Underwater hydrophobic system and method for a submersible snorkel

Abstract

The application discloses an underwater drainage system and method for a snorkel of a submersible, wherein the underwater drainage system comprises a drainage pipe system, a snorkel pipe system and an observation pipe system, the drainage pipe system is used for advancing the drainage work of the snorkel to underwater, the snorkel pipe system is used for inputting compressed air during the drainage process, the quick drainage is realized, and finally, the observation pipe system is used for detecting the underwater drainage condition of the snorkel and the pipeline pressure condition, so that the underwater drainage of the snorkel of the submersible is realized, the exposure time of the submersible in the state of the snorkel is reduced, and the concealment performance of the submersible is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of submersible propulsion systems, specifically relating to an underwater dewatering system and method for a submersible snorkel. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional submersibles, after navigating underwater for a certain period, need to surface to the snorkel position for diesel engine charging or ventilation. Outside air enters the submersible's diesel engine compartment through the snorkel, diesel engine intake manifold, intake valve (outer tongue), intake valve (inner tongue), and intake enclosure. During underwater navigation, the intake valve (outer tongue) is closed, and the diesel engine intake manifold and snorkel are filled with seawater. During the diesel engine charging preparation phase, the seawater in the diesel engine intake manifold and snorkel must be emptied to ensure unobstructed airflow. Traditional snorkel drainage systems only operate after the submersible surfaces to the snorkel position. Drainage relies on gravity, which is time-consuming, resulting in prolonged exposure time for the submersible in the snorkel position. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an underwater dewatering system and method for a submersible's snorkel, which advances the dewatering process to underwater, reducing the submersible's exposure time in the snorkel state and improving its stealth performance.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: an underwater drainage system for a submersible snorkel, comprising a drainage system, a snorkel system, and an observation system.

[0005] The drainage pipe system is connected to the vent pipe device, the diesel engine intake pipe section, and the intake external tongue valve, and is used for drainage and water injection of the vent pipe device, the diesel engine intake pipe section, and the intake external tongue valve.

[0006] The venting system is connected to the venting device and the diesel engine intake manifold, and is used to inject compressed air into the venting device and discharge gas from the diesel engine intake manifold.

[0007] The observation system is connected to the venting pipe device and the diesel engine intake pipe section, and is used to detect the seawater discharge situation and the pressure equalization situation of the venting pipe device and the diesel engine intake pipe section.

[0008] Preferably, the drainage system includes external pipelines, side valves, shut-off valves, internal pipelines, and sea valves; wherein multiple external pipelines are connected to the drainage joints of the venting pipe device, the diesel engine intake pipe section, and the intake vent valve, respectively; the external pipelines are merged into one pipeline and then connected to the side valve; the side valve is connected to the internal pipelines; the internal pipelines are divided into two lines, one of which is connected to the adjustment tank through a shut-off valve, and the other of which is connected to the sea valve installed on the pressure hull through a shut-off valve.

[0009] Preferably, the venting system includes an external venting line, a side valve, a shut-off valve, and an internal venting line. The external venting line connects to the venting pipe assembly, leads to the top of the air intake channel, connects with the side valve to enter the cabin, and then connects to the depressurized air system through the internal venting line and shut-off valve.

[0010] Preferably, the observation system includes outboard piping, side valves, shut-off valves, internal piping, and an observation funnel. Multiple outboard piping lines are connected to the bottom of the venting system, the outboard drainage piping, or the bottom of the diesel engine intake manifold. The outboard piping enters the cabin through the side valves and connects to the observation funnel via the internal piping and shut-off valves. The observation funnel allows for monitoring of the completion of seawater drainage within the diesel engine intake manifold.

[0011] Preferably, a pressure gauge is installed between the shut-off valve and the side valve in the venting system to monitor the pressure in the pipe section; a branch pipe is also led out from the cabin pipe of the venting system to the observation funnel for air discharge from the diesel engine intake pipe section and the venting device.

[0012] Preferably, the drainage system, venting system, and observation system are each equipped with two interlocking valves on the pipeline passages leading to the outside of the ship.

[0013] In addition to providing an underwater dewatering system for a submersible snorkel, this invention further provides a method for underwater dewatering of a submersible snorkel using the aforementioned dewatering system, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0014] During underwater drainage, close the air inlet valve of the venting pipe device, open the shut-off valve and side valve on the venting pipe system, and introduce compressed air into the venting pipe device; open the side valve of the drainage system and the shut-off valve leading to the adjustment tank. Under the action of compressed air, seawater in the venting pipe device and the diesel engine air inlet section is quickly drained into the adjustment tank through the drainage system.

