KR20120134064A

KR20120134064A - System for launching an underwater vehicle

Info

Publication number: KR20120134064A
Application number: KR1020120057287A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 빈센트 가이거
Original assignee: 데쎄엔에스
Priority date: 2011-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-30
Publication date: 2012-12-11
Also published as: ES2452487T3; FR2976063A1; EP2530423A1; FR2976063B1; EP2530423B1; KR101923577B1

Abstract

The features of the firing system according to the invention are as follows: the movable body 2 is housed in an inner tube 3, which is in a retracted position in the outer tube 4 and from its outer tube 4. Sliding between the deployed positions, the firing system further comprising: return inhibiting water suction means (5) at the rear of the outer tube (4); Means (6) for fluidly communicating the corresponding portions of the inner and outer tubes of the tube at the rear of the moving body; Sealing means (7) supported on the inner tube (3) and sliding against the inner wall of the outer tube when the inner tube moves in the outer tube (4); And moving the inner tube from its retracted position to the deployed position along the first low speed movement path in the outer tube and from the deployed position to the retracted position along the second high speed movement path such that pressurized water from the outer tube 4 Means (8; 10; 11; 13) for introducing into the inner tube (3) from the rear of the movable body (2) via the communicating means (6) to push the underwater movable body (2) out.

Description

Underwater Vehicle Launching System {SYSTEM FOR LAUNCHING AN UNDERWATER VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to an underwater vehicle launch system.

More specifically, the present invention relates to underwater vehicles such as torpedoes, missiles, land mines, countermeasures or unmanned missiles, or other vehicles of that type, for example in a launch system of that type (strictly like a submarine) with an underwater vehicle. It can be used to fire.

These firing systems are commonly referred to as torpedo tubes, although they can also be used to fire other moving objects than torpedoes. Generally, submarines are equipped with several torpedo tubes of this type.

These torpedo tubes should be capable of firing different kinds of underwater vehicles, such as weapons made of torpedoes, etc., with acceptable dimensions that can be coupled to the moving body, without the application of local and unbalanced mechanical constraints (contactless firing). do.

Another important aspect of this kind of system is that it must be possible to launch the moving objects individually, for example, in order to avoid being found.

Different systems of this kind are already described in detail in the prior art.

To remind ourselves, the main known launching systems or methods are described as follows.

System using air drive: The system consists in blowing pressurized air behind a moving object stored in a tube to release the moving object. This system has the advantage of allowing launch without contact with a moving body, but is relatively individ- ual because a significant amount of air is released from the carrier submarine.

-Pneumatic Rammer: This pneumatic rammer is actually a telescopic cylinder actuator that can push the moving body out of the tube mechanically using a piston that is deployed during launch. The main disadvantage of this kind of system is that a certain mechanical interface is required at the rear of the moving object to be launched, which must withstand a relatively large impact.

Firing by automatic start of the moving object: This firing can only be applied to a moving object for that type of firing method that can leave the tube using its own means. In fact, in such a firing manner, the drive means of the mobile body is activated and then used to allow the mobile body to leave the tube. However, they require a generally annular third door in the rear of the tube or a tube diameter considerably larger than the movable body so that water can circulate from the front of the movable body to its rear side. Thus, the "syringe" effect can be avoided when the moving object leaves the tube. Finally, the exit velocity of the moving body is also relatively low, limiting the firing range (the speed of the submarine that allows release).

A so-called "water ram" system: this system is generally hydraulically operated, which pushes water in the outer cavity to the rear of the torpedo tube, more specifically to the rear of the vehicle, to push it away. . An important advantage of this kind of system is the contactless launch. However, this kind of system requires a third door that is very bulky and generally annular, which creates the additional risk of not being able to accurately seal the tube before and after firing. Finally, the piston generally passes through the thick hull of the submarine, which also presents additional complexity and danger.

Turbopump system, similar to the so-called "water ram" system: The difference from the water ram system is that instead of the piston, the turbine propels the water behind the moving body. The disadvantage of this system is the injection of pressurized air into the wheels to operate the turbine within the hull of the submarine. This operation causes the atmospheric pressure at the edges to sharply increase, resulting in significant condensation at the firing position, which generally results in a lot of inconvenience for the entire edge.

The Applicant has also proposed making a double tube system using an annular piston that attaches the inner tube to the outer tube and circulates water from front to back.

However, the fabrication of such double tubes is extremely complex and the spaces between the tubes are not easily accessible for maintenance.

Examples of launch systems can be found in DE 10340602, EP 2107331, EP 0151980, EP 0526831, FR 2724248, FR 2776059, KR 20100086295, US 4971949, US 5284106, US 6401645, US 6871610 and finally US 7093552.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems with the launch of any kind of moving object, using a system having acceptable dimensions and enabling individual launches.

