EP1580117B1 - Method for filling the decoy-startertubes with fluid. - Google Patents

Abstract

The filling process involves reporting an intended volume for filling the starter tube (2) with effector (4), then reporting an intended filling the amount for fluid (10) and filling the effector-start tube up to a vent (34), out of which the fluid flows. The event is then closed and the remaining intended filling amount fills the tube, as a leveling body (8) expands.

Description

The invention relates to a method for filling effector starter tubes with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1 and a filling device for carrying out this method.

For torpedo defense modern submarines are equipped with decoys, so-called effectors, which may be fired against these torpedoes if necessary. The launch takes place from effector starter tubes of various launch containers, in the interior of which the effectors are stored.

During operation, the effectors may be exposed to different environmental influences. Thus, for example, the effectors, which are stored in near-top launch container, depending on the season and / or application be exposed to frost or high temperatures.

To protect the effectors from corrosion or other environmental influences, certain effectors must be embedded in a corrosion and anti-freeze agent in the effector starter tubes, depending on the design of the launch containers and their position on the hull. For this purpose, the corresponding starter tubes are filled after loading with the effectors with a protective medium, typically glycol.

The effector starter tubes have a balancing diaphragm at the end remote from the firing port, through which changes in the internal pressure of the starter tubes, as e.g. can be compensated by an ambient pressure increase during diving or by temperature-induced changes in volume of the glycol.

If too much or too little glycol is present in the starter tube, the expansion or contraction of the glycol is so great at corresponding temperatures that the compensating membrane is overstretched or even destroyed by the fluid pressure.

The glycol is flushed out of the starter tube through the damaged membrane and replaced by incoming seawater at the next dive, resulting in corrosion damage to the effector and ultimately total failure. Also, the seawater that has penetrated into the starter tube could be exposed to such low temperatures in a submerged submarine that the water freezes and tears the starter tube due to the strong ice expansion.

Therefore, the amount of glycol must be precisely metered, which makes the filling, which is currently manual, very difficult.

Against this background, the present invention has the object to provide a method for filling effector starter tubes with liquid, which reliably excludes damage to the membrane by overstretching in subsequent operation and subsequently to provide a filling device, which operates according to this method and allows a precisely metered filling of the starter tubes and simplifies the task of filling. The procedural part of this object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. A filling device, which according to the erfindurigsgemäßen Method is defined by the features of claim 5.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims of the following description and the drawings.

In the method according to the invention for liquid filling of effector starter tubes, a desired filling volume is first determined on the basis of the starter tube to be filled and the effector therein and then a desired filling quantity of liquid is determined. Subsequently, the effector starter tube is filled until liquid emerges at a vent opening. The vent opening is closed and the still missing nominal filling quantity is filled into the starter tube with the expansion of a compensating body provided on the starter tube.

Before filling the starter tube, the desired filling volume is first determined. This is necessary because the starter tubes to be filled are in terms of their tube length and tube inner diameter, i. can differ in terms of their internal volumes. The effectors with which the starter tubes are loaded can vary in terms of their dimensions. Correspondingly, the nominal filling volumes of the effector starter tubes loaded with effectors also vary.

The determined nominal filling volume of the starter tube forms the basis for determining the required nominal filling quantity of liquid, which is generally glycol. The nominal filling quantity should be dimensioned so large that the effector is embedded in the starter tube for all conceivable during use of the submarine environmental influences in the liquid and pressure and temperature differences are compensated by the balancing body.

The filling of the starter tube with the liquid takes place via a feed opening in a closure flap arranged at the mouth of the starter tube, at which a bleed opening is also provided. Through the vent escapes during filling, the air in the starter tube, since it is displaced from the starter tube by the incoming liquid. Once all the air has been expelled from the starter tube, liquid will escape from the vent. The vent opening is closed and the liquid still missing to reach the desired filling quantity is filled into the starter tube with expansion of a compensating body provided on the starter tube.

Advantageously, the desired filling volume is calculated or determined on the basis of previously stored values. The nominal filling volume results as the difference between the inner volume of the empty starter tube and the volume of the effector with which the starter tube is loaded. This difference or the desired filling volume can be recalculated for each combination, consisting of effector and effector starter tube before filling or, after it has been calculated once, are stored in tables and read from these tables or be read from an electronic memory.

