US 8,161,899 B1Granted

Multiple torpedo mine

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy

InventorBryan Smallin

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Abstract

A multiple torpedo mine is capable of launching multiple torpedoes in water simultaneously or at predetermined intervals. The mine has an elongate container having multiple launch tubes with launch tube covers and each containing a torpedo. A programmable target detection sensor unit in the elongate container senses impinging stimuli indicative of an approaching target and generates representative target signals. A main controller in the elongate container is coupled to receive the target signals from the target detection sensor unit, and the main controller is preprogrammed to recognize targets of interest and generate appropriate launch control signals for the torpedoes. A launching system in the elongate container is coupled to the main controller and each of the launch tubes to feed high pressure gas to the base and interior of the launch tubes to launch the torpedoes into the water.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A mine for launching multiple torpedoes in water comprising:

an elongate container having at least two launch tubes, each of said launch tubes having launch tube cover at an outer end;
one torpedo contained in each of said launch tubes;
a programmable target detection sensor unit in said elongate container configured to sense impinging stimuli indicative of an approaching target and to generate representative target signals;
a main controller in said elongate container coupled to receive said target signals from said target detection sensor unit, said main controller being preprogrammed to recognize targets of interest from said target signals and to generate appropriate launch control signals for one or more of said torpedoes;
a launching system in said elongate container coupled to said main controller and each of said launch tubes to feed high pressure gas to the base and interior to selected ones of said launch tubes and said torpedoes contained in them to effect launch from said elongate container into said water;
a main protective top cover at a first end of said elongate container covering all of said torpedoes;
and
an anchor section at the opposite end of said elongate container, said launch tubes extending between said first and opposite ends of said elongate container;
wherein said launch tube covers are disposed inside said main top cover.

6 more elements

A method of launching multiple torpedoes from a single mine in water comprising the steps of

providing an elongate container having multiple launch tubes, each of said launch tubes having a launch tube cover at an outer end;
containing one torpedo in each of said launch tubes;
tactically deploying said elongate container at the bottom in of a body of water
sensing impinging stimuli indicative of an approaching target with programmable target detection sensor unit in said elongate container;
generating target signals representative of said impinging stimuli indicative of an approaching target in said programmable target detector sensor;
coupling said target signals to a main controller in said elongate container;
generating appropriate launch control signals in said main controller unit for selectively launching one or more of said torpedoes;
feeding high pressure gas to the base and interior of selected ones of said launch tubes and said torpedoes contained in them by a launching system in response to said launch control signals to effect launch of said torpedoes from said elongate container into said water;
covering a first end of said elongate container and all of said torpedoes with a main protective top cover;
mounting an anchor section at an opposite end of said elongate container;
and
extending said launch tubes in-between said first and opposite ends of said elongate container, said launch tube covers being disposed inside of said main top cover.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.