Emergency release device for an underwater tow system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of detecting tow body release, and particularly relates to an emergency release device of an underwater towing system; the underwater towing system comprises a depth-keeping tow body and a detecting tow body, the detecting tow body is connected with the depth-keeping tow body through an optical-electric composite cable, the optical-electric composite cable is composed of a towing cable and a communication cable, the communication cable is connected with internal detecting instruments of the detecting tow body through a male connector and a female connector which are mutually plugged; the emergency release device is arranged at one end of the detecting tow body, and comprises a towing cable release mechanism and a communication cable release mechanism; a driving member drives the towing cable release mechanism to separate from the towing cable, and drives the communication cable release mechanism to separate from the communication cable; the emergency release device of the present application is suitable for the release of the detecting tow body in the underwater towing system, relies on a mechanical transmission structure, is stable and reliable, can realize the autonomous separation of the detecting tow body when an emergency occurs or communication is lost, improves the safety and recovery rate of the detecting tow body, and reduces potential major losses.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of detecting tow body release, in particular to an emergency release device of an underwater tow system. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the continuous development of marine resource development and underwater detection technology, as an efficient and low-cost marine detection tool, the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is increasingly valued. Therefore, developing high-performance UUV is an important means to improve China's marine scientific and technological level and strengthen the ability to obtain marine information.

[0003] Among the many types of UUVs, the towed underwater vehicle is towed by a surface ship and does not need power, so the running cost is low and it is widely used in underwater detection tasks. Most of the existing towed underwater vehicles use a two-stage tow system, a depth-keeping tow body as a first-stage tow body, and a detection tow body as a second-stage tow body. The surface ship is connected to the depth-keeping tow body, and the depth-keeping tow body is connected to the detection tow body. The depth-keeping tow body is mainly used to adjust the detection depth of the detection tow body, and the detection tow body carries various high-precision sensors to perform marine data collection tasks.

[0004] Because the detection tow body is loaded with a large number of high-value high-precision sensors, if it encounters an emergency and cannot float up by itself, it will directly result in the loss of equipment and cause great economic losses.

[0005] The current instrument for recovering underwater equipment is mainly an acoustic release. The acoustic release is connected to the depth-keeping tow body in the two-stage tow system, the surface ship is connected to the acoustic release through the first-stage tow cable, the acoustic release is connected to the detection tow body through the second-stage tow cable, and the acoustic release is connected to the depth-keeping tow body. Generally, when the detection tow body is recovered, in order to improve the recovery efficiency, the depth-keeping tow body is released by the acoustic release, and the acoustic release and the detection tow body are recovered together. Due to the influence of distance and background noise, the acoustic release has the risk of communication failure, which causes the release of the depth-keeping tow body to fail. When the first-stage tow cable fails, the depth-keeping tow body will drag the acoustic release and the detection tow body into the seabed, resulting in the loss of equipment. Since the acoustic release and the detection tow body are expensive, it will cause great economic losses.

[0006] Therefore, there is no effective emergency release device for the two-stage tow system. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present application provides an emergency release device of an underwater tow system, which is compact in structure, low in cost and high in mechanical reliability.

[0008] The application provides an emergency release device of an underwater towing system, the underwater towing system comprising a depth-keeping tow body and a detection tow body, the detection tow body being connected with the depth-keeping tow body through an optical-electric composite cable, the optical-electric composite cable being composed of a towing cable and a communication cable, the communication cable being connected with internal detection instruments of the detection tow body through a plug male head and a plug female head which are inserted into each other;

[0009] The emergency release device is arranged at one end of the detection tow body and is used for disconnecting the detection tow body from the towing cable and the communication cable; the emergency release device comprises:

[0010] a towing cable release mechanism which is detachably connected with a towing cable fixing head connected with the towing cable;

[0011] a communication cable release mechanism which is used for separating the plug male head from the plug female head;

[0012] a driving member which drives the towing cable release mechanism to be separated from the towing cable fixing head, and drives the communication cable release mechanism to separate the plug male head from the plug female head, so that the communication cable is separated from the detection tow body.

