Hydraulic launching device for underwater vehicles and method of operation thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a hydrodynamic launching device for an underwater vehicle and its operating method. The device includes a marine platform, a platform stabilization mechanism, a deep-sea submersible launch tube, an automatic release clamp, and a vortex-generating mechanism. The marine platform includes a platform deck, a lifting assembly, and a lower buoy assembly. The lifting assembly is installed on the upper surface of the platform deck. An opening is provided in the middle of the platform deck. The deep-sea submersible launch tube is positioned downwards from the opening and connected to the platform deck. The lower buoy assembly is installed at the bottom of the platform deck and surrounds the deep-sea submersible launch tube. The automatic release clamp is connected to the lifting assembly and cooperates with the deep-sea submersible launch tube, and is used to hold the deep-sea submersible. The platform stabilization mechanism includes multiple platform buoy stabilizing components, which are circumferentially spaced on the upper surface of the platform deck. This invention can improve the diving efficiency of the deep-sea submersible and reduce the combined interference from unknown wind, waves, and currents when operating in two drastically different environmental media.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hydroelectric launching device, and more particularly to a hydroelectric launching device for an underwater vehicle and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] Deep-sea submersibles (hereinafter referred to as submersibles) need to descend without power to conduct exploration, and then automatically surface and be recovered after the mission is completed. They are commonly used in marine surveys, deep-sea resource exploration, submarine cable maintenance, salvage of objects that have fallen into the sea, and military reconnaissance. The underwater operation time of a submersible includes both surfacing and diving time and deep-sea engineering operation time. The surfacing and diving time of a submersible accounts for about 50% of its underwater operation time. Because the surfacing and diving time of a submersible is relatively long, it restricts its underwater operation time and thus reduces the efficiency of the submersible.

[0003] Factors limiting dive time include descent speed, descent path, and deceleration protection upon bottoming out. Among these, descent speed and descent path are the most limiting factors. Deep-sea submersibles typically employ ballast jettisoning, such as using electromagnets to control the ballast, which then detaches automatically under gravity, allowing the submersible to surface. However, relying solely on ballast jettisoning usually has two disadvantages: first, the initial descent speed of the submersible is limited; second, due to underwater drift forces, the descent path becomes S-shaped. Therefore, it is necessary to apply an initial descent speed to the submersible to improve its descent efficiency.

[0004] Existing deep-sea submersible deployment and recovery systems primarily involve towing the submersible to the vicinity of the support vessel via a deep-sea towing mechanism, and then releasing the submersible into the water via a release mechanism. Additionally, launch mechanisms are commonly found in submarine torpedo launches, relying on water pressure to propel the torpedo out of the launch tube. Due to the high underwater pressure, a significant pressure difference is created inside and outside the launch tube, causing considerable resistance to the launch of the submersible and hindering the launch process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Objective of the Invention: To address the aforementioned problems, the objective of this invention is to provide a hydrodynamic launching device for underwater vehicles, thereby improving the diving efficiency of deep-sea submersibles. The invention also provides its operating method.

[0006] Technical solution: A hydrodynamic launching device for an underwater vehicle, comprising an offshore platform, a platform stabilization mechanism, a deep-sea submersible launch tube, an automatic release clamp, and a vortex forming mechanism;

[0007] The offshore platform includes a platform deck, a lifting assembly, and a lower floating body assembly. The lifting assembly is installed on the upper surface of the platform deck. An opening is provided in the middle of the platform deck. The deep-sea submersible launch tube is set downward from the opening and connected to the platform deck. The lower floating body assembly is installed at the bottom of the platform deck and surrounds the deep-sea submersible launch tube. An automatic release clamp is connected to the lifting assembly and cooperates with the deep-sea submersible launch tube. The automatic release clamp is used to hold the deep-sea submersible. The platform stabilization mechanism includes multiple platform floating body stabilizers, which are installed circumferentially at intervals on the upper surface of the platform deck.

[0008] The vortex forming mechanism is installed at the bottom of the lower floating body assembly. The vortex forming mechanism includes a vortex forming main body and a suction and drainage tank. The suction and drainage tanks are spaced apart below the lower floating body assembly and are anchored to the seabed by anchor chains. The vortex forming main body is located between the lower floating body assembly and the suction and drainage tanks and is slidably connected to both of them.

[0009] Furthermore, the lifting assembly includes a lifting boom, slings, and a large lifting arm. The lifting boom is vertically installed on the upper surface of the platform deck and close to the opening side. An automatic release clamp is installed on the upper part of the slings. At least one large lifting arm is installed on the platform deck.

[0010] Furthermore, the lower floating body assembly includes columns and a lower floating body. The lower floating body is annular and is spaced apart below the platform deck and coaxially aligned with the opening. Multiple columns are spaced apart between the platform deck and the lower floating body and are connected to both respectively. The vortex forming body is slidably connected to the bottom surface of the lower floating body.

