JP2018094961A - Float-sink device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a float-sink device with simple mechanism for floating and sinking an underwater structure, preventing impossibility of draining ballast water.SOLUTION: A float-sink device 4, which floats and sinks an underwater structure in water, consists of a ballast tank 10 including a first gas chamber 11 and a ballast water chamber 12, a pump which drains ballast water through a continuous hole 21 and a first partition member 15 which tightly partitions the first gas chamber and the ballast water chamber. The first partition member increases volume of the ballast water chamber and decreases volume of the first gas chamber at the same time when ballast water is poured in, and it also decreases volume of the ballast water chamber and increases volume of the first gas chamber at the same time when ballast water is poured out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a floating and sinking device that floats and sinks an underwater structure in water.

  An underwater structure such as a submarine is provided with a floating device for floating and sinking in water. The floatation / sink device generally includes a ballast tank, and is configured to adjust the buoyancy acting on the underwater structure by increasing / decreasing the volume of gas sealed in the ballast tank.

  As a means for increasing or decreasing the volume of gas sealed in the ballast tank, conventionally, a high-pressure air reservoir that stores compressed gas has been used. Then, when ascending, compressed gas is supplied from the high-pressure air reservoir into the ballast tank to drain the ballast water in the ballast tank, and at the time of settling, the gas in the ballast tank is discharged and the ballast water is drawn into the ballast tank. Then, the sedimentation operation of the underwater structure was performed.

  However, in the floatation apparatus having such a high-pressure air accumulator, if the compressed gas stored in the high-pressure air accumulator is used up, the gas cannot be supplied into the ballast tank, and the underwater structure may float. It will not be possible. In this regard, it may be possible to compress the gas supplied into the ballast tank with a compressor or the like and store it again in the high-pressure air accumulator, but in this case, there is equipment for returning the gas compressed by the compressor to the high-pressure air accumulator. The structure becomes complicated, such as being required separately.

  In Patent Document 1, in a floating / sink device having a water chamber, a hydrogen chamber, and a reaction chamber, buoyancy is obtained by supplying hydrogen generated in the reaction chamber to the hydrogen chamber when ascending, and exhausted from the hydrogen chamber during sedimentation. There is disclosed a floatation apparatus that is configured to absorb the generated hydrogen in a reaction chamber so that an underwater structure can float and sink repeatedly.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in a floating / sink device including a ballast tank in which gas is sealed, the volume of gas sealed in the ballast tank is increased by draining ballast water from the ballast tank by a pump during ascent. In addition, a floating and sinking device is disclosed that can repeatedly float and sink an underwater structure by reducing the volume of gas sealed in the ballast tank by injecting ballast water into the ballast tank by a pump during settling. Yes.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-125694 JP 55-31613 A

However, the flotation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 requires a reaction chamber for generating hydrogen and absorbing hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen chamber, and there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated.
Further, in the floatation / sink device described in Patent Document 2, when the ballast water is drained from the ballast tank, the gas sealed in the ballast tank is sucked into the pump, and the pump cannot drain the ballast water (so-called There is a risk of generating air biting.

  At least one embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art, and it is possible to repeatedly float and sink an underwater structure in water with a simple structure, and to prevent occurrence of a state in which ballast water cannot be drained. An object of the present invention is to provide a floating and sinking device capable of performing the above.

(1) A floatation apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes:
A floatation device that floats and sinks an underwater structure in water,
A ballast tank in which a first gas chamber in which gas is sealed and a ballast water chamber in which ballast water is sealed are formed;
A pump for draining the ballast water in the ballast water chamber through a communication hole communicating the ballast water chamber and the outside of the ballast tank;
A first partition member for watertightly partitioning the first gas chamber and the ballast water chamber,
When the ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber, the first partition member increases the volume of the ballast water chamber and decreases the volume of the first gas chamber, and from the ballast water chamber to the ballast water. Is drained, the volume of the ballast water chamber is decreased and the volume of the first gas chamber is increased.

  According to the configuration of (1), when the ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber at the time of sedimentation, the volume of the ballast water chamber increases and the volume of the first gas chamber decreases. On the other hand, at the time of ascent, for example, by discharging the ballast water from the ballast water chamber by a pump, the volume of the ballast water chamber decreases and the volume of the first gas chamber increases. Thus, it is necessary to provide a reaction chamber such as the floatation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 by configuring so that the volume of the first gas chamber in which gas is enclosed increases or decreases according to the volume of the ballast water chamber. Therefore, it is possible to provide a floating / sink device that can repeatedly float and sink an underwater structure in water with a simple structure.

  In addition, the first gas chamber and the ballast water chamber are water-tightly partitioned by the first partition member, and when ballast water is drained from the ballast water chamber, the volume of the ballast water chamber decreases and the first gas chamber The volume of the is increased. Therefore, for example, when the ballast water sealed in the ballast water chamber is drained by a pump, the volume of the ballast water chamber remains in a state where the first gas chamber and the ballast water chamber are water-tightly partitioned by the first partition member. Decrease. That is, even if the ballast water sealed in the ballast water chamber is drained, the gas is not mixed into the ballast water chamber. This prevents the pump from sucking gas and prevents the pump from draining ballast water (so-called air biting).

