Rotary electromagnetic launch tube
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorCarlos E. Galliano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An underwater launch system includes a launch tube frangibly sealed at its forward end. At launch time, pressure equalization means introduces water at depth pressure into the launch tube between its frangibly sealed ends. A rotary electromagnetic pump coupled to the launch tube receives water at depth and expels the water at a higher pressure. The higher pressure water is coupled to the aft end of the launch tube.
Claims15
An underwater launch system mounted outside of an underwater vessel's pressure hull, said system comprising:
- a launch tube for housing a payload, said launch tube having an aft end and a frangibly sealed forward end;
- pressure equalization means coupled to said launch tube between said forward and aft ends thereof for introducing water at depth pressure into said launch tube;
- and
- a rotary electromagnetic pump having an input side for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and an output side for expelling said fluid at a second pressure that is greater than said first pressure, said input side in communication with water at depth pressure and said output side coupled to said aft end.
An underwater launch system mounted outside of an underwater vessel's pressure hull, said system comprising:
- a launch tube for housing a payload, said launch tube having a forward end and an aft end;
- a rupturable seal coupled to and sealing said forward end;
- a face seal coupled between said launch tube and the payload for sealing said aft end against the payload;
- means coupled to said launch tube for introducing water at depth pressure into said launch tube between said rupturable seal and said face seal;
- and
- a rotary electromagnetic pump having an input side for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and an output side for expelling said fluid at a second pressure that is greater than said first pressure and said depth pressure, said rotary electromagnetic pump maintained external to said launch tube with said input side thereof in communication with water at depth pressure and said output side thereof coupled to said launch tube.
An underwater launch system mounted outside of an underwater vessel's pressure hull, said system comprising:
- a launch tube for housing a payload, said launch tube having a muzzle and a breech;
- a door coupled to said muzzle;
- an electrical actuator coupled to said door for opening and closing same;
- a rupturable seal mounted inside said launch tube forward of the payload;
- a face seal coupled between said launch tube and the payload for sealing said breech;
- an electrically-operated valve coupled to said launch tube for permitting water at depth pressure to be introduced into said launch tube between said rupturable seal and said face seal;
- and
- a rotary electromagnetic pump having an input side for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and an output side for expelling said fluid at a second pressure that is greater than said first pressure and said depth pressure, said rotary electromagnetic pump maintained external to said launch tube with said input side thereof in communication with water at said depth pressure and said output side thereof coupled to said face seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.