[0011] Furthermore, the deep-sea submersible launch tube includes an upper launch tube, support columns, a limiting plate, a support base, an internal gear ring, a cylindrical pin, a rack, a lower launch tube, a pinion, and a slider rocker mechanism. The upper launch tube is vertically arranged, with its upper end connected to the platform deck and communicating with its opening. A limiting plate is installed around the outer ring of the lower end. Multiple support columns are spaced apart on the outer circumference of the upper launch tube. The upper end of the support column is fixed to the bottom of the platform deck, and the lower end is fixed to the upper surface of the limiting plate. The upper end of the lower launch tube is connected to the bottom surface of the limiting plate through the support base and is coaxial with the upper launch tube. The limiting plate and the support base both have circular openings in the middle to connect the upper and lower launching tubes. An internal gear ring is slidably connected to the inner ring of the limiting plate. Multiple small gears are installed at intervals along the inner ring of the internal gear ring on the support base. The small gears mesh with the internal gear ring. A cylindrical pin is provided on one side of each small gear. The cylindrical pin passes radially through the inner circumferential wall of the upper launching tube. Each cylindrical pin is provided with a rack that meshes with the corresponding small gear. A notch is provided on the limiting plate. The slider rocker mechanism is installed on the support base and connected to the internal gear ring through the notch.

[0012] Ideally, the slider-rocker mechanism includes a rocker arm, a slider, a telescopic rod, and a telescopic sleeve. The telescopic sleeve is mounted on a support base. One end of the telescopic rod is connected to the telescopic sleeve, and the other end is connected to the slider. The outer circumferential surface of the rocker arm is hinged to the slider. One end of the rocker arm passes through a notch and is connected to the internal gear ring.

[0013] Furthermore, the automatic release clamp includes a piston, a clamp head, a large spring, a nail head, a square wedge, a small spring, a large hexagonal socket screw, a clutch sliding block, a coupling, and a small hexagonal socket screw. The upper part of the piston is connected to the lifting assembly, and a through groove is provided axially in the center of the lower bottom surface. The upper part of the clamp head passes through the through groove, and a large spring is fitted on its outer circumference. An outer convex ring is provided on the upper edge of the clamp head. An inwardly convex ring is provided on the inner ring of the piston's through groove. The two ends of the large spring abut against the lower surface of the outer convex ring and the upper surface of the convex ring, respectively. The lower part of the head is a triangular chuck structure. Multiple sets of threaded holes and square holes are opened radially from the outside to the inside on its circumference. Each square hole is equipped with a square wedge. A large hexagon socket screw is installed in the threaded hole. A small spring is installed between the large hexagon socket screw and the corresponding square wedge. The nail head is installed in the center of the lower part of the clamp head. The square wedge supports the nail head. The outer circumference of the nail head is slidably connected to the inner wall of the clamp head through a clutch sliding block. The submersible is installed on the lower part of the nail head through a coupling. The coupling is circumferentially tightened with a small hexagon socket screw.

[0014] Furthermore, the platform floating body stabilizing components include a boom telescopic sleeve, a boom telescopic shaft, a boom, a cross shaft, a ball joint, and a pontoon. The boom is suspended outward from the upper surface of the platform deck, with one end hinged to the upper surface of the platform deck and the other end universally connected to the pontoon through the cross shaft and the ball joint. One end of the boom telescopic sleeve is hinged to the upper surface of the platform deck, and the other end is connected to one end of the boom telescopic shaft. The other end of the boom telescopic shaft is hinged to the boom.

[0015] Furthermore, the vortex-forming main body includes stirring rods, a propeller, a four-bar connecting plate, a pod arm, and a sliding connection assembly. Two four-bar connecting plates are arranged parallel to each other vertically and are connected by four stirring rods arranged circumferentially at intervals. At least one pod arm is installed on one side of each stirring rod in the same direction, and a propeller is installed on each pod arm. The upper surface of the upper four-bar connecting plate is connected to the lower floating body assembly through a sliding connection assembly, and the lower surface of the lower four-bar connecting plate is connected to the suction and drainage tank through another sliding connection assembly.

[0016] Ideally, the guide rail trolley structure includes rolling bearings, studs, nuts, rollers, slide rails, and pins. Four studs are provided, each corresponding to a stirring rod. One end of each stud passes through the connecting plate of the four rods and the end of the stirring rod, and is threaded to them. The studs are secured to the connecting plates by two nuts positioned vertically. A wheel axle is mounted laterally at the other end of each stud. Both ends of the wheel axle are in rolling contact with the inner surface of the slide rail via rolling bearings. The rollers are parallel to the central axis of the studs and are mounted on the studs using pins. The slide rails are annular, with one mounted on each of the suction / depression tank and the lower floating body assembly. The slide rails have a U-shaped cross-section, with inward-facing flanges at their ends. The rolling bearings are located within the corresponding slide rails and their rolling connection with the flanges and rollers reduces collisions.

[0017] A method for operating the hydrodynamic launching device of the above-mentioned underwater vehicle includes the following steps:

[0018] Step 1: Lifting and hoisting stage;

[0019] S11: The device is launched into the water and connected to the seabed via anchor chains. The lower floating body assembly is submerged in the water, and the lifting assembly lifts the submersible to the platform deck.

[0020] S12: Install the submersible onto the automatic release clamp;

[0021] S13: The lifting assembly lifts the head of the submersible downwards, aligns the automatic release clamp with the axis of the submersible's launch tube, and lowers it into the submersible. The automatic release clamp then enters the launch tube in sequence.

[0022] Step 2: Locking Phase;

[0023] S21: The automatic release clamp continues to be lowered into place and, after being confined in the deep-sea submersible launch tube, the rope between the lifting assembly and the automatic release clamp is released.

[0024] Step 3: Vortex generation stage;

[0025] S31: The platform's stability is maintained by adjusting the draft of the platform's buoy stabilizing device.

[0026] S32: Initiate the formation of the vortex body, which generates a vortex under the action of fluid viscosity force;

[0027] S33: The suction and discharge chamber draws water from the inner ring into the chamber and then discharges the water from the outer ring of the suction and discharge chamber 32, forming a local low-pressure area;

[0028] Step 4: Release and Launch Phase;

[0029] S41: Unlock the limit switch between the automatic release clamp and the deep-sea submersible launch tube. After an impact inside the deep-sea submersible launch tube, the automatic release clamp separates from the deep-sea submersible.

[0030] S42: The submersible rapidly dives into deep water under water pressure, thereby achieving the hydroelectric launch of the submersible.

[0031] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: it can improve the diving efficiency of the deep-sea submersible, reduce the combined interference of unknown wind, waves and currents when operating in two completely different environmental media (air and water), and reduce the impact of pressure difference resistance at the launch tube outlet on underwater launch. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the guide rail trolley of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic release clamp.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a frontal cross-sectional view of the inside of the deep-sea submersible's launch tube;

[0037] Figure 6 A top view of the interior of the deep-sea submersible's launch tube;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the working process of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0040] A hydrodynamic launching device for an underwater vehicle, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, it includes an offshore platform, a platform stabilization mechanism, a deep-sea submersible launch tube, an automatic release clamp, and a vortex-forming mechanism;

[0041] The offshore platform includes a platform deck 5, a lifting assembly, and a lower floating body assembly. The lifting assembly is installed on the upper surface of the platform deck 5. The platform deck 5 has an opening in the middle. The deep-sea submersible launch tube is set downward from the opening and connected to the platform deck 5. The lower floating body assembly is installed at the bottom of the platform deck 5 and surrounds the deep-sea submersible launch tube. The automatic release clamp is connected to the lifting assembly and cooperates with the deep-sea submersible launch tube. The automatic release clamp is used to clamp the deep-sea submersible 4. The platform stabilization mechanism includes multiple platform floating body stabilizers, which are installed circumferentially at intervals on the upper surface of the platform deck 5.

[0042] The vortex forming mechanism is installed at the bottom of the lower floating body assembly. The vortex forming mechanism includes a vortex forming main body and a suction and drainage tank 32. The suction and drainage tanks 32 are spaced apart below the lower floating body assembly and are anchored to the seabed by anchor chains 33. The vortex forming main body is located between the lower floating body assembly and the suction and drainage tanks 32 and is slidably connected to both of them.

[0043] The lifting assembly includes a lifting boom 1, slings 2, and a large lifting arm 24; the lower float assembly includes a column 25 and a lower float 26; the deep-sea submersible launch tube includes an upper launch tube 6, a support column 7, a limiting plate 8, a support base 9, an internal gear ring 10, a cylindrical pin 11, a rack 12, a lower launch tube 13, a pinion 44; a slider rocker mechanism includes a rocker arm 45, a slider 46, a telescopic rod 47, and a telescopic sleeve 48; and the automatic release clamp includes a piston 3, a clamp head 35, a large spring 36, a nail head 37, and a square... The components include wedge 38, small spring 39, large hexagon socket screw 40, clutch sliding block 41, coupling 42, small hexagon socket screw 43; platform floating body stabilizing components include boom telescopic sleeve 18, boom telescopic shaft 19, boom 20, cross shaft 21, ball head 22, float 23; vortex forming main body includes stirring rod 15, propeller 16, four-bar connecting plate 27, pod arm 28, sliding connection assembly; sliding connection assembly includes rolling bearing 14, stud 17, nut 29, roller 30, slide rail 31, pin 34.

