EP4041627A1 - Ballast for an underwater vehicle, and underwater vehicle comprising at least one such ballast - Google Patents

Ballast for an underwater vehicle, and underwater vehicle comprising at least one such ballast

Info

Publication number
EP4041627A1
EP4041627A1 EP20785535.4A EP20785535A EP4041627A1 EP 4041627 A1 EP4041627 A1 EP 4041627A1 EP 20785535 A EP20785535 A EP 20785535A EP 4041627 A1 EP4041627 A1 EP 4041627A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ballast
underwater vehicle
filling
emptying
sealed
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP20785535.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Laurent BRUNIE
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.)
Naval Group SA
Original Assignee
Naval Group SA
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 Naval Group SA filed Critical Naval Group SA
Publication of EP4041627A1 publication Critical patent/EP4041627A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B63G8/22—Adjustment of buoyancy by water ballasting; Emptying equipment for ballast tanks

Definitions

  • ballast for underwater vehicle and underwater vehicle comprising at least one such ballast
  • the present invention relates to underwater vehicles such as, for example, submarines or underwater drones.
  • ballasts These devices are generally referred to as ballasts in the literature.
  • Ballasts have been known since the beginning of the construction of submersible ships, ancestors of modern submarines.
  • the first submersible ships such as those of the Sirene class (early 20th century) were equipped with it.
  • the principle is to use a tank filled with water that is chased and replaced by pressurized air or by pumping, this to raise the underwater vehicle, or in the opposite direction to make it dive. the underwater vehicle.
  • ballasts we install devices similar in their design, but allowing to precisely adjust the weight of the underwater vehicle according to the thrust of Archimedes.
  • These devices may also have the role of controlling the list of the underwater vehicle, that is to say the inclination towards the port or starboard side, or the trim, that is to say the tilt forward or backward.
  • safety weights can be added on the underwater vehicle, the release of which allows the underwater vehicle to rise to the surface in the event of failure of the ballast system, in the event of damage or waterway.
  • weights can consist, for example, of lead pigs.
  • the object of the invention is to eliminate fluid interfaces (hydraulic, pneumatic) and to keep only mechanical or electrical interfaces for which perfectly reliable and robust sealing solutions exist in the state of the art. 'art (cable gland).
  • this ballast can then be designed as a standardized module that can be installed either on the areas of the underwater vehicle usually comprising such devices.
  • This ballast can also be tested and validated in the factory, before its integration into the underwater vehicle.
  • the invention consists of a ballast of an underwater vehicle intended to allow the diving of an underwater vehicle comprising a tank intended to contain at least one fluid, generally alternately sea water and water. air, the ballast further comprising a device for filling and emptying the tank which is mounted outside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle by welding, gluing, screwing, riveting, magnetization or any other connecting means mechanical.
  • ballast is mounted between the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle and its non-sealed outer hull.
  • the filling and emptying device is electrically controlled by means of an electric cable, or a set of electric cables, one end of which is connected to a monitoring and control device located at the end. 'inside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle, and the other end of which is connected to the device mounted outside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle.
  • An electric cable is understood to mean a cable which may also contain one or more optical fibers.
  • the filling and emptying device necessarily includes an electrical or electronic device, such as an electronic interface card, allowing its control and command by the monitoring and control device.
  • the monitoring and control device enables electrical power supply and digital bus control of the filling and emptying device.
  • the filling and emptying device comprises a hydraulic and / or pneumatic circuit comprising valves, pumps, compressors and one or more pressurized gas reservoirs which make it possible to manage the filling or emptying of the fluid from the fluid. tank.
  • the ballast tank is separated into at least two sealed volumes relative to each other and supplied with fluid independently of each other by the filling and emptying device.
  • the ballast tank comprises in each of its sealed volumes, one or more level sensors making it possible to assess the level of liquid fluid filling of each of them.
  • sensors can be digital, analog, of various technologies known per se, including technologies allowing continuous reading of the exact level of liquid fluid filling.
  • the system for attaching the ballast to the underwater vehicle allows the ballast to be released from the control device and control, the electric or opto-electric cable (s) being breakable or disconnectable by means of connectors known per se.
  • the ballast can be installed either in the front area, in the central area, or in the rear area of the underwater vehicle.
  • ballasts and preferably four ballasts thus described, can be installed on an underwater vehicle to ensure its diving and its return to the surface.
