DE102018202340A1 - Underwater vehicle for on-site assembly as needed - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an underwater vehicle for on-site needs-based assembly with a skeleton body, which has a drive receiver, a first module receptacle and a body member forming an outer contour, wherein the body member comprises a body element volume, wherein the body element volume substantially comprises a foam.

Description

The invention relates to an underwater vehicle for on-demand assembly with a skeleton body, which has a drive receptacle, a first module receptacle and an element forming an outer contour, wherein the body element comprises a body element volume.

Unmanned underwater vehicles exist essentially in two forms, the so-called AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicle). In contrast to the AUV, a ROV is supplied with power, control data and the like by means of a cable and, if necessary, data can be exchanged.

The construction of such unmanned underwater vehicles is very complex and costly. In addition, such unmanned underwater vehicles are designed for a particular use or unmanned underwater vehicles are used, which have a variety of uses and are then used accordingly for use.

In particular, for one-off missions complex unmanned underwater vehicles, which can realize a variety of functions, inappropriate, since possibly some functionalities in use need not be resorted to.

The object of the invention is to improve the state of the art.

The object is achieved by an underwater vehicle for needs-based on-site assembly with a skeletal body, which has a drive receptacle, a first module receptacle and an outer contour forming body element, wherein the body element comprises a body element volume and the body element volume substantially comprises a foam.

Thus, an unmanned underwater vehicle can be adaptively assembled to the desired deployment scenario on-site (for example, on a ship). Thus, different controls, sensors or different battery capacities can be introduced depending on any mission conditions in the underwater vehicle.

A core idea of the invention is based on the fact that large parts of the body element volume are formed by foam. Thus, an extremely inexpensive and easy to manufacture AUV can be provided.

In the event that a flexible foam is used, in addition, the space can be equipped differently and the foam is correspondingly displaced by compression while providing a certain fixation. If a dimensionally stable foam is used, an enclosure can be omitted. In addition, the foam remains substantially dimensionally stable at different water depths.

In addition, this underwater vehicle is significantly more cost efficient and can be easily assembled on site.

The following concept is explained:

An "underwater vehicle" is in particular an unmanned underwater vehicle. These unmanned underwater vehicles include both AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicle). In contrast to the AUV, an ROV generally carries a cable through which power, data and control signals are exchanged.

The "on-site assembly" includes, for example, that a person on board a ship according to a mission, the components of the underwater vehicle composed. If only a short duration of use is required, for example, only a small battery can be used, which, for example, significantly reduces the weight compared to a standard battery otherwise common.

Through the "skeleton body" a structure can be provided, into which modules are inserted in order to realize the desired functionality. For this purpose, the skeleton body has appropriate recordings in which the modules or other components can be inserted. Thus, the skeleton body forms a frame around which the underwater vehicle is trained or built.

A "drive receiver" is in particular a device which receives the actual drive units, such as propellers or the like. For example, this drive receptacle can be formed by fins, to which particular propellers are then added.

To accommodate a module, the underwater vehicle has a "first module recording". In this module recording, for example, the drive control and / or the power supply can be inserted.

Furthermore, the skeleton body can have a bus system via which, for example, information or energy is exchanged between the individual components and modules.

The "body element" essentially forms the space in which the modules are arranged protected. Here too, different body elements can be used, depending on how much installation space for the individual modules and components must be available. The body element can be designed in several parts, wherein essentially the body element forms a streamlined shape, so that the hydrodynamic properties of the underwater vehicle are optimized.

The "outer contour" is in particular that which is in contact with the water from the outside.

The "body element volume" formed by the body member is essentially the inner part of the underwater vehicle. This provides in particular the installation space for corresponding modules and other components.

"Foams" are in particular artificially produced substances with a cellular structure and low density. Almost all plastics can be used for this purpose. Foam comprises both closed-cell foam, in which the walls between the individual cells are completely closed, as well as open-cell foam, the cell walls of which are not closed and can therefore possibly absorb liquids. Thus, mixed foams are also provided which provide both types of cells. In addition, in the present case, integral foams are also included, which have a closed, mostly thick outer skin and a cellular core, wherein in most cases the density decreases inwards. The foams can be both compressible or dimensionally stable. In the present case, dimensionally stable foams are preferably used.

In addition, the term foam also includes metallic foams in the present case. Metal foam is usually understood to mean a porous metallic material. Such metal foams are usually made with powder and a metal hydride. Search can be used so-called composite metal foams (CMF, Composite Metal Foam).

In one embodiment, the drive receiver of the underwater vehicle has an underwater drive. This underwater drive is, for example, a propeller, whereby nozzles and the like are also included. This allows the underwater vehicle to move independently in the water.

In order to supply the underwater vehicle with different modules, the skeleton body can have a second module receptacle, a third module receptacle and / or further module receptacle. In this case, for example, one of the module holders for an active or passive sonar, a further module holder for the power supply, a third for the drive control and a fourth used for data evaluation.

Thus, the first module holder may have a first module and / or the second module holder may have a second module and / or the third module holder may have a third module and / or the further module holders may have further modules.

Thus, an adaptive system is available with which, according to the given requirements, an underwater vehicle can be assembled on site, for example a ship.

