EP2008930B1 - Device for storing and starting at least one submersible body in a submarine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for storing and starting at least one submersible in a submarine with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Military submarines usually have exhaust pipes through which torpedoes can be discharged into the water surrounding the submarine. The inner diameter of the exhaust pipes is matched to the caliber of the ejected torpedoes.

For ejecting submerged bodies which have a deviating from the inner diameter of the ejection tube, ie smaller outer diameter describes DE 41 26 064 C1 an ejection device which can be introduced into the ejection tube. This ejection device comprises at least one tubular storage container from which the immersion body can be started. Due to their design, the ejector can be traversed by water only to a very small extent. This is disadvantageous in particular when starting a submerged body and in the case of shock loading of an irrigated ejection device.

At the DE 41 26 064 C1 known ejection device can flow water when ejecting a submersible only very slowly behind the immersion body. As a result, the ejection speed of the immersion body is slowed down considerably. In a shock load is located by the water located within the ejector the Shock load transmitted almost undiminished to the immersion body. Another disadvantage of dating DE 41 26 064 C1 known ejection device is that only certain immersion bodies can be stored and ejected with an outer diameter predetermined by the inner diameter of the storage container.

Out DE 515 969 C is known an insert tube, which makes it possible to eject torpedoes of a smaller caliber via a torpedo tube for torpedoes of a larger caliber. The neck tube, which may consist of a tube or optionally of two spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the neck tube pieces, has an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of a mounted therein torpedo. For discharging the torpedo mounted in the insert tube serves a pressurizable piston with compressed air. This pushes the torpedo and the surrounding water out of the exhaust pipe. The neck tube must be sealed to the environment for this purpose. On the outside of the insert tube support beams, guide rails and centering rings for supporting the insert tube in the torpedo tube larger caliber are arranged.

Against this background, the invention has the object to provide a means for storing and starting at least one submersible in a submarine, can be safely stored with the immersion body of different cross-sectional dimensions and reliably ejected.

This object is achieved with a device for storing and starting at least one submersible in a submarine with the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

The device according to the invention for storing and starting at least one immersion body in a submarine has an ejection tube, in particular a torpedo tube, guided through the pressure body of the submarine. In addition, the device has a supporting structure for supporting and guiding the immersion body in the ejection tube and means for starting the immersion body from the ejection tube. According to the invention, the supporting structure is designed to be open in such a way that a space between the ejection tube and the immersion body which can be flowed through substantially freely in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis is formed.

By means of this embodiment of the structure, a space for located in the ejection tube water is created, in which the water can escape, for example, a shock load of the submarine, creating the risk of damage to the device for storing and starting the immersion body and the immersion body itself is significantly reduced by a water hammer. Expediently, the freely flow-through space between ejection tube and immersion body extends as far as possible over the entire length of the ejection tube, so that the free-flowable space from the ejection opening or mouth of the ejection tube to behind an immersion body mounted in the ejection tube forms a flow path permeable in the longitudinal direction of the ejection tube. This ensures at an expiring from the ejection tube immersion body, that a sufficient amount of water can flow over the freely permeable space to behind the immersion body, so that no further design measures for water flow during ejection are required.

Other advantages of the open design of the structure for storing and guiding the immersion body represent the resulting low weight of the structure and the good accessibility of the arranged in the support frame submersible and means for starting the immersion body. So it is particularly simple, the structure of the Submersible pressure vessel into or out of the ejector tube. Also, the assembly, the loading of diving bodies and the maintenance of the device are facilitated by the open design of the structure.

According to the invention, the ejection tube, as usual with torpedo tubes, aligned in the submarine substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and both pressure-side and at its mouth pressure-tight closed. The support structure for supporting and guiding the immersion bodies is preferably designed such that a plurality of immersion bodies can be arranged in it. In this case, the immersion bodies in the supporting structure can be arranged behind and / or next to one another with respect to their longitudinal extent. To protect against shock are expediently between the structure and the inner wall of the ejection tube provided damping elements. These damping elements can be attached to both the structure side and the discharge tube side. The means for starting the immersion body are basically arbitrary. Preferably, the means for starting the immersion body on a piston with driver, wherein the piston is moved by the application of a pressure medium for ejecting. Such an arrangement is in DE 41 26 064 C1 described.

The support structure for supporting and guiding the at least one immersion body has at least one longitudinal member which is connected to at least two spaced-apart cross members. The longitudinal beam can have a plurality of recesses across its length to improve the flowability of the support frame transversely to its longitudinal extent. About the longitudinal beam and the associated cross member, the structure can be supported on the inner wall of the ejection tube. Preferably, however, it is provided that the supporting structure is supported only by means of the cross member on the inner wall of the ejection tube. For this purpose, the cross member advantageously form bearing surfaces whose contours are adapted to the cross-sectional contour of the ejection tube.

