EP2292509B1 - Submarine with a compactor - Google Patents

Abstract

The submarine has a compressor (2), which has a pressure container (5,10) and a switching equipment for gas inhaling and discharging from the pressure container. A line (35,50) is provided for discharging the liquid (52). A pump is provided at the line. The liquid is supplied in or out to the pressure container.

Description

The invention relates to a submarine with a compressor.

The state of the art is document FR 2 836 983 ,

In submarines, it is state of the art to compress gas, such as the exhaust of propulsion engines, and deploy it from the submarine. For compression of the gas, it is also known to use compressors - for example piston compressors. A disadvantage, however, such compressors generate a very high acoustic sound level, which adversely affects the signature of the submarine.

Especially with carbon dioxide-containing exhaust gas, high concentrations of water are often present. This high proportion of water leads to corrosion in known compressors.

Furthermore, the lubricants typically used in compressors, such as fats and oils, may contaminate the gas such that lubricated lubricants form films on the water. Also, this can significantly increase the locability of the submarine.

Also problematic are the most used dynamic seals of the compressor, in which move parts of the seal relative to each other. This often results in leakage into the environment, which may pollute the breathing air.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a so far improved submarine.

This object is achieved with a submarine with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

The submarine according to the invention has a compressor, which comprises at least one rigid pressure vessel with switching means for gas inlet and outlet, liquid and at least one opening into the pressure vessel line. On the line, a pump is provided, with which the liquid is conveyed into and / or out of the pressure vessel. In this way, gas in the pressure vessel can be compressed by pumping liquid through the line into the pressure vessel. The liquid displaces gas from the liquid occupied by the part of the interior of the pressure vessel and compresses the gas. With appropriate position of the switching means escapes compressed gas from the pressure vessel. The loading of the pressure vessel with gas to be compressed takes place by pumping liquid out of the pressure vessel and filling the interior of the pressure vessel released by the liquid from gas flowing through a gas inlet when the switching means are in a suitable position. The switching means are formed for example by arranged on gas inlet and -auslässen the pressure vessel check valves. For example, gas can flow into the pressure vessel when there is a negative pressure in the pressure vessel relative to a gas source connected to the pressure vessel via the gas inlet. The gas is discharged from the pressure vessel, for example, when the pressure increased by compression exceeds the gas pressure in further parts of the submarine connected via the gas outlet.

Since, in the submarine according to the invention, the region of the interior of the pressure vessel which can be filled by the gas is not limited by a piston but by a liquid that can be conveyed with low noise, the compressor does not increase the acoustic signature of the submarine. Furthermore, there is no risk in the compressor of the submarine according to the invention to apply lubricants with the compressed gases, since lubricants are dispensable in the compressor. Further, since in the submarine according to the invention dynamic seals are not required, the air quality is always guaranteed. Advantageously, the or the pressure vessel in the submarine according to the invention can also be freely designed in the form and especially adapted to the requirements of the submarine.

Preferably, in the submarine of the compressor at least a second rigid pressure vessel, which is connected via at least one of the lines to the first pressure vessel. In this development, the liquid is conveyed, for example, in a first compressor cycle of the second pressure vessel in the first pressure vessel, wherein the funded from the second pressure vessel fluid releases additional space in the second pressure vessel for charging with gas. The gas in the first pressure vessel is displaced by the introduced liquid and compressed as described above. The compressed gas is then discharged from the first pressure vessel. At this time, the second pressure vessel is charged with gas. If liquid is subsequently conveyed from the first pressure vessel into the second pressure vessel in a second compressor cycle, then the gas in the second pressure vessel is compressed and at the same time the first pressure vessel is supplied with gas. The compressor is particularly efficient in this embodiment and at the same time operable with good continuity, since in the promotion of the liquid in each direction gas is compressed in one of the pressure vessel.

Particularly preferred in the submarine, the liquid is a cooling liquid of a cooling circuit of the submarine. In this way, the heat generated during the compression of the gas can be dissipated. Suitably, the gas is isothermally compressed. The compressor is particularly energy efficient operable.