[0013] The emergency release device of the underwater towing system is suitable for a secondary underwater towing system, can release the towing cable and the communication cable by means of a mechanical structure, can realize autonomous separation of the detection tow body, can improve safety and recovery rate of the detection tow body, and can greatly reduce the risk of loss of the detection tow body and potential major loss.

[0014] In some embodiments of the application, the emergency release device comprises a mounting base arranged at an end of the detection tow body;

[0015] The towing cable release mechanism comprises a first transmission shaft which is arranged through the mounting base, one end of the first transmission shaft being connected with the driving member and the other end being threadedly connected with the towing cable fixing head, and the driving member driving the first transmission shaft to rotate relative to the mounting base;

[0016] The towing cable release mechanism further comprises a first fixing assembly which is fixed to the mounting base and is in non-rotatable connection with the towing cable fixing head;

[0017] The driving member drives the first transmission shaft to rotate relative to the towing cable fixing head, the towing cable fixing head being limited by the first fixing assembly and not rotating with the first transmission shaft, so that the towing cable fixing head is separated from the end of the first transmission shaft.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application, the first fixing assembly comprises a first fixing frame fixed on the mounting base and a connecting piece arranged on the top of the first fixing frame, the connecting piece is inserted with the tow cable fixing head, and the outer surface of the tow cable fixing head is symmetrically provided with two limiting plates in the radial direction, and the connecting piece is correspondingly provided with a limiting groove extending in the axial direction.

[0019] The limiting plate is inserted with the limiting groove to limit the tow cable fixing head in the circumferential direction, so that the tow cable fixing head does not rotate with the first transmission shaft when the first transmission shaft rotates.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication cable release mechanism comprises a compression ring sleeved outside the plug male or the plug female, a driving member drives the compression ring to drive the plug male or the plug female to move in a direction away from each other, and the driving member drives the communication cable release mechanism to separate the plug male and the plug female.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication cable release mechanism comprises a gear set driving the linear motion of the compression ring, the gear set comprises a first gear fixed on the first transmission shaft and a second gear threadedly connected outside the compression ring, and the first gear is engaged with the second gear.

[0022] The first transmission shaft drives the rotation of the first gear, the first gear drives the rotation of the second gear without linear motion, and the second gear drives the axial motion of the compression ring to drive the plug male or the plug female to move in the axial direction away from each other.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present application, a limiting protrusion is vulcanized on the cable surface of the front end of the plug male or the plug female, the diameter of the limiting protrusion is greater than the inner diameter of the compression ring, so that the compression ring can drive the plug male or the plug female to move together when the compression ring is rotated out.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication cable release mechanism further comprises a second fixing frame arranged side by side with the first fixing frame, the second fixing frame forms a second accommodating cavity with the mounting base, and the second accommodating cavity is open at the upper part.

[0025] The second gear, the compression ring and part of the plug male or part of the plug female inside the compression ring are located in the second accommodating cavity.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present application, the second gear has an internal thread, the thread rotation direction of the internal thread is opposite to the thread rotation direction of the first transmission shaft, so that when the driving member drives the first transmission shaft to rotate, the axial movement direction of the trailing cable fixing head and the compression ring is consistent.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present application, the emergency release device further comprises a control system arranged on the detection tow body, the control system comprises a master control unit and a sensor for monitoring the depth of the detection tow body, the sensor is connected with the master control unit to send the monitored depth of the detection tow body to the master control unit.

[0028] The master control unit is configured to start the driving member to drive the trailing cable release mechanism and the communication cable release mechanism to complete the release of the trailing cable and the communication cable when the depth of the detection tow body exceeds a set depth threshold.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present application, the master control unit is connected with the host computer control system through the communication cable, the master control unit is configured to start the driving member when the master control unit is disconnected with the host computer control system, and the master control unit is further configured to start the driving member to complete the release of the trailing cable and the communication cable when receiving the release instruction sent by the host computer control system.

[0030] The emergency release device of the underwater trailing system based on the above technical solution is suitable for the release of the detection tow body in the underwater secondary trailing system, relies on a mechanical transmission structure, is stable and reliable, and has low cost. In the event of an emergency or communication disconnection, the detection tow body can be automatically separated, the safety and recovery rate of the detection tow body are improved, the risk of loss of the detection tow body is greatly reduced, and potential major losses are reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the application and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the application and serve to explain the principles of the application. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the position relationship between the detection tow body, the depth-keeping tow body and the ship according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the position relationship between the emergency release device and the detection tow body according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 2; Figure 2

[0035] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the emergency release device according to an embodiment of the present application.​

[0036] Figure 5 An exploded view of the tow cable release mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 6 A structural schematic view of the first fixing frame of an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 7 An exploded view of the communication cable release mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 8 A structural schematic view of the plug male and the press ring release mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 9 A sectional view of the emergency release device of an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 10 A control principle diagram of the emergency release device of an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] In the drawings:

[0043] 10, a probe tow body; 11, a master control unit; 111, a release control module;

[0044] 20, a mounting base; 21, a first mounting hole; 22, a second mounting hole;

[0045] 30, a tow cable release mechanism;

[0046] 31, a tow cable fixing head; 311, a plug-in part; 312, a fixing part; 313, a tow cable fixing hole; 314, a limiting plate;

[0047] 32, a first transmission shaft; 321, a round rod part; 322, a screw rod part; 323, a first bearing;

[0048] 33, a first fixing assembly; 331, a first fixing frame; 332, a connecting piece; 333, a first mounting plate; 334, a limiting groove; 335, a reinforcing rib plate; 336, a first accommodating cavity;

[0049] 34, a first gear;

[0050] 40, a communication cable release mechanism;

[0051] 41, a plug male; 411, a press ring; 412, a limiting protrusion;

[0052] 42, a plug female; 421, a female press ring;

[0053] 43, a second gear; 431, a second bearing;

[0054] 44, second fixing frame; 441, second mounting plate; 442, second accommodating cavity;

[0055] 50, driving motor; 60, depth setting towed body;

[0056] 61, optical fiber composite cable; 611, tow cable; 612, communication cable;

[0057] 70, ship; 71, primary tow cable; 73, host computer control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The technical solutions in the embodiments will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0059] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "transverse", "longitudinal", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present application.

[0060] The terms "first", "second", "third" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second", "third" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0061] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0062] The emergency release device of the underwater towed system of the embodiment is a two-stage towed system, as shown in FIG. 1, which comprises a first towed system 1 and a second towed system 2. Figure 1As shown, the ship 70 is connected with the depth-keeping tow body 60 through the first-stage tow cable 71, and the depth-keeping tow body 60 is connected with the detection tow body 10 through the second-stage tow cable, and the depth-keeping tow body 60 is mainly used for adjusting the detection depth of the detection tow body 10. The second-stage tow cable of the embodiment is an optical-electric composite cable 61, which is composed of a tow cable 611 and a communication cable 612, and is used for towing the detection tow body 10 and transmitting the data collected by the detection tow body 10. When the first-stage tow cable 71 fails, the detection tow body 10 cannot freely float up under the dragging effect of the depth-keeping tow body 60, and the detection tow body 10 is lost, causing huge economic losses.

[0063] The emergency release device of the embodiment is arranged at the end of the detection tow body 10, as shown in the figure, and is used for disconnecting the detection tow body 10 from the optical-electric composite cable 61, that is, both the tow cable 611 and the communication cable 612 are disconnected from the detection tow body 10. The communication cable 612 is connected with the detection instrument inside the detection tow body 10 through the plug male head 41 and the plug female head 42 which are inserted into each other; the structure is shown in the figure, and includes: Figures 2-3 Figures 4-5

[0064] The mounting base 20 is arranged inside one end of the detection tow body 10. In order to adapt to the shape of the detection tow body 10, the mounting base 20 of the embodiment is a circular plate structure, and the first mounting hole 21 and the second mounting hole 22 are symmetrically arranged on the mounting base 20;

[0065] The first mounting hole 21 is provided with the tow cable release mechanism 30, and the tow cable release mechanism 30 is used for fixing and releasing the tow cable 611. One end of the tow cable release mechanism 30 is connected with the tow cable fixing head 31, and the tow cable fixing head 31 is connected with the tow cable 611. The second mounting hole 22 is provided with the communication cable release mechanism 40, and the communication cable release mechanism 40 separates the plug male head 41 and the plug female head 42. In the embodiment, the plug male head 41 is located at the front end of the mounting base 20, and the plug female head 42 is located at the rear end of the mounting base 20. The communication cable release mechanism 40 is arranged side by side with the tow cable release mechanism 30, and the communication cable release mechanism 40 is used for fixing and releasing the communication cable 612.