Preferably, the cross member are formed by ring elements, which are arranged on the side member such that they surround the side member. Accordingly, the at least one longitudinal carrier is guided by at least two ring elements and fastened to its inner peripheral surface. Advantageously, the longitudinal member may be formed, for example, as a double-T-carrier, whose two opposing flanges are connected to the inside of the ring elements. Expediently, the ring elements have an outer diameter which corresponds to the clear width of the ejection tube.

In order to store and guide immersion bodies with different cross-sectional shapes and cross-sectional sizes in the supporting structure of the device according to the invention, the supporting structure according to the invention has at least one guide which can be adapted to different submerged cross sections. The guide forms support and guide surfaces whose position relative to each other is adjustable so that immersion bodies of various sizes and cross-sectional shapes can be brought to bear on these surfaces and can be safely held in a storage position.

For this purpose, the guide particularly advantageously has a plurality of, preferably four, guide elements which can be brought into abutment against the circumference of a submersible body mounted in the guide. These guide elements can be attached both to the longitudinal member and to the cross members. In a preferred embodiment, in each case two guide elements are arranged to form a guide for a submersible body both on the longitudinal member and on the cross members. One of these guide elements can be firmly connected to the structure, while the other guide elements are adjustable with respect to their position in the structure. The guide elements form guide surfaces which are aligned in the ejection direction of the immersion bodies.

In order to store the structure of the device according to the invention as well as the therein stored at least one immersion body in the ejection tube shock elastic, are formed on the inner circumference of the ejection tube advantageously gas pressure sprung bearing. With these gas pressure suspension supports shock loads that act essentially transversely to the longitudinal extent of the ejection tube can be damped. The supports are preferably designed and arranged such that the ejection tube can flow freely between them in the longitudinal direction of the ejection tube.

The supports are preferably formed by guide surfaces which are mounted on compressed-gas-exposed tubular bodies. Here, a hose body is to be understood as meaning any gas-fillable and at least partially flexible hollow body. Preferably, however, the tube body is designed to be elongated tubular. On the inner wall of the ejection tube a plurality of such with a compressed gas, preferably air, filled tube body may be mounted spaced from each other. At the sides of the hose bodies which are joined to the interior of the ejection tube, the guide surfaces are arranged at a distance from the inner wall of the ejection tube. The tubular body and the guide surfaces mounted thereon expediently extend in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the ejection tube.

The gas pressure in the hose bodies is advantageously controlled as a function of the pressure prevailing in the ejection pipe. Thus, in this embodiment of the device according to the invention, a pressurized gas supply is provided with which the gas pressure in the hose bodies can be adjusted at a discharge pipe open to the surroundings of the submarine depending on the ambient pressure or the depth. In this case, the gas pressure in the hose bodies, taking into account the weight of the structure supported on the hose bodies and the ambient pressure, are expediently controlled such that the supporting structure can sufficiently deflect under a shock load.

Another development of the device according to the invention provides that in the ejection tube in an end portion spaced from an ejection opening an elastic damping element is arranged. This damping element is advantageously designed such that it can absorb the forces acting in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the ejection tube on the structure shock forces.

Preferably, the damping element is formed by a ring tube. The annular tube is expediently pressurized with a compressed gas, preferably air. For this purpose, the tubular body provided as part of the supports for the supporting structure can advantageously be conductively connected to the annular hose.

In order to be able to adjust the expansion of the tubular bodies in the radial direction of the ejection tube, the tubular bodies can preferably be prestressed with cables. In this case, a plurality of ropes on the inner wall of the ejection tube and on the other hand on the arranged in the radial direction of the ejection tube on the hose bodies guide tracks can be attached to the two normal to the inner wall of the ejection tube outer sides of the hose body. On the ropes, at least one cable terminal is preferably provided, with which the length of the ropes is adjustable.

Fig. 1

eine Einrichtung zum Lagern und Starten zumindest eines Tauchkörpers in einer teilgeschnittenen Längsansicht,

Fig. 2

die Einrichtung nach Fig. 1 in einer teilgeschnittenen Draufsicht,

Fig. 3

die Einrichtung nach Fig. 1 in einer Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie III - III in Fig. 1 und

Fig. 4

eine Einzelheit IV aus Fig. 3.