(2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above,
Inside the ballast tank, a second gas chamber in which gas is sealed is further formed on the opposite side of the first gas chamber across the center of gravity of the ballast tank,
A second partition member for watertightly partitioning the second gas chamber and the ballast water chamber;
When the ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber, the second partition member increases the volume of the ballast water chamber and decreases the volume of the second gas chamber, and from the ballast water chamber to the ballast water. Is drained, the volume of the ballast water chamber is decreased and the volume of the second gas chamber is increased.

  According to the configuration of (2) above, the buoyancy caused by the first gas chamber and the buoyancy caused by the second gas chamber can be applied to the ballast tank from opposite sides with respect to the position of the center of gravity of the ballast tank. Thereby, compared with the case where only the buoyancy by a 1st gas chamber acts on a ballast tank, the attitude | position fluctuation | variation of an underwater structure can be suppressed.

  Further, by forming the second gas chamber on the opposite side of the first gas chamber across the position of the center of gravity of the ballast tank, it is possible to change the posture of the underwater structure with one ballast tank without having a plurality of ballast tanks. It can be suppressed.

(3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (2) above,
The volumes of the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber are configured to be equal to each other regardless of the increase or decrease of the volume of the ballast water chamber.

  According to the configuration of (3) above, the buoyancy due to the first gas chamber and the buoyancy due to the second gas chamber are equal to each other regardless of the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber. Thereby, the attitude | position fluctuation | variation of an underwater structure can further be suppressed compared with the structure of said (2).

(4) In some embodiments, in any one of the above configurations (2) or (3),
The first partition member comprises a first piston that moves in the ballast tank in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber,
The second partition member includes a second piston that moves in the ballast tank in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber.

  According to the configuration of (4) above, the first partition member and the second partition member are composed of pistons that move in the ballast tank in accordance with the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber. In this way, by increasing or decreasing the volume of the ballast water chamber by the piston that can move in the ballast tank, it is possible to greatly increase or decrease the volume of the ballast water chamber, for example, as compared to a diaphragm that will be described later.

(5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above,
The ballast tank is
First movement restricting means for restricting movement of the first piston beyond the communication hole toward the second piston;
And second movement restricting means for restricting movement of the second piston beyond the communication hole toward the first piston.

  According to the configuration of (5), the first piston is restricted from moving to the second piston side beyond the communication hole, and the second piston is moved to the first piston side beyond the communication hole. Be regulated. This reliably prevents the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber from communicating with the outside of the ballast tank through the communication hole, and the gas is sealed in the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber. Can be maintained.

(6) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (5) above,
The first movement restricting means and the second movement restricting means include a stopper protruding from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the ballast tank.

  According to the configuration of (6) above, the movement of the first piston and the movement of the second piston can be regulated by the stopper protruding from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the ballast tank.

  Further, the first movement restricting means and the second movement restricting means are configured by a stopper protruding from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the ballast tank, so that, for example, the first piston and the second piston are placed in the ballast tank when the floatation apparatus is manufactured. Prior to insertion into the ballast tank, the stopper is installed in the ballast tank, so that the stopper can be used for positioning when the first piston and the second piston are inserted into the ballast tank.

(7) In some embodiments, in any one of the above configurations (2) or (3),
The first partition member comprises a first diaphragm that deforms in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber,
The second partition member includes a second diaphragm that deforms according to an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber.

  According to the structure of said (7), a 1st partition member and a 2nd partition member consist of a diaphragm which deform | transforms according to increase / decrease in the volume of a ballast water chamber. In this way, by increasing or decreasing the volume of the ballast water chamber by the flexibility of the diaphragm, there is no need to move the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, and no sliding member is required, so that it is repeated and stable. In addition, the volume of the ballast water chamber can be increased or decreased.

(8) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (2) to (7) above,
The ballast tank is
A first ballast tank having a shape having a longitudinal direction;
A second ballast tank having a shape having a longitudinal direction, and along the longitudinal direction of the first ballast tank on a side opposite to the first ballast tank across the center of gravity of the underwater structure in a plan view. And a second ballast tank disposed.

  According to the configuration of (8) above, the first ballast tank and the second ballast tank are formed on opposite sides of the center of gravity of the underwater structure in plan view. Thereby, not only in the longitudinal direction of the ballast tank, but also in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ballast tank, the posture fluctuation of the underwater structure can be suppressed.

(9) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above,
The ballast tank includes a plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks in which a gas chamber in which a gas other than the first gas chamber is sealed is not formed inside the ballast tank,
Each of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks has an action point of a combined buoyancy obtained by synthesizing buoyancy due to the first gas chamber of each of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks. Regardless of the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber in each of the tanks, the tank is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the position of the center of gravity of the underwater structure in plan view.

