EP1167181B1 - Container for storing and launching underwater objects - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a storage and discharge container for underwater swimming and immersion bodies, which are outside the pressure hull of submarines, preferably in the upper deck structure, individually or in containers, arranged are.

Containers for this purpose are u. a. known from DE 24 54 738. These are Located outside the pressure hull of submarines below the waterline. The containers are designed as a welded construction, the leadership of the Armament is adopted by slide rails, which are on welding studs are arranged. To manufacture the caliber, the slide rails be machined or be executed adjustable, further is the Machining of sealing surfaces Connecting pieces and bushings required.

From DE 32 09 401 is a underwater start and drainage device for torpedoes known to be on the outside of movable floats or stationary girders in Holding devices and are also located below the waterline. each Drain pipe is attached to a holding device by means of clamping bands and Tensioning device are mounted on the circumference of an underwater vehicle. Furthermore, buoyancy bodies for neutralizing the weight of the drainpipes intended. The execution of the containers and the guidance of the armament is with the containers according to DE 24 54 738 comparable.

Such trained containers require a considerable in their manufacture mechanical effort. By welding distortions can form and Measurement inaccuracies occur. The introduction of welding bolts or Foundations for guide rails is just for small-caliber armaments problematic. Another disadvantage is the high weight of the container and the relatively large amounts of the weapon enveloping, corrosion-protective Liquid (sheath water) off. This will be the center of gravity of the Hull influenced, especially when attaching the container outside the Pressure hull of submarines.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the solutions known from the prior art.
This object is achieved by the Gengenstand of claim 1.

According to a particularly preferred feature of the inflow pipe is closed in the rear cap by a sealing element. This sealing element is pulled out of the inflow and out through the container during the ejection of the weapon by the suction and Nachströmvorgang. In this case, the full cross-section of the inflow opening of the container is released.
Thus, the ejection speed of the weapon can be increased.
According to a further feature of the container consists of fiber-reinforced plastic, which has high strength values with low weight, wherein the guide rails are formed in the inner wall of the container housing. As a result, the dimensions can be reduced and the Hüllwassermenge be significantly reduced. The smaller shape is made possible by the approach of the guide rails to the gun barrel. The threaded bushings and flange bushings are arranged directly in the container housing.

According to a further feature of the invention, a plurality of containers are in one Containers are grouped and stored in a container scaffold in the area of Upper deck structure of submarines arranged above the waterline. The Container scaffolding is pivotally mounted with the container. The storage of the Container framework is according to a preferred feature of the invention with Provided locking devices that are alternately activated and allow different pivoting movements with a swivel cylinder.

In addition to the corrosion resistance of the material fiber-reinforced plastic result in manufacturing advantages due to the freer design. This allows the container optimally to the armament and a to be integrated Output system can be adjusted. The same modeled on the container Guide rails have only a small amount. This results in the advantage that very little the weapon enveloping liquid is required and the Container dimensions can be kept small, creating a significant Weight saving is achieved. When combining several containers in Containers can thus be achieved a high packing density.

In addition, the material of the container is suitable for the integration of Connectors, Finished Fill, Test and Vent Connections as well as finished bushings for hydraulics and electrics. manufacturing technology is to achieve a high repeatability for the container.

The containers can be collected individually or in containers Depot loaded and fully prepared for use. The exchange Whole container on submarines is easily accessible at the pier or by one Accompanying boat possible during use.

Another advantage of the invention is that the arrangement of the container due to the weight saving over the waterline is possible. Submarines will be slightly unstable if there is too much weight above the waterline (Focus, stability). The arrangement over water is imperative to to ensure the loading over water. This is so far in any known submarine possible.

Figur: 1

Längsschnitt durch einen Lagerbehälter mit Ausstoßeinrichtung und Bewaffnung,

Figur: 2

Ansicht auf den hinteren Teil des Lagerbehälters,

Figur: 3

Ansicht auf den vorderen Teil des Lagerbehälters,

Figur: 4

Querschnitt des Lagerbehälters etwa gemäß IV-IV in Fig. 1,

Figur: 5

Längsschnitt durch ein U-Boot mit Druckkörper, Waffenrohren und Oberdeck,

Figur: 6

Querschnitt durch die Oberdeckstruktur mit Druckkörper, Container mit Lagerbehältem und Containergerüst mit Schwenkzylinder etwa gemäß VI-VI in Fig. 5,

