Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A mine storage and handling unit
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The current invention concerns arrangements for handling of mines.
Sea mines are typically large, weighing several hundreds of kilograms. They
may
contain large amounts of high explosives, typically in the range of several
tens of
kilograms to a hundred kilograms or even more. Since they are both heavy and
dangerous, their handling requires care throughout the supply and loading
chain,
and on the mining vessel itself.
A typical arrangement for handling mines on mine-laying vessels include tracks
and
sleds, on which mines are placed. The sleds allow movement along the tracks,
and
typically are constructed so that the sleds cannot move perpendicularly to the
tracks,
i.e. removing the possibility of the sled and mine falling off a track during
heavy
seas. When a mine is laid, it is rolled on it sled off the tracks past the
stern of the
vessel and into the sea. The sled is typically allowed to fall as well. The
sled may be
used as a part of the mine system, for example as an anchor. The sled may also
be a
sacrificial component that is not used for any further purpose nor recovered.
Mine laying ships are often dedicated ships built only for this purpose. The
tracks
and the space required for the tracks make it difficult to use a mine laying
ship for
other purposes, and conversely, ships built for other purposes do not
typically have
tracks for mines. Maintaining the ability to lay minefields therefore
practically
requires that a navy dedicates a number of ships to mine laying functions.
However,
acquiring such ships is expensive, as is the upkeep of such ships.
These current arrangements for handling mines also require a harbor to have
corresponding systems for handling and loading mines, in order to be able to
supply
and load mines on mine laying vessels. This requirement of special mine
handling
systems also limit the possibilities of arranging mine supplying and loading
operations in different locations, as a generic harbour without specific
equipment
cannot be used.
Some systems aimed at more modular approach are known. For example, the patent
application document GB2253189A discloses a system that is based on a trailer,
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that has an incorporated crane and that is loaded with mines. In use the
trailer is
driven onto a ship and the mines are unloaded over the side of the ship with
the
crane. This system allows the use of a wide variety of ships to lay mines.
However,
this system requires that the trailer is located close to the sides of the
ship, so that
the crane can reach over the side, which limits the number of mines that can
be
loaded on a ship using this system. Further, this system relies on the
functioning
condition of the crane, which may be unreliable in bad conditions. Further,
unloading mines using a crane is difficult in heavy seas.
.. Another solution is disclosed in patent document US4633778A, which
describes a
system built from ganged modules that can be installed on many different types
of
ships. That minelaying system is a modularized overhead conveyor system.
However, while this system makes actual laying of mines easier, this system
does
not improve the actual loading of the mines on the ship and into the conveyor
system.
Another solution is disclosed in patent document US6082266, which describes a
high speed aircushion vehicle transporting mines stacked on a mine laying
rack, that
is longitudinally displaceable on rails.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to realize a way to handle mines, that overcomes
the
problems of prior art. Moreover, an object of the invention is to provide a
way to
handle mines that allows for supplying and loading of mines in harbors, that
do not
have dedicated mine handling equipment. A still further object of the
invention is to
provide a way to handle mines that allows many different kinds of ships to be
used
for laying mines.
The objects are reached by creating a mine handling and storage unit, which
can be
moved and loaded using standard cargo transport containers, such as multimodal
shipping containers, and which unit comprises at least one pair of tracks onto
which
mine sleds and mines can be placed. Such a unit may also preferably comprise
connector track elements for connecting a piece of track in one unit to a
piece of
track in another unit, allowing easy movement of mines and mine sleds along a
number of units arranged beside each other. Such a unit may also in various
embodiments of the invention comprise many other different elements, as
described
3
further in this specification. Such a unit allows for easy handling and
loading of
mines on a vessel.
10 The above summary relates to only one of the many embodiments of the
invention
disclosed herein and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention,
which is set
forth in the claims herein. These and other features of the present invention
will be
described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention
and in
conjunction with the following figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below, by way
of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which
Figure 1 illustrates a mine storage unit according to an advantageous
embodiment
of the invention,
Figure 2 illustrates a number of mine storage units attached to a vessel and
connected to each other for providing a mine laying system,
Figure 3a illustrates certain curved track arrangements according to further
advantageous embodiments of the invention, and
Figure 3b illustrates certain track and door arrangements according to further
advantageous embodiments of the invention.
Same reference numerals are used for similar entities in the figures.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-07
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An advantageous embodiment of the invention is illustrated in figure 1, which
shows a conceptual side view of a mine storage unit 100. The mine storage unit
comprises at least one pair of tracks 110. These tracks are in the unit 100
for
attachment of mine sleds 120 and mines 130.
The width of a pair of tracks as well as the shape of each track may be
different in
different embodiments of the invention. As a man skilled in the art knows,
there are
different types of tracks in use by navies of different countries. This
invention is not
limited to any specific type of track, and therefore, these different track
types well
known to a man skilled in the art are not described any further in this
specification.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mine storage unit
comprises two pairs of tracks for attachment of mines and mine sleds.
Further, the mine sleds 120 are depicted here only conceptually, since the
invention
is not limited to any specific type or types of mine sleds. Constructional
details of
such mine sleds depend on the structure of the tracks 110, as well as the
structure of
mines 130 and any fastening mechanisms needed to fasten mines 130 to the sleds
120. Many different types of sleds, mines, and fastening systems are known to
a
man skilled in the art, and are therefore not described any further in this
specification.
Figure 1 also illustrates certain elements present in various further
embodiments of
the invention. In the example of figure 1, the mine storage unit 100 also
comprises a
mine laying track element 240. In the example of figure 1, the mine laying
track
element is attached to the tracks 110 by hinges. Other possibilities and
solutions for
mine laying track elements are described later in this specification.
Figure 1 illustrates also a connector track element 220. In the example of
figure 1,
the connector track element is attached to the tracks 110 by hinges. Other
possibilities and solutions for connector track elements are described later
in this
specification.
Figure 1 illustrates also corner fittings 140. In an advantageous embodiment
of the
invention, the mine storage unit 100 has such dimensions and corner fittings
that
allow standard intermodal container (also known as an ISO container) handling
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machinery such as reach stackers to handle such mine storage units. One
standard
describing such corner fittings is the ISO 1161 standard, which determines a
so
called twistlock structure that is commonly used for attaching a container to
a lifting
device, to a vessel, or to another container. In an advantageous embodiment of
the
5 invention, the corner fittings 140 have a construction, that allows the
mine storage
unit 100 be lifted, transported, and attached by mechanisms intended to lift,
transport, and/or attach containers adhering to the ISO 1161 standard.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the corner fittings are
constructed so as to conform to the ISO 1161 standard.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, only a part of the
corners of
the unit have comer fittings. For example, a mine storage unit having corner
fittings
only at the four bottom comers, could still be attached to a transport vehicle
or on
the deck of a ship.
In various other embodiments of the invention, the mine storage unit can be
realized
with different sizes and attachments than those which are specified by the
standards
ISO 668, ISO 1161, and other related standards. Such an embodiment would
provide many of the advantages described in this specification, and would thus
be a
feasible way to implement the invention. For example, in a further embodiment
of
the invention, a mine storage unit can be dimensioned and fitted with
attachments
for aerial transport. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a
mine
storage unit can be dimensioned and fitted with attachment points for handling
with
forklifts.
The inventive mine storage units provide numerous advantages for handling
mines.
The mine storage units can be used for transporting mines to harbours, for
storage
of mines at storage depots or harbours, for storage of mines on vessels, as
well as
for laying mines from a vessel. A mine storage unit protects the mines
throughout
the whole supply chain, and also while on the vessel.
The mine storage units can be realized for example with any common dimensions
used for standard multimodal containers. For example, standard twenty foot
equivalent (TEU) containers are commonly used in maritime but also land
transportation. Mine storage units can advantageously be realized in the same
twenty foot long dimensions, whereby such mine storage units can be moved and
handled using any common container handling machines. This allows easy
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transportation of mines on common types of road and rail transport, as well as
easy
handling in storage depots and harbors. Further, common multimodal container
lengths include 40 foot containers, and 45 and even 48 foot containers are in
use.
Inventive mine storage units can advantageously be implemented in any of these
sizes.
A mine storage unit needs to have at least one side with an opening such as a
door
for moving mine sleds and mines in and out of the mine storage unit. For
example,
in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a similar solution is used as
in
conventional multimodal containers, namely a set of two doors at one end of
the
container.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, two ends of the mine
storage unit have doors that can be opened in order to allow movement of mine
sleds and mines in and out of the unit.
The doors can be implemented in many different ways. For example, the doors
can
be similar in construction as in a typical multimodal container.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the doors are attached
removably to the unit. This type of construction allows the doors to be
removed and
stored in another place so as not to be in the way when working with the mines
and
mine sleds.
.. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a door is
constructed with
such hinges that allow turning of the door through roughly 270 degrees,
allowing
the door to be pushed against the side of the mine storage unit.
In a still further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the door may be
constructed as a lifting door, that moves inside the mine storage unit.
Many other door constructions can also be used in various further embodiments
of
the invention.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mine storage unit
further comprises at least one movable connector track element for connecting
tracks between two mine storage units, when the mine storage units are placed
one
after another e.g. on a.vessel. Such a structure allows creation of a
contiguous track
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from more than one mine storage unit, allowing all mine sleds and mines to be
moved out of the mine storage units.
The connector track elements may be constructed in many different ways. A
connector track element may comprise for example a single piece of track, two
of
which are manually installed between a pair of tracks in a first mine storage
unit and
a pair of tracks in a second mine storage unit. A connector track element can
also be
implemented as a suitable length of a pair of tracks. In such embodiments of
the
invention where the mine storage unit comprises two pairs of tracks, a
connector
track element can advantageously comprise a length of two pairs of tracks.
A movable connector track element can be attached to the mine storage unit in
many different ways. For example, the connector track element can be stored
inside
the mine storage unit, from where it can be manually detached and installed
between tracks of two mine storage units. In a further advantageous embodiment
of
the invention, the connector track element is attached to tracks in the mine
storage
unit by hinges, which allow the connector track element to be simply lowered
into
position between the two units. Different sliding and telescoping structures
can also
be used. Any other mechanisms for removably installing a connector track
element
between tracks of two mine storage units can also be used in different
embodiments
of the invention.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mine storage unit
further comprises at least one mine laying track element for allowing a mine
to be
laid by rolling the mine on its mine sled over said at least one mine laying
track
element to the body of water being mined.
The mine laying track elements may be constructed in many different ways. A
mine
laying track element may comprise for example a single piece of track, two of
which are manually connected to the end of tracks in a mine storage unit, or
to the
end of another mine laying track element. A mine laying track element can also
be
implemented as a suitable length of a pair of tracks. In such embodiments of
the
invention where the mine storage unit comprises two pairs of tracks, a mine
laying
track element can advantageously comprise a length of two pairs of tracks.
A mine laying track element can be attached to the mine storage unit in many
different ways. For example, the mine laying track element can be stored
inside the
mine storage unit, from where it can be manually detached and installed to the
end
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of a track in the mine storage unit. In a further advantageous embodiment of
the
invention, the mine laying track element is attached to tracks in the mine
storage
unit by hinges, which allow the mine laying track element to be simply lowered
into
position. Different sliding and telescoping structures can also be used. Any
other
mechanisms for removably installing a mine laying track element can also be
used
in different embodiments of the invention.
The mine laying track element needs to be long enough to allow mines to be
dropped off the vessel. The necessary length depends on the shape and
structure of
the particular vessel used for laying mines, and how close to the edge of the
deck of
the ship a mine storage unit can be installed. In a further advantageous
embodiment
of the invention, a mine storage unit can comprise a plurality of mine laying
track
elements, of which a sufficient number can be connected together to provide a
sufficient length of track for dropping a mine off the edge of the deck of the
ship.
Figure 2 illustrates an arrangement of mine storage units 100 on a deck of a
ship
200. Figure 2 illustrates schematically only the stern of the ship. Figure 2
shows
four mine storage units 100, each of which contains two pairs of tracks 110,
mine
sleds 120 and mines 130. Figure 2 is only schematic in nature for explaining
certain
features of inventive embodiments, and not dimensionally or otherwise
accurate.
Figure 2 illustrates mine laying track elements 240a, 240b connected to the
end of
mine storage units 100 closest to the stern of the ship 200. Figure 2
illustrates two
variations in the structure of mine laying track elements: an example of a
mine
laying track element 240a having two pairs of tracks 110b, and an example of a
one-track-wide mine laying element 240b having one pair of tracks 110b.