[0044] First, four platform float stabilizers are installed in an array on the platform deck 5 of the offshore platform. The offshore platform and the platform float stabilizers are connected by both rotating and sliding connections. The boom telescopic sleeve 18 and boom 20 are rotatably connected to the offshore platform, and the boom telescopic shaft 19 is slidably connected to boom 20. The boom telescopic sleeve 18 and boom telescopic shaft 19 are slidably connected. A cross shaft 21 and a ball joint 22 are used to achieve a universal connection between the end of boom 20 and the float 23. Secondly, as... Figure 2 This refers to the position and connection relationship between the vortex-forming mechanism and the offshore platform. The lower floating body 26 of the offshore platform is fixedly connected to the annular slide rail 31. The vortex-forming mechanism is located between the upper and lower annular slide rails 31. Anchor chains 33 are fixedly connected to the bottom of the intake and discharge tank 32, and the end of the anchor chain 33 is anchored to the seabed. Then, as... Figure 4 The piston 3 is connected to the upper end of the automatic release clamp, and the submersible 4 is connected to the lower end. A clamp head 35 is installed inside the center hole of the piston 3, and the clamp head 35 is slidably connected to the piston 3. The tail of the submersible 4 is connected to the nail head 37 by a coupling 42 and a small hex socket head cap screw 43 for set screw fastening. Finally, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The deep-sea submersible launch tube is installed in the center of the deck, and the upper launch tube 6 of the deep-sea submersible launch tube is installed on the platform deck 5 of the offshore platform. The upper launch tube 6 and the platform deck 5 are fixedly connected.

[0045] The offshore platform is the main part of the entire equipment. The platform deck 5 of the offshore platform is fixedly connected to the column 25, the column 25 and the lower floating body 26. The platform deck 5 is equipped with a lifting boom 1, slings 2 and a large lifting boom 24. The lifting boom 1 and the large lifting boom 24 are fixedly connected to the platform deck 5. The lifting boom 1 and slings 2 are directly above the upper launch tube 6. The large lifting boom 24 is arranged diagonally. The large lifting boom 24 is used to lift the deep-sea submersible 4 from the water onto the platform deck 5. The two large lifting booms 24 can cover all areas on the platform deck 5. One end of the anchor chain 33 is connected to the suction and discharge tank 32, and the other end is anchored to the seabed.

