A frogman underwater propulsion vehicle and its assembly method

Abstract

This invention discloses a frogman underwater propulsion vehicle and its assembly method, comprising a main body shell, an adjustment assembly, and a transport compartment. A fairing and a propeller hub are installed at the tail of the main body shell, with propeller blades evenly distributed circumferentially around the hub. The adjustment assembly includes a sliding guide rail, a limiting rod, a pulling rod, a sliding block, a connecting block, a rotating shaft, a suspension block, and a limiting hole. The sliding guide rail includes two sliding grooves at the top and bottom of the adjustment assembly. The transport compartment includes a water pump adjustment compartment, a ballast compartment, a cargo compartment, and a frame. This invention adjusts the center of gravity of the transport device through the adjustment assembly, increasing the stability of the underwater propulsion vehicle during navigation. By setting up the ballast compartment to ballast and de-ballast the transport device, the frogman underwater propulsion vehicle maintains neutral buoyancy at all times, thereby achieving higher propeller efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of underwater propulsion, and specifically relates to a frogman underwater propulsion vehicle and its assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] Frogmen possess excellent stealth and mobility when operating underwater. Underwater propulsion systems allow them to access near-shore and shallow waters inaccessible to submarines and surface ships, greatly expanding their detection and operational range. However, during underwater reconnaissance, search and rescue, and salvage missions, frogmen need to carry various equipment such as weapons and cameras. Current underwater propulsion systems lack suitable transport mechanisms, making it inconvenient for frogmen to carry this equipment and impacting operational efficiency.

[0003] Currently, most underwater propulsion systems use straps or buckles to secure the equipment, which results in simple securing methods but difficulty in adjusting the carrying position. In addition, due to the different masses, sizes, and centers of gravity of different equipment, the center of gravity of the underwater propulsion system is easily unstable during underwater travel, making it difficult for the underwater propulsion system to maintain neutral buoyancy. This, in turn, affects the hydrodynamic performance of the underwater propulsion system, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced endurance.

[0004] In summary, existing underwater propulsion systems for frogmen cannot meet the needs of transporting various equipment. How to maintain the neutral buoyancy of the underwater propulsion system and improve its propulsion efficiency while transporting equipment is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved at this stage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a frogman underwater propulsion vehicle and its assembly method that can adjust the center of gravity and always maintain neutral buoyancy.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A frogman underwater propulsion vehicle includes a main shell, a fairing and a hub installed at the tail of the main shell, and blades evenly distributed around the hub. The improvement lies in the following: an adjustment assembly is installed at the bottom of the main shell, and two sliding guide rails are arranged along the length of the main shell on the adjustment assembly. The two sliding guide rails are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the main shell. It also includes a box-shaped transport compartment with hollow ballast tanks on its side walls. A ballast pump is installed inside the transport compartment, and the ballast pump is connected to both the ballast tank and the outside of the transport compartment via pipes. The opposite side walls of the transport compartment are at the same height, and one pair of opposite side walls is higher than the other pair. Two connecting blocks are installed at the top of each of the higher pair of opposite side walls. A rotating shaft is installed on the top of the connecting blocks, and a suspension block is installed on the top of the rotating shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, grippers were installed on the fairing.

[0009] Furthermore, a shim is fixedly installed on the adjusting component, and bolt holes are provided on the shim. Bolts pass through the bolt holes and are fixedly connected to the main body shell. A washer is placed between the bottom of the nut and the shim.

[0010] Furthermore, the sliding guide rail includes two sliding slots located at the top and bottom of the adjustment assembly, and the two sliding slots are opposite to each other.

[0011] Furthermore, a water pump regulating compartment for installing ballast pumps is separated within the transport module using a frame.

[0012] Furthermore, a sliding block is installed on the side wall of the carrier compartment where the connecting block is located, and a hole is made at the top of the sliding block. A limiting hole is made on the adjustment assembly along the outer side of the sliding guide rail. Two limiting rods are set side by side at the bottom of the pulling rod. The two limiting rods can be inserted into the top opening of the sliding block and the limiting hole of the adjustment assembly, respectively.

[0013] An assembly method applicable to the above-mentioned underwater propulsion carrier device for frogmen is improved in that: after the underwater equipment is loaded into the carrier, the higher pair of opposite side walls of the carrier are inserted into the two sliding guide rails of the adjustment assembly, and after the suspension block extends out from the sliding guide rail, the suspension block is rotated 90° to hang the carrier on the adjustment assembly.

[0014] Insert one limiting rod of the pulling rod into the top opening of the sliding block, and the other limiting rod into the sliding guide rail. Pull the carrier along the sliding guide rail with the pulling rod to adjust the center of gravity of the carrier device. After adjustment, lift the pulling rod and rotate it 90° so that the two limiting rods of the pulling rod are inserted into the top opening of the sliding block and the limiting hole of the adjustment component, respectively, and fix the carrier on the adjustment component.

