EP3638581A1 - Group or system for the quick emersion of a submersible or a submarine - Google Patents

Group or system for the quick emersion of a submersible or a submarine

Info

Publication number
EP3638581A1
EP3638581A1 EP18737986.2A EP18737986A EP3638581A1 EP 3638581 A1 EP3638581 A1 EP 3638581A1 EP 18737986 A EP18737986 A EP 18737986A EP 3638581 A1 EP3638581 A1 EP 3638581A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
group
group according
oxidant
combustion chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP18737986.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3638581B1 (en
Inventor
Francesco BARATO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Technology for Propulsion and Innovation SpA
Original Assignee
Technology for Propulsion and Innovation SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technology for Propulsion and Innovation SpA filed Critical Technology for Propulsion and Innovation SpA
Publication of EP3638581A1 publication Critical patent/EP3638581A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3638581B1 publication Critical patent/EP3638581B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/14—Control of attitude or depth
    • B63G8/24—Automatic depth adjustment; Safety equipment for increasing buoyancy, e.g. detachable ballast, floating bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/14—Control of attitude or depth
    • B63G8/22—Adjustment of buoyancy by water ballasting; Emptying equipment for ballast tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/40—Rescue equipment for personnel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines in emergency conditions and/or for controlling the travel or advancement of submersibles or submarines.
  • EBD The systems for the quick emersion of submarines in emergency conditions, hereinafter also EBD, are units commonly used in submarines to allow the surfacing when the boat is in emergency conditions with potential danger to life for the personnel.
  • the first EBD systems were based on compressed gases and were relatively simple to operate and recharge, but they had major penalties in terms of volumes and weights, especially at great depths.
  • hot gas generation systems have been used for the emergency emptying of containment tanks such to allow a quick emersion even in conditions of deep immersion. They represent an important alternative to systems based on compressed air for the limited volumetric encumbrance that they can achieve, thanks to a greater specific work, a greater mass flow and a greater density of the propellant in the hold tanks.
  • INGA Intelligent Gas Generator
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a new group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a group as above mentioned which is very versatile.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a group as indicated above that can be activated and deactivated as desired.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines which has development, management and recharge costs which are lower than the systems previously proposed.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines that is safer than current solutions.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a group or system to assist the manoeuvring wheels when these are not satisfactory.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the gas generator according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a component of the gas generator for obtaining a vortex flow
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a submarine with one or more gas generators according to the present invention.
  • downstream is related to the travel direction of the fluids in the group, with reference, for example, to a first and a second component
  • the expression “the first component is downstream of the second component” indicates that the first component of the group is placed after the second component and, therefore, processes a respective fluid or a fluid after treatment in the second component.
  • the present invention relates to a gas generator or group or system 1 for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines S and/or for controlling the travel or advancement of submersibles or submarines S, which group or system 1 generates a gas that changes the hydrostatic balance by pushing the vehicle (submersible or submarine) upwards or by tilting and diverting the vehicle.
  • the group or system 1 delimits a combustion chamber 2 in which the process of generating hot gas or combustion gas takes place through a solid fuel mass 2a, the latter housed in or leading to the combustion chamber 2 as well as a feed and decomposition circuit or components of a fluid oxidant, e.g. liquid or gaseous, or a mixture of the two, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or oxygen or nitrous oxide.
  • a fluid oxidant e.g. liquid or gaseous, or a mixture of the two, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or oxygen or nitrous oxide.
  • the hydrogen peroxide or nitrous oxide is contained in a container 4, preferably not under pressure. If desired, a feed or extraction pipe 4a of the fluid oxidant which defines the suction or thrust line of said component is provided in the container 4.
  • the fluid oxidant is hydrogen peroxide, it is present in the container 4 at a concentration higher than 70% or 80% by mass or, preferably more than 90% by mass with respect to water.
  • the hydrogen peroxide in the container 4 is stabilized with a stabilizer content of less than 10 parts per million. This clearly guarantees that the hydrogen peroxide does not decompose in the container 4 and therefore it considerably reduces the risk of explosions or loss of effectiveness of the fluid oxidant.
  • the group 1 then comprises a decomposition unit 3, such as a catalytic bed or a catalysis system downstream of the container 4, which is designed to decompose or separate the fluid oxidant exiting from the container 4, for example to decompose the hydrogen peroxide in gaseous oxygen and water vapour, which will be at high temperature because the decomposition reaction generates energy.
  • a decomposition unit 3 such as a catalytic bed or a catalysis system downstream of the container 4, which is designed to decompose or separate the fluid oxidant exiting from the container 4, for example to decompose the hydrogen peroxide in gaseous oxygen and water vapour, which will be at high temperature because the decomposition reaction generates energy.