  • the invention also relates to an underwater vehicle comprising such a ballast.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an underwater vehicle
  • Figure 2 shows a sectional view of such an underwater vehicle
  • Figure 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a ballast according to the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic view of means for fixing a ballast according to the invention on an underwater vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of an underwater vehicle such as a submarine 1 itself.
  • underwater vehicle such as a drone, or the like, for example.
  • the underwater vehicle 1 is shown from the side.
  • Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the underwater vehicle 1.
  • ballasts 2 on each of its sides, each provided with a reservoir 3 intended to contain a fluid and a filling and emptying device 4 thereof.
  • ballasts can be envisaged between the front, central and rear zones thereof.
  • ballasts can for example be provided.
  • these ballasts can be mounted between an internal sealed hull and a non-sealed external hull of a submarine.
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention, with a ballast 2 comprising a reservoir 3 which is formed by at least two separate volumes 3a and 3b as illustrated.
  • the reservoir 3 is separated into at least two volumes 3a, 3b, for example sealed with respect to one another, the two volumes being supplied with fluid independently of one another, by the device for filling and emptying 4.
  • tank parts are provided with level sensors 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f making it possible to deliver a high level or low level indication depending on their position, of fluid in the tank, that is to say in fact the rate filling each of these parts with liquid.
  • the ballast filling and emptying device 4 is connected, for example, by an electric cable 7 to a control device 8 inside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle.
  • the cable can be multiple and include, for example, optical fibers.
  • This monitoring and control device 8 then allows for example an electric power supply and a digital bus control of the device 4 for filling and emptying the tank.
  • the filling and emptying device 4 for its part comprises for example a hydraulic and / or pneumatic circuit comprising valves, pumps, compressors and one or more pressurized gas tanks.
  • the hull passage of this cable is made by a sealing device 9 of the appropriate type, such as that generally called a cable gland and known per se in the state of the art.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system for attaching a ballast to the underwater vehicle.
  • the ballast comprises an open ball 10 in the lower part and a retaining finger 11 in the upper part.
  • This retaining finger 11 can be retracted by an actuator 12 integrated in the device for filling and emptying the ballast and controlled by the control-command device 8 inside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle. Any other type of means for fixing the ballast in a removable manner, known elsewhere, can be used.
  • the cable 8 is then either broken by the weight of the ballast or by a disconnecting device, this cable then being breakable, or disconnected at a waterproof connector 13 provided on this cable and which separates into of them.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a ballast (2) for an underwater vehicle (1), comprising a reservoir (3) for storing at least one fluid, characterised in that it comprises a device (4) for filling and emptying said reservoir, and the reservoir and the filling and emptying device form a unit to be mounted on the outside of the underwater vehicle (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION
TITRE : Ballast pour engin sous-marin et engin sous-marin comprenant au moins un tel ballast TITLE: Ballast for underwater vehicle and underwater vehicle comprising at least one such ballast
La présente invention concerne les engins sous-marins tels que par exemple les sous-marins ou les drones sous-marins. The present invention relates to underwater vehicles such as, for example, submarines or underwater drones.
En particulier, elle concerne les dispositifs permettant à l’engin sous-marin de plonger ou de faire surface de façon statique, c’est-à-dire sans l’aide de gouvernes hydrodynamiques. In particular, it relates to devices allowing the underwater vehicle to dive or surface statically, that is to say without the aid of hydrodynamic control surfaces.
Ces dispositifs sont généralement dénommés ballasts dans la littérature. These devices are generally referred to as ballasts in the literature.
Les ballasts sont connus depuis le début de la construction des navires submersibles, ancêtres des sous-marins modernes. Ballasts have been known since the beginning of the construction of submersible ships, ancestors of modern submarines.
Ils permettent d’alourdir la coque d’un navire de surface pour lui permettre de plonger sous la surface de l’eau. They make the hull of a surface vessel heavier to allow it to dive below the surface of the water.
Ces navires sont bien entendu rendus étanches pour la plongée. These vessels are of course sealed for diving.
Les premiers navires submersibles, tels ceux de la classe Sirène (début du XXième siècle) en étaient équipés. The first submersible ships, such as those of the Sirene class (early 20th century) were equipped with it.
Le principe est d’utiliser un réservoir rempli d’eau que l’on vient chasser et remplacer par de l’air sous pression ou par pompage, ceci pour faire remonter l’engin sous-marin, ou dans le sens opposé pour faire plonger l’engin sous-marin. The principle is to use a tank filled with water that is chased and replaced by pressurized air or by pumping, this to raise the underwater vehicle, or in the opposite direction to make it dive. the underwater vehicle.
