GB750964A - Improvements in or relating to submarine cable cutters - Google Patents

Abstract

750,964. Submarine mines destroying. OFFICINE MONCENISIO GIA ANONIMA BAUCHIERO. April 26, 1954 [April 28, 1953; Sept. 21, 1953], No. 12075/54. Classes- 9(2) and 92 A cable-cutting device comprises a cylin.- drical body 1 containing a hollow charge and closed at the forward end by a light. alloy cap 10, which prevents the entry of water into the conical charge liner 11. Therear end wall of the body 1 is fitted with a plug 13 housing a detonator 14 and a primer 16 protected by a copper cup 17. Attached to the rear of the body 1 is a casing containing the firing mechanism for detonating the primer 16 and comprising a pivoted lever 20 from which projects a striker 21, the lever 20 being urged forwardly by a spring 22 when released from a hooked lever 23. The lever 23 is connected by a rod 24 to levers 25, which are pivoted at the front of the body 1 on a support 7. A plate 28 carried by the rod 24 is connected by a shear wire 29 to a rib 3 on the body 1 and a safety-pin 19 extends through projections 18 adjacent the lever 23, which is immobilized before immersion by a hydrostatic safety device comprising a rod 30 extending from a piston 31 into a recess in the lever. A spring 34 holds the piston against a corrugated rubber diaphragm 33. The device is towed by a cable 8, which may carry several cutters. When the device is submerged to the required depth, the hydrostatic pressure forces the piston 31 rearwardly thus withdrawing the rod 30 to free the lever 23. A mooring cable encountered by the tow cable 8 is guided towards the levers 25 and on engagement with the levers the rod 24 is displaced rearwardly shearing the wire 29 and displacing the lever 23 to free the striker. The striker thereupon is urged by the spring 22 against the primer which fires the detonator 14 to explode the hollow charge, which cuts the cable. Extending downwardly from the support 7 is a vane 9 which acts as a stabilizer. The primer may be initiated electrically instead of mechanically. In a modification the body 1 is pivoted on the support, so that during operation it moves away from the support to prevent damage to the stabihzer. Control of the ignition mechanism is then dependent on movement of the device relative to the stabilizer when it contacts the cable.