Floating launch and recovery system

Abstract

This invention discloses a floating launch and recovery system for waterborne objects. The floating launch device includes a launch platform and an air cannon. The launch platform floats on the water surface, and the air cannon is mounted on the launch platform, launching the target object into the water. The floating recovery device includes a recovery platform and a recovery bucket. The recovery platform floats on the water surface, and the recovery bucket is connected to the recovery platform. The recovery bucket is used to recover the target object launched into the water by the air cannon. This invention allows for launch and recovery experiments of target objects in open and semi-open water areas (such as reservoirs), reducing the cost of underwater retrieval of launched objects and improving experimental efficiency. It provides a new approach for experimental research on the problem of large-mass, large-scale, and high-speed launched objects entering the water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of launch and recovery technology for high-speed water-entry aircraft, specifically to a floating launch and recovery system for water. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in water entry experiments of trans-air-water medium aircraft (i.e., the launched object) in open waters with large scale and depth, the launched object is large in size and mass. It is launched from above the water surface and enters the water through the launch device. Due to reasons such as underwater trajectory deviation at certain incident angles or the launched object entering underwater silt, it is difficult to retrieve the launched object with the internal measurement system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, one objective of the present invention is to provide a floating launch and recovery system for waterborne objects, which can realize the launch and recovery of launched objects, effectively reduce the salvage cost of underwater launched objects, avoid the loss of launched objects, and improve experimental efficiency.

[0004] A floating launch and recovery system for water, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes:

[0005] A floating launcher, comprising a launch platform and an air cannon, wherein the launch platform floats on the water surface and the air cannon is mounted on the launch platform and is used to launch a target into the water.

[0006] A floating recovery device for water, comprising a recovery platform and a recovery bucket, wherein the recovery platform floats on the water surface and the recovery bucket is connected to the recovery platform, and the recovery bucket is used to intercept and recover the projectile fired into the water by the air cannon.

[0007] The working principle of the floating launch and recovery system of this invention is as follows: In an open water area, before the air cannon launches the target, the recovery bucket is placed in the water and the opening of the recovery bucket is aligned with the muzzle of the air cannon. The target is launched by the air cannon, and the target enters the water from the air and finally enters the recovery bucket.

[0008] The floating launch and recovery system according to embodiments of the present invention enables the launch and recovery experiments of the launched object in open waters with large scale and depth, such as reservoirs. This effectively reduces the salvage cost of the launched object underwater, avoids the loss of the launched object, improves experimental efficiency, and provides a new approach for experimental research on the problem of large-mass, large-scale, and high-speed launched objects entering the water.

[0009] In some embodiments, the air cannon includes a high-pressure air chamber, a cannon barrel, and a plug head; the cannon barrel penetrates the high-pressure air chamber, forming an air chamber between the high-pressure air chamber and the cannon barrel; the side wall of the cannon barrel has an air inlet at a location within the high-pressure air chamber; the cannon barrel is used to place the target being launched; the target being launched and the cannon barrel are respectively sealed and connected at the front end and rear end of the air inlet; the plug head is used to plug the rear end of the cannon barrel, and the front end of the plug head abuts against the rear end face of the target being launched; a thrust chamber is formed between the plug head and the target being launched; an air intake channel is provided inside the plug head; one end of the air intake channel communicates with the thrust chamber, and the other end of the air intake channel is connected to the excitation gas.

[0010] In some embodiments, the launched object includes a sabot and a launched body. The sabot is installed in the gun barrel and is located between the launched body and the inner wall of the gun barrel. The sabot and the inner wall of the gun barrel are sealed together at the front and rear ends of the air inlet. The front end of the plug head contacts the rear end face of the sabot, and the thrust chamber is formed between the plug head and the sabot.

[0011] In some embodiments, the sabot axis coincides with the gun barrel axis, or the sabot axis may have an angle (angle of attack) relative to the gun barrel axis.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plug head is made of an energy-absorbing material.

[0013] In some embodiments, the firing angle (the angle at which the object enters the water) of the air cannon is adjustable, and the angle of the recovery bucket is adjustable and corresponds to the angle at which the object enters the water.