Conveniently, at least two lines for conveying the liquid in each case only one direction are provided in the submarine. For example, two pressure vessels may be provided in the compressor, of which a first conduit for conveying the liquid from the first pressure vessel into the second pressure vessel and the second conduit for conveying the liquid from the second pressure vessel into the first pressure vessel is provided. Conveniently, the intended flow directions are determined by check valves. Conveniently, the conveying direction of one or more pumps arranged on the lines is adapted to the intended conveying direction of the lines.

In a preferred refinement, at least two lines which open at a vertical distance from one another into a pressure vessel are present. Thus, the liquid is suitably herausförderbar by a deeper into the pressure vessel line from the pressure vessel. Preferably, one of the lines opens above a maximum liquid level of the pressure vessel into this, while a further line opens below a minimum liquid level of the pressure vessel in the pressure vessel. Preferably, a heat exchanger of the cooling circuit of the submarine is arranged at the opening into the upper region of the pressure vessel in this line. In particular, the liquid is injected or sprayed into the pressure vessel. In this embodiment of the invention, the heat generated during the compression of the gas is dissipated particularly efficiently and achieved, for example, a nearly isothermal compression of the gas.

Advantageously, in the submarine according to the invention at least two lines to a common line section, wherein the pump is arranged on the common line section, and upstream and downstream of the common line section blocking valves are arranged. In this way, the liquid can be conveyed through several lines with a single pump. In particular, in compressors with two pressure vessels liquid can be promoted in a first compressor cycle from a first pressure vessel via one of the lines with the common line section in a second pressure vessel and in a second compressor cycle via a second line with the common line section from the second pressure vessel in the first Be promoted pressure vessel. The integration of the common line section in both lines expediently takes place in such a way that the pump can be operated in the same conveying direction during both compressor cycles.

Particularly preferably, in the submarine of the compressor comprises two or more pressure vessels, which are shaped and / or arranged so that the center of gravity of the liquid and / or the compressor remains unchanged when conveying the liquid. In this embodiment of the invention, it is therefore not necessary to compensate during operation of the compressor changes in the center of gravity of the compressor by additional facilities of the submarine, for example by trim cells. Rather, the compressor is also neutral in terms of operation in itself.

For this purpose, a first pressure vessel expediently surrounds a second pressure vessel to which it is connected, peripherally. For example, first and second pressure vessel are formed substantially cylindrical. Preferably, the second pressure vessel has the shape of a straight circular cylinder with a vertical axis, while the first pressure vessel has the cross section of a circular ring and concentrically surrounds the second pressure vessel. If liquid is now conveyed from the first pressure vessel into the second pressure vessel or from the second pressure vessel into the first pressure vessel, then the horizontal local component of the center of gravity does not change. Preferably, the first and second pressure vessels have cross sections with the same cross-sectional area. In this embodiment of the invention, the vertical location component of the center of gravity does not change in the promotion of liquid.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least two pressure vessels of the compressor of the submarine according to the invention horizontally surround a central pressure vessel with which they are respectively connected. Suitably, the pressure vessels surrounding the central pressure vessel each have a cylindrical shape with an equally large horizontal cross-sectional area and are evenly distributed on a circle around the central pressure vessel. Also in this case, the horizontal location component of the center of gravity does not change when fluid is conveyed from the surrounding pressure vessels into the central pressure vessel or from the central pressure vessel into the surrounding pressure vessels. If the surrounding pressure vessels taken together have the same cross-sectional area as the central pressure vessel, then also the vertical local component of the center of gravity does not change during operation of the compressor.

Alternatively or additionally, the compressor of the submarine according to the invention has at least two pairs of respectively interconnected pressure vessels whose individual center of gravity changes compensate each other during operation of the compressor. For example, the compressor includes a pair of pressure vessels, which are arranged side by side on a common horizontal first axis. If, in a compressor cycle, liquid from the pressure vessel arranged on the right on this axis is conveyed to the pressure vessel located to the left of it, the center of gravity moves along the first axis to the left with respect to this first pair of pressure vessels alone. In a second pair of pressure vessels, the pressure vessels are juxtaposed on a second axis which is parallel to the first axis. The pressure vessels of the second pair in this case have a cross-section which is equal in area to that of the first pair. In the compressor cycle described above, in the second pair, liquid is conveyed to the right along the second axis. Thus, with respect to the second pair alone, the center of gravity moves to the right along the second axis. The common center of gravity of both pairs of pressure vessels and thus of the compressor thus remains unchanged during this compressor cycle. The balance point neutrality of the compressor is maintained during the further compressor cycles in a corresponding manner. Preferably, the pressure vessels of at least two pairs are arranged along a common axis.

