US3850075A - Mine anchor-line cutter with flare - Google Patents

Mine anchor-line cutter with flare Download PDF

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Publication number
US3850075A
US3850075A US00591368A US59136856A US3850075A US 3850075 A US3850075 A US 3850075A US 00591368 A US00591368 A US 00591368A US 59136856 A US59136856 A US 59136856A US 3850075 A US3850075 A US 3850075A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
flare
chisel
anvil
line
anchor
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00591368A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Temple
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MSA Safety Inc
Original Assignee
Mine Safety Appliances Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mine Safety Appliances Co filed Critical Mine Safety Appliances Co
Priority to US00591368A priority Critical patent/US3850075A/en
Priority to FR867139A priority patent/FR1604952A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3850075A publication Critical patent/US3850075A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B4/00—Fireworks, i.e. pyrotechnic devices for amusement, display, illumination or signal purposes
    • F42B4/26—Flares; Torches

Definitions

  • Explosively actuated mine anchor-line cutters are well known and have taken several different forms.
  • a typical tool is shown in my US. Pat. No. 2,422,506.
  • Such tools are carried by sweep lines that extend outward and backward from opposite sides of a ship, with several tools on each line.
  • This danger is increased greatly when sweeping is done at night, because it often is difficult to see a freed mine after it has risen to the surface of the water.
  • a buoyant flare is connected to a mine anchor-line cutter in such a way that when the cutter is tired to cut an anchor-line, the flare will be released from the cutter at the same instant and will rise to the surface where it will immediately produce a flame that will signal the presence of the freed mine.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the cutting end of a mine anchor-line cutter provided with a flare;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the cutter, showing the flare partly broken away in section;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a released flare floating on a body of water and producing flames
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section through a modified cutter and flare
  • FIG. 5 is a front view thereof
  • FIG. 6 shows the flare floating on water and produc ing flames
  • FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of another modification
  • FIG. 8 is a front view thereof, partly in section.
  • FIG. 9 is an axial section through a special cutting chisel that can be used with an anchor-line cutter, with a flare inside of the chisel.
  • a stabilizing fin 1 has its longitudinal axis extending in the direction in which the cutter is pulled through the water by a sweep line 2 extending backward and laterally from a mine sweeper (not shown) in a well-known manner.
  • the front edge of the fin is inclined to its longitudinal axis to the same degree as the sweep line. This front edge is provided at its opposite ends with integral ears 3 that hook over the sweep line.
  • the metal frame 10 of the cutting tool Rigidly mounted on the front portion of the fin is the metal frame 10 of the cutting tool.
  • the longitudinal axis of the frame extends across the fin, and the frame is set back from the front corner of the fin so that only a small amount of the frame extends across the inclined front edge of the fin.
  • the front side of this outwardly projecting portion of the frame is provided with a recess 1 1 that extends lengthwise of the frame.
  • the frame also is provided with a longitudinal bore extending inwardly from the inner end of the recess, and this bore normally contains a cutting chisel 12 that is held in retracted position by a shear pin 13 extending through. it and the surrounding frame.
  • the end of the frame beside the recess is provided with a slot 14 for receiving a tongue 15 on one end of a guide member 16.
  • the tongue and frame are provided with aligned transverse passages, through which a shear pin 17 extends.
  • the guide member 16 extends across the end of recess 11 to form an anvil 18, and then the guide turns and extends along the front side of the recess toward the chisel.
  • the guide is inclined forward away from the frame to form a finger 19 that will intercept a mine anchor-line and direct it into the cutting notch formed by recess 11 between the guide and frame.
  • a plunger 38 slidably mounted in a guiding slot 39 extending lengthwise of the back side of the frame.
  • a rod 42 Connected to the rear end of the plunger is a rod 42 that is slidably mounted in a bore through a block 43 rigidly mounted in slot 39 behind the cutting notch.
  • the plunger is urged toward the inner end of the frame by a coil spring 44 encircling the rod and compressed between the plunger and block 43.
  • the plunger normally is held in retracted position, with the spring compressed, by means of a trip pin 46 of small diameter extending through. guide member 16, across the cutting notch, through the frame and into a transverse opening 47 in the plunger rod.
  • the impact of the chisel against the anvil then causes the tongue 15 of guide member 16 to shear off pin 17 and slide out of frame slot 14. Release and loss of the guide member in this manner is justified because, otherwise, the next mine anchor-line might catchin the cutting notch, where it would not be cut.
  • a buoyant flare is carried by the cutter in such a manner that it will be released when the cutter is fired and will rise to the surface with the mine, where it will immediately burst into flame and serve as a beacon.
  • the flare shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 includes a ball 50 of buoyant material, preferably cork.
  • This ball has a diametrical passage through it, the size of which is reduced at one end.
  • a lightweight metal tube 51 having a reduced end that fits in the reduced end of the passage to hold the tube in place.
  • the other end of the tube projects from the ball to form a weight that will cause the ball to float with the projecting end of the tube down, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • Disposed in the larger portion of the tube is the chemical 52 that produces the flame.
  • This chemical is calcium phosphide, which may also contain calcium carbide. When such a chemical becomes wet, it immediately generates a gas.
  • the calcium phosphide gas will burst into flame in the presence of oxygen, but the calsium carbide gas must be ignited by the first gas.
  • the calcium carbide is used in order to provide a bright, steady signal flame, because calcium phosphide gas produces an intermittent flame that is not very bright.
  • a frangible receptacle such as a glass bottle 53. The bottle is held in the metal tube by turning in the outer end of the tube.
  • the outer side of the anvil is provided with a spherical recess 55 for receiving part of the buoyant ball, and with a bore 56 for receiving the projecting end of tube 51.
  • the exposed major portion of the ball is held in a metal cup 57, the open side of which fits around a cylindrical projection 58 on the anvil.
  • the circular edge of the cup is soldered at 59 to a shoulder 60 extending around the projection.
  • the side wall of the cup preferably is provided with parallel slots 61 extending inward from its edge.
  • the outer side of the anvil 65 connected to the cutter frame 66 is provided with a semi-cylindrical recess 67 extending lengthwise of the anvil.
  • Spidered to the opposite edges of this recess by a joint 68 is a semi-cylindrical member 69 which forms with the recess a cylindrical chamber 70.
  • This chamber contains a flare which is held in place by the lug 71 projecting from the anvil at one end of the chamber and by a retaining gin 72 extending across the opposite end of the recess.
  • This particular flare includes a frangible receptacle, such as a glass bottle 73, in which the flame-producing chemical 74 is sealed.
  • the chemical is contained in a metal tube 75 that is enclosed by a fabric bag 76.
  • the tube is in the center of the bottle and is encircled by a cylindrical float 77, most suitably formed from polystyrene.
  • the float is produced by pouring a predetermined amount of polystyrene beads into the bottle before the tube is inserted, then inserting the filled tube and bag, and then heating the bottle as it is rolled back and forth. The heat causes the beads to swell greatly and fill the space around the tube as they adhere to one another to form a unitary buoyandy cylinder.
  • the cutter anvil 80 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has its same shape as the one just described, and a similar semi-cylindrical flare holder 81 is used. However, instead of soldering the holder to the anvil, it is strapped to it by a metal band 82 that extends around the holder in a groove 83 and across the top and bottom of the anvil. The ends of the band are connected by a cross member, such as coil spring 84, extending across the inner face of the anvil. To prevent the holder from sliding around on the anvil, it is pinned to it by a pair of dowl pins 85 at the opposite edges of the holder.
  • the flare is like the one shown in FIG.
  • a special cutting chisel may be provided which will contain the flares.
  • a chisel 91 is provided with an axial bore 92 extending forward from its rear end. Inside of this bore is a buoyant flare 93, similar to the one shown in FIG. 4, but of smaller diameter.
  • the flare is normally held in the chisel by a closure disc 94 soldered at 95 to the rear end of the chisel.
  • a coil spring 96 may be compressed between the front end of a reduced axial bore 97 in the chisel and a disc 98 engaging the front end of the flare.
  • a mine anchor-line cutter comprising an anvil, a chisel adapted to be driven forward under water against the anvil by the force of an explosion behind the chisel to sever an anchor-line, the chisel being provided with an axial bore extending forward from its rear end, a closure for the rear end of the bore, a solderjoint connecting the closure to the chisel and a buoyant flare in said bore, said solder joint being adapted to be broken by the force of the explosion to release said closure from the chisel, whereby the chisel will be opened for escape of the flare, said flare containing a chemical that will produce a flame on reaching the surface of the water.
  • a mine anchor-line cutter comprising an anvil, a chisel adapted to be driven forward under water against the anvil, by the force of an explosion behind the chisel to sever an anchor-line, the chisel being provided with an axial bore extending forward from its rear end, a closure for the rear end of the bore, a solderjoint connecting the closure to the chisel, a buoyant flare in said bore, and a coil sping compressed between the front end of the flare and the chisel and pressing the flare tightly against the closure said solder joint being adapted to be broken by the force of the explosion, whereby the flare will be ejected from the chisel by said spring, said flare containing a chemical that will produce a flame on reaching the surface of the water.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Processing Of Stones Or Stones Resemblance Materials (AREA)
US00591368A 1956-06-14 1956-06-14 Mine anchor-line cutter with flare Expired - Lifetime US3850075A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00591368A US3850075A (en) 1956-06-14 1956-06-14 Mine anchor-line cutter with flare
FR867139A FR1604952A (xx) 1956-06-14 1961-07-06