  • the catalytic bed 3 can be mounted on the top of the container 4, if desired on the supply line of the fluid oxidant through the feed or extraction pipe 4a.
  • the catalytic bed 3 can comprise a mesh or a grid, for example in silver, platinum, manganese oxide, etc. or several stacked grids or a plurality of balls arranged to define tortuous paths for the fluid oxidant.
  • the catalytic bed 3 is designed to reduce the activation energy of the decomposition reaction of the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide.
  • the decomposition unit could alternatively comprise a consumable catalytic, that is to say it consumes during use, which entails, inter alia, a reduction in weight of the group over time.
  • the catalytic bed 3 if on the one hand increases the weight of the group or system, on the other hand it improves the controllability and the guarantee of switching on and off of the group itself.
  • the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide decomposed or separated from the decomposition unit 3 is then supplied into the combustion chamber 2 on or in contact with the solid fuel, so as to cause a combustion reaction.
  • the combustion chamber 2 can be mounted at the head or downstream of the catalytic bed 3, if desired on the discharge line of the decomposition compounds of the fluid oxidant from the catalytic bed 3.
  • the combustion gas or gases are then emitted by means of a dispensing device 6, for example in the ballasts or containment tanks B for ballast water of a submersible or submarine S.
  • the dispensing device 6 is mounted at the top or downstream of the combustion chamber 2, if desired on the discharge line of the combustion compounds from the combustion chamber 2.
  • the combustion gas can be at a temperature even equal to 2000°C, and this temperature could be excessive and ruin the containment tanks or components of the group or of the submarine.
  • the dispensing device 6 can comprise a nozzle 6a mounted at the head or in fluid communication with the combustion chamber 2, as well as an ejector 6b and a supply duct 6c or the like extending between a tank, for example ballasts or containment tanks B, of a cooling fluid such as water and the nozzle 6a or the ejector 6b.
  • the combustion gases leaving the combustion chamber 2 enter the nozzle 6a and, for example following a reduction of the passage section for the combustion gases, an increase in the speed and decrease in the pressure of the same is determined, which causes a suction of the cooling fluid from the respective tank into the adduction duct 6c and then into the ejector 6b together with the combustion gases, cooling the latter.
  • the ejector 6b flows directly or not into the containment tanks B and, therefore, feeds combustion gas(es) cooled as described above, which increase the pressure in the containment tanks and determine the emptying thereof.
  • This mechanism can be used to determine the quick emersion of a submersible or submarine S or to control its travel, and if desired the tilt of a submersible or submarine S.
  • the emersion of a submersible or submarine S is determined, but by emptying one or more containment tanks in a controlled manner it is possible to tilt submersible or a submarine S in a determined manner, thus being able to manoeuvre the submarine S better or faster.
  • the containment tanks are open, but the same can also be provided with rupture disks or baffles, which, following a determined increase in pressure inside the containment tanks themselves, are crushed, causing the emptying or increasing the speed of emptying of the containment tanks B.
  • the group or system 1 also comprises a thrust or pressurization unit 5 able to thrust the fluid oxidant or the hydrogen peroxide from the container 4 towards the catalytic bed 3 and, from the latter, the decomposing compounds of the hydrogen peroxide are fed into the combustion chamber 2.
  • a thrust or pressurization unit 5 able to thrust the fluid oxidant or the hydrogen peroxide from the container 4 towards the catalytic bed 3 and, from the latter, the decomposing compounds of the hydrogen peroxide are fed into the combustion chamber 2.
  • the thrust or pressurization unit 5 may comprise a recipient of a pressurized fluid, for example nitrogen at 100-300 atm, if desired at about 200 atm, which is in fluid communication with the container 4 by means of a transport duct intercepted by a first valve assembly 8 and optionally by a pressure regulator or reducer.
  • a pressurized fluid for example nitrogen at 100-300 atm, if desired at about 200 atm
  • the pressure regulator is needed for obtaining a constant flow of hydrogen peroxide towards the catalytic bed 3 and therefore a constant assembly operation.
  • the group 1 can also comprise a second valve assembly 9 designed to intercept the delivery of fluid oxidant or the channel for dispensing this oxidant from the container 4 to the catalytic bed 3.
  • the group 1 could also not include a thrust or pressurization unit, but be provided, for example, with a cartridge or the like breakable by pressure or by means of suitable pressure means so as to determine the pressurization of the fluid oxidant or the conveyance thereof from the container 4 to the catalytic bed 3.
  • the first valve assembly 8 and/or the second valve assembly 9 can be controlled and suitably operated by a control unit or by means of suitable sensors.
  • the group can operate at different pressures in a depth range between 0 and 500 m.
  • the hot outgoing gases do not exceed, preferably, 800°C so as not to affect the structure of the submarine.