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

Fig. 1

a device for storing and starting at least one immersion body in a partially sectioned longitudinal view,

Fig. 2

the device after Fig. 1 in a partially sectioned plan view,

Fig. 3

the device after Fig. 1 in a sectional view along the section line III - III in Fig. 1 and

Fig. 4

a detail IV off Fig. 3 ,

The in the Fig. 1 to 3 illustrated device 2 is designed for storing and starting four submerged bodies 4. These submersible bodies 4 may be, for example, underwater rockets, marine mines or effectors. The device 2 has a cylindrical ejection tube 6. This ejection tube 6 is guided by the pressure body 10 of a submarine and both at its outside of the pressure body 10 arranged mouth by a cover not shown in the drawing and at its end located in the pressure body 10 by a cover 9 pressure-tight closed. After opening the cover 9 8 stored immersion body 4 can be spent in the discharge pipe 6 in a supporting structure. The ejection tube 6 and the support structure 8 are dimensioned so that the ejection tube 6 is suitable both for receiving the structure 8 as well as for receiving a torpedo, not shown.

The structure 8 is formed by a longitudinal member 12 and a plurality of cross members 14 in the form of ring elements 14. The ring elements 14 are arranged distributed over the length of the longitudinal member 12, wherein they surround the longitudinal member 12. The outer diameter of the ring elements 14 corresponds to the clear width of the ejection tube 6.

The longitudinal member 12 is formed as a double-T-carrier. Accordingly, the longitudinal member 12 has a web 16, on whose two outer sides in each case a flange 18 extends transversely to the web 16. About the flanges 18 of the longitudinal member 12 is connected to the inside of the ring elements 14. For better flow through the structure 8, the web 16 distributed over its entire length recesses 20 ( Fig. 1 ). The recesses 20 allow an unimpeded exchange of water from one side to the other of the longitudinal member 14. In addition, the recesses 20 reduce the weight of the structure 8 and can contribute to ease of assembly.

Both on the longitudinal member 12 and on the ring elements 14 guide elements for supporting and guiding the immersion body 4 are arranged, which are displaceable and lockable for Einstellzwecken. Thus, 16 guide elements in the form of guide rails 22 and 24 are provided for supporting and guiding a first submersible body 4 on an outer side of the web 16 and on the outside of the web 16 opposite inner side of the ring member 14 two guide elements in the form of guide rails 26 and 28 are provided. Here, the guide rail 22 is arranged on a substantially transversely to the web 16 cantilevered support 30 and the guide rail 24 disposed on a likewise substantially transversely to the web 16 cantilevered support 32. While the guide rail 22 on the carrier 30 is adjustable transversely to the web 16, the guide rail 24 is rigidly mounted on the support 32, wherein the carrier 32 is adjustable with the guide rail 24 arranged thereon on the web 16 in the direction of the two flanges 18. The ring element-side guide rail 28 is rigidly arranged, whereas the guide rail 26 is displaceable on the inside of the ring element 14. The displaceability of the guide rails 22, 24 and 26 makes it possible that the guide rails 22, 24, 26 and 28 can be brought to immersion bodies 4 with different cross-sectional size and cross-sectional size to the plant.

Similarly, on the outside of the web 16 facing away from the guide rails 22, 24, 26 and 28, a guide rail 34 is displaceably arranged on a carrier 36 projecting substantially transversely to the web 16 and a guide rail 38 is arranged on a carrier 40, which is also substantially protrudes transversely to the web 16 and on the web 16 in the direction of the two flanges 18 is displaceable. At the guide rails 34 and 38 opposite Inside the ring member 14 is a guide rail 42 slidably and a guide rail 44 is rigidly arranged.

In addition to the immersion bodies 4, the means for starting the immersion bodies 4 are arranged in the supporting structure 8 of the device 2 according to the invention. These are ejection devices 46, which are each assigned to an immersion body 4 and are fastened to the ring elements 14 of the structure 8 below the immersion bodies 4. These ejectors 46 have a driver, which acts on the rear side of the plunger 4, wherein the driver is coupled in motion with a movable in the ejection direction of the plunger 4 piston. The driver is moved hydraulically. The hydraulic device required for this purpose comprises piston accumulator 48, which are likewise arranged below the immersion bodies 4, a bladder accumulator 50 and a return reservoir 52 for the hydraulic fluid. The bladder accumulator 50 and the return container 52 are arranged in the region of the end of the structure 8 on the longitudinal member 12, which faces the cover 9 of the ejection tube 6 in the structure 8 introduced in the ejection tube 6. The ejector 46 substantially corresponds to the prior art. Therefore, the ejector 46 and the hydraulic components piston accumulator 48, bladder accumulator 50 and return tank 52 will not be discussed in detail below.

In addition to the inclusion of the guides for the immersion body 4 and the ejection devices 46, the support frame 8 is also formed for receiving further in the drawing for the sake of clarity, not shown equipment items. For example, the side member 12 offers the possibility of mounting fiber optic coils, cable separators and similar equipment.

