EP1507311B1 - Deploying device for a towed antenna or a towed cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a feed for the antenna (8) or cable (10) that can be moved from an inactive position within the outer skin (3) of the boat (1) into an active position in which the guide is essentially arranged outside the outer skin of the boat. The guide is pivotably arranged, whereby there is an arrangement for pivoting it in and/or out. An independent claim is also included for a submarine with one or more inventive devices.

Description

The invention relates to a submarine with a device for deploying a towed antenna or a trawl cable under water according to the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

In submarines, it is state of the art to provide devices for launching towed antennas, trailing cables or the like underwater. Reference is made in this context to EP 0 124 133 B1 98123 / 486A and DE 196 52 737 C1. Such trailing antennas / trailing cables are integrated for numerous purposes in the submarine to then extended during operation or subsequently retracted. A distinction is made between submerged, emerging and floating antennas / cables. Such emerging towed antennas, which are brought to the water surface, are usually used for communication, navigation and monitoring. These towed antennas are positioned at the highest possible tow point of the trailing underwater vehicle, typically at the trailing edge of the submarine storm, to bring the towed antenna out of the traction hazard zone from the towing vehicle by the resulting draft angle.

In order to spend floating towed antennas, as they are typically provided for the sonar system of a submarine, without damage and without interference from the submarine achteraus in the towing zone, it requires a Ausbringpunktes should be below the propeller circle, so that the maneuverability of the U- Boat at deployed Antenna is not too limited, ie the risk that the antenna gets into the propeller, is as low as possible. Such trailing antennas are therefore typically arranged on preflurs of a rudder.

It is also state of the art to deploy such towed antennas over separately erected guide blocks to ensure a sufficient distance of the antenna to the propeller. However, such guide blocks have the disadvantage that they affect the flow profile of the submarine unfavorable and also generate a signature. However, if one refrains from such guide blocks, which adversely affect the hydrodynamic and acoustic properties of the submarine, then again there is the problem that the number of available application points limited in number and thus the use of such trailing antennas or trailing cables is limited.

Before this prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a generic submarine in such a way that a device for deploying a towed antenna or a trailing cable is created under water, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages, so that possibly a variety of trailing antennas to almost any Can be provided on the boat without significantly affecting the hydrodynamic and acoustic properties of the submarine.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description and the drawing.

The basic idea of the present invention is to provide a guide for an antenna or a cable which can be brought into at least two positions, namely into an inactive position in which it lies within the outer skin of the submarine and thus not the acoustic and hydrodynamic properties of the submarine significantly affected, and an active position in which the guide is located substantially outside the outer skin of the submarine and ensures that the towed antenna or trailing cable is guided with sufficient distance from the hull, so that the danger zone of the propeller can be reliably avoided, without unduly restricting the maneuverability of the boat.

The invention thus combines the advantages, as they are known from the known guide blocks on the outer skin of the boat, namely such that at virtually any point of the boat such a guide can be arranged and beyond the guide can be sufficiently long, to guide the towed antenna or towing cable at a sufficient distance from the hull. Although the guide according to the invention in its active position also produces a signature and also influences the hydrodynamic Egenschaffen of the submarine, but this is not a problem, since this is only given when the towed antenna or tow cable is extended and the boat anyway limited maneuverability and is capable of driving. It is essential, however, that when the towed antenna or the towing cable is retracted, ie in normal driving, the guide, when in its inactive position, is located within the outer skin of the submarine and thus the hydrodynamic and acoustic properties of the submarine not noticeable negatively influenced.

It is structurally advantageous if the guide is pivotally mounted, since then in the pivoted position, this is approximately parallel to the outer skin of the submarine and thus can be arranged to save space, especially in a submarine between pressure hull and outer skin. In the swung-out state, however, almost the entire length of the guide can be used to space the towing cable or the towed antenna from the boat. For pivoting in and out appropriate means are provided, typically a hydraulically or electrically operable lever mechanism which is controllable from the interior of the boat.

In order to allow the largest possible spacing of the towed antenna or trailing cable despite space-saving arrangement of the device within the hull, the guide is expediently formed telescopically according to a development of the invention.

