US5666897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submarine weapon-handling and discharge system
Assignee: LINDSAY GROUP Ltd
•
Filing: 1995-06-08
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Granted: 1997-09-16
•
Expires: 2015-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A weapons-handling and discharge system for a submarine which comprises a rotatable rack for attachment around the exterior of the pressure hull of a submarine, canisters to contain weapons, an exterior casing provided around the pressure hull, forward or rearward facing apertures in the casing, and a mechanism for discharging the weapon from the canister and through the aperture. The canisters are located between the pressure hull and the exterior casing and are locked to the rack.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold James Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:46
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63G; B63G8/00; B63G8/28; B63G8/32; F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/08; F41F3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system for a submarine having a pressure hull, which system comprises: a rack for attachment around the exterior of the pressure hull of the submarine, said rack being rotatable around an axis extending the length of the pressure hull, a plurality of canisters to contain weapons, said canisters having longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressure hull, an exterior casing provided around the pressure hull, the canisters being located between the pressure hull and the exterior casing, means to lock the canisters to the rack, a plurality of forward or rearward facing apertures in the casing, and means to discharge the weapons from the canisters and through the apertures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system for a submarine having a pressure hull, which system comprises: a rack for attachment around the exterior of the pressure hull of the submarine, said rack being rotatable around an axis extending the length of the pressure hull, a plurality of canisters to contain weapons, said canisters having longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressure hull, an exterior casing provided around the pressure hull, the canisters being located between the pressure hull and the exterior casing, means to lock the canisters to the rack, a plurality of forward or rearward facing apertures in the casing, and means to discharge the weapons from the canisters and through the apertures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the rack is adapted to and contracts as the pressure hull of the submarine expands and contracts under increasing and decreasing pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein thereof plurality of canisters are flexibly connected together and loaded between the pressure hull and the exterior casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the canisters are made of a composite fibre reinforced plastics material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the canisters are neutrally buoyant in sea water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, the weapons include electronics and wherein a battery pack is provided inside the canister to support the weapon electronics when the canister is not linked to the submarine power supplies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the means to discharge the weapon from the canister comprises a hydraulic ram to force the weapon from the canister.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the means to discharge the weapon from the canister comprises a spring force stored in the canister behind the weapon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the means to discharge the weapon from the canister comprises a gas pressure introduced into the canister.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the front of the canister is frangible and designed to fragment at the launch of the weapon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A weapons-handing and discharge system according to claim 1, further comprising means to monitor an electronic line between the weapon and a microprocessor in the submarine to enable the status of the weapon to be checked.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of rails extending around the exterior of the pressure hull.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 12, further comprising a chain of links provided over the rails.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 13, further comprising means for rotating the chain.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 14, wherein the means for rotating the chain comprises a motor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 13, wherein each link has a seating means for mounting a canister thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 16, further comprising means for rotating the chain.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 17, wherein the means for rotating the chain comprises a motor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A weapons-handing and discharge system according to claim 1, further comprising a door over each aperture in the casing which opens to allow the weapon to exit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 19, wherein means are provided for opening the door in the exterior casing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 22, wherein the opening means comprises a hydraulic ram.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein an inert medium is provided within the canisters for supporting the weapons.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 22, wherein the inert medium is nitrogen gas.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 22, wherein the inert medium is pure water.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 22, wherein the inert medium is a gel material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the rack is rotatable around the exterior of the pressure hull.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 26, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of rails extending around the exterior of the pressure hull.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 27, further comprising a chain of links provided over the rails.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 28, further comprising means for rotating the chain.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 29, wherein the means for rotating the chain comprises a motor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 28, wherein each link has a seating means for mounting a canister thereon.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 31 further comprising means for rotating the chain.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weapons-handling and discharge system according to claim 32, wherein the means for rotating the chain comprises a motor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
112 words
A submarine comprising: a pressure hull, an external casing provided around the pressure hull, and a weapons-handling and discharge system including: a rack for attachment around the exterior of the pressure hull of the submarine, said rack being rotatable around an axis extending the length of the pressure hull, a plurality of canisters to contain weapons, the canisters having longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressure hull and being located between the pressure hull and the casing, means to lock the canisters to the rack, a plurality of forward or rearward facing apertures in the casing, and means to discharge the weapon from its canister and through the aperture.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
112 words
A submarine comprising: a pressure hull, an external casing provided around the pressure hull, and a weapons-handling and discharge system including: a rack for attachment around the exterior of the pressure hull of the submarine, said rack being rotatable around an axis extending the length of the pressure hull, a plurality of canisters to contain weapons, the canisters having longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressure hull and being located between the pressure hull and the casing, means to lock the canisters to the rack, a plurality of forward or rearward facing apertures in the casing, and means to discharge the weapon from its canister and through the aperture.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-15 | 2001-03-17 | 2001-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-15 | 2005-03-17 | 2005-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-15 | 2009-03-17 | 2009-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |