Did You Know...
...that the first rickshaw was invented in 1869 by an American Baptist minister, the Rev. E. Jonathan Scobie, to transport his invalid wife around the streets of Yokohama?
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8161899 | Multiple torpedo mine A multiple torpedo mine is capable of launching multiple torpedoes in water simultaneously or at predetermined intervals. The mine has an elongate container having multiple launch tubes with launch tube covers and each containing a torpedo. A programmable target det... | 04/24/2012 |
| 7997224 | Payload deployment system for a submarine A payload deployment system for a vessel, such as a submarine, which includes a cable extending between a piston in a piston tube and an ejection element in an ejection tube, wherein the ejection tube is suitable for holding the payload, such as a torpedo. The syste... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7845298 | Submersible vehicle object ejection system using a flywheel driven boost pump An object ejection system uses an energy storage flywheel to drive the fluid pump that is used to pressurize the ejection tubes. The energy storage flywheel is periodically spun-up using an electric motor. The energy stored in the energy storage flywheel is used, wh... | 12/07/2010 |
| 7798086 | Apparatus and method for docking, deploying and recovering an underwater vehicle An apparatus for deployment and recovery of an underwater vehicle can be introduced into a recovery tube of an underwater recovery vehicle. The apparatus has a moveable tube provided with an insertion/extraction device at one of its ends. The device is in the form o... | 09/21/2010 |
| 7735440 | Inflatable restraint for missiles and missile canisters An inflatable restraint, and method of using the same, is used to provide support and shock isolation for missiles, torpedoes, missile canisters or the like in naval vessels. The inflatable restraint features a structural collar, at least one inflatable bladder and ... | 06/15/2010 |
| 7388145 | Unmanned underwater vehicle tailcone assembly A tailcone assembly for an undersea vehicle includes a first tailcone portion having a cavity and a second tailcone portion positionable in and axially extensible from the cavity. An extensible drive shaft is provided for joining the vehicle's engine to a propeller.... | 06/17/2008 |
| 7357093 | Submarine ejection optimization control system and method A submersible vehicle object ejection control system stores a plurality of pump speed command profiles. Each pump speed command profile is based on vehicle depth, vehicle speed, type of object being ejected, maximum noise emission magnitude during object ejection, a... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7313881 | Pneumatic launcher system and method for operating same A pneumatic launcher has a plenum chamber section, an intermediate chamber section and a launch tube section connected together in a generally linear arrangement. The plenum chamber section defines a plenum chamber that has a closed end and an open end. The intermed... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7270069 | Torpedo mounted dispenser The present invention is a dispenser mounted on the aft section of a torpedo for deploying an elongated, flexible article along a deployment axis. There is a molded elastomeric encasement over the exterior perimeter of the outer weldment of the dispenser for providi... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7262394 | Mortar shell ring tail and associated method There is provided a ring tail for a ballistic projectile and an associated method that facilitate maneuverability of the ballistic projectile. The ring tail comprises a ring member having a generally cylindrical wall and at least one rod joined to an aft section of ... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7185588 | Inflator devices having a moisture barrier member An inflator device including a housing defining a storage chamber and a supply of gas generant material disposed within the storage chamber. The inflator device includes an initiator assembly having an initiator in actuating communication with the supply of gas gene... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7182013 | Umbilical retraction assembly and method An umbilical cord retractor assembly and method is provided for retracting an umbilical cord from a torpedo or other vehicle prior to launching the vehicle. A guide arm is utilized to guide a slide member along a predetermined path within the guide arm. The slide is... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7128013 | Launch tube system having inflatable bladder shock isolation A launch tube system has two concentric sleeves. An inner sleeve having holes formed therethrough defines a launch tube, and an outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve and is spaced apart therefrom. One or more flexible bladders are disposed between the inner outer ... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7093552 | Electrically pressurized torpedo launch system A torpedo launch system for a marine vessel includes an impulse tank connected via a straight water inlet tube to an inlet orifice in an outer casing of the vessel. A launch tube extends through the impulse tank to the outer casing, and through a pressure hull of th... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7040246 | Submarine countermeasure and launch assembly In a submarine countermeasure vehicle and launch assembly the vehicle includes a forward end portion, an aft end portion provided with a propeller and fins, a hull portion extending between the forward and aft portions, the hull portion being circular in cross-secti... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7026540 | Tailcone assembly for a submarine countermeasure A tailcone assembly for a submarine countermeasure includes a generally hemispherically shaped shell having a planar aft end and an annular open forward end. Fins are fixed to the shell equidistantly around the shell externally thereof, each of the fins having a pla... | 04/11/2006 |
| 7013788 | Launch tube with adjustable plenum A launch tube assembly including an aft launch tube portion, a forward launch tube portion, and a transfer sleeve having a first end fixed to and adjacent the forward end of said aft launch tube portion and a second end adjustably receiving the forward launch tube p... | 03/21/2006 |
| 7013808 | Method and system for determining a bounding region A method for determining a bounding region for a launched weapon. The method processes the course and speed of ocean currents, and the bearing and range to an aim point to determine the resultant speed of the launched weapon. The method then processes the resultant ... | 03/21/2006 |