To ensure that the guide remains in its active position, as long as the towed antenna or tow cable is extended, a locking device is provided, which fixation of the guide in at least one active position, preferably the end position or in any active position, d. H. allows any pivoting position.

In order to deploy the antenna or the cable with as little friction as possible and to be able to retract, a guide roller is advantageously arranged at the end of the guide, which is rotatably mounted and over which the antenna or the cable runs.

Preferably, the guide is not only fixed in its active position but also mechanically locked. Constructively simple, this can be done with the help of a corresponding lever mechanism, which is formed is that in the pivoted position, ie in the end position of the guide is a lock, preferably given by self-locking. Then, by external influences, such as flow influences swiveling in of the guide can not be done unintentionally.

Conveniently, the guide is formed by a support tube, which can receive the mechanical forces when pivoting in and out during operation, wherein within this support tube, a guide tube is arranged, in which the cable or the antenna runs. This guide tube expediently ends within the boat immediately before the boat fixed part of the towed antenna guide in the alignment of the guide tube is arranged. In this case, the guide tube is advantageously mounted axially movable within the support tube, wherein between the support tube and guide tube in an effective discharge direction spring, preferably a coil spring is arranged. As a result, load peaks can be intercepted when deploying or retracting the antenna or the cable, in which then the guide tube against spring force retracts briefly, whereas care is taken when extending that the outer end of the guide tube is spaced as far as possible from the hull.

In order to influence the hydrodynamic as well as the acoustic properties of the submarine as little as possible adversely even when the antenna or cable is extended, the support tube is advantageously clad with a streamlined profile. This aerodynamic profile can also be formed as a tube, for example as a cross-sectionally oval tube or even form a pre-set in the flow direction guide profile.

To ensure that in case of excessive loads caused by the extended towed antenna or the cable, the device is not mechanically is damaged, a separation device for severing the antenna or the cable is arranged near the boat-side end of the guide, in particular of the guide tube. This device is suitably controlled as a function of the force acting on the cable traction, but can also be activated from the boat interior, for example, if there is not enough time to retract the antenna or the cable and it is cheaper to quickly cut this.

In order to protect the guide and the mechanical / hydraulic and / or electrical components cooperating in connection with the guide against external influences during normal driving, the entire device is arranged in a housing which lies within the outer skin of the submarine and is closed on one side by this , The conclusion of this case is expediently formed by one or more flaps in the outer skin of the submarine, which are arranged so that after their pivoting sufficient clearance for the passage of the guide, in particular the pivoting of the guide is given.

It is particularly advantageous if the entire device is designed as a built-in module, d. H. including housing is arranged as an exchangeable functional unit. Then the device can be replaced quickly and easily in case of defects or for repairs. In addition, such a device can be retrofitted to existing submarines by such a modular construction, after a corresponding recess has been created in the outer skin.

Several of the devices according to the invention can be arranged on a submarine in order to be able to deploy a practically arbitrary number of towed antennas or trailing cables in this way.

Fig. 1

in stark vereinfachter schematischer Darstellung ein U-Boot mit vier Vorrichtungen zum Ausbringen von Schleppantennen,

Fig. 2

in vergrößerter schematischer Darstellung das Heck eines U-Boots und die Anordnung einer solchen Vorrichtung im Einzelnen,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeils III in Figur 2,

Fig. 4

in schematischer Darstellung in Seitenansicht mit einseitig offenem Gehäuse die Vorrichtung in inaktiver eingeklappter Stellung und

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung in aktiver ausgeklappter Stellung.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1

in a highly simplified schematic representation of a submarine with four devices for deploying towed antennas,

Fig. 2

in an enlarged schematic representation of the stern of a submarine and the arrangement of such a device in detail,

Fig. 3

a view in the direction of arrow III in Figure 2,

Fig. 4

in a schematic representation in side view with one-sided open housing the device in the inactive folded position and

Fig. 5

the device in the active unfolded position.

The submarine shown with reference to FIG. 1 consists in a manner known per se of an elongate hull whose core is formed by a cylindrical pressure body 2 (FIG. 2), which is covered with an outer skin 3, which in addition to the pressure body 2 also further Gets aggregates of the boat and gives the entire hull a hydrodynamically favorable shape. In the middle of the boat 1, a tower 4 extends upwards, at the rear there is a driven propeller 5, in the flow direction in front of the propeller, the rudders 6 are arranged, which are designed here as X-rudder.

