ES2452487T3 - Launching system of an underwater mill - Google Patents

Abstract

Launching system of an underwater device, such that the device (2) is housed inside an internal tube (3), sliding by sliding inside an external tube (4) between a retracted position and a position deployed from this tube external (4), and in such a way that it comprises means (5) anti-return of water admission, by the part behind the external tube (4), means (6) for fluid communication of the part of the inner tube from behind the device with the corresponding part of the outer tube, sealing means (7) carried by the inner tube (3) and adapted to slide against the inner wall of the outer tube during the displacements of the inner tube inside of this outer tube (4) and displacement means (8; 10; 11, 13) of the inner tube inside the outer tube, according to a first slow-moving stroke of its retracted position towards its deployed position and according to a second stroke of des rapid positioning of its deployed position towards its retracted position to cause a backflow of pressurized water from the outer tube (4) into the inner tube (3), from behind the device (2) through the means (6) of fluid communication, to push the underwater device (1) and cause its ejection.

Description

Launching system of an underwater mill.

The present invention relates to a launching system for an underwater device.

More especially, the invention can be used, for example, to launch an underwater device such as a torpedo, a missile, a mine, a countermeasure device or a drone or any other device of this nature, from a launching system. of this type that equips an underwater vehicle such as a submarine itself.

These launch systems are also commonly referred to as "launcher tubes" although they can be used to launch non-torpedo devices. Generally, a submarine is equipped with several launcher tubes of this type.

These must allow launching different types of underwater devices such as weapons constituted by torpedoes or others, without imposing mechanical conditions located and excessive in the latter (non-contact launch), while presenting acceptable dimensions to integrate into the vehicle.

Another important feature of systems of this type is to be able to guarantee the launch of the mill with all discretion to avoid, for example, that the launch vehicle is located.

Different systems of this nature have already been described in detail in the state of the art.

As a reminder, the main known systems or launch modes are the following:

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The systems that use the discharge with air that consists of ejecting the device stored inside a tube, injecting air under pressure from the part behind it. These systems have the advantage of allowing a launch without contact with the mill but are relatively unobtrusive as they involve evacuating a lot of air from the carrier submarine.

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The launch by pneumatic pusher which is in fact an actuator with a telescopic cylinder that allows the device to be mechanically pushed out of the tube by means of a piston that is deployed at the time of the shot. The main drawback of systems of this type is that they impose a specific mechanical interface on the back of the device that is launched, and the interface must resist relatively significant shocks.

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The launch by self-start of the ingenuity that is only applicable to the mills that can leave the tube by their own means and that are destined for this type of operative mode of launch. In fact, in this launch mode, the means of motorization of the device are activated and are then used to allow the device to exit the tube. However, they need either a substantially larger tube diameter than the mill to allow water to circulate from the front of the mill to the rear of the mill while this mill comes out, either a third generally annular door, in the part behind the tube. This then allows the "syringe" effect to be avoided when the device leaves the tube. Finally, the relatively weak output speed of the mill also limits the firing range (submarine speed that allows ejection).

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The so-called "Water Ram" systems that use a piston generally hydraulically actuated to push the water inside an external cavity, towards the back of the throwing tube and more especially of the device in order to push and eject it. The essential advantage of systems of this type lies in the contactless launch. However, this type of system is extremely bulky and also needs a third door generally annular, so it presents the additional risk of not being able to properly seal the tube before and after launch. Finally, the piston generally crosses the thick hull of the submarine, so it also presents additional complexity and risks to it.

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The turbo pump system, similar to the systems called "Water Ram", except that a turbine and not the piston propels the water towards the back of the mill. The drawback of such a system is that the turbine is operated inside the submarine's hull, by injection of pressurized air into a rotor. This operation quickly increases the pressure of the atmosphere on board and generates a significant condensation phenomenon within the shooting site which also translates into a certain number of inconveniences for the on-board assembly.

The applicant has also proposed to carry out a double tube system in which an inner tube is fixed in an outer tube, and which uses an annular piston that circulates water from the front to the back of the latter.

However, the manufacture of such a double tube is extremely complex and the space between the tubes is not easily accessible for maintenance.

Examples of launch systems can be found in documents DE 3939037 A1, DE 10340602, EP 2 107 331, EP 0 151 980, EP 0 526 831, FR 2724248, FR 2776059, KR 20100086295, US no 4,971,949, US no 5,284,106, US 6,401,645, US 6,871,610 and finally US 7,093,552.

The purpose of the invention is therefore to solve the problems mentioned above, referring to the launch of all kinds of devices thanks to a system that has acceptable dimensions and allows a discreet launch.