[0066] ​​A driving component is also installed on the first mounting hole 21. In this embodiment, the driving component is a drive motor 50. The drive motor 50 and the tow cable release mechanism 30 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mounting base 20. In order to enable the tow cable 611 to disconnect from the end of the detection tow body 10, the drive motor 50 is located on the rear side of the mounting base 20, and the tow cable release mechanism 30 is located on the front side of the mounting base. The drive motor 50 drives the tow cable release mechanism 30, so that the tow cable fixing head 31 is disengaged from the tow cable release mechanism 30. The tow cable fixing head 31 and the tow cable 611 are disengaged from the inside of the detection tow body 10 together. The drive motor 50 drives the communication cable release mechanism 40, so that the male connector 41 and the female connector 42 are separated. The male connector 41 is disengaged from the inside of the detection tow body 10, thereby realizing the release of the tow cable 611 and the communication cable 612.

[0067] In this embodiment, the drive motor 50 is a deep-water pressure-resistant motor with a locking function to prevent the towing cable 611 and communication cable 612 from being accidentally released due to the free rotation of the drive motor 50 under normal operating conditions.

[0068] In some embodiments, the drive motor 50 can be a combination of a common motor and a watertight housing, with a dynamic seal used at the part of the motor drive shaft that extends out of the watertight housing. This combination method has a lower overall cost.

[0069] like Figure 5 As shown, the tow cable release mechanism 30 includes a first drive shaft 32 connecting the tow cable fixing head 31 and the drive motor 50. The first drive shaft 32 passes through the first mounting hole 21 and includes a smooth round rod portion 321 and a threaded screw portion 322. The round rod portion 321 is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 50, and the screw portion 322 is connected to the internal thread of the tow cable fixing head 31. The drive motor 50 drives the first drive shaft 32 to rotate relative to the mounting base 20.

[0070] The tow cable release mechanism 30 also includes a first fixing component 33 fixed on the mounting base 20. The first fixing component 33 is non-rotatably connected to the tow cable fixing head 31. The drive motor 50 drives the first transmission shaft 32 to rotate, and the tow cable fixing head 31 does not rotate with the first transmission shaft 32, so that the tow cable fixing head 31 moves along the axis and disengages from the end of the screw portion 322 of the first transmission shaft 32.

[0071] Specifically, the first fixing component 33 is fixed to the front end face of the mounting base 20, including a first fixing frame 331 and a connector 332 disposed on the top of the first fixing frame 331. The bottom of the first fixing frame 331 is fixed to the front end face of the mounting base 20. The first fixing frame 331 and the mounting base 20 form a first receiving cavity 336. The upper part of the first fixing frame 331 is open, so that the first receiving cavity 336 and the connector 332 form a communication structure.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6 the first fixed frame 331 is a "П" type plate structure, the two ends of the first fixed frame 331 are symmetrically provided with horizontal first mounting plates 333 on the bottom, and the first mounting plates 333 are symmetrically provided with fixing holes, and the first mounting plates 333 are fixed with the mounting base 20 by bolts passing through the fixing holes, thereby increasing the firmness and stability of the connection between the first fixed frame 331 and the mounting base 20 to withstand greater towing tension generated when the towing cable 611 is towed.

[0073] The connecting piece 332 of the embodiment is a hollow cylindrical structure with open ends, the connecting piece 332 is inserted with the towing cable fixing head 31, one end of the towing cable fixing head 31 is an insertion part 311, and the other end is a fixed part 312, the insertion part 311 is inserted into the inside of the connecting piece 332, the insertion part 311 is also a hollow cylindrical structure, and the insertion part 311 is provided with an internal thread (not shown in the figure), the inner diameter of the connecting piece 332 is matched with the outer diameter of the insertion part 311, and the inner diameter of the insertion part 311 is matched with the outer diameter of the screw rod part 322, so as to realize the threaded cooperation between the insertion part 311 and the screw rod part 322; the front end of the fixed part 312 is provided with a towing cable fixing hole 313, and the towing cable fixing hole 313 is fixed with the towing cable 611.

