US4192246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminar flow quiet torpedo nose
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1978-02-03
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Granted: 1980-03-11
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Expires: 1998-02-03
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic homing torpedo which has an acoustic window and a nose section with the window-torpedo shell interface being positioned at a location aft of the acoustic transducers in the nose so as to minimize unwanted flow noise.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank P. Hodges
- 👤 Harold W. Fowler
- 👤 Phillip R. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:20
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2273; F41G7/228; F42; F42B; F42B19/00; F42B19/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In a torpedo having a nose section and acoustic sensor means in said nose section, said torpedo having a boundary layer transition point which is a function of torpedo speed, shape and surface roughness, the improvement comprising: (A) an acoustic window positioned in front of said sensor means; (B) said acoustic window having a skirt portion which surrounds and extends along said nose section to a location aft of said boundary layer transition point location at the minimum running speed of said torpedo.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a torpedo having a nose section and acoustic sensor means in said nose section, said torpedo having a boundary layer transition point which is a function of torpedo speed, shape and surface roughness, the improvement comprising: (A) an acoustic window positioned in front of said sensor means; (B) said acoustic window having a skirt portion which surrounds and extends along said nose section to a location aft of said boundary layer transition point location at the minimum running speed of said torpedo.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (A) said sensor means includes a plurality of Tonpilz transducers each having a head mass positioned against said acoustic window, a tail mass, and an active section; and (B) said skirt portion extending to a locaion aft of said tail masses of said transducers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (A) said skirt portion is flush with the surface of said nose section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (A) said skirt portion extends back to the next aft section of said torpedo.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3279405A
Cited
US3372662A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-03-11 | 1983-09-10 | 1984-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-09-10 | 1988-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-11 | 1991-09-10 | 1992-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |