An In-built Energy Self-replenishment Device for an Underwater Unmanned Vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses an energy self - replenishing device for an underwater unmanned vehicle. This invention is realized by installing a tidal current turbine inside the tail compartment of the vehicle. Specifically, a diversion pipeline is set at the tail of the compartment, and a sea current energy generation device is installed inside the diversion pipeline to charge the unmanned underwater vehicle. The sea current enters the internal cavity of the rudder through the opening at the leading edge of the 45° rudder at the tail of the vehicle and then enters the diversion pipeline inside the tail compartment, thereby driving the blades of the sea current energy generation device installed in the diversion pipeline to rotate, driving the generator to generate electric energy and storing it in the storage battery, and then replenishing energy for the underwater unmanned vehicle. The present invention can effectively convert sea current energy into electric energy for use by the underwater unmanned vehicle and has a relatively small impact on the navigation of the vehicle, fundamentally solving the problem of energy replenishment for the underwater unmanned vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of underwater unmanned vehicles, and in particular relates to an energy self-supply device for an underwater unmanned vehicle. Background Art

[0002] An underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) is a marine vehicle that can autonomously dive in the sea. It currently has extremely important strategic significance and application prospects in the fields of marine scientific research and military. However, the power supply of traditional underwater unmanned vehicles mainly relies on the batteries they carry. Due to the large weight and limited capacity of batteries, and the limited space of UUVs, relying solely on batteries for power supply makes the UUV's navigation time short and the navigation range limited. If the mission target is too far away, it is necessary to use a vehicle to carry the vehicle to the target mission area for deployment, which is very inconvenient. If the energy supply problem of underwater unmanned vehicles can be solved, it will greatly improve the competitiveness of my country's marine scientific research and marine military.

[0003] In order to solve the energy self-supply problem of underwater unmanned vehicles, many solutions using ocean current energy have been proposed. Most of the power generation devices are placed outside the UUV, which has a great impact on the resistance of the UUV during navigation, or because it is an open power generation, according to the Betz limit, the maximum efficiency is 59.3%, so the efficiency is low, such as patent numbers 201911071441.X, 201410592554.5, 201410593575.9, etc. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art such as the significant impact on the navigation of the vehicle and the low energy conversion efficiency, the present invention proposes an energy self-supply device for an underwater unmanned vehicle.

[0005] An underwater unmanned vehicle energy self-supply device, which is arranged at the tail of the underwater unmanned vehicle, comprises a 45° rudder arranged on the outer surface of the vehicle, a drainage pipe installed in the inner cavity of the vehicle, and a built-in sea current energy power generation device located in the drainage pipe;

[0006] A water diversion channel is arranged inside the 45° rudder, the inlet of the water diversion channel is arranged at the leading edge of the 45° rudder, and the outlet of the water diversion channel is connected to the inlet of the diversion pipe, so as to introduce the ocean current into the diversion pipe inside the unmanned vehicle; the diversion pipe is arranged on one side of the propeller shaft and does not contact the propeller shaft; the two ends of the diversion pipe are rigidly connected to the inner wall surface of the vehicle shell; a hole with the same diameter as that of the diversion pipe is provided at the contact point between the vehicle shell and the diversion pipe, so as to facilitate the diversion of the ocean current;

[0007] The built-in ocean current energy generation device is an axial flow energy generation device, which includes a guide vane, an impeller, a generator nacelle connected in sequence, and a generator located inside the generator nacelle; the built-in ocean current energy generation device is supported by the guide vane and a support frame circumferentially located on the generator nacelle and connected inside the diversion pipeline; the impeller is coaxially connected to the rotor of the generator, and the rotation of the impeller drives the rotation of the rotor of the generator to cut the magnetic lines of force, and the generated electric energy is led out through the generator nacelle, the support frame and the diversion pipeline.

[0008] Further, the diversion pipeline has a necking structure with large diameters at both ends and a small diameter in the middle, and the built-in ocean current energy generation device is located at the necking part of the diversion pipeline.

[0009] Further, there are two sets of energy self-supplying devices composed of the 45° rudder, the diversion pipeline and the ocean current energy generation device, which are symmetrically arranged at the tail of the underwater unmanned vehicle.

[0010] Further, a sea current inlet filter screen is arranged at the inlet of the water diversion channel of the 45° rudder, and a sea current outlet filter screen is arranged at the outlet of the diversion pipeline, so as to prevent marine organisms and sundries from entering by mistake and damaging the ocean current energy generation device.