[0074] In order to prevent the insertion part 311 from rotating relative to the connecting piece 332, two limiting plates 314 are symmetrically arranged on the outer surface of the insertion part 311 in the radial direction, and a limiting groove 334 extending in the axial direction is correspondingly arranged on the connecting piece 332; when the insertion part 311 is inserted with the connecting piece 332, the limiting plate 314 is inserted into the limiting groove 334, thereby limiting the insertion part 311 in the circumferential direction, and when the first transmission shaft 32 rotates, the towing cable fixing head 31 moves along the axial direction of the first transmission shaft 32, so that the towing cable fixing head 31 is separated from the end of the first transmission shaft 32.

[0075] Further, in order to increase the strength of the first fixed frame 331 and the first fixed assembly 33, two triangular reinforcing rib plates 335 are symmetrically arranged in the height direction, and the reinforcing rib plates 335 are arranged at the positions of the limiting grooves 334, the bottom edges of the reinforcing rib plates 335 are located on the first mounting plates 333, and the limiting grooves 334 are arranged on the reinforcing rib plates 335 arranged on the connecting piece 332, thereby integrating the limiting grooves 334 on the reinforcing rib plates 335, avoiding the complexity of the structure, increasing the strength while having the limiting function.

[0076] When the towing cable fixing head 31 is installed, the driving motor 50 drives the first transmission shaft 32 to rotate, the plug-in part 311 moves along the screw rod part 322 of the first transmission shaft 32 in the axial direction to the direction close to the installation base 20, the plug-in part 311 gradually enters the inside of the connecting piece 332, the limiting plate 314 cooperates with the limiting groove 334 to realize the plug-in fixing of the towing cable fixing head 31 and the first fixed assembly 33 of the first fixed frame 331.

[0077] When the towing cable fixing head 31 is released, the driving motor 50 drives the first transmission shaft 32 to rotate in the opposite direction, the plug-in part 311 moves linearly along the screw rod part 322 of the first transmission shaft 32 to the direction away from the installation base 20, the limiting plate 314 is separated from the limiting groove 334, the plug-in part 311 is gradually separated from the connecting piece 332, the separation of the towing cable fixing head 31 and the first fixed frame 331 is realized, the towing cable fixing head 31 is separated from the end of the detection towed body 10 with the towing cable 611, and the release of the towing cable 611 is completed.

[0078] As shown in Figures 7-9 In order to separate the plug-in male head 41 from the plug-in female head, a compression ring 411 is arranged on the outer periphery of the plug-in male head 41, the compression ring 411 drives the plug-in male head 41 to move linearly outward to separate from the plug-in female head, and the compression ring 411 drives the plug-in male head 41 to separate from the inside of the detection towed body 10;

[0079] In order to realize the linear motion of the compression ring 411, a thread is arranged on the outer periphery of the compression ring 411, the communication cable release mechanism 40 comprises a gear set for driving the linear motion of the compression ring 411, the gear set comprises a first gear 34 fixed at the middle position of the first transmission shaft 32, a second gear 43 connected with the thread of the compression ring 411, the thread on the outer periphery of the compression ring 411 matches with the internal thread of the second gear 43 to realize the thread connection between the second gear 43 and the compression ring 411, and the first gear 34 is engaged with the second gear 43;

[0080] The rotation of the first transmission shaft 32 drives the rotation of the first gear 34, since the first gear 34 is fixedly arranged on the first transmission shaft 32, the first gear 34 only rotates without axial motion, the first gear 34 drives the rotation of the second gear 43, the second gear 43 also only rotates without axial motion, the rotation of the second gear 43 drives the axial outward motion of the compression ring 411, the compression ring 411 drives the plug-in male head 41 to move axially away from the plug-in female head 42, and the plug-in male head 41 is separated from the plug-in female head 42;

[0081] As shown in Figure 8 The outer shape of the plug-in male head 41 is horn-shaped, the inside of the compression ring 411 is also horn-shaped and matched with the outer shape of the plug-in male head 41, and the plug-in male head 41 linearly moves with the compression ring 411 to separate from the plug-in female head 42.

[0082] When the driving motor 50 is started, the first transmission shaft 32 is driven to rotate, the plug-in part 311 of the tow cable fixing head 31 moves linearly along the screw rod part 322 of the first transmission shaft 32 to the direction away from the mounting base 20, the limiting plate 314 is separated from the limiting groove 334, the plug-in part 311 is gradually separated from the connecting piece 332, the separation of the tow cable fixing head 31 from the first fixing assembly 33 is realized, the tow cable fixing head 31 is separated from the end of the detection tow body 10 with the tow cable 611, and the release of the tow cable 611 is completed; the first gear 34 rotates synchronously with the first transmission shaft 32, the first gear 34 drives the second gear 43 to rotate, the rotation of the second gear 43 drives the compression ring 411 to move the plug-in male head 41 to the direction away from the mounting base 20, so that the plug-in male head 41 is separated from the plug-in female head 42, the plug-in male head 41 is separated from the end of the detection tow body 10, and the release of the communication cable 612 is completed.

[0083] A limiting protrusion 412 is vulcanized on the surface of the communication cable close to the front end of the plug-in male head 41, the diameter of the limiting protrusion 412 is greater than the inner diameter of the compression ring 411, when the compression ring 411 is rotated to the direction away from the mounting base 20, the plug-in male head 41 can be driven to move together, so that the plug-in male head 41 is separated from the plug-in female head 42, and the plug-in male head 41 cannot be separated from the plug-in female head 42 when the compression ring 411 is rotated out.

[0084] The second gear 43 is provided with an internal thread (not shown in the figure), the rotation direction of the internal thread of the second gear 43 is opposite to the rotation direction of the screw rod part 322 of the first transmission shaft 32, so that when the driving motor 50 rotates, the axial movement directions of the first transmission shaft 32 and the plug-in male head 41 are consistent, the fixing of the tow cable 611 and the communication cable 612 can be realized at the same time when the driving motor 50 rotates, and the release of the tow cable 611 and the communication cable 612 can be realized at the same time when the driving motor 50 rotates in the opposite direction.

[0085] In order to maintain the stability and reliability of the transmission, as shown in Figure 9 The structure of the first gear 34 and the part of the screw rod part 322 of the first transmission shaft 32 is located in the first containing cavity 336 formed by the first fixing frame 331 and the mounting base 20, the upper structure of the screw rod part 322 penetrates out of the first containing cavity 336 and enters the connecting piece 332, and is threadedly connected with the plug-in part 311 plugged in the connecting piece 332;

[0086] Continuing to refer to Figure 7The communication cable release mechanism 40 further comprises a second fixing frame 44 which is arranged side by side with the first fixing frame 331, and the second fixing frame 44 and the mounting base 20 form a second accommodating cavity 442 which is open at the upper portion; the second gear 43, the compression ring 411 and the partial plug male head 41 inside the compression ring 411 are all located in the second accommodating cavity 442, and the diameter of the upper portion of the second accommodating cavity 442 is greater than the outer diameter of the compression ring 411, so that the compression ring 411 with the plug male head 41 can smoothly pass through the opening and separate from the plug female head 42.

[0087] In order to improve the bearing of the second fixing frame 44 to the pulling force generated by the communication cable 612, the second fixing frame 44 has the same structure as the first fixing frame 331, and is also a "П" type plate structure, and the two ends of the second fixing frame 44 are symmetrically provided with horizontal second mounting plates 441 at the bottom, and the second mounting plates 441 are symmetrically provided with fixing holes, and the second mounting plates 441 are fixed with the mounting base 20 through bolts, so as to increase the firmness and stability of the connection between the second mounting plates 441 and the mounting base 20, and to bear the pulling force generated by the communication cable 612 when being dragged.

[0088] In order to ensure the smooth release process and the stability of the first gear 34 and the second gear 43 during transmission, the two ends of the first transmission shaft 32 are respectively sleeved with first bearings 323, the first bearings 323 are plane bearings, the two first bearings 323 are respectively located on the two sides of the first gear 34, and the two first bearings 323, the first gear 34 and the partial screw portion 322 are all located in the first accommodating cavity 336.

