Apparatus, And Methods Of Use, For Launching Vehicles From Ships

Abstract

Launching devices, kits, systems and methods. Embodiments may include devices for launching submergible vehicles from the top surface of the hull of ships. A launcher may retain vehicles at varying angles prior to launch. A bottom member may receive the vehicle and may have legs welded to the ship. The launcher may be tilted at varying angles, including a horizontal orientation for loading the vehicle and a raised orientation for launching the vehicle. The position of the loaded vehicle may be aligned by rotating the vehicle within the bottom member. An alignment fixture may engage alignment protrusions or slots on the exterior surface of the loaded vehicle. A top member may be attached to secure the aligned vehicle within the launcher. Upon command, the secured vehicle may be launched from the ship by releasing and enabling the vehicle to slide off of the bottom member into the water below.

1 . A device for retaining and launching vehicles from a ship, comprising:
 a bottom member adapted to receive a vehicle;   weldments attached to the bottom member, wherein the weldments are adapted to raise and lower an end of the bottom member; and,   a top member adapted to couple to the bottom member, wherein the top member is removably coupled to the bottom member, the top member adapted to secure the vehicle within the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an alignment fixture adapted to engage an alignment member located on an exterior surface of the vehicle, wherein the alignment fixture is removably coupled to the bottom member.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the weldments are welded to a top surface of a hull of the ship. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ship comprises an unmanned ship. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises a submergible vehicle selected from a group consisting of: an unmanned underwater vehicle, unmanned aerial vehicle, unmanned surface vehicle, unmanned autonomous vehicle, drone airplane, maneuverable projectile, glided projectiles, hybrid mobile vehicle/buoy, aqua-quad, multi-rotor mobile buoy, floating buoy, submerged buoy, sonobuoy, wave glider, sea glider, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A method for using a device of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 receiving a submergible vehicle onto the bottom member, wherein the bottom member is in a horizontal orientation;   aligning the received vehicle within the bottom member, wherein the received vehicle is rotated within the bottom member;   securing the aligned vehicle within the bottom member;   adjusting the bottom member from a horizontal orientation to a launch-ready orientation; and,   releasing the secured vehicle, whereby the released vehicle is enabled to slide down the bottom member,   wherein the launch-ready orientation comprises a 15-degree angle between the bottom member and a top surface of a hull of the ship, wherein the device is mounted on the top surface.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of:
 adjusting the bottom member to the horizontal orientation by buckling a first set of weldments and pivoting a second set of weldments.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the aligning step comprises removably coupling an alignment fixture to the bottom member, wherein the alignment fixture is adapted to engage an alignment member located on an exterior surface of the received vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of:
 uncoupling the alignment fixture from the bottom member.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the securing step comprises removably coupling the top member to the bottom member. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the adjusting step comprises buckling a first set of weldments and pivoting a second set of weldments. 
     
     
         12 . A launcher kit, comprising:
 a bottom member adapted to receive a vehicle;   weldments adapted to attach to the bottom member, wherein the weldments are further adapted to raise and lower an end of the bottom member;   a top member adapted to couple to the bottom member, wherein the top member is further adapted to be removably coupled to the bottom member, the top member adapted to secure the vehicle within the device; and,   an alignment fixture adapted to be removably coupled to the bottom member, wherein the alignment fixture is further adapted to engage an alignment member located on an exterior surface of the vehicle.   
     
     
         13 . The launcher kit of  claim 12 , wherein the weldments are welded to a top surface of a hull of the ship, the kit adapted to be assembled on the ship. 
     
     
         14 . The launcher kit of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a loading device adapted to mount the vehicle onto the bottom member.   
     
     
         15 . The launcher kit of  claim 14 , wherein the loading device comprises a sling for carrying the vehicle.