[0011] Further, a magnetic coupling is adopted between the impeller and the generator rotor of the built-in ocean current energy generation device to achieve axial connection, thereby reducing the frictional resistance caused by dynamic sealing.

[0012] Further, the 45° rudder adopts a symmetric airfoil with a large thickness, so that the outlet of the water diversion channel is adapted to the diversion pipeline.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0014] An energy self-supplying device for an underwater unmanned vehicle of the present invention places the ocean current energy generation device at the necking part of the tail of the UUV, which will not affect the internal space structure of the UUV. And this kind of ocean current energy generation device is a closed type. By designing the diversion pipeline and the guide vane and impeller of the energy generation device, its efficiency can reach more than 80%, and the volume is small, and the resistance brought to the vehicle during the navigation process is small. This device converts ocean current energy into electric energy for use by the underwater unmanned vehicle, and can fundamentally solve the problem of energy self-supply of the underwater unmanned vehicle. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an underwater vehicle with the energy self-supplying device of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the tail of the underwater vehicle.

[0017] Figure 3It is a cross-sectional view of the tail of an underwater vehicle.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a sea current energy generation device.

[0019] In the figure, there are underwater vehicle 1, sea current inlet filter 2, 45° rudder 3, sea current outlet filter 4, thruster 5, diversion pipeline 6, built-in sea current energy generation device 7, guide vane 701, impeller 702, support frame 703, generator compartment 704, ceramic bearing 705, magnetic coupling 706, and generator 707. Specific implementation manners

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below according to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, and the purpose and effect of the present invention will become clearer. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0021] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the energy self-supplying device of the underwater unmanned vehicle in this embodiment includes underwater vehicle 1, 45° rudder 3, sea current inlet filter 2, diversion pipeline 6, sea current energy generation device 7 located in diversion pipeline 6, and sea current outlet filter 4.

[0022] As Figure 1 shown, the 45° rudders 3 are symmetrically arranged at the tail of the underwater unmanned vehicle 1, and a water diversion channel is provided inside. The inlet of the water diversion channel is arranged at the leading edge of the 45° rudder 3, and the outlet is arranged at the inlet of the diversion pipeline 6. The purpose of the water diversion channel is to introduce the sea current into the diversion pipeline 6 inside the unmanned vehicle 1. The outlet of the water diversion channel should be adapted to the inlet of the diversion pipeline 6 to reduce the kinetic energy loss of the water flow. The 45° rudder adopts a symmetric airfoil with a large thickness because it has less sailing resistance and at the same time allows a larger internal pipeline of the rudder to introduce more sea current.

[0023] As Figure 2 shown, the diversion pipelines 6 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the thruster shaft and cannot contact the shaft of the thruster 5. The diversion pipeline 6 is rigidly connected to the inner wall surface of the underwater vehicle 1. A hole with the same diameter as the diversion pipeline is opened at the contact position between the underwater vehicle shell and the diversion pipeline 6 to facilitate the diversion of the sea current. The diversion pipeline 6 is designed as a necking structure with larger diameters at both ends and a smaller diameter in the middle. The position where the built-in sea current energy generation device 7 is arranged is at the minimum radius. The purpose of this design is to increase the flow velocity of the sea current passing through the sea current energy generation device 7.

[0024] As Figure 4As shown in the figure, the built-in ocean current energy generation device includes a guide vane 701, an impeller 702, and a generator cabin 704 that are connected in sequence. A support frame 703 is installed outside the generator cabin 704, and a generator 707 is installed inside. The built-in ocean current energy generation device 7 is rigidly connected to the diversion pipeline 6 through the guide vane 701 and the support frame 703. Both ends of the impeller 702 are respectively connected to the guide vane 701 and the generator cabin 704 through ceramic bearings 705 to achieve dynamic and static support. The impeller 702 is axially connected to the generator 707 located inside the generator cabin 704 through a magnetic coupling 706. The ocean current inlet filter screen 2 is installed at the leading edge opening of the 45° rudder 3; the ocean current outlet filter screen 4 is installed at the outlet opening of the diversion pipeline.

