A device for buoying underwater-launched missiles with extended warheads

Abstract

This invention discloses a device for surfacing an underwater-launched missile with an elongated warhead, belonging to the field of underwater missile launch. The invention includes a lead screw nut, a lead screw, a sleeve, a warhead sealing ring, a sleeve sealing ring, a motor, a coupling, a compressed air cylinder, an air vent, and a launch well. Two lead screws are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the missile warhead and body, penetrating both. The upper part of the lead screw has an external thread, which meshes with the internal thread of the lead screw nut. The lead screw's rotational motion drives the lead screw nut to reciprocate linearly, causing the missile warhead to move up and down. This invention is installed inside the missile. After the warhead rises a certain distance relative to the missile body, the missile's volume increases, increasing the buoyancy underwater. This allows the missile to rise to the surface using its own buoyancy. The missile is then ignited and launched after surfacing, eliminating the need for underwater ignition to rise to the surface, reducing fuel consumption, and eliminating the need for boosters or other equipment, thus lowering launch costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of underwater missile launch and relates to an underwater missile launcher with an extended warhead that can be brought to a buoyancy. Background Technology

[0002] Underwater pre-positioned missiles refer to offensive and defensive missiles that can be pre-deployed on the bottom of specific water bodies and remain submerged for extended periods. Once operational needs arise, they can be activated remotely to carry out tactical or strategic strikes. Underwater pre-positioned missiles possess high accuracy, excellent stealth capabilities, and strong mobility.

[0003] Currently, there are two methods for underwater missile launch: hot launch and cold launch. Hot launch means that the missile engine ignites inside the launch platform at the moment of launch, generating thrust to propel the missile. While hot launch offers shorter preparation time and faster launch speed, the direct ignition of the missile on the launch platform produces a large amount of high-temperature smoke, placing high demands on the platform's materials and potentially damaging its structure, making maintenance difficult. Furthermore, with hot launch, the missile's ascent from the seabed to the surface involves a long underwater journey, requiring it to overcome significant fluid resistance and consuming more fuel, thus affecting its range. Cold launch, on the other hand, addresses these drawbacks. In cold launch, the missile engine does not ignite directly at the moment of launch. Instead, it is propelled from the launch platform by external forces such as boosters, and ignition occurs after the missile has traveled a certain distance from the platform. Although cold launches of missiles avoid the heat and smoke of hot launches, reducing damage to the launch platform structure, they involve longer preparation and launch times. Furthermore, the need for boosters and other equipment in cold launches leads to a more complex launch platform structure and higher manufacturing costs. Therefore, underwater missile launches present numerous challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a device for buoyant underwater-launched missiles with an elongated warhead. This device is installed inside the missile, increasing the missile's volume by raising the warhead a certain distance relative to the missile body. This increases the buoyancy of the missile underwater, allowing it to rise to the surface using its own buoyancy. The missile is then ignited and launched after surfacing. Compared to hot or cold launch methods, this eliminates the need for underwater ignition to rise to the surface, reducing fuel consumption, and also eliminates the need for additional boosters or other equipment, thus lowering launch costs.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0006] The present invention discloses an underwater missile buoyancy device with an elongated warhead, comprising a lead screw nut, a lead screw, a sleeve, a warhead sealing ring, a sleeve sealing ring, a motor, a coupling, a compressed air cylinder, an air port, and a launch well.

[0007] Two lead screw nuts are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides inside the missile warhead and welded to the missile warhead shell. The lead screw nuts are provided with internal threads.

[0008] Two lead screws are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the missile warhead and the missile body, passing through the missile warhead and the missile body. The upper part of the lead screw is provided with an external thread, which meshes with the internal thread of the lead screw nut. The rotational motion of the lead screw drives the lead screw nut to perform reciprocating linear motion, thereby driving the missile warhead to move up and down.

[0009] Two sleeves are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the missile warhead and the missile body, penetrating the missile warhead and the missile body. The sleeves are hollow cylinders, fitted on the outside of the lead screw, and the lower end of the sleeves is fixed to the missile body and does not move together with the missile warhead.

[0010] The warhead is equipped with a sealing ring placed at the connection between the missile warhead and the missile body to prevent water from seeping in from the connection between the warhead and the missile body when the missile is underwater, thus avoiding seawater corrosion of the missile's internal structure.

[0011] The sleeve sealing ring is provided with four rings. Two of the sleeve sealing rings are placed at the joint between the sleeve and the warhead, and the other two are placed at the joint between the sleeve and the missile body. This prevents water from seeping into the missile from the joint between the sleeve and the warhead and the joint between the sleeve and the missile body when the missile is underwater, thus avoiding seawater corrosion of the missile and its internal structure.

[0012] Two motors are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides inside the missile body, and are used to control the movement of the lead screw.