  • no priming of the group is provided because the fluid oxidant or the hydrogen peroxide decomposes upon contact with the catalytic bed 3 and therefore heats up and when entering the combustion chamber 2 it is in the conditions such as to guarantee the priming of the combustion reaction.
  • the solid fuel may comprise an inert material, for example selected from the group consisting of paraffin, a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, such as for example (but not only) polyethylene, nylon, polycarbonate and plexiglass.
  • an inert material for example selected from the group consisting of paraffin, a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, such as for example (but not only) polyethylene, nylon, polycarbonate and plexiglass.
  • the group also comprises a device 10 (see Figure 2) for generating a vortex flow designed to generate and deliver a vortex flow of the fluid oxidant or of the decomposed hydrogen peroxide or of the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide, in the combustion chamber 2 and then on the solid fuel 2a thus increasing the combustion efficiency, the regression rate and the stability of the combustion.
  • a device 10 for generating a vortex flow designed to generate and deliver a vortex flow of the fluid oxidant or of the decomposed hydrogen peroxide or of the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide, in the combustion chamber 2 and then on the solid fuel 2a thus increasing the combustion efficiency, the regression rate and the stability of the combustion.
  • a vortex flow means a flow of compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant or of the hydrogen peroxide which has a component such as to hit the solid fuel in a turbulent or swirling or spiral manner, for example not only 5 parallel to the surface or to the mass surfaces of solid fuel exposed (in the combustion chamber 2) to the flow of decomposition compounds. If desired, the vortex flow has tangential components and, if desired, axial to that surface or those surfaces.
  • the solid fuel 2a can be arranged in the combustion chamber i o 2 so as to form a cylindrical element and in this case the flow of compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide would be conveyed along the seat 2b delimited by the cylindrical element.
  • the axial components of the flow of fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide are those components of this flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of the cylindrical
  • the device 10 is therefore arranged between the catalytic bed 3 and the combustion chamber 2 and can comprise, for example, a plate 11 defining one or a plurality of through holes 12 which have a helical or spiral or curved pattern, for example with respect to said axis of symmetry. More specifically, the holes 12 do
  • the device for generating a vortex flow comprises a cup-like or similar element with flanged end and delimiting holes which are transversal or
  • an activation valve can be provided to control the mass flow of hydrogen peroxide decomposed at the inlet to the combustion chamber 2, thereby
  • a group according to the present invention could be mounted in a containment casing.
  • This submersible or submarine S comprises one or more ballasts or containment tanks B for a ballast fluid, such as water, for example constrained on a respective flank of the submersible or submarine S as well as one or more groups housed or otherwise leading to a ballast or containment tank B.
  • a ballast fluid such as water
  • the containment tanks are o full, at least initially, of water or ballast fluid.
  • the dispensing device 6 and more particularly the ejector 6b opens directly or not into the containment tanks B and, therefore, feeds combustion gas(es) generated in the group, in particular cooled as indicated above, which increase/s the pressure in the containment tanks and determine/s the5 partial or total emptying of the same.
  • the containment tanks may be open and may be provided with disks or breaking baffles as above indicated.
  • a device 10 for the generation of a vortex flow, then it is commanded or determined the delivery of the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant in the device 10 so as to generate a vortex flow of the compounds and deliver it into the combustion chamber 2 and then on the solid fuel mass 2a.
  • treatment steps may also be provided depending on the components (for example nozzle 6a, ejector 6b and adduction duct 6c) present in the group.
  • the pressure profile of the generated gas can be controlled as desired, thus obtaining an active control of the gas generator during the ascent phase.
  • a group according to the present invention is an EBD based on a hybrid propellant gas generator with fluid oxidant and solid propellant, which allows an extreme operational versatility, since it can be switched on and off and has limited development, management and recharge costs thanks to the implicit inert nature of the fuel and to the limited safety problems concerning the oxidant.
  • the present invention therefore guarantees the replacement of EBD systems based on solid gas generators with hybrid gas generators.
  • the hydrogen peroxide is passed into a catalytic bed which determines its decomposition into oxygen and water vapour at high temperature, and the decomposition products are injected into the combustion chamber, causing the beginning of the combustion and the ignition of the engine.
  • the flow of the oxidant can also be managed through an activation valve that controls the mass flow entering the combustion chamber, thus allowing the control, switching off and re-ignition of the gas generator as desired and necessary, thus ensuring a versatility which is not obtainable with a solid propeller or gas generator.
  • the fuel may however be inert so that it does not react as a result of accidental contact with the oxidant, unless this is decomposed into high temperature gas, thus making the system safe against any internal leakages.
  • the hydrogen peroxide used can also be stabilized, thus reducing the problems in case of accidental drip of the oxidant. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic.
