Description:DESCRIPTION:
Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of target simulation systems, and in specific relates to a low-cost underwater firing test apparatus used for performance evaluation of torpedoes.
Background of the invention:
[0002] A torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon that is fired above or below the water's surface, self-propelled towards a target, and has an explosive warhead that detonates on impact with or near the target. The torpedo is fitted with electronic homing equipment that allows it to seek out its intended target, such as a submarine. A sensitive passive acoustic receiver can be installed on the torpedo to detect sound waves emitted by a target vessel.

[0003] The torpedo's navigation and guidance technology is controlled by the received sound waves, which direct the torpedo toward the target. The torpedo can also be fitted with an active homing system, in which the torpedo generates and broadcasts an acoustic signal, which is then directed by the target's reflection. In general, light weight torpedoes are small (200-400 kg) that mainly directed at submarines or ships. Heavy weight torpedoes (1 to 2 tonnes) are also aimed at either submarines or ships. The ability of torpedoes to move toward a target and detonate on the target is evaluated on a regular basis via "warshot" exercises, which use test target or dummy target for the evaluation.

[0004] At present, test target with an acoustic noise producer is used for evaluation of torpedoes. The modern torpedoes have advanced electronics that do not recognise it as a valid target. As a result, in order to test the new torpedoes, artificial limits are imposed on the torpedoes that are being tested, which affects validity of the tests.

[0005] The existing test targets that are used for evaluating the performance of torpedoes are expensive. The existing test targets are complex, due to the use of various advanced electronics and technology, and hence are expensive. In some cases, to evaluate the performance of torpedoes ships and submarines are used, which leads to devastating effects.

[0006] Further, the ships and submarines have to be taken to the test location in the sea to test the torpedoes since they are heavy, which causes wastage of energy. The ships and submarines are made of metals that are dense, shape-forming, malleable, non-corrosive and lightweight such as high-strength alloyed steel, when torpedoes are tested on these ships and submarines there is loss of such good quality metals.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a low-cost underwater firing test apparatus used for performance evaluation of torpedoes. There is a need for a scalable underwater testing apparatus that does not consist of any complex structure and technology to test performance of underwater torpedoes. There is a need for a customized firing test apparatus that meets requirements for testing torpedoes.
Objectives of the invention:
[0008] The primary objective of the invention is to provide a low-cost and effective underwater firing test apparatus used for performance evaluation of torpedoes.

[0009] The other objective of the invention is to provide an underwater testing apparatus that includes buoyancy bodies and light weight bodies, which are easy to carry to the site and submerge at the designated location for testing.

[0010] The other objective of the invention is to provide a scalable underwater testing apparatus that have simple structure and technology to test performance of underwater missile.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to provide a customized firing test apparatus that meets requirements for testing torpedoes.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide a customized firing test apparatus that provides required shock to the torpedoes.
Summary of the invention:
[0013] The present disclosure proposes an underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes. The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0014] In order to overcome the above deficiencies of the prior art, the present disclosure is to solve the technical problem to provide a low-cost underwater firing test apparatus used for performance evaluation of torpedoes.

[0015] According to an aspect, the invention provides an underwater firing test apparatus for evaluation of torpedoes performance. The proposed underwater firing test apparatus is of low-cost, simple and customizable. The underwater firing test apparatus comprises a modular target portion, and plurality of floats. The modular target portion is suspended underwater, configured to provide an appropriate amount of impact to test torpedoes. The modular target portion is customizable wherein multiple modular target portions are connected together to form a modular target portion of required size.

[0016] The modular target portion comprises plurality of hollow target units and a rectangular base frame structure. The hollow target units are configured to be filled with a fluid and used as a target for testing of the torpedoes. In specific, the fluid includes either a liquid or gas or any other fluid with density close to water. Each hollow target unit is configured with at least two valves through which fluid is filled in the hollow target unit. The hollow target units are made of thermoplastic polymers that include either high density poly ethylene (HDPE) or polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene or any other material with similar properties to thermoplastic polymers thereof. The hollow target units are positively buoyant and hence float on water and thereby are easy to carry to a testing site. Each hollow target unit is in cylindrical shape that holds the fluid inside when the modular target portion is submerged underwater.

[0017] The rectangular base frame structure is configured to secure and support the hollow target units. In specific, the rectangular base frame structure encloses the hollow target units. The hollow target units are attached to the rectangular base frame structure through plurality of clamps. The rectangular base frame structure is made of a metal such as steel or any other material with similar properties, over which a corrosion protective coating is applied.

[0018] The floats are anchored to the modular target portion through a connecting means, configured to float above water surface. In specific, the connecting means comprises plurality of strings that connect the floats with the modular target portion. The floats aid in positioning the modular target portion underwater for testing the torpedoes. Further, the floats prevent the modular target portion from sinking when the fluid is filled in the hollow target units.

[0019] Further, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the following portion of the specification, the claims, and the attached drawings.
Detailed description of drawings:
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes floating over the water surface in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary isometric of a modular target portion in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary front view of a modular target portion in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Detailed invention disclosure:
[0025] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps.

[0026] The present disclosure has been made with a view towards solving the problem with the prior art described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost underwater firing test apparatus used for performance evaluation of torpedoes.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 refers to an exemplary underwater firing test apparatus 100 for evaluation of torpedoes performance. The test apparatus 100 comprises a modular target portion 102, and plurality of floats 104. The modular target portion 102 is configured to provide an appropriate amount of impact to test torpedoes. In specific, the modular target portion 102 is configured to test any self-propelled underwater missile. The torpedoes disclosed in the embodiment are not confined only to torpedoes any other underwater missile with similar functionality can also be considered. The modular target portion 102 is customizable, as multiple modular target portions are connected to form a single modular target portion.