[0015] During underwater water injection, open the side valves of the water injection system and the shut-off valves and sea passage valves leading to the overboard pipeline. Open the side valves on the venting system and the shut-off valves on the branch pipes. Overboard seawater is injected into the diesel engine intake manifold section through the sea passage valves, shut-off valves, and side valves on the water injection system. Air in the diesel engine intake manifold section and venting system is vented into the cabin through the venting system. When water flows out of the venting system, close the cabin shut-off valves, observe the pressure in the venting system, and obtain the pressure equilibrium between the venting system, the diesel engine intake manifold section, and the overboard seawater. When the pressure gauge reading no longer changes, open the venting intake valve.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] This invention provides an underwater dewatering system and method for a submersible snorkel, which, along with the snorkel dewatering system, meets the operational requirements for dewatering the snorkel intake section. By advancing the dewatering process underwater, it reduces the exposure time of the submersible's snorkel and improves its stealth capabilities. This invention achieves underwater dewatering of the submersible's snorkel intake system while maintaining the submersible's equilibrium state during the dewatering process. By introducing compressed air during dewatering, rapid dewatering is achieved, more than doubling the dewatering time. The dewatering system provided by this invention uses fully mechanical equipment and piping, achieving pressure equalization by injecting seawater from outside the hull into the intake section, requiring no additional power equipment; the system is simple and reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pipeline connection of an underwater dewatering system for a submersible snorkel in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram, 1 is the first side valve; 2 is the second side valve; 3 is the third side valve; 4 is the fourth side valve; 5 is the first shut-off valve; 6 is the second shut-off valve; 7 is the third shut-off valve; 8 is the fourth shut-off valve; 9 is the fifth shut-off valve; 10 is the sixth shut-off valve; 11 is the observation funnel; 12 is the sea passage valve; 13 is the pressure gauge; 14 is the air intake inner tongue valve; 15 is the air intake outer tongue valve; 16 is the diesel engine air intake pipe section; 17 is the vent pipe device; 18 is the pressure hull; 19 is compressed air; 20 is the adjustment tank; 21 is the water injection and drainage system; 22 is the venting system; 23 is the observation system; 101 102 is the piping in the first compartment; 103 is the piping in the second compartment; 104 is the piping in the third compartment; 105 is the piping in the fourth compartment; 106 is the piping in the sixth compartment; 107 is the piping in the seventh compartment; 108 is the piping in the eighth compartment; 109 is the piping in the ninth compartment; 110 is the piping in the tenth compartment; 111 is the piping in the eleventh compartment; 112 is the piping in the twelfth compartment; 201 is the piping in the first external compartment; 202 is the piping in the second external compartment; 203 is the piping in the third external compartment; 204 is the piping in the fourth external compartment; 205 is the piping in the fifth external compartment; 206 is the piping in the sixth external compartment. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0021] The present invention provides an underwater drainage system for a submersible snorkel, characterized in that the system includes a drainage system 21, a ventilator system 22, and an observation system 23.

[0022] The drainage pipe system 21 is connected to the vent pipe device 17, the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 and the intake external tongue valve 15, and is used for drainage and water injection of the vent pipe device 17, the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 and the intake external tongue valve 15.

[0023] The venting system 22 is connected to the venting pipe device 17 and the diesel engine intake pipe section 16, and is used to inject compressed air into the venting pipe device 17 and discharge the gas in the diesel engine intake pipe section 16.

[0024] The observation pipe system 23 is connected to the vent pipe device 17 and the diesel engine intake pipe section 16, and is used to detect the seawater discharge situation and the pressure equalization situation of the vent pipe device 17 and the diesel engine intake pipe section 16.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present invention, the drainage system 21 includes an overboard pipeline, a side valve, a shut-off valve, an inboard pipeline, and a sea valve 12; wherein multiple overboard pipelines are respectively connected to the drainage joints of the vent pipe device 17, the diesel engine intake pipe section 16, and the intake external tongue valve 15; the overboard pipelines are merged into one pipeline and then connected to the side valve; the side valve is connected to the inboard pipeline; the inboard pipeline is divided into two paths, one path is connected to the adjustment water tank 20 through a shut-off valve, and the other path is connected to the sea valve 12 installed on the pressure hull 18 through a shut-off valve.

[0026] The venting system 22 includes an external pipeline, a side valve, a shut-off valve, and an internal pipeline. The external pipeline is connected to the venting pipe device 17, leads to the top of the air intake channel and connects with the side valve to enter the cabin, and then connects to the depressurized air system through the internal pipeline and shut-off valve.

[0027] The observation system 23 includes an external pipeline, a side valve, a shut-off valve, an internal pipeline, and an observation funnel 11. The multiple external pipelines are connected to the bottom of the vent pipe device 17, the external pipeline for water injection, or the bottom of the diesel engine intake pipe section 16. The external pipelines enter the cabin through the side valve and are connected to the observation funnel 11 through the internal pipeline and the shut-off valve. The completion of seawater drainage in the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 can be observed through the observation funnel 11.

[0028] In the venting system 22, a pressure gauge 13 is installed between the shut-off valve and the side valve to observe the pressure in the pipe section. The pressure of the compressed air after decompression is between 0.5MPa and 1MPa. A branch pipe is also led out from the internal pipe of the venting system 22 to the observation funnel 11 for the exhaust of air from the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 and the venting device 17.

[0029] The drainage system 21, the venting system 22, and the observation system 23 are all equipped with two locking valves on the pipeline passages leading to the outside of the ship.

[0030] In addition to providing an underwater dewatering system for a submersible snorkel, the present invention further provides a method for underwater dewatering of a submersible snorkel using the aforementioned dewatering system, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0031] When performing underwater drainage, close the air inlet valve of the vent pipe device 17, open the shut-off valve and side valve on the vent pipe system 22, and input compressed air into the vent pipe device 17; open the side valve of the drainage pipe system 21 and the shut-off valve leading to the adjustment tank 20. Under the action of compressed air, the seawater in the vent pipe device 17 and the diesel engine air inlet pipe section 16 is quickly drained into the adjustment tank 20 through the drainage pipe system 21.

[0032] During underwater water injection, open the side valve of the water injection system 21 and the shut-off valve and sea valve 12 leading to the overboard pipeline; open the side valve and the shut-off valve on the branch pipe of the venting system 22; seawater from the overboard is injected into the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 through the sea valve 12, shut-off valve and side valve on the water injection system 21; air in the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 and the venting device 17 is discharged into the cabin through the venting system 22; when water flows out of the venting system 22, close the shut-off valve in the cabin, observe the pressure in the venting system 22, and obtain the pressure balance between the venting device 17 and the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 and the seawater from the overboard. When the pressure gauge 13 no longer changes, it indicates that the pressure has reached equilibrium, and the venting pipe intake valve can be opened at this time.

[0033] When it is necessary to check the seawater discharge status of each pipe section, the corresponding side valve and shut-off valve of the observation pipe system are opened, and the seawater discharge status of each pipe section is obtained by observing whether seawater flows out at the observation funnel. The seawater in the observation funnel is eventually discharged to the bottom of the hull or the submersible's sewage tank.

[0034] The following detailed example further illustrates the underwater dewatering system and method for a submersible snorkel provided in this invention. In this embodiment, to improve the stealth of the submersible snorkel, the dewatering process needs to be carried out underwater. Accordingly, the supporting underwater dewatering system for the submersible snorkel needs to meet the following requirements:

[0035] 1) Requirements for venting water from the snorkel while the submersible is underwater.

[0036] The submersible empties seawater from the diesel engine's air intake section while underwater and minimizes the time required to drain water from the snorkel.

[0037] 2) Underwater pressure equalization requirements for water injection into the air intake section

[0038] When the submersible is underwater, the air intake section and the snorkel section need to be pressurized to ensure that the pressure-resistant snorkel intake valve can be opened underwater.

[0039] like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment proposes an adapted underwater drainage system with a vent pipe, including: the underwater drainage system includes a drainage pipe system 21, a vent pipe system 22, and an observation pipe system 23.

[0040] The drainage system 21 drains seawater from the snorkel 17, diesel engine intake pipe section 16, and intake valve 15 into the adjustment tank 20, ensuring no seawater remains in the diesel engine intake passage. It also injects seawater from outside the hull into the snorkel 17 and diesel engine intake pipe section 16 to achieve pressure equalization inside and outside the intake pipe section. The venting system 22 injects compressed air from the tank into the snorkel 17 to accelerate the drainage process; it also serves as a channel for air to escape from the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 during water injection. The observation system 23 monitors the completion of seawater drainage in the snorkel 17 and diesel engine intake pipe section 16 through pipeline venting, while simultaneously draining a small amount of seawater accumulated in these pipe sections into the observation funnel 11. The observation system 23 uses a pressure gauge 13 to provide feedback on the pressure equalization inside and outside the pipe sections.

