US3773009A - Device for cutting the anchor cables of sea mines - Google Patents

Device for cutting the anchor cables of sea mines Download PDF

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Publication number
US3773009A
US3773009A US00212021A US3773009DA US3773009A US 3773009 A US3773009 A US 3773009A US 00212021 A US00212021 A US 00212021A US 3773009D A US3773009D A US 3773009DA US 3773009 A US3773009 A US 3773009A
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Prior art keywords
mine
jaw
sweeper
cutting
charge
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00212021A
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English (en)
Inventor
O Pecksen
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KUKA AG
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Industrie Werke Karlsruhe Ausburg AG
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G7/00—Mine-sweeping; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63G7/02—Mine-sweeping means, Means for destroying mines
    • B63G7/04—Mine-sweeping means, Means for destroying mines by means of cables

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Two substantially parallel mine-sweeping lines are Foreign Application Priority Data hauled by a boat, such as a mine sweeper, with floats June 5, 1971 Germany P 21 28 147.0 a their ends which cause the sweeping lines to diverge. Water kites cause the sweeping lines to which [52] US. Cl 114/221 A cable cutting devices are attached, to move at a prede- [51] Int. Cl B63g 7/04 termined depth.
  • Each cutting device comprises a mine [58] Field of Search 114/221 A; anchor cable engaging member which owing to the 102/702 R, 70.2 1, 70,2 GA, 24 H0 pressure of an anchor cable against it releases first a mechanical impact member which, in turn, actuates a [56] References Cited piezo-electric sensor whose voltage impulse ignites an UNITED STATES PATENTS explosive charge on said member destroying or cutting 2,524,863 10 1950 White 114 22! the cable 2,420,987 5/1947 Temple together 114/221 Subsequently, a second explosive charge on said 3,256,817 6/1966 Rabinow...
  • the invention relates to a device for the cutting of the anchor cables or the like of sea mines, whereby two mine sweeping mines emanating from a trawler extend at first substantially parallel to one another, then are spread by means of floats in a diverging course and finally are held in the desired depths by means of a water-kite.
  • On these wires are attached a variable plurality of devices for the cutting of the anchor cables or the like of sea mines, whereby the cutting of the anchor cables takes place by the ignition of an explosive charge, which is just as much integrating constituent of each cutting device as is the means for releasing the device from its sweeping wire.
  • Sea mines are a maritime weapon of great importance. They serve essentially for the blocking of enemy water-routes, harbor entrances or the like. In addition, sea mines also permit of being used defensively, in that they are utilized for the blocking off of ones own coastal waters, harbor entrances or the like.
  • anchor-cable-mines In general, two types of mines are to be differentiated, namely, anchor-cable-mines and bottom mines.
  • the ignition of these mines may be of manifold type: anchor-cable-mines as a rule are equipped with devices, which are ignited upon contact with a body floating in the water, for example, the hull of a boat (contact-ignition For the defese against submerged traveling U-boats for example, bottom mines are used, which selectively operate with magnet-or with acousticignition, or, however, may also be equipped in combination with both types of ignition.
  • Anchor-cable-mines may be laid down to a depth of approximately 400 meters. Their effect is relatively great throug lTthe favorable damming of the water.
  • the mine casing consists of metal and in most cases has a spherical form. It contains an explosive charge, an ignition device, a blasting canister, and a contactand unprimingor disarmingdevice (the latter prescribed according to the VIIIth Agreement at The Hague relating to the laying of submarine automatic contact mines of 1907, which still today forms the basis of martial law of the sea for the use of sea mines), as well as an attachment to the anchor-cable.
  • the detectionand mine-sweeping devices employed by trawlers particularly mine-detectionand mine sweepers comprise generally steel lines, which are kept by water-kites at a predetermined depth (approximately 5 to 20 m), in order to sweep. the anchor cable of the mine and then cut the anchor cable but mechanically operating cutting devices or explosive bodies and bring the mine to floating position, in order to render it harmless possibly by firing at the same from the trawlers.
  • each line has attached thereto in series a shearing kite a double cutting gripper and several firing bolt grippers in direction of the stern of the boat.
  • the firing bolt grippers are constructed as single cutting grippers; their number is dependent upon the manner of cruising of the boat.
  • each a guide roller for the guidance of the kite controlling the depth control, whose depth course may be made variable through letting out or hauling in of a line attached to the stern of the boat.
  • the boat travels with definite speed, and with an operative detection device in the detection areas assigned to it.
  • an operative detection device in the detection areas assigned to it.
  • one of the sweeper lines may hopefully contact the anchor cable of a mine.
  • the anchor cable now slides along on the sweeper line until it reaches the first (of several), firing bolt grippers attached to the sweeper line and is fixed thereon by its clamping jaw.
