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(11) | EP 2 107 330 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Fast-release shutter for a submarine countermeasure launch device, and relative fabrication method |
| (57) A fast-release shutter (9) for a countermeasure launch device (3) of a submarine
(1), the shutter having a metal supporting frame (11) with a central opening (12);
and a cover (24) made of elastomeric material and integrally forming a diaphragm (26)
for closing the opening (12) in the frame (11); the diaphragm (26) has cuts (33, 34)
allowing expulsion of the countermeasure, and returns elastically to the undeformed
condition once the countermeasure is launched.
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[0002] As is known, submarines are equipped with countermeasure launch systems, which normally comprise a number of launch tubes with compressed-air firing systems, and are housed in an area of the submarine located between the outer hull and the pressure hull. The countermeasures are fired through shutters designed to permit rapid firing and in no way affect the streamline profile of the submarine.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a perfected countermeasure launch system shutter designed for reliable release and fast release and closure, and which does not affect the launch tube layout.
[0004] Further objects of the present invention are to provide a shutter that in no way affects the original streamline profile of the submarine, and of a mechanical strength in conformance with hull specifications.
[0006] A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic partial view in perspective of a submarine featuring a countermeasure launch system and a number of shutters in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a front view of a shutter in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a section along line III-III in Figure 2.
[0007] Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a submarine equipped with a countermeasure launch system 2.
[0008] Launch system 2 comprises a number of air-powered launch tubes 3 housed in an area 4 located between an inner pressure hull 5 and an outer hull 6 of submarine 1, and which is therefore flooded.
[0009] Launch tubes 3 are arranged, for example, in two sets (only one shown), each sloping rearwards, with respect to the normal travelling direction of submarine 1, towards a respective side 7 of outer hull 6, and each comprising a number of superimposed rows of launch tubes 3.
[0010] Sides 7 of outer hull 6 have respective hatches 8 facing launch systems 2 and having respective openings (not shown) facing respective launch tubes 3 and fitted with respective shutters 9.
[0012] Shutter 9 comprises a metal, e.g. stainless steel, supporting frame 11 substantially in the form of a surrounding frame and having an inner opening 12. In the example shown, frame 11 is a flat and rectangular with two long sides 13 and two short sides 14, and opening 12 is substantially rectangular.
[0013] Opening 12 has outer recesses 15 close to the ends of long sides 13, and each defined by a 90° arc 16 tangent to the inner edge of the adjacent short side 14, and by a sloping side 17, so that the inner edges 18 of long sides 13 of frame 11 are substantially in the form of an isosceles trapezium with the minor base 19 facing inwards of the frame.
[0014] Frame 11 has six fastening holes 20 edged on one side to form respective annular collars 21. Two of holes 20 are located along the centre lines of short sides 14, and the other four holes 20 are located in pairs on long sides 13, close to the ends of minor bases 19 of inner edges 18.
[0015] A cylindrical pin 22 is conveniently fitted, preferably force-fitted, inside a hole 23 located along the centre line of one of the long sides of frame 11.
[0018] More specifically, cover 24 comprises, integrally, a peripheral portion 25 covering frame 11 (with the exception of the inside of holes 20, the end surface of collars 21, and the end portion of pin 22 projecting beyond the axial length of collars 21); and a diaphragm 26 substantially closing opening 12 of frame 11. "Substantially closing" is intended here, not in the sense of sealing, but rather in the sense of restoring the profile of side 7, which would otherwise be interrupted by opening 12.
[0019] The peripheral portion encases substantially the whole of frame 11, with the exception of the inside of holes 20, the end surface of collars 21 (with which the cover is flush), and an end portion of pin 22; and the elastomeric material inside holes 36 of frame 11 "bridges" the opposite sides of peripheral portion 25 to improve grip to frame 11.
[0020] Diaphragm 26 has a thin central portion 27 - more specifically, recessed on the collar 21 side - in the form of an isosceles triangle having a vertex 28 close to the centre line of a short side 14 of the frame, and two base vertices 29 at recesses 15 of opening 12 of the frame. Vertices 28, 29 of thin portion 27 are all rounded.
[0021] Respective small-diameter holes 30, 31 are formed just inside the vertices of the triangle, and a further hole 32 is located along the centre line of the base holes 31.
[0022] Portion 27 has two cuts 33, 34 respectively forming the height and base of an isosceles triangle having holes 30, 31 as the vertices : cut 33 joins hole 30 at vertex 28 to hole 32, and cut 34 joins the two base holes 31.