Figure 2 also illustrates connector track elements 220a, 220b. As described
previously in this specification, these connector track elements are used to
join
tracks 110 within consecutively located mine storage units 100. Figure 2
illustrates
two variations in the structure of connector track elements: an example of a
connector track element 220a having two pairs of tracks 110b, and an example
of a
one-track-wide connector track element 220b having one pair of tracks 110b.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, different
configurations of
mine storage units can be loaded onto a vessel. For example, if a vessel has
deck
space for a plurality of mine storage units chained end-to-end, a mine storage
unit
having at least one mine laying track element can advantageously be loaded and
attached close to the edge of the deck, and a mine laying track is arranged
from said
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at least one mine laying track element to allow mines and mine sleds to be
rolled
from the mine storage unit over the edge of the deck. The rest of the
plurality of
mine storage units installed in the same chain of mine storage units can then
be
mine storage units without mine laying track elements, as they only need to be
connected to the next mine storage units using connector track elements.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mine laying track
element
is provided separately from a mine storage unit to a vessel. This arrangement
may
be advantageous especially in cases, in which the mine laying track element
needs
to be shaped in a specific ways in order to be securely installable on the
vessel.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one side wall
of the
mine storage unit is arranged to be openable in order to allow access to mines
inside
the mine storage unit. Such an embodiment is useful for allowing servicing of
the
mines, or for example for preparing the mines and their fuses for dropping the
mines into the body of water being mined. Depending of the size of the
particular
mines, there may be not a lot of free space within the mine storage unit,
whereby
having an openable wall allows easier access to the mines. An openable side
wall
also allows the mines and mine sleds to be moved into or out of the mine
storage
unit through the side wall.
The openable wall can be implemented in many different ways. For example, the
mine storage unit can comprise one or more doors with hinges, or sliding
doors.
Further, the mine storage unit can for example comprise a fabric door that can
be
slided aside or rolled up. Further, a whole side wall can be composed of
fabric or
other flexible material, which can easily be detached, moved aside or rolled
up. Any
other openable side wall structure, many of which are known to a man skilled
in the
art of multimodal container solutions, can also be used.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mine storage unit
comprises at least one pair of curved tracks. Such curved tracks can be used
to
move a mine sled from one straight pair of tracks to another, or for example
to
create a 90 degree turn in a track for moving mine sleds in and out of the
mine
storage unit through a side wall of the unit.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mine storage unit
comprises at least one track switching element for creating selectable routes
for
mine sleds.
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Figure 3a illustrates schematically certain curved track arrangements
according to
further advantageous embodiments of the invention. Figure 3a shows a schematic
view of an example of a track arrangement in a mine storage unit 100. In this
5 example, the mine storage unit comprises a pair of curved tracks 110d,
allowing
movement of a mine sled and a mine from one pair of longitudinal tracks 100 to
another. Many different types of curved track arrangements, track switches and
other track arrangements are known from the rail transport industry, and can
be
used in different combinations in mine storage unit in order to provide
10 manueuvrability for the mine sleds.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mine storage unit
comprises a rotating track element. Such a rotating track element can be used
to
move a mine sled sideways e.g. to another track or through the side wall of a
mine
storage unit. A mine sled can be rolled onto the rotating track element,
whereafter
the rotating track element can be rotated 90 degrees, allowing the mine sled
to be
moved sideways in respect of the original track where the mine sled was
previously
located.
Figure 3b illustrates certain track and door arrangements according to further
advantageous embodiments of the invention. Figure 3b illustrates a track
element
110c installed on a rotating element 310, thus providing a rotating track
element
310, 110c. A rotating track element makes it possible to move a mine sled 120
with
a mine 130 on the rotating track element while the tracks 110c of the rotating
track
element are aligned with tracks 110 of the mine storage unit 100, and then
rotate the
rotating track element 90 degrees, after which the sled 120 and mine 130 on
the
rotating track element can be moved perpendicular to the direction of the
tracks 110
of the mine storage unit 100. Figure 3b illustrates two rotating track
elements 310,
110c momentarily in the 90 degree rotated position. With two rotating track
elements as shown in figure 3b, a mine sled and a mine can be transferred from
one
pair of tracks within the mine storage unit 100 to another pair of tracks in
the mine
storage unit. Figure 3b also illustrates side walls 101 of the mine storage
unit 100,
and an opening 102 in a side wall. This opening 102 can be used for
transporting
mine sleds and mines into and out of the mine storage unit 100 through its
side wall
101. This opening 102 can also be used for accessing the mines e.g. for
maintenance
of a mine or for setting the mine ready to be deployed.