To this end, the object of the invention is a launching system of an underwater device in such a way that the device is housed inside an internal tube, sliding by sliding inside an external tube between a retracted position and a position deployed from it. external tube, and in such a way that it comprises anti-return means of water admission, by the part behind the external tube, means of putting in communication of fluid of the part of the internal tube by the part behind the ingenuity with the corresponding part of the outer tube, sealing means carried by the inner tube and adapted to slide against the inner wall of the outer tube during the displacements of the inner tube inside this outer tube and displacement means of the inner tube within the outer tube, according to a first stroke of slow displacement of its retracted position towards its deployed position and according to a second rapid displacement run of its po Position deployed to its retracted position to cause a backflow of pressurized water from the outer tube into the inner tube, from behind the device through the fluid communication means, to push the underwater device and cause its ejection .

According to other characteristics considered separately or in combination with the launch system according to the invention:

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the displacement means are interposed between the outer tube and the inner tube;

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the displacement means are interposed between the part behind the external and internal tubes;

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the displacement means are interposed between the part behind the inner tube and the front part of the outer tube;

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the displacement means comprise means in the form of a telescopic cylinder;

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the displacement means comprise electromagnetic means,

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the displacement means comprise force means of LAPLACE;

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the anti-return means of water admission from behind the external tube comprise an electrovalve;

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the anti-return means of water admission from behind the outer tube comprise an anti-return valve;

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fluid communication means comprise holes located in the back of the inner tube between both tubes;

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it comprises means for guiding the displacements of the inner tube within the outer tube interposed between them;

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the sealing means carried by the inner tube and adapted to slide against the inner wall of the outer tube during the displacements of the inner tube within this outer tube comprise bib-shaped means and

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the mill is chosen within the group that includes a torpedo, a missile, a mine, a countermeasure device or also a drone;

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the inner tube is formed by a resistant container for receiving and protecting the device, and

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the ends of the tube are sealed by perforable membranes.

The invention will be better understood by the description that will follow and which is given only by way of example and is made with respect to the attached drawings, in which:

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Figures 1 to 4 represent different schematic sectional views of an embodiment example of a

system according to the invention and illustrating a phase of launching a device such as a torpedo;

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Figure 5 represents a sectional view of an embodiment variant of a system according to the invention and

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Figure 6 represents a sectional view also of another variant embodiment of a system according to the invention.

As these figures and in particular Figures 1 to 4 illustrate, the invention relates to a launching system for an underwater device.

In these figures, the system is designated with the general reference 1 and the submarine device is designated with the general reference 2 and is constituted, for example, by a weapon such as a torpedo or any other underwater device such as a missile, a mine , a countermeasures device or also a drone or another.

This device 2 is then housed within an internal tube designated by the general reference 3, which, as illustrated, is sliding by sliding within an external tube, designated by the general reference 4, between a contracted position, illustrated in the Figure 1 and a position deployed from this external tube, as illustrated in Figure 2, after the opening of a corresponding door of the external tube.

The system according to the invention also comprises anti-return means for the admission of water from behind the outer tube, designated with the general reference 5 in these figures.

In fact, these anti-return means can, for example, involve a solenoid valve or also a non-return valve that allows water to be admitted from behind the outer tube when the inner tube is deployed to avoid the "syringe" effect mentioned above.

In the system according to the invention, fluid communication means of the part of the inner tube is also provided by the part behind the device that is launched with the corresponding part of the outer tube, these means being designated with the general reference 6 , in these figures, and comprising, for example, orifices or water inlets, located in the wall of the inner tube, by the part behind it and, in particular, by the part behind the device being launched.

The system according to the invention also comprises sealing means, designated by the general reference 7, carried for example by the inner tube 3 and adapted to slide against the inner wall of the outer tube 4 during displacements of the inner tube within this outer tube.

These sealing means comprise, for example, means in the form of a bib, for example a rigid one, which allow a sealing between upstream and downstream of these means.

Finally, in the launching system according to the invention, means of displacement of the inner tube within the outer tube are also provided, between their positions described above, these means being designated with the general reference 8, in Figures 1 to 4.

In fact, in the example described in these figures 1 to 4, these displacement means are interposed between the outer tube and the inner tube, and particularly between the part behind these tubes.

These displacement means then comprise means in the form of a telescopic cylinder actuator whose feeding is piloted by control means with a classical structure to cause displacements of the internal tube within the external tube.

In this way, these displacement means are adapted to move the inner tube according to a first slow travel stroke, from its retracted position to its deployed position, and, according to a second rapid travel stroke, from its deployed position to its retracted position. .

The first slow displacement stroke is thus illustrated in Figure 2 where it is found that the extension of the cylinder has allowed the internal tube to be displaced and, therefore, the underwater device housed within this internal tube, from its retracted position in the inside of the outer tube towards its deployed position from it.

During this displacement, water is admitted by the part behind the outer tube, through the intake means 5, to avoid the "syringe" effect mentioned above and facilitate the exit of the inner tube.