Ces réservoirs n’ont pas besoin de résister à la pression d’immersion et sont généralement disposés à l’extérieur de la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin. These tanks do not need to withstand submerging pressure and are usually located outside the watertight hull of the underwater vehicle.
Il existe donc des interfaces avec l’intérieur de cette coque étanche (passage de tuyauterie pour l’air comprimé par exemple). There are therefore interfaces with the interior of this sealed shell (piping passage for compressed air, for example).
Un exemple de tels dispositifs est décrit dans la demande de brevet US1488067, qui présente un ballast extérieur à la coque étanche et alimenté en air comprimé par une connexion traversant cette coque étanche. An example of such devices is described in patent application US Pat. No. 1,488,067, which has a ballast external to the sealed hull and supplied with compressed air by a connection passing through this sealed hull.
En plus de ces ballasts, on installe des dispositifs similaires dans leur conception, mais permettant d’ajuster précisément le poids de l’engin sous-marin en fonction de la poussée d’Archimède. In addition to these ballasts, we install devices similar in their design, but allowing to precisely adjust the weight of the underwater vehicle according to the thrust of Archimedes.
Ces dispositifs peuvent aussi avoir comme rôle de contrôler la gîte de l’engin sous-marin, c’est-à-dire l’inclinaison vers le côté bâbord ou tribord, ou l’assiette, c’est-à-dire l’inclinaison vers l’avant ou vers l’arrière. These devices may also have the role of controlling the list of the underwater vehicle, that is to say the inclination towards the port or starboard side, or the trim, that is to say the tilt forward or backward.
Ces dispositifs sont appelés régleurs. Par ailleurs, on peut ajouter des lests de sécurité sur l’engin sous-marin, dont le largage permet à l’engin sous-marin de remonter à la surface en cas de défaillance du système de ballasts, en cas d’avarie ou de voie d’eau. These devices are called adjusters. In addition, safety weights can be added on the underwater vehicle, the release of which allows the underwater vehicle to rise to the surface in the event of failure of the ballast system, in the event of damage or waterway.
Ces lests peuvent être constitués par exemple de gueuses de plomb. These weights can consist, for example, of lead pigs.
Un problème de ces dispositifs est qu’ils sont réalisés lors de la construction du navire avec des interfaces fluides avec l’intérieur de la coque étanche. One problem with these devices is that they are made during the construction of the ship with fluid interfaces with the interior of the watertight hull.
Ils dépendent de systèmes auxiliaires comme le circuit d’air à haute pression pour la purge d’eau. They depend on auxiliary systems such as the high pressure air circuit for purging water.
Leur validation ne peut être réalisée que lorsque les installations auxiliaires sont en fonction, voire lorsque le sous-marin est immergé. Their validation can only be carried out when the auxiliary installations are in operation, or even when the submarine is submerged.
Un autre problème de ces dispositifs réside dans leur conception intrinsèque qui présente des traversées de la coque étanche peuvent poser des problèmes de sécurité si une voie d’eau devait apparaître. Another problem with these devices is their intrinsic design, which has sealed hull feedthroughs that can pose safety concerns should a water leak appear.
Pour éviter les inconvénients susmentionnés, l’invention a pour but de supprimer les interfaces fluides (hydrauliques, pneumatiques) et de ne conserver que des interfaces mécaniques ou électriques pour lesquelles des solutions d’étanchéité parfaitement fiables et robustes existent dans l’état de l’art (presse- étoupe). To avoid the aforementioned drawbacks, the object of the invention is to eliminate fluid interfaces (hydraulic, pneumatic) and to keep only mechanical or electrical interfaces for which perfectly reliable and robust sealing solutions exist in the state of the art. 'art (cable gland).
En déportant les systèmes auxiliaires de l’intérieur de l’engin sous-marin au ballast, on peut concevoir un système modulaire n’ayant que des interfaces mécaniques pour le maintien en position et des interfaces électriques pour commander et contrôler le ballast objet de l’invention. By deporting the auxiliary systems from inside the underwater vehicle to the ballast, it is possible to design a modular system having only mechanical interfaces for maintaining in position and electrical interfaces for controlling and controlling the ballast object of the ballast. 'invention.
