Field of the invention

This invention relates to the field of storage and transportation of mines including how to launch mines from a ship like a multipurpose ship.

Background

The present disclosure relates to mine storage systems and transport of mines.

Previously mines have been transported by special cargo transport designed for that purpose only, and harbors were specially built with equipment for loading mines onto ships. Thereby only specific harbors were able to load mines onto ships. Additionally, the ships for mine laying were specially built with tracks for transporting the mines around the ship and to the end of the ship for laying. This meant that the ships were built with only this purpose and could not be combined with other purposes for armed ships. If a ship for mine laying was traveling in enemy waters, then it would need assistance from other war ships to protect the mine layer. This made it expensive and logistically complicated to have mine laying ships in a navy.

Warships has been developed to now have some multipurpose decks, also called module decks, which can be rebuild to have different purposes e.g. for technical equipment for measurements or spying, storage of missiles and weapons, and storage and launching of mines. Thus, systems and modules for storing and laying mines from such ships have been developed.

Examples of a mine storing and launching system is disclosed in EP3245124B1 which is incorporated in the present disclosure by reference.

A problem with such and other systems today, is that the mines take up a large area of the ship when stored in such systems. Furthermore, the containers are connected using connection tracks that need to be assembled manually, which adds to the complexity of the system.

Another issue for mine laying is to have an automatic system that provides the operators with mines automatically as they are needed for laying.

Mines need to be placed in the correct orientation when laid in the sea. This can be done by dropping mines in a specific angle from astern of a ship. A problem that arises from this, is that a ship in the sea does not always stay in a flat horizontal position, but tilts according to e.g. wind, maneuvering, waves, and cargo distribution. Known systems have ramps with one fixed angle. Thus, it cannot be controlled that every mine lands in the correct orientation on the sea bed. A used strategy has been to accept an unknown yield and as long as some mines land in the correct orientation it has been accepted so far.

A summary of the invention

Numerous objects and advantages, which will be evident from the description of the present invention, are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by:

A storage container for a mine handling system. The storage container being rectangular shaped and adapted for storing mines. The storage container comprises a container frame comprising an upper and lower surface frame, two side frames and two end frames, wherein an inner volume of the container is defined by the container frame. The storage container further comprises a mine support positioned inside the container. The storage container characterized in, that the mine support is at least one conveyor which, when not active, supports the mines during storage, and wherein the conveyor extending in a direction between the two end frames whereby when the conveyor is active, mines are supported and conveyed towards one of the end frames. Further the conveyor and end frame are relatively mounted, whereby when two of the storage containers are positioned end frame facing end frame, mines can be conveyed directly between the conveyors in each storage container.

A storage container as described above can store mines in a regular shaped container. The rectangular shape provides the effect that mines can be transported directly from one storage container to another when the two containers are placed end to end. Having end frames being the same size gives the advantage that the storage containers are modular units. Storage containers can be coupled to other containers having a matching end frame. Any number of storage containers can be coupled together in a row and thus mines from the last storage container in the row can be conveyed to the first storage container in the row.

A conveyor is an element capable of transporting objects along a given path of the conveyor. A conveyor may also be denoted a conveyer and the two will be used interchangeably throughout the disclosure. The conveyor may be of any type like a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, or roller conveyors. A conveyor can be passive or active. Articles can be stored on the conveyor while it is passive. When the conveyor is active, articles are moved along the conveyor path, which is also called conveying. By having conveyors inside a container, mines can be stored on the conveyors and the conveyors can be activated to transport the mines to one end of the container or out of one end of the container. By orienting the conveyors such that mines can be stored on them, and when the conveyors are activated, mines will move as they are in contact with the conveyors.

In an embodiment the rectangular shaped storage container has dimensions according to the ISO 668 standard.

In an embodiment the storage container comprises at least two parallel conveyors being placed with a vertical height difference between the upper and lower surface frame of the storage container in at least two layers such that mines can be stored and conveyed in parallel in multiple layers on the conveyors in the container.

In an embodiment the storage container comprises at least two parallel conveyors being placed with a horizontal width difference between the two side frames of the storage container in at least two rows such that mines can be stored and conveyed in parallel in multiple rows on the conveyors in the container.

In an embodiment the storage container comprises four parallel conveyors being placed with a vertical height difference between the upper and lower surface frame of the storage container in at least four layers such that mines can be stored and conveyed in parallel in four layers on the conveyors in the container.

In an embodiment the storage container comprises two parallel rows of conveyors with a horizontal width difference between the two side frames of the storage container, wherein each row has four parallel conveyors being placed with a vertical height difference between the upper and lower surface frame of the storage container such that mines can be stored and conveyed in two rows with four layers on the conveyors in the container.

