A high-weather buoy suitable for launching tube loading

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of deep-sea underwater platform technology, specifically relating to a communication buoy. A high-wave-resistant buoy suitable for launch tube mounting includes: a cylindrical solid buoyancy material shell, and an antenna compartment and equipment compartment installed within the solid buoyancy material shell; the antenna compartment and equipment compartment are connected by a watertight cable; a non-powered deployment mechanism is provided between the antenna compartment and the equipment compartment; when the high-wave-resistant buoy is not launched, the antenna compartment, equipment compartment, and non-powered deployment mechanism are folded inside the solid buoyancy material shell and fixed in position by a deployment and dismantling device; when the high-wave-resistant buoy is launched and rises above the water, the deployment and dismantling device is released, and the equipment compartment unfolds downwards under negative buoyancy, while the non-powered deployment mechanism simultaneously extends the antenna compartment upwards. This invention adapts to the loading and launch of a cylindrical launch tube in the folded state of the buoy, and automatically controls deployment after launch to achieve good surface wave resistance, enabling rapid and covert communication missions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of deep-sea underwater platform technology, and specifically relates to a communication buoy. Background Technology

[0002] Large underwater vehicles and other deep-sea unmanned platforms often require long-term underwater monitoring. When on standby or operating underwater, they typically send communication or alarm messages to a shore-based command center covertly by releasing onboard communication buoys. In such scenarios, underwater platforms usually need to carry multiple communication buoys; however, to improve their surface stability, communication buoys are generally long, thin rods or other irregular shapes with a large center-of-mass distance, which is very inconvenient for loading and releasing onto the platform. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a communication buoy that is compatible with the platform's universal mounting interface and can withstand harsh sea conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a high-wave-resistant buoy suitable for launch tube loading, addressing the shortcomings of existing technologies.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is: a high wave-resistant buoy suitable for launch tube loading, comprising: a solid buoyancy material shell with a columnar structure, and an antenna compartment and an equipment compartment installed inside the solid buoyancy material shell; the antenna compartment and the equipment compartment are connected by a watertight cable.

[0005] A non-powered deployment mechanism is installed between the antenna compartment and the equipment compartment. When the high-wave-resistant buoy is not launched, it is housed within the launch tube of the underwater platform. The antenna compartment, equipment compartment, and non-powered deployment mechanism are folded within a solid buoyancy material shell and fixed in position by a deployment and dismantling device. When the platform needs to transmit information, it controls the launch of the high-wave-resistant buoy. After the high-wave-resistant buoy is launched and rises to the surface, the deployment and dismantling device is released, and the equipment compartment deploys downwards under negative buoyancy. At the same time, the non-powered deployment mechanism is activated, causing the antenna compartment to extend upwards. The overall distance between the center of mass and the center of buoyancy of the buoy increases, thus providing better wave resistance and maintaining attitude stability. At this time, the underwater platform can transmit information to the shore via the buoy.

[0006] In the above scheme, specifically, the unpowered deployment mechanism includes: a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly installed on the main frame; a sliding rod is installed inside the first and second pulley assemblies; and an upper push rod is installed outside the first and second pulley assemblies. The sliding rod is fixedly connected to the equipment compartment, and the upper push rod is fixedly connected to the antenna compartment. During deployment, the sliding rod slides down under the negative buoyancy of the equipment compartment, simultaneously driving the pulleys to rotate, and the upper push rod subsequently lifts the antenna compartment.

[0007] Furthermore, in the first and second pulley assemblies: the pulleys are made of polyoxymethylene material, and the timing belt is made of glass fiber reinforced rubber material. The timing belt assembly has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for the seawater working environment of the buoy.

[0008] Specifically, in the above scheme, the antenna compartment includes: an antenna radome, a satellite antenna module installed inside the antenna radome, and an antenna compartment end cover for sealing the antenna radome; a first rubber sealing element is provided on the contact surface between the antenna radome and the antenna compartment end cover.

[0009] Furthermore, the satellite antenna module features an integrated antenna and main unit design, offering high modularity and ease of maintenance. The antenna radome is made of PEEK material, which boasts excellent mechanical properties and wave transmission. The top surface of the radome has a slightly curved shape, effectively reducing seawater adhesion and thus improving satellite communication performance.

[0010] In the above scheme, specifically, the solid buoyancy material shell uses glass microspheres as the solid buoyancy material and is covered with a fiberglass protective layer. The solid buoyancy material shell provides the necessary positive buoyancy for the buoy when it leaves the water; the solid buoyancy material shell is the foundation for the installation of other structures on the buoy, and its outer diameter can be changed to adapt to different launch tube diameters.

[0011] Specifically, in the above scheme, the watertight cable is a spiral-shaped pressure-resistant watertight cable that can be stretched to at least twice its free length when subjected to tension, and can return to its free length when the tension is released.

[0012] Specifically, in the above scheme, the equipment compartment includes: an equipment compartment cylinder and an equipment compartment end cap; the equipment compartment cylinder and the equipment compartment end cap are fixedly connected, and a second rubber sealing element is provided on the contact end face to form a sealed pressure-resistant compartment; a buoy control center, a depth sensor, and a battery are installed inside the pressure-resistant compartment. The equipment compartment is in a state of negative buoyancy in water.

[0013] In the above scheme, specifically, the deployment and dismantling device is an explosive bolt or an electromagnet; when the high wave-resistant buoy is not launched, the deployment and dismantling device is fixedly connected to the equipment compartment end cover and the solid buoyancy material shell; when the high wave-resistant buoy is launched, the ascent depth is monitored by a depth sensor, and when it rises out of the water, the deployment and dismantling device is released, at which time the antenna compartment and equipment compartment can be deployed outward.

[0014] Beneficial effects:

[0015] (1) The present invention adapts to the loading and launching of the cylindrical launch tube in the folded state of the buoy, and automatically controls the unfolding after launch, thus obtaining good water surface wave resistance, and can quickly and covertly complete the communication task.

[0016] (2) The present invention has two states: folded and unfolded. In the folded state, it has a standard cylindrical structure, and its outer diameter can be changed to adapt to different launch tube diameters, making it suitable for underwater platform launch tube loading and launching.

[0017] (3) After being launched from an underwater platform, the present invention can automatically determine the water level and automatically deploy. After the buoy is deployed, the mass-to-buoy distance increases, which provides better wave resistance on the water surface and enables it to complete surface communication tasks under harsh sea conditions. It is an important means of communication or alarm for deep-sea underwater platforms.

[0018] (4) This invention adopts a modular design, has a compact structure, is easy to maintain, and has low operating costs.

[0019] (5) This invention provides an effective communication connection between large underwater vehicles and other long-term unmanned underwater platforms and land-based stations. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the present invention in its folded state;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the present invention in its unfolded state;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure in this invention where the antenna compartment and equipment compartment are connected by a watertight cable;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the unpowered unfolding mechanism in the folded state of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the unpowered deployment mechanism in the deployed state of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention in its folded state;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention in its unfolded state;

[0027] The components are: 1-Antenna cabin, 2-Watertight cable, 3-Solid buoyancy material shell, 4-Unpowered deployment mechanism, 5-Equipment cabin, 6-Deployment and dismantling device, 101-Antenna radome, 102-Satellite antenna module, 103-Antenna cabin end cap, 104-First rubber sealing element, 501-Equipment cabin cylinder, 502-Second rubber sealing element, 503-Buoy control center, 504-Depth sensor, 505-Battery, 506-Equipment cabin end cap, 401-Top rod, 402-First pulley assembly, 403-Second pulley assembly, 404-Main frame, 405-Sliding rod. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] See appendix Figure 1 , 2 This embodiment provides a high wave-resistant buoy suitable for launch tube loading. The buoy includes: a solid buoyancy material shell 3 with a columnar structure, and an antenna compartment 1 and an equipment compartment 5 installed in the solid buoyancy material shell 3; the antenna compartment 1 and the equipment compartment 5 are connected by a watertight cable 2.

[0030] The solid buoyancy material shell 3 is made of glass microsphere solid buoyancy material and is covered with a fiberglass protective layer. The solid buoyancy material shell 3 provides the necessary positive buoyancy for the buoy when it leaves the water; the solid buoyancy material shell 3 is the foundation for the installation of other structures of the buoy, and its outer diameter can be changed to adapt to different launch tube diameters.

[0031] See appendix Figure 3 The antenna housing 1 includes: an antenna radome 101, a satellite antenna module 102 installed inside the antenna radome 101, and an antenna housing end cover 103 for sealing the antenna radome 101; a first rubber sealing element 104 is provided on the contact surface between the antenna radome 101 and the antenna housing end cover 103. Preferably, the satellite antenna module 102 is an integrated antenna and main unit design, with a high degree of modularity and good maintainability. The antenna radome 101 is made of PEEK material, which has good mechanical properties and wave transmission. The top surface of the antenna radome 101 is a slightly curved surface, which can effectively reduce seawater adhesion, thereby improving satellite communication performance.