On conçoit aisément que ce ballast peut alors être conçu comme un module standardisé pouvant être installé indifféremment sur les zones de l’engin sous-marin comportant habituellement de tels dispositifs. It is easy to see that this ballast can then be designed as a standardized module that can be installed either on the areas of the underwater vehicle usually comprising such devices.
Ce ballast peut en outre être testé et validé en usine, avant son intégration sur l’engin sous-marin. This ballast can also be tested and validated in the factory, before its integration into the underwater vehicle.
Ainsi, l’invention consiste en un ballast d’engin sous-marin destiné à permettre la plongée d’un engin sous-marin comprenant un réservoir destiné à contenir au moins un fluide, généralement alternativement de l’eau de mer et de l’air, le ballast comprenant en plus un dispositif de remplissage et de vidange du réservoir qui est monté à l’extérieur de la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin par soudage, collage, vissage, rivetage, aimantation ou tout autre moyen de liaison mécanique. Thus, the invention consists of a ballast of an underwater vehicle intended to allow the diving of an underwater vehicle comprising a tank intended to contain at least one fluid, generally alternately sea water and water. air, the ballast further comprising a device for filling and emptying the tank which is mounted outside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle by welding, gluing, screwing, riveting, magnetization or any other connecting means mechanical.
Le réservoir et le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange forment un bloc qui sera désigné par la suite comme « ballast ». Dans un mode de réalisation, le ballast est monté entre la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin et sa coque externe non étanche. The reservoir and the filling and emptying device form a block which will be referred to hereinafter as “ballast”. In one embodiment, the ballast is mounted between the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle and its non-sealed outer hull.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange est commandé électriquement au moyen d’un câble électrique, ou d’un ensemble de câbles électriques, dont une extrémité est reliée à un dispositif de contrôle et de commande situé à l’intérieur de la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin, et dont l’autre extrémité est reliée au dispositif monté à l’extérieur de la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin. In another embodiment, the filling and emptying device is electrically controlled by means of an electric cable, or a set of electric cables, one end of which is connected to a monitoring and control device located at the end. 'inside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle, and the other end of which is connected to the device mounted outside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle.
On comprend par câble électrique, un câble qui peut aussi contenir une ou plusieurs fibres optiques. An electric cable is understood to mean a cable which may also contain one or more optical fibers.
Il est induit que le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange comprend nécessairement un dispositif électrique ou électronique, comme une carte électronique d’interfaçage, permettant son contrôle et sa commande par le dispositif de contrôle et de commande. It is assumed that the filling and emptying device necessarily includes an electrical or electronic device, such as an electronic interface card, allowing its control and command by the monitoring and control device.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le dispositif de contrôle et de commande permet une alimentation électrique et une commande par bus numérique du dispositif de remplissage et de vidange. In another embodiment, the monitoring and control device enables electrical power supply and digital bus control of the filling and emptying device.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange comprend un circuit hydraulique et/ou pneumatique comportant des vannes, pompes, compresseurs et un ou plusieurs réservoirs de gaz sous pression qui permettent de gérer le remplissage ou la vidange en fluide du réservoir. In another embodiment, the filling and emptying device comprises a hydraulic and / or pneumatic circuit comprising valves, pumps, compressors and one or more pressurized gas reservoirs which make it possible to manage the filling or emptying of the fluid from the fluid. tank.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le réservoir du ballast est séparé en au moins deux volumes étanches les uns par rapport aux autres et alimentés en fluide de façon indépendante les uns des autres par le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange. In another embodiment, the ballast tank is separated into at least two sealed volumes relative to each other and supplied with fluid independently of each other by the filling and emptying device.
Ces volumes permettent d’assurer les fonctions distinctes de ballastage et de réglage comme énoncé précédemment dans l’état de l’art. These volumes make it possible to provide the separate ballasting and control functions as stated previously in the state of the art.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le réservoir du ballast comprend dans chacun de ses volumes étanches, un ou plusieurs capteurs de niveau permettant d’évaluer le taux de remplissage en fluide liquide de chacun d’entre eux. In another embodiment, the ballast tank comprises in each of its sealed volumes, one or more level sensors making it possible to assess the level of liquid fluid filling of each of them.