  According to the configuration of (9) above, the point of action of the combined buoyancy of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks is configured to substantially coincide with the position of the center of gravity of the underwater structure. Thereby, not only in an underwater structure having a long shape, but also in an underwater structure having a shape such as a circular shape or a rectangular shape, a plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks can be provided according to the shape of the underwater structure. By properly arranging, the posture change of the underwater structure can be suppressed.

  According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to repeatedly float and sink an underwater structure in water with a simple structure, and to prevent occurrence of a state where ballast water cannot be drained.

It is a schematic side view of the submarine which is an underwater structure provided with the floating and sinking apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic side view which showed the structure of the floating / sink apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic side view which showed the structure of the floating / sink apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic side view which showed the structure of the floating / sink apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the modification of the stopper shown in FIG. (A) shows the 1st modification of a stopper, (B) shows the 2nd modification of a stopper. It is the schematic side view which showed the structure of the floating / sink apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a sinking coordinate system that is an underwater structure including a floating and sinking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic plan view which showed the 1st modification of a sinking coordinate provided with the floating / sink apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic plan view which showed the 2nd modification of the sinking coordinate provided with the floating / sink apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. Absent.
For example, expressions expressing relative or absolute arrangements such as “in a certain direction”, “along a certain direction”, “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “center”, “concentric” or “coaxial” are strictly In addition to such an arrangement, it is also possible to represent a state of relative displacement with an angle or a distance such that tolerance or the same function can be obtained.
In addition, for example, expressions representing shapes such as quadrangular shapes and cylindrical shapes not only represent shapes such as quadrangular shapes and cylindrical shapes in a strict geometric sense, but also within the range where the same effect can be obtained. A shape including a chamfered portion or the like is also expressed.
On the other hand, the expressions “comprising”, “comprising”, “comprising”, “including”, or “having” one constituent element are not exclusive expressions for excluding the existence of the other constituent elements.

A floating / sink device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a device that is provided in an underwater structure, and that floats and sinks the underwater structure in water by adjusting a buoyancy acting on the underwater structure.
In the following embodiment, a submarine 1 will be described as an example of an underwater structure.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a submarine that is an underwater structure including a floating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the submarine 1 includes a hull 2, a bridge 3 protruding upward from the hull 2, a floating / sink device 4 provided in the hull 2, and a propeller 5 for propelling the submarine 1. With.
In the present disclosure, the direction in which the submarine 1 floats and sinks due to the buoyancy of the sinking device 4 is defined as the vertical direction, and the direction in which the submarine 1 propels by the propulsive force obtained by the rotation of the propeller 5 is defined as the front-back direction.

The underwater structure including the submarine 1 is normally configured so as not to change its posture. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the above-described floating / sinking device 4 has the point of action (P1) of the buoyancy (F1) acting on the submarine 1 as the center of gravity (P2) where the gravity (G1) of the submarine 1 acts. Are arranged inside the hull 2 so as to substantially coincide with each other in the front-rear direction.
In addition, the floating and sinking device 4 is disposed inside the hull 2 so that the point of action (P1) of buoyancy (F1) acting on the submarine 1 is higher than the center of gravity (P2) of the submarine 1 in a side view. The

  FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the floatation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the floatation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the floatation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the floatation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 6, the floating / sink device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a ballast tank 10, a pump 14, and a first partition member 15.

  The ballast tank 10 includes therein a first gas chamber 11 in which gas is sealed and a ballast water chamber 12 in which ballast water is sealed.

  In the present embodiment, the pressure of the gas sealed in the first gas chamber 11 is substantially atmospheric pressure when the first partition member 15 is in the initial state (the state in which the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 is minimized). 2, 3, and 4, the ballast tank 10 is configured to be able to supply gas from the air supply port 19 to the outside of the ballast tank. For this reason, when the sliding resistance of the first partition member 15 is large, the initial state in the first gas chamber 11 is set to an appropriate pressure to counter the sliding resistance of the first partition member 15. can do.

  Here, “encapsulation” in the present disclosure means a state in which a space defined by peripheral members is filled with a specific substance. However, as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited, the state in which a small amount of ballast water is mixed in the first gas chamber 11 and the state in which a small amount of gas is mixed in the ballast water chamber 12 are also “encapsulated” in this disclosure. "include.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the ballast tank 10 (10A, 10B) has a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends closed, and is configured so that the front-rear direction is long. The ballast tank 10 includes a peripheral wall 16 extending along the front-rear direction, a front convex wall 17 that closes the front end of the ballast tank 10, and a rear side that closes the rear end of the ballast tank 10. And a convex wall 18. The peripheral wall 16 has the same internal cross-sectional shape from the front end 16a to the rear end 16b. Further, the front convex wall 17 protrudes forward from the front end 16a of the peripheral wall 16, and is configured such that its internal cross-sectional shape becomes smaller toward the front. The rear convex wall 18 is configured to protrude rearward from the rear end 16b of the peripheral wall 16 and to have an inner cross-sectional shape that decreases toward the rear.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the space inside the ballast tank 10 is divided into two in the front-rear direction by the first partition member 15. On the one side (front side) with respect to the first partition member 15, a first gas chamber 11 that is partitioned by the first partition member 15, the peripheral wall 16, and the front convex wall 17 and in which gas is sealed is formed. On the other side (rear side) with respect to the first partition member 15, a ballast water chamber 12 is formed that is partitioned by the first partition member 15, the peripheral wall 16, and the rear convex wall 18 and in which ballast water is enclosed. In other words, the ballast tank 10 is configured as a single gas chamber type ballast tank 10 </ b> A which will be described later, in addition to the first gas chamber 11, a gas chamber filled with gas is not formed inside the ballast tank 10.
The ballast tank 10B according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described later.