In order to prevent water from reaching the modules or other components via the body element, the body element may have an outer shell. This outer shell is for example a metal or a closed plastic. Particularly simple, this outer skin can be realized by painting with a paint, for example based on polyurethane. The resulting (flexible) outer skin can absorb particularly easily light shocks, as this gives the outer skin and prevents injury to the outer skin. A rubber material or a plastic film can also form the outer skin.

In one embodiment, the modules can be arranged in closed containers and the other components can be wetted by the water or also "flooded" accordingly.

In another embodiment, the body member consists of two composable parts or four composable parts. In the present case, of course, other numbers of composable parts can be used, with two and four have proven to be particularly effective.

As a result, for example, the skeleton in the recordings can be provided with the corresponding modules, and the two half-shells, which together form the body element, form the underwater vehicle by joining them together and thereby centrally receiving the skeleton body.

In order to manufacture the underwater vehicle simply and inexpensively or to make it available at low weight, the skeleton body can essentially consist of a lightweight material, in particular plastic, in particular a composite material such as GRP or CFRP, or wood, in particular plywood. Plywood in particular has at least three layers of wood, the fiber orientation are glued or pressed at an angle of 90 °. As a plastic, for example, POM (polyoxymethylene) or other plastic materials can be used with or without fiber reinforcement due to their high rigidity. In the present case, plastic also means composite materials. Known composite materials, called composite materials, are glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) or carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP).

Of course, aluminum or titanium can also be used as a lightweight material.

In order to compensate for the low density which forms due to the foam used, the foam or even the underwater vehicle as such may have weighting elements or the like. For example, the foam may comprise spheres of glass or metal which increase the relative density of the underwater vehicle.

• 1 eine stark schematische Darstellung eines halb geöffneten AUVs in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht.

Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. It shows

• 1 a highly schematic representation of a half-opened AUVs in a perspective side view.

An AUV 101 has a fiberglass skeleton 103 on. In the back of the fiberglass skeleton 103 are GFK fins 105 arranged. At these GFK fins 105 are propellers 111 attached in such a way that the AUV 101 can be driven in the water. In addition, the fiberglass skeleton has 103 a first module recording 107 , a second module recording 113 and a third module recording 115 on.

In the first module recording 107 is a battery module 127 arranged. In the battery module 127 a rechargeable accumulator is introduced, which the propellers 111 and other components of the AUV to be electrified 101 energized for an hour.

In the second module recording 113 is the control module 133 arranged. This control module 133 evaluates data of a sonar module 135 which is in the third module recording 115 is arranged and works on a propulsion plan propulsion plan AUV 101 from.

The control module 133 and the sonar module 135 are by means of a GRP beam 153 with the fiberglass skeleton 103 connected. The battery module 127 is also over a GRP beam (not shown) on the opposite side with the plywood skeleton 103 connected.

One with a metallic outer skin 141 coated foam body 109 is already with the fiberglass skeleton 103 connected. Its outer skin 141 Provides optimal hydrodynamic conditions for the AUV and protects the battery module 127 , Control module 133 , and the sonar module 135 in front of invading water.

A second outer skin coated foam body (not shown) which is complementary on the other side terminates the AUV.

Alternatively, the foam bodies are painted with a polyurethane paint. As a result, a flexible outer skin has formed, which is substantially not penetrated by surrounding water.

About the handle 143 The AUV can be hauled into the water manually or by crane, and start its mission.

Thus, composing an AUV is 101 very easy on site. To the fiberglass skeleton 103 become the propellers 111 arranged at the designated places. These are connected via a bus system with a likewise introduced control module. In addition, the battery module 127 and the sonar module 135 inserted. Subsequently, the modules 127 . 133 . 135 by means of the GRP beam 153 and the GRP beam, not shown, firmly with the fiberglass skeleton 103 connected. Subsequently, from both sides with metallic outer skin 141 or alternatively polyurethane foam coated foam body 109 at the AUV 101 appropriate. Due to the fact that the foam body has an incompressible foam on the inside, the outer contour at substantially different water depths and thus different pressures remains substantially true to form. Thus, an adaptive on-site AUV 101 be assembled according to a mission plan.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

101

AUV

103

Skeleton made of fiberglass

105

Fin made of GRP

107

first module recording

109

with metallic skin or with a polyurethane layer coated foam body

111

propeller

113

second module recording

115

third module recording

127

battery module

133

control module

135

Sonar module

141

metallic outer skin

143

Handle

153

GRP beams

Claims (9)

Underwater vehicle (101) for on-site assembly as needed with a skeletal body (103) having a drive receptacle (105), a first module receptacle (107) and an outer contour forming body element (109), wherein the body element comprises a body element volume, characterized characterized in that the body element volume substantially comprises a foam. Underwater vehicle after Claim 1 , characterized in that the drive receiving an underwater drive (111). Underwater vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skeleton body has a second module receptacle (113), a third module receptacle (115) and / or further module receptacles. Underwater vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first module receiving a first module (127) and / or the second module receiving a second module (133) and or the third module receiving a third module (135) and / or the further module receptacles further Have or have modules. Underwater vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body element has an outer shell (141). Underwater vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body element consists of two composable parts or four composable parts. Underwater vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skeleton body consists essentially of a lightweight construction material, in particular plastic, in particular composite material, or wood, in particular plywood. Underwater vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foam comprises a foamed plastic and / or a foamed metal material. Underwater vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foam has a weighting element or a plurality of weighting elements.

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