[0014] In some embodiments, an aiming assembly is included, comprising a sight (monoscope) and a laser. The sight is mounted on the air cannon, and the laser is mounted on the recovery bin. The heights of the laser and the sight are adjusted so that the axis of the laser coincides with the axis of the sight, thereby ensuring that the axis of the recovery bin coincides with the axis of the air cannon, and the recovery bin is located below the water surface.

[0015] In some embodiments, the recycling bin contains energy-absorbing material.

[0016] In some embodiments, the floating recovery device further includes a gantry frame mounted on the recovery platform, and the recovery bucket is suspended below the gantry frame by two steel wire ropes of adjustable length.

[0017] In some embodiments, the floating launcher further includes a drive mechanism, such as a paddle motor, for driving the floating launcher to navigate on the water surface and for towing the floating recovery device to move on the water surface.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the floating launch and recovery system of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the floating launch device of the floating launch and recovery system of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is another schematic diagram of the floating launch device of the floating launch and recovery system of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the floating recovery device of the floating launch and recovery system of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is another schematic diagram of the floating recovery device of the floating launch and recovery system of the present invention.

[0026] Figure label:

[0027] Floating launch and recovery system 1000; Floating launch device 1; Launching platform 101; Air cannon 102; High-pressure air chamber 1021; Air chamber 10211; Cannon barrel 1022; Air inlet 10221; Plug head 1023; Thrust chamber 10231; Air inlet channel 10232; Sealing ring 1024; Lifting drive mechanism 103; Support 104; Floating recovery device 2; Recovery platform 201; Recovery bucket 202; Third energy-absorbing material 203; Gantry 204; Suspension rope 205; Launched object 3; Launched body 301; Projectile sabot 302; Aiming assembly 4; Aiming device 401; Laser 402. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0029] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 6 The present invention describes a floating launch and recovery system 1000.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the floating launch and recovery system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a floating launch device 1 and a floating recovery device 2, wherein the floating launch device 1 launches a target 3 into the water from the water surface, and the floating recovery device 2 recovers the target 3 into the water.

[0031] Specifically, the floating launcher 1 includes a launch platform 101 and an air cannon 102. The launch platform 101 floats on the water surface and can be towed to open water, or navigated to open water by a drive device (not shown in the figure) mounted on the launch platform 101. The air cannon 102 is mounted on the launch platform 101 and is used to launch the target 3 into the water. The launch platform 101 can transport the air cannon 102 to open water, and the target 3 is launched into the water by the air cannon 102, so that the target 3 enters the water from the air.

[0032] The floating recovery device 2 includes a recovery platform 201 and a recovery bucket 202. The recovery platform 201 floats on the water surface and can be towed to open water. The recovery bucket 202 is connected to the recovery platform 201 and is used to intercept and recover the target 3 fired into the water by the air cannon 102. The recovery bucket 202 is connected to the recovery platform 201, which can transport the recovery bucket 202 to open water. Before the air cannon 102 fires the target 3, the recovery bucket 202 is placed in the water. When the air cannon 102 fires the target 3, the recovery bucket 202 intercepts the target 3 in the water, and the target 3 enters the recovery bucket 202. This effectively reduces the cost of retrieving the underwater target 3, avoids the loss of the target, and improves experimental efficiency.

[0033] The working principle of the floating launch and recovery system 1000 of this invention is as follows: In an open water area, before the air cannon 102 launches the target 3, the recovery bucket 202 is placed in the water, with its opening aligned with the muzzle of the air cannon 102. The target 3 is launched by the air cannon 102, entering the water in a straight line and finally entering the recovery bucket 202. It should be noted that, depending on the required distance between the muzzle of the air cannon 102 and the recovery bucket 202 (corresponding to the angle of entry of the target into the water), the recovery platform 201 and the launch platform 101 can be fixed together or anchored separately.

[0034] The floating launch and recovery system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention can conduct launch and recovery experiments of the launched object 3 in open waters (such as reservoirs or nearshore areas) with large scale and depth. It effectively reduces the salvage cost of the underwater launched object 3, avoids the loss of the launched object, improves experimental efficiency, and provides a new approach for experimental research on the problem of large-mass, large-scale, and high-speed launched objects entering the water.