[0032] Watertight cable 2 is a spiral-shaped, pressure-resistant, watertight cable that can be stretched to at least twice its free length when subjected to tension and can return to its free length when the tension is released.

[0033] The equipment compartment 5 includes: an equipment compartment cylinder 501 and an equipment compartment end cap 506; the equipment compartment cylinder 501 and the equipment compartment end cap 506 are fixedly connected, and a second rubber sealing element 502 is provided on the contact end face to form a sealed pressure-resistant compartment; a buoy control center 503, a depth sensor 504, and a battery 505 are provided inside the pressure-resistant compartment. The equipment compartment 5 is in a state of negative buoyancy in water.

[0034] See appendix Figure 4 , 5A non-powered deployment mechanism 4 is provided between the antenna compartment 1 and the equipment compartment 5. The non-powered deployment mechanism 4 includes a first pulley assembly 402 and a second pulley assembly 403 installed on the main frame 404. A sliding rod 405 is installed on the inner side of the first pulley assembly 402 and the second pulley assembly 403, and an upper push rod 401 is installed on the outer side of the first pulley assembly 402 and the second pulley assembly 403. The sliding rod 405 is fixedly connected to the equipment compartment 5, and the upper push rod 401 is fixedly connected to the antenna compartment 1. During deployment, the sliding rod 405 slides down under the negative buoyancy of the equipment compartment 5, driving the pulleys to rotate, and the upper push rod 401 lifts the antenna compartment 1 accordingly. Preferably, in the first pulley assembly 402 and the second pulley assembly 403, the pulleys are made of polyoxymethylene material, and the synchronous belt is made of glass fiber reinforced rubber material. The synchronous belt assembly has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for the seawater working environment of the buoy.

[0035] The deployment and dismantling device 6 is an explosive bolt or an electromagnet. When the high-wave-resistant buoy is not launched, the deployment and dismantling device 6 is fixedly connected to the equipment compartment end cover 506 and the solid buoyancy material shell 3. After the high-wave-resistant buoy is launched, the buoyancy depth is monitored by the depth sensor 504. When it rises out of the water, the deployment and dismantling device 6 is released from its fixed position, at which time the antenna compartment 1 and the equipment compartment 5 can be deployed outward.

[0036] See appendix Figure 6 , 7 When the high-wave-resistant buoy is not launched, it is housed within the launch tube of the underwater platform. The antenna compartment 1, equipment compartment 5, and unpowered deployment mechanism 4 are folded within a solid buoyancy material shell 3 and fixed in position by the deployment and dismantling device 6. When the platform needs to transmit information, it controls the launch of the high-wave-resistant buoy. After the high-wave-resistant buoy is launched and rises above the water, the deployment and dismantling device 6 is released. Under the action of negative buoyancy, the equipment compartment 5 unfolds downwards, and at the same time, the unpowered deployment mechanism 4 is activated. The unpowered deployment mechanism 4 drives the antenna compartment 1 to extend upwards, increasing the overall distance between the center of mass and the center of buoyancy of the buoy. Therefore, it has better wave resistance on the water surface and maintains a stable attitude. At this time, the underwater platform can transmit information to the shore via the buoy.

[0037] Example 2, based on Example 1, details the assembly process of the high-seaworthiness buoy:

[0038] Step 1: Assemble antenna compartment 1. Use screws to fix the satellite antenna module 102 onto the antenna compartment end cover 103, and install the first rubber sealing element 104 on the antenna compartment end cover 103; fit the antenna compartment end cover 103 into the antenna cover 101 and fix it with screws. Antenna compartment 1 is now assembled and ready for use.

[0039] Step 2: Assemble the equipment compartment 5. Install the buoy control center 503, depth sensor 504, and battery 505 sequentially onto the equipment compartment end cover 506, and connect the corresponding cables; install the second rubber sealing element 502 on the equipment compartment end cover 506, and fit the equipment compartment end cover 506 into the equipment compartment cylinder 501 and secure it with screws. The equipment compartment 5 is now assembled and ready for use.

[0040] Step 3: Assemble the non-powered deployment mechanism 4. First, install the sliding rod 405 on the inner interface of the two sets of synchronous belts and push it in from the side of the main frame 404 as a whole, fix it with screws and tension the pulley set; install the top rod 401 on the inner interface of the two sets of synchronous belts.