  The pump 14 is configured to drain the ballast water in the ballast water chamber 12 through a communication hole 21 that communicates the ballast water chamber 12 and the outside of the ballast tank 10.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 6, a ballast water pipe 22 that connects the ballast water chamber 12 and the outside of the submarine 1 is connected to the communication hole 21. The pump 14 is connected to the ballast water chamber 12 via a ballast water pipe 22. This pump 14 is for draining the ballast water sealed in the ballast water chamber 12 to the outside of the submarine 1 through the ballast water pipe 22. Further, the pump 14 may be configured to inject water into the ballast water chamber 12 through the ballast water pipe 22 using, for example, seawater outside the submarine 1 as ballast water in the sea.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the communication hole 21 is formed in the rear convex wall 18. That is, the communication hole 21 is provided on the rear side of the ballast tank 10 </ b> A and on the rear side of the rear end 16 b of the peripheral wall 16.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the communication hole 21 is formed in the central portion in the front-rear direction of the peripheral wall 16.

  The first partition member 15 is a member for partitioning the first gas chamber 11 and the ballast water chamber 12 in a watertight manner.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the first partition member 15 includes a first piston 15 </ b> A that moves in the ballast tank 10 in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12, as will be described later.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first partition member 15 includes a first diaphragm 15 </ b> B that deforms in accordance with the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12, as will be described later.

  The first partition member 15 is configured to increase the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 and decrease the volume of the first gas chamber 11 when ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber 12.

  Therefore, buoyancy by the ballast tank 10 can be reduced by pouring ballast water into the ballast water chamber 12. Therefore, the subsidence device 4 makes the gravity of the submarine 1 larger than the buoyancy acting on the submarine 1 (G1> F1), and can sink the submarine 1 in water.

  Further, the first partition member 15 is configured to reduce the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 and increase the volume of the first gas chamber 11 when ballast water is drained from the ballast water chamber 12. Therefore, when ballast water is drained from the ballast water chamber 12 by the pump 14, the buoyancy by the ballast tank 10 can be increased. Therefore, the subsidence device 4 makes the gravity of the submarine 1 smaller than the buoyancy acting on the submarine 1 (G1 <F1), and the submarine 1 can be levitated in water.

  According to the floating and sinking apparatus 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 is increased and the volume of the first gas chamber 11 is increased by pouring ballast water into the ballast water chamber 12 at the time of settling. Decrease. On the other hand, for example, the ballast water is drained from the ballast water chamber 12 by the pump 14 at the time of rising, so that the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 decreases and the volume of the first gas chamber 11 increases. As described above, the first gas chamber 11 in which the gas is sealed is configured to increase or decrease in accordance with the volume of the ballast water chamber 12, so that a reaction chamber such as the floatation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can be provided. It is not necessary to provide, and it is possible to provide the floatation device 4 that can repeatedly float and sink the submarine 1 in water with a simple structure.

