BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the launching of projectiles and more particularly, to a single impact, viscous fluid ram-plate used to absorb the shock caused by launching impact forces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to reduce shock to a projectile using a single impact, viscous fluid ram-plate without requiring significant modification of the propulsive launch mechanism.

The present invention features a single-impact viscous fluid ram-plate comprising a cylinder defining a cavity and a piston positioned within the cavity of the cylinder. The piston includes at least one aperture extending therethrough. Aviscous fluid is disposed in the cavity between the cylinder and the piston. The viscous fluid is forced out of the aperture in the piston when an initial impact force acts on the piston such that the piston and the cylinder are compressed.

The present invention features a projectile launching system comprising a launch tube, a projectile disposed in the launch tube, a shock-absorbing ram-plate, and a break-away fastener removably fastening the shock-absorbing ram-plate to theprojectile. The shock-absorbing ram-plate compresses to absorb impact forces caused by launching. The break-away fastener has strength sufficient to withstand the impact forces but insufficient to prevent detachment of the shock-absorbing ram-plateproximate an end of the launching tube at the end of the launch. The break-away fastener can include a snap, a pin, a screw, a bolt, a cable, or the like. The launch tube includes a stopping structure for stopping the shock-absorbing ram-plateproximate the end of the launch tube such that the break-away fastener fails causing the shock-absorbing ram-plate to remain in the launch tube while the projectile is launched.

The present invention also features a single-impact viscous fluid ram-plate comprising a cylinder defining a cavity and a piston positioned within the cavity of the cylinder. The piston includes at least one aperture extending therethrough. Aviscous fluid is disposed in the cavity between the cylinder and the piston. The viscous fluid is forced out of the aperture in the piston when an initial impact force acts on the piston such that the piston and the cylinder are compressed.

In another embodiment, the detachable shock-absorbing ram-plate includes a piece of elastic material. In a further embodiment, the detachable shock-absorbing ram-plate includes a cylinder defining a cavity, a piston positioned within the cavityof the cylinder, and a gas disposed in the cavity between the cylinder and the piston. The piston compresses the gas upon receiving launching impact forces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the following description of the invention taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectional view of the projectile launching system, according to the present invention, at the beginning of a launch;

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of the projectile launching system at the end of a launch;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a single impact viscous fluid ram-plate, according to one embodiment of the present invention, prior to impact;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the single impact viscous fluid ram-plate after impact;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a gas spring ram-plate, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic material ram-plate, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The projectile launching system 10, FIGS. 1 and 2, according to the present invention, includes a launch tube 12 and a projectile 14. The projectile 14 can be any type of projectile including, but not limited to, a torpedo, missile, countermeasure, and other underwater devices. A propulsive launch mechanism (not shown) causes propulsive launch forces to propel the projectile 14 down the launch tube 12 in the direction of arrow 18. Any type of propulsive launch mechanism can be used inconnection with the present invention. Preferably, the launch mechanism uses fluids, i.e., high pressure gas or moving liquids, to eject the projectile 14.

A detachable shock-absorbing ram-plate 20 is detachably coupled to an end 16 of the projectile 14. The shock-absorbing ram-plate 20 absorbs launching impact forces, designated by arrows 22, caused by the launching mechanism to reduce shock tothe projectile 14 when the projectile 14 is propelled down the launch tube 12. Absorbing the shock of launching impact forces 22 prevents damage to the projectile 14 as a result thereof.

One or more break-away fasteners 30 detachably couple the detachable shock-absorbing ram-plate 20 to the projectile 14. The break-away fasteners 30 can include snaps, pins, screws, bolts, or cables. The break-away fasteners 30 tightly attachthe ram-plate 20 to the projectile 14 and have sufficient strength to prevent detachment as a result of launching impact forces, but are designed to fail when the ram-plate 20 is stopped at the end of the launch tube 12. For example, stopping forces onthe ram-plate causes snaps to unsnap, internal or external threads in screws or bolts to fail, and pins and cables to break. If a cable is used as the break-away fastener 30, the cable is tensioned upon installation to ensure that there is a forceholding the ram-plate 20 to the projectile 14 even if the cable stretches.

The launch tube 12 preferably includes a stopping structure 32 (FIG. 2) proximate an end of the launch tube 12 to stop the ram-plate 20. Although the exemplary embodiment shows a taper that captures and stops the ram-plate 20, any type ofstructure capable of stopping the ram-plate 20 can be used. As seen in FIG. 2, when ram-plate 20 contacts stopping structure 32, projectile 14 separates from ram-plate 20. Detachably fastening the ram-plate 20 to the projectile 14 prevents ram-plateseparation and thus prevents damage to the projectile 14 caused by ram-plate re-strike. The break-away fasteners 30 can typically be installed without requiring extra modification of the ram-plate 20 and projectile 14.

Although specific types of break-away fasteners are disclosed herein, the present invention can use any method of temporarily attaching the ram-plate 20 to the projectile 14 during the launch such that the ram-plate 20 detaches at the end of thelaunch.

According to one embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shock-absorbing ram-plate is a single impact, viscous fluid ram-plate 40 that compresses upon receiving an excessive impulse imparted by the propulsive mechanism. The single impact, viscousfluid ram-plate 40 comprises a cylinder 42 defining a cavity 44 and a perforated piston 46 including one or more apertures 48 extending therethrough. The piston 46 is positioned within the cavity 44 and is separated from the cylinder 42 by ahermetically sealed viscous fluid 50. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder 42, piston 46, and viscous fluid 50 are all generally disc shaped. The cylinder 42 and piston 46 are preferably made of a metal material and are initially attached to eachother with a weak adhesive between the walls of the cylinder 42 and piston 46.

As a result of an initial launching impact force, the piston 46 compresses the viscous fluid 50 causing the hermetic seal to fail and the viscous fluid 50 to be forced out of the cavity 44 through the apertures 48 in the piston 46 (see FIG. 4). The viscous fluid 50 is preferably a relatively inert substance so that no undesirable side effects will result from being released during the initial launching impact force. This single impact, viscous fluid ram-plate 40 protects against excessivelaunch impulse and thus is designed to mitigate a high initial launch impulse. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the piston 46 has a slight taper, and the cylinder 42 and piston 46 are formed such that the piston 46 engages cylinder 42 as piston46 advances in cavity 44. Thus, when completely engaged, ram-plate 40 transmits force in a rigid fashion to prevent ram-plate separation and damage caused by ram-plate re-strike.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the shock-absorbing ram-plate is a gas spring ram-plate 60 comprising a cylinder 62 defining a cavity 64 and a piston 66 slidably disposed within the cavity 64. The cavity 64 contains air or someother gas. An o-ring 68, or other type of seal, prevents the gas from escaping from cylinder 62. Upon receiving a launching impact force, the piston 66 compresses the gas, and after the shock is absorbed, the piston 66 returns to an equilibriumposition. This gas spring ram-plate 60 mitigates propulsive shocks as well as preventing damage due to ram-plate re-strike should the ram-plate 60 become detached during the launch.

According to a further embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the shock-absorbing ram-plate is an elastic material ram-plate 70. The elastic material ram-plate 70 compresses as a result of the launching impact force and then decompresses after the shock isabsorbed. This type of elastic material ram-plate 70 also mitigates propulsive shocks as well as preventing damage due to ram-plate re-strike should the ram-plate 70 become detached during the launch.

Although three embodiments of the shock-absorbing ram-plate are disclosed herein, other types of shock-absorbing ram-plates can also be used including variations on hydraulic, pneumatic, and solid shock absorbers.

In light of the above, it is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

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