[0013] Two couplings are provided and placed between the motor and the lead screw. One end of the coupling is connected to the lower part of the lead screw and the other end is connected to the motor. The coupling is used to connect the motor and the lead screw and transmit the torque generated by the motor to the lead screw.

[0014] The compressed gas cylinder is placed inside the internal cavity of the missile warhead, and the air vent is located on the shell at the lower part of the internal cavity of the missile warhead. The compressed gas cylinder and the air vent work together to balance the air pressure between the warhead cavity and the space where the warhead and the warhead body connect after the missile warhead rises, thus preventing damage to the missile and its internal structure due to pressure differences.

[0015] The launch silo is placed underwater, and a sealing ring is installed between the silo cover and the silo body to prevent seawater from entering the silo and corroding the missile shell when it is underwater, thus providing a good launch environment for the missile underwater.

[0016] The working method of the underwater missile buoyancy device with an elongated warhead disclosed in this invention is as follows:

[0017] After the missile-laden silo is deployed into the target waters, it sinks to the bottom of the water under the weight of the missile and the silo itself. An underwater missile buoyation device with an elongated warhead keeps the silo cover tightly closed when the missile has not received a launch command, preventing water from seeping into the silo and corroding the missile casing.

[0018] A device for surfacing an underwater-launched missile with an elongated warhead operates as follows: Upon receiving a launch command, the launch well cover opens, the internal motor of the missile starts, and a lead screw rotates. The rotational motion of the lead screw is converted into linear motion of the lead screw nut through the engagement of the external thread at the upper end of the lead screw with the internal thread of the lead screw nut. The lead screw nut drives the missile warhead upwards, stopping when the warhead reaches its maximum upward position. After the warhead rises, the missile's volume increases, thus increasing its buoyancy in the water. The missile then uses its own buoyancy to rise to the surface, awaiting further launch commands to engage the target. Throughout the entire process from receiving the launch command to surfacing, the warhead sealing ring and the sleeve sealing ring provide a seal, preventing water from entering the missile and damaging its internal structure during ascent. During warhead ascent, a compressed gas cylinder releases gas through vents to balance the air pressure in the warhead cavity and the space where the warhead and missile body connect, preventing damage to the missile and its internal structure due to pressure differences.

[0019] Beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. The present invention discloses an underwater missile buoyancy device with an elongated warhead. The device integrates a motor, a lead screw, and a lead screw nut inside the missile and works together to raise the warhead relative to the missile body by a certain distance, thereby increasing the missile's volume. Then, the missile's own buoyancy is used to make it float from the bottom of the water to the surface. This eliminates the need for underwater ignition, saves missile fuel, increases missile range, and also eliminates the need for boosters and other equipment, thus reducing launch costs.

[0021] 2. The present invention discloses an underwater missile launcher with an elongated warhead that lifts the warhead by means of a motor, a lead screw, and a lead screw nut, thereby increasing the missile's buoyancy and allowing the missile to float to the water surface for launch. This solves the problem of missile trajectory deflection that may occur due to the complex underwater environment during missile launch, and improves the success rate and accuracy of missile launch.

[0022] 3. The present invention discloses an underwater missile buoyancy device with an elongated warhead. The longer the external thread length at the upper end of the lead screw, the higher the warhead rises, the greater the increase in missile volume, and the greater the missile's buoyancy. This reduces the time it takes for the missile to rise from the bottom of the water to the surface.

[0023] 4. The present invention discloses an underwater missile buoyancy device with an elongated warhead. Based on achieving the above-mentioned beneficial effects 1, 2, and 3, the device is installed inside the missile by making minor modifications to the internal structure of the missile. This allows the missile warhead to rise a certain distance relative to the missile body, thereby increasing the volume of the missile and enabling it to use its own buoyancy to rise from the bottom of the water to the surface. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a missile with an elongated warhead for surfacing, according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the missile head of an underwater missile launcher with an elongated warhead, according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a comparison image of the underwater missile launcher with an elongated warhead, as described in this invention, before and after the missile's nose rises. Figure 3 (a) is a diagram showing the state of the missile before its nose rises. Figure 3 (b) is a diagram showing the missile's nose cone after it has risen.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of different stages of the missile's emergence from the water in the underwater missile buoyancy device of the present invention with an elongated warhead;

[0028] In the diagram: 1—lead screw nut, 2—lead screw, 3—sleeve, 4—warhead seal ring, 5—sleeve seal ring, 6—motor, 7—coupling, 8—compressed gas cylinder, 9—air vent, 10—launch silo. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To better illustrate the purpose and advantages of the present invention, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0030] Example 1:

[0031] This embodiment discloses a device for buoying an underwater-launched missile with an elongated warhead, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the device includes: lead screw nut 1, lead screw 2, sleeve 3, warhead sealing ring 4, sleeve sealing ring 5, motor 6, coupling 7, compressed air cylinder 8, air port 9, and launch well 10.

