FR2814142A1 - Submarine escape shuttle is attached to submarine provides complete independence - Google Patents

Abstract

A submarine escape shuttle has hard shell with an adapter skirt to match the submarine deck to which it has bolted and is self contained with braking and breathing systems and an inflatable rapid ascent float.

Description

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 INDICATION OF THE PRIOR ART STATEMENT CAUSING THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM POSED.

 It seems obvious, these days, that the means and the help employed to save a crew of submarine in distress, are ineffective, because they call too heavy logistics, techniques certainly effective, but unsuitable, for often incompatible materials, and facing events that we do not control.

 Compulsory, these rescue operations come from outside, and must first manage the problems of wreck position, its heel, its depth, its condition, the climatic conditions at the bottom, and on the surface, and finally the physical and psychological state of the survivors.

 This overly burdensome rescue logic is a waste of time, because it requires moving people and equipment, often over great distances, without having the certainty of having made the right choice.

 We would still find many negative points, which would confirm that in rescue logic, we were grossly mistaken.

 The crew must be able to manage this situation, without waiting for help from the surface, which will come too late or even never.

 The solution would come from a shuttle, fixed on the deck of the submarine, capable of lifting a crew to the surface, of an extreme depth, without engine, without electricity, in the shortest possible time, and in complete safety.

DESCRIPTION
The present invention firstly relates to the construction of a shuttle with a resistant hull, capable of withstanding very high pressures, fixed on the deck of a submarine, capable of carrying a full crew.

 The present invention relates, in a second step, to the system for mooring the shuttle on the deck of the submarine.

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 In a third step, the invention relates to the take-off aid, and the rapid ascent system.

 In a fourth step, the invention relates to the braking system near the surface.

 The shell of the shuttle could be made with a metal frame, embedded in carbon fiber, or in fiberglass on epoxy resin, by winding several crossed layers. This method can withstand pressures equal to 300 bars, which would correspond to a depth of 2990 m.

It will be stowed on the deck of the latter, as shown in Figure 1. For this presentation, we have voluntarily arranged three shuttles, and retracted the diving rudder before starboard, for the presentation of the shuttle in front of the massif
As for its shape, size, weight, number, and locations, modifications can be made on the shuttle, this in order not to disturb the aerodynamics of the submarine, nor its signature.

 The hull of the shuttle in Figure 2a will be equipped with two watertight doors 4 and 5, one giving access from inside the submarine, the other allowing the crew to go outside in the open air, at the end of the ascent. .

 The roof of this hull will have a location 2 intended to receive the take-off, and rapid ascent assistance system, as well as a distress beacon 3, FIGS. 2 and 2a.

 The hull of the shuttle will be equipped at each end with lifting rings 6, allowing its transhipment on the deck of a surface building, using cranes, Figure 2.

 At the rear, the shuttle will have an apron 15 for holding it, which will come into abutment under a cleat 16, fixed on the deck of the submarine. This cleat 16 will be articulated.

 The shuttle will be equipped with a floor 7, FIGS. 2 and 2a, intended to store the necessary air reserves, for the breathing of the crew, for the triggering of the takeoff aid, for the triggering of the rapid ascent. , and for the braking system, at the end of the ascent.

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Under the floor 7, will be fixed the braking system, in a trunk 8, figure 2 and 2a The cockpit of the shuttle, will be arranged, so as to provide a standing place for each, materialized by a harness to review a security pa adjustable, and toe clips, capable of ensuring perfect stability, whatever the circumstances. The standing position will limit the volume required to take on a full crew.

 Each harness will be associated with a two-stage breathing air regulator, directly connected to the air supply, by interchangeable high-pressure flexible hoses, on sockets with quick connectors. Breathing under pressure reducer will avoid pressurization of the shuttle. This diving regulator, should have a first stage set between 8 and 12 bars.

 Lying places for possible injuries can be provided, under the same conditions as mentioned above.

 The control station will be located at the front of the shuttle.