[0089] The two ends of the plug male head 41 are respectively sleeved with second bearings 431, the second bearings 431 are also plane bearings, the two second bearings 431 are respectively located on the two sides of the second gear 43, and the two second bearings 431, the second gear 43, the compression ring 411 and the partial plug male head 41 are all located in the second accommodating cavity 442, so as to ensure that the second gear 43 does not move axially.

[0090] The plug female head 42 is connected with the plug male head 41 from the rear end surface of the mounting base 20, and the plug female head 42 is fixed to the mounting base 20 through a female head compression ring 421, the female head compression ring 421 is provided with a fixing hole which is matched with the second mounting hole 22, so as to ensure that the female head compression ring 421 tightly presses the plug female head 42 on the mounting base 20, and to ensure that the plug male head 41 and the plug female head 42 are firmly connected.

[0091] The emergency release device of the embodiment further comprises a control system arranged on the detection towed body 10, and the control system comprises a main control unit 11 and a depth sensor for monitoring the depth of the detection towed body, wherein the main control unit 11 further integrates a release control module 111.

[0092] As Figure 10As shown, the main control unit 11 performs self-diagnosis on the working condition of the detection tow body 10: the depth sensor sends the monitored depth of the detection tow body 10 to the main control unit 11, and when the depth of the detection tow body 10 exceeds the set depth threshold, the main control unit 11 sends an instruction to the release control module 111, and the release control module 111 starts the driving motor 50 to drive the tow cable release mechanism 30 and the communication cable release mechanism 40 to complete the release of the tow cable 611 and the communication cable 612;

[0093] When the communication cable 612 fails and the main control unit 11 is disconnected with the host computer control system 73 on the ship 70, the main control unit 11 sends an instruction to the release control module 111, and the release control module 111 starts the driving motor 50;

[0094] When the depth of the detection tow body 10 does not exceed the set depth threshold, the main control unit 11 communicates normally with the host computer control system 73, and the host computer control system 73 sends a release instruction to the main control unit 11 through the communication cable 612, and the main control unit 11 sends a release instruction to the release control module 111, and the release control module 111 executes the release instruction to turn on the driving motor 50;

[0095] The release process is: the driving motor 50 rotates to drive the first transmission shaft 32 to rotate, the plug-in part 311 moves away from the mounting base 20 along the screw rod part 322 of the first transmission shaft 32, the limiting plate 314 separates from the limiting groove 334, the plug-in part 311 gradually separates from the connecting piece 332, the tow cable fixing head 31 separates from the first fixed frame 331, and the tow cable fixing head 31 with the tow cable 611 separates from the end of the detection tow body 10 to complete the release of the tow cable 611;

[0096] The first gear 34 rotates with the first transmission shaft 32, and then the first gear 34 drives the second gear 43 to rotate. Since the second gear 43 is threadedly connected with the compression ring 411, the second gear 43 rotates to drive the plug-in male head 41 to move axially, and the moving direction is consistent with the moving direction of the tow cable fixing head 31, that is, moving away from the mounting base 20 along the axial direction. The plug-in male head 41 gradually separates from the plug-in female head 42, and the compression ring 411 separates from the plug-in male head 41 from the end of the detection tow body 10 to complete the release of the communication cable 612. The detection tow body 10 floats out of the sea surface under the action of the internal buoyancy block, and the staff finds it by using the GPS positioning signal of the detection tow body 10 itself.

[0097] The emergency release device of the underwater towing system based on the technical scheme is suitable for releasing the underwater secondary towing underwater vehicle, is stable and reliable by relying on mechanical transmission, is low in cost, can realize autonomous separation when an emergency occurs or communication is lost, improves the safety and recovery rate of the detection tow body, greatly reduces the loss risk of the detection tow body, and reduces potential major losses.

[0098] It should be noted that: the various embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0099] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application but not limit it; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments of the present application can be modified or some technical features can be replaced by equivalent ones; without departing from the spirit of the technical scheme of the present application, they should be covered in the technical scheme range of the present application claimed.