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In a further advantageous embodiment, a mine storage unit comprises a U-shaped
pair of tracks for allowing movement of a mine sled from one longitudinal
section
of track of the mine storage unit to another.
.. In a still further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mine storage
unit
comprises a section of a pair of tracks, that are installed on a sliding
mechanism
allowing sliding of said section of a pair of tracks from one side of the mine
storage
unit to another. Such a mechanism can be used for moving mine sleds and mines
from one track to another.
In an even further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mine storage
unit
comprises a winch arrangement in order to move mines and/or mine sleds from
one
pair of rails to another within the mine storage unit.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mine storage unit is
installed onto a wheeled base such as a trailer, whereby the mine storage unit
can be
easily transported on land and loaded onto a ship. A mine laying system can in
such
an embodiment be provided using mine storage units arranged end to end on
their
wheeled bases, and connected with connector track elements.
The invention has numerous advantages. The invention provides a modular
container packaged minelaying system, which can be deployed for minelaying
purposes on any naval vessel having container compatible mission deck and a
stern
gate operable at sea. This system enables the design of new naval vessels
which can
have minelaying capability as just one of their several mission modules,
without
dedicating the vessel primarily as a minelayer.
Further, a conventional mine laying ship typically has a fixed set of tracks,
which
allows operations with only such mines that can be attached to such sleds that
match
the tracks of the ship. Since there are different mine types with very
different
measurements and other properties, the fixed tracks limit the potential
selection of
mines that can be carried by that ship. However, the inventive mine storage
unit
provides a way for ships to operate with almost any kind of mines, since the
tracks
are loaded onto the ship along with the mines as a part of the mine storage
unit
arrangement.
Traditionally the purpose of minelaying has dominated the naval ship design of
minelayers, compromising other possible mission designations to minor
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transportation tasks. From technical perspective, the current invention
reduces this
domination to a minor requirement for the vessel to be able to receive
multimodal
containers, which capability can be used for many other purposes as well.
Furthermore, the container packaged minelaying system redefines other forms of
required logistics to deploy sea mines as a major weapon system. Previously
there
has been need for specifically dedicated ports with permanently installed mine
rails
in order to load mines on minelayers. This invention enables every port with
sufficient container handling capacity to serve this purpose. Also land based
transportation to feed the loading ports becomes trivial, since ordinary
trucks are a
common way to transport multimodal containers.
Furthermore, the invention also improves operational secrecy and security.
Installing the mines system into a container that outwardly looks similar to a
standard shipping container allows the mines to be moved and stored in the
same
way as any usual commercial container, which in turn makes it difficult for
adversaries and their informants to follow operational activities of the navy.
The invention allows the use of many different ships as a mine laying vessel,
as
long as the vessel can accommodate containers on a deck and has at least an
openable gate or door on the deck - or a deck with no railings. For example,
the
current invention allows the use of a conventional car ferry as a mine laying
vessel.
CERTAIN FURTHER ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, a mine storage unit is provided.
In a
first advantageous embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the mine
storage
unit comprises at least a container for storing mines, and a pair of tracks
inside said
container for attachment of mines and mine sleds.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
said mine storage unit has a plurality of corner fittings suitable for
handling by
equipment, that are able to handle containers conforming to the ISO 1161
standard.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit has a plurality corner fittings conforming to the ISO
1161
standard.
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In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit has at least two faces that can be opened for transport
of mines
and mine sleds.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit further comprises at least one movable connector track
element for connecting tracks between two mine storage units
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit comprises two pairs of tracks for attachment of mines
and
mine sleds.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit further comprises at least one mine laying track element
for
allowing a mine to be laid into a body of water by rolling the mine on its
mine sled
over said at least one mine laying track element to the body of water.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit comprises at least one openable side wall.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit further comprises a plurality of mine sleds.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to this first aspect of the
invention
the mine storage unit further comprises a plurality of mines.
In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in
the art
that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.
While a
preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it should
be
apparent that many modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of
which
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