All the controls will be operated from this station, namely, the tie-down control, the rapid ascent control, the braking system control, the controls of the breathing air pressure gauges,, the depth control, the time, ascent rate.

nécessaires à l'observation des règles de sécurité, telles que tables a e de plongée MN 90, ainsi que celle respiration d'oxygène. The cabin will be equipped with a dive computer, in the event of problems due to the increase in pressure by the exhausted exhaust gases, as well as a reserve of oxygen, in order to decrease possible decompression stages. We will find the documents

necessary to observe safety rules, such as ae diving tables MN 90, as well as oxygen breathing.

 The docking system will allow the shuttle to be fixed to the deck of the submarine, using suction cups, Figure 1.

 The shuttle will be equipped with two steel skirts 9 and 10, with watertight seal, as shown in Figure 2.

 Each of the skirts 9 and 10 will be fitted with a quick connector 13 and 14, making it possible to receive either a vacuum pump or high pressure air.

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 The shuttle is attached to the deck of the cabin by creating a vacuum between the skirts 9 and 10 and the deck, as shown in Figure 2a.

 The skirt 10 is extended with a crown finished in the shape of a bell 11, fixed to the deck of the submarine by bolting 17, FIG. 2b. The interior seal will be provided by a seal 12, see Figure 2b.

 The role of the retaining apron 15, and of the cleat 16, will be to prevent the shuttle from offsetting or rising, in the event of a problem, if the skirt 9 no longer performs its function. It is interesting to note that the apron 15 and the cleat 16 are not in direct contact. The cleat 16, mobile, at the time of loading, in order to facilitate the installation of the shuttle, will be put in the blocking position, once the installation of the shuttle has ended. This blocking position, however, will allow a forty-five degree run, in order to give the shuttle a certain freedom of movement when taking off. Thus, whatever the heel of the submarine, the only lifting of the front cabin, will allow the support apron 15 to slide from the cleat 16, and the shuttle to be released.

 The shuttle could take off without difficulty, in all situations, thanks to the single push of Archimedes. We wanted to ensure a higher ascent speed, in order to limit the ascent time, in order to avoid problems related to pressure breathing and others.

The third invention therefore relates to the rapid ascent assistance system. This system, plugged into a quick-connect socket, is stored on the roof of the shuttle, in a box 2, as shown in Figure 2.

It consists of inflatable tubes, see Figure 3, of different and increasing volumes 18, 20, 22, made up of stages, each protected by its own safety valve, 19, 21,23. The tubes are welded together by a skirt 24, fitted with rings 25, fixed to the base of the boot 2, itself bolted to the roof of the shuttle.

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 For this presentation, we have planned three tubes, but the number and size of these tubes will depend on the depth limit set for such a rescue.

 This system has the advantage of saving air, giving surface safety against impact, the loss of a tube by puncture, not being dramatic, which a tube in a single envelope could not give , how big is it.

 The third invention will allow the shuttle to pierce the surface smoothly, in order to avoid possibly striking a surface building, see FIG. 3.

 The braking system 8, plugged into a quick-connect socket, will be positioned in the skirt 9, and will consist of a parachute 28, connected to its trunk by a strap 26, and the development of which has been designed, in principle of the floating anchor. The parachute 28 will be connected to a pig 27. This system will be activated from the control cabin, at the appropriate time, always by sending pressurized air, allowing the cover to be released.

OPERATION
Following an accident, the crew will join the shuttle via the watertight door 4, Figure 2, in the uniform where they are, and each will take a position in the toe clips equipped with their safety harness, and breathable air, at the pressure of the submarine, thanks to its regulator.

 The fixing bolts 17 will be removed, and the watertight door 4, and the shuttle will be closed, FIG. 2a.

 The undocking will be done by sending pressurized air inside the skirts 9 and 10 by the controls from the cockpit, Figure 2a. At this time, only Archimedes' push will allow takeoff.

 Thanks to its retaining apron 15, blocked by the cleat 16 on a stroke of 45, see FIG. 2a, the shuttle will take off first from the front.

 She will have no difficulty freeing herself from the submarine, thanks to her skirt 10, whose bell-shaped crown 11,

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 will allow to slide, without hanging, at the level of the submarine airlock, Figure 2b.

 In turn, the apron 15 will slide from the cleat 16, and the shuttle thus released, will start to rise, FIG. 2 a.

 To accelerate the speed, it will then be necessary to trigger the rapid ascent system, by sending pressurized air into the tube 18, FIG. 3.

