FR2659932A1 - Density compensation system for a submerged craft - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device making it possible to compensate automatically for the weight of a mass introduced into or removed from a submerged craft. It consists of a support (1) onto which a mass (2) is placed or from which it is removed. The weight of this mass displaces the piston (3) in the liquid thus generating a volume of air (4) which is calculated so that the weight of the displaced liquid (6) is equivalent to that of the mass (2). The density of the submerged assembly therefore remains constant. The device according to the invention is more particularly intended to ensure constant density for small underwater craft.

Description

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an automatic density compensation system for submerged vehicle, in particular for small submarines.

Current density compensation systems are done by filling or emptying tanks (ballasts). The principle requires, on small machines, a manual adjustment which must be redone with each modification of the masses contained in the submerged assembly. On more sophisticated vehicles, the modified masses are entered into data in a computer which compensates, by means of ballasts, for the density of the whole.

All these means are long and tedious.

The device according to the invention makes it possible, for small machines, to carry out this compensation automatically. I1 comprises, in fact, a piston support assembly which by moving, under the action of the weight of this mass, generates the modification of an air volume displacing a weight of surrounding liquid equivalent to that of the mass introduced or withdrawn . A calibrated spring controls the displacement of the piston so that the weight of the liquid displaced by the modification of the air volume is equivalent to the mass placed on the support. An improvement of the device makes it possible, by means of a balance system, to move a piston in a cylinder inside the machine and to move, through a communication valve to the outside, an amount of liquid whose weight is equal to the weight of the mass introduced or withdrawn. The transmission system between the support and the piston can be replaced by other systems and in particular by a hydraulic assembly. A valve allows the communication of the liquid contained in the cylinder and the surrounding liquid to make the compensation and then ensures by its closing a pressure isolation between the external liquid and the interior of the cylinder. The support can advantageously be a passenger seat for submarine, or for example, a support for equipment such as an instrument, bottles, empty pocket, etc.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention
Figure 1 shows in section the device according to
the invention.

Figure 2 shows in section the device equipped
a pendulum transmission and a valve.

Figure 3 shows in section the device equipped
a hydraulic transmission and a valve.

The device shown in Figure 1 comprises a support (1) on which is placed a load (2) which displaces by its weight a piston (3) thus generating a volume (4) displacing a weight of surrounding liquid (6) equal to load weight (2). A calibrated spring (5) controls the stroke of the piston (3) as a function of the load (2).

FIG. 2 represents the device equipped with a transmission system (support (1) - piston (3)) constituted by a pendulum (9). The cylinder (7) is located inside the machine. The liquid (6) is in communication with the outside (9) through the valve (8).

FIG. 3 represents the device equipped with a transmission system (support (1) - piston (3)) constituted by a hydraulic assembly (9).

The device according to the invention is more particularly intended to equip small submarines and to automatically compensate for the differences in weight which are introduced therein, in particular the passengers and the equipment such as instruments, bottles, empty pocket, etc.

Claims (7)

1) Device Automatically compensating for the variation in density of a submerged device, when a certain mass is added or removed, characterized in that it comprises a support-piston assembly (Fig.l 1.5.3) which by moving under the action of the weight of this mass (Fig.l 2) causes the modification of a volume of air (Fig.l 4) displacing a weight of surrounding liquid (Fig.l 6) equivalent to that of the mass introduced or withdrawn. 2) Device according to claims 1 characterized in that the support-piston assembly (Fig.l 1.5.3) and cylinder (Fig.l 7) is immersed in the surrounding liquid (Fig.l 6) and can modify a volume air (Fig.l 4) displacing this liquid. 3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that a calibrated spring or any other system (Fig.l 5) controls the movement of the piston (Fig.l 3) so that the weight of the displaced liquid (Fig .l 6) by modifying the air volume (Fig.l 4) is equivalent to the mass placed on the support (Fig.l 2). 4) Device according to claims 1,2 and 3 characterized in that an improvement of the device allows through a balance system (Fig.2 9) to move a piston (Fig.2 3) in a cylinder (Fig.2 7) displacing a quantity of liquid (Fig.2 6) through a valve (Fig.2 8) (closed after compensation), whose weight is equal to the weight of the mass introduced or withdrawn. 5) Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the transmission device between the support (Fig.3 1) and the piston (Fig.3 3) is a hydraulic assembly (Fig.3 9). 6) Device according to claim 5 characterized in that a valve (Fig.3 8) allows communication of the liquid contained in the cylinder (Fig.3 6) and the surrounding liquid (Fig.3 10) to achieve compensation and then, by closing it, ensure pressure isolation between the external liquid (Fig. 3 10) and the inside of the cylinder. (Fig. 3 6) 7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (Fig.l 1, Fig.2 1, Fig.3 1) can advantageously be a passenger seat for a submarine, or for example a support for equipment such as: instruments, bottles, storage compartment, etc.