  • the ignition of the explosive charge directed to an anchor cable disposed in the clamping jaw takes place by means of a pressure impulse produced through the traveling speed of the boat on a piezo-electric sensor associated with the explosive charge, said sensor converting the pressure impulse, in a manner known per se, into a voltage impulse which without delay effects the ignition of the explosive and which at the same time if need be controlled by a delay member ignites a second explosive charge, which brings about the operation of a mechanical member which releases the cutting device from the mine sweeper line.
  • the gripping jaw is associated with a lever rotatably disposed outside of the jaw, and from which the pressure forces emanating at a corresponding ratio from the anchor cable located in the gripping jaw, are transmitted to the piezo-electric sensor.
  • the lever is arrested by a pin which is sheared off under pressure of the anchor cable, whereby the lever after overcoming a distance member lying between it and a pressure member connected with the piezoelectric sensor, strikes the pressure member with at least the available shearing force, the explosive charge is arranged on a supporting plate of the device in a housing sealed against sea-water, and resistant to pressure, whose outlet opening intersects at right angles the anchor cable located in the gripper jaw, and finally the piezo-electric sensor is arranged below the outlet opening.
  • an insert is arranged at definite parallel distance from the housing receiving the explosive charge, which serves for fastening the cutting-device on the mine sweeper, said insert holding the mine sweeper line by means of a sleeve provided with a hinge.
  • the exterior of the insert facing the boat is provided with a cone, which corresponds with the sleeve constructed in similar manner and provided on its interior with several clamping jaws distributed about the periphery, and in the side of the insert facing away from the boat, a second, smaller explosive charge is arranged for effecting the cutting of the anchor cable, the energy of said explosive charge acting on a striker member slidably positioned axially parallel to the mine sweeper line, said striker member on its part separating the sleeve with a sudden shock from the cone of the insert and separating at the same time the mine sweeper line from the cutting device.
  • the invention provides that a switch is arranged in the electric circuit between piezo-electric sensor and the ignition means for the explosive charges, said switch shortcircuiting the piezo-electric sensor in its safe condition, for which purpose, in a further development of this invention the shortcircuit of the piezoelectric sensor is removed automatically upon bringing the cutting device out in the water.
  • the electric switch is completed in that the ignition means for the hollow (explosive-) charge is provided for the protection against static charges with a conventional Faraday shield.
  • the hollow charge provided for the cutting of a mineanchor cable in the invention is measured optimally: due to the concentrated effect of this charge, as tests carried out have shown, high-strength anchor cables of the order of size of 10 mm. diameter, as well as also stud-link cables of the order of size of 20 mm. per link have been severed reliably and without any difficulties.
  • the opening for the entrance of an anchor cable may be made larger than in the conventional devices. It lies in the order of size of approximately 100 mm.
  • the device may be used at air temperatures of approximately 30 to and is absolutely safe in operation.
  • the invention employs reliable and permissible explosives.
  • the hollow charge When the device in accordance with the invention operates with an inserted hollow charge and with a piezoelectric sensor, which contains no movable parts, for example, no firing-pins, in its safe condition is shortcircuited, the hollow charge itself cannot be ignited even upon a free drop from about 3 m height on a wooden board.
  • the hollow charge which is arranged similarly to the piezo-electric sensor in a light-weight metal housing is waterproof against an excess pressure of about 20 kp/cm, and therefore is operative.
  • the device according to the invention it is of particular advantage to provide a secondary explosive charge, which after a delayed ignition caused by a retarding member breaks the sleeve which connects the device with the mine sweeper line, so that after the ignition of this explosive charge, no remnants of parts of the device will remain on the mine sweeper line.
  • This explosive charge is however, so calculated that with certainty, a damaging or destruction of the mine sweeper line is effectively avoided.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional detection-apparatus dropped from the stern of a mine-detectoror minesweeper, respectively;
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a device of the invention when attached in operative position on a mine sweeper line
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electric circuit arrangement.
  • FIG. 1 is indicated at l the stern of a minedetectoror mine-sweeper, respectively.
  • This boat is hauling two mine sweeper lines 2, 2a, whose length may amount to several hundreds of meters.
  • the mine sweeper-lines 2, 2a when viewed from the stern of the boat, extend fistly somewhat parallel to one another. They assume, however, 'by the float 3, 3a attached to their ends a diverging course.
  • the depth control of the detector-apparatus takes place by means of a suitably constructed water kite 4, which, on the other hand, is connected with the two mine sweeper lines and, on the other hand, is connected by a single line 5 with the stern of the boat. By paying out or pulling in of the line 5, the depth travel may be varied within predetermined limits.
  • the present invention provides that both gripper categories are replaced by a plurality of firing bolt grippers which are simpler in construction and manufacture and are also more reliable in effect under seaand on-board-ship conditions.
  • FIG. 2 is illustrated such a gripper.
  • the upper part of the base plate 10 is provided with a gripper-jaw 10a.