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00591368A US3850075A (en) 1956-06-14 1956-06-14 Mine anchor-line cutter with flare
FR867139 1961-07-06

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US3850075A true US3850075A (en) 1974-11-26

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FR (1) FR1604952A (xx)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943874A (en) * 1967-10-16 1976-03-16 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy River mine countermeasure device
EP0211149A1 (de) * 1985-08-07 1987-02-25 Rheinmetall GmbH Einrichtung zur Vernichtung von Seeminen, insbesondere Ankertauminen
WO1990001445A1 (de) * 1988-08-05 1990-02-22 Rheinmetall Gmbh Minenräumgerät zum räumen von ankertauminen
US5386793A (en) * 1993-08-18 1995-02-07 Unisys Corporation Line handling apparatus
GB2307211A (en) * 1995-11-14 1997-05-21 Rheinmetall Ind Ag Minesweeping system and apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* 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

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2119697A (en) * 1935-08-13 1938-06-07 Victory Fireworks And Specialt Float light
US2372695A (en) * 1939-06-08 1945-04-03 Celanese Corp Production of thermoplastic materials in fibrous or cellular form
US2420987A (en) * 1941-12-31 1947-05-20 Temple Velocity Equipment Inc Mine cable cutter
US2422506A (en) * 1945-11-06 1947-06-17 Temple Velocity Equipment Inc Mine anchor-line cutter
US2451121A (en) * 1946-04-15 1948-10-12 Schermuly Conrad David Illuminating flare
US2543079A (en) * 1946-11-01 1951-02-27 Philip A Veek Emergency flare light
US2723404A (en) * 1954-09-16 1955-11-15 Ernest H Krantz Retriever
US2736044A (en) * 1956-02-28 Marine marker
US2744291A (en) * 1951-04-19 1956-05-08 Basf Ag Production of porous shaped articles from thermoplastic materials
US2791785A (en) * 1955-11-15 1957-05-14 Adonis A Metts Retrieving device

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2736044A (en) * 1956-02-28 Marine marker
US2119697A (en) * 1935-08-13 1938-06-07 Victory Fireworks And Specialt Float light
US2372695A (en) * 1939-06-08 1945-04-03 Celanese Corp Production of thermoplastic materials in fibrous or cellular form
US2420987A (en) * 1941-12-31 1947-05-20 Temple Velocity Equipment Inc Mine cable cutter
US2422506A (en) * 1945-11-06 1947-06-17 Temple Velocity Equipment Inc Mine anchor-line cutter
US2451121A (en) * 1946-04-15 1948-10-12 Schermuly Conrad David Illuminating flare
US2543079A (en) * 1946-11-01 1951-02-27 Philip A Veek Emergency flare light
US2744291A (en) * 1951-04-19 1956-05-08 Basf Ag Production of porous shaped articles from thermoplastic materials
US2787809A (en) * 1951-04-19 1957-04-09 Basf Ag Production of porous shaped articles from thermoplastic substances
US2723404A (en) * 1954-09-16 1955-11-15 Ernest H Krantz Retriever
US2791785A (en) * 1955-11-15 1957-05-14 Adonis A Metts Retrieving device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
A Manual of Plastics and Resins, Edited by Wm. Schack, Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., Copyright 1950, pp. 172 and 173. *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943874A (en) * 1967-10-16 1976-03-16 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy River mine countermeasure device
EP0211149A1 (de) * 1985-08-07 1987-02-25 Rheinmetall GmbH Einrichtung zur Vernichtung von Seeminen, insbesondere Ankertauminen
WO1990001445A1 (de) * 1988-08-05 1990-02-22 Rheinmetall Gmbh Minenräumgerät zum räumen von ankertauminen
US4970957A (en) * 1988-08-05 1990-11-20 Rheinmetall Gmbh Minehunting apparatus for removing moored mines
US5386793A (en) * 1993-08-18 1995-02-07 Unisys Corporation Line handling apparatus
GB2307211A (en) * 1995-11-14 1997-05-21 Rheinmetall Ind Ag Minesweeping system and apparatus
US5771833A (en) * 1995-11-14 1998-06-30 Rheinmetall Industrie Aktiengesellschaft Arrangement for sweeping moored lines
GB2307211B (en) * 1995-11-14 1999-10-20 Rheinmetall Ind Ag Mine Sweeping

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1604952A (xx) 1972-06-26

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