Device and method for launching an underwater projectile from a watercraft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12017741-B2
Application number	US-201917293143-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 4, 2019
Priority date	Dec 20, 2018
Publication date	Jun 25, 2024
Grant date	Jun 25, 2024

Abstract

A launching device and associated methods can be utilized to launch an underwater running body from a platform such as a watercraft. The launching device may include a ramp, which extends along a longitudinal ramp axis, and a propellant deflection unit. The ramp may enclose an underwater running body with a propulsion unit underwater. The launching device may activate the propulsion unit, which then emits a propellant. The propellant deflection unit deflects the emitted propellant into an outlet direction. This outlet direction of the propellant may be directed perpendicularly or obliquely away from the platform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for facilitating launching of a first underwater running body from a platform, with the first underwater running body including a first propulsion unit configured to emit a propellant, the device comprising:
a first ramp that extends along a first longitudinal ramp axis, wherein the first ramp is configured to enclose and hold the first underwater running body underwater and to guide the first underwater running body during launch based on an orientation of the first longitudinal ramp axis;
a first canister configured to be fitted into the first ramp and that stores the first underwater running body in a fluidtight manner, the first canister having a front membrane that cooperates to close the first canister with inert fluid around the first underwater running body; and
a propellant deflection unit,
wherein the device is configured to activate the first propulsion unit or permit activation of the first propulsion unit while the first underwater running body is enclosed and held in the first ramp underwater,
wherein the first ramp is configured to direct the propellant emitted by the first propulsion unit to the propellant deflection unit,
wherein the propellant deflection unit is configured to divert the propellant emitted by the first propulsion unit into an outlet direction, which is directed perpendicularly or obliquely away from the platform.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the propellant deflection unit is positioned such that the outlet direction is parallel to the first longitudinal ramp axis and such that the propellant that is deflected leaves the propellant deflection unit at a distance from the first longitudinal ramp axis.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the propellant deflection unit is positioned such that the outlet direction forms an acute angle with the first longitudinal ramp axis and such that the propellant deflection unit deflects the emitted propellant by an obtuse angle.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second ramp configured to enclose, hold, and guide a second underwater running body underwater, and a chamber surrounded a wall behind both of the first and second ramps.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein each of the first ramp and the second ramp is configured to direct the propellant emitted by the first and second underwater running bodies into the propellant deflection unit.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a locking device that is transferable from a locking state into a release state, wherein the locking device in the locking state prevents movement of the first underwater running body in the first ramp relative to the first ramp, wherein the locking device in the release state allows the first underwater running body to leave the first ramp, wherein the device is configured to prevent activation of the first propulsion unit as long as the locking device is in the locking state.

7. The device of claim 6 , further comprising a position sensor for detecting that the locking device is in the release state, wherein the device is configured to activate the first propulsion unit or permit activation of the first propulsion unit in response to the position sensor detecting that the locking device is in the release state.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured such that water can penetrate into the first ramp.

9. The device of claim 8 , further comprising a first ramp flap that in a closed state closes the first ramp off with respect to surrounding water, wherein the first ramp flap is openable to permit water to flow into the first ramp before the device activates the first propulsion unit of the first underwater running body.

10. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a deflection unit flap that separates the propellant deflection unit from surrounding fluid, wherein the deflection unit flap is mounted such that emitted propellant can open or burst the deflection unit flap.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the deflection unit flap is configured such that the emitted propellant opens or bursts the deflection unit flap only when a pressure exerted on the deflection unit flap exceeds a predetermined limit.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be carried onboard a watercraft, wherein in a floating position of the watercraft the propellant deflection unit is positionable such that an entire path of movement of the emitted propellant in the propellant deflection unit is horizontal or ascending.

13. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a ramp actuating element configured to pivot the first ramp.

14. A watercraft that comprises the device of claim 1 .

15. The watercraft of claim 14 , further comprising a weapon tube, wherein the device is fitted in the weapon tube.

16. The watercraft of claim 14 configured as an underwater vehicle with a pressure hull, wherein the pressure hull encloses an interior region in a pressure-tight manner, wherein the device is disposed outside the interior region.

17. The watercraft of claim 14 configured as a surface vessel, wherein in a floating position of the surface vessel the device is disposed below a surface of the water.

18. A method for launching a first underwater running body from a platform, wherein the first underwater running body comprises a propulsion unit, wherein a device with a first ramp that extends along a first longitudinal ramp axis is used to facilitate launching, the method comprising:
enclosing and holding the first underwater running body underwater, the enclosing comprising locating a first canister into the first ramp, the first canister storing the first underwater running body in a fluidtight manner, the first canister having a front membrane that cooperates to close the first canister with inert fluid around the first underwater running body;
activating the propulsion unit while the first underwater running body is enclosed in and held underwater by the first ramp;
emitting a propellant from the propulsion unit that has been activated;
guiding the first underwater running body with the first ramp during launch of the first underwater running body based on an orientation of the first longitudinal ramp axis;
directing the propellant emitted by the propulsion unit with the first ramp to a propellant deflection unit; and
diverting the emitted propellant with the propellant deflection unit into an outlet direction, which is directed perpendicularly or obliquely away from the platform.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the device comprises a locking device, wherein in a locking state the locking device prevents movement of the first underwater running body in the first ramp relative to the first ramp before the propulsion unit is activated, wherein the activation of the first propulsion unit is prevented as long as the locking device is in the locking state, wherein the activation of the propulsion unit comprises:
transferring the locking device into a release state; and
the locking device in the release state allows the first underwater running body to leave the first ramp.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the device comprises a position sensor for the locking device, wherein the position sensor is configured to detect transfer of the locking device into the release state, wherein the activation of the propulsion unit is prevented as long as the position sensor does not detect transfer of the locking device into the release state, wherein the activation of the propulsion unit is performed in response to the positio

Assignees

• Atlas Elektronik Gmbh
• Thyssenkrupp Ag

Inventors

• Lämmle Knud

Classifications

• F41F3/10 Primary

  from below the surface of the water · CPC title

• F41F3/07

  Underwater launching-apparatus · CPC title

• F41F3/0413

  Means for exhaust gas disposal, e.g. exhaust deflectors, gas evacuation systems · CPC title

• F41F3/08

  for marine torpedoes {(F41A23/22 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B63G8/32 Primary

  of torpedo-launching means (torpedo-launching means per se F41F3/00); of torpedo stores or handlers · CPC title