The ejection tube 6 of the device 2 according to the invention has four gas-pressure-sprung supports 54 on its inside ( Fig. 4 ), which are equally spaced from each other, ie offset by 90 ° are arranged on the inner circumference of the ejection tube. The supports 54 are formed by tubular bodies 56 which rest on the inside of the ejection tube 6 and extend substantially over the entire length of the ejection tube 6 in its longitudinal direction. On the inside of the ejection tube 6 facing outside of the hose body 56, a strip 58 is initially arranged in each case, on which in turn a second strip 60 is arranged. The inside of the ejection tube 6 facing outer sides of the strips 60 form the guide surfaces for the structure 8 or for a torpedo. The strips 60 are preferably made of plastic, while the strips 58 are preferably steel strips.

The hose bodies 56 are connected to each other and with a provided in the region of the lid 9 annular tube 61 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) line connected. The annular tube 61 forms a damping element which can optionally absorb shock forces acting in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the ejection tube 6. The gas pressure in the hose bodies 56 and the annular hose 61 can be adjusted via a control device, not shown in the drawing, as a function of the pressure prevailing in the ejection pipe.

Compared to the hose body 56 as well as against the strips 60, the strips 58 have a greater width. The strips 58 are arranged between the tubular bodies 56 and the strips 60 so that they project beyond the tube body 56 and the strip 60 in both circumferential directions of the ejection tube. At these two cantilevered areas of the strips 58 are distributed over the entire length at regular intervals, ropes 62 attached, which are also attached to the ejection tube 6. The attachment of the ropes 62 takes place via cable terminals 64 and 66, which are respectively provided at the two ends of the cables 62. Thus, the cable terminals 64 are screwed into discharge pipe side threaded bushings 68. The other cable terminals 66 are each guided by the bar 58 and bolted to the side facing away from the inner wall of the ejection tube 6 side of the strips 58 with nuts 70. With the aid of the nuts 70, the effective lengths of the cables 62 can be changed and so the tube body 56 are biased. In this way, the expansion of the hose body 56 and, concomitantly, the position of the guide surfaces for a supporting structure 8 or a torpedo in the radial direction of the ejection tube 6 can be adjusted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Facility

4

immersion

6

discharge pipe

8th

Structure

9

cover

10

pressure vessels

12

longitudinal beams

14

Cross member, ring element

16

web

18

flange

20

recess

22

guide rail

24

guide rail

26

guide rail

28

guide rail

30

carrier

32

carrier

34

guide rail

36

carrier

38

guide rail

40

carrier

42

guide rail

44

guide rail

46

ejector

48

piston accumulators

50

bubble memory

52

Return tank

54

In stock

56

tube body

58

strip

60

strip

61

ring tube

62

rope

64

cable terminal

66

cable terminal

68

threaded bushing

70

mother

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for storing and launching at least one submersible body (4) in a submarine, having an ejecting tube (6), in particular a torpedo tube, guided through the pressure hull (10) of the submarine, having a load-bearing structure (8) for storing and guiding the submersible body (4) in the ejecting tube (6), and having means for launching the submersible body (4) from the ejecting tube (6), wherein the load-bearing structure (8) is of open design such that a space through which flow takes place essentially freely in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis is formed between the ejecting tube (6) and submersible body (4), and wherein the load-bearing structure (8) has a longitudinal support (12), which is connected to at least two spaced-apart transverse supports (14), characterized in that the load-bearing structure (8) has a guide which can be adapted to different submersible-body cross sections and of which the bearing and guide surfaces can be adjusted in relation to one another.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transverse support (14) is formed by annular elements (14), which are arranged on the longitudinal support (12) such that they enclose the longitudinal support (12).
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the annular elements (14) have an external diameter corresponding to the inside width of the ejecting tube (6).
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide has a plurality of, preferably four, guide elements, which can be brought into abutment against the circumference of a submersible body (4) mounted in the guide.
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that gas-sprung bearing means (54) are formed on the inner circumference of the ejecting tube (6).
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the guide surfaces mounted on hose bodies (56) which are subjected to the action of compressed gas form the bearing means (54).
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the gas pressure in the hose bodies (56) is controlled in dependence on the pressure prevailing in the ejecting tube (6).
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic damping element is arranged in the ejecting tube (6), in an end region which is spaced apart from an ejecting opening.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that the damping element is formed by an annular hose (61).
10. Apparatus according to Claims 6 and 9, characterized in that the hose body (56) and the annular hose (61) are line-connected to one another.
11. Apparatus according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the hose bodies (56) can be prestressed by means of cables (62).

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