[0028] The modular target portion 102 comprises plurality of hollow target units 108 and a rectangular base frame structure 110. The hollow target units 108 are configured to be filled with a fluid and used as a target for testing of the torpedoes. In specific, the fluid includes a liquid or gas or any other material with density close to or more than water. Each hollow target unit is configured with at least two valves though which water is filled in the hollow target unit. The hollow target units 108 are made of thermoplastic polymers that include either high density poly ethylene (HDPE) or polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene or any other material with similar properties of thermoplastic polymers thereof.

[0029] Each hollow target unit is in cylindrical shape that holds the fluid inside when the modular target portion 102 is submerged underwater. The cylindrical shaped hollow target unit disclosed in the embodiment is not confined to cylindrical shape, any other shape such as either rectangular shape or conical can also be considered. Further, the hollow target units 108 are any container with a provision to store the fluid.

[0030] The rectangular base frame structure 110 is configured to secure and support the hollow target units 108. In specific, the rectangular base frame structure 110 encloses the hollow target units 108. The hollow target units 108 are attached to the rectangular base frame structure 110 through plurality of clamps. The rectangular base frame structure 110 is an enclosure not limited to the rectangular shape and can be either circular or spherical or square or any other suitable shape. In specific, the rectangular base frame structure 110 is made of a metal such as steel or any other material with similar properties, over which corrosion protective coating is applied.

[0031] The floats 104 are configured to float above water surface and are anchored by the modular target portion 102. The floats 104 are connected to the modular target portion 102 through a connecting means 106. In specific, the connecting means 106 comprises plurality of strings that connect the floats 104 with the modular target portion 102. The floats 104 aid in positioning the modular target portion 102 underwater for testing the torpedoes. Further, the floats 104 prevent the modular target portion 102 from sinking when the fluid is filled in the hollow target units 108.

[0032] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 refers to an isometric view of the underwater firing test apparatus 200 for torpedoes floating over the water surface. The proposed underwater firing test apparatus 200 is positively buoyant, and therefore is easily carried to the site of testing with the help of boats. Before the starting the underwater firing test, the floats 202 stay over the modular target portion 204 and the modular target portion 204 floats over the surface of the water, as shown in the FIG. 2. To start the test, first, the valves on the hollow target units are opened and the fluid is allowed to fill in the hollow target units of the modular target portion 204. When, the modular target portion 204 submerges under the water, the floats 202 prevent the modular target portion 204 from sinking through the connecting means.

[0033] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B refer to different views of modular target portion 300. The modular target portion 300 is configured with a rectangular base frame structure 304 and plurality of hollow target units 302. When the underwater firing test apparatus reaches the test site, the valves 306 of the hollow target units 302 are opened, and the fluid is filled in the hollow target units 302. As soon as the fluid starts to fill the hollow target units 302, the modular target portion 300 starts to submerge into the water. After the fluid is completely filled in the hollow target units 302, the modular target portion 300 becomes negatively buoyant and submerges under the water. The floats prevent the modular target portion 300 from sinking into the water with the help of the connecting means.

[0034] Numerous advantages of the present disclosure may be apparent from the discussion above. In accordance with the present disclosure, a low-cost underwater firing test apparatus used for performance evaluation of torpedoes is disclosed.

[0035] The proposed underwater testing apparatus includes buoyancy bodies and light weight rectangular bodies, which are easy to carry to the site of testing. The proposed scalable underwater testing apparatus has simple structure to test performance of torpedoes. The proposed customized firing test apparatus meets requirements for testing any torpedoes. The proposed customized firing test apparatus provides required shock to the torpedoes. The proposed underwater testing apparatus act as an actual target by replacing decommissioned submarines or ships, and thereby prevents loss of good quality metal such as steel or any other material with similar properties.

[0036] The proposed customized firing test apparatus may be configured with adjustable connecting means, which allows positioning of the firing test apparatus at a desired level under the water predefined before deploying for testing of torpedoes. The proposed customized firing test apparatus may be used for testing of ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles thereof.

[0037] It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the processes described in the foregoing examples without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application. , Claims:CLAIMS:
We Claim:
1. An underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes, comprising:
a modular target portion suspended underwater configured to provide an appropriate amount of impact to test torpedoes, wherein said modular target portion comprising:
plurality of hollow target units configured to be filled with a fluid and act as a target for testing of said torpedoes; and
a rectangular base frame structure configured to secure and support said plurality of hollow target units, wherein said rectangular base frame structure encloses said plurality of hollow target units; and
plurality of floats connected to said modular target portion through a connecting means anchored to said modular target portion configured to float above water surface,
whereby said underwater firing test apparatus used for performance evaluation of torpedoes is of low-cost, simple, and customizable.
2. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of hollow target units are attached to said rectangular base frame structure through plurality of clamps.
3. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hollow target unit is configured with at least two valves through which said fluid is filled in said hollow target unit.
4. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of hollow target units are made of thermoplastic polymers such as either High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) or polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene or any other material with similar properties of thermoplastic polymers thereof.
5. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of hollow target units are of positively buoyant that float on water and thereby are easy to carry to a testing site.
6. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hollow target unit is in cylindrical shape that holds the fluid inside when said modular target portion is submerged under the water.
7. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rectangular base frame structure is made of a metal such as steel or any other material with similar properties over which corrosion protective coating is applied.
8. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of floats aid in positioning said modular target portion underwater for testing said torpedoes and prevent from sinking when said fluid is filled in said plurality of hollow target units of said modular target portion.
9. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modular target portion is customizable wherein multiple modular target portions are connected together to form a modular target portion of required size.
10. The underwater firing test apparatus for torpedoes as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid includes either water or sea water or any other fluid with density close to water.