[0041] The drain system 21 includes a first outboard pipe 201, a second outboard pipe 202, a third outboard pipe 203, a first side valve 1, a fifth shut-off valve 9 and a sixth shut-off valve 10, a first compartment pipe 101, a tenth compartment pipe 110, an eleventh compartment pipe 111, a twelfth compartment pipe 112, and a sea valve 12. The third outboard pipe 203 is connected to the drain flange of the vent pipe assembly 17, the second outboard pipe 202 is connected to the diesel engine intake pipe section 16, and the first outboard pipe 201 is connected to the drain connector of the intake vent valve 15. The first outboard pipe 201 connects to the second outboard pipe 202, which in turn connects to the third outboard pipe 203, which is connected to the first side valve 1. One end of the first compartment pipe 101 is connected to the first side valve 1, and the other end is divided into two paths: one path is connected to the outside of the ship through the fifth stop valve 9, the eleventh compartment pipe 111, the tenth compartment pipe 110 and the sea valve 12; the other path is connected to the adjustment water tank 20 through the sixth stop valve 10 and the twelfth compartment pipe 112.

[0042] The venting system 22 includes a fifth external pipe 205, a second side valve 2, a third shut-off valve 7, a fourth shut-off valve 8, a second internal pipe 102, a third internal pipe 103, a fourth internal pipe 104, a ninth internal pipe 109, and a pressure gauge 13. The fifth external pipe 205 connects to the venting pipe assembly 17 and extends to the top of the assembly. Specifically, the fifth external pipe 205 connects to the second side valve 2 to enter the cabin, and then connects to the depressurized air system on board via the second internal pipe 102, the fourth shut-off valve 8, and the ninth internal pipe 109. A pressure gauge 13 is connected between the second side valve 2 and the fourth shut-off valve 8 to monitor the pressure within the pipe section. A branch of the third internal pipe 103, the third shut-off valve 7, and the fourth internal pipe 104 extends to the observation funnel 11.

[0043] The observation system 23 includes a fourth external pipe 204, a sixth external pipe 206, a third side valve 3, a fourth side valve 4, a first shut-off valve 5, a second shut-off valve 6, a fifth internal pipe 105, a sixth internal pipe 106, a seventh internal pipe 107, an eighth internal pipe 108, and an observation funnel 11. The sixth external pipe 206 is connected to the bottom of the vent pipe device 17, and the fourth external pipe 204 is connected to the first external pipe 201 in the drainage system. The fourth external pipe 204 enters the compartment through the fourth side valve 4 and is led to the observation funnel 11 via the sixth internal pipe 106, the first shut-off valve 5, and the seventh internal pipe 107; the sixth external pipe 206 enters the compartment through the third side valve 3 and is led to the observation funnel 11 via the fifth internal pipe 105, the second shut-off valve 6, and the eighth internal pipe 108.

[0044] The method for underwater dewatering using the underwater dewatering system of the submersible snorkel in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0045] When underwater drainage is required, the air intake valve of the snorkel device 17 is closed. Compressed air from the vessel enters the snorkel device 17 through the ninth internal pipe 109, the fourth shut-off valve 8, the second internal pipe 102, the second side valve 2, and the fifth external pipe 205. Under the action of the compressed air, seawater in the snorkel device 17 and the diesel engine intake pipe section 16 is rapidly drained to the adjustment tank 20 through the first external pipe 201, the second external pipe 202, the third external pipe 203, the first side valve 1, the first internal pipe 101, the sixth shut-off valve 10, and the twelfth internal pipe 112, completing the underwater drainage.

[0046] When the underwater drainage system needs to be filled with water, seawater from the outside is injected into the diesel engine intake manifold 16 through the sea valve 12, the tenth compartment pipe 110, the fifth shut-off valve 9, the eleventh compartment pipe 111, the first compartment pipe 101, the first side valve 1, the second outboard pipe 202, and the third outboard pipe 203. Air in the diesel engine intake manifold 16 and the venting device 17 is discharged into the compartment through the fifth outboard pipe 205, the second side valve 2, the third compartment pipe 103, the third shut-off valve 7, and the fourth compartment pipe 104. When water flows out of the fourth compartment pipe 104, the third shut-off valve 7 is closed, and the pressure in the outboard pipe section is observed through the pressure gauge 13 inside the compartment, thus obtaining the pressure equilibrium between the venting device 17, the diesel engine intake manifold 16, and the seawater from the outside.

[0047] When the underwater drainage system needs to check the seawater drainage status of the diesel engine intake manifold section 16, the fourth side valve 4 and the first shut-off valve 5 are opened, and the presence or absence of seawater outflow is observed through the observation funnel 11 to determine the seawater drainage status of the diesel engine intake manifold section 16. When it is necessary to check the seawater drainage status of the vent pipe device 17, the third side valve 3 and the second shut-off valve 6 are opened, and the presence or absence of seawater outflow is observed through the observation funnel 11 to determine the seawater drainage status of the vent pipe device 17.