During the second rapid travel of the inner tube, from its deployed position to its retracted position, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the anti-return means are closed and prevent water from escaping from the outer tube through of these.

The bib carried by the inner tube then causes, during its displacement towards its retracted position inside the outer tube, a backflow of pressurized water from the outer tube into the inner tube, from behind the device, through the fluid communication means 6, which pushes the underwater device and causes its ejection from the inner tube, as illustrated in Figure 4.

It is then conceived that this allows solving the different problems mentioned above since the system according to the invention does not need contact between the actuator and the device.

On the other hand, it is relatively inexpensive and allows for ingeniously launches of mills.

It is understood that there are guide means for the displacements of the inner tube within the outer tube interposed between them. These means may have any appropriate structure and, therefore, will not be described in more detail below.

It is also understood that other embodiments such as those illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 can still be provided.

In this way and while in Figures 1 to 4 the displacement means comprise a telescopic cylinder interposed between the rear parts, in front of the inner and outer tubes, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, these displacement means designated with the general reference 10 are formed by an actuator of the telescopic cylinder type, interposed between the front part of the outer tube and the rear part of the inner tube.

The operation of the system is then symmetrical to that described above, that is to say that this actuator allows, when retracting, a slow run of deployment of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube and then, when deployed, a rapid stroke of return of the inner tube inside the tube external.

It is understood that other embodiments can still be contemplated, in particular for the constitution of the means of displacement of the inner tube within the outer tube.

Thus, for example, in Figure 6, an exemplary embodiment is illustrated where the displacement means comprise electromagnetic means, an external winding, for example designated by the general reference 11, arranged around the external tube 12, and the internal tube 13 being made of ferromagnetic material that also protects the underwater mill housed inside it.

It is understood that other embodiments can be provided, the displacement means being able to be based, for example, on the strength of Laplace or others.

It is conceived that thanks to such a structure, the system according to the invention has a certain number of advantages also in terms of maintenance with respect to prior art systems, insofar as it can be, at least partially , easily disassembled and removed from the launch vehicle to facilitate these operations.

It is also evident that fluid communication means different from those described can be provided, which can, for example, be formed by a partial or total opening of the end behind the inner tube.

A launch in self-start of the device is also possible thanks to the structure of the system according to the invention.

Finally, the dimensions of the different pieces that come into the constitution of this system can be adapted to the size and volume of the mill.

Claims (15)

one.

Launching system of an underwater device, such that the device (2) is housed inside an internal tube (3), sliding by sliding inside an external tube (4) between a retracted position and a position deployed from this tube external (4), and in such a way that it comprises means (5) anti-return of water admission, by the part behind the external tube (4), means (6) for fluid communication of the part of the inner tube from behind the device with the corresponding part of the outer tube, sealing means (7) carried by the inner tube (3) and adapted to slide against the inner wall of the outer tube during the displacements of the inner tube inside of this outer tube (4) and displacement means (8; 10; 11, 13) of the inner tube inside the outer tube, according to a first slow-moving stroke of its retracted position towards its deployed position and according to a second stroke of des rapid positioning of its deployed position towards its retracted position to cause a backflow of pressurized water from the outer tube (4) into the inner tube (3), from behind the device (2) through the means (6) of fluid communication, to push the underwater device (1) and cause its ejection.

2.

Launching system according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement means (8, 10, 11, 13) are interposed between the outer tube and the inner tube.

3.

 Launching system according to claim 2, characterized in that the displacement means (8) are interposed between the part behind the external (4) and internal (3) tubes.

Four.

Launching system according to claim 2, characterized in that the displacement means (10) are interposed between the part behind the inner tube (3) and the front part of the external tube (4).

5.

Launching system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement means comprise means in the form of a telescopic cylinder (8).

6.

Launching system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the displacement means comprise electromagnetic means (11, 13).

7.

Launching system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the displacement means comprise LAPLACE force means.

8.

Launching system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means

(5) anti-return water intake from behind the external tube comprise an electrovalve.

9.

Launching system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the anti-return means (5) for admitting water from behind the external tube comprise an anti-return valve.

10.

Launching system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means

(6) for fluid communication include holes located in the back of the inner tube between the two tubes.

eleven.

Launching system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for guiding the movements of the inner tube within the outer tube interposed between them.

12.

Launching system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing means carried by the inner tube and adapted to slide against the inner wall of the outer tube during the displacements of the inner tube within this outer tube comprise means in the form of bib (7).

13.

Launching system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is chosen from the group comprising a torpedo, a missile, a mine, a countermeasure device or also a drone (2).

14.

Launching system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner tube (3) is formed by a resistant container for receiving and protecting the device.

fifteen.

Launching system according to claim 14, characterized in that the ends of the tube are sealed by perforable membranes.