  • the group or system can then be refilled simply by restoring the oxidant and replacing the fuel or fuel grain.
  • this procedure is inexpensive.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Oxygen, Ozone, And Oxides In General (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a group or system for the quick emersion of a submersible or submarine (S) and/or for controlling the travel or advancement of a submersible or submarine (S).

Description

GROUP OR SYSTEM FOR THE QUICK EMERSION OF A SUBMERSIBLE
OR A SUBMARINE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines in emergency conditions and/or for controlling the travel or advancement of submersibles or submarines.
PRIOR STATE OF THE ART
The systems for the quick emersion of submarines in emergency conditions, hereinafter also EBD, are units commonly used in submarines to allow the surfacing when the boat is in emergency conditions with potential danger to life for the personnel.
The first EBD systems were based on compressed gases and were relatively simple to operate and recharge, but they had major penalties in terms of volumes and weights, especially at great depths.
Therefore, systems based on hot gases, generated for example by the decomposition of liquid propellants such as hydrazine, have been introduced. These systems, widely used in German-made submarines, allowed a much lower operating volume compared to those with cold gas, but they entailed considerable safety problems. Therefore, these solutions have been gradually replaced by systems based on solid propellants which are however not controllable once primed and, moreover, are extremely expensive to manage and replace.
For many years, hot gas generation systems have been used for the emergency emptying of containment tanks such to allow a quick emersion even in conditions of deep immersion. They represent an important alternative to systems based on compressed air for the limited volumetric encumbrance that they can achieve, thanks to a greater specific work, a greater mass flow and a greater density of the propellant in the hold tanks.
In this regard, in the 70s, a system of quick emersion based on the decomposition of hydrazine in a catalytic bed has been developed, which system, thanks to its versatility and limited volume compared to compressed air systems, was used in several submarines in Germany and in the rest of the world. However, this solution has several problems related to the production of large quantities of hydrogen in the decomposition of hydrazine, with the risk of explosion in case of formation of pockets in the containment tanks, as well as problems related to the extreme toxicity and carcinogenicity of hydrazine.
An alternative system based on a solid propellant, strontium nitrate/GAP, called INGA (Inert Gas Generator) was developed in the late 90s. The INGA, despite being a system installed on different units, since it is a system based on a solid propellant cannot be turned off once switched on and cannot be controlled during operation. Moreover, as this is a solid propellant, the system is potentially explosive if it is hit and it also requires considerable caution during transport, assembly and disassembly with the consequent raise of costs.
Moreover, the supply and replacement times of this system are not quick, imposing long stops to the submarine unit for recharging.
In such solutions, it is almost impossible to control the deballasting, that is to say the spill or discharge of the liquid necessary for the emersion and this, combined with the high costs for the purchase and replacement of the components, determines an overall operation that cannot be periodically checked on board and prevents the crew from undergoing operational training.
DE19704587A1 discloses a solution according to the prior art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a new group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a group as above mentioned which is very versatile.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a group as indicated above that can be activated and deactivated as desired.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines which has development, management and recharge costs which are lower than the systems previously proposed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a group or system for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines that is safer than current solutions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a group or system to assist the manoeuvring wheels when these are not satisfactory.
According to an aspect of the invention, it is provided a group according to claim 1.
The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the disclosure of an embodiment example of a gas generator, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the gas generator according to the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a component of the gas generator for obtaining a vortex flow; and
- Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a submarine with one or more gas generators according to the present invention.
In the accompanying drawings, identical parts or components are distinguished by the same reference numerals.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the present disclosure, the term "downstream" is related to the travel direction of the fluids in the group, with reference, for example, to a first and a second component, the expression "the first component is downstream of the second component" indicates that the first component of the group is placed after the second component and, therefore, processes a respective fluid or a fluid after treatment in the second component.
The present invention relates to a gas generator or group or system 1 for the quick emersion of submersibles or submarines S and/or for controlling the travel or advancement of submersibles or submarines S, which group or system 1 generates a gas that changes the hydrostatic balance by pushing the vehicle (submersible or submarine) upwards or by tilting and diverting the vehicle.
The group or system 1 delimits a combustion chamber 2 in which the process of generating hot gas or combustion gas takes place through a solid fuel mass 2a, the latter housed in or leading to the combustion chamber 2 as well as a feed and decomposition circuit or components of a fluid oxidant, e.g. liquid or gaseous, or a mixture of the two, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or oxygen or nitrous oxide.
The hydrogen peroxide or nitrous oxide is contained in a container 4, preferably not under pressure. If desired, a feed or extraction pipe 4a of the fluid oxidant which defines the suction or thrust line of said component is provided in the container 4.