Appropriately, in the submarine according to the invention of the compressor has at least two synchronously controllable pumps, wherein the compressor is designed for synchronous operation of the pump. In this way, in particular in the previously described embodiment, the individual compressor cycles of a plurality of pairs of respectively interconnected pressure vessels are mutually tunable with respect to the center of gravity of the compressor. Even in training in which a plurality of pressure vessels surrounding a central pressure vessel horizontally, a balance neutral operation of the compressor can be ensured by synchronously controllable pumps. Preferred is or are in the inventive Submarine or the pressure vessel between the frames of the submarine arranged.

In principle, in the submarine according to the invention, the pressure vessel or reservoirs can be shaped as desired. Conveniently, the pressure vessels are adapted in shape to the space requirements of the submarine, for example, to take advantage of an existing space.

Fig. 1

ein Blockschaltbild eines Verdichters eines erfindungsge- mäßen Unterseebootes,

Fig. 2

eine räumliche Anordnung von vier Druckbehältern eines schwerpunktneutral betreibbaren Verdichters eines erfin- dungsgemäßen Unterseebootes in einer perspektivischen Darstellung,

Fig.3

die Anordnung der Druckbehälter gemäß Fig. 2 in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 4

eine alternative Anordnung von vier Druckbehältern eines Verdichters eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterseebootes in einer Seitenansicht und

Fig. 5

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 4 in einer Draufsicht.

The invention is explained in more detail based on exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 is a block diagram of a compressor of a submarine according to the invention;

Fig. 2

3 shows a perspective view of a three-dimensional arrangement of four pressure vessels of a compressor which can be operated in a balance-neutral manner according to the invention of a submarine according to the invention;

Figure 3

the arrangement of the pressure vessel according to Fig. 2 in a plan view,

Fig. 4

an alternative arrangement of four pressure vessels of a compressor of a submarine according to the invention in a side view and

Fig. 5

the arrangement according to Fig. 4 in a top view.

The compressor 2 according to Fig. 1 The submarine according to the invention has two pressure vessels 5, 10. The two pressure vessels 5, 10 are arranged at the same height in the submarine and have substantially circular cylindrical shape with identical cross-sectional areas.

Both pressure vessels 5, 10 are provided with switching means for gas inlet and outlet at gas inlet lines 15 and gas outlet lines 25 of the pressure vessels 5, 10. The switching means are designed as check valves 20. If a gas source 15 gas supply source, for example, an exhaust part of a prime mover of the submarine, the pressure of the gas in the pressure vessel 5, 10 exceeds the gas pressure is introduced via the check valve 20 gas through the gas inlet 15 into the pressure vessel 5, 10. The gas is then discharged from the pressure vessel via the gas outlet line 25 when the gas pressure in the pressure vessels 5, 10 exceeds the gas pressure of the liquid separator 30 respectively connected to the pressure vessels 5, 10. In this case, the gas from the pressure vessels 5, 10 passes through the check valves 20 on the gas outlet line 25.

The in Fig. 1 The pressure vessel 5 shown on the left is connected to the right-hand pressure vessel 10 via a first line 35, which opens out from the left-hand pressure vessel 5 on an underside 40 and opens into an upper side 45 of the right-hand pressure vessel 10. Further, the pressure vessel 5, 10 are connected to each other via a second line 50, which opens at an underside 40 of the right pressure vessel 10 and opens at an upper side of the left pressure vessel 5 in this.

