Apr 22, 2025

US12281875 - Projectile launch apparatus for use in fluid environments

Projectile launch apparatus ( 20 ) for use in a fluid environment. The apparatus ( 20 ) comprises a launch tube ( 21 ) having a supercavitating projectile ( 24 ) with cavitator ( 29 ) received within the launch tube ( 21 ). A means for generating expulsion gas (not visible) is arranged to provide expulsion gas to propel the projectile ( 24 ) from the launch tube ( 21 ), with means for bleeding expulsion gas ( 31, 32 ) being provided to bleed a portion of expulsion gas around the projectile ( 24 ). This allows expulsion gases to contribute to the formation of the gas cavity around the supercavitating projectile ( 24 ) as the projectile ( 24 ) is launched from the launch tube ( 21 ). Particularly suited to the deployment of supercavitating projectiles underwater, such as in underwater mine disposal applications.

Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence
Inventors: Peter Richard Rushforth, David Timothy Newell
Filing date: 2021-11-11

The patent describes a projectile launch apparatus designed for underwater use, featuring a launch tube that propels a supercavitating projectile using expulsion gas to create a gas cavity around it. This innovative design enhances the projectile’s performance in fluid environments, particularly for applications like underwater mine disposal.

Claim 1

Projectile launch apparatus for use in a fluid environment, comprising a launch tube having a closed end and an open end, a supercavitating projectile received between the ends separating the launch tube into a forward section comprising the open end and a rear section comprising the closed end, and gas generation means arranged to provide expulsion gas into the rear section of the launch tube, such that in-use trapped expulsion gases within the rear section generate a pressure increase that acts on the supercavitating projectile to propel the projectile through the open end, wherein the supercavitating projectile comprises a nose section and a tail section, the nose section having a cavitator for generating a gas cavity around the supercavitating projectile when the projectile is launched, wherein the projectile launch apparatus further comprises means for bleeding expulsion gas around the projectile from the rear section of the launch tube into the forward section and thereby to the open end, such that in-use, expulsion gases can contribute to a formation of the gas cavity around the supercavitating projectile as the projectile is launched through the open end. wherein the projectile launch apparatus further comprises means for bleeding expulsion gas around the projectile from the rear section of the launch tube into the forward section and thereby to the open end, such that in-use, expulsion gases can contribute to a formation of the gas cavity around the supercavitating projectile as the projectile is launched through the open end.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12281875

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12281875