Underwater apparatus

Abstract

A naval mine configured to be released by a release assembly comprising: an impermeable casing; an explosive charge arranged inside the impermeable casing; a detonator which can be operated to trigger the explosive charge; and a control device configured to operate the detonator. The naval mine further comprises a fillable chamber, provided with at least one opening and a closing system for closing or opening the opening; said closing system is configured to open the opening so as to allow water to flow into the fillable chamber, when the naval mine is released by the release assembly.

1 . A naval mine configured to be released by a release assembly comprising:
 an impermeable casing;   an explosive charge arranged inside said impermeable casing;   a detonator, which can be operated to trigger said explosive charge; and   a control device configured to operate said detonator;   the naval mine being characterized in that it comprises:   a fillable chamber (in particular, not filled with water and) provided with at least one opening; and   a closing system to close or open said at least one opening; said closing system is configured to open said at least one opening so as to allow water to flow into the fillable chamber, when the naval mine is released by said release assembly;   the fillable chamber being sized so as to ensure that the naval mine immersed in water assumes a neutral hydrostatic buoyancy when said closing system closes said at least one opening and said fillable chamber is not filled with water, and a negative hydrostatic buoyancy when said closing system opens said at least one opening and water flows into said fillable chamber so as to obtain a loaded chamber.   
     
     
         2 . A naval mine according to  claim 1 , wherein said fillable chamber has pressure conditions below the atmospheric pressure as long as said at least one opening is closed. 
     
     
         3 . A naval mine according to  claim 1 , wherein said fillable chamber is at least partially filled with air (in particular is full of air) as long as said at least one opening is closed. 
     
     
         4 . A naval mine according to  claim 1 , and comprising a valve configured to close or open said at least one opening; in particular, said naval mine comprises at least one further opening and a further valve configured to close or open said further opening. 
     
     
         5 . A naval mine according to  claim 1 , wherein said explosive charge is arranged on the bottom of said impermeable casing and said fillable chamber is arranged above said explosive charge. 
     
     
         6 . A naval mine according to  claim 1 , wherein said control device is arranged at an upper part of said impermeable casing. 
     
     
         7 . A naval mine according to  claim 1 , and comprising a detection unit to detect at least the pressure of the water and/or the presence of obstacles inside a given area;
 said control device being configured to operate said detonator based on what detected by said detection unit.   
     
     
         8 . A naval mine according to  claim 7 , wherein said detection unit is arranged at an outer upper part of said impermeable casing. 
     
     
         9 . A naval mine assembly comprising:
 a release assembly, which is carried by a sea or underwater vehicle;   a naval mine according to  claim 1  configured to be released by said release assembly;   a release system to release said naval mine from said release assembly; and   a control unit to operate said release system.   
     
     
         10 . A naval mine assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said release system is connected to said closing system so that, when said release system is activated in order to drop said naval mine from said release assembly, said closing system opens said at least one opening, in particular also said further opening, so as to allow water to flow into said fillable chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A naval mine assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said release system comprises holding means to hold said naval mine, said holding means can be operated by said control unit in order to release said naval mine from said release assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A naval mine assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said release system and said closing system are mechanically connected so that the operation of said release system determines the consequent operation of said closing system. 
     
     
         13 . A naval mine assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said release assembly comprises a telescopic expulsion system configured to hold said naval mine before it is released by said release assembly. 
     
     
         14 . A method to drop a naval mine, wherein the method entails the use of a naval mine assembly according to  claim 9  and comprises:
 an immersion step, during which said naval mine is immersed in water so that said at least one opening is at least partially under water; 
 a release step, which is at least partially subsequent to the immersion step and during which said naval mine is removed from said release assembly; and 
 a filling step, which is simultaneous with or subsequent to the release step and during which said closing system opens said at least one opening and said fillable chamber is at least partially filled with water.