To this end, the present invention relates to an underwater mobile launch system, wherein the launch system is characterized as follows: the mobile is housed in an inner tube, which is retracted from the outer tube and deployed from the outer tube. Slidably moveable between the displaced positions, the firing system further comprising: return inhibiting water suction means at the rear of the outer tube; Means for fluidly communicating the corresponding portions of the inner and outer tubes of the tube at the rear of the moving body; Sealing means supported on the inner tube and sliding against the inner wall of the outer tube when the inner tube moves within the outer tube; And moving the inner tube from its retracted position to the deployed position along the first low speed movement path in the outer tube and from the deployed position to the retracted position along the second high speed movement path so that the pressurized water from the outer tube Means for causing the underwater vehicle to be pushed out through the interior tube at the rear of the vehicle.

According to another feature of the firing system according to the invention, alone or in combination,

The means of movement is inserted between the outer tube and the inner tube,

The means of movement is inserted between the rear part of the outer tube and the rear part of the inner tube,

The means of movement is inserted between the rear part of the inner tube and the front part of the outer tube,

Said moving means comprises a telescopic cylinder means (8),

The means for movement comprises electromagnetic means,

The means of movement comprises a LAPLACE force means,

Said return inhibiting water suction means at the rear of the outer tube comprises a solenoid valve,

The return inhibiting water suction means at the rear of the outer tube comprises a check valve,

The fluid communication means comprises an opening formed in the rear part of the inner tube between the two tubes,

The underwater vehicle firing system further comprises means for guiding the movement of the inner tube in the outer tube, the means being inserted between the inner tube and the outer tube,

The sealing means supported by the inner tube and sliding against the inner wall of the outer tube when the inner tube moves in the outer tube, comprises vib means;

The vehicle is selected from torpedoes, missiles, mines, countermeasures or unmanned missiles,

The inner tube is formed of a resistive container for receiving and protecting the moving body,

The ends of the tube are covered with a pierceable membrane.

The invention will be better understood from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1, 2, 3 and 4 are different schematic cross-sectional views of one embodiment of a system according to the invention, illustrating the firing phase of a mobile body, such as a torpedo.
5 shows a cross-sectional view of one alternative embodiment of a system according to the invention.
6 shows a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a system according to the invention.

As shown in the figure above, it is also possible in particular to FIG. In 4, the present invention relates to a system for launching an underwater vehicle.

In these figures, the present system is denoted by reference numeral "1" as a whole and the underwater vehicle is denoted by reference numeral "2" as a whole and other underwater vehicles such as torpedoes or missiles, mines, countermeasures or unmanned missiles or other It is made of the same weapon as the mobile.

This moving body 2 is accommodated in the inner tube 3 and when the corresponding door of the outer tube 4 is opened, the inner tube is retracted in the outer tube as shown and the outer tube (FIG. 1). It can move while sliding between positions (FIG. 2) that are deployed from.

Other systems according to the invention also comprise a return inhibitor water suction means (marked in these figures with reference numeral "5") at the rear of the outer tube.

The return suppression means may comprise, for example, a solenoid valve or a check valve, which, when the inner tube is deployed, introduces water at the rear of the outer tube, thus avoiding the aforementioned "syringe" effect.

In the system according to the invention, there is also provided a means for fluidly communicating the portion of the inner tube that is behind the object to be fired with the corresponding portion of the outer tube, which means is indicated generally by the reference numeral "6" in these figures. And, for example, at the rear of the inner tube, more specifically to the water passage opening or hole formed in the wall of the inner tube at the rear of the moving object to be fired.

The system according to the invention also comprises, for example, a sealing means 7 which is supported on the inner tube 3, when the inner tube moves in the outer tube, the sealing means slides against the inner wall of the outer tube 4. do.

The sealing means comprises, for example, a bib means, which can be rigid, for example, so that a sealing can be achieved between the upstream and downstream regions of the means.

Finally, the firing system according to the present invention is provided with means for moving the inner tube between the positions previously described in the outer tube. It is indicated by the reference number "8" in 4.

In fact, Figure 1? In the embodiment shown in figure 4, the means of movement is inserted between the inner tube and the outer tube, more specifically between the rear part of those tubes.

The moving means comprises means in the form of a telescopic cylinder actuator whose power supply is controlled by a control means having a general structure, which causes the inner tube to move within the outer tube.

Thus, the moving means is adapted to move the inner tube from its retracted position from its retracted position along the first low speed moving path to the deployed position and from the deployed position to the retracted position along the second high speed moving path.