Claims

1. An emergency release device for an underwater towing system, the underwater towing system comprising a depth-fixed tow body and a detection tow body, characterized in that, The detection tow body and the depth-fixed tow body are connected by an optoelectronic composite cable. The optoelectronic composite cable consists of a tow cable and a communication cable. The communication cable is connected to the detection instrument inside the detection tow body through a male connector and a female connector that are plugged into each other. The emergency release device is disposed at one end inside the detection tow body, and is used to disconnect the detection tow body from the tow cable and the communication cable; the emergency release device includes: A tow cable release mechanism, wherein the tow cable fixing head connected to the tow cable is detachably connected; A communication cable release mechanism is used to separate the male connector and the female connector. The driving component drives the tow cable release mechanism to disengage from the tow cable fixing head, so that the tow cable fixing head and the tow cable are separated from the detection tow body together; the driving component drives the communication cable release mechanism to separate the male connector and the female connector, so that the communication cable is separated from the detection tow body. The emergency release device also includes a mounting base disposed at the end of the probe tow body; The towing cable release mechanism includes a first drive shaft passing through the mounting base. One end of the first drive shaft is connected to the drive member, and the other end is threadedly connected to the towing cable fixing head. The drive member drives the first drive shaft to rotate relative to the mounting base. The towing cable release mechanism further includes a first fixing component fixed on the mounting base, wherein the first fixing component is non-rotatably connected to the towing cable fixing head; The driving component drives the first drive shaft to rotate relative to the towing cable fixing head. The towing cable fixing head is restricted by the first fixing component and does not rotate with the first drive shaft, so that the towing cable fixing head disengages from the end of the first drive shaft. The communication cable release mechanism includes a pressure ring sleeved on the outside of the male connector or the female connector. The driving member drives the pressure ring to move the male connector or the female connector in a direction away from each other. The driving member drives the communication cable release mechanism to separate the male connector and the female connector. The communication cable release mechanism includes a gear set that drives the pressure ring to move linearly. The gear set includes a first gear fixed on the first transmission shaft and a second gear threaded to the outside of the pressure ring. The first gear meshes with the second gear. The first drive shaft drives the first gear to rotate, the first gear drives the second gear to rotate without linear motion, the second gear drives the pressure ring to move axially, and drives the male connector or the female connector to move axially away from each other.

2. The emergency release device for the underwater towing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first fixing component includes a first fixing frame fixed on the mounting base and a connector disposed on the top of the first fixing frame. The towing cable fixing head is plugged into the connector. Two limiting plates are symmetrically arranged radially on the outer surface of the towing cable fixing head. The connector is correspondingly provided with a limiting groove extending axially. The limiting plate is inserted into the limiting groove to limit the towing cable fixing head in the circumferential direction, so that when the first drive shaft rotates, the towing cable fixing head does not rotate with the first drive shaft.

3. The emergency release device for the underwater towing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A limiting protrusion is formed on the cable surface at the front end of the male or female connector by vulcanization. The diameter of the limiting protrusion is larger than the inner diameter of the pressure ring, so that when the pressure ring is screwed out, it can drive the male or female connector to move together.

4. The emergency release device for the underwater towing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The communication cable release mechanism further includes a second fixing frame, which is arranged side by side with the first fixing frame. The second fixing frame and the mounting base form a second receiving cavity, and the upper part of the second receiving cavity is open. The second gear, the pressure ring, and part of the male connector or part of the female connector inside the pressure ring are all located within the second receiving cavity.

5. The emergency release device for the underwater towing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second gear has an internal thread, the direction of which is opposite to that of the first drive shaft, so that when the drive unit drives the first drive shaft to rotate, the axial movement directions of the towing cable fixing head and the pressure ring are consistent.

6. The emergency release device for the underwater towing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The emergency release device also includes a control system disposed on the probe tow body. The control system includes a main control unit and a sensor for monitoring the depth of the probe tow body. The sensor is connected to the main control unit to send the monitored depth of the probe tow body to the main control unit. The main control unit is configured to: when the depth of the detected tow body exceeds a set depth threshold, activate the drive unit so that the drive unit drives the tow cable release mechanism and the communication cable release mechanism to complete the release of the tow cable and the communication cable.

7. The emergency release device for the underwater towing system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The main control unit is connected to the host computer control system via a communication cable. The main control unit is configured to activate the drive unit when the main control unit is disconnected from the host computer control system. The main control unit is also configured to activate the drive unit upon receiving a release command from the host computer control system to release the towing cable and the communication cable.

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