  • a lever 10b which normally is arrested by means of a shearing pin 100. If now the anchor cable 11 of a mine enters the gripper jaw 10a, then through the pull on the mine sweeper line 2 (2a) produced by the travel of the boat, on the one hand, and the pressure of the mine-anchorcable 11 on the lever 10b, on the other hand, the pin 10c is sheared off. Therefore, the lever 10b will strike against the pressure member 12, which is connected with the piezoelectric sensor 13.
  • the pressure impulse produced upon the impact is converted in the piezoelectric sensor, in a manner well known within the shortest period of time (about 8 10 as) into an electric voltage impulse.
  • the electric voltage pro-duced in this manner ignites the cutting charge 14 directed onto the mine-anchor-cable l1, and the anchor cable is destroyed or cut.
  • the mine which was fastened to the anchor cable now floats to the surface of the sea on account of the buoyancy inherent in it and may be rendered harmless with deck weapons or the like.
  • a cutting charge is preferably used a hollow explosive charge of known material, which is arranged in the waterproof and pressure resistant housing 15, in such manner, that its hollow cone is directed directly toward the mineanchor-cable 11 to be cut.
  • the piezo-electric sensor 13 together with its pressure member 12 as well as the lever 10b striking against the same, is arranged below the hollow-explosivecharge, so that the latter may act directly on the mine-anchor cable 11.
  • the cutting-device With the destruction of the mine-anchor-cable 11, the cutting-device has accomplished its purpose. In order that the device does not, however, hamper the detection-or sweeping operation, respectively, of another mine, it is removed in the manner described in the following from the mine sweeper line:
  • a mounting member 16 On about the center portion of the base plate 10 is arranged approximately in direction parallel to the hollow charge 14 a mounting member 16, with which the cutting-device is attached to'one of the mine sweeper lines 2, (2a).
  • the attachment of the line takes place by the closing of a conically formed sleeve 17 which is attached by a hinge 16a to the mounting member 16.
  • the reduced end of the conical sleeve is provided in its interior with several circumferentially distributed clamping jaws 17a for the clamping engagement with the mine sweeper line.
  • FIG. 3 the electric circuit arrangement is illustrated in the form of a block diagram.
  • the mechanical impulse P produced by the pressure of the mine-anchor-cable 11 is converted in the piezo-electric sensor 13 within a time period of 8 to 10 as into an electric impulse.
  • the pressure impulse P at the same time closes the switch 21.
  • the switch 21 short-circuits the piezo-electric sensor in the unactuated safe position, and this short-circuit is broken and the circuit completed to the charge when the switch 21 is actuated.
  • this can be accomplished by a two contact switch such as shown in FIG. 3. I-Iereupon the primer 22 provided for the ignition of the hollow charge 14 (FIG. 2) is ignited by the electric voltage and the hollow charge is brought into action.
  • Another primer 23 is connected in parallel to the primer 22, the former igniting through the retarding member 18, the
  • the primer 22 for the hollow charge 14 is provided with a conventional Faraday-screen 24 as charge eliminator.
  • Mine sweeping apparatus with means for cutting the anchor cables of sea mines comprising two minesweeper lines hauled by a sea-boat and firstly extending substantially parallel to one another, then spread by floats at the ends of the mine-sweeper lines to assume a diverging course, and held at the desired depth by water kites attached to the sweeper lines, whereby the cutting of the anchor cables is effected by an explosive charge which is mounted on a cutting device attached to a sweeper line, wherein the improvement comprises:
  • a piezo-electric sensor for converting a pressure impulse into an electric voltage impulse mounted on the jaw
  • a mechanical engagement member positioned on said jaw to be engaged by the cable to receive a pressure impulse and connected to said sensor to convert the pressure impulse from the cable to an electrical impulse;
  • said mechanical engagement member includes a rotatably mounted lever on said cutting device having a cable gripper jaw, said lever transferring the pressure force exerted by the anchor cable in said jaw to said piezoelectric sensor.
  • Device including a pin for arresting the pivotal movement of said lever, said pin being adapted to be sheared off under the pressure of the anchor cable entering said jaw, whereupon said lever engages a pressure member connected with said piezo-electric sensor with at least the available shearing force.
  • said jaw supporting means includes a mounting member arranged at a predetermined parallel distance from a housing containing the first mentioned explosive charge, said mounting member serving for the attachment of the cutting device to the mine sweeper line and including a conical sleeve provided with hinge means securing said sleeve to said mounting member.
  • Device including a switch in an electric circuit between said piezo-electric sensor and a primer for said explosive charges, said switch being adapted to short-circuit the piezoelectric sensor in a safe condition.
  • a mine sweeping apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1, and including means connected to said second explosive charge for delaying the explosion thereof relative to the explosion of the first charge so that the jaw is released from the line after the cable is cut.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)
  • Arc Welding In General (AREA)
  • Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
US00212021A 1971-06-05 1971-12-27 Device for cutting the anchor cables of sea mines Expired - Lifetime US3773009A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2128147A DE2128147C3 (de) 1971-06-05 1971-06-05 Sprenggreifer zum Sprengen der Ankertaue oder -ketten von Seeminen

