GB2515565A

GB2515565A - Improvements to submarine guidance system

Info

Publication number: GB2515565A
Application number: GB201311657A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Holmes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-28
Filing date: 2013-06-28
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: GB201311657D0

Abstract

A series of undersea vessels may be connected via resilient articulated couplings allowing movement between the vessels. Each of the vessels may be equipped with an explosive charge and may be deployed as array of mines. The vessels may be ship or submarine launched via a tube. The vessels may separate when deployed as a mine array and may have monitoring, listening equipment fitted to detect other vessels. The vessels may have anchors, chains and a buoyancy device to allow them to float above the sea bed. The deployed vessels may be subsequently gathered back together and moved to a second location. The lead vehicle may be fitted with a propulsion means. In a second embodiment the vessels may be equipped for mineral extraction, such as methane hydrates; and transport of said minerals to the surface.

Description

The invention relates to improvements to a submarine comprising a plurality of rigid submersible vessels coupled by resilient couplings as described in UK patent GB 2405 125 B. If equipped with explosive devices, the vessels can be used to form minefields.

In a preferred embodiment, a submarine 1 is fitted with a launch tube 2, in which may be fitted a series of devices 3,5, 6, and 7, connected by resilient couplings 4. The leading submersible vessel is equipped with thrusters 8.

In another embodiment, the submersible vessels may be launched from a tube on a surface ship.

When required, the coupled vessels may be launched from the tube after which they will be propelled by the thrusters 8. The lead vessel in a preferred embodiment is equipped with an inertial navigation system to enable the plurality of vessels to reach a pre-programmed location.

Figure 2a shows the vessels initially travelling while connected together beneath the surface of the sea 9.

Figure 2b shows a situation where vessels 3 and 5 are still coupled, but vessel 6 and the last two vessels 7, have reached their final positions on the sea bed 10.

Figure 2c shows the final situation where all the vessels are in their final position on the sea bed.

In figure 3, an enemy ship has passed over one of the submersible vessels, resulting in its being detected by the submersible vessel which has risen from the sea bed and destroyed the ship.

Alternatively, if the sea bed is too far down, the submersible vessel mines may include means to let down anchors and cables to attach themselves to the sea bottom so that they float nearer the sea surface where they can be activated either by contact with an enemy ship or by its proximity.

Alternatively, the plurality of undersea vessels attached to each by resilient couplings may be equipped with listening or other undersea monitoring devices and detached from each other and left on the sea bed or floating in the water as a listening and monitoring array to detect enemy vessels.

By delivering a plurality of vessel mines as a single chain, travelling under the sea, there is minimal chance of detection by enemies during mine placing operations.

Subsequent to hostilities, the submersible vessels may be brought together and once more attached to each other. They chain of vessels may either be driven back to their original base in order to be decommissioned, or driven to an another area where they may once more be detached from each other and actuated.

If equipped with scoops or other bottom mining equipment, an array of rigid submersible vessels may be used for mining minerals from the sea bottom, including methane hydrates.

Figure 4 shows an array of four such submersible vessels beneath the sea surface 9, excavating material from the sea bed 11.

Vessel 13 has its scoop open and is taking in material as a result of the lead vessel being driven along by thrusters 8 attached to the lead vessel.

Vessel 14 has been filled with material.

Vessel 12 is yet to be filled.

When all the vessels have been filled, all apertures are closed and the train of vessels are driven to the surface where they may be discharged.

Computer based guidance systems using inertial navigation will be used to control the vessels and their mining operations and their subsequent]ourney to the surface to be unloaded.

This is particularly advantageous in the case of the mining and recovery of methane hydrate which is less dense than water and decomposes into methane and water if the hydrostatic pressure acting on it is reduced. By placing it in vessels which can be closed, it may be brought to the surface or to shallower depths without its floating up to the surface or decomposing into bubbles of methane gas and water.