The submarine 1 shown in Fig. 1 has near its top 3 devices 7 for deploying towed antennas 8 at the top and a device 9 for deploying a towed antenna 10 at the bottom. The towed antennas 8 are floating towed antennas typically intended for GPS, HF, VHF, UHF, EHF or SHF antennas. It can be provided here also any other antennas or sensory devices such as environmental sensors or EL INT antennas. In this case, the antenna or the sensor can also be arranged at the end of the auszubringenden cable or be formed by the cable itself, as is well known. As FIG. 1 illustrates, these floating antennas 8, in conjunction with the devices 7, are conducted away from the outer skin 3 of the submarine 1, so that there is no danger of them reaching the rear region, in particular the propeller 5.

As far as the device 9 on the underside near the stern of the boat 1, this is an underwater acoustic antenna, so a floating towed antenna. Alternatively, other floating or diving towed antennas or cable-guided devices can also be deployed here. The illustrations based on FIGS. 1 and 3 are to be understood as examples only.

All shown in Figs. 1 and 3 devices 7 and 9 are shown in the active position, d. H. in a position in which its guide the outer skin 3 is penetrating penetrated or swung out.

Such a device 9 with a towed antenna 10 is shown in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. This device 9 can be incorporated in the same way at the top of the submarine 1 and then forms a device 7, as shown in Fig. 1. Also a lateral arrangement is possible.

The device 9 has a substantially closed housing 11, which all inactive, d. H. comprises in a pivoted in the outer skin 3 of the submarine 1 position. The housing 11 forms both support body and protection for the device, however, similar to the outer skin 3 of the submarine 1 is not hermetically sealed, but can be flowed through within limits. The housing 11 is incorporated in a corresponding rectangular recess of the outer skin 3 and in this way firmly and permanently connected to the submarine 1. In this case, the device 9, which is integrated in the housing 11, forms a constructional unit which can be exchanged comparatively simply by separating the outer skin in this area. To the outside, the housing 11 is lockable by two pivotable flaps 12, so that when the device 9 (FIG. 4) and closed flaps 12 are in an inactive position, a substantially closed outer skin 3 is formed in this region.

The guide for the towed antenna 10 consists of a support tube 13, not visible in the figures, which ensures the mechanical stability of the guide. This support tube 13 is surrounded by a streamlined profile tube 14, which ensures that even when swung support tube 13, the flow resistance and the signature are minimized. Within the support tube 13 is coaxially thereto and slidably disposed a guide tube 15 in which the actual towed antenna 10 slides and runs. Between the support tube 13 and guide tube 15 is an axial, in Fig. 5 substantially the guide tube 15 downwardly urging coil spring is arranged, which braces the guide tube 15 relative to the support tube 13 and pushes outwards. This spring not only ensures that the guide tube 15 is subjected to force to the free end of the support tube 13, but also serves to intercept voltage spikes as they occur when the tensile force acting on the towed antenna 10 increases and acts to assist in deploying the towed antenna 10.

At the free end of the support tube 13, a guide roller 16 is rotatably disposed, via which the towed antenna 10 is guided. The deflection roller 16 is, as FIG. 5 illustrates, partially disguised by the profile tube 14 and is thus fluidly in the shadow of the profile tube. If necessary, the roller 16 can also be arranged pivotable about the axis of the guide, in particular of the guide tube 15, in order to be able to follow directional changes.

The consisting of support tube 13, profile tube 14, guide tube 15 and guide roller guide 16 of the device 9 is pivotally mounted within the housing 11, namely about a pivot axis 17th

