Retractable bow diving plane for a submarine
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsWilliam D. Lucy, William F. Firman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable bow diving plane is provided which can be rotated when fully xtended or retracted or when at any position in between, and which allows for independent operation of the port and starboard bow diving planes. The major assemblies for each plane are a large rotor bearing, four rotational hydraulic cylinders, and an extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder assembly. The plane is engaged in a slot in the middle of the rotor bearing. This rotor bearing supports the plane, rotates the plane, and allows the plane to move through the slot for extension and retraction.
Claims13
A submarine control device comprising:
- a diving plane,
- a rotor bearing having a slot, said diving plane being engaged in said slot, whereby said rotor bearing supports said diving plane as said diving plane is extended and retracted through said slot in said rotor bearing,
- an extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder, said extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder being rigidly connected to said diving plane, whereby said extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder supports the moment of force from said diving plane,
- a journal bearing which supports said extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder,
- a piston rod which supports the axial force from said diving plane,
- a support bearing supporting said piston rod, and
- a rotational hydraulic cylinder which rotates said rotor bearing and said diving plane.
A control device comprising:
- a plane,
- a rotor bearing with a slot, said plane being engaged in said slot in said rotor bearing, whereby said rotor bearing supports said plane as said plane is extended and retracted through said slot in said rotor bearing,
- a bearing housing,
- a bearing retainer,
- a retaining ring, said bearing housing, said bearing retainer and said retaining ring being coaxial to said rotor bearing, whereby said bearing housing, said bearing retainer and said retaining ring secure said rotor bearing in the proper position, and
- a main bearing element which permits said rotor bearing to rotate within said bearing housing.
A retractable bow diving plane comprising:
- a bow diving plane,
- an extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder rigidly connected to said bow diving plane, whereby said extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder supports the moment of force from said bow diving plane,
- a journal bearing which supports said extension and retraction hydraulic cylinder,
- a piston rod which supports the axial force from said bow diving plane,
- a support bearing which supports said piston rod,
- a rotor bearing having a slot in which said bow diving plane is engaged, whereby said rotor bearing supports said bow diving plane as said bow diving plane is extended and retracted through said slot in said rotor bearing,
- a bearing housing,
- a bearing retainer,
- a retaining ring, said bearing housing, said bearing retainer and said retaining ring being coaxial to said rotor bearing, whereby said bearing housing, said bearing retainer and said retaining ring secure said rotor bearing in the proper position, and
- a main bearing element which permits said rotor bearing to rotate within said bearing housing.
The retractable bow diving plane of claim 16 further comprising:
- a plane support pad bearing,
- whereby, said plane support pad bearing supports the weight of said bow diving plane and also maintains the vertical alignment of said bow diving plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.