In the compressor 2, liquid 52 is conveyed from the left-hand pressure vessel 5 into the right-hand pressure vessel 10 in a first compressor cycle via line 35, so that gas in the right-hand pressure vessel 10 is displaced from a minimum level Lo to a maximum level Hi by the rise in the liquid level and in remaining part of the right pressure vessel 10 is compressed. The pressure in the right-hand pressure vessel 10 rises so far that the pressure opens the check valve 20 on the gas outlet line 25 of the right-hand pressure vessel 10.

In the left pressure vessel 5 decreases in the promotion of the liquid 52 from the pressure vessel 5 into the pressure vessel 10, the liquid level of a maximum level Hi to a minimum level Lo. This increases the gas-feedable interior of the left-hand pressure vessel 5, wherein a negative pressure is generated in its interior, so that the check valve 20 opens at the gas inlet line 15 of the left-hand pressure vessel 5 and gas flows into the left-hand pressure vessel 5.

In a second compressor cycle, liquid 52 is conveyed from the right pressure vessel 10 via the second line 50 into the left pressure vessel 5, so that the gas in the left pressure vessel 5 is compressed. Accordingly, the right-hand pressure vessel 10 is supplied with gas via the gas inlet line 15 of the right-hand pressure vessel 10. In the successive compressor cycles so gas in each case in the pressure vessels 5, 10 is compressed in alternation.

The first 35 and the second line 50 in this case have a common line section 55, to which a pump 60 is arranged to convey the liquid 52 from a pressure vessel 5, 10 into the respective other pressure vessel 5, 10. The fluid delivery through the lines 35, 50 is determined by valves 65, 70 in the form of ball valves, which upstream and downstream of the common line 55 to the first line 35 and the second line 50 are arranged. If the valves 65 are opened on the first line 35 and the valves 70 are closed on the second line 50, the liquid 52 is conveyed via the pump 60 through the line 35 from the left pressure vessel 5 to the right pressure vessel 10.

If, on the other hand, the valves 65 are closed and the valves 70 are open on the second line 50, then the pump 60 delivers liquid 52 through the second line 50 from the right-hand pressure vessel 10 into the left-hand pressure vessel 5. The check valve 20 on the common line 55 prevents it Reflux of liquid 52 against the intended direction of the pump 60th

In the case of Fig. 1 shown compressor 2, the funded by the pump 60 liquid 52 at the same time a cooling liquid of a cooling circuit of the submarine. In this case, heat is dissipated by a heat exchanger 75, which is arranged on the common line 55, during the compression of the gas. The cooled liquid is sprayed on the upper sides 45 of the containers 5, 10 at the junctions of the lines 35, 50 for the efficient cooling of the gas (the spray nozzles provided for this purpose are not shown in the drawing).

Furthermore, a tank 80 is provided, from which losses of liquid 52 are compensated. For this purpose, the tank 80 with the common line 55 via a valve 82 in the form of a ball valve suction side of the pump 60 and the suction side of the heat exchanger 75, and connected to the water separators 30. The tank 80 can receive liquid 52 from the liquid separators 30, a suction section of the common line 55 to the heat exchanger 75 and a further suction side of the pump 60 and the heat exchanger 75 pressure-side region of the common line 55.

In the compressor described above, the liquid 52 is water. The compressor is equipped with a reformer of a reformer fuel cell plant of the submarine (not shown in the drawings).

In the Fig. 2 illustrated arrangement of four pressure vessels 5 ', 10', 5 ", 10" comprises two pairs 5 ', 10' and 5 ", 10", which are each interconnected and connected as described above. The in the Fig. 2 to 5 However, arrangements shown can also be carried out independently of the training described above. The four in Fig. 2 illustrated pressure vessel 5 ', 10', 5 ", 10" are each formed as upright in the boat, straight circular cylinder formed with surface-like cross-sections.