The type of filler is expediently chosen as a function of the starter tube to be filled, the effector therein and / or the expected conditions of use.

The launch container is exposed to winter temperatures other than summer. The same applies, for example, to the expected frost when used in the vicinity of the polar and the use in areas with a temperate climate, where near-launch launch containers may be exposed to strong sunlight. These different environmental conditions by selecting a suitable filler with appropriate Freezing and corrosion protection capabilities and thermal expansion behavior taken into account.

Before filling the starter tubes, the temperature of the filling liquid is determined and determines the desired filling amount of the liquid as a function of the temperature, the temperature coefficient of the liquid and the desired filling volume. The temperature of the filling liquid, which is stored in a tank before filling the starter tubes, can vary within a temperature range of for example 5 ° to 35 °. These temperature differences may, depending on the temperature coefficient of the liquid used, lead to a volume change of this liquid of more than 2%. For this reason, the thermal expansion behavior of the filling liquid is taken into account with the aid of its temperature and temperature coefficient in addition to the desired filling volume in determining the desired filling quantity.

For carrying out the method described above, a filling device, in particular for filling effector starter tubes, is provided. This has at least one liquid tank, conveying means, means for determining the desired filling quantity, a display and operating unit and control means for filling with the desired filling quantity.

Before filling the starter tubes, the filling liquid is stored in a liquid tank. If different starter tubes are to be filled with different liquids or with mixtures of different liquids, it may be expedient to provide several liquid tanks in which these liquids are stored separately.

The liquid tank is advantageously connected to conveying means, which preferably has a feed pump, a feed line arranged between the feed pump and a starter tube feed connection, and one on one Return line of the starter tube arranged return line.

The feed pump pumps the liquid out of the liquid tank and directs it through a feed line into the respective connected and to be filled effector starter tube. For this purpose, a starter tube inlet connection to which the supply line is connected is provided on a closure flap arranged on the outlet side of the starter tube.

In addition to the starter tube inlet connection, the closure flap also has a return connection, on which a return line is arranged. Due to the return line, the air displaced by the inflowing filling liquid can escape from the otherwise closed starter tube.

If all the air has been expelled from the starter tube, the supplied filling liquid can also flow out of the starter tube through the return connection and the return line connected to it. In order to prevent a drainage of filling liquid, an electrically controllable shut-off valve is expediently provided on the starter tube end of the return line, which shuts off the return line as soon as liquid exits the starter tube.

In order to detect this, a liquid sensor is expediently provided on the starter tube-side end of the return line which, when wetted by returning filling liquid, changes its electrical property, which is detected by the electronic control to which it is connected and a blocking valve activating the shut-off valve Signal outputs.

In order to ensure the most accurate and the requirements of filling the starter tube, it is in a development of Invention provided to detect the temperature of the filling liquid before filling and to determine the target filling amount, taking into account this temperature and the temperature coefficient of the filling liquid. For this purpose, means for detecting the liquid temperature are provided on the filling device, preferably in the liquid tank, for example in the form of a temperature sensor, which is arranged in the liquid tank and which is connected to the electrical control device.

To check the flow rate of the filling liquid, a flow meter is expediently provided in the feed line. The values determined by the flow meter for the flow rate are compared with the desired filling quantity, so that the feed pump can be switched off when the desired filling quantity is reached.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling device is incorporated in a support frame, preferably in a container, which is designed to be movable. Thus, the filling device can be moved close to the starting containers of the submarines to be filled.

Advantageously, the filling device has an electronic control. This first determined on the basis of the starter tube to be filled and the effector therein, a desired filling volume. The effector and starter tube type may be conveniently communicated to the controller via an input module. In the controller, these inputs are then processed by the controller from the calculated nominal filling volume or this value from an electronically stored table all possible combinations effector / effector starter tube takes over.