In an embodiment the one or more conveyors are fastened to the container frame. In an embodiment the conveyors further comprise positioning means for limiting the mine position on an axis along the length of the conveyor both during storage on the conveyor and during conveying by the conveyor.

In an embodiment the storage container further comprises guiding means for limiting the movement of the mines in a transverse direction relative to the axis going along the length of the conveyors, the guiding means extending from the first end frame of the container frame to the second end frame of the container.

In an embodiment the guiding means comprise rails integrated in the conveyors such that the guiding means for limiting the movement of mines on a first conveyor are integrated in a second conveyor positioned above the mines on the first conveyor.

In another aspect, a launch container for a mine handling system is disclosed. The launch container being rectangular shaped and adapted for launching mines, the launch container comprises a container frame comprising an upper and lower surface frame, two side frames and two end frames wherein an inner volume of the launch container is defined by the container frame and wherein the launch container is for receiving mines through one end frame and launching them through the opposite end frame. The launch container comprises a transport conveyer and a launch ramp conveyer, wherein the transport conveyer receives mines through one end frame, transports the mines to the launch ramp conveyor, wherein the launch ramp conveyor extends through the opposite end frame for transporting and launching the mines through the opposite end frame. Further, the transport conveyor and end frame are relatively mounted, whereby when a storage container and a launch container are positioned end frame facing end frame, mines can be conveyed directly between conveyors in the storage container and the launch container.

By having a launching container, mines can be launched from the launch container e.g. positioned on the stern or side of a ship, the launch may be manually or automatically. The launch container being rectangular will ensure that the launch container can fit the storage container and an elevator container. The conveyors are for transporting the mines forward towards the ramp. Here an operator or an automatic solution may prepare the mine for launch e.g. by pulling out a security split pin. The conveyor can also be a conveyor where the mines need to be moved manually. The ramp ensures that the mines are launched with a controlled velocity, thus a controlled speed and angle in relation to the container. The launch container system makes it possible to control the frequency of the mine launching. There is no limit on the minimum frequency and the maximum frequency is determined by how fast mines can be provided to the transport conveyor and how fast the mines can be prepared by one or more operators.

In an embodiment at least an end part of the launch ramp conveyor is fastened in a pivotable manner, whereby the angle between the end part and the remaining conveyor can be adjusted.

In an embodiment the launch container further comprises an elevator for transporting mines vertically up and down, the elevator arranged in the end of the launch container opposite the launch ramp, the elevator comprising an elevator conveyor adapted to move vertically up and down between the lower and upper surface frame, and for receiving a mine from a storage container positioned end frame of storage container facing end frame of launch container and transport the mine onto the transport conveyor for launching the mine.

Adding an elevator to the launch container enables the launch container to receive mines from a container with mine in multiple heights or mines in a height different of that of the transport conveyor of the launch container. Thus, mines from multiple variants of containers can be transported into the launch container and launched.

In an aspect of the invention, a mine handling system is disclosed, the mine handling system comprising a storage container and a launch container.

In an aspect of the invention a method for handling mines in a mine handling system is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of:

- Combining at least two containers from the group of containers including storage containers and launch containers and positioning them end frame facing end frame, whereby mines can be conveyed directly between conveyors in the containers.

- Handling at least one mine by:

- Conveying the mine from the first to the second container.

The method for using two containers to handle mines has the advantage that two arbitrary containers from the group of containers fit together and can transport mines from one container to another. In an embodiment method, the method further comprises the steps of:

- Combining a storage container and a launch container and positioning them end frame facing end frame, whereby mines can be conveyed directly between conveyors in the containers.

- Conveying at least one mine from the storage container to the launch container.

- Launching the mine from the launch container.

Having one storage container and one launch container the mine handling system can launch mines from the storage container via the launch container. Hereby a system for launching mines in a simple and effective manner is provided and the system can connect to other containers’ modules e.g. a additionally storage container for being able to launch more mines.

According to a second aspect of the present invention obtained by a container system for storing and launching mines, the container system comprises a storage container, the storage container being rectangular shaped and adapted for storing mines inside the container. The inner volume of the container is defined by a container frame comprising an upper and lower surface frame, two side frames and two end frames. The storage container further comprises a mine support positioned inside the container, the mine support is at least two conveyors which when not active support the mines during storage. The conveyors extend in a direction between the two end frames, whereby when the conveyors are active mines are supported and conveyed towards one of the end frames, characterized in, that the storage container comprises at least two parallel conveyors being placed with a vertical height difference between the upper and lower surface frame of the storage container in at least two layers such that mines can be stored and conveyed in parallel in multiple layers on the conveyors in the container.

A conveyor is understood to mean a system for transporting articles along a path. The path could be a straight line, but other shapes may be used. A conveyor can be passive, and articles may be stored on the conveyor while it is passive. Another state is when the conveyor is active, that means that the articles are moved along the conveyor path, which is also called conveying.