Ces capteurs peuvent être numériques, analogiques, de différentes technologies connues en soi, y compris des technologies permettant une lecture continue du niveau exact de remplissage en fluide liquide. These sensors can be digital, analog, of various technologies known per se, including technologies allowing continuous reading of the exact level of liquid fluid filling.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le système d’attache du ballast sur l’engin sous-marin permet de libérer le ballast à partir du dispositif de contrôle et de commande, le ou les câbles électriques ou opto-électriques étant sécables ou déconnectables par l’intermédiaire de connecteurs connus en soi. In another embodiment, the system for attaching the ballast to the underwater vehicle allows the ballast to be released from the control device and control, the electric or opto-electric cable (s) being breakable or disconnectable by means of connectors known per se.
Pour des considérations techniques liées à l’architecture de l’engin sous-marin et sa stabilité, le ballast peut être installé indifféremment dans la zone avant, dans la zone centrale, ou dans la zone arrière de l’engin sous-marin. For technical considerations related to the architecture of the underwater vehicle and its stability, the ballast can be installed either in the front area, in the central area, or in the rear area of the underwater vehicle.
Pour ces raisons, un ou plusieurs ballasts, et de préférence quatre ballasts ainsi décrits peuvent être installés sur un engin sous-marin pour assurer sa plongée et son retour à la surface. For these reasons, one or more ballasts, and preferably four ballasts thus described, can be installed on an underwater vehicle to ensure its diving and its return to the surface.
Selon un autre aspect, l’invention a également pour objet un engin sous-marin comportant un tel ballast. According to another aspect, the invention also relates to an underwater vehicle comprising such a ballast.
L’invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d’exemple et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels : The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- [Fig 1] La figure 1 représente une vue de côté schématique d’un engin sous-marin ; - [Fig 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an underwater vehicle;
- [Fig 2] La figure 2 représente une vue en coupe d’un tel engin sous-marin ;- [Fig 2] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of such an underwater vehicle;
- [Fig 3] La figure 3 représente une vue en coupe d’un exemple de réalisation d’un ballast selon l’invention, et - [Fig 3] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a ballast according to the invention, and
- Fig 4] La figure 4 représente une vue schématique de moyens de fixation d’un ballast selon l’invention sur un engin sous-marin. - Fig 4] Figure 4 shows a schematic view of means for fixing a ballast according to the invention on an underwater vehicle.
On a en effet représenté sur la Fig. 1 , un exemple de réalisation d’un engin sous-marin tel qu’un sous-marin 1 proprement dit. In fact, FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an underwater vehicle such as a submarine 1 itself.
Bien entendu d’autres types d’engin sous-marin peuvent être envisagés comme par exemple un drone, ou autre. Of course, other types of underwater vehicle can be envisaged, such as a drone, or the like, for example.
Sur cette figure 1 , l’engin sous-marin 1 est représenté de côté. In this figure 1, the underwater vehicle 1 is shown from the side.
On peut alors distinguer dans ce sous-marin une zone arrière A, une zone centrale B et une zone avant C. We can then distinguish in this submarine a rear zone A, a central zone B and a front zone C.
Ces zones divisent par exemple l’engin sous-marin en trois parties de longueurs sensiblement égales. These zones divide, for example, the underwater vehicle into three parts of approximately equal length.
La figure 2 représente une vue en coupe de l’engin sous-marin 1. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the underwater vehicle 1.
Celui-ci est équipé par exemple de ballasts 2 sur chacun de ses côté, pourvus chacun d’un réservoir 3 destiné à contenir un fluide et d’un dispositif de remplissage et de vidange 4 de celui-ci. This is equipped for example with ballasts 2 on each of its sides, each provided with a reservoir 3 intended to contain a fluid and a filling and emptying device 4 thereof.
Bien entendu différentes localisations de ces ballasts peuvent être envisagées entre les zones avant, centrale et arrière de celui-ci. Of course, different locations of these ballasts can be envisaged between the front, central and rear zones thereof.
Quatre ballasts peuvent par exemple être prévus. Ainsi ces ballasts peuvent être montés entre une coque étanche interne et une coque externe non-étanche d’un sous-marin. Four ballasts can for example be provided. Thus these ballasts can be mounted between an internal sealed hull and a non-sealed external hull of a submarine.
La figure 3 représente un mode de réalisation de l’invention, avec un ballast 2 comportant un réservoir 3 qui est formé par au moins deux volumes distincts 3a et 3b comme cela est illustré. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention, with a ballast 2 comprising a reservoir 3 which is formed by at least two separate volumes 3a and 3b as illustrated.
Le réservoir 3 est séparé en au moins deux volumes 3a, 3b par exemple étanches l’un par rapport à l’autre, les deux volumes étant alimentés en fluide de façon indépendante l’un par rapport à l’autre, par le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange 4. The reservoir 3 is separated into at least two volumes 3a, 3b, for example sealed with respect to one another, the two volumes being supplied with fluid independently of one another, by the device for filling and emptying 4.
Ces parties de réservoir sont munies de capteurs de niveau 3c, 3d, 3e et 3f permettant de délivrer une indication de niveau haut ou de niveau bas suivant leur position, de fluide dans le réservoir, c’est-à-dire en fait le taux de remplissage en liquide de chacune de ces parties. These tank parts are provided with level sensors 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f making it possible to deliver a high level or low level indication depending on their position, of fluid in the tank, that is to say in fact the rate filling each of these parts with liquid.
Le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange 4 du ballast est relié par exemple par un câble électrique 7 à un dispositif de contrôle-commande 8 à l’intérieur de la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin. The ballast filling and emptying device 4 is connected, for example, by an electric cable 7 to a control device 8 inside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle.
Le câble peut être multiple et comporter par exemple des fibres optiques.The cable can be multiple and include, for example, optical fibers.
Ce dispositif de contrôle et de commande 8 permet alors par exemple une alimentation électrique et une commande par bus numérique du dispositif 4 de remplissage et de vidange du réservoir. This monitoring and control device 8 then allows for example an electric power supply and a digital bus control of the device 4 for filling and emptying the tank.
Le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange 4 comprend quant-à-lui par exemple un circuit hydraulique et/ou pneumatique comportant des vannes, des pompes, des compresseurs et un ou plusieurs réservoirs de gaz sous pression. The filling and emptying device 4 for its part comprises for example a hydraulic and / or pneumatic circuit comprising valves, pumps, compressors and one or more pressurized gas tanks.
Le passage de coque de ce câble est réalisé par un dispositif d’étanchéité 9 de type approprié comme celui généralement appelé presse-étoupe et connu en soi dans l’état de la technique. The hull passage of this cable is made by a sealing device 9 of the appropriate type, such as that generally called a cable gland and known per se in the state of the art.
On a illustré sur la figure 4 un exemple de réalisation d’un système de fixation d’un ballast à l’engin sous-marin. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system for attaching a ballast to the underwater vehicle.
Bien entendu d’autres modes de réalisation peuvent être envisagés. Of course, other embodiments can be envisaged.
Dans le mode de réalisation illustré, le ballast comporte une rotule ouverte 10 en partie basse et un doigt de retenue 11 en partie haute. In the illustrated embodiment, the ballast comprises an open ball 10 in the lower part and a retaining finger 11 in the upper part.
Ce doigt de retenue 11 peut être rétracté par un actionneur 12 intégré dans le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange du ballast et piloté par le dispositif de contrôle-commande 8 à l’intérieur de la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin. Tout autre type de moyen de fixation de façon démontable du ballast, connu par ailleurs peut être utilisé. This retaining finger 11 can be retracted by an actuator 12 integrated in the device for filling and emptying the ballast and controlled by the control-command device 8 inside the sealed hull of the underwater vehicle. Any other type of means for fixing the ballast in a removable manner, known elsewhere, can be used.
