multiple canister/chimney holding structure (20). The
multiple canister/chimney holding structure (20)
defines an array (22) of canister/chimney holding
chambers, for holding a plurality of the canisters
(310) and chimneys (310; 316) mutually parallel in an
array, with the exhaust ends (2601) of the canisters in
a first common plane (26), and with the missile exit
ends (260u) of the canisters in a second common plane
(24). A shield plate (28) has a thickness, and defines
a first side (28u) and a second side (281). The first
side (28u) of the shield plate (28) is affixed to that
end of the multiple canister holding structure (20)
which is adjacent to the first common plane (26). The
shield plate (28) defines a first array (30) of
canister/chimney apertures (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e,
30f, 30g, 30h, 30i, 30j) dimensioned and registered to
closely fit the ends of canisters/chimneys held in the
multiple canister holding structure (20). A plenum
(34) is coupled to, and completely encloses the second
side (281) of the shield plate (28), for providing a
path for the flow of fluids or gases between any
aperture (30) in the shield plate (28) and any other
aperture (30) in the shield plate (28). The plenum
(34) has at least one wall (36) which is in the form of
a portion of a circular cylinder. The multiple missile
holding structure (18) also includes a frame (40)
defining an array (22) of canister/chimney apertures
having dimensions no smaller than the exterior cross-sectional
dimensions of one of the standardized
canisters (310). The upper frame (40) is affixed to
the multiple canister holding structure (20) adjacent
to the second common plane (24), with the array (22) of
canister/chimney apertures of the upper frame 40
registered with the array (20) of canister/chimney
holding chambers (22).
In a particular embodiment of the invention,
each of the canister/chimney holding chambers (22)
includes a dog (324) adapted for engaging a hold-down
associated with a particular location on each of the
standardized canisters or chimneys. In another
embodiment of the invention, the multiple missile
holding structure (18) further includes energy
absorbing material (270) lying against at least a
portion of the cylindrical wall (36) of the plenum
(34). The energy absorbing material may include
ablative material. This ablative material may be
affixed to the wall of that one of the canister/chimney
apertures (30) of the shield plate (28) which is
associated with a or the chimney, with the ablative
material lying in the canister/chimney aperture (30) at
a location lying between the first (28u) and second
(281) sides of the shield plate (28).
In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the multiple missile holding structure (18) further
includes a plurality of hatches (320) affixed to the
frame (40) and movable relative thereto, with each of
the hatches being associated with one of the
canister/chimney apertures in the frame, for
individually closing or opening the canister/chimney
apertures in the frame.
In another embodiment of the invention, a
sealing arrangement (flange) is coupled to the chimney
aperture (30) in the shield plate (28) and to that end
of the chimney adjacent to the first plane (26), for
sealing the joint therebetween. The chimney may have a
square or round cross-section, or any other desired
shape.
Claims (9)
- A kit of elements adapted for joint use, said elements comprising:a plurality of elongated standardized canisterized missiles, each of said canisterized missiles having substantially the same external cross-sectional and length dimensions, each of said standardized canisterized missiles also defining a missile exhaust end and a missile exit end;at least one chimney having a length substantially equal to said length of one of said standardized canisterized missiles, and cross-sectional dimensions no greater than those of one of said standardized canisterized missiles; anda multiple canister/chimney holding structure, said multiple canister/chimney holding structure defining an array of mutually parallel canister/chimney holding chambers, each of which is adapted for holding one of said canisters and chimneys, with said exhaust ends of said canisters lying in a first common plane, and said the missile exit ends of said canisters lying in a second common plane;a shield plate having a thickness and defining a first side and a second side, said first side of said shield plate being affixed to that end of said multiple canister holding structure which is adjacent to said first common plane, said shield plate defining a first array of canister/chimney apertures dimensioned and registered to closely fit the ends of canisters/chimneys which may be held in said multiple canister holding structure; anda plenum coupled to, and completely enclosing said second side of said shield plate, for providing a path for the flow of gases between any one of said apertures in said shield plate and any other aperture in said shield plate.
- A kit according to claim 1, further comprising a frame defining an array of canister/chimney apertures having dimensions no smaller than said exterior cross-sectional dimensions of one of said standardized canisters, said frame being affixed to said multiple canister holding structure adjacent to said second common plane, with said canister/chimney apertures registered with said array of canister/chimney holding chambers.
- A kit according to claim 1,wherein said plenum has at least one wall which is in the form of a portion of a circular cylinder.