[0035] In some embodiments, such as Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the air cannon 102 includes a high-pressure air chamber 1021, a cannon barrel 1022, and a plug head 1023. The cannon barrel 1022 penetrates the front and rear ends of the high-pressure air chamber 1021, forming an air chamber 10211 between the high-pressure air chamber 1021 and the cannon barrel 1022. Several air inlets 10221 are provided on the side wall of the cannon barrel 1022 at a location within the air chamber 10211. These air inlets 10221 are evenly distributed circumferentially and can be elongated. A projectile 3 is placed inside the cannon barrel 1022, and the projectile 3 is positioned between the projectile 3 and the cannon barrel 1022 through the air inlets 1022. The front and rear ends of the gun barrel 1022 are sealed and connected, for example, by using a sealing ring 1024, to prevent the high-pressure gas in the gas chamber 10211 from leaking into the gun barrel. The plug head 1023 is used to plug the rear end of the gun barrel 1022, and the front end of the plug head 1023 abuts against the rear end face of the target 3. A thrust chamber 10231 is formed between the plug head 1023 and the target 3. An air intake channel 10232 is provided inside the plug head 1023. One end of the air intake channel 10232 is connected to the thrust chamber 10231, and the other end of the air intake channel 10232 is used to introduce excitation gas for firing. The high-pressure gas chamber 1021, the gun barrel 1022 with an air intake port 10221, the target 3, and the plug head 1023 together form a rapid valve system. This rapid valve system has the advantages of shorter firing time and lower probability of accidental firing of the target compared to traditional light gas guns. Specifically, when the air cannon 102 is working, high-pressure gas is filled into the air chamber 10211. For example, high-pressure gas can be filled into the air chamber 10211 through a compressor (not shown in the figure) configured on the launching platform 101. When the pressure value of the air chamber 10211 reaches the specified pressure value, the excitation gas is introduced into the thrust chamber 10231 through the air intake channel 10232, which increases the gas pressure in the thrust chamber 10231 and pushes the launched object 3 forward along the barrel. When the air intake port 10221 connects the air chamber 10211 and the thrust chamber 10231, the high-pressure gas in the air chamber 10211 instantly enters the thrust chamber 10231, and the pressure in the thrust chamber 10231 instantly increases, which quickly pushes the launched object 3 to accelerate and fly out of the muzzle, completing the launch of the launched object 3.

[0036] In some embodiments, the air inlets 10221 are circumferentially distributed near the rear end of the barrel 1022 and can be elongated. There are several air inlets 10221, which are circumferentially distributed on the barrel 1022 near the rear end of the barrel 1022. This facilitates the uniform entry of high-pressure gas from the air chamber 10211 into the thrust chamber 10231 and accelerates the uniform distribution of thrust on the rear end face of the launched object 3.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the front end face of the plug head 1023 has a groove. When the front end of the plug head 1023 abuts against the rear end face of the launched body 3, the notch at the front end of the groove is covered by the launched body 3, forming a thrust chamber 10231 between the plug head 1023 and the launched body 3.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the target body 3 and the gun barrel 1022 are sealed at the front end and rear end of the air inlet 10221 by sealing rings 1024 respectively. The sealing rings 1024 are embedded in the inner wall of the gun barrel 1022, which reduces the constraint on the shape of the target body 3.

[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the launched object 3 includes a sabot 302 and a launched body 301. The sabot 302 is installed in the gun barrel 1022, and the launched body 301 is installed in the sabot 302. The sabot 302 and the gun barrel 1022 are sealed and connected at the front and rear ends of the air inlet 10221, respectively. The front end of the plug 1023 abuts against the rear end face of the sabot 302, and a thrust chamber 10231 is formed between the plug 1023 and the sabot 302. It should be noted that the sabot 302 is designed according to the required outer diameter of the launched body 301. The launched object 3 may also directly contact the inner wall of the gun barrel 1022 without the sabot 302 (both have the same inner and outer diameters). Therefore, based on the relationship between the outer diameter of the launched body 301 and the inner diameter of the gun barrel 1022, the launched body 301 can be divided into two types of launching methods: sabot-type and sabot-less type.

[0040] In some embodiments, the axis of the sabot 302 coincides with the axis of the gun barrel 1022 (e.g.) Figure 2 As shown), or the axis of the sabot 302 is inclined relative to the axis of the barrel 1022. That is to say, according to the experimental needs, the appropriate sabot 302 is selected to ensure that the axis of the launched body 301 coincides with the axis of the barrel 1022 (launch without angle of attack), or to ensure that the axis of the launched body 301 is inclined relative to the axis of the barrel 1022 (launch with angle of attack).

[0041] In some embodiments, the plug head 1023 is made of an energy-absorbing material, such as rubber, which can unload the recoil generated during launch and help ensure the attitude stability of the launched object 3 during the launch process.

[0042] In some embodiments, the sabot 302 is made of a lightweight material (such as nylon), which can reduce the sabot's mass and help ensure that the launched object 3 achieves a higher exit velocity.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the firing angle of the air cannon 102 is adjustable, and the angle of the recovery bucket 202 is also adjustable. In this way, the firing angle of the air cannon 102 can be adjusted according to the required incident angle of the launched object 3 in the experiment, so that the launched object 3 enters the water at the required incident angle; and the angle of the recovery bucket 202 can be adjusted so that the opening of the recovery bucket is aligned with the muzzle of the air cannon 102, so as to intercept and recover the launched object 3.

[0044] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, a lifting drive mechanism 103 and a support 104 are installed on the launching platform 101. The lifting drive mechanism 103 is connected to the rear end of the air cannon 102, and the support 104 is located in front of the lifting drive mechanism 103 and hinged to the air cannon 102. The angle of incidence of the air cannon 102 is adjusted by raising or lowering the rear end of the air cannon 102 through the lifting drive mechanism 103. The lifting drive mechanism 103 can be a hydraulic drive mechanism, such as a hydraulic cylinder. A gantry frame 204 is installed on the recovery platform 201. The recovery bucket 202 is suspended from the gantry frame 204 by two adjustable ropes 205. The angle of the recovery bucket 202 is adjusted by adjusting the length of the two ropes 205.

[0045] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system also includes an aiming assembly 4, which comprises a sight 401 and a laser 402. The sight 401 can be a monocular telescope and is mounted on the air cannon 102. The laser 402 is mounted on the recovery bin 202. The heights of the laser 402 and the sight 401 are adjusted so that the axis of the laser 402 coincides with the axis of the sight 401, ensuring that the axis of the recovery bin 202 coincides with the axis of the air cannon 1022, and the recovery bin 202 is located below the water surface. In the experiment, to ensure that the launched target 3 can be intercepted by the recovery bin 202, considering the effect of light refraction underwater, the laser 402 is positioned above the water surface.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, the recovery bin 202 is filled with energy-absorbing material 203. Therefore, when recovering the projectile 3, the recovery bin 202 can be prevented from being damaged by the impact of the projectile 3.

[0047] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the floating recovery device 2 also includes a gantry 204, which is mounted on the recovery platform 201. The recovery bucket 202 is suspended from the gantry 204 by two adjustable ropes 205. This allows the recovery bucket 202 to be placed in the water and pulled back onto the recovery platform 201, with the aiming target 402 positioned on the water surface. It also allows for easy adjustment of the angle of the recovery bucket 202, ensuring that the angle of the recovery bucket 202 is substantially consistent with the angle of the air cannon 102.

[0048] In some embodiments, the lifting rope 205 may be a wire rope wound on the drum of the crane (not shown in the figure), which is located below the gantry 204.

[0049] In some embodiments, the gantry 204 is equipped with a guide rail and a crane (not shown in the figure). The crane can move back and forth along the guide rail of the floating platform to facilitate adjustment of the angle of the recovery bin 202, and to receive and facilitate the removal of the launcher 3 from the recovery bin 202.

[0050] It should be noted that: recycling bin 202 can be placed in water or moved to a recycling floating platform (e.g., Figure 5 The dashed line indicates recycling bin 202.

[0051] In some embodiments, the floating launcher 1 further includes a drive device (not shown in the figure), which may be a paddle motor, to drive the floating launcher 1 to navigate on the water surface and to drag the floating recovery device 2 to move on the water surface, so as to meet the experimental requirements of the launched object 3 for water depth and trajectory distance upon entering the water.

[0052] The following describes a specific example of a floating launch and recovery system 1000 (see reference). Figures 1 to 6 The working process of ).

[0053] First, the target 3 with the internal measurement system is installed into the air cannon 102 tube, and the cannon tube 1022 and the rear plug head 1023 are installed. Then, the lifting drive mechanism 103 (hydraulic cylinder) is started to adjust the axis of the cannon tube 1022 to the predetermined incident angle.

[0054] Based on the requirements of the water entry velocity and mass of the launched object 3, the incident angle, etc., the type and size of the third energy-absorbing material 203 are selected and loaded into the recovery bucket 202. Using the aiming component 4, the lengths of the two steel wire ropes 205 are adjusted to make the axis of the recovery bucket 202 and the axis of the gun barrel 1022 coincide.

[0055] According to the predetermined launch pressure, the high-pressure chamber 10211 is filled with air using an air compressor to reach the specified pressure, and other auxiliary systems, such as high-speed photography, are arranged to complete the pre-launch preparations.

[0056] After the launch experiment was completed, the recovery bucket 202 was lifted out of the water using a crane, and the launched object 3 was taken out.

[0057] Expel the remaining high-pressure air from the air cannon 102, check whether the floating launcher 1 and the recovery tank 202 are damaged, restore the floating launcher 1 and the recovery tank 202 to their pre-experiment state, adjust the relative positions of the launch platform 101 and the recovery platform 201, and the experiment ends or the next experiment begins.

[0058] In this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0059] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A floating launch and recovery system for water, characterized by: A floating launcher, comprising a launch platform and an air cannon, wherein the launch platform floats on the water surface and the air cannon is mounted on the launch platform and is used to launch a target into the water. A floating recovery device for water, comprising a recovery platform and a recovery bucket, wherein the recovery platform floats on the water surface and the recovery bucket is connected to the recovery platform, and the recovery bucket is used to intercept and recover the projectile fired into the water by the air cannon; The firing angle of the air cannon is adjustable, and the angle of the recovery bucket is adjustable and corresponds to the water entry angle of the launched object; The aiming assembly includes a sight and a laser. The sight is mounted on the air cannon, and the laser is mounted on the recovery bin. The heights of the laser and the sight are adjusted so that the axis of the laser and the axis of the sight coincide, thereby ensuring that the axis of the recovery bin and the axis of the air cannon coincide, and the recovery bin is located below the water surface. The laser is located above the water surface; The floating recovery device also includes a gantry frame, which is installed on the recovery platform, and the recovery bucket is suspended on the gantry frame by two adjustable ropes. The hoisting rope is wound on the crane's drum, which is located below the gantry frame; The gantry frame includes guide rails and a crane, which can move back and forth along the guide rails of the floating platform.

2. The floating launch and recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air cannon includes a high-pressure air chamber, a cannon barrel, and a plug. The cannon barrel passes through the high-pressure air chamber, forming an air chamber between the high-pressure air chamber and the cannon barrel. The side wall of the cannon barrel has an air inlet at a location within the high-pressure air chamber. The cannon barrel is used to place the target being launched. The target being launched and the cannon barrel are respectively sealed and connected at the front and rear ends of the air inlet. The plug is used to plug the rear end of the cannon barrel, and the front end of the plug abuts against the rear end face of the target being launched. A thrust chamber is formed between the plug and the target being launched. An air intake channel is provided inside the plug. One end of the air intake channel is connected to the thrust chamber, and the other end of the air intake channel is connected to the excitation gas.

3. The floating launch and recovery system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The launched object includes a sabot and a launched body. The sabot is installed in the gun barrel and is located between the launched body and the inner wall of the gun barrel. The sabot and the inner wall of the gun barrel are sealed together at the front and rear ends of the air inlet. The front end of the plug head contacts the rear end face of the sabot, and the thrust chamber is formed between the plug head and the sabot.

4. The floating launch and recovery system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sabot axis coincides with the gun barrel axis, or the sabot axis is inclined relative to the gun barrel axis.

5. The floating launch and recovery system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plug head is made of energy-absorbing material.

6. The floating launch and recovery system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The recycling bin contains energy-absorbing material.

7. The floating launch and recovery system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The floating launcher also includes a drive unit for driving the floating launcher to navigate on the water surface and for dragging the floating recovery unit to move on the water surface.

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