[0032] Two lead screw nuts 1 are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides inside the missile warhead and welded to the missile warhead shell. The lead screw nuts 1 have internal threads.

[0033] Two lead screws 2 are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the missile warhead and the missile body, passing through the missile warhead and the missile body. The upper part of the lead screw 2 is provided with an external thread, which meshes with the internal thread of the lead screw nut 1. The rotational motion of the lead screw 2 drives the lead screw nut 1 to perform reciprocating linear motion, thereby driving the missile warhead to move up and down.

[0034] Two sleeves 3 are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the missile warhead and the missile body, penetrating the missile warhead and the missile body. The sleeve 3 is a hollow cylinder, sleeved on the outside of the lead screw 2, and the lower half of the sleeve 3 is fixed to the missile body. The upper half of the sleeve 3 only contacts the warhead but is not fixed to the warhead and does not move together with the missile warhead.

[0035] The warhead sealing ring 4 is provided and placed at the connection between the missile warhead and the missile body to prevent water from seeping in from the connection between the warhead and the missile body when the missile is underwater, and to avoid seawater from corroding the missile and its internal structure.

[0036] The sleeve sealing ring 5 is provided in four parts. Two of the sleeve sealing rings 5 ​​are placed at the joint between the sleeve 3 and the warhead, and the other two are placed at the joint between the sleeve 3 and the missile body. This prevents water from seeping into the missile from the joint between the sleeve 3 and the warhead and the joint between the sleeve 3 and the missile body when the missile is underwater, and avoids seawater corrosion of the missile and its internal structure.

[0037] Two motors 6 are provided and are symmetrically installed in the cavities on both sides of the missile body to control the movement of the lead screw 2.

[0038] Two couplings 7 are provided and placed between the motor 6 and the lead screw 2. One end of the coupling 7 is connected to the lower part of the lead screw 2, and the other end of the coupling 7 is connected to the motor 6. It is used to connect the motor 6 and the lead screw 2 and transmit the torque generated by the motor 6 to the lead screw 2.

[0039] The compressed gas cylinder 8 is placed inside the internal cavity of the missile warhead, and the air vent 9 is located on the shell at the lower part of the internal cavity of the missile warhead. The compressed gas cylinder 8 and the air vent 9 work together to balance the air pressure between the warhead cavity and the space where the warhead and the warhead body connect after the missile warhead rises, thus preventing damage to the missile and its internal structure due to pressure differences.

[0040] The launch silo 10 is placed underwater, and a sealing ring is installed between its cover and the silo body to prevent seawater from entering the silo and corroding the missile casing when it is underwater. The missile waits in the launch silo 10 when it does not receive a launch order, and the launch silo 10 also provides a good launch environment for the missile underwater.

[0041] In this embodiment, it is specified that: Figure 3As shown in (a), when the lead screw nut 1 is located at the lowest end of the external thread on the upper end of the lead screw 2, the position of the spring is the initial position; as Figure 3 As shown in (b), when the lead screw nut 1 is located at the uppermost end of the external thread on the upper end of the lead screw 2, the position of the spring is at the limit of its upward movement.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown in this embodiment, the working method of an underwater missile buoyancy device with an elongated warhead is as follows:

[0043] After the missile-equipped silo 10 is deployed into the target water area, it sinks to the bottom of the water by the weight of the missile and the silo 10 itself. An underwater missile buoyation device with an elongated warhead keeps the silo 10's cover tightly closed when the missile does not receive a launch command, preventing water from seeping into the silo 10 and corroding the missile's outer shell.

[0044] In this embodiment, an underwater missile surfacing device with an elongated warhead operates as follows: After the missile receives a launch command, the launch well cover 10 opens, and the internal motor 6 of the missile body starts, driving the lead screw 2 to rotate. The external thread at the upper end of the lead screw 2 engages with the internal thread of the lead screw nut 1, thus converting the rotational motion of the lead screw 2 into the linear motion of the lead screw nut 1. The lead screw nut 1 drives the missile warhead upward, stopping when the warhead reaches its limit position. Since the buoyancy of an object in water is proportional to its volume, the increased volume of the missile after the warhead rises increases its buoyancy in the water, allowing it to float to the surface and await further launch commands to strike the target. Throughout the entire process from receiving the launch command to the missile surfacing, the warhead sealing ring 4 and the sleeve sealing ring 5 provide a sealing function, preventing water from entering the missile and damaging its internal structure during the warhead's ascent. Furthermore, as the warhead rises, the compressed gas cylinder 8 can release gas outwards, and balance the air pressure in the warhead cavity and the space where the warhead and the warhead body connect through the air port 9, so as to avoid damage to the missile and its internal structure due to the air pressure difference.