The support tube 13 which is pivotally mounted about the axis 17 is fixedly connected to a lever arm 18, at the end of an intermediate lever 19 is hinged, which in turn is pivotally connected to one end of a pivot lever 20, the other end of the piston rod 21 of a Hydraulic cylinder 22 is acted upon. The pivot lever 20 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 23. In the retracted position of the piston rod 21 in the hydraulic cylinder 22 (Fig. 4) is the guide (13, 14, 15, 16) within the housing 11 within the outer skin 3 of the boat 1. To extend the guide, the first flaps 12 by a here Not described in detail hydraulic mechanism dumped, after which the hydraulic cylinder 22 is pressurized, so that the piston rod 21 extends. As a result, the pivot lever 20 is pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 4 into the position shown in FIG. 5, whereby the guide is pivoted into a position substantially perpendicular to the outer skin 3 via the intermediate lever 19 and the lever arm 18. Because with fully extended piston rod 21 due to the lever assembly no restoring moment can be applied to the pivot lever 20 via the guide, it is automatically locked in this pivoted position, namely by self-locking the lever assembly. Only by retracting the piston rod 21, the guide can be pivoted again.

In the pivoted-out position (FIG. 5), the end of the guide tube 15 located within the housing 11 ends at a small distance and in alignment with a housing-fixed guide tube 24, through which the towed antenna 10 is fed to the device 9. How this guide can look in detail is shown by way of example in FIG. There, an actual antenna-carrying winch 25 is arranged in the upper part of the hull between pressure hull 2 and outer skin 3, from there the towed antenna 10 is guided via a deflection roller 26 to the device 9.

In the area of the guide tube fixed to the housing 24, a separating device 27 is provided, with which the towed antenna 10 can be cut off when it can not or should not be retracted or when the Zugkraft going from the towed antenna exceed a predetermined level.

Fig. 2 illustrates on the basis of the angle α, which angle the towed antenna 10 to horizontal (longitudinal axis of the boat) may take without getting into the propeller 5. This angle α is thus also a measure of the maneuverability of the boat when the antenna is extended.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 -

submarine

2 -

pressure vessels

3 -

shell

4 -

tower

5 -

propeller

6 -

rudder

7 -

devices

8th -

trailing antenna

9 -

contraption

10 -

trailing antenna

11 -

casing

12 -

fold

13 -

support tube

14 -

section tube

15 -

guide tube

16 -

idler pulley

17 -

swivel axis

18 -

lever arm

19 -

intermediate lever

20 -

pivoting lever

21 -

piston rod

22 -

hydraulic cylinders

23 -

swivel axis

24 -

guide tube

25 -

winch

26 -

idler pulley

27 -

separating device

α -

angle

Claims (13)

1. A submarine (1) with a device for deploying a towed antenna (8, 10) or a towed cable below water with a guide (13-16) for the towed antenna or for the towed cable, characterised in that the guide (13-16) has two positions, and specifically an inactive position lying essentially within the outer skin (3) of submarine, and an active position in which the guide (13-16) is arranged essentially outside the outer skin (3) of the submarine and ensures that the towed antenna (8, 10) or the towed cable is guided at a distance to the submarine body.
2. A submarine according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide (13-16) is arranged in a pivotable manner, wherein means (18-23) are provided for pivoting the guide (13-16) in or out.
3. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide (13-16) is designed in a telescopic manner.
4. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that means for fixing the guide (13-16) in at least one active position, preferably in any active position are provided.
5. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a guide roller (16) is rotatably mounted at the free end of the guide (13-16), via which the antenna (8, 10) or the cable runs.
6. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a drive (21, 22) as well as a lever mechanism (18, 19, 20) acted upon by this, are provided for pivoting the guide (13-16) in or out in a manner such that the guide (13-16) in the pivoted-out, active position is locked, preferably by way of self-locking.
7. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide (13-16) is formed by a carrier tube (13) in which the guide tube (15) accommodating the cable or the antenna (8, 10) is arranged.
8. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide tube (15) is movably mounted within the carrier tube (13) in an axially limited manner, and a spring which is effective in the deployment direction, preferably a helical spring, is arranged between the carrier tube (13) and the guide tube (15).
9. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier tube (13) is cased with a streamlined profile (14).
10. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a separating device (27) for severing the antenna (8, 10) or the cable is arranged at the submarine-side end of the guide (13-16), in particular of the guide tube (15).
11. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device is arranged in a housing (11) which lies within the outer skin (3) of the submarine (1).
12. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one cap (12) is provided in the outer skin (3) of the submarine (1) for the passage of the guide (13-16).
13. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device is designed as an installation module.

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