The first low speed travel path is shown in FIG. 2, in which the cylinder extends so that the inner tube and thus the underwater vehicle housed within the inner tube develop from the retracted position in the outer tube from the outer tube. To the location where

During this movement, water is introduced through the suction means 5 at the rear of the outer tube, avoiding the aforementioned "syringe" effect and promoting the release of the inner tube.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, during the second high speed travel path, in which the inner tube returns from the deployed position to the retracted position, the return suppression means are closed to prevent water from escaping from the outer tube through the means.

And, because of the bead supported on the inner tube while the inner tube moves to the retracted position in the outer tube, pressurized water from the outer tube flows into the inner tube at the rear of the moving body through the fluid communication means 6, This pressurized water pushes the underwater moving object out of the inner tube as shown in FIG. 4.

And as can be seen, this can solve several of the above problems, since the system according to the invention does not require contact between the actuator and the moving body.

It is also relatively bulky and can launch the moving objects individually.

Of course, means for guiding the movement of the inner tubes in the outer tubes are inserted between them. This means can have any suitable structure and will not be described in further detail below.

Of course, other embodiments as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are also conceivable.

Thus, Figure 1? The moving means in 4 comprises a telescopic cylinder inserted between the opposite rear portions of the inner and outer tubes, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, this means (indicated by reference numeral “10” as a whole). Is formed of a flexible cylinder type actuator inserted between the front portion of the outer tube and the rear portion of the inner tube.

The operation of the system is thus symmetric to the operation described above, i.e. when retracting the actuator allows for a slow developmental movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and a rapid movement of the inner tube back into the outer tube when deployed. It makes it possible.

Of course, other embodiments are also conceivable in connection with the formation of means for moving the inner tube in the outer tube.

Thus, for example, in Fig. 6 an embodiment is shown in which the means of movement comprises electromagnetic means, with an outer coil 11 arranged around the outer tube 12, the inner tube 13 being made of a ferromagnetic material It can also protect the underwater vehicle contained therein.

Of course, other embodiments are conceivable, and the moving means may be based on, for example, LAPLACE forces.

Due to this structure, the system according to the present invention has many advantages over the prior art in terms of maintenance since the system according to the present invention can be easily disassembled and removed from the launch vehicle to facilitate its operation.

In addition, other fluid communication means other than those described above may be envisioned, for example, which may consist of a partial or complete opening at the rear end of the inner tube.

The structure of the system according to the invention also enables automatic starting firing of the moving object.

Finally, the dimensions of the different parts that make up the system can be adapted to the size and volume of the moving body.

Claims

In the underwater vehicle launch system,
The movable body 2 is received in the inner tube 3, which can move while sliding between the retracted position in the outer tube 4 and the position deployed from the outer tube 4,
The firing system comprises return restraining water suction means (5) at the rear of the outer tube (4); Means (6) for fluidly communicating the corresponding portions of the inner and outer tubes of the tube at the rear of the moving body; Sealing means (7) supported on the inner tube (3) and sliding against the inner wall of the outer tube when the inner tube moves in the outer tube (4); And moving the inner tube from its retracted position to the deployed position along the first low speed movement path in the outer tube and from the deployed position to the retracted position along the second high speed movement path such that pressurized water from the outer tube 4 A means (8; 10; 11; 13) for introducing into the inner tube (3) from the rear of the movable body (2) via the communicating means (6) to push the underwater movable body (2) out; Underwater Vehicle Launch System.

The method of claim 1,
The vehicle (8; 10; 11; 13) is an underwater vehicle firing system, characterized in that it is inserted between the outer tube and the inner tube.

The method of claim 2,
The transport means (8) is characterized in that it is inserted between the rear part of the outer tube (4) and the rear part of the inner tube (3).

The method of claim 2,
The transport means (10) is characterized in that it is inserted between the rear of the inner tube (3) and the front of the outer tube (4).

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The moving means is an underwater vehicle launch system, characterized in that it comprises a telescopic cylinder means (8).

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The means for moving the underwater vehicle, characterized in that it comprises electromagnetic means (11, 13).

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
And the vehicle comprises LAPLACE force means.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The return vehicle suction means (5) at the rear of the outer tube comprises a solenoid valve.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The repellent water inlet means (5) at the rear of the outer tube comprises a check valve.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The fluid communication means (6) is characterized in that it comprises an opening formed in the rear of the inner tube between the two tubes.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
And means for guiding movement of the inner tube within the outer tube, the means being inserted between the inner tube and the outer tube.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The sealing vehicle, which is supported by an inner tube and which slides against the inner wall of the outer tube when the inner tube moves within the outer tube, comprises a vib means (7).

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The mobile vehicle is an underwater vehicle launch system, characterized in that selected from torpedoes, missiles, landmines, countermeasures or unmanned missiles (2).

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The inner tube (3) is an underwater vehicle launch system, characterized in that it is formed of a resistive container for receiving and protecting the moving body.

15. The method of claim 14,
The end of the tube is covered with a perforated membrane.