The pairs of pressure vessels 5 ', 10' and 5 ", 10" are connected to each other via liquid-carrying lines, which are shown schematically in this and the following schematic diagrams as a single line 85. As in Fig. 2 and 3 the two pairs 5 ', 10' and 5 ", 10" of pressure vessels are each shown along a first (bottom in Fig. 3 ) and a second one (above in Fig. 3 ) horizontal axis arranged. The horizontal axes of each pair of pressure vessels 5 ", 10" and 5 ", 10" correspond in plan view, respectively Fig. 3 the orientation of the illustrated lines 85. The two horizontal axes are oriented parallel to each other. The synchronous delivery of the liquid 52 (in this example by synchronously operated and in the Figures 2 and 3 Pumps not shown) in opposite directions, ie from the pressure vessel 10 'in the pressure vessel 5' and at the same time from the pressure vessel 5 "in the pressure vessel 10" (see oppositely directed arrows in the Figures 2 and 3 ) leaves the center of gravity of the compressor unchanged. The same applies to conveying directions opposite to the arrow directions shown in subsequent compressor cycles.

In a further embodiment of a compressor according to the invention of a submarine according to the invention Fig. 4 and 5 are two pairs of pressure vessels 5 ', 10'; 5 "10" arranged not only on mutually parallel axes, but laterally offset from each other on a common horizontal axis. Also in this case, the liquid 52 is synchronously pumped between the pressure vessels 5 ', 10' and 5 ", 10" each of a pair in opposite directions of flow. This arrangement also ensures a balance point neutral operation of the compressor of the submarine according to the invention. It is understood that in the above embodiments the shape of the pressure vessels 5, 10, or 5 ', 10' and 5 ', 10 "can deviate from the described shape, for example, the pressure vessels 5, 10 or 5', 10 '. and 5 ", 10" in shape adapted to the space requirements of the submarine.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

- Compressor

5, 5 ', 5 "

- Pressure vessel

10, 10 ', 10 "

- Pressure vessel

15

- Gas inlet pipe

20

- Check valve

25

- Gas outlet pipe

30

- Liquid separator

35

- First line

40

- Bottom

45

- top

50

- Second line

52

- Liquid

55

- Common line section

60

- pump

65

- Valve

70

- Valve

75

- Heat exchanger

80

- Tank

82

- Valve

85

- Management

Lo

- minimum level

Hi

- maximum level

Claims (13)

1. A submarine with a compressor (2), which comprises at least one pressure container (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10") as well as switch means for the gas inlet and gas outlet from the pressure container (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10"), a fluid (52), as well as at least one conduit (35; 50; 85) which runs into the pressure container (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10") and on which a pump is provided, with which pump the fluid (52) may be delivered into and/or out of the pressure container (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10").
2. A submarine according to claim 1, whose compressor (2) comprises at least one second pressure container (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10"), which is connected via at least one of the conduits (35; 50; 85) to the first pressure container (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10").
3. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, with which at least two conduits (35, 50) are provided, in which the fluid (52) may be delivered in each case in only one direction.
4. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, with which the fluid (52) is a cooling fluid of a cooling circuit of the submarine.
5. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, with which at least two of the conduits (35, 50) run into the pressure container (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10") at a vertical distance to one another.
6. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, with at least two conduits (35, 50) with a common conduit section (55), wherein the pump (60) is arranged on the common conduit section (55), and blocking valves (65; 70) are arranged upstream and downstream of the common conduit section (55).
7. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, whose compressor (2) comprises two or more pressure containers (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10"), which are shaped and/or arranged in a manner such that the centre of gravity of the fluid (52) and/or of the compressor (2) remains unchanged on delivering the fluid (52).
8. A submarine according to claim 7, with which a first pressure container peripherally surrounds a second pressure container, to which it is connected.
9. A submarine according to claim 7 or 8, with which at least two pressure containers horizontally surround a central pressure container, to which they are connected in each case.
10. A submarine according to claim 7, 8 or 9, which comprises at least two pairs of pressure containers (5; 10; 5',10'; 5",10") which are connected to each other in each case and whose individual changes in the centre of gravity compensate one another on operation of the compressor (2).
11. A submarine according to one of the claims 7 to 10, with which the compressor (2) comprises at least two pumps (60) which may be synchronously activated, wherein the compressor (2) is designed for synchronous operation of the pumps (60).
12. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, with which the pressure container or the pressure containers (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10") is or are arranged between the frames of the submarine.
13. A submarine according to one of the preceding claims, with which with which the shape of the pressure container or pressure containers (5; 5', 5"; 10; 10'; 10") is adapted to the spatial requirements of the submarine.

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