By having conveyors inside a container, mines can be stored on the conveyors and the conveyors can be activated to transport the mines to one end of the container or out of one end of the container. By orienting the conveyors such that mines can be stored on them when the conveyors are activated, the mines will move as they are in contact with the conveyors.

In one embodiment of the invention, the storage container comprises four parallel conveyors being placed with a vertical height difference between the upper and lower surface frame of the storage container in at least four layers such that mines can be stored and conveyed in parallel in four layers on the conveyors in the container.

Placing multiple conveyors parallel in layers enables mines to be stored in layers in the container thus one container can store a lot more mines using the same surface area of e.g. a ship than earlier systems. This means that ships will be able to carry more mines when going on a mission. The cargo load of mines measured in weight per container will also increase. The more layers that can fit into a single container the more mines can be stored inside the container, thus more mines can be transported and launched using this container system.

In one embodiment of the invention, the storage container comprises at least two parallel conveyors being placed with a horizontal width difference between the two side frames of the storage container in at least two rows. The mines can then be stored and conveyed in parallel in multiple rows on the conveyors in the container.

In one embodiment of the invention, the storage container comprises two parallel rows of conveyors with a horizontal width difference between the two side frames of said storage container. Each row has four parallel conveyors being placed with a vertical height difference between the upper and lower surface frame of the storage container such that mines can be stored and conveyed in two rows with four layers on the conveyors in the container.

By having multiple rows displaced horizontally beside each other, more mines can be stored inside the container and two mines can be transported towards the ramp of the launch container such that two mines can be ready for launching at a time. Thus, mines can be launched with a higher frequency.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conveyors are fastened to said container frame. Connecting the conveyors to the frame ensures that the conveyors are fastened and able to carry lots of mines.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conveyors further comprise positioning means for limiting the mine position on an axis along the length of the conveyor both during storage on the conveyor and during conveying by the conveyor.

Mines placed on a conveyor can be transported along the conveyor by friction between the conveyor and the mine. The positioning means keep the mines spaced apart when stored, and ensures that the mines do not get into contact with each other if they slide on the conveyor. The friction between the conveyor and the mines might not be enough to move the mines if the container including the conveyor is tilted and thus the mines can start to slide. By having positioning means the mines’ sliding is minimized and stopped when a mine gets into contact with the positioning means as the positioning means are secured to the conveyor. The positioning means are spaced with a certain distance, such that a mine can be placed on the conveyor in between two positioning means with a space between the positioning means and the mine. Thus, the positioning means have the function to secure the mines in the length direction of the container such that mines do not slide in the length direction of the conveyor and to ensure that the mines are following the movement of the conveyor when the conveyor is activated to transport mines in or out of the container.

In one embodiment of the invention, the container system further comprising guiding means for limiting the movement of the mines in a transverse direction relative to the axis going along the length of the conveyors. The guiding means extend from the first end frame of the container frame to the second end frame of the container.

By having guiding means to limit the movement of the mines in the directions perpendicular or transverse to the axis going from the first end frame of the container to the second end frame of the container, the mines are secured to stay on the conveyor during storage inside the container. The only possible substantial movement of mines is along the conveyor when the conveyor is activated for transport of the mines. In one embodiment, the guiding means are formed as rails attached to the conveyor or container frame above a layer of mines. The rails are not in contact with the mines, but are placed near the mines, such that the movement of the mines is minimal before getting into contact with the rails. The rails could be made of metal or plastic to minimize the friction between the mines and the rails and the potential movement of the mines.

In one embodiment of the invention, the guiding means comprising rails integrated in the conveyors such that the guiding means for limiting the movement of mines on a first conveyor are integrated in a second conveyor positioned above the mines on the first conveyor.

By having the guiding means being rails integrated in the conveyors that are above another conveyor yield a compact system where the mines can be stored with minimal waste of space inside the container. Thus, the system can store more mines when the guiding means are rails integrated with the conveyors above the mines.

In one embodiment of the invention, the container system further comprises a launch container. The launch container being rectangularly shaped and adapted for launching mines. The inner volume of the launch container is defined by a container frame comprising an upper and lower surface frame, two side frames and two end frames. The launch container is for receiving mines through one end frame and launching them through the opposite end frame. The launch container comprises a transport conveyer and a launch ramp conveyer, wherein the transport conveyer receives mines through one end frame and transports the mines to the launch ramp conveyor. The launch ramp conveyor extends through the opposite end frame for transporting and launching the mines through the opposite end frame.

