MARINE MINE FIRE CONTROL MECHANISM

Abstract

A control system for a magentic submarine mine adapted to be fired automaally upon the approach of a vessel and in which the possibility of premature detonation of the mine by a minesweeper is substantially reduced. For example, some of the magnetic mines being laid in a particular mine field may be set so that after several actuations by a minesweeper a few of the mines will be exploded, the remaining mine field requiring a larger number of signals before detonation. By varying the number of signals before a mine is detonated the particular mine field after being swept is still considered lethal because many of the mines are left in the armed condition and others awaiting to be armed by subsequent minesweeping or the passage of vessels, as the case may be.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order