Figur: 7

Ansicht auf die Oberdeckstruktur etwa gemäß VII-VII in Fig. 6,

Figur: 8

Querschnitt durch die Oberdeckstruktur mit Druckkörper, Container mit Lagerbehältern und Containergerüst mit Schwenkzylinder etwa gemäß VI-VI in Fig. 5,

Figur: 9

Ansicht auf die Oberdeckstruktur etwa gemäß IX-IX in Fig. 8.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. In the drawings show:

Figure: 1

Longitudinal section through a storage container with ejector and armament,

Figure: 2

View on the rear part of the storage container,

Figure: 3

View on the front part of the storage container,

Figure: 4

Cross-section of the storage container approximately according to IV-IV in Fig. 1,

Figure: 5

Longitudinal section through a submarine with pressure hull, weapon tubes and upper deck,

Figure: 6

Cross section through the upper deck structure with pressure hull, container with storage containers and container frame with swing cylinder approximately according to VI-VI in Fig. 5,

Figure: 7

View of the upper deck structure approximately according to VII-VII in Fig. 6,

Figure: 8

Cross section through the upper deck structure with pressure hull, container with storage containers and container frame with swivel cylinder approximately according to VI-VI in Fig. 5,

Figure: 9

View of the upper deck structure approximately according to IX-IX in Fig. 8.

In the illustration according to FIG. 1, the storage container 1 made of fiber-reinforced plastic is loaded with a weapon 2. To eject the weapon 2, an ejection device 3 is arranged on the storage container 1. In the ejection tube in addition to the object to be ejected a tube of relatively small diameter is integrated, in which a piston is displaceable by means of applied pressure medium, said tube is slotted in length and through the slot protrudes an associated with the piston driver approach, the direct or over engages a driving arm on the object to be ejected. During the movement of the piston, the slot in the small tube is sealed by a seal which lies within the tube and is pressed by the piston and the pressure medium advancing the piston from the inside to the slot. The drive of the piston in the slotted tube can be done directly by compressed air from an air bottle, which is located outside of the ejection tube. As part of the ejection device 3, a slotted cylinder 4 is integrated in the storage container 1. The storage container 1 is filled with glycol 5, which ensures a corrosion-protected, frost-proof storage of the armament.
The ejector should manage with small amounts of pressure media to be used, do not require depth-dependent control and are characterized by extensive surge.

The rear part of the storage container 1 is shown enlarged in FIG. The rear closure forms the closure lid 6, the storage container. 1 screwed. For this purpose, 1 stud bolts 10 are integrated in the storage container. The Sealing takes over the seal 9. By the in the production of the Storage container 1 achievable surface quality, the advantage is created that on a costly machining of the sealing surface can be dispensed with can.

In the closure cap 6, the inflow opening is arranged with the sealing element 7 is closed in a simple manner. The sealing element 7 is floating, is held outwardly by the circumferentially arranged pins 8 and of inside supported by the fluid pressure of the glycol 5. When the weapon 2 is fired the sealing element 7 by the occurring suction and Nachströmwirkung from the Inflow out and pulled out of from the storage container 1. Thereby the full opening of the inflow cross section is achieved.

Another advantage is the integration of finished flange bushings 12, with bushing 13 for hydraulic, electrical and other Supply, test and measuring lines completed without further processing can be.

The front part of the storage container 1 is shown in FIG. In the embodiment it is sealed with a membrane 15, which by a locking ring 14th is held. The membrane 15 compensates for thermally induced changes of pressure and volumes. Here are the benefits, such as the renunciation of Processing of sealing surfaces, the incorporation of studs 10 and finished machined threaded bushes 11 in the base material of the storage container 1, full to the validity. The threaded bushes are used to properly fill the Storage tank 1 with glycol 5 and for venting. You can without further Machining steps closed with commercially available screw plug 16 become.

From Fig. 4, the cross section IV-IV of Figure 1 can be seen. Here are clearly the advantages of the freer shape to recognize. The storage container 1 can be geometrically optimally adapted to the weapon 2 and the conditions of the ejection device 3, here to the slotted cylinder 4 belonging to the ejector. The guide rails 29 are modeled from the base material of the storage container 1, they therefore have only a small amount, whereby the amount of Hüllwassers is significantly reduced and the dimensions of the storage container 1 are kept small. The guide rails 29 also achieve such a dimensional accuracy that can be dispensed mechanical machining of the caliber.
The above improvements make it possible for storage containers 1 to be packaged in containers 23 at a high packing density and low weight, which are relatively easy to handle and can thus easily be exchanged for submarines. FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a submarine. In the upper deck structure 21, above the waterline 20, container scaffolds 22 port and starboard for receiving containers 23 are arranged with storage container 1. Due to the arrangement above the waterline 20, it is necessary that the weapons 2 are stored in the storage container 1 frost-proof in glycol 5. Furthermore, the pressure body 17, the weapon tubes 18 and the foredeck 19 are shown.