By having a mine launching system comprising a mine launching container, mines can be launched from the stern or side of a ship, manually or automatically. The launch container being rectangular will ensure that the launch container can fit the storage container and an elevator container. The conveyors are for transporting the mines forward towards the ramp. Here an operator or an automatic solution may prepare the mine for launch e.g. by pulling out a security split pin. The conveyor can also be a conveyor where the mines need to be moved manually. The ramp ensures that the mines are launched with a controlled velocity, thus a controlled speed and angle in relation to the container. The launch container system makes it possible to control the frequency of the mine launching. There is no limit on the minimum frequency and the maximum frequency is determined by how fast mines can be provided to the transport conveyor and how fast the mines can be prepared by one or more operators. In one embodiment of the invention, the container system comprises at least an end part of the launch ramp conveyor which is fastened in a pivotable manner, whereby the angle between the end part and the remaining conveyor can be adjusted.

By having all or an end part of the launch ramp conveyor being pivotable, the angle of the ramp can be controlled. The controlling system might comprise a gear motor or a hydraulic cylinder and a sensor for measuring the angle of the ramp compared to horizontal. The system can then adjust the angle such that the angle between the ramp and horizontal is constant while the angle of the container can vary.

Furthermore, the ramp can be rotated to fit inside the launch container for transport of the launch container. When the launch container is placed in the stern of a ship the ramp can be rotated back to a launching position, where the ramp extends out of the launch container.

An embodiment of the invention is an elevator container, the elevator container being rectangularly shaped and adapted for elevating mines. The inner volume of the launch container is defined by a container frame comprising an upper and lower surface frame, two side frames and two end frames and wherein the elevator container is for receiving mines through one end frame transporting the mines up or down vertically between the upper and lower surface frame and delivering the mines through one of the end frames. The elevator container comprises an elevator conveyer, wherein the elevator conveyer receive mines through one end frame, transports the mines to a different vertical position between the upper and lower surface frame and transports the mines through one of the end frames.

An embodiment of the invention is a container system comprising a launch container, an elevator container, and a storage container. The three containers having dimensions such that at least one end of each container can connect to the other containers in such a way that mines can be transported from one container to the other containers.

By having an elevator container containing an elevator for mines to be transported up and down makes it possible to receive mines from all layers in a storage container and transport the mines to the transport conveyor in the launch container to be launched from the ramp of the launch container. In one variant of the invention, the conveyors further comprising a supporting element at the second end of the container for supporting mines transported in or out of the container.

In one variant the conveyors further comprising a supporting element at the first end of the container for supporting mines transported in or out of the container.

The supporting element placed in the end of the conveyor will make sure that the mines stay in the same orientation when transported in or out of the storage container. There is a small gap between the conveyor in two storage containers placed next to each other where there is no conveyor. Thus, the mines may fall or get stuck in the gap between the two conveyors. To prevent this from happening a supporting element which could be a roller is placed in the end of the conveyor. This problem will at least be present for mines having a round cross-section seen from above. The roller may be placed in the second end of the storage container, the first end of the storage container or in both ends of the container.

In the following specific examples according to aspects of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms than depicted below, and should not be construed as limited to any examples set forth herein. Rather, any examples are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

Summary of figures

Fig. 1 illustrates a storage container storing mines in layers.

Fig. 2 illustrates conveyors and elements inside a storage container seen from the second end.

Fig. 3 illustrates a launch container. Fig. 4 illustrates a system of containers comprising a launch container, a buffer container, and a storage container.

Fig. 5 illustrates part of a ship having a flex deck for installing a minelaying system comprising launch containers, buffer containers, and storage containers.

Detailed description of the invention

One embodiment of the invention is a mine storage container 8 for a mine handling system. By a container is understood a module, container module, modular unit, or a similar construction made as units for transport and/or storage. Such units or containers may be stacked and connected. The word container will be used in this application, but the words module or modular unit could also have been used, as they are understood to be equivalent. A mine storage container 8 is illustrated in Fig. 1 and comprises a top frame 12, a bottom frame 13, two side frames 19, a first end frame 10, and a second end frame 11 . These frames are connected and constitute the storage container frame. All frames are rectangularly shaped such that the container has a rectangular shape. The storage container further comprises conveyors 16, positioning means 22, and guiding means 24.

The frame 20 of the storage container 8 is preferably made in standard sizes of cargo/shipping containers like the ISO 668 standard. Containers following the ISO standard are 2,438 m wide and have different length, where the normal lengths are 6,058 m and 12,116 m but containers can have other length as well. The main heights of the ISO standard are 2,438, 2,591 m and 2,896 m. In other embodiments the container frame 20 sizes are designed for special purposes like specific ships. The container frame is usually made of steel but can also be made of different metals or alloys like aluminum.

