TORPEDO TUBE

Abstract: A torpedo tube (1) intended to accommodate a torpedo (4) which exhibits a propeller (3) by means of which the torpedo is capable of being driven in water. Amongst other things the tube permits the torpedo to be driven out of the tube into the surrounding water under its own power, said tube also being easy to manufacture and to use. The torpedo tube (1) exhibits rectangular form or some other cross-sectional form having angled corners (V), and there is arranged at the rear end (12) of the torpedo tube a constriction (10) exhibiting a flow hole (11), via which a passage is formed between the internal space of the tube and the surrounding water of the tube.

Description: Torpedo tube The present invention relates to a torpedo tube intended to accommodate a torpedo capable of being driven in water by a propeller. In previously disclosed torpedo tubes, which exhibit conventional circular cross—sectional form, it is not possible to apply the method of firing known as "swim—out", amongst other things because the water flow along the torpedo does not provide the torpedo propeller in question with a sufficient volume of water to achieve the forward propulsion of the torpedo along the internal accommodating space of the torpedo tube to the outside of the torpedo tube. Previously disclosed torpedo tubes have also been complicated and expensive to manufacture, in addition to which little water resistance was achieved at the rear end of the tubes and unfavourable turbulence occurred. The principal object of the present invention is thus to propose a torpedo tube of the kind referred to above, which solves said problems in a simple and effective manner. Said object is achieved by means of a torpedo tube in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that the torpedo tube exhibits rectangular form or some other cross—sectional form having angled corners, and in that there is arranged at the rear end of the torpedo tube a constriction exhibiting a flow hole, via which a passage is formed between the internal space of the tube and the surrounding water of the tube. The invention is described below as a number of preferred illustrative embodiments, in conjunction with which reference is made to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a number of torpedo tubes in accordance with the present invention supported on a torpedo carriage capable of being driven in water; Fig. 2 shows a torpedo tube arranged in accordance with the present invention, viewed from the side; Fig. 2A shows the torpedo tube viewed from its rear side; Fig. 2B shows the torpedo tube viewed from its front side; Fig. 3 shows a section along a tube with a torpedo accommodated therein; Fig. 3A shows a front view of said tube arrangement with torpedoes accommodated therein; Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of a tube with a torpedo accommodated therein; Fig. 4A shows a front view of said tube; and Fig. 5 shows a double arrangement consisting of pairs of tubes and torpedoes. in accordance with the present invention a' torpedo tube 1, so designed as to be capable of accommodating in its internal space 2 a torpedo 4 equipped with a propeller 3, which ' torpedo is so arranged as to be capable of being driven through water by said propeller 3, is so arranged as to exhibit rectangular form, preferably essentially square cross—sectional form, as shown in the Figures designated by A and B in the drawing, for example. A form other than said form may naturally be considered, although the principal idea is that the side walls 1A—1D in question of the torpedo tube are positioned in such a way that their corners V are set at an angle and, for example, that the tube exhibits triangular or pentagonal, etc., cross—sectional form. The rectangular form, or some other appropriate form, permits the application of the so—called "swim-out" method for the purpose of ejecting the torpedo 4 into the water 5 when the tube 1 has been lowered into the water and is supported, for example, on a torpedo carriage 7 of the desired kind capable of being driven on the bottom 6. The flow of water which can be achieved in the space 8 formed between the tube 1 and a torpedo 4 accommodated therein in its torpedo—accommodating space 2, provides the propeller 3 situated at the rear end 4A of the torpedo with a sufficient volume of water for the torpedo to be ' capable of being ejected through a front opening 9 situated at the front end 1^ of the tube. The rear end 1^ of the tube exhibits a constriction 10 which is provided with a flow hole 11, preferably in the form of a plate which exhibits a central hole, and which is so arranged as to extend across said torpedo— —accommodating space 2. Said constriction plate 10 is so arranged as to generate water resistance in conjunction with the ejection of a torpedo, whereas the flow hole 11 is so arranged as to dissipate any unfavourable turbulence during said ejection phase. The rectangular form of the tube 1 makes it possible to manufacture these rapidly and effectively using simple methods and at low cost. The facility is now also .afforded of accommodating torpedoes 1 which exhibit fins 12, and which can be accommodated in such a way as to act against the internal accommodating corner areas 8 of the tubes. A number of tubes 1 can also be connected together in the form of a row, positioned next to one another when viewed from the side, with the sides 1A, 1C of tubes 1 situated adjacent to one another being attached to one another so as to form compact "tube packs" 13, for example in pairs as shown in Fig. 3A, or in double pairs as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Lifting devices 14, for example in the form of lifting eyes, can also be connected to said tubes 1 to facilitate the handling of same. For the purpose of facilitating the movement of the torpedo internally inside its associated tube 1, slide rails 15 or other friction—reducing devices can be so arranged as to extend along the internal lateral surfaces 16 of the tube 1 in question which face towards the torpedo—accommodating space 2. Said slide rails 15 are so arranged as to be capable of interacting with a torpedo 4 at the intended time. The tubes 1, which serve as excellent transport protection for the torpedoes 4 accommodated therein, can be provided with removable protective covers at each end 1 1 , 1^. The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, but may be modified within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i s 1. A torpedo tube for accommodating a torpedo (4) capable of being driven in water (5) by means of a propeller (3), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the torpedo tube (1) exhibits rectangular form or some other cross—sectional form exhibiting angled corners, and in that there is arranged at the rear end (1^) of the torpedo tube a constriction (10) exhibiting a flow hole (11), via which a passage is formed between the internal space (2) of the tube and the surrounding water (5) of the tube. 2. - A torpedo tube in accordance with Patent Claim 1, c -h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the tube (1) exhibits essentially square cross—sectional form. 3. A torpedo tube in accordance with any of the preceding Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the constriction (10) is formed by a plate (10) provided with a central hole (11), which plate is so arranged as to extend across the torpedo—accommodating space (2) of said tube. 4. A torpedo tube in accordance with any of the preceding Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the tube (1) exhibits slide rails (15) capable of interacting with a torpedo (4) along its lateral surfaces (16) facing towards the torpedo—accommodating space (2). 5. A torpedo tube in accordance with any of the preceding Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that tubes (1) are connected together ' in rows next to one. another when viewed from the side. 6. A torpedo tube in accordance with any of the preceding Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that individual tubes (1) or connected tubes (13) are equipped with lifting devices (14), for example lifting eyes.

Inventors: RYDINGSTAM ROBERT, RYDINGSTAM, ROBERT
Applicants: RYDINGSTAM ROBERT, RYDINGSTAM, ROBERT
Application year: 1987
Main classification: F41F3
IPC codes: F41F3, F42B39