- A multiple missile holding structure, for holding missiles loaded into standardized canisters, said structure comprising:at least one chimney having length dimensions substantially equal to the length of one of said standardized canisters, and cross-sectional dimensions no larger than those of one of said standardized canisters;a multiple canister/chimney holding structure, said multiple canister/chimney holding structure defining an array of canister/chimney holding chambers for holding a plurality of said canisters and chimneys mutually parallel in an array, with the exhaust ends of said canisters in a first common plane, and with the missile exit ends of said canisters in a second common plane;a shield plate having a thickness and defining a first side and a second side, said first side being affixed to that end of said multiple canister holding structure which is adjacent to said first plane, said shield plate defining a first array of canister/chimney apertures dimensioned and registered to closely fit the ends of canisters/chimneys held in said multiple canister holding structure;a plenum coupled to, and completely enclosing said second side of said plate, for providing a path between any aperture in said shield plate and any other aperture in said shield plate, said plenum having at least one wall which is in the form of a portion of a circular cylinder; anda frame defining an array of canister/chimney apertures having dimensions no smaller than the exterior cross-sectional dimensions of one of said standardized canisters, said frame being affixed to said multiple canister holding structure adjacent to said second plane, with said canister/chimney apertures registered with said array.
- A structure according to claim 4, wherein each of said canister/chimney chambers includes a dog adapted for engaging a hold-down associated with a particular location on each of said canisters/chimneys.
- A structure according to claim 4, further comprising energy absorbing material lying against at least a portion of said cylindrical wall of said plenum.
- A structure according to claim 4, wherein said energy absorbing material comprises ablative material.
- A structure according to claim 6, further comprising ablative material affixed to the wall of that one of said canister/chimney apertures of said shield plate which is associated with said chimney, said ablative material lying in said canister/chimney aperture at a location lying between said first and second sides of said shield plate.
- A structure according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of hatches affixed to said frame and movable relative thereto, each of said hatches being associated with one of said canister/chimney apertures in said frame, for individually closing or opening said canister/chimney apertures in said frame.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US1725798A | 1998-02-02 | 1998-02-02 | |
US17257 | 1998-02-02 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0933611A2 true EP0933611A2 (en) | 1999-08-04 |
Family
ID=21781607
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19990101134 Withdrawn EP0933611A2 (en) | 1998-02-02 | 1999-01-21 | Multiple missile launcher structure with interchangeable containerized missiles and chimneys |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0933611A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11264696A (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1442267A1 (en) * | 2001-06-27 | 2004-08-04 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Missile launcher cell with gas uptake ducts |
FR2873197A1 (en) * | 2004-07-13 | 2006-01-20 | Mbda France Sa | LAUNCHER OF MISSILES |
WO2006098774A1 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-09-21 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Adjustable adaptable vertical launching system |
EP1886918A1 (en) * | 2006-08-11 | 2008-02-13 | Kilgore Flares Company, LLC | Methods of using a marine vessel countermeasure system |
RU2572424C1 (en) * | 2014-07-08 | 2016-01-10 | Акционерное общество "Конструкторское бюро специального машиностроения" | Modular multiseat marine launcher for missile vertical launching |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2008351349B2 (en) * | 2007-11-20 | 2012-01-19 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Adaptable launching system |
US8534177B2 (en) * | 2010-03-01 | 2013-09-17 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | System and method for shock isolation in a launch system |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5153367A (en) | 1991-09-17 | 1992-10-06 | Fmc Corporation | Cocoon launcher and storage system |
-
1999
- 1999-01-21 EP EP19990101134 patent/EP0933611A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-02-02 JP JP2540099A patent/JPH11264696A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5153367A (en) | 1991-09-17 | 1992-10-06 | Fmc Corporation | Cocoon launcher and storage system |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1442267A1 (en) * | 2001-06-27 | 2004-08-04 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Missile launcher cell with gas uptake ducts |
EP1442267A4 (en) * | 2001-06-27 | 2010-03-24 | Lockheed Corp | Missile launcher cell with gas uptake ducts |
FR2873197A1 (en) * | 2004-07-13 | 2006-01-20 | Mbda France Sa | LAUNCHER OF MISSILES |
WO2006016084A1 (en) * | 2004-07-13 | 2006-02-16 | Mbda France | Missile launcher |
US7913605B2 (en) | 2004-07-13 | 2011-03-29 | Mbda France | Missile launcher |
WO2006098774A1 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-09-21 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Adjustable adaptable vertical launching system |
EP1886918A1 (en) * | 2006-08-11 | 2008-02-13 | Kilgore Flares Company, LLC | Methods of using a marine vessel countermeasure system |
RU2572424C1 (en) * | 2014-07-08 | 2016-01-10 | Акционерное общество "Конструкторское бюро специального машиностроения" | Modular multiseat marine launcher for missile vertical launching |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH11264696A (en) | 1999-09-28 |
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