All sides of the containers described may be closed or open. A closed side could have a wall made of metal, plastic, cloth, or another material for making walls for a container. In the ends there can be doors as mines will be conveyed in and out of the end frames of the containers. The top and the bottom of the containers can be sealed permanently if desired.

The conveyors 16 are fastened to the frame 20 such that the conveyors are supported by the frame and fixed such that the conveyors can support a plurality of mines. The conveyors may be secured in multiple layers in order to store mines 18 in multiple layers. The conveyors 16 may be fastened with an equal spacing from the bottom frame of the storage container 8 to the top frame of the storage container 8. This spacing ensures that mines can be placed and kept at one conveyor 16 and other mines can be stored on another conveyor vertically above the first mines 18.

Some embodiments of this invention are designed to store and launch mines having a shape of a trapezoid or a cylinder. Other embodiments of the mine laying system may be designed and used for other types of mines with different shapes. A mine normally weighs between 100 - 2000 kg.

In order to transport mines in and out of a storage container 8, conveyors 16 are used. A conveyor is a well-known transporting device for moving articles along a path. The conveyors 16 used in this invention can be chain conveyors, roller conveyors, belt conveyors or a similar type of conveyors. When it is written that a conveyor is used, it could also be a combination of conveyors like the first part of a conveyor is a belt conveyor and the second part is a chain conveyor. Another variant may be a chain and a roller conveyor combined in one conveyor. All conveyors may have guiding means for fixating the mines to the conveyor.

In Fig. 1 a chain conveyor 16 is shown. By a conveyor 16 is understood a system that can transport articles placed on the conveyor along a path. This invention can have one conveyor extending from one side of the container to the other side of the container, two conveyors placed side by side from one side of the container to the other, or more depending on the size of the mines for storing. In Fig. 1 two conveyors 16 are placed side by side to hold mines in two rows along the length of the storage container 8, the length axis going from the first end frame 10 of the storage container 8 to the second end frame 11. The chain conveyor 16 has two chains i.e. one in each side of the conveyor, which are driven by a motor 14. The motor 14 could e.g. be electric and therefore power to drive it is needed. This power may be provided by an external cable being connected to the container such that the container can move mines automatically by activating motors 14. The mines are placed in contact with the two chains on the conveyor 16, such that when the chains are activated the mines follow the movement of the chains. If the storage container 8 has been tilted, mines could glide down the chains. To prevent this, positioning means are attached along the chain in each side of the conveyor, such that there is a small structure extending as a protrusion placed between each mine in order to push the mines from one end to the other of the storage container 8 when the conveyor is activated and when the conveyor is passive prevent the mines from gliding or slipping. If the conveyor were made with rollers, the rollers would be driven by the motor 14 and the friction between the rollers and the mines would ensure the mines would stay in place when the rollers were not activated and would follow the rollers when the rollers were activated. The conveyors shown in Fig. 1 are designed such that there are four layers of two conveyors. This could be any number of layers depending on the height of the container and the mines.

A view of a storage container 8 from the second end frame is shown in Fig. 2. One of the chain conveyors 16 comprises two chains 17. The chains 17 have positioning means 22 fastened on the chain 17 to ensure that mines 18 can be transported along the chains 17 when the chains 17 are activated by a motor 14. The positioning means 22 further have the function to keep the mines in place during transport and storage as the positioning means 22 secure the mines 18 in the length direction of the storage container 8. The length direction of a container is the direction between two end frames of the container. To secure the mines 18 in the two other directions, the first direction going from one side frame of the container to the other side frame of the container, and the second direction going from the top frame to the bottom frame of the container, the storage container has guiding means 24 vertically above the conveyor 16 and along the length direction. These guiding means 24 ensure that the mines 18 will be fixated when the storage container 8 is moved during loading/transport or movement during storage on a ship in high seas.

Multiple storage containers 8 can be connected such that the first end frame 10 of the storage container 8 is connected to the second end frame 11 of the other storage container 8 using e.g. twist locks. Containers can also be connected by fastening the containers to the floor of the deck side by side. When two storage containers 8 are connected, mines 18 from one container can be transferred to the other container without the use of connection tracks or support that needs to be installed between the conveyors 16. To ensure that the mines do not get stuck or drop down in between the two conveyors in the respective containers, all conveyors in the storage container 8 extend from the first end frame 10 of the storage container 8 to the second end frame 11 of the storage container 8 meaning that the ends of the conveyors 16 in the storage container 8 are very close to the ends of the container, this could be understood as under 5, cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, or under 25 cm from the end of the conveyor 16 and until the second end frame 11 of the container. This will prevent mines 18 from falling or getting stuck in between two storage containers 8. In one embodiment of the invention, a supporting structure like a roller is added to each end of each conveyor 16 for supporting the mines 18 when transferred from one storage container 8 into another storage container 8.

