Patent ID: 6502528
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B63G,F41F

Abstract:
An apparatus for launching a vehicle underwater comprising:a launching tube having a muzzle cap at one end communicating with ambient water and a ram plate at the other end communicating through openings with said ambient water, said launching tube containing a launch vehicle therein; a plurality of rigid elongate elements extending from said muzzle cap to said ram plate inside said launching tube and adjacent said vehicle, said rigid elongate elements each having opposite ends contacting said muzzle cap and said ram plate, respectively; and a launch mechanism disposed in said ambient water and connected to said launching tube, said launch mechanism imparting a force against said ram plate to simultaneously displace said ram plate, said rigid elongate elements, said vehicle, and said muzzle cap with respect to said launching tube to eject said vehicle from said launching tube.