Patent Publication Number: US-4317414-A

Title: Sea-bottom mine

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a sea-bottom mine with a remote-control ignition device. 
     The known sea-bottom mines mostly have the shapes of cylinders, the lengths of which are the multiples of their diameters. This shape has proved suitable with respect to storage and transportation systems. However, sea-bottom mines of such a shape, which are laid on the bottom of the sea, can be seen from far away and thus form an object for mine sweeping actions of the enemy, in particular when the mines stick vertically in the mud. 
     It is the objective of the invention to create a sea-bottom mine which--unlike known mine types--can be localised and swept with difficulty only. 
     According to the invention this is achieved by the variable geometry of the mine permitting the mine to lie as flat as possible on the bottom of the sea. 
    
    
     This invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is the view of a sea-bottom mine consisting of hexagonal sections, 
     FIG. 2 is the lateral view of FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 is the view of a sea-bottom mine according to FIG. 1 after laying, 
     FIG. 4 is the plan view of the laid sea-bottom mine according to FIG. 3, 
     FIG. 5 is a sea-bottom mine consisting of cylindrical sections, 
     FIG. 6 is the lateral view of the mine according to FIG. 5, 
     FIG. 7 is the view of a laid mine according to FIG. 6, 
     FIG. 8 is the plan view of the laid sea-bottom mine according to FIG. 7, 
     FIG. 9 is the view of a star-shaped sea-bottom mine, 
     FIG. 10 is the lateral view of the mine according to FIG. 9, 
     FIG. 11 is the view of a laid sea-bottom mine according to FIG. 10, 
     FIG. 12 is the plan view of the laid sea-bottom mine according to FIG. 10, 
     FIG. 13 is the view of a sea-bottom mine consisting of rhombic sections, 
     FIG. 14 is the plan view of the mine according to FIG. 13, 
     FIG. 15 is the lateral view of the mine according to FIG. 13, 
     FIG. 16 is the view of a laid sea-bottom mine according to FIG. 13, 
     FIG. 17 is the plan view of the laid sea-bottom mine according to FIG. 16. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of the sea-bottom mine according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1 with the operational part 1, the explosive sections 2, and the hinges 3. The hexagonal shape is shown in the lateral view of FIG. 2. This shape increases the safety when handling the mines, because it can prevent the mines from rolling away. The mine is brought into the configuration according to FIG. 1 for storage and transportation. Locking mechanisms, which are not shown here, protect the explosive sections from falling apart. When laying the mine, the locking mechanisms are released in order that the individual explosive sections can unfold. A suitable weight distribution makes the mine assume the configuration of FIG. 3 in the water while sinking down onto the bottom of the sea. This is also the final position of the mine on the bottom of the sea. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the laid sea-bottom mine. The hinges 3 are designed in such a way that the explosive sections can easily be connected to each other or separated without needing any tools. It is due to this fact that mines with different explosive charges can be combined. Moreover, operational parts and explosive sections can be stored separately. Ignition is accomplished by means of a shaped charge suitably fitted in the operational part. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. Explosive sections 6 and operational part 5 are accommodated in a square container 4. The square container--see lateral view in FIG. 6--can be piled in an optimum way. The container is thrown overboard and releases the mine in the water. After the mine leaves its container, said container becomes unstable and collapses on the bottom of the sea. The individual parts of the mine are held together by means of flexible connections 7. A suitable weight distribution makes the mine sink to the bottom of the sea in the configuration according to FIG. 7 and makes it thus assume its final position on the bottom of the sea. FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the laid sea-bottom mine. Ignition is accomplished by means of a shaped charge fitted in the operational part. A detachable connection between operational part 5 and adjoining explosive sections 8 permits separate storage of the operational part in this case, too. 
     The flexible connections 7 can be mounted without needing tools. 
     FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of the invention. To the hexagonal operational part 10 on the hinges 11, which can be mounted without using tools, there are linked transition pieces 12, to which are mounted--also without using tools-- the triangular prismatic explosive sections 13. After throwing, the columns formed by explosive sections 13 unfold and form a configuration according to FIG. 11. This configuration is also maintained by the mine when lying on the bottom of the sea. FIG. 12 shows a plan view of this star-shaped mine. For the sake of simplicity only three of the existing six arms are shown. Ignition is accomplished by means of shaped charges 14 and of perforation charges 15. 
     FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment of the invention. In the case of this mine, operational part 17 and explosive sections 18 have the shape of rhombic prisms. The mine is stored and transported in the configuration according to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15. The individual elements are held together by means of locking devices which are not shown here and which are released before throwing the mine. After throwing, sticking together is ensured by flexible connections 19 and hinges 20. On the bottom of the sea the mine assumes the configuration according to FIGS. 16 and 17. Ignition is accomplished by means of shaped charges. Depending on the purpose, mines of different numbers of explosive sections can be assembled without using tools. Separate storage of the operational parts is possible in this case, too.