[0048] In this embodiment, to ensure system safety, the underwater drainage system is equipped with two interlocking valves on each pipeline leading to the outer side. Specifically, the first side valve 1 and the sixth shut-off valve 10 form two interlocks; the sea passage valve 12 and the fifth shut-off valve 9 form two interlocks; the second side valve 2 and the third shut-off valve 7 and the fourth shut-off valve 8 each form two interlocks; the third side valve 3 and the second shut-off valve 6 form two interlocks; and the fourth side valve 4 and the first shut-off valve 5 form two interlocks.

[0049] The above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A submersible snorkel underwater drainage system, characterized in that: The system includes a drainage system (21), a venting system (22), and an observation system (23). The water injection system (21) is connected to the vent pipe device (17), the diesel engine intake pipe section (16), and the intake external tongue valve (15); The venting system (22) is connected to the venting pipe device (17) and the diesel engine intake pipe section (16); The observation pipe system (23) is connected to the vent pipe device (17) and the diesel engine intake pipe section (16); The drainage system (21) includes an external pipeline, a side valve, a shut-off valve, an internal pipeline, and a sea valve (12); the multiple external pipelines are connected to the drainage joints of the vent pipe device (17), the diesel engine intake pipe section (16), and the intake tongue valve (15), respectively. The external pipelines are merged into one pipeline and then connected to the side valve. The side valve is connected to the internal pipeline. The internal pipeline is divided into two paths, one of which is connected to the adjustment tank (20) through a shut-off valve, and the other of which is connected to the sea valve (12) installed on the pressure hull (18) through a shut-off valve.

2. The underwater dewatering system for a submersible snorkel as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The venting system (22) includes an external pipeline, a side valve, a shut-off valve, and an internal pipeline. The external pipeline is connected to the venting device (17), leads to the top of the air intake channel, connects with the side valve to enter the cabin, and then connects to the depressurized air system through the internal pipeline and the shut-off valve.

3. The underwater dewatering system for a submersible snorkel as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The observation piping system (23) includes an external pipe, a side valve, a shut-off valve, an internal pipe, and an observation funnel (11); wherein, multiple external pipes are respectively connected to the bottom of the vent pipe device (17), the external pipe for water injection, or the bottom of the diesel engine intake pipe section (16); the external pipe enters the cabin through the side valve, and is connected to the observation funnel (11) through the internal pipe and the shut-off valve, and the completion of seawater drainage in the diesel engine intake pipe section (16) can be observed through the observation funnel (11).

4. The underwater dewatering system for a submersible snorkel as described in claim 3, characterized in that: In the venting system (22), a pressure gauge (13) is provided between the shut-off valve and the side valve to observe the pressure in the pipe section; a branch pipe is simultaneously led out from the cabin pipe of the venting system (22) to the observation funnel (11) for air discharge in the diesel engine intake pipe section (16) and the venting pipe device (17).

5. The underwater dewatering system for a submersible snorkel as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The water injection system (21), the venting system (22), and the observation system (23) are each equipped with two locking valves on the pipeline passages leading to the outside of the ship.

6. A method for underwater dewatering of a submersible's snorkel, characterized in that: The hydrophobic system according to any one of claims 1-5 is used in accordance with the following steps: When performing underwater drainage, close the air inlet valve of the vent pipe device (17), open the shut-off valve and side valve on the vent pipe system (22), and input compressed air into the vent pipe device (17); Open the side valve of the water injection and drainage system (21) and the shut-off valve leading to the adjustment tank (20). Under the action of compressed air, the seawater in the vent pipe device (17) and the diesel engine intake pipe section (16) is quickly drained into the adjustment tank (20) through the water injection and drainage system (21). When underwater water injection is carried out, the side valve of the water injection system (21) and the shut-off valve and sea valve (12) leading to the overboard pipeline are opened; the side valve on the venting system (22) and the shut-off valve on the branch pipe are opened; the seawater overboard is injected into the diesel engine intake pipe section (16) through the sea valve (12), shut-off valve and side valve on the water injection system (21); the air in the diesel engine intake pipe section (16) and the venting pipe device (17) is discharged into the cabin through the venting system (22); when water flows out of the venting system (22), the cabin shut-off valve is closed, the pressure in the venting system (22) is observed, and the pressure balance between the venting pipe device (17) and the diesel engine intake pipe section (16) and the seawater overboard is obtained. When the pressure gauge (13) no longer changes, the venting pipe intake valve is opened.

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