[0041] Step 4: Overall Assembly. First, insert the non-powered deployment mechanism 4 into the internal cavity of the solid buoyancy material shell 3 from bottom to top and fix it with screws; pull out the sliding rod 405 and the top rod 401 to lift it up, and install the antenna compartment 1 on the top rod 401 and the equipment compartment 5 on the sliding rod 405 respectively; connect the watertight cable 2; push the equipment compartment 5 to make the buoy folded up, and use the deployment and dismantling device 6 to fix the equipment compartment 5 to the bottom interface of the solid buoyancy material shell 3.

[0042] Large deep-sea underwater platforms carrying multiple buoys are located in deep-sea areas thousands of meters below the surface. When the platform needs to transmit information, it controls the launch of buoys. After launch, the buoys rely on their own positive buoyancy to rise out of the water, automatically control their deployment and maintain a stable attitude. At this time, the underwater platform can transmit information to the shore base through the buoys.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with general descriptions and specific embodiments, modifications or improvements can be made to it, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-weather-persistence buoy suitable for launching tube-loaded, comprising: A columnar solid buoyancy material shell (3), and an antenna compartment (1) and an equipment compartment (5) installed inside the solid buoyancy material shell (3); the antenna compartment (1) and the equipment compartment (5) are connected by a watertight cable (2); characterized in that: A non-powered deployment mechanism (4) is provided between the antenna compartment (1) and the equipment compartment (5); when the high wave-resistant buoy is not launched, the antenna compartment (1), the equipment compartment (5) and the non-powered deployment mechanism (4) are folded inside the solid buoyancy material shell (3) and fixed in position by the deployment and dismantling device (6); when the high wave-resistant buoy is launched and rises out of the water, the deployment and dismantling device (6) is released from its fixed position, the equipment compartment (5) unfolds downward under the action of negative buoyancy, and at the same time the non-powered deployment mechanism (4) is activated, and the non-powered deployment mechanism (4) drives the antenna compartment (1) to extend upward; The unpowered deployment mechanism (4) includes: a first pulley assembly (402) and a second pulley assembly (403) installed on the main frame (404); a sliding rod (405) is installed on the inner side of the first pulley assembly (402) and the second pulley assembly (403); and an upper rod (401) is installed on the outer side of the first pulley assembly (402) and the second pulley assembly (403); the sliding rod (405) is fixedly connected to the equipment compartment (5); and the upper rod (401) is fixedly connected to the antenna compartment (1). The equipment compartment (5) includes: an equipment compartment cylinder (501) and an equipment compartment end cap (506); the equipment compartment cylinder (501) and the equipment compartment end cap (506) are fixedly connected, and a second rubber sealing element (502) is provided on the contact end face to form a sealed pressure-resistant compartment; a buoy control center (503), a depth sensor (504), and a battery (505) are provided inside the pressure-resistant compartment. The deployment and dismantling device (6) is an explosive bolt or an electromagnet; when the high wave-resistant buoy is not launched, the deployment and dismantling device (6) is fixedly connected to the equipment cabin end cap (506) and the solid buoyancy material shell (3); when the high wave-resistant buoy is launched, the buoyancy depth is monitored by the depth sensor (504), and when it rises out of the water, the deployment and dismantling device (6) is released from its fixed position.

2. A high-weather sea float adapted for launching of a tube-loaded projectile according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the first pulley assembly (402) and the second pulley assembly (403): the pulley is made of polyoxymethylene material, and the synchronous belt is made of glass fiber reinforced rubber material.

3. A high-weather sea float suitable for launching tube-loaded according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The antenna compartment (1) includes: an antenna shroud (101), a satellite antenna module (102) installed inside the antenna shroud (101), and an antenna compartment end cap (103) for sealing the antenna shroud (101); a first rubber sealing element (104) is provided on the contact end face between the antenna shroud (101) and the antenna compartment end cap (103).

4. A high-weather sea float adapted for launching of a tube loaded according to claim 3, characterized in that: The satellite antenna module (102) is an integrated design of antenna and host; the antenna cover (101) is made of PEEK material and the top surface is a micro-arc surface.

5. The high-seakeeping buoy suitable for launch tube mounting as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The solid buoyancy material shell (3) is made of glass microsphere solid buoyancy material and is covered with a fiberglass protective layer.

6. A high-weather sea float suitable for launching tube-loaded according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The watertight cable (2) is a spiral-shaped pressure-resistant watertight cable that can be stretched to at least twice its free length under tension.

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