  Further, the first gas chamber 11 and the ballast water chamber 12 are partitioned watertight by the first partition member 15, and when ballast water is drained from the ballast water chamber 12, the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 decreases. At the same time, the volume of the first gas chamber 11 is increased. Therefore, for example, when the ballast water sealed in the ballast water chamber 12 is drained by the pump 14, the first gas chamber 11 and the ballast water chamber 12 remain in a state of being watertightly partitioned by the first partition member 15, The volume of the ballast water chamber 12 is reduced. That is, even if the ballast water sealed in the ballast water chamber 12 is drained, the structure is such that no gas is mixed into the ballast water chamber 12. This prevents the pump 14 from sucking gas, and prevents the pump 14 from being able to drain the ballast water (so-called air biting).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the ballast tank 10 (10 </ b> B, 10 </ b> C) includes the first gas chamber 11 and the center of gravity (P <b> 3) of the ballast tank 10. A second gas chamber 23 in which gas is sealed is further formed on the opposite side.
The floatation / sink device 4 further includes a second partition member 24 for partitioning the second gas chamber 23 and the ballast water chamber 12 in a watertight manner.
When the ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber 12, the second partition member 24 increases the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 and decreases the volume of the second gas chamber 23, and the ballast water from the ballast water chamber 12. Is drained, the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 is decreased and the volume of the second gas chamber 23 is increased.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the pressure of the gas sealed in the second gas chamber 23 is such that the first partition member 15 and the second partition member 24 are in the initial state (the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 is minimum). In this state, the atmospheric pressure is substantially the same as the pressure of the gas sealed in the first gas chamber 11.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the space inside the ballast tank 10 is partitioned into three in the front-rear direction by the first partition member 15 and the second partition member 24. On the one side (front side) with respect to the first partition member 15, a first gas chamber 11 that is partitioned by the first partition member 15, the peripheral wall 16, and the front convex wall 17 and in which gas is sealed is formed. On the other side (rear side) with respect to the second partition member 24, a second gas chamber 23 is formed which is partitioned by the second partition member 24, the peripheral wall 16, and the rear convex wall 18 and in which gas is enclosed. And between the 1st partition member 15 and the 2nd partition member, the 1st partition member 15, the 2nd partition member 24, and the surrounding wall 16 are divided, and the ballast water chamber 12 with which ballast water is enclosed is formed. . That is, the ballast tank 10 </ b> B is configured such that the two gas chambers, the first gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23, are located on opposite sides of the ballast water chamber 12.

  According to such a configuration, the buoyancy (F2) caused by the first gas chamber 11 and the buoyancy (F3) caused by the second gas chamber 23 are ballasted from opposite sides with respect to the center of gravity (P3) of the ballast tank 10. It can act on the tank 10. Thereby, compared with the case where only the buoyancy (F2) by the 1st gas chamber 11 acts on the ballast tank 10, the attitude | position fluctuation | variation of the submarine 1 can be suppressed.

Further, by forming the second gas chamber 23 on the opposite side of the first gas chamber 11 across the center of gravity position (P3) of the ballast tank 10, a single ballast tank 10B can be used without a plurality of ballast tanks. The attitude change of the submarine 1 can be suppressed.
When a plurality of ballast tanks are provided, a plurality of water injection / drainage systems are required for each ballast tank. Can be configured simply.

  In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the volumes of the first gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23 are equal to each other regardless of the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. Configured to be.

That is, in the first gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23, the same type of gas is contained in the initial state (the state in which the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 is minimized) in the first partition member 15 and the second partition member 24. It is sealed at the same pressure (for example, approximately atmospheric pressure).
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first piston 15 </ b> A and the second piston 24 </ b> A are configured to always move the same distance regardless of the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first diaphragm 15 </ b> B and the second diaphragm 24 </ b> B are configured to always be deformed in the same manner regardless of the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12.

  According to such a configuration, the buoyancy (F2) due to the first gas chamber 11 and the buoyancy (F3) due to the second gas chamber 23 are equal to each other regardless of the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. Thereby, the attitude | position fluctuation | variation of the submarine 1 can further be suppressed.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, as described in FIG. 3, the action point (P 4) of the buoyancy (F 2) in the first gas chamber 11 and the gravity center position (P 3) of the ballast tank 10 And the distance (L2) between the point of action (P5) of the buoyancy (F3) in the second gas chamber 23 and the center of gravity (P3) of the ballast tank 10 increase or decrease the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. Regardless, they are configured to be equal to each other.
In this case, the ballast tank 10 is configured substantially symmetrically with respect to the center line O that passes through the center of gravity (P3) in the vertical direction.

  According to such a configuration, the moment acting on the ballast tank 10 by the buoyancy (F2) of the first gas chamber 11 and the buoyancy (F3) of the second gas chamber 23 regardless of the increase or decrease of the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. Thus, the moments acting on the ballast tank 10 act so as to cancel each other. Thereby, the attitude | position fluctuation | variation of the submarine 1 can further be suppressed.

In some embodiments, the first partition member 15 includes the first piston 15 </ b> A that moves in the ballast tank 10 in accordance with the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 as described above.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second partition member 24 includes a second piston 24 </ b> A that moves in the ballast tank 10 in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12.

  A seal ring 13 is mounted around the first piston 15A and the second piston 24A. And since this seal ring 13 is comprised so that sliding with the surrounding wall 16 of the ballast tank 10 is carried out, even if the 1st piston 15A and 2nd piston 24A move, the ballast water chamber 12 and the 1st gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23 are water-tightly partitioned.

When ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber 12, the first piston 15A moves to the first gas chamber 11 side, and the second piston 24A moves to the second gas chamber 23 side. Thereby, while the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 increases, the volume of the 1st gas chamber 11 and the volume of the 2nd gas chamber 23 decrease.
On the other hand, when the ballast water is drained from the ballast water chamber 12, both the first piston 15A and the second piston 24A move to the ballast water chamber 12 side. Thereby, while the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 decreases, the volume of the 1st gas chamber 11 and the volume of the 2nd gas chamber 23 increase.