[0045] This embodiment discloses a buoyancy device for underwater-launched missiles with an extended warhead. By subtly modifying the internal structure of the missile, this buoyancy device is installed inside the missile, causing the warhead to rise a certain distance relative to the missile body. This increases the missile's volume, allowing it to utilize its own buoyancy to rise from the seabed to the surface. This invention optimizes the missile's buoyancy process from the seabed to the surface, eliminating the need for underwater ignition, saving missile fuel, increasing missile range, and eliminating the need for boosters and other equipment within the launch silo 10, simplifying the launch silo 10 structure and reducing missile launch costs.

[0046] Meanwhile, the underwater launch environment for missiles is quite complex, underwater ignition is difficult, and the success rate is low. The underwater missile buoyation device proposed in this invention allows the missile to float to the surface of the water before ignition and launch. This not only solves the problem of missile trajectory deflection that may occur due to the complex underwater environment during missile launch and improves strike accuracy, but also greatly reduces the difficulty of missile ignition and thus improves the success rate of missile launch.

[0047] Furthermore, in this technical solution, since the buoyancy of an object is directly proportional to its volume, the longer the external thread length at the upper end of the lead screw 2, the higher the warhead rises, the greater the increase in missile volume, and the greater the missile's buoyancy. This reduces the time it takes for the missile to rise from the bottom of the water to the surface. Therefore, the longer the external thread length at the upper end of the lead screw 2 is, the better, depending on the actual situation of the missile.

[0048] Furthermore, the presence of the warhead sealing ring 4 and the sleeve sealing ring 5 creates numerous sealed spaces within the warhead, such as the cavity at the top of the warhead, the connection between the warhead and the missile body, and the connection between the sleeve 3 and the warhead. When the missile warhead ascends, these sealed spaces increase in volume, preventing external gas from entering, thus creating a pressure difference that can damage the missile and its internal structure. Therefore, in this technical solution, a compressed gas cylinder 8 is placed inside the internal cavity of the warhead, and an air vent 9 is opened on the lower shell of the internal cavity. When the warhead begins to ascend, the compressed gas cylinder 8 releases gas outward, which fills the sealed spaces formed on the warhead through the air vent 9, balancing the pressure to protect the missile and its internal structure.

[0049] The above detailed description further illustrates the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the invention. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for surfacing an underwater-launched missile with an extendable warhead, characterized in that: Includes lead screw nut (1), lead screw (2), sleeve (3), warhead seal ring (4), sleeve seal ring (5), motor (6), coupling (7), compressed air cylinder (8), air hole (9), and launch well (10); Two lead screw nuts (1) are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides inside the missile warhead, and welded to the missile warhead shell; Two lead screws (2) are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the missile warhead and the missile body, and penetrate the missile warhead and the missile body; The lead screw nut (1) and the lead screw (2) are engaged by threads; Two sleeves (3) are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the missile warhead and the missile body, penetrating the missile warhead and the missile body. The sleeves (3) are sleeved on the outside of the lead screw (2), and their lower ends are fixed to the missile body and do not move together with the missile warhead. The warhead sealing ring (4) is placed at the connection between the missile warhead and the missile body; The sleeve sealing ring (5) is provided in four parts, of which two sleeve sealing rings (5) are placed at the joint between the sleeve (3) and the projectile, and the other two sleeve sealing rings (5) are placed at the joint between the sleeve (3) and the projectile body. Two motors (6) are provided and are symmetrically installed in the cavities on both sides of the missile body; Two couplings (7) are provided and placed between the motor (6) and the lead screw (2). One end of the coupling is connected to the lower part of the lead screw (2) and the other end is connected to the motor (6). The compressed gas cylinder (8) is placed inside the cavity of the missile warhead, and the air hole (9) is opened on the shell at the lower part of the cavity of the missile warhead.

2. The underwater missile buoyancy device with an extendable warhead as described in claim 1, characterized in that: When the missile is about to be launched, the motor (6) inside the missile body starts, which drives the lead screw (2) to rotate, and then drives the lead screw nut (1) to move in a straight line. The lead screw nut (1) drives the missile warhead to move upward. When the warhead moves upward to the limit position of the upward movement, it stops. After the warhead rises, the volume of the missile increases, thereby increasing the buoyancy of the missile. Then the missile uses its own buoyancy to float to the surface of the water.

3. The underwater missile buoyancy device with an extendable warhead as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lead screw nut (1) has an internal thread, and the lead screw (2) has an external thread on its upper part. The external thread meshes with the internal thread of the lead screw nut (1).

4. The underwater missile buoyancy device with an extendable warhead as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The compressed gas cylinder (8) and the air vent (9) work together to balance the internal air pressure of the missile.

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