[0023] Cover 24 has a flat surface 35 facing outwards and flush with the outer profile of the submarine in use, and is conveniently made of a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, such as that marketed by the trade name ADIPRENE® (Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc. registered trademark). ADIPRENE® L-42, of Shore A hardness 75 or 80, or ADIPRENE® LF-1700A are preferably used.
[0024] The elastomer contains a curing agent selected from the group comprising 1,4-butadiene diol, trimethylolpropane, methylene-dianiline, dioctylphthalate, 4,4'-methylene-bis-(2-chloroanaline), and preferably a 4,4'-methylene-bis-(2-chloroanaline) marketed by the trade name MOCA® (DuPont De Nemours registered trademark).
[0025] To produce shutter 9, frame 11 is placed inside a mold, and the elastomer is poured into the mold by gravity.
[0026] After curing, cuts 33, 34 are conveniently made using a sharp blade, with no material removal, so that the lips of the cuts mate perfectly when diaphragm 26 is not stressed.
[0027] In actual use, shutter 9 is mounted facing a respective launch tube 3. Pin 22 acts as a locator to position the shutter, which is fixed to the side of the submarine by means of screws (not shown) through holes 20.
[0028] Tests conducted by the Applicant show shutter 9 according to the present invention provides for solving all the drawbacks typically associated with the known art.
[0029] In particular, cuts 33, 34 allow substantially instantaneous "release" of diaphragm 26 by the countermeasure as it is launched, and therefore substantially unimpeded passage of the countermeasure.
[0030] Once the countermeasure is launched, diaphragm 26 also closes substantially instantaneously to restore the streamline profile of the submarine; and shutter 9 produces no additional noise.
[0032] Shutters 9 also allow complete freedom in the layout of the launch tubes, depending on the space available on board.
[0033] Clearly, changes may be made to shutter 9 without, however, departing from the protective scope as defined in the accompanying Claims.
[0034] For example, as opposed to being flat, frame 11 may be shaped to match a curved profile of the outer hull of the submarine; and cover 24 may be designed accordingly, so that outer surface 35 is flush with the outer profile of submarine 1.
1. A shutter (9) for a submarine countermeasure launch system having at least one launch
device (3), characterized by comprising a metal frame (11) fixed to an outer hull (6) of the submarine, facing
said launch device (3), and having an inner opening (12) for passage of a countermeasure;
and a diaphragm (26) made of elastomeric material and fixed to said frame (11) to
substantially close said opening (12); said diaphragm (26) having at least one cut
(33, 34) allowing it to open by elastic deformation under the force of a countermeasure
as it is launched.
2. A shutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by comprising a cover (24) of elastomeric material forming, integrally, a cover portion
(25) covering said frame, and said diaphragm (26).
3. A shutter as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said frame (11) is embedded in said cover portion (25).
4. A shutter as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said diaphragm (26) comprises a thin portion (27) in which said at least one cut
(33, 34) is formed.
5. A shutter as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by having a surface (35) facing outwards of the submarine (1) in use and designed to
be flush with the outer profile of the submarine (1).
6. A shutter as claimed in Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said thin portion (27) is recessed on the side facing inwards of the submarine (1)
in use.
7. A shutter as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said diaphragm (26) comprises holes (30, 31) at the ends of said at least one cut
(34).
8. A shutter as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said diaphragm (26) comprises at least two intersecting cuts (33, 34).
9. A shutter as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that said cuts (33, 34) form a T.
10. A shutter as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that said thin portion (27) is substantially in the form of an isosceles triangle; the
T cuts extending parallel to the base and along the height of said isosceles triangle.
11. A shutter as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said diaphragm (26) comprises three cuts forming an H.
12. A shutter as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said diaphragm (26) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
13. A shutter as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that said thermoplastic elastomer is polyurethane-based.
14. A shutter as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that said thermoplastic elastomer contains a curing agent selected from the group comprising
1,4-butadiene diol, trimethylolpropane, methylene-dianiline, dioctylphthalate, 4,4'-methylene-bis-(2-chloroanaline).
15. A shutter as claimed in Claim 14, characterized in that said curing agent is a 4,4'-methylene-bis-(2-chloroanaline).
16. A method of fabricating a shutter as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 15, characterized by comprising the steps of:
- positioning said frame inside a mold; and
- pouring said elastomeric material into said mold to form said cover.
17. A method as claimed in Claim 16, characterized by comprising a step of cutting said elastomeric material with no material removal.