  According to such a structure, the 1st partition member 15 and the 2nd partition member 24 consist of a piston which moves the inside of the ballast tank 10 according to the increase / decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. FIG. In this way, by increasing or decreasing the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 with the piston that can move in the ballast tank 10, it is possible to greatly increase or decrease the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 as compared to, for example, a diaphragm described later. Become.

  In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the ballast tank 10 includes first movement restriction means 25 </ b> A that restricts the movement of the first piston 15 </ b> A beyond the communication hole 21 toward the second piston 24 </ b> A. The second movement restriction means 25B restricts the movement of the second piston 24A beyond the communication hole 21 toward the first piston 15A.

  According to such a configuration, the movement of the first piston 15A over the communication hole 21 to the second piston 24A side is restricted, and the second piston 24A exceeds the communication hole 21 with respect to the first piston 15A side. Is restricted from moving to. This reliably prevents the first gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23 from communicating with the outside of the ballast tank 10 through the communication hole 21, and gas is supplied to the first gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23. Can be maintained in a sealed state.

  In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the first movement restricting means 25 </ b> A and the second movement restricting means 25 </ b> B include a stopper 25 </ b> S protruding from the inner surface 16 c of the peripheral wall 16 of the ballast tank 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper 25S extends along the front-rear direction, and the center position (P10) of the stopper 25S in the front-rear direction is located on the center line O. A first contact portion 25Sa that contacts the first piston 15A and a second contact portion 25Sb that contacts the second piston 24A are formed at both ends of the stopper 25S.
1st contact part 25Sa is comprised so that it may be located in the front side rather than the frontmost position (P6) in the periphery of the communicating hole 21 in the front-back direction. 2nd contact part 25Sb is comprised so that it may be located in the back side rather than the position (P7) of the backmost side in the periphery of the communicating hole 21 in the front-back direction.

  According to such a configuration, the movement of the first piston 15A and the second piston 24A can be restricted by the stopper 25S protruding from the inner surface 16c of the peripheral wall 16 of the ballast tank 10.

  Further, the first movement restricting means 25A and the second movement restricting means 25B are configured by the stopper 25S protruding from the inner surface 16c of the peripheral wall 16 of the ballast tank 10, so that, for example, at the time of manufacture of the float / sink device 4, the first piston 15A. Prior to inserting the second piston 24 </ b> A into the ballast tank 10, positioning is performed when the first piston 15 </ b> A and the second piston 24 </ b> A are inserted into the ballast tank 10 by installing a stopper 25 </ b> S in the ballast tank 10. Therefore, this stopper 25S can be used.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the stopper 25S has a length (L3) from the first contact portion 25Sa to the center line O and a length from the second contact portion 25Sb to the center line O in a side view. (L4) is configured to have the same length.
Thereby, in the initial state where the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 becomes the minimum, each volume of the 1st gas chamber 11 and the 2nd gas chamber 23 can be made mutually equal. For this reason, the displacement of the first piston 15A and the second piston 24A is displaced for some reason, so that the volumes of the first gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23 can be maintained equal to each other. Even if it disappears, the volume of each of the first gas chamber 11 and the second gas chamber 23 is equal to each other by draining the ballast water from the ballast water chamber 12 to minimize the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. It can be returned to the state.

  In the above description, the stopper 25S having the first contact portion 25Sa and the second contact portion 25Sb has been described as an example of the movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the first piston 15A and the movement of the second piston 24A. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a modification of the stopper shown in FIG. (A) shows the 1st modification of a stopper, (B) shows the 2nd modification of a stopper.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, two stoppers 25S1 and 25S2 that protrude from the inner surface 16c of the peripheral wall 16 of the ballast tank 10 may be provided as movement restricting means. Then, one stopper 25S1 has a first contact portion 25Sa that contacts the first piston 15A, thereby restricting the movement of the first piston 15A, and the other stopper 25S2 contacts the second piston 24A. It may be configured to restrict the movement of the second piston 24A.

  Alternatively, as the movement restricting means, as shown in FIG. 5B, the movement of the first piston 15 </ b> A and the second piston are performed by a step portion 16 </ b> S formed integrally with the inner surface 16 c of the peripheral wall 16 of the ballast tank 10. You may comprise so that movement of 24A may be controlled.

  In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first partition member 15 includes a first diaphragm 15 </ b> B that deforms in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. The second partition member 24 includes a second diaphragm 24B that deforms in accordance with the increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12.

  The 1st diaphragm 15B and the 2nd diaphragm 24B consist of a diaphragm member which has flexibility. The first diaphragm 15B partitions the first gas chamber and the ballast water chamber 12 in a watertight manner, and the second diaphragm 24B partitions the second gas chamber 23 and the ballast water chamber 12 in a watertight manner.

When ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber 12, the first diaphragm 15B is deformed so as to bulge toward the first gas chamber 11, and the second diaphragm 24B bulges toward the second gas chamber 23. Deform to Thereby, while the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 increases, the volume of the 1st gas chamber 11 and the volume of the 2nd gas chamber 23 decrease.
On the other hand, when the ballast water is drained from the ballast water chamber 12, both the first diaphragm 15B and the second diaphragm 24B are deformed so as to bulge toward the ballast water chamber 12. Thereby, while the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 decreases, the volume of the 1st gas chamber 11 and the volume of the 2nd gas chamber 23 increase.