[0025] When the underwater unmanned vehicle 1 needs to be charged, the built-in ocean current energy generation device 7 drops the anchor chain to make the vehicle stay horizontally and stably. Then, the impeller 702 of the ocean current energy generation device rotates driven by the ocean current in the diversion pipeline 6. The impeller 702 drives one end of the rigidly connected magnetic coupling 706 to rotate, and under the action of magnetic force, drives the other end of the magnetic coupling 706 to rotate. The other end of the magnetic coupling 706 is rigidly connected to the shaft of the generator 707, thereby driving the shaft of the generator 707 to rotate and cut the magnetic induction line to generate electricity. The generated electricity is transmitted out of the diversion pipeline 6 through the internal wires of the support frame 703 to charge the battery. Among them, the two bearings that support the rotation of the impeller of the ocean current energy generation device 7 use ceramic bearings 705, and the ceramic bearings 705 can work in water without the need for sealing, thereby reducing the frictional resistance brought by dynamic sealing. The guide vane 701 of the built-in ocean current energy generation device 7 is stationary and mainly provides the circulation of the ocean current to improve the efficiency of the ocean current energy generation device 7.

[0026] For the underwater unmanned vehicle energy self-supplying device in this embodiment, the main functions of the ocean current inlet and outlet filter screen 4 are, on the one hand, to prevent marine organisms and large impurities from entering the ocean current diversion pipeline 6 to block the pipeline and cause damage to the guide vane 701 and the impeller 702 of the ocean current energy generation device. On the other hand, the ocean current inlet and outlet filter screen 4 can also adjust the turbulence intensity of the ocean current, thereby controlling the unsteady load received by the ocean current energy generation device 7.

[0027] The built-in ocean current energy generation device 7 uses a magnetic coupling 706 to avoid using traditional dynamic seals, so as to reduce the frictional resistance brought by dynamic seals and further reduce the power generation efficiency of the ocean current energy generation device 7.

[0028] When the charging is completed and the underwater unmanned vehicle needs to perform tasks, the anchor chain is retracted, and the impeller 702 of the built-in ocean current energy generation device stops rotating. Short-circuiting the power output can stop the impeller from rotating to weaken the obstruction caused by the ocean current energy generation device to the navigation of the underwater unmanned vehicle.

[0029] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the above are only preferred examples of the invention and are not used to limit the invention. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing examples, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing examples or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the invention shall be included in the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An energy self - replenishing device for an underwater unmanned vehicle, characterized in that, the device is arranged at the tail of the underwater unmanned vehicle, and includes a 45° rudder arranged on the outer surface of the vehicle, a drainage pipeline installed in the internal cavity of the vehicle, and a built - in ocean current energy generation device located in the drainage pipeline; a water diversion channel is arranged inside the 45° rudder, the inlet of the water diversion channel is arranged at the leading edge of the 45° rudder, and the outlet of the water diversion channel is connected to the inlet of the drainage pipeline, so as to introduce ocean current into the drainage pipeline inside the unmanned vehicle; the drainage pipeline is arranged on one side of the propeller shaft and does not contact the propeller shaft; both ends of the drainage pipeline are rigidly connected to the inner wall surface of the vehicle housing; a hole with the same diameter as the drainage pipeline is opened at the contact position between the vehicle housing and the drainage pipeline to facilitate the diversion of ocean current; the built - in ocean current energy generation device is an axial flow power generation device, which includes a guide vane, an impeller, a generator cabin connected in sequence, and a generator located inside the generator cabin; the built - in ocean current energy generation device is supported and connected inside the drainage pipeline through the guide vane and a support frame located circumferentially of the generator cabin; the impeller is coaxially connected to the rotor of the generator, and the rotation of the impeller drives the rotor of the generator to rotate, cutting the magnetic field lines, and the generated electric energy is led out through the generator cabin, the support frame and the drainage pipeline.

2. The energy self - replenishing device for an underwater unmanned vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, the drainage pipeline is a necking structure with large diameters at both ends and a small diameter in the middle, and the built - in ocean current energy generation device is located at the necking part of the drainage pipeline.

3. The energy self - replenishing device for an underwater unmanned vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, there are two sets of energy self - replenishing devices composed of the 45° rudder, the drainage pipeline and the ocean current energy generation device, which are symmetrically arranged at the tail of the underwater unmanned vehicle.

4. The energy self - replenishing device for an underwater unmanned vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, a sea current inlet filter screen is arranged at the inlet of the water diversion channel of the 45° rudder, and a sea current outlet filter screen is arranged at the outlet of the drainage pipeline, so as to prevent marine organisms and sundries from entering by mistake and damaging the ocean current energy generation device.

5. The energy self - replenishing device for an underwater unmanned vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, a magnetic coupling is used to axially connect the impeller and the generator rotor of the built - in ocean current energy generation device, so as to reduce the frictional resistance brought by dynamic sealing.

6. The energy self - replenishing device for an underwater unmanned vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, the 45° rudder adopts a symmetric airfoil with a large thickness, so that the outlet of the water diversion channel is adapted to the drainage pipeline.

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