US3857321A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submarine missile launch system
Assignee: Subcom Inc
•
Filing: 1973-07-30
•
Granted: 1974-12-31
•
Expires: 1993-07-30
Abstract
Abstract In a submarine missile launching system a launch tunnel connecting the launching tube and the outer skin of the vessel through which the missile passes. The tunnel is provided with a liner, formed of a matrix of resilient finger-like inward projections separated by longitudinal and transverse grooves. The exit end of the matrix is provided with a radial inward seal ring adapted to flexibly engage the missile. The fingers are selectively provided with sensors monitoring the movement of the missile, which sensors control a hydraulic counter-torquing system regulating the ejection of the missile.
Inventors
- 👤 P Cohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:47
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/08; F41F3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A submarine missile launcher for a submarine having a propulsion tube and a tunnel connecting the interior propulsion tube and the exterior of the submarine comprising a circumferential resilient covering lining a lengthwise extent of the interior of said tunnel, flexible means projecting to extend from said covering radially inwardly toward the tunnel axis for engagement with a missile being launched from said tunnel, a plurality of fluid dispensing jets relatively spaced about the tunnel, and sensor means connected with said jets and responsive to the flexing of said flexible means during the movement of a missile through the tunnel to cause said jets to apply a stream of fluid laterally to the missile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A submarine missile launcher for a submarine having a propulsion tube and a tunnel connecting the interior propulsion tube and the exterior of the submarine comprising a circumferential resilient covering lining a lengthwise extent of the interior of said tunnel, flexible means projecting to extend from said covering radially inwardly toward the tunnel axis for engagement with a missile being launched from said tunnel, a plurality of fluid dispensing jets relatively spaced about the tunnel, and sensor means connected with said jets and responsive to the flexing of said flexible means during the movement of a missile through the tunnel to cause said jets to apply a stream of fluid laterally to the missile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 1 wherein said flexible means are fingers arranged in a matrix and said fingers flex in response to touching engagement therewith by the missile moving through said tunnel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 2, said sensor means being operable in selected ones of said fingers to provide a signal of engagement by the missile moving through the tunnel, means for controlling the flow of fluid through selected ones of said jets, and said last named means being selectively operable in response to the selected operation of certain ones of said sensor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 2 wherein a flexible radially inwardly directed ring extends into said tunnel between the tunnel and the missile being launched therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 4 wherein said matrix is arranged to taper radially inward adjacent the exterior end of said tunnel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 1 including a flexible radially inwardly directed ring in said tunnel, said ring having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the missile adapted to be ejected therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 6 wherein said ring is flexibly biased in an axial direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 6 wherein said ring lies in a plane substantially parallel to the exterior opening of said tunnel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 6 wherein said ring lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the tunnel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 6 wherein said matrix of fingers defines a surface for engagement by a missile moving through said tunnel and for guiding the missile during its movement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A submarine missile launcher according to claim 1 wherein at least certain of said jets are positioned within said tunnel to apply a laTeral force to the missile after the same has exited from the tunnel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
In the control of a missile along a given path of movement through the launch tunnel of a submarine, lining at least a portion of said launch tunnel with a resilient covering that is displaceable in response to deviations of the missile from its given path during a launch thereof, including within said covering sensors to signal deviations of the missile when the missile moves from its given path, and means operable in response to the signals of said sensors to cause a stream of fluid to be applied laterally against the missile to cause the missile to move back along its given path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
In the control of a missile along a given path of movement through the launch tunnel of a submarine, lining at least a portion of said launch tunnel with a resilient covering that is displaceable in response to deviations of the missile from its given path during a launch thereof, including within said covering sensors to signal deviations of the missile when the missile moves from its given path, and means operable in response to the signals of said sensors to cause a stream of fluid to be applied laterally against the missile to cause the missile to move back along its given path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the control of a missile according to claim 12 wherein said stream of fluid is directed through a plurality of jets, and selected ones of said jets being associated with selected ones of said sensors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the control of a missile according to claim 13 wherein selected ones of said jets apply a stream of fluid against the missile after the same has left the confines of said launch tunnel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a submarine launch tunnel having an inner end communicating with the propulsion tube and an outer end communicating with the ocean through which a missile is adapted to move in a path substantially aligned with the axis of the tunnel, means in said tunnel and cooperating with the missile to seal said tunnel from said ocean including sensing means to sense the movements of the missile along its path and an annular flexible ring extending radially inwardly from the surface of said tunnel, said ring having an inner diameter normally less than said missile, and means in said tunnel to apply a lateral force to the missile in response to movements of the same from its path as sensed by said sensing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a submarine launch tunnel having an inner end communicating with the propulsion tube and an outer end communicating with the ocean through which a missile is adapted to move in a path substantially aligned with the axis of the tunnel, means in said tunnel and cooperating with the missile to seal said tunnel from said ocean including sensing means to sense the movements of the missile along its path and an annular flexible ring extending radially inwardly from the surface of said tunnel, said ring having an inner diameter normally less than said missile, and means in said tunnel to apply a lateral force to the missile in response to movements of the same from its path as sensed by said sensing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The launch tunnel according to claim 15 wherein said ring is biased axially inward counter to the direction of movement of said missile.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The launch tunnel according to claim 15 wherein said ring lies in a plane substantially parallel with the edge of the outer opening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The launch tunnel according to claim 15 wherein said ring lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The launch tunnel according to claim 15, said lateral thrust applying means including means to apply lateral forces to the missile after the same has left the launch tunnel.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
100 words
The method of controlling the movement of a missile along a given path during its launch from a submarine tunnel wherein the tunnel has sensing means displaceable in response to deviations of the missile from its given path the method comprising sensing deviations of the missile from its given path of movement as it moves along the launch tunnel and into displaceable engagement with the sensing means, and applying a stream of fluid laterally against the missile in response to the sensed deviations to counter the deviated movement of the missile to cause the same to assume its given path.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
100 words
The method of controlling the movement of a missile along a given path during its launch from a submarine tunnel wherein the tunnel has sensing means displaceable in response to deviations of the missile from its given path the method comprising sensing deviations of the missile from its given path of movement as it moves along the launch tunnel and into displaceable engagement with the sensing means, and applying a stream of fluid laterally against the missile in response to the sensed deviations to counter the deviated movement of the missile to cause the same to assume its given path.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as in claim 20, sensing the deviations of movement of the missile from along its given path as it leaves the submarine tunnel, and applying a countering stream of fluid against the missile after it leaves the tunnel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |