LAUNCHING APPARATUS FOR DISCHARGING A PROJECTILE CONNECTED TO A LIFELINE OR THE LIKE

Abstract: A launching apparatus for discharging a projectile connected to a lifeline or the like, comprising a launching tube (2) which is connected to a source of compressed air via a main valve having rapid valve movement. In connection with the launching tube, a reservoir (1) for compressed air is provided. The main valve (6, 6a) is arranged between the reservoir (1) and the launching tube (2) and has a large flow area. The valve (6, 6a) is actuated into an open position by means of a pressure-driven servomechanism which consists of a cylinder (8) and a piston (10) which is connected to the main valve (6, 6a). Inlets (27, 17) for compressed air into the cylinder space (19) in back of the piston (10) are provided, a manually-operable valve in the non-actuated position holding said inlet (17) open. On the back side of the piston (10) a compression spring is arranged which pushes the piston (10) and thereby the main valve into the closed position. The manually-operable valve has an air drain passage (18, 21) from the cylinder space (19) in back of the piston (10) which is opened when the manual valve is actuated while at the same time the inlet (17, 27) is closed, such that the pressure in back of the piston (10) disappears and the piston (10) is pushed back, the front side of the piston being open toward the compressed air reservoir (1). A projectile means for a launching apparatus for lifelines, especially an air-driven launching apparatus, has a rearwardly-open compartment (33) provided in the projectile for receiving and containing the necessary length of line (31). The line is arranged inside the compartment (33) in loops running back and forth, layer upon layer, inside the compartment. The compartment can be closed by means of an easily removable lid, to prevent air pressure from entering the compartment (33) when the projectile is fired. An apparatus for placing the line (31) inside the projectile consists of a tube (37) having a bore diameter which is somewhat larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the line (31). One end of the tube is connected to a chamber (38) having a somewhat larger inside diameter than that of the tube. A laterally-directed opening (39) is provided in the exterior of the chamber (38) for introducing the line (31) thereinto, and an inlet for admitting compressed air into the chamber is arranged above the inlet end of the tube. A perforated plate (43) can be provided at the free end of the tube (37), the primary plane of said plate lying transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tube (37). This plate is utilized when the line is being inserted into the projectile, for compressing the line.

Description: LAUNCHING APPARATUS FOR DISCHARGING A PROJECTILE CONNECTED TO A LIFELINE OR THE LIKE The present invention relates to a launching apparatus for discharging a projectile connected to a lifeline or the like, comprising a launching tube which is connected to a source of compressed air via a main valve having rapid valve movement. The invention also relates to a projectile means for the launching apparatus. Most of the hitherto-known luanching apparatuses for discharging lifelines or the like have been based on shooting the projectile by means of gunpowder, or the projectile has been rocket-driven. The advantage of launching a projectile by means of air is that such a device can be utilized anywhere, e.g., even under conditions in which there is a danger of fire breaking out. Such applications would include, for example, at quay installations, on board ships, in dry forests and the like. Launching a projectile with an air-driven device is also inexpensive, and this is of great importance as it allows one almost unlimited practice shooting. The devices in use today, for example on board rescue ships, cost about NOK 400.- per shot, and it is obvious that with such costs, practice shooting sessions are kept to a minimum. An air-driven launch¬ ing device is also very reliable in operation, since it contains no charge which can deteriorate with prolonged storage. There is thus little risk that an air-driven device for discharging lifelines or the like might not work properly when needed, even following long storage. The reason that air-driven launching apparatuses for lifelines have not found wider use is that their range has not been sufficiently long. International regulations require that the range be a minimum of 220 meters. Hitherto, this range has not been obtained reliably under all weather condi¬ tions with air-driven launching apparatuses. The problem with air-driven launching devices for lifelines, etc., has been that the air pressure has fallen rapidly following the launch owing to flow resistance, causing compressed air not to follow quickly enough in back of the projectile. With the hitherto-known devices of this type, therefore, the range has been relatively short. Known from Norwegian Patent 137,294 is a compressed air-driven launching apparatus for lifelines and the like. In this apparatus, the launching tube is connected to a compressed air chamber. Mounted in the chamber is a closure body in an elastic membrane, which owing to the pressure in the compressed air chamber is pressed against the inner orifice of the launch¬ ing tube. When the projectile is fired, the pressure on the back side of the valve body and membrane is relieved. Unless the compressed air chamber is filled with compressed air, the valve body will not be seated against the inner orifice of the launching tube, and contaminating material, e.g., salt water, can then penetrate into the mechanism of the device through the tube. Owing to the special construction of the device with the membrane and valve body, there is necessarily a large volume in the control chamber which must be emptied when firing, and one thus obtains a slow lifting of the sealing body and a large pressure loss i the accumulator. The supply hose in the device according to this patent must also be closed prior to firing in order to obtain a rather rapid withdrawal of the piston. This means that one must operate two valves. In US Patent 2,581,758, the launching tube is similarly connected to a compressed air chamber. The inlet to the launching tube is closed off from the compressed air chamber by means of a valve plate which is controlled by means of a servo-piston connected to the valve plate by means of a piston rod. The servo-piston is movable in a cylinder which is separated from the compressed air chamber. The lifting of the valve plate occurs in that, compressed air is introduced behind the servo-piston. Because the valve plate must be moved away from its seat against the pressure in the compressed air container, and since compressed air is introduced via a valve in the servo-piston, one will obtain a slow opening of the valve. -The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks. This is obtained according to the invention with a launching apparatus for discharging a projectile connected to a lifeline or the like, comprising a launching tube which is connected to a source of compressed air via a main valve having rapid valve movement, wherein a reservoir for compressed air is arranged in connection with the launching tube, the main valve being disposed between the reservoir and the launching tube and having a large flow area, the valve being actuated to an open position by means of a pressure-driven servo-mechanism consisting of a cylinder with a piston that is connected to the main valve, an inlet for compressed air into the cylinder space in back of the piston being provided, a manually-operable valve in a non-actuated position holding said inlet open, and a compression spring being provided on the back side of the piston which compresses the piston and thereby the main valve into a closed position, and the apparatus is characterized in that the manually-operable valve has an air drain passage from the cylinder space in back of the piston which is opened by operating the manual valve, while at the same time the inlet is closed, such that the pressure in back of the piston disappears and the piston is pushed back, the front side of the piston being open toward the compressed air reservoir. A preferred embodiment of the invention is character¬ ized in that the manually-actuated valve is mounted in a holder which is secured inside the reservoir, that the cylinder for the piston is integrated in the holder, and that a passage for compressed air is provided in the holder from a rearward part to a forward part of the compressed air reservoir. It is also an object of the invention to provide a projectile for a launching apparatus which makes it possible to discharge a projectile bearing a lifeline from an air-driven launching apparatus with a range exceeding by a fair margin the range required according to international regulations. This is obtained according to the invention with a projectile means for a launching apparatus for lifelines, which is characterized in that a rearwardly-open cor-ipartment is provided in the projectile for receiving and containing the necessary length of line. Another feature of the invention is that the line is arranged in loops running back and forth, layer upon layer, in said compartment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compartment is closable by means of a lid which can easily be pulled off the line inside the compartment is fastened to the inside of the lid, and one end of a connecting rope having relatively high breaking strength is fastened to the outside of the lid, the other end thereof being fastened to the launching apparatus. A special embodiment is characterized in that the forward end of the compartment is closed by a shell-shaped tip, that the compartment at a distance in back of the tip is offset to a smaller diameter and that in continuation of the part of the chamber which has a larger diameter and which is directly connected to the tip, a skirt is provided which is concentric with the part of the chamber having a smaller diameter, guide fins being provided on the exterior of the skirt. The invention also relates to an apparatus for inserting the line into the projectile. In a launching apparatus which is to be used for practice firing to a great extent, it should be possible for the operator himself to place the line in the compartment of the projectile easily. The invention therefore also relates to a simple apparatus which allows the operator to place the line in the compartment of the pro ectile under almost any kind of weather conditions. The apparatus is characterized by a tube having a bore diameter which is somewhat larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the line, one end of. the tube being connected to a chamber having a somewhat larger inside diameter than the tube, a laterally-directed opening to the outside being provided in the chamber for insertion of the line, and an inlet for com¬ pressed air to the chamber being provided above the inlet orifice of the tube. A preferred embodiment of this apparatus is character¬ ized in that at one end of the tube, a plate, preferably perforated, is provided, its plane being transverse of the longitudinal direction of the tube. The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein * -~-~'- ~ . ~ _. —_T.Δ~ - Figure 1 shows a cross section through an embodiment of a launching apparatus according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a projectile according to the invention, seen in cross section. Figure 3 shows an apparatus for inserting lifeline into the projectile, and Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of a vital part of the apparatus of Figure 3. The launching apparatus consists of a preferably cylindrical, tube-shaped pressure chamber 1 which constitutes a reservoir for compressed air. At one end of the chamber, the forward end when the apparatus is in use, a launching tube 2 is connected to the reservoir via an annular flange 3. The annular flange 3 has a passage 4 which corresponds to the passage 5 of the launching tube. The flange 3 is formed with an inclined surface at the inner edge thereof which constitutes a valve seat 6. A strong valve plate 7 having an inclined surface 6a corresponding to the valve seat 6 cooperates with the valve seat. The valve plate 7 is attached to the forward end of a rod 9 which in turn is attached to a piston 10. The piston is movable back and forth in a cylinder 8. The piston 10 is controlled by a steering member 11 which runs in a bore 12. The cylinder 8 is integrated into a holder 13 which by means of spokes 14 is attached to the interior of the reservoir 1. In one of the spokes, a manually operable valve 15 is arranged. In the valve housing 16 and in the spoke in which the valve 15 is placed, an inlet 17 for compressed is arranged, as well as an outlet 18 to the cylinder space 19 in back of the piston 10. Provided in the valve slide 20 is an air drain passage 21. The slide 20 is extended such that it constitutes an actuating button 22. The reservoir 1 is supplied with compressed air through a nipple 23. The compressed air can be supplied, for example, from a compressed air bottle having a reducing valve such that the air supplied has a pressure of 60 kp. The steering member 11 has an air drain passage 24 for the bore 12 when the piston 10 is pushed baσkwardly. Also provided is a compression spring 25 which serves as an auxiliary member for holding the valve 7 in place against the seat 6. This will be explained in greater detail below. Fastened to the rearward end of the launching apparatus is a firing lever 26. The firing lever 26 is made of a resilient material, for example a resilient plastic or plastic-coated steel, and in the unloaded state lies a short distance from the end of the actuating button 22. When the lever is pushed inwardly, it sill press against the button 22 and the shot will be fired. The purpose of the firing lever is to make the apparatus easier to operate, for example, with numb fingers or with mittens on. The apparatus operates in the following manner: When compressed air is supplied through the supply nipple 23, the compressed air flows into the rearward part la of the compressed air reservoir 1. Through the passage 17, the compressed air flows through the valve 15 into the space 19 in back of the piston 10 through an inlet 27. The compressed air will also pass through the holder 13 between the spokes, such that com¬ pressed air is also found in the forward part lb of the compressed air reservoir 1. However, the spring 25 will force the valve plate 7 against the seat 6. When firing, the actuator button 22 is pushed in and the slide 20 will be guided inwardly such that the passage 17 is closed while at the same time the outlet 18 from the cylinder space 19 is opened toward the drain passage 21. The compressed air in backT of the piston in the cylinder space 19 will thereby disappear, the pressure in the compressed air reservoir lb will push the piston backwards with great force, and the valve plate 7 will immediately lift away from the seat 6 and the shot will be fired. When the button 22 is released, a spring 27a will return the slide 20 to its starting position and air will once again be admitted in back of the piston 10 and the spring will force the valve plate 7 into position against the seat 6. The actuator button 22 will be provided with a safety guard to prevent accidental firing, for example, in the form of a cotter pin or a detachable cover. The projectile according to Figure 2 consists of a relatively lightweight, shell-shaped head or tip 28 which is attached to one end of a thin-walled tube 29 which is open at the end 30 opposite the tip 28. At the rearward end of the tube 29, guide fins 32 are attached to the exterior thereof. Inside the tube 29, a tube 29' concentric with the tube 29 but of smaller diameter is disposed. The tube 29' is connected to the interior of the tube 29 by means of a conical transition section 34. The forward part of the tubes 29 and 29' forms a: tubular compartment 33. At the forward end of this compartment, e.g., internally in the tip of the head 28, a line 31 is fastened. In this manner, the projectile will be very light¬ weight, but when the compartment 33 is filled with line 31 the projectile will have sufficient weight to obtain sufficient mass when being fired. Owing to the offset configuration of the compartment 33, the projectile will be heaviest in the forward end when fired. The rearward end of the line 31 is fastened to a lid 35 which prevents air pressure from entering the compart¬ ment 33 during firing. The lid 35 is fastened to the launching apparatus by means of a connecting rope 36. In this manner, the compartment with the line inside it will be held dry during storage. When the projectile has been shot and all of the line 31 has run out of the compartment 33, the projectile will be heaviest in the rearward end thereof and will thus float on the water with its tip up, since a quantity of air will be trapped inside the projectile. This will be of great importance during rescue operations at sea. For example, it might happen that the projectile does not quite reach a disabled ship, but the personnel could reach it by means of a boathook or the like. Another situation in which it will be necessary that the projectile floats is when rendering assistance to small boats or liferafts. It will often be very difficult to shoot the projectile so accurately that the line falls down on a small boat or liferaft. If the projectile floats and is connected to a float line, the rescue vessel can shoot the lifeline to windward of the small boat or raft, and let the projectile with the float line drift down to the raft. The line and projectile can be fluorescent such that they will be easily visible to the people in distress when illuminated by a spotlight from the rescue vessel. As can be seen from both Figures 2 and 3, the line is laid in back- nd-forth loops inside the projectile. This is done very simply and quickly by means of the apparatus of Figure 3, which consists of an elongated, thin tube 37 whose rearward end is connected to a chamber 38 having a laterally- directed opening 39 for introduction of the line 31. The chamber can be supplied with compressed air by means of an air hose 40. In a preferred embodiment, the compressed air enters the chamber 38 through a nozzle 41 whose mouth lies nearer the tube 37 than the feed opening 39 for the line 31. When, the line is to be placed inside the compartment 33 of the projectile, the end of the line is passed through the opening 39 into the tube 37 and compressed air is introduced into the chamber 38 through the nozzle 41. The line is blown through the tube 37 and will lie in back-and-forth loops 42. By means of a perforated plate 43 attached to the tube 37, the line can be packed more tightly together at suitable intervals. When the projectile of the invention is fired, the line will run out of the compartment in the projectile gradually as the projectile travels along its intended course. In opposition to the previously known launching apparatuses which have a container with coiled lifeline at the launching apparatus itself, the line according to the invention does not have to be -accelerated.by the projectile in the extended state. Once the line has been drawn out of the projectile compartment, it will "stand still" in the air. There will thus be no axial movement of the withdrawn line during the firing of the projectile. CMFI

Claims: Patent Claims 1. A launching apparatus for discharging a projectile connected to a lifeline or the like, comprising a launching tube connected to a source of compressed air via a main valve having rapid valve movement, a compressed air reservoir being arranged in connection with the launching tube, the main valve being arranged between the reservoir and the launching tube and having a large flow area, the valve being actuated into an open position by means of a pressure-driven servomechanism consisting of a cylinder with a piston which is connected to the main valve, inlets (27,17} for compressed air to the cylinder space in back of the piston being provided, wherein a manually-operable valve in a non-actuated position holds said inlet (171 open, and a compression spring (25) being provided on the back side of the piston which pushes the piston (101 and thereby the main valve into a closed position, characterized in that the manually-actuated valve has a passage (18,21) for draining air from the cylinder space in back of the piston. (101 which is opened by operating the manual valve, while at the same time the inlet (17, 27) is closed, such that the pressure in back of the piston (10) disappears and the piston is pushed back, the front side of the piston being open toward the compressed air reservoir (1) . 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the manually-actuated valve (151 is mounted in a holder (131 which is secured inside the reservoir (11 , that the cylinder (81 for the piston (101 is integrated in the holder (131, and that a passage is provided in the holder for com¬ pressed air from a rearward part (la) to a forward part (lb) of the compressed air reservoir (11. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (11 has at least as large a volume as the volume of the launching tube. 4. A projectile means for the launching apparatus according to claim 1 for lifelines and the like, especially for an air-driven launching apparatus, wherein one end of the line is fastened to the projectile and the other at the launching apparatus, characterized in that a rearwardly-open, tubular compartment (.331 is provided in the projectile for receiving- and containing the necessary length of line (31) . 5. A projectile means according to claim 4, characterized in that the line (311 is arranged in loops (421 running back and forth, layer upon layer, inside the compartment (33) . 6. A projectile means according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the compartment (331 can be closed by means of an easily removable lid (351, that the line (311 inside the compartment (331 is fastened to the interior of the lid (351, and that one end of a connecting rope (36} of relatively high breaking strength is fastened to the exterior of the lid (35 , the other end of the connecting rope being fastened to the launching apparatus. 7. A projectile means according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compartment (331 is closed at the forward end thereof by a shell-shaped tip (281 , that the compartment (33 a distance in back of the tip is offset to a smaller diameter, and that in continuation of the part of the compartment which has a larger diameter and which is directly connected to the tip, a skirt is arranged which surrounds the part of the compartment having a smaller diameter, and that guide fins (321 are provided on the exterior of the skirt. 8. An apparatus for placing line (31) inside the projectile according to claims 4-7, characterized by a tube (371 having a diameter which is somewhat larger than the cross- sectional diameter of the line, the tube (371 at one end being connected to a chamber (38) having a somewhat larger inside diameter than the tube, a laterally-directed opening (39) being provided in said chamber for insertion of the line (31) , and an inlet (411 for compressed air into the chamber (38) being arranged above the inlet end of the tube. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the inlet for compressed air has the form of a nozzle (41) whose discharge opening lies nearer the inlet opening of the tube (371 than the feed opening (391 for the line. 10. An apparatus according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that in the free end of the tube (371 a preferably perforated plate (431 is provided, arranged with its main plane disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tube (37) .

Inventors: HALLARAUNE OLAV, JENSEN HARRY, VALEN JOHAN
Applicants: HALLARAUNE OLAV, JENSEN HARRY, VALEN JOHAN
Application year: 1981
Main classification: B63C9
IPC codes: B63C9, F41B11, F42B12