  According to such a structure, the 1st partition member 15 and the 2nd partition member 24 consist of a diaphragm which deform | transforms according to the increase / decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. FIG. In this way, by increasing or decreasing the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 due to the flexibility of the diaphragm, it is not necessary to move the first diaphragm 15B and the second diaphragm 24B, and the sliding member is not necessary. In addition, the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 can be increased or decreased stably.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the ballast tank 10C has a spherical shape. Thus, when the ballast tank 10 has a spherical shape, it is difficult to configure the first partition member 15 and the second partition member 24 with the above-described piston, but the first partition member 15 and the second partition member 24 are By comprising with a diaphragm, the volume of the 1st gas chamber 11 and the volume of the 2nd gas chamber 23 can be increased / decreased according to the increase / decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber 12. FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the submarine 1 has been described as an example of the underwater structure including the floating and sinking device 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention. However, the submarine 1 is not limited thereto, and as shown in FIG. 100 may be the target. Here, the sinking coordinate 100 is, for example, an underwater structure that floats and sinks in water for testing and research.
In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a sinking coordinate system which is an underwater structure including a floating and sinking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, the sinking coordinate 100 includes a hull 101, a floating and sinking device 4 for floating and sinking the hull 101, and a rod 102 for fixing the position of the hull 101 in water.

  The hull 101 has a substantially rectangular shape and is configured such that the front-rear direction is long. A mooring line 103 is suspended from both ends of the hull 101, and a anchor 102 is connected to a tip 103 a of the mooring line 103.

  FIG. 8: is the schematic plan view which showed the 1st modification of a sinking coordinate provided with the floating / sink apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

  In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the ballast tank 10 including the floating and sinking device 4 that floats and sinks the sinking coordinate 100 </ b> A in water includes a first ballast tank 10 </ b> B <b> 1 having a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal direction. The second ballast tank 10B2 having a shape having a longitudinal direction of the first ballast tank 10B1 on the opposite side of the first ballast tank 10B1 across the center of gravity (P10) of the collided 100A in plan view 2nd ballast tank 10B2 arrange | positioned along.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the first ballast tank 10B1 and the second ballast tank 10B2 are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are along the front-rear direction of the subordinate coordinate 100A.

The collided coordinate 100A has a predetermined size also in the width direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and it is necessary to suppress posture variation in the width direction.
According to such a configuration, the first ballast tank 10B1 and the second ballast tank 10B2 are formed on opposite sides of the center of gravity (P10) of the collided 100A in plan view. Thereby, not only in the longitudinal direction of the ballast tank, but also in the direction (width direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ballast tank, it is possible to suppress the change in the attitude of the collided 100A.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the float / sink device 4 that floats and sinks the sinking coordinate 100A in water includes the ballast water pipe 22 (first ballast water pipe 22B1) connected to the communication hole 21B1 of the first ballast tank 10B1, and the second ballast. The ballast water pipe 22 (second ballast water pipe 22B2) connected to the communication hole 21B2 of the tank 10B2 is connected to the first ballast tank 10B1 through the first ballast water pipe 22B1, and the second through the second ballast water pipe 22B2. A pump 14 connected to the second ballast tank 10B2, a first adjustment valve 151B1 for adjusting the flow rate of the ballast water flowing through the first ballast water pipe 22B1, and a first amount for adjusting the amount of ballast water flowing through the second ballast water pipe 22B2. 2 adjustment valve 151B2.

  According to such a configuration, the flow rate of the ballast water sealed in the ballast water chamber 12 of the first ballast tank 10B1 is adjusted by the first adjustment valve 151B1 even if the posture change in the width direction occurs in the coordinate 100A. I can do it. The flow rate of the ballast water sealed in the ballast water chamber 12 of the second ballast tank 10B2 can be adjusted by the second adjustment valve 151B2. Thereby, the buoyancy caused by the first ballast tank 10B1 and the buoyancy caused by the second ballast tank 10B2 can be adjusted, respectively, and the posture of the sinking coordinate 100A can be stably maintained even if the posture change in the width direction occurs in the sinking coordinate 100A. It can return to a proper posture.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating a second modified example of a sinking coordinate system including the floating / sinking device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the sinking coordinate 100B has a substantially circular shape in plan view.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the floating and sinking device 4 that floats and sinks the sinking coordinate 100 </ b> B in water includes a ballast tank 10, and the ballast tank 10 is filled with gas in addition to the first gas chamber 11. A plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10 </ b> A are not formed in the ballast tank 10.
Each of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A has a plurality of single buoyancy action points (P11) obtained by synthesizing buoyancy of each of the first gas chambers 11 of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A. Regardless of the increase or decrease of the volume of the ballast water chamber 12 in each of the gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A, they are arranged so as to substantially coincide with the center of gravity position (P12) of the sinking coordinate 100B in plan view.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sinking coordinate 100B has a substantially circular shape in plan view.
The pump 14 is connected to each of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10 </ b> A via the ballast water pipe 22.
In the illustrated embodiment, the sinking coordinate 100B includes six single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A (10A1 to 10A6) arranged radially about the center of gravity (P12) of the sinking coordinate 100B.

