System for underwater storage and launching of rockets
AssigneeNewport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
InventorsJohn P. Mabry, Joseph W. Smith, Bromley C. Jinnette
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An underwater rocket launch system for launching a rocket from deep water includes a capsule for containing the rocket, the capsule being constructed of a thin walled, dual hull to provide a positive buoyancy with a highly pressurized gas introduced within the space between the hulls to offset the external pressure of the water. A releasable anchor pod is attached to the underside of the capsule that becomes separated in water to cause the capsule to sink and remain anchored to the bottom. The capsule may be remotely released from the anchor pod upon receipt of a coded ELF signal so that the capsule rises to the surface whereupon the rocket is automatically launched.
Claims25
A system for deep underwater deployment and launching of rockets comprising:
- a capsule comprising an inner hull and outer hull forming a gas impervious space therebetween,
- said gas impervious space being pressurized by a gas to reduce a pressure differential across said outer hull,
- said inner hull of the capsule forming an inner tube for storing a rocket within the capsule,
- an anchor pod releasably attached to the capsule,
- release means connected between the capsule and said anchor pod for releasing said anchor pod from said capsule and allowing the capsule to rise towards the water surface, and
- means for launching said rocket from said inner tube.
A method for deep underwater deployment and launching of a rocket at sea comprising the steps of:
- providing a capsule comprising an inner hull and an outer hull,
- forming a gas impervious space between said hulls and introducing a pressurized gas into said space to provide said capsule with a positive buoyancy,
- attaching a releasable anchor pod to said capsule,
- sinking the capsule to a predetermined depth in the water,
- providing a rocket in said inner hull,
- maintaining said capsule in an upright position in the water due to a positive capsule buoyancy at said given depth in the water,
- releasing the capsule from said anchor pod and permitting said capsule with its positive buoyancy to rise to the surface of the water, and
- launching the rocket from said inner hull.
In a system for deploying and launching a rocket at sea wherein a capsule containing a rocket and launching means is tethered underwater by an anchor pod with release means between said anchor pod and s id capsule to permit the capsule to rise to the surface of the water to launch the rocket, the improvement comprising,
- a capsule for underwater positioning and launching of said rocket,
- said capsule having an outer hull of sufficient thickness and strength to withstand ambient water pressure, and
- an inner hull comprising longitudinal internal sides forming a rocket tube disposed concentrically within said outer hull,
- a gas impervious space formed between said inner and outer hulls,
- a pressurized gas contained within said space whereby said capsule possesses a positive buoyancy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.