Moreover, if the fluid oxidant is hydrogen peroxide, it is present in the container 4 at a concentration higher than 70% or 80% by mass or, preferably more than 90% by mass with respect to water.
Preferably, the hydrogen peroxide in the container 4 is stabilized with a stabilizer content of less than 10 parts per million. This clearly guarantees that the hydrogen peroxide does not decompose in the container 4 and therefore it considerably reduces the risk of explosions or loss of effectiveness of the fluid oxidant.
The group 1 then comprises a decomposition unit 3, such as a catalytic bed or a catalysis system downstream of the container 4, which is designed to decompose or separate the fluid oxidant exiting from the container 4, for example to decompose the hydrogen peroxide in gaseous oxygen and water vapour, which will be at high temperature because the decomposition reaction generates energy. The catalytic bed 3 can be mounted on the top of the container 4, if desired on the supply line of the fluid oxidant through the feed or extraction pipe 4a.
The catalytic bed 3 can comprise a mesh or a grid, for example in silver, platinum, manganese oxide, etc. or several stacked grids or a plurality of balls arranged to define tortuous paths for the fluid oxidant. Clearly, the catalytic bed 3 is designed to reduce the activation energy of the decomposition reaction of the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide.
The decomposition unit could alternatively comprise a consumable catalytic, that is to say it consumes during use, which entails, inter alia, a reduction in weight of the group over time.
The catalytic bed 3 if on the one hand increases the weight of the group or system, on the other hand it improves the controllability and the guarantee of switching on and off of the group itself.
The fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide decomposed or separated from the decomposition unit 3 is then supplied into the combustion chamber 2 on or in contact with the solid fuel, so as to cause a combustion reaction. The combustion chamber 2 can be mounted at the head or downstream of the catalytic bed 3, if desired on the discharge line of the decomposition compounds of the fluid oxidant from the catalytic bed 3.
The combustion gas or gases are then emitted by means of a dispensing device 6, for example in the ballasts or containment tanks B for ballast water of a submersible or submarine S. The dispensing device 6 is mounted at the top or downstream of the combustion chamber 2, if desired on the discharge line of the combustion compounds from the combustion chamber 2.
In this regard, the combustion gas can be at a temperature even equal to 2000°C, and this temperature could be excessive and ruin the containment tanks or components of the group or of the submarine.
Therefore, the dispensing device 6 can comprise a nozzle 6a mounted at the head or in fluid communication with the combustion chamber 2, as well as an ejector 6b and a supply duct 6c or the like extending between a tank, for example ballasts or containment tanks B, of a cooling fluid such as water and the nozzle 6a or the ejector 6b.
With this structure, the combustion gases leaving the combustion chamber 2 enter the nozzle 6a and, for example following a reduction of the passage section for the combustion gases, an increase in the speed and decrease in the pressure of the same is determined, which causes a suction of the cooling fluid from the respective tank into the adduction duct 6c and then into the ejector 6b together with the combustion gases, cooling the latter.
The ejector 6b flows directly or not into the containment tanks B and, therefore, feeds combustion gas(es) cooled as described above, which increase the pressure in the containment tanks and determine the emptying thereof.
This mechanism can be used to determine the quick emersion of a submersible or submarine S or to control its travel, and if desired the tilt of a submersible or submarine S. In this regard, by emptying all the containment tanks or at least the majority of them, the emersion of a submersible or submarine S is determined, but by emptying one or more containment tanks in a controlled manner it is possible to tilt submersible or a submarine S in a determined manner, thus being able to manoeuvre the submarine S better or faster.
In this regard, usually the containment tanks are open, but the same can also be provided with rupture disks or baffles, which, following a determined increase in pressure inside the containment tanks themselves, are crushed, causing the emptying or increasing the speed of emptying of the containment tanks B.
Preferably, the group or system 1 also comprises a thrust or pressurization unit 5 able to thrust the fluid oxidant or the hydrogen peroxide from the container 4 towards the catalytic bed 3 and, from the latter, the decomposing compounds of the hydrogen peroxide are fed into the combustion chamber 2.
The thrust or pressurization unit 5 may comprise a recipient of a pressurized fluid, for example nitrogen at 100-300 atm, if desired at about 200 atm, which is in fluid communication with the container 4 by means of a transport duct intercepted by a first valve assembly 8 and optionally by a pressure regulator or reducer.
The pressure regulator is needed for obtaining a constant flow of hydrogen peroxide towards the catalytic bed 3 and therefore a constant assembly operation.
Moreover, the group 1 can also comprise a second valve assembly 9 designed to intercept the delivery of fluid oxidant or the channel for dispensing this oxidant from the container 4 to the catalytic bed 3.
The group 1 could also not include a thrust or pressurization unit, but be provided, for example, with a cartridge or the like breakable by pressure or by means of suitable pressure means so as to determine the pressurization of the fluid oxidant or the conveyance thereof from the container 4 to the catalytic bed 3.
However, it would also be possible to store the pressurized hydrogen peroxide in the device 1.
The first valve assembly 8 and/or the second valve assembly 9 can be controlled and suitably operated by a control unit or by means of suitable sensors.
The group can operate at different pressures in a depth range between 0 and 500 m.
The hot outgoing gases do not exceed, preferably, 800°C so as not to affect the structure of the submarine.
Preferably, no priming of the group is provided because the fluid oxidant or the hydrogen peroxide decomposes upon contact with the catalytic bed 3 and therefore heats up and when entering the combustion chamber 2 it is in the conditions such as to guarantee the priming of the combustion reaction.
The solid fuel may comprise an inert material, for example selected from the group consisting of paraffin, a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, such as for example (but not only) polyethylene, nylon, polycarbonate and plexiglass.
Advantageously, the group also comprises a device 10 (see Figure 2) for generating a vortex flow designed to generate and deliver a vortex flow of the fluid oxidant or of the decomposed hydrogen peroxide or of the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide, in the combustion chamber 2 and then on the solid fuel 2a thus increasing the combustion efficiency, the regression rate and the stability of the combustion.
A vortex flow means a flow of compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant or of the hydrogen peroxide which has a component such as to hit the solid fuel in a turbulent or swirling or spiral manner, for example not only 5 parallel to the surface or to the mass surfaces of solid fuel exposed (in the combustion chamber 2) to the flow of decomposition compounds. If desired, the vortex flow has tangential components and, if desired, axial to that surface or those surfaces.
In this regard, the solid fuel 2a can be arranged in the combustion chamber i o 2 so as to form a cylindrical element and in this case the flow of compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide would be conveyed along the seat 2b delimited by the cylindrical element. Well, the axial components of the flow of fluid oxidant or hydrogen peroxide are those components of this flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of the cylindrical
15 element, while the tangential components are transverse or orthogonal to this axis.
The device 10 is therefore arranged between the catalytic bed 3 and the combustion chamber 2 and can comprise, for example, a plate 11 defining one or a plurality of through holes 12 which have a helical or spiral or curved pattern, for example with respect to said axis of symmetry. More specifically, the holes 12 do
20 not have a main development axis parallel to the conveying direction of the compounds of the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide from the catalytic bed 3 to the combustion chamber 2.
Alternatively, the device for generating a vortex flow comprises a cup-like or similar element with flanged end and delimiting holes which are transversal or
25 orthogonal to the advancement or conveying direction of the compounds of the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide from the catalytic bed 3 to the combustion chamber 2.
If desired, an activation valve can be provided to control the mass flow of hydrogen peroxide decomposed at the inlet to the combustion chamber 2, thereby
30 allowing the control, switching off and re-ignition of the group or gas generator as desired and necessary.
A group according to the present invention could be mounted in a containment casing.
It is an object of the present invention also a submersible or submarine S 5 equipped with one or more groups 1 as indicated above. This submersible or submarine S comprises one or more ballasts or containment tanks B for a ballast fluid, such as water, for example constrained on a respective flank of the submersible or submarine S as well as one or more groups housed or otherwise leading to a ballast or containment tank B. Of course, the containment tanks are o full, at least initially, of water or ballast fluid.
In this case the dispensing device 6 and more particularly the ejector 6b opens directly or not into the containment tanks B and, therefore, feeds combustion gas(es) generated in the group, in particular cooled as indicated above, which increase/s the pressure in the containment tanks and determine/s the5 partial or total emptying of the same.
The containment tanks may be open and may be provided with disks or breaking baffles as above indicated.
Basically, with a group according to the present invention it is possible to realize a method for the quick emersion of a submersible or submarine S and/or o for controlling the travel or advancement of a submersible or submarine S, which method includes the following steps:
- arranging a group 1 according to the present invention;
- housing the group 1 in such a way that the respective dispensing device 6 flows into a containment tank B of ballast fluid of the submersible or submarine5 S;
- controlling the delivery of the fluid oxidant on the decomposition unit 3 so that the latter decomposes or separates the fluid oxidant;
- controlling or determining the delivery of the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant in the combustion chamber 2 on or in contact0 with the solid fuel 2a, so as to cause a combustion reaction between the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant and the solid fuel 2a, thereby generating combustion gases;
- emitting the combustion gas(es) through the dispensing device 6 into a containment tank B, causing it to be emptied.
Moreover, if a device 10 is provided for the generation of a vortex flow, then it is commanded or determined the delivery of the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant in the device 10 so as to generate a vortex flow of the compounds and deliver it into the combustion chamber 2 and then on the solid fuel mass 2a.
