Underwater vehicle with improved jet pump propulsion configuration

摘要

An underwater vehicle such as a torpedo has a jet pump propulsion system. A high speed pump is located inside a rigid cylindrical housing of the torpedo near an end thereof. A water inlet communicates with the pump as does a water outlet provided at the aft end of the rigid housing via a water passage. A high speed electrical motor, on the order of 10, 000 rpm, is provided inside an inner cylindrical housing disposed within the outer cylindrical housing. The electric motor is provided aft of the pump and the electric motor shaft is directly coupled to the pump rotor. Only one bearing and one water seal is provided between the electric motor and pump rotor. A water exit passage is provided between the inner cylindrical housing containing the high speed motor and the rigid outer cylindrical housing. Water passing through the exit passage cools the electric motor by dissipating heat therefrom. Motor control electronics can be provided immediately aft of the high speed electric motor, in which case water passing through the exit passage also serves to cool the motor electronics by dissipating heat therefrom.