Apparatus for pressurizing a submarine launch tube

An apparatus for pressurizing a launch tube, of a submarine comprising:

• a vertically disposed first cylinder member;
• a weighted first piston member received in said first cylinder member for vertical movement therein between an upper first position and a lower second position;
• a second cylinder member having opposite first and second end portions, said second end portion having an outlet therein;
• a second piston member in said second cylinder member movable in substantially sealed relation between first and second positions therein, wherein said second piston member is shifted toward said first and second end portions, respectively, of said second cylinder member, whereby movement of said second piston member toward the second position thereof operates to apply pressure to a fluid received therein tending to urge the latter outwardly through said outlet;
• connecting means connecting said first, and second piston members for movement together between the respective first and second positions thereof;
• conduit means connecting said outlet to the breech end of said launch tube for pressure, zing the latter with said fluid upon movement of said first and second piston members toward the second positions thereof when said fluid is received in said second end portion of said second cylinder member;
• and
• said first and second piston members being constructed such that the weight of said first piston member is sufficient to gravitationally move said first piston member from the first position thereof to the second position thereof in order to pressurize said launch tube with said fluid.