An illustration of a launch container 40 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 3. The launch container comprises a top frame 54, a bottom frame 47, two side frames 45, a first end frame 41, and a second end frame 43. All frames are rectangularly shaped such that the container has a rectangular shape. These frames are connected or integrated and constitute the storage container frame. The side frames may be completely open or have a door that can be opened at a position where an operator can handle the mines just before launching. Preferably the launch container has the same height and width as the storage container in order to be able to connect the containers in a simple way and the containers can be densely packed. The launching container comprises a transport conveyor 46 and the transport conveyor 46 has positioning means to ensure that mines 18 are moved when the transport conveyor 46 is activated. The transport conveyor could be chain conveyor, roller conveyor, belt conveyor or any standard conveyor for transporting items. For the chain transport conveyor, the mine would rest on the chains and friction between the mine and the chains ensure that the mines follow the chain. If the friction is not enough for the mines to follow the movement of the transport conveyor, positioning means 22 fastened to the chains are placed between each mine such that when seen from the second end 43 of the launch container, the cross-section of the mine overlap with the cross-section of the positioning means. A mine cannot move past a positioning means 22 in the length direction of the launch container, thus fixating mines completely on the launch conveyor 46. All conveyors in all containers may have positioning means 22. The mines are ready for inspection and preparation by the operators or a robot when the mines have been transported to the transport conveyor. After a last inspection of preparation the mines are ready to be laid or launched from the ship. The operators usually prepare the mines for being activated by pulling out a security split. This operation may in another embodiment be automatic and controlled by servo motors such that no operators are needed. The transport conveyor 46 has transport conveyor guiding means such that the mines 18 only can move along the length direction of the launch container which is understood as going from the first end 41 of the launching container 40 to the second end frame of the launching container 40. Furthermore, the launch conveyor has removable transport conveyor guiding means 56 placed in the middle between the two transport conveyors to make the launching container 40 usable with different types of mines, e.g. mines that are too large to be launched in two lines and thus needs to be launched in one line.

The frame of the launch container 40 is preferably made in standard sizes of cargo/shipping containers like the ISO 668 standard. Containers following the ISO 668 standard are 2,438 m wide and have different length, where the normal lengths are 6,058 m and 12,116 m but launch containers can have other length as well e.g. a part of the standard length when combined with an elevator container. The main heights of the ISO standard are 2,438, 2,591 m and 2,896 m. In other embodiments the container frame 20 sizes are designed for special purposes like specific ships. The container frame is usually made of steel but can also be made of different metals or alloys like aluminum.

All sides of the launch container may be closed or opened. A closed side could have a wall made of metal, plastic, cloth, or another material for making walls for a container. The ends of the container may be open such that the container is ready to connect to another container and transport mines in or out, at the ends of the container there may be doors as mines will be conveyed in and out of the end frames of the containers. The top and the bottom of the containers can be sealed permanently.

In one embodiment of the invention mines may be fastened to a tray that fits on the conveyors in the storage conveyor and the launch conveyor and can be fixated by the guiding means and the positioning means. The tray may be part of the mine or fastened to the mine. The tray will be launched together with the mine. By having removable guiding means in the launching container, multiple mine with different shapes can be transported from a storage container 8 to the ramp 44 safely also when the container is vibrated by e.g. being on a ship in high seas with large waves.

When mines are launched mines are transported from the transport conveyor 46 to a ramp 44, where the velocity of the mines may be controlled when laying the mines. A ramp 44 and a launch ramp conveyor are used interchangeably in the following. The launch ramp conveyor 44 may comprise free rolling rollers 50 and may further comprise controlled rollers 52. The ramp 44 may also be a belt conveyor or a chain conveyor. The ramp 44 can be divided in two parts, where the first part is pivotable around the end point of the first part and that end point is connected to the second part of the ramp. The second part of the ramp is stationary and connects the transport conveyor and the first part of the ramp. The ramp may only consist of one part that is pivotable around the point where it connects to the transport conveyor. The pivotable part of the ramp can be lowered such that it extends out of the launching container 40 when ready for launching mines, and it can fit inside the launch container when the launch container is transported. The velocity of the mines is controlled by having the first rollers of the ramp 44 being motorized rollers 52 such that the speed of these motorized rollers is controlled. All rollers in the ramp can also be freely rolling and the operator will give mines their initial speed when entering the ramp 44. The initial speed can be very small and the speed at the end of the ramp will then be controlled by the length of the ramp and the angle. When the mines leave the motorized rollers, the angle of travel for the mines is less than horizontal and thus the mines will gain speed due to the gravitational force. The angle of the ramp 44 is controlled by a gear motor or a hydraulic cylinder and thus pivotable around a point inside the launch container. This is to ensure that the mines 18 leave the ramp 44 with a defined and controlled velocity speed and angle. The position of the ship in the water depends at least on how the ship’s cargo is stored and the weather, therefore the ship’s trim is important for the velocity of the mines when laid from the launching container. Thus, the system uses sensors in a motion reference unit to measure the angle of the ramp/container continuously, such that the correction system can move the ramp to keep the desired angle of the ramp 44 compared to horizontally.