[0046] The platform float stabilizer is a stability aid installed on the deck to improve the stability of the equipment at sea. The boom 20 of the platform float stabilizer is rotatably connected to the platform deck 5, and the boom 20 and the float 23 are universally connected via a cross shaft 21 and a ball joint 22. The boom 20 is a thin-walled shell-like component with a cross-sectional shape that is a combination of square and circular shapes. The float 23 is a common combined three-float box. The active rotation of the boom 20 is controlled by the movement of the hydraulically controlled telescopic sleeve 18 and the boom telescopic shaft 19, thereby realizing the vertical movement of the float 23 and ultimately achieving stability control.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the principle of the vortex-forming mechanism is to use the thrust generated by the screw propeller 16 to drive the four stirring rods 15 to rotate along the annular slide rail 31. When the stirring rods 15 rotate, they cause the viscous fluid to form a vortex. Additionally, the function of the suction and discharge chamber 32 is to draw water from the center into the chamber and then discharge the water stored in the suction and discharge chamber 32 from a position away from the vortex. The flow velocity is high inside the annular region of the suction and discharge chamber 32, achieving a localized increase in flow velocity and creating a low-pressure area. Two pod arms 28 are fixedly connected to the four stirring rods 15, and the screw propeller 16 is mounted on the pod arms 28. Figure 3As shown, the guide rail trolley structure includes rolling bearings 14, studs 17, nuts 29, rollers 30, slide rails 31, and pins 34. Four studs 17 are provided, each corresponding to a stirring rod 15. One end of each stud 17 passes through a four-rod connecting plate 27 and the end of each stirring rod 15, and is threadedly connected to them. The studs 17 are fastened to the connecting plate 27 by two nuts 29 positioned vertically. A wheel axle is mounted laterally at the other end of each stud 17. Both ends of the wheel axle are in rolling contact with the inner surface of the slide rail 31 via rolling bearings 14. The rollers 30 are parallel to the central axis of the studs 17 and are mounted on the studs 17 using pins 34. The rolling bearings 14 enable the studs 17 to roll along the groove of the circular slide rail 31. The rollers 30 reduce sliding wear of the studs 17 during movement within the slide rail 31. The four-rod connecting plate 27 ensures the simultaneous movement and stability of the four stirring rods 15.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the automatic release clamp of the deep-sea submersible has a circular protrusion at the center of the piston 3. One end of the clamp head 35 is installed in the circular protrusion of the piston 3. A large spring 36 is fitted onto the clamp head 35 to prevent collision between the piston 3 and the clamp head 35. The other end of the clamp head 35 is a three-jaw chuck type. The side walls of the three chucks have threaded holes and square holes respectively. A square wedge 38 is installed in the square hole, and a large hexagonal screw 40 is installed in the threaded hole. A small spring 39 is located between the hexagonal screw 40 and the square wedge 38. The function of the small spring 39 is to reset the square wedge 38, and the function of the square wedge 38 is to support the nail head 37. The square wedge 38, the clamp head 35, and the clutch sliding block 41 are all slidably connected between the square wedge 38, the clamp head 35, and the clutch sliding block 41. The nail head 37 moves up and down in the hole of the clamp head 35, while the clutch sliding block 41 is fitted on the nail head 37. The nail head 37 and the deep-sea submersible 4 are fixedly connected by the coupling 42 and two small internal hexagonal screws 43. The working principle of the automatic release clamp for the submersible is as follows: When the submersible 4 is at the exit of the lower launch tube 13, due to the influence of inertial force, the submersible 4 drives the spike cap 37 and the clutch sliding block 41 to move upward. When the clutch sliding block 41 moves upward, the upper surface of the clutch sliding block 41 pushes the square wedge block 38 back into the hole of the clamp head 35, and the clutch sliding block 41 contacts and combines with the spike cap 37 to form a protrusion. Then, under the action of gravity, the spike cap 37, the clutch sliding block 41 and the submersible 4 all move downward. As the clutch slider 41 moves, the lower surface of the clutch slider 41 pushes the square wedge 38 back into the hole of the clamp head 35. The nail head 37 moves to the bottom of the square wedge 38. The nail head 37, the clutch slider 41, and the submersible 4 separate from the clamp head 35 and fall directly into the water. When the clutch slider 41 separates from the nail head 37, the clutch slider 41 and the nail head 37 separate to form a groove. The square wedge 38 is in the middle of the clutch slider 41 and the nail head 37, and the square wedge 38 supports the nail head 37 and the submersible 4.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, the upper launch tube 6 of the deep-sea submersible launch tube is fixedly connected to the platform deck 5. The limiting plate 8 is fixedly connected to the platform deck 5 by a support column 7. The limiting plate 8 and the support plate 9 are fixedly connected by bolts, and the support plate 9 and the lower launch tube 13 are also fixedly connected by bolts. A through hole is opened in the side wall of the upper launch tube 6, and a cylindrical pin 11 is installed in the through hole in the side wall of the upper launch tube 6. The cylindrical pin 11 is fixed to the rack 12 by bolts. Figure 6 As shown, a gear pair consisting of three pairs of racks 12 and pinions 44 is evenly distributed on the circumference. The racks 12 are installed in dovetail grooves evenly distributed on the circumference of the limiting plate 8. The pinions 44 are installed on the support base 9, and the pinions 44 and the support base 9 are rotatably connected. The internal gear 10 is installed in the groove between the limiting plate 8 and the support base 9. The rocker arm 45, the slider 46, the telescopic rod 47, and the telescopic sleeve 48 form a slider-rocker mechanism. Its function is to rotate the internal gear 10, which drives the three pinions 44 to rotate. The pinions 44 drive the racks 12 to move radially along the limiting plate 8 in the dovetail groove, ultimately realizing the telescopic movement of the cylindrical pin 11. The internal gear 10 is fixedly connected to the rocker arm 45, the slider 46 slides up and down on the rocker arm 45, and the telescopic rod 47 is rotatably connected to the slider 46. The telescopic rod 47 and the telescopic sleeve 48 form a hydraulic telescopic rod. The movement of the telescopic rod 47 can realize the movement of the slider 46 and the swing of the rocker arm 45.

[0050] See Figure 7 As shown, the specific method for using a hydroelectric launching device for an underwater vehicle includes: a hoisting stage, a locking stage, a vortex generation stage, and a release and launching stage. Specifically, it includes the following steps:

[0051] Step 1: Lifting Stage

[0052] S11: The lower float 26 is fully submerged in water, one end of the anchor chain 33 is fixed to the seabed, the draft is half that of the column 25, and the large crane 24 lifts the submersible 4 from the water onto the deck.

[0053] S12: At the tail of the submersible 4, screw a small hexagon socket screw 43 into the threaded hole of the coupling 42 to fix the submersible 4 and the nail head 37.

[0054] S13: The large boom 24 lifts the tail of the submersible 4 downwards and inserts the nail head 37 of the piston 3 into the clamp head 35 to achieve a fixed connection between the submersible 4 and the piston 3.

[0055] S14: The sling 2 on the lifting rod 1 lifts the head of the submersible 4 downwards, aligns the axis of the piston 3 and the upper launch tube 6, and then puts the piston 3 into the upper launch tube 6;

[0056] Step 2: Locking Phase

[0057] S21: By using the hydraulically movable telescopic rod 47, the internal gear ring 10 and the pinion 44 rotate counterclockwise, and the rack 12 and the cylindrical pin 11 move outward, so that the internal gear ring 10, the cylindrical pin 11, the rack 12, the pinion 44, and the rocker arm 45 are reset.

[0058] S22: After resetting, adjust the telescopic rod 47 again. The internal gear ring 10 and the pinion 44 rotate clockwise, and the rack 12 and the cylindrical pin 11 move toward the axis until the rocker arm 45 rotates to the limit position.