Other treatment steps may also be provided depending on the components (for example nozzle 6a, ejector 6b and adduction duct 6c) present in the group.
As will be understood, the quantitative ranges of the components used depend on the specific case of use, such as the size of the submarine or the units already present.
In this way, the pressure profile of the generated gas can be controlled as desired, thus obtaining an active control of the gas generator during the ascent phase.
Basically, a group according to the present invention is an EBD based on a hybrid propellant gas generator with fluid oxidant and solid propellant, which allows an extreme operational versatility, since it can be switched on and off and has limited development, management and recharge costs thanks to the implicit inert nature of the fuel and to the limited safety problems concerning the oxidant.
The present invention therefore guarantees the replacement of EBD systems based on solid gas generators with hybrid gas generators.
According to the present invention, the hydrogen peroxide is passed into a catalytic bed which determines its decomposition into oxygen and water vapour at high temperature, and the decomposition products are injected into the combustion chamber, causing the beginning of the combustion and the ignition of the engine.
The flow of the oxidant can also be managed through an activation valve that controls the mass flow entering the combustion chamber, thus allowing the control, switching off and re-ignition of the gas generator as desired and necessary, thus ensuring a versatility which is not obtainable with a solid propeller or gas generator.
The fuel may however be inert so that it does not react as a result of accidental contact with the oxidant, unless this is decomposed into high temperature gas, thus making the system safe against any internal leakages.
Moreover, in case of completely inert fuel or propellant, it is not sensitive to disturbances of electrostatic and electromagnetic nature.
The hydrogen peroxide used can also be stabilized, thus reducing the problems in case of accidental drip of the oxidant. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic.
The group or system can then be refilled simply by restoring the oxidant and replacing the fuel or fuel grain. In this regard, since the oxidant is non-toxic and the fuel is inert, this procedure is inexpensive.
Moreover, also the materials used are inexpensive.
With a group according to the present invention, it is possible to control the pressure profile of the gas generated as desired, also making it possible among the other things to carry out an active control of the gas generator during the ascent phase, allowing an active control of the ascent speed profile by the system or people driving the submarine.
Modifications and variants of the invention are possible within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Group or system for the quick emersion of a submersible or a submarine (S) and/or for controlling the travel or advancement of a submersible or a submarine (S), which group or system delimits a combustion chamber (2) and
5 comprises a mass of solid fuel (2a) housed in or leading to said combustion chamber (2) as well as a container (4) of fluid oxidant and a device (6) for dispensing combustion gas mounted at the top or downstream of the combustion chamber (2), wherein said group comprises a decomposition unit (3) set to decompose or separate said fluid oxidant exiting from said container (4), said i o combustion chamber (2) being mounted at the head or downstream of said decomposition unit (3), such that said fluid oxidant decomposed or separated from said decomposition unit (3) is dispensed into the combustion chamber (2) on or in contact with said solid fuel, so as to cause a combustion reaction between said fluid oxidant and said solid fuel (2a), whose combustion gases are emitted by
15 means of said dispensing device (6).
2. Group according to claim 1, wherein said fluid oxidant comprises hydrogen peroxide with a concentration by mass with respect to water that is greater than 70% or 80%.
3. Group according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said decomposition unit 2 o comprises a catalytic bed.
4. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said catalytic bed comprises a mesh or a grid or multiple stacked grids or a plurality of small balls set to define tortuous paths for the fluid oxidant.
5. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said solid 25 fuel comprises an inert material.
6. Group according to claim 5, wherein said inert material is selected from the group constituted by paraffin, a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.
7. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said hydrogen peroxide is stabilized with a content of stabilizing agents > 10 parts per
30 million.
8. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a device (10) for generating a vortex flow arranged between the decomposition unit (3) and the combustion chamber (2) and set to generate a vortex flow of the compounds of the decomposition of the fluid oxidant and to dispense it in the combustion
5 chamber (2) and then on the mass of solid fuel (2a).
9. Group according to claim 8, wherein said device (10) for the generation of a vortex flow comprises a plate (11) delimiting one or a plurality of through holes (12) which have helical or spiral or curved pattern.
10. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said i o dispensing device (6) is set to emit the combustion gas or gases into the ballast water containment tanks (B) of a submersible or a submarine (S).
11. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said dispensing device (6) comprises a nozzle (6a) mounted at the head or in fluid communication with said combustion chamber (2) as well as an ejector (6b) and a
15 supply conduit (6c) extended between a tank of a cooling fluid and the nozzle (6a) or ejector (6b), so as to allow combustion gas/gases exiting from the combustion chamber (2) to enter into the nozzle (6a) and cause the suction of the cooling fluid from the respective tank into the supply conduit (6c) and then into the ejector (6b) together with the combustion gas or gases, cooling the latter.