The cross section VI-VI in front of the container frame 22 through the upper deck structure 21 is shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8. The container frame 22 is pivoted in Condition arranged flush with the outer ship. For this purpose, part of the outer structure 28 mounted on the container frame 22. To swing up the Container frame 22 is a freely movable in rod ends 27 mounted Swivel cylinder 24 arranged on the pressure body 17. The corresponding Bearings and guides for the container frame 22 are in the upper deck structure 21 provided.

The container frame can be swiveled both vertically and horizontally become. This is the storage of the container scaffold with two each Locking devices 25 u. 26 which are activated alternately can. For the takeover and delivery of containers (see Figure 6) is the To activate locking device 25, for pivoting to fire the Weapons (see Figure 8), the locking device 26 must be activated. hereby the advantage is created that for both movements only one Swing cylinder is required. The sections VII-VII of Figure 6 and IX-IX of FIG 8 are shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, respectively, and show the associated views the upper deck structure.

List of reference numbers used

1

Storage container (made of fiber-reinforced plastic)

2

weapon

3

ejector

4

slotted cylinder

5

glycol

6

cap

7

sealing element

8th

pen

9

poetry

10

stud

11

threaded bushing

12

Flanschdurchführung

13

By guide socket

14

lock ring

15

membrane

16

Screw

17

pressure vessels

18

barrel

19

forecastle

20

waterline

21

Upper deck structure

22

container scaffolding

23

Container (with storage container)

24

swing cylinders

25

Locking device for the takeover / delivery of containers

26

Locking device for firing the weapons

27

joint head

28

outer structure

29

guide rails

Claims (9)

1. Receptacle for storing and ejecting underwater swimming and diving objects, especially weapons, which may be secured as spatially separate units to the body of a boat and have a device (3) for ejecting the weapons (2) which is arranged on the receptacles (1), the receptacles (1) being designed tubular and being closed on both sides equalising the pressure, and the weapons (2) being stored in the receptacles (1) in a corrosion-inhibiting, frost-resistant liquid (5) and the weapons (2) being guided by guide rails (29), characterised in that a slit cylinder (4) is integrated in the receptacles (1) as part of the ejection device (3), and in that the receptacles may be placed in the region of the upper deck structure (21) of the boat body, the rear portion of the receptacles (1) being configured as a feed connection piece which is closed by means of a sealing element (7) arranged in a sealing cap (6), the sealing element (7) being mounted floating and being supported towards the outside by pins (8) mounted on the circumference and from the inside by the pressure of the liquid (5).
2. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterised in that it is arranged in the region of the upper deck structure (21) above the water line (20) of the boat body, especially of a submarine.
3. Receptacle according to one of the above-mentioned claims, characterised in that the sealing element (7) in the feed connection piece may be removed when the weapon (2) is ejected and releases the full feed cross-section of the receptacle.
4. Receptacle according to one of the above-mentioned claims, characterised in that it is formed from fibre-reinforced plastics material, the guide rails (29) being integrally formed in the inner walls of the receptacle housing and threaded bushes (11) and flange lead-throughs (12) being arranged in the receptacle housing.
5. Receptacle according to one of the above-mentioned claims, characterised in that the corrosion-inhibiting, frost-resistant liquid (5) is glycol.
6. Receptacle according to one of the above-mentioned claims, characterised in that the front portion of the receptacle (1) is sealed with a membrane (15).
7. Receptacle according to one of the above-mentioned claims, characterised in that a plurality of receptacles (1) may be combined in a container unit (23) and be arranged in a container frame (22) in the region of the upper deck structure (21) above the water line (20) of the boat body, especially of a submarine.
8. Receptacle according to claim 7, characterised in that the container frame (22) with the container unit (23) is mounted so as to swivel.
9. Receptacle according to claim 8, characterised in that the arrangement of bearings for the container frame (22) is provided with locking devices (25, 26) which may be actuated alternately and make possible different swivelling movements with a swivelling cylinder (24).

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