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US3773009A true US3773009A (en) 1973-11-20

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US00212021A Expired - Lifetime US3773009A (en) 1971-06-05 1971-12-27 Device for cutting the anchor cables of sea mines

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US (1) US3773009A (de)
BE (1) BE776797A (de)
CA (1) CA965345A (de)
DE (1) DE2128147C3 (de)
FR (1) FR2149040A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1350047A (de)
IT (1) IT956069B (de)
NL (1) NL7207529A (de)
NO (1) NO131540C (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4108071A (en) * 1976-06-22 1978-08-22 Georges Joseph Nabucet Cutting device having a shaped charge in a cavity of revolution
US4120246A (en) * 1975-10-30 1978-10-17 Rheinmetall Gmbh Submarine explosive cable cutting device towed by a towing cable
US11072030B2 (en) * 2017-11-20 2021-07-27 Barton G. Selby Aquatic animal detangling device of benthic gear and mooring lines
US11338890B1 (en) * 2020-09-09 2022-05-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Line cutter apparatus

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2330512A1 (fr) * 1975-08-14 1977-06-03 Champ Michel Cisaille pyrotechnique a charge a revetement diedrique
US7559505B2 (en) 2005-12-01 2009-07-14 Lockheed Martin Corporation Apparatus and method for restraining and deploying an airfoil
GB2515565A (en) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Ian Holmes Improvements to submarine guidance system

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE258133C (de) *
US2420987A (en) * 1941-12-31 1947-05-20 Temple Velocity Equipment Inc Mine cable cutter
US2524863A (en) * 1942-10-01 1950-10-10 White Wilfrid Gordon Moored mine sweeping method and device
US2818020A (en) * 1955-11-17 1957-12-31 Glenn A Burklund Safeguarded electric firing initiating devices
US2821139A (en) * 1956-10-09 1958-01-28 Apstein Maurice Shielded initiator
US2920532A (en) * 1957-05-24 1960-01-12 Daniel A Mcbride Cable cutter utilizing a hollow charge explosive
US3256817A (en) * 1951-10-17 1966-06-21 Rabinow Jacob Piezoelectric fuse

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE258133C (de) *
US2420987A (en) * 1941-12-31 1947-05-20 Temple Velocity Equipment Inc Mine cable cutter
US2524863A (en) * 1942-10-01 1950-10-10 White Wilfrid Gordon Moored mine sweeping method and device
US3256817A (en) * 1951-10-17 1966-06-21 Rabinow Jacob Piezoelectric fuse
US2818020A (en) * 1955-11-17 1957-12-31 Glenn A Burklund Safeguarded electric firing initiating devices
US2821139A (en) * 1956-10-09 1958-01-28 Apstein Maurice Shielded initiator
US2920532A (en) * 1957-05-24 1960-01-12 Daniel A Mcbride Cable cutter utilizing a hollow charge explosive

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4120246A (en) * 1975-10-30 1978-10-17 Rheinmetall Gmbh Submarine explosive cable cutting device towed by a towing cable
US4108071A (en) * 1976-06-22 1978-08-22 Georges Joseph Nabucet Cutting device having a shaped charge in a cavity of revolution
US11072030B2 (en) * 2017-11-20 2021-07-27 Barton G. Selby Aquatic animal detangling device of benthic gear and mooring lines
US11338890B1 (en) * 2020-09-09 2022-05-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Line cutter apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2128147A1 (de) 1972-12-14
IT956069B (it) 1973-10-10
GB1350047A (en) 1974-04-18
NL7207529A (de) 1972-12-07
NO131540B (de) 1975-03-10
NO131540C (de) 1975-06-18
DE2128147C3 (de) 1975-02-13
DE2128147B2 (de) 1974-06-20
CA965345A (en) 1975-04-01
FR2149040A5 (de) 1973-03-23
BE776797A (fr) 1972-04-17

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