20 12. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a thrust or pressurization unit (5) able to thrust the fluid oxidant from the container (4) towards the decomposition unit (3).
13. Group according to claim 12, wherein said thrust or pressurization unit (5) comprises a recipient of a pressurized fluid.
25 14. Group according to claim 13, comprising a transport conduit set to place said recipient (5) of a pressurized fluid in fluid communication with said container (4), as well as a first valve assembly (8) intercepting said transport duct.
15. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second valve assembly (9) set to intercept the delivery of fluid oxidant or the channel for
30 dispensing such oxidant from the container (4) to the decomposition unit (3).
16. Submersible or submarine comprising at least one containment tank (B) for a ballast fluid as well as at least one group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims housed in or in any case leading to said at least one containment tank (B), said dispensing device (6) of said at least one group (1) leading into said
5 at least one containment tank (B), such that said dispensing device (6) is set to feed combustion gas or gases generated in said at least one group (1) into said at least one containment tank (B), causing the emptying thereof.
17. Method for the quick emersion of a submersible or a submarine (S) and/or for controlling the travel or advancement of a submersible or a submarine (S) o comprising the following steps:
- arranging a group according to any one of the claims 1 to 15;
- housing said group in a manner such that the respective dispensing device (6) leads into at least one fluid ballast containment tank (B) of said submersible or submarine (S);
5 - controlling the delivery of said fluid oxidant on said decomposition unit
(3) such that the latter decomposes or separates said fluid oxidant;
- controlling or determining the delivery of the compounds of the decomposition of said fluid oxidant in said combustion chamber (2) on or in contact with said solid fuel (2a), so as to cause a combustion reaction between the 0 compounds of the decomposition of said fluid oxidant and said solid fuel (2a), thereby generating combustion gas or gases;
- emitting the combustion gas or gases by means of said dispensing device (6) in said at least one containment tank (B), causing the emptying thereof.
18. Method according to claim 17 with a device according to claim 8, 5 comprising the following step:
- driving or causing the delivery of the compounds of the decomposition of said fluid oxidant in said device (10) for the generation of a vortex flow, so as to generate a vortex flow of said compounds and to deliver it into the combustion chamber (2) and hence on the mass of solid fuel (2a).
0
EP18737986.2A 2017-06-13 2018-06-07 Group or system for the quick emersion of a submersible or a submarine Active EP3638581B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102017000065613A IT201700065613A1 (en) 2017-06-13 2017-06-13 Group or system for the rapid emergence of submarines or submarines.
PCT/IB2018/054121 WO2018229611A1 (en) 2017-06-13 2018-06-07 Group or system for the quick emersion of a submersible or a submarine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3638581A1 true EP3638581A1 (en) 2020-04-22
EP3638581B1 EP3638581B1 (en) 2021-08-04

Family

ID=60182909

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EP18737986.2A Active EP3638581B1 (en) 2017-06-13 2018-06-07 Group or system for the quick emersion of a submersible or a submarine

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3638581B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2020523253A (en)
KR (1) KR102497562B1 (en)
CN (1) CN110997480B (en)
ES (1) ES2899249T3 (en)
IT (1) IT201700065613A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2018229611A1 (en)

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JPS5335207B2 (en) * 1973-05-28 1978-09-26
DE2709733C2 (en) * 1977-03-05 1985-03-07 Erno Raumfahrttechnik Gmbh, 2800 Bremen Process for generating an inert gas mixture and device for carrying out the process
JPS56219U (en) * 1979-06-13 1981-01-06
DE3320159A1 (en) * 1983-06-03 1984-12-06 Erno Raumfahrttechnik Gmbh, 2800 Bremen RESCUE DEVICE FOR UNDERWATER VEHICLES
EP0579781A4 (en) * 1991-04-11 1994-12-07 Talley Defence Systems Inc Azide propellant compositions for emergency deballasting of submersible vessels.
DE19704587C2 (en) * 1997-02-07 2000-06-15 Daimlerchrysler Aerospace Ag Emergency blowing device for underwater vehicles
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JP6220685B2 (en) * 2014-01-30 2017-10-25 電源開発株式会社 Gasification burner and two-stage gasification furnace equipped with the gasification burner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN110997480B (en) 2022-03-08
WO2018229611A1 (en) 2018-12-20
KR102497562B1 (en) 2023-02-07
IT201700065613A1 (en) 2018-12-13
JP2020523253A (en) 2020-08-06
EP3638581B1 (en) 2021-08-04
ES2899249T3 (en) 2022-03-10
CN110997480A (en) 2020-04-10
KR20200023628A (en) 2020-03-05

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