 When the system is triggered, the tube 18 will swell.

This first tube will allow the opening of the box 2, the sending to the surface of the distress beacon 3, and the deployment of the other tubes 20 and 22.

 Thanks to Archimedes' thrust, on the one hand, and to variations in volumes as a function of pressure, on the other hand, when the flange 18 has reached its limit volume, the safety valve 19 will come into action, and the excess air will inflate the second tube, and so on. The ascent rate will be accelerated, thanks to the volumes of the rolls deployed, which will have the effect of increasing Archimedes' thrust.

 When the shuttle is close to the surface, depth easily controllable thanks to the depth gauge, in order to avoid piercing the surface too quickly, the braking system will be activated, by sending pressurized air into the trunk 8, FIG. 2a.

 At this time a beggar 27, will release the parachute 28, which will deploy, opposing the buoyancy, Figure 3.

This parachute could be in one piece, or have several stages depending on the braking that you want to produce.

Claims (23)

 1. Rescue shuttle for submarine crew, capable of withstanding extreme pressures, of the order of 300 bars and more, positioned on the deck of the submarine, equipped with a rapid ascent device, a braking device, and capable of reassembling a crew in the best possible conditions, quickly and safely, without the help of outside help.  2. Device according to claim 1, which wants the shuttle to be equipped with skirts 9 and 10, adapted to the bridge, FIG. 2a.  3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, which want the front skirt 10 to be extended by a crown 11, in the form of a double bell, FIG. 2a and 2b.  4. Device according to claims 1 and 2, which want this ring 11 to be fixed to the bridge by bolts 17, Figure 2b, to ensure anchoring security, and that it is equipped with a high pressure seal 12 .  5. Device according to claims 1, 2 and 3 which want the skirts 9 and 10 to be fitted with quick-connect sockets 13 and 14, outside side and inside shuttle side, FIG. 2 and 2a.  6. Device according to claim 1, which wants the shuttle to be fitted with watertight doors 4 and 5, FIG. 2a.  7. Device according to claim 1, which wants the roof of the shuttle to have a location 2, for housing the rapid ascent system, and the distress beacon 3, Figure 2 and 2a.  8. Device according to claim l, which wants the shuttle to be equipped with lifting rings 6, Figure 2 and 2a.  9. Device according to claims 1 and 2, which want the shuttle to be equipped with an apron 15, at the rear, Figure 2a.  10. Device according to claim 1, which wants the deck of the submarine to be equipped with a movable cleat 16, for the installation of the shuttle, and that this cleat can offer a stroke of 45, once the installation is complete , Figure 2a.  11. Device according to claims 1 and 2, which want the anchoring system to be produced by creating a vacuum between the skirts 9 and 10 and the bridge. <Desc / Clms Page number 8>  12. Device according to claims let 3, which want the detachment to be carried out by sending pressurized air into the skirts 9 and 10 from the cockpit.  13. Device according to claim 1, which wants that in the cabin, each place is materialized by an adjustable safety harness, and toe clips.  14. Device according to claim l, which wants each place to be equipped with a two-stage regulator.  15. Device according to claim l, which wants the floor 7 of the cabin to be a container of pressurized air at 200 bars, FIG. 2a.  16. Device according to claim 1, which wants the connection between the regulator and the air reserve to be made by quick coupling sockets.  17. Device according to claim 1, which wants all the flexible high pressure fittings to be interchangeable.  18. Device according to claims 1, 2,3 and 4, which want all of the quick connector sockets to be the same.  19. Device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, which want the rapid ascent, braking, and breathing system to use the same reserve of pressurized air.  20. Device according to claim 3, which wants the rapid ascent system to be produced with inflatable tubes 18, 20, 22, of increasing volumes, FIG. 3.  21. Device according to claim 3, which wants each flange 18, 20, 22 to be protected by its own valve 19, 21, 23, FIG. 3.  22. Device according to claim 3, which wants the strands 18, 20, 22 to be welded together, by the skirt 24 fitted with rings 25, FIG. 3.  23. Device according to claim 4, which wants the braking system to be constituted by a parachute 28, equipped with a pig 27, and connected to the boot 8 by a strap 26, FIG. 3.