The launch container 40 may comprise an elevator 42. The elevator comprises an elevator conveyor for transporting and storing mines on the elevator. A motor may control how the elevator conveyor moves and is capable of transporting mines. The elevator conveyor may comprise positioning means just like the conveyors of the storage container. Likewise, the elevator conveyor may comprise guiding means for securing the mines on the elevator conveyor.

The elevator is constructed such that it can move the elevator conveyor up and down vertically. This may be by using a motor moving the elevator conveyor up and down by mechanical means, e.g. chains or gears. Fig. 3 illustrates a launch container having an elevator 42. The elevator does not need to be part of the launch container. The elevator 42 of the launch container is needed when the storage container comprises mines in multiple layers, thus when the storage container has conveyors in multiple layers.

The container handling system may further comprise an elevator container. The elevator container frame consists of a top frame and a bottom frame, two side frames and a first end frame 62 and a second end frame 64. All frames are rectangularly shaped such that the container has a rectangular shape. Preferably the elevator container has the same height and width as the storage container and the launch container to be able to connect the containers in a simple way and such that the containers can be packed densely where no space is unused.

The frame of the elevator container is preferably made in standard sizes of cargo/shipping containers like the ISO 668 standard. Containers following the ISO standard are 2,438 m wide and have different length, where the normal lengths are 6,058 m and 12,116 m but containers can have other lengths as well e.g. shorter than the standard length when combined with a launch container or a storage container. An elevator container may not need to be that long to be able to transport mines up and down. The main heights of the ISO standard are 2,438, 2,591 m and 2,896 m. In other embodiments the container frame sizes are designed for special purposes like specific ships and transport.

The container frame is usually made of steel but can also be made of different metals or alloys like aluminum. All sides of the containers described may be closed or opened. A closed side could have a wall made of metal, plastic, cloth, or another material for making walls for a container. The ends of the container may be open such that the container is ready to connect to another container and transport mines in or out the ends of the container and there may be doors as mines will be conveyed in and out of the end frames of the containers. The top and the bottom of the containers can be sealed permanently if desired.

The elevator container comprises an elevator 42, the elevator can move vertically up and down by the use of a motor 14. The elevator 42 is capable of moving to all heights corresponding to the heights of the conveyors 16 in the storage container 8. By being able to move to these heights, mines from all the layers in the storage container 8 can be transported to the transport conveyor 46 of the launch container 40. The elevator 42 may be positioned in the height of a conveyor 16 from the storage container 8 for receiving at least one mine 18. The elevator 42 has an elevator conveyor for receiving and moving mines. Moreover, the elevator may have guiding means for securing the mines on the elevator and to limit the movement of the mines along the length axis of the launch container. After loading one or more mines on the elevator 42 the elevator 42 is moved into the same level as the transport conveyor 46 to connect to the transport conveyor 46 and the mines can be transferred to the transport conveyor 46.

The elevator container can be connected in both ends of a storage container in order to be able to load mines faster into a launch container 40.

A container handling system may be comprised of any combination of containers for handling mines e.g. a storage container and a launch container. The containers may be coupled in many different ways due to the shape of the containers. The shape ensures that the end frames of each container are of equal size and that the end frames fit together. This provides a container handling system where mines can be transported by the conveyors from one container to another and thereby be launched from a launch container.

In an embodiment the container handling system comprises two storage containers and a launch container. The elevator is part of the launch container in this embodiment, alternatively the launch container has no elevator, and an elevator container is added to the container handling system as illustrated in Fig. 4.

In a preferred embodiment one launch container 40 having an elevator 42 and two storage containers 8 are used. The two storage containers 8 are connected in series such that mines can be transported into the launch container 40. The storage container 8 that transports mines directly onto the elevator 42 in the launch container 40 is called a buffer container 70. As mines are launched from the system, mines are transported from the buffer container 70 and into the launch container 40. The mines are transported from the elevator 42 onto the transport conveyor 46 by the elevator 42 moving to the same height as the transport conveyor 46 allowing the conveyors to be activated by motors 14 and the mines to be transported onto the transport conveyor 46. When the mines are positioned on the transport conveyor 46, an operator 50 or a robot can prepare the mines for launching off the ramp 44. This launching process can be controlled automatically or manually such that there at all times is minimum one mine ready for launching. When mines are used from the buffer container 70, one layer could be used at a time, thus at some point one layer will be completely empty in the buffer container 70. In order to always have mines ready to be launched from the launch container 40, a storage container 8 can be connected to the first end of the buffer container 70. Now mines from the storage container 8 can be conveyed into the buffer container 70 at the empty layer. Thus, the buffer container will always have mines ready to be transferred into the launch container 40 and mines 18 can be launched continuously. This method will empty the storage container 8 transferring mines to the buffer container 70 and the empty storage container 8 can be removed and a new storage container 8 filled with mines can be connected to the buffer container 70 while mines from the buffer container 70 are used. In this way the operator 50 will, as long as there are mines 18 left on the ship, always have mines 18 ready to launch.