Lorsque le ballast est libéré, le câble 8 est alors soit rompu par le poids du ballast ou par un dispositif de sectionnement, ce câble étant alors sécable, soit déconnecté au niveau d’un connecteur étanche 13 prévu sur ce câble et qui se sépare en deux. When the ballast is released, the cable 8 is then either broken by the weight of the ballast or by a disconnecting device, this cable then being breakable, or disconnected at a waterproof connector 13 provided on this cable and which separates into of them.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Ballast (2) pour un engin sous-marin (1) comprenant un réservoir (3) de stockage d’au moins un fluide, caractérisé en ce qu’il comprend un dispositif (4) de remplissage et de vidange du réservoir, le réservoir et le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange formant un bloc destiné à être monté à l’extérieur de l’engin sous-marin (1), en ce que le ballast est monté entre une coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin et une coque externe non étanche, en ce que le dispositif (4) de remplissage et de vidange est commandé électriquement au moyen d’au moins un câble électrique (7) dont une extrémité est reliée à un dispositif de contrôle et de commande (8) situé à l’intérieur de la coque étanche de l’engin sous-marin, et l’autre extrémité est reliée au dispositif (4) et en ce qu’un système d’attache (10, 11 ) dudit ballast sur l’engin sous-marin (1 ) permet de libérer le ballast à partir du dispositif de contrôle et de commande (8), le au moins un câble électrique (7) étant sécable ou déconnectable via au moins un connecteur électrique (13). 1. Ballast (2) for an underwater vehicle (1) comprising a tank (3) for storing at least one fluid, characterized in that it comprises a device (4) for filling and emptying the tank, the tank and the filling and emptying device forming a block intended to be mounted outside the underwater vehicle (1), in that the ballast is mounted between a sealed hull of the underwater vehicle and a non-waterproof outer shell, in that the filling and emptying device (4) is electrically controlled by means of at least one electric cable (7), one end of which is connected to a monitoring and control device (8). ) located inside the watertight hull of the underwater vehicle, and the other end is connected to the device (4) and in that a fastening system (10, 11) of said ballast on the underwater vehicle (1) allows the ballast to be released from the control and command device (8), the at least one electric cable (7) being breakable or disconnectable it via at least one electrical connector (13).
2. Ballast selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de contrôle et de commande (8) permet une alimentation électrique et une commande par bus numérique du dispositif (4) de remplissage et de vidange. 2. Ballast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control and command device (8) allows an electrical supply and a digital bus control of the device (4) for filling and emptying.
3. Ballast selon l’une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange (4) comprend un circuit hydraulique et/ou pneumatique comportant des vannes, pompes, compresseurs et un ou plusieurs réservoirs de gaz sous pression. 3. Ballast according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling and emptying device (4) comprises a hydraulic and / or pneumatic circuit comprising valves, pumps, compressors and one or more pressurized gas tanks.
4. Ballast selon l’une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le réservoir (3) est séparé en au moins deux volumes (3a, 3b) étanches les uns par rapport aux autres, les deux volumes étant alimentés en fluide de façon indépendante les uns des autres par le dispositif de remplissage et de vidange (4). 4. Ballast according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (3) is separated into at least two volumes (3a, 3b) sealed relative to each other, the two volumes being supplied with fluid independently. from each other by the filling and emptying device (4).
5. Ballast selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le réservoir (3) comprend dans chacun de ses volumes étanches, un ou plusieurs capteurs de niveau (3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) permettant d’évaluer le taux de remplissage en liquide de chacun d’entre eux. 5. Ballast according to claim 4, characterized in that the reservoir (3) comprises in each of its sealed volumes, one or more level sensors (3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) for evaluating the degree of filling with liquid. of each of them.
6. Engin sous-marin comprenant au moins un ballast selon l’une des revendications précédentes. 6. Underwater vehicle comprising at least one ballast according to one of the preceding claims.
EP20785535.4A 2019-10-10 2020-10-08 Ballast for an underwater vehicle, and underwater vehicle comprising at least one such ballast Pending EP4041627A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1911238A FR3101847B1 (en) 2019-10-10 2019-10-10 BALLAST FOR UNDERWATER VEHICLE AND UNDERWATER VEHICLE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH BALLAST
PCT/EP2020/078278 WO2021069588A1 (en) 2019-10-10 2020-10-08 Ballast for an underwater vehicle, and underwater vehicle comprising at least one such ballast

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4041627A1 true EP4041627A1 (en) 2022-08-17

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ID=69630383

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EP20785535.4A Pending EP4041627A1 (en) 2019-10-10 2020-10-08 Ballast for an underwater vehicle, and underwater vehicle comprising at least one such ballast

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4041627A1 (en)
FR (1) FR3101847B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2021069588A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117698972B (en) * 2024-01-04 2024-09-24 咸宁海威复合材料制品有限公司 Self-detachable watertight connecting structure under gravity action

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1488067A (en) 1922-08-12 1924-03-25 Schneider & Cie Apparatus for emptying the water-ballast tanks of submarines and other submersible vessels
DE2938319C2 (en) * 1979-09-21 1983-01-13 Günther Rudi Prof.Dr.rer.nat. 7512 Rheinstetten Laukien Double hull watercraft
EP3044087B1 (en) * 2013-09-12 2022-11-30 Ian Sheard Underwater watercraft

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FR3101847A1 (en) 2021-04-16
WO2021069588A1 (en) 2021-04-15
FR3101847B1 (en) 2022-02-25

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