[0015] After the transport device enters the water, when the transport compartment is empty or the cargo capacity is insufficient, water is pumped into the ballast compartment by the ballast pump to increase the total weight of the transport device. After the cargo capacity of the transport compartment increases, the water in the ballast compartment is discharged by the ballast pump to reduce the total weight of the transport device.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0017] The transport device disclosed in this invention features a transport compartment to carry equipment such as cameras, weapons, and supplies, preventing equipment from falling off during diver navigation and isolating the equipment from the outside environment to avoid damage or failure due to deep-water pressure. The center of gravity of the transport device is adjusted by sliding the transport compartment within sliding guide rails, ensuring the underwater propulsion remains stable during navigation. Ballast tanks are used to ballast and de-ballast the transport device, maintaining neutral buoyancy for the underwater propulsion to achieve high propeller efficiency and stability.

[0018] The assembly method disclosed in this invention allows for the rapid adjustment of the center of gravity of the carrier device by sliding the carrier along the sliding guide rail. After adjustment, the carrier and the adjustment assembly are quickly fixed together by the suspension block, the limit rod, the sliding block and the limit hole. The method is simple and convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the carrier device disclosed in this invention;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of part A in the middle;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the adjustment components and the carrier compartment in the carrier device disclosed in this invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a top view of the transport compartment in the transport device disclosed in this invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of the transport compartment in the transport device disclosed in this invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a side view structural diagram of the transport cabin in the transport device disclosed in this invention.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1—Main shell, 2—Adjustment assembly, 21—Limiting rod, 22—Pull rod, 23—Sliding guide rail, 231—Shim, 232—Bolt hole, 233—Nut, 234—Washer, 235—Bolt, 236—Top sliding groove, 237—Bottom sliding groove, 24—Sliding block, 25—Connecting block, 26—Rotating shaft, 27—Suspension block, 28—Limiting hole, 3—Cargo compartment, 31—Water pump regulating compartment, 311—Inlet pipe, 312—Outlet pipe, 313—Ballast pump, 32—Ballast compartment, 33—Cargo compartment, 34—Frame, 4—Fairing, 5—Blade, 6—Blade hub. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0028] Example 1: This example discloses a frogman underwater propulsion vehicle carrier, such as... Figure 1As shown, it includes a main body shell 1, with a fairing 4 and a propeller hub 6 installed at the rear of the main body shell. A gripper (not shown in the figure) is installed on the fairing for the frogman to hold. Propeller blades 5 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the propeller hub.

[0029] An adjustment component 2 is installed at the bottom of the main body shell. Two sliding guide rails 23 are arranged on the adjustment component along the length of the main body shell. The two sliding guide rails are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the main body shell. Each sliding guide rail includes a top sliding groove 236 at the top of the adjustment component and a bottom sliding groove 237 at the bottom of the adjustment component. The top sliding groove and the bottom sliding groove are opposite to each other.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown in Figure 2, four shims 231 are welded onto the adjustment assembly. Each shim has a bolt hole 232. Bolts 235 pass through the bolt holes and are fixedly connected to the main body shell. The top of the bolt is a nut 233, and a washer 234 is placed between the bottom of the nut and the shim.

[0031] It also includes box-shaped transport module 3, such as Figure 4 As shown in Figure 6, the side walls of the transport compartment are hollow ballast compartments 32. A frame 34 separates the transport compartment into a water pump regulating compartment 31, which houses the ballast pump 313, and a cargo compartment 33, which carries various equipment such as cameras, weapons, and supplies. The frame also increases the structural strength of the transport compartment, enabling it to withstand greater water pressure.

[0032] A ballast pump 313 is installed in the water pump regulating chamber. The ballast pump is connected to the ballast chamber through the water outlet pipe 312 and to the outside of the transport chamber through the water inlet pipe 311.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the opposite side walls of the transport module are at the same height, and one pair of opposite side walls is higher than the other pair. Two connecting blocks 25 are installed on the top of each of the higher pair of opposite side walls. A rotating shaft 26 that can rotate is installed on the top of the connecting blocks, and a suspension block 27 is installed on the top of the rotating shaft.

[0034] Install a sliding block 24 on the side wall of the carrier where the connecting block is located, and make a hole at the top of the sliding block. Make a limiting hole 28 on the adjusting assembly along the outside of the sliding guide rail.

[0035] Two limiting rods 21 are arranged side by side at the bottom of the pull rod 22. The two limiting rods can be inserted into the top opening of the sliding block and the limiting hole of the adjustment component, respectively.

[0036] This embodiment also discloses an assembly method applicable to the above-mentioned underwater propulsion vehicle for frogmen. After loading underwater equipment such as cameras and weapons into the cargo compartment of the transport cabin, the higher pair of opposite side walls of the transport cabin are inserted into the two sliding guide rails of the adjustment assembly. The suspension block passes through the sliding groove at the bottom and extends out from the sliding groove at the top. The suspension block is rotated 90° to hang the transport cabin on the adjustment assembly.