| 6932016 | Vortex-assisted pressure control at inlet of underwater launch system A vortex-assisted pressure control system is provided for controlling fluid flow into an inlet formed in a vehicle where such fluid flow into the inlet occurs during vehicle movement. Vortex generator(s) is (are) positioned forward of the inlet with respect to forwa... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6904859 | Inlet free torpedo launch system A launcher for torpedoes and underwater vehicles includes an inlet recess in fluid communication with a shutterway recess. A primary shutterway is provided both for ejection of the vehicle and for supplying fluid intake to the launcher. A pump circulates fluid from ... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6871610 | Assembly for launching bodies from an underwater platform An assembly for launching bodies from an underwater platform having a pressure hull, and an outer hull subject to free flooding. The assembly includes a module having a proximal end outboard of the pressure hull portion of the platform, a distal end disposed proxima... | 03/29/2005 |
| 6854409 | Rotary electromagnetic launch tube An underwater launch system includes a launch tube frangibly sealed at its forward end. At launch time, pressure equalization means introduces water at depth pressure into the launch tube between its frangibly sealed ends. A rotary electromagnetic pump coupled to th... | 02/15/2005 |
| 6796260 | Elastomeric ejection system with acoustically improved check valve A system for launching bodies from a submarine includes a pump for transferring seawater to an elastomeric ejection tank, and a check valve that permits transfer of the seawater to the tank, and closes upon filling of the tank. The valve includes a head and a seat, ... | 09/28/2004 |
| 6776079 | Asymetrically contoured elastomeric disk An elastomeric disk for use in an elastomeric ejection system in which a thickened curvature protrudes from both sides of a central plane of the disk. Integral to each curvature is an annulet which dovetails from the curvatures to a periphery of the disk. The thickn... | 08/17/2004 |
| 6701819 | Apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment An apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment having a tubular member with a forward muzzle end, an opposed rearward end. The object is positioned in the tubular member. Ends of the tubular member are closed by expellable members. Flood valv... | 03/09/2004 |
| 6672239 | Elastomeric launch assembly and method of launch A launch assembly having an elastomeric tube for launching a device is disclosed. To launch the device an outboard end of the tube is movable outwardly along the length of a housing by an extending device, while the inboard end of the tube is restrained b... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6645020 | Submarine countermeasure propeller protector A propeller protector for a countermeasure vehicle having a propeller shaft, a propeller fixed to the shaft, radial fins fixed on the vehicle and extending outwardly from the shaft, and a shield fixed to the fins and surrounding the propeller. The propell... | 11/11/2003 |
| 6584924 | Apparatus for controlling pressure recovery An apparatus for controlling fluid pressure recovery includes an elongated housing having an opening at a first end thereof, an opening at a second end thereof, an inner peripheral surface, and a fluid flow passageway therethrough. The apparatus further i... | 07/01/2003 |
| 6559370 | Submarine countermeasure vehicle with folding propeller A submarine countermeasure vehicle includes an elongated body for supporting a countermeasure device, and a propulsion assembly mounted on an after end of the body. The propulsion assembly includes a rotatable propeller hub, propeller blades mounted on th... | 05/06/2003 |
| 6536365 | Shock-mitigating nose for underwater vehicles A flexible nose assembly for an underwater vehicle provides increased energy-absorbing capabilities and facilitates recovery and handling of the vehicle. The flexible nose assembly includes a flexible nose cap, at least one retrieval device, and at least ... | 03/25/2003 |
| 6530305 | Telescoping pressure-balanced gas generator launchers for underwater use A launching apparatus including a launch tube having fore and aft ends, each end having an opening formed therein. A muzzle cap is fitted to the fore end and a breech mounting is formed at the aft end. A primary housing is seated in the aft end, the prima... | 03/11/2003 |
| 6502528 | Pressure-balanced gas turbine underwater launcher An underwater launcher of a vehicle in a launching tube outside the pressure hull of a submerged launch platform is unaffected by launch depth. A muzzle cap at one end of the tube communicates with ambient water and a ram plate at the other end communicat... | 01/07/2003 |
| 6499417 | Torpedo mounted dispenser for a coil of flex hose and control wire A torpedo mounted dispenser for a coil of flex hose and control wire includes a rigid shell round in widthwise cross section, and a circular shock mount disposed centrally of the shell, the shell and the shock mount defining an annular chamber therebetwee... | 12/31/2002 |
| 6494159 | Submarine launched unmanned combat vehicle replenishment A system and method is provided to replenish a submarine's tactical capabilities, e.g., weapons, sensors and communications, while the submarine remains within a hostile environment. One or more Underwater Combat Vehicles (UCV's) are pre-positioned at str... | 12/17/2002 |
| 6418870 | Torpedo launch mechanism and method A retrofitable breech is disclosed for use on existing tubes for launching vehicles, such as torpedoes. The breech utilizes gas generators such as commercial off the shelf automotive airbag inflators, for propelling the torpedo from the tube. A plurality,... | 07/16/2002 |
| 6401645 | Vehicle launch assembly for underwater platforms A vehicle launch assembly for underwater platforms includes a water tank mounted on the platform, and a plunger movably disposed in the tank and dividing the tank into first and second zones, the first zone being in communication with a. water environment... | 06/11/2002 |
| 6386133 | Torpedo tube shutter-pressure release Two-way pressure release valves in a shutter reduce the force needed to rotate it from a torpedo tube while the submarine is underway at high speeds. The valves are each mounted in a separate aperture in the shutter and have a pair of biasing springs that... | 05/14/2002 |
| 6382123 | Multicaliber torpedo tube The invention relates in particular, to a torpedo tube having supporting devices able to support the torpedo and limit its friction when launched, such as slides. These supporting devices may be variable-geometry devices able to assume at least two positi... | 05/07/2002 |
| 6382072 | Support and alignment assembly A support and alignment assembly for use on a moving vehicle having a fixed receiver mounted thereon. The assembly comprises a support assembly including (i) a loading tray for supporting a missile, (ii) a storage structure for supporting the loading tray... | 05/07/2002 |
| 6376762 | Small vehicle launch platform A launch platform for a host vehicle. There is a cradle having a cylindrical shape with peripheral axial recesses formed therein and arranged around the cradle. A release mechanism is positioned within the cradle. The release mechanism releasably joins sm... | 04/23/2002 |