Subsequently, the control determines, taking into account the temperature, the type and the temperature coefficient of the filling liquid, a desired filling quantity of liquid. For this purpose, the temperature sensor described above connected to the controller and transmits the temperature of the filling liquid to the controller.

The type of liquid can preferably be communicated to the controller via the input module, so that the controller can determine the associated value for the temperature coefficient from a table stored in it. Alternatively, the temperature coefficient can also be entered directly via the input module or the controller can be connected to a further measuring system which measures further substance and / or transport properties of the liquid and determines the type of liquid or its temperature coefficients from these values.

From the values for the temperature and the temperature coefficient of the liquid as well as the previously determined nominal filling volume, the controller calculates the nominal filling quantity of filling liquid. Thereafter, the controller controls the filling process in which it turns on the feed pump and automatically shuts off when the target filling quantity is reached.

For connecting the supply and return line of the filling to the supply and vent of the starter tube, coupling means are advantageously arranged at the free ends of the supply and return line, which are arranged with corresponding coupling means which are arranged at the supply and the vent opening of the starter tube correspond. As coupling systems, all hose or pipe couplings are conceivable with which the supply and return lines can be connected to the supply and ventilation openings. However, preferred are quick coupling systems, such as threaded couplings, which allow quick and easy coupling and uncoupling and in which one or both coupling partners are equipped with check valves that open when coupling and release the flow path and close the flow path when uncoupling, so that no coolant can flow out of the starter tube and / or out of the supply and return line.

The invention is explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in a drawing. The figure shows a schematic diagram of a connected to an effector starter tube filling device.

The figure shows an effector starter tube 2 that is loaded with an effector 4. The mouth of the starter tube 2 is sealed with a flap 6. At the end of the starter tube 2 facing away from the closure flap 6, a compensation membrane 8 is arranged, which is preferably a long-stroke roll membrane.

In order to protect the effector 4 against freezing and corrosion damage, the starter tube 2 is filled with a liquid 10 so that the effector 4 is completely embedded in this liquid 10. The liquid 10 is generally a glycol. For filling, an inlet connection 12 is arranged on the closure flap 6 of the starter tube 2. At this inlet connection 12, a feed line 14 is connected, which connects the starter tube 2 with a liquid tank 16, in which the filling liquid 10 is stored. On the liquid tank 16, a temperature sensor 18 is arranged, which projects into the liquid 10. This temperature sensor 18 measures the temperature of the liquid 10 located in the liquid tank 16 and passes the measurement result via a measuring line 20 to a control and operating unit.

The control and operating unit has in addition to an electronic control on a control module on which displays, displays, a keyboard and switches can be arranged. The filling device is switched on at the operating module and then the type of starter tube 2 to be filled, the effector 4 used and the type of filling liquid 10 used are entered via an operating menu.

From the data entered for the type of effector starter tube 2 and the effector 4, the electronic control determines the nominal filling volume of the starter tube 2 to be filled. Furthermore, the controller determines their temperature coefficients on the basis of the type of filling liquid 10. Subsequently, the controller calculates from the nominal filling volume, the temperature coefficient and the temperature of the filling liquid 10 transmitted by the temperature measuring sensor 18 the nominal fill quantity of filling liquid 10.

The electronic control is a programmable logic controller (PLC) but can also be designed as a microprocessor system or in some other suitable manner as an analog control.

After the controller has determined the nominal filling quantity of the filling liquid 10, it controls, via a control line 24, a drive motor 26 of a feed pump 28, which is arranged within the feed line 14. The delivery pump 28 pumps the liquid 10 from the liquid tank 16 into the starter tube 2. During filling, the liquid quantity is monitored by a flow meter 30 arranged in the feed line 14 between the feed pump 28 and the feed connection 12, which receives the quantity of liquid 10 that has flowed through it transmitted via a control line 32 to the controller.