[0037] Insert one limiting rod of the pulling rod into the top opening of the sliding block, and the other limiting rod into the sliding guide rail. Pull the transport cabin along the sliding guide rail using the pulling rod to adjust the center of gravity of the transport device according to the mass and center of gravity of the transport equipment, ensuring the underwater propulsion remains stable during navigation and increasing navigation stability. After adjustment, lift the pulling rod and rotate it 90° so that the two limiting rods of the pulling rod are respectively inserted into the top opening of the sliding block and the limiting hole of the adjustment component, fixing the transport cabin to the adjustment component. Pulling out the limiting rods will release the fixation between the transport cabin and the adjustment component.

[0038] After the carrier device enters the water, the load capacity of the underwater thruster changes due to the changes in the carrier equipment. If this is not addressed, it will affect the hydrodynamic performance of the underwater thruster.

[0039] When the cargo hold is empty or the cargo capacity is insufficient, water is pumped into the cargo hold using ballast pumps to increase the total weight of the carrier equipment, lower the center of gravity, and prevent the underwater propulsion unit from floating too high, which would lead to insufficient stability.

[0040] After the cargo capacity of the transport compartment increases, the water in the ballast compartment is discharged by the ballast pump to reduce the total weight of the transport device and prevent the underwater propulsion from being overloaded due to excessive total weight.

[0041] By dynamically adjusting the weight and buoyancy of the carrier device, the attitude of the underwater propulsion device can be balanced, ensuring that the underwater propulsion device maintains neutral buoyancy during navigation, thus ensuring navigation stability and safety.

Claims

1. A frogman underwater propulsion vehicle, comprising a main body shell, a flow guide and a propeller hub installed at the tail of the main body shell, and propeller blades evenly distributed circumferentially on the propeller hub, characterized in that: An adjustment assembly is installed at the bottom of the main shell. Two sliding guide rails are arranged on the adjustment assembly along the length of the main shell. The two sliding guide rails are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the main shell. It also includes a box-shaped transport compartment. The side walls of the transport compartment are hollow ballast compartments. Ballast pumps are installed inside the transport compartment. The ballast pumps are connected to the ballast compartment and the outside of the transport compartment through pipes. The heights of the opposite side walls of the transport compartment are the same, and the height of one pair of opposite side walls is higher than that of the other pair. Two connecting blocks are installed on the top of each of the higher pair of opposite side walls. A rotating shaft that can rotate is installed on the top of the connecting blocks. A suspension block is installed on the top of the rotating shaft. The sliding guide rails include two sliding slots provided at the top and bottom of the adjustment assembly, and the two sliding slots are opposite to each other.

2. The underwater propulsion vehicle carrier device for frogmen according to claim 1, characterized in that: Install grippers on the fairing.

3. The underwater propulsion vehicle carrier device for frogmen according to claim 1, characterized in that: A shim is fixedly installed on the adjustment assembly, and bolt holes are provided on the shim. The bolt passes through the bolt holes and is fixedly connected to the main body shell. A washer is placed between the bottom of the bolt and the outer wall of the main body shell.

4. The underwater propulsion vehicle carrier device for frogmen according to claim 1, characterized in that: A frame is used to separate a water pump regulating compartment, where ballast pumps are installed, within the transport module.

5. The underwater propulsion vehicle carrier device for frogmen according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sliding block is installed on the side wall of the carrier compartment where the connecting block is located, and a hole is made at the top of the sliding block. A limiting hole is made on the adjustment assembly along the outside of the sliding guide rail. Two limiting rods are set side by side at the bottom of the pulling rod. The two limiting rods can be inserted into the top opening of the sliding block and the limiting hole of the adjustment assembly, respectively.

6. An assembly method applicable to the underwater propulsion vehicle carrier device for frogmen as described in claim 1, characterized in that: After the underwater equipment is loaded into the transport cabin, the two higher opposite side walls of the transport cabin are inserted into the two sliding guide rails of the adjustment assembly. After the suspension block extends out of the sliding guide rail, the suspension block is rotated 90° to hang the transport cabin on the adjustment assembly. Insert one limiting rod of the pulling rod into the top opening of the sliding block, and the other limiting rod into the sliding guide rail. Pull the carrier along the sliding guide rail with the pulling rod to adjust the center of gravity of the carrier device. After adjustment, lift the pulling rod and rotate it 90° so that the two limiting rods of the pulling rod are inserted into the top opening of the sliding block and the limiting hole of the adjustment component, respectively, and fix the carrier on the adjustment component. After the transport device enters the water, when the transport compartment is empty or the cargo capacity is insufficient, water is pumped into the ballast compartment by the ballast pump to increase the total weight of the transport device. After the cargo capacity of the transport compartment increases, the water in the ballast compartment is discharged by the ballast pump to reduce the total weight of the transport device.

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