A method for handling mines comprising a first and a second storage container, and a launch container having an elevator, the containers are connected in the following order: the first storage container, the second storage container, and the launch container, the method comprises the following steps:

Transporting a mine from the second storage container into the launch container. This can be done by activating the conveyors of the second storage container and the elevator conveyor of the launch container. The elevator conveyor of the launch container needs to be positioned at the same height as the conveyor supporting the mine to be transported. The container handling system for performing this method is illustrated in Fig. 4. and Fig. 5.

Elevating the mine on the elevator conveyor to the height of the transport conveyor of the launch conveyor.

T ransporting the mine to the transport conveyor of the launch container. This is done by activating the elevator conveyor and the transport conveyor. Inspecting the mine or activating the mine such that the mine is ready for launching.

Launching the mine through the end of the launch container using the launch ramp. This is performed by activating the transport conveyor and the ramp conveyor.

Repeating the above-mentioned steps until a layer of the second storage container is empty. Transporting mines from the first storage container into the second storage container such that the empty conveyors of the second storage container are refilled with mines.

Repeating the above-mentioned steps until the first storage container is completely empty.

Removing the first storage container and placing a new storage container full of mines instead of the first storage container.

Part of the steps may be optional e.g. an operator does not need to inspect mines before launching. By using this method, it is ensured that there are always mines for launching as the second storage container also called a buffer container is ensured to have mines ready for transporting to the launch container. When the first storage container is empty, a new one may as described replace the empty one and the steps of the method may be repeated. The buffer container will store mines as long as there are storage containers ready to connect and transfer mines to the buffer container. Thereby the time to replace a storage container connected directly to the launch container does not result in a downtime for launching mines.

This method may be used for additional mines if e.g. two mines are place in the containers side by side.

Another method for handling mines comprises the steps of:

Connecting two containers from a group of containers including storage containers and launching containers. The two containers are placed end to end such that mines can be transported directly from one container to the other. Conveying at least a mine from the first container to the second container. Optionally launching a mine from the second container.

The method may be for a container system of a storage container and a launch container connected. Mines can be transported from the storage container to the launch container and launched. The container system may be comprised of more than two containers e.g. 3 containers like two storage containers and one launch container.

The mine laying system or mine handling system comprising container units is for use on a ship 80. The ship 80 can either be designed to only lay mines, having one or more decks for only mine laying, or having one or more multipurpose decks using container units. These multipurpose decks may be called flex decks. An example of use of a flex deck is illustrated in Fig. 5. The ship may have two openings in the stern of the hull from where mines can be launched. A launch container 40 can be placed in each of the openings of the hull, and a buffer container 70 is connected to the launch container 40. There may be a system for moving storage containers 8 around on the flex deck such that all the mines can be transferred to the launch container 40 and launched.

The launching system comprising a launch container 40 and at least one storage container 8 can be controlled fully automatically such that mines are launched at a certain frequency or when e.g. a captain decides. Thus, no persons are needed in the process of launching mines using this system, and this enables the ship to launch mines from at least one storage container, and more if the ship has an automatic container movement system.

List of references

Below is a list of reference signs used in the detailed description of the present disclosure and in the drawings referred to in the detailed description of the present disclosure.

8 Storage container

10 First end frame of the storage container

11 Second end frame of the storage container

12 Top frame of the storage container

13 Bottom frame of the storage container

14 Motor

16 Conveyor

17 Chain for conveyor

18 Mine

19 Side frame of storage container

20 Frame of storage container

22 Positioning means

24 Guiding means

40 Launch container

41 First end frame of launch container

42 Elevator 43 Second end frame of launch container

44 Ramp

45 Side frame of launch container

46 Transport conveyor

47 Bottom frame of launch container

48 Pivotable link in ramp

50 Free rolling roller conveyors

52 Controlled roller conveyors

54 Top frame of launch container

56 Removable guiding means

58 Transport conveyor guiding means62 First end frame of elevator container

64 Second end frame of elevator container

70 Buffer container

72 Operator

80 Ship

81 Hull

82 Flex deck

84 End of the ship