The feed pump 28 conveys the filling liquid 10 into the starter tube 2. The incoming liquid 10 displaces the air present in the starter tube 2. For discharging the air, the closure flap 6 of the starter tube 2 has a return connection 34, on which a return line 36 is arranged, via which the air can escape from the starter tube 2. If the air is completely displaced from the interior of the starter tube 2, the filling liquid 10 also flows through the return connection 34 into the return line 36. In the return line 36 near the return port 34, a liquid sensor 38 is arranged, which reports this leakage of the filling liquid 10 of the electronic control via a control line 40. After the sensor signal of the liquid sensor 38 has been received, the control 23 causes the blocking activation of a solenoid valve 44 arranged in the return line 36 between the liquid sensor 38 and the return connection 34 via a control line 44:

The filling process is continued by the liquid 10 is filled with expansion of the arranged on the starter tube 2 compensation membrane 8. During filling, the controller 23 constantly compensates the flow rate values transmitted from the flow meter 30 with the target fill level. Corresponds to the measured flow rate of the target filling amount, the controller 23 switches off the drive motor 26 of the feed pump 28, the filling process of the effector starter tube 2 is completed. The connection lines 14 u. 36 can from the terminals 12 u. 34 are removed.

The return port 34 and the inlet port 12 on the shutter 6 are each equipped with not shown in the figure screw couplings with check valves that automatically open when connecting the supply line 14 and the return line 36 and upon removal of the lines 14 u. 36 close automatically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 -

Decoy starter tube

4 -

effector

6 -

flap

8th -

compensation membrane

10 -

liquid

12 -

inflow connection

14 -

supply line

16 -

liquid tank

18 -

Temperature sensor

20 -

Measurement line

24 -

control line

26 -

engine

28 -

feed pump

30 -

Flowmeter

32 -

control line

34 -

Return connection

36 -

Return line

38 -

liquid sensor

40 -

control line

42 -

control line

44 -

magnetic valve

Claims (12)

1. A method for filling decoy starter tubes (2) with fluid, with which firstly a nominal filling volume is determined by way of the starter tube to be filled (2) and the decoy (4) located therein, then a nominal filling quantity of fluid (10) is determined, and the decoy starter tube (2) is filled until fluid (10) exits at a bleed opening (34), whereupon the bleed opening (34) is closed and the nominal filling quantity which is still lacking is filled into the starter tube (2) amid expansion of a compensation body (8) provided on the starter tube (2).
2. A method for filling decoy starter tubes (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the nominal filling volume is computed or is determined by way of previously evaluated values stored in a tabular manner.
3. A method for filling decoy starter tubes (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the type of filling agent (10) is selected in dependence on the starter tube (2) to be filled, the decoy (4) located therein and/or the expected deployment conditions.
4. A method for filling decoy starter tubes (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature of the fluid (10) is determined, and the nominal filling quantity of the fluid (10) is determined before the filling, in dependence on the temperature, the temperature coefficient- of the fluid (10) as well as the nominal filling volume.
5. A filling device for filling decoy starter tubes (2) according to a method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, with at least one fluid tank (16), with delivery means (14, 26, 28, 36), with means for ascertaining the nominal filling quantity, with a display- and operating unit, and with control means for filling with the nominal filling quantity.
6. A filling device according to claim 5, characterised in that the delivery means comprise a delivery pump (28), a supply conduit (14) arranged between the delivery pump (28) and a starter tube supply connection (12), and a return conduit (36) arranged on the return connection (34) of the starter tube (2).
7. A filling device according to claim 6, characterised in that a flowmeter (30) is provided in the supply conduit (14).
8. A filling device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that a preferably electrically controllable shut-off valve (44) is provided in the return conduit (36).
9. A filling device according to one of the claims 6 to 8, characterised in that a fluid sensor (38) is provided at the end of the return conduit (36), on the starter tube side.
10. A filling device according to one of the claims 5 to 9, characterised in that means for detecting the fluid temperature (18) are provided.
11. A filling device according to one of the claims 5 to 10, characterised in that the filling device is incorporated in a support structure, preferably in a container, which is designed in a travelling manner.
12. A filling device according to one of the claims 5 to 11, characterised in that an electronic control is provided, which firstly determines a nominal filling volume by way of the starter tube (2) to be filled and the decoy (4) located therein, and then a nominal filling quantity of fluid (10) is determined in dependence on the temperature, the type and the temperature coefficient of the fluid (10), and the filling procedure is controlled accordingly.

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