  In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first gas chambers 11 of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A1 to 10A6 sinks more than each of the ballast water chambers 12 of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A1 to 10A6. It is arranged radially outward of the coordinate 100B.

  According to such a configuration, the combined buoyancy action point (P11) of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A1 to 10A6 is configured to substantially coincide with the gravity center position (P12) of the sunk coordinate 100B in a plan view. Is done. Thereby, not only the sinking coordinate 100 having the long shape but also the sinking coordinate 100B having a shape such as a circular shape or a rectangular shape, the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks 10A1 to 10A6 are set to the sinking coordinate. By appropriately arranging according to the shape of 100B, it is possible to suppress the change in posture of the sinking 100B.

The floatation / sink device 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the object of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the submarine 1 or the sinking coordinate 100 has been described as an example of the underwater structure including the floating and sinking device 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, UUV (autonomous unmanned submarine) ) And other underwater structures such as underwater vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Submarine 2,101 Hull 3 Bridge 4 Floating device 5 Propeller 10 Ballast tank 10A Single gas chamber type ballast tank 11 First gas chamber 12 Ballast water chamber 13 Seal ring 14 Pump 15 First partition member 15A First piston 15B First diaphragm 16 peripheral wall 19 air supply port 21 communicating hole 22 ballast water pipe 23 second gas chamber 24 second partition member 24A second piston 24B second diaphragm 25A first movement restricting means 25B second movement restricting means 25S stoppers 100, 100A, 100B Coordinate 102 錨 103 Mooring line 151B1 First regulating valve 151B2 Second regulating valve

Claims (9)

A floatation device that floats and sinks an underwater structure in water,
A ballast tank in which a first gas chamber in which gas is sealed and a ballast water chamber in which ballast water is sealed are formed;
A pump for draining the ballast water in the ballast water chamber through a communication hole communicating the ballast water chamber and the outside of the ballast tank;
A first partition member for watertightly partitioning the first gas chamber and the ballast water chamber,
When the ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber, the first partition member increases the volume of the ballast water chamber and decreases the volume of the first gas chamber, and from the ballast water chamber to the ballast water. When the water is discharged, the floatation apparatus is configured to decrease the volume of the ballast water chamber and increase the volume of the first gas chamber. Inside the ballast tank, a second gas chamber in which gas is sealed is further formed on the opposite side of the first gas chamber across the center of gravity of the ballast tank,
A second partition member for watertightly partitioning the second gas chamber and the ballast water chamber;
When the ballast water is poured into the ballast water chamber, the second partition member increases the volume of the ballast water chamber and decreases the volume of the second gas chamber, and from the ballast water chamber to the ballast water. The floatation / sink apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the water is drained, the volume of the ballast water chamber is decreased and the volume of the second gas chamber is increased.   The floatation / sink apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the volumes of the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber are configured to be equal to each other regardless of increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber. The first partition member comprises a first piston that moves in the ballast tank in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber,
4. The floatation / sink device according to claim 2, wherein the second partition member includes a second piston that moves in the ballast tank according to an increase or decrease in a volume of the ballast water chamber. The ballast tank is
First movement restricting means for restricting movement of the first piston beyond the communication hole toward the second piston;
5. The float / sink device according to claim 4, further comprising second movement restriction means for restricting movement of the second piston beyond the communication hole toward the first piston.   The float / sink apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first movement restricting means and the second movement restricting means include a stopper protruding from an inner surface of a peripheral wall of the ballast tank. The first partition member comprises a first diaphragm that deforms in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber,
4. The float / sink apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second partition member includes a second diaphragm that deforms in accordance with an increase or decrease in the volume of the ballast water chamber. The ballast tank is
A first ballast tank having a shape having a longitudinal direction;
A second ballast tank having a shape having a longitudinal direction, and along the longitudinal direction of the first ballast tank on a side opposite to the first ballast tank across the center of gravity of the underwater structure in a plan view. The floatation / sink device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising a second ballast tank disposed in a row. The ballast tank includes a plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks in which a gas chamber in which a gas other than the first gas chamber is sealed is not formed inside the ballast tank,
Each of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks has an action point of a combined buoyancy obtained by synthesizing buoyancy due to the first gas chamber of each of the plurality of single gas chamber type ballast tanks. The floatation / sink device according to claim 1, wherein the float / sink device is arranged so as to substantially coincide with a center of gravity of the underwater structure in a plan view regardless of increase or decrease in volume of the ballast water chamber in each tank.

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