[0059] S23: During the raising and lowering of the sling 2, the piston 3 moves downward along the upper launching tube 6 until the bottom surface of the piston 3 contacts the cylindrical pin 11. The rope between the piston 3 and the sling 2 is released, and the piston 3 is supported by the cylindrical pin 11.

[0060] Step 3: Vortex Generation Stage

[0061] S31: The hydraulically adjustable telescopic shaft 19 rotates the boom 20, and the pontoon 23 is submerged in water; in addition, the draft of the offshore platform is adjusted, thereby improving the stability of the platform.

[0062] S32: The propeller 16 drives the stirring rod 15 to rotate within the slide rail 31, creating a vortex under the action of fluid viscosity.

[0063] S33: The suction and discharge chamber 32 draws water from the inner ring into the chamber and then discharges the water from the outer ring of the suction and discharge chamber 32, forming a local low-pressure area.

[0064] Step 4, Release and Launch Phase

[0065] S41: Adjust the telescopic rod 47 again, the internal gear ring 10 and the pinion 44 rotate counterclockwise, the rack 12 and the cylindrical pin 11 move outward, so that the cylindrical pin 11 retracts into the hole, and the piston 3 descends vertically.

[0066] S42: After the piston 3 collides with the lower launch tube 13, the clamp head 35 moves downward under the action of inertia, the clutch sliding block 41 moves upward relative to the clamp head 35, the nail cap 37 falls off the clamp head 35, and the deep-sea submersible 4 and the piston 3 separate.

[0067] S43: The deep-sea submersible 4 will rapidly submerge into deep water under enormous water pressure, thereby achieving the hydroelectric launch of the deep-sea submersible.

[0068] This invention involves installing a vertical launch tube on a marine platform, from which a submersible is launched. Underwater, a propeller drives a stirring rod to rotate along a circular track. Under the influence of fluid inertia and viscosity, a slender vortex is formed in the water. Suction tanks are added at the bottom of the vortex to increase the water flow velocity, thereby accelerating the water rotation. The submersible is then launched vertically from a lower launch tube and descends vertically along the center of the vortex. As the vortex disappears, the underwater pressure increases instantaneously, drawing the submersible into the deep water region. This improves the submersible's diving efficiency. The advantages of this method include reducing the impact of pressure difference at the launch tube outlet on underwater launch; furthermore, compared to submersible launch and recovery devices, this hydrodynamic launch method reduces the combined interference from unknown wind, waves, and currents when operating in two distinctly different environmental media (air and water).

[0069] In this invention, the offshore platform floats on the sea and its function is to provide support for the hydraulic launch equipment. The top of the offshore platform is a deck, the middle is four pillars, and the bottom is a circular lower floating body. There are four arrays of buoys around the deck. The purpose of the four buoys is to reduce rolling and increase stability. In the middle of the deck is the vertical launch tube of the deep-sea submersible. The shape of the entire platform is similar to that of an umbrella. This structure can help it become a "roly-poly toy" at sea.

[0070] In this invention, the suction and drainage chamber 32 is annular in appearance, with numerous small holes on the inner ring for efficient water absorption. Furthermore, the suction and drainage chamber contains a ballast chamber and a pump chamber, enabling water to be drawn from the inside of the ring and discharged from the outside. By creating a pressure outlet at the bottom of the boundless vortex using the suction and drainage chamber, the stability of the vortex is improved.

[0071] In this invention, the structure and appearance of the multi-propeller vortex forming device provide a method for manufacturing underwater vortices. A propeller is installed on the boom of the stirring rod, and the thrust direction of the propeller is tangential to the annulus, pushing the stirring rod to rotate along the annulus slide rail. The stirring rod is a thin plate, and the boom is fixedly connected to the middle section of the stirring rod. The L-shaped boom is used to install the propeller, and the upper and lower ends of the stirring rod are connected to the annulus slide rail. The stirring rod rolls along the annulus slide rail. The rotation of the stirring rod accelerates the movement of the surrounding fluid, and the accelerated rotation speed of the fluid forms a spiral vortex. The central region of the spiral vortex is a low-pressure region.

[0072] In this invention, the automatic release clamp of the underwater vehicle's hydrodynamic launch equipment moves upward after the submersible descends to the outlet of the lower launch tube, retracting the square wedge into the hole and separating the nail head from the clamp head, thus separating the submersible from the piston. The advantage of this method of suspending and releasing the submersible by moving the clutch sliding block is that it enables the automatic separation of the submersible from the hydrodynamic launch equipment.

[0073] In this invention, the locking mechanism of the underwater vehicle's hydrodynamic launching equipment converts the linear movement of the telescopic rod into the rotation of the internal gear ring through a slider and a rocker arm. The rotation of the internal gear ring drives the rotation of multiple small gears, ultimately achieving the radial movement of the rack and the radial extension and retraction of the cylindrical pin. This locking mechanism not only provides support but also utilizes a hydraulic mechanism to achieve the radial extension and retraction of the cylindrical pin.

Claims

1. A hydrodynamic launch device for an underwater vehicle, characterized by: The offshore platform comprises a platform deck (5), a lifting assembly, a lower floating body assembly, the lifting assembly is installed on the upper surface of the platform deck (5), the middle part of the platform deck (5) is provided with a through opening, the submarine launching tube is arranged downwards from the through opening and connected with the platform deck (5), the lower floating body assembly is installed on the bottom of the platform deck (5) and surrounds the submarine launching tube, the automatic release clamp is connected with the lifting assembly and matched with the submarine launching tube, and the automatic release clamp is used for clamping the submarine (4); the platform stabilizing mechanism comprises a plurality of platform floating body stabilizers which are installed on the upper surface of the platform deck (5) in a circumferential interval. The vortex forming mechanism is installed on the bottom of the lower floating body assembly, and comprises a vortex forming main body and a water suction and discharge cabin (32), the water suction and discharge cabin (32) is arranged below the lower floating body assembly in an interval, the water suction and discharge cabin (32) is anchored to the seabed through an anchor chain (33), and the vortex forming main body is arranged between the lower floating body assembly and the water suction and discharge cabin (32) and is slidably connected with both. The submarine launching tube comprises an upper launching circular tube (6), a support column (7), a limiting plate (8), a support base (9), an internal gear ring (10), a cylindrical pin (11), a rack (12), a lower launching circular tube (13), a pinion (44) and a slider rocker mechanism, the upper launching circular tube (6) is vertically arranged, the upper end thereof is connected with the platform deck (5) and communicated with the through opening thereon, the lower end thereof is provided with the limiting plate (8), a plurality of support columns (7) are arranged on the outer periphery of the upper launching circular tube (6) in an interval, the upper end of the support column (7) is fixed to the bottom of the platform deck (5), the lower end is fixed to the upper surface of the limiting plate (8), the upper end of the lower launching circular tube (13) is connected with the bottom surface of the limiting plate (8) through the support base (9) and coaxially arranged with the upper launching circular tube (6), the limiting plate (8) and the support base (9) are both provided with a circular through opening in the middle part, so that the upper launching circular tube (6) and the lower launching circular tube (13) are communicated, the internal gear ring (10) is slidably connected with the inner circle of the limiting plate (8), a plurality of pinions (44) are installed on the support base (9) along the inner circle of the internal gear ring (10) in an interval, the pinions (44) are respectively engaged with the internal gear ring (10), one cylindrical pin (11) is arranged on one side of each pinion (44), the cylindrical pin (11) is arranged in the inner peripheral wall of the upper launching circular tube (6) along the radial direction, and each cylindrical pin (11) is respectively provided with a rack (12) engaged with a corresponding pinion (44), the limiting plate (8) is provided with a notch, and the slider rocker mechanism is installed on the support base (9) and connected with the internal gear ring (10) through the notch. ​ The vortex forming body comprises a stirring rod (15), a spiral propeller (16), a four-rod connecting plate (27), a pod arm (28), and a sliding connection assembly. The four-rod connecting plate (27) is arranged in parallel and spaced apart in an up-down direction, and is connected by four stirring rods (15) arranged in a circumferential direction. Each stirring rod (15) is provided with at least one pod arm (28) on the same side surface. Each pod arm (28) is provided with a spiral propeller (16). The upper surface of the upper four-rod connecting plate (27) is connected to the lower floating body assembly through a sliding connection assembly. The lower surface of the lower four-rod connecting plate (27) is connected to the water suction and discharge cabin (32) through another sliding connection assembly.

2. A hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly comprises a lifting rod (1), a lifting sling (2), and a large lifting arm (24). The lifting rod (1) is vertically installed on the upper surface of the platform deck (5) and is close to one side of the through opening. An automatic release clamp is installed on the upper part of the lifting sling (2). The large lifting arm (24) is installed on the platform deck (5).

3. A hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower floating body assembly comprises a stand column (25) and a lower floating body (26). The lower floating body (26) is annular and is arranged in a spaced-apart manner below the platform deck (5) and coaxially aligned with the through opening. The stand column (25) is arranged in a spaced-apart manner between the platform deck (5) and the lower floating body (26) and is connected to them. The vortex forming body is slidingly connected to the bottom surface of the lower floating body (26).

4. The hydraulic launch system for an underwater vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The slider rocker mechanism comprises a rocker (45), a slider (46), an extension rod (47), and an extension sleeve (48). The extension sleeve (48) is installed on the support seat (9). One end of the extension rod (47) is connected to the extension sleeve (48), and the other end is connected to the slider (46). The outer circumferential surface of the rocker (45) is hinged to the slider (46). One end of the rocker (45) penetrates the gap and is connected to the internal gear ring (10).

5. The hydraulic launch system for an underwater vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The automatic release clamp comprises a piston (3), a clamp head (35), a large spring (36), a pin cap (37), a square wedge block (38), a small spring (39), a large internal hexagonal screw (40), a clutch sliding block (41), a coupling (42) and a small internal hexagonal screw (43). The upper part of the piston (3) is connected with a hoisting assembly, and the lower bottom surface is provided with a through groove in the axial direction. The clamp head (35) is arranged in the through groove, and the outer peripheral surface of the clamp head (35) is sleeved with the large spring (36). The upper end edge of the clamp head (35) is provided with an outer convex ring, and the inner ring of the through groove of the piston (3) is provided with an inward convex ring. The two ends of the large spring (36) are respectively in abutment with the lower surface of the outer convex ring and the upper surface of the convex ring. The lower part of the clamp head (35) is in a triangular chuck structure, and a plurality of groups of threaded holes and square holes are sequentially arranged on the peripheral surface of the clamp head (35) in the radial direction from the outside to the inside. Each square hole is provided with a square wedge block (38), and the threaded hole is provided with a large internal hexagonal screw (40). The small spring (39) is arranged between the large internal hexagonal screw (40) and the corresponding square wedge block (38). The pin cap (37) is arranged at the center of the lower part of the clamp head (35), and the square wedge block (38) supports the pin cap (37). The outer peripheral surface of the support pin cap (37) is in sliding connection with the inner wall of the clamp head (35) through the clutch sliding block (41). The submersible (4) is arranged at the lower part of the pin cap (37) through the coupling (42), and the small internal hexagonal screw (43) is tightly arranged on the coupling (42) in the circumferential direction.

6. A hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The platform floating body stabilizing piece comprises a davit telescopic sleeve (18), a davit telescopic shaft (19), a davit (20), a cross shaft (21), a ball head (22) and a float (23). The davit (20) is suspended outward on the upper surface of the platform deck (5) and is hingedly connected with the upper surface of the platform deck (5) at one end and is connected with the float (23) through the cross shaft (21) and the ball head (22) at the other end. One end of the davit telescopic sleeve (18) is hingedly connected with the upper surface of the platform deck (5), and the other end is connected with one end of the davit telescopic shaft (19). The other end of the davit telescopic shaft (19) is hingedly connected with the davit (20).

7. The hydraulic launch system for an underwater vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The guide rail trolley structure comprises rolling bearings (14), studs (17), nuts (29), rollers (30), slide rails (31) and bolts (34), four studs (17) are provided and correspond to the stirring rods (15) one by one, one end of the stud (17) passes through the four-bar connecting plate (27) and the end of the stirring rod (15) in sequence and is threadedly connected with the stirring rod (15), the stud (17) is fastened with the connecting plate (27) through two nuts (29) arranged above and below, the other end of the stud (17) is transversely provided with an axle, the two ends of the axle are in rolling contact with the inner surfaces of the slide rails (31) through a rolling bearing (14); the roller (30) is parallel to the central axis of the stud (17), the roller (30) is installed on the stud (17) by means of the bolt (34); the slide rail (31) is annular, one is installed on the water suction and discharge chamber (32) and the lower floating body assembly respectively, the cross section of the slide rail (31) is U-shaped, and the end port is provided with an inward flange, the rolling bearing (14) is arranged in the corresponding slide rail (31) and is connected by rolling of the flange and the roller (30) to reduce the collision.

8. A method of operating a water launch of an underwater vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that The method comprises the following steps: Step one: hoisting stage; S11: the device is launched and connected to the seabed through an anchor chain, the lower floating body assembly is immersed in water, and the lifting assembly lifts the deep submergence vehicle to the platform deck; S12: the deep submergence vehicle is installed on the automatic release clamp; S13: the lifting assembly lifts the head of the deep submergence vehicle downward, so that the automatic release clamp and the deep submergence vehicle launch tube axis are centered, and the deep submergence vehicle, the automatic release clamp and the deep submergence vehicle launch tube are sequentially lowered into the deep submergence vehicle launch tube; Step two: locking stage; S21: the automatic release clamp is continuously lowered to a position, and after being limited in the deep submergence vehicle launch tube, the ropes between the lifting assembly and the automatic release clamp are loosened; Step three: vortex generation stage; S31: the draft of the platform floating body stabilizer adjusting device is adjusted to maintain its stability; S32: the vortex forming main body is started, and vortexes occur under the action of fluid viscosity force; S33: the water in the inner ring is sucked into the chamber, and the water is discharged from the outer ring of the water suction and discharge chamber (32), so that a local low-pressure area is formed; Step four: release and launch stage; S41: the automatic release clamp and the deep submergence vehicle launch tube are unlocked, and after a collision in the deep submergence vehicle launch tube, the automatic release clamp is separated from the deep submergence vehicle; S42: the deep submergence vehicle rapidly dives into deep water under water pressure, so that the hydraulic launch of the deep submergence vehicle is realized.

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