Underwater vehicle and composite material shell plate connecting structure thereof

Abstract

The application provides an underwater vehicle and a composite material shell plate connecting structure thereof. The composite material shell plate connecting structure of the underwater vehicle comprises a metal bushing, a bolt and a cover. A nut is welded on the end face of a steel structure away from the composite material shell plate. The metal bushing is pasted in the mounting hole of the composite material shell plate. The metal bushing is hollow. The bolt is arranged on the metal bushing and the end of the bolt is screwed out of the nut to tightly connect the steel structure and the composite material shell plate. The cover is arranged on the through hole end face of the metal bushing to seal the hole above the head of the bolt. The composite material shell plate connecting structure of the underwater vehicle can tightly connect the composite material shell and the steel structure, solves the problems of dismounting and hoisting of the composite material shell plate, eliminates the opening on the surface of the vehicle, reduces the sailing resistance and flow-induced noise, and improves the acoustic performance of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater vehicle structure technology, and in particular to an underwater vehicle and its composite material shell plate connection structure. Background Technology

[0002] Composite materials possess a range of excellent properties, including light weight, high specific strength / stiffness, low magnetism, corrosion resistance, high damping, and designable acoustic characteristics. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of the comprehensive performance requirements of aircraft, the application of composite materials has become increasingly widespread.

[0003] The application of composite materials in aircraft structures can effectively reduce structural weight and improve overall performance such as corrosion resistance and acoustics. In particular, designing composite materials into detachable structures facilitates rapid modular load changes, enhancing the aircraft's operational capabilities. Simultaneously, it facilitates equipment maintenance, improves supportability, and significantly improves manufacturing processes.

[0004] Due to the large size of the composite material shell plates in the aircraft, their design as a detachable structure could lead to abnormal noise if the connection points cannot be reliably connected. Furthermore, the disassembly, hoisting, and transportation of large composite material shell plates during the construction, repair, and refitting of the aircraft also present certain challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide an underwater vehicle and its composite material shell plate connection structure, which aims to facilitate reliable connection of the composite material shell while reducing the noise it may cause.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle, including a metal bushing, bolts, and a cover. The nut is welded to the end face of the steel structure facing away from the composite material shell plate. The metal bushing is pasted inside the mounting hole of the composite material shell plate. The metal bushing is hollow. The bolt passes through the metal bushing and its end is screwed out of the nut to fasten the steel structure and the composite material shell plate together. The cover is provided at the through hole end face of the metal bushing, and the cover closes the hole above the head of the bolt.

[0007] Preferably, the metal bushing has stepped holes inside to fit the stepped part of the cap; the lower end of the cap adopts an inverted trapezoidal structure to prevent loosening.

[0008] Preferably, the metal bushing includes a disc portion and a sleeve portion coaxially arranged therewith. The outer walls of the sleeve portion and the disc portion meet by a rounded corner. The outer diameter of the disc portion is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve portion. The top surface of the cap is flush with the top surface of the disc portion. The bottom end of the cap abuts against the inner step of the disc portion. The bottom end of the bolt head abuts against the inner step of the sleeve portion.

[0009] Preferably, the top face of the bolt head is located between the top face and the bottom face of the disc portion, and the bottom face of the bolt head is located between the top face and the bottom face of the sleeve portion.

[0010] Preferably, the height of the metal bushing should be 1mm to 2mm less than the thickness of the composite material shell plate, and a gap is provided between the bottom end face of the metal bushing facing the steel structure and the bottom end face of the composite material shell plate.

[0011] Preferably, the bolt head has an inner four-corner hole on its top surface.

[0012] Preferably, the composite material shell plate is further equipped with a lifting assembly, which includes an upper sleeve of the connector that passes through the composite material shell plate and a lower sleeve of the connector that passes through the upper sleeve of the connector. A lifting screw or lifting tool is installed in the through hole of the lower sleeve of the connector.

[0013] Preferably, the upper sleeve of the connector is bonded to the composite material shell plate, the upper sleeve and the lower sleeve of the connector are threaded together, and the lifting screw or hoisting tool is threaded together with the lower sleeve of the connector.

[0014] Preferably, the upper sleeve of the connector has a first disc extending outward from the end opposite to the steel structure, and the lower sleeve of the connector has a second disc extending outward from the end near the steel structure. Both the first disc and the second disc are embedded inside the composite material shell plate.

[0015] The present invention further proposes an underwater vehicle, including the above-mentioned composite material shell plate connection structure, and also including a composite material shell plate and a steel structure connected thereto.

[0016] The composite material shell plate connection structure for underwater vehicles proposed in this invention ensures a firm connection between the composite material shell and the steel structure. It also solves the problems of disassembling and hoisting the composite material shell plates. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for openings on the vehicle surface, thereby reducing drag and current-induced noise and improving the vehicle's acoustic performance. This composite material shell plate connection structure has been verified through finite element simulation and model testing. It increases the pressure-bearing area of ​​the shell plate in the locked state, ensuring that the composite material shell plate is not damaged during fastening and service, achieving a firm connection between the composite material shell plate and the steel structure, and effectively suppressing structural vibration. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composite material shell plate connection structure of the underwater vehicle of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the composite material shell plate connection structure of the underwater vehicle of the present invention; Figure 3This is a cross-sectional view of the lifting assembly in the composite material shell plate connection structure of the underwater vehicle of the present invention when the lifting screws are installed. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the lifting assembly in the composite material shell plate connection structure of the underwater vehicle of the present invention when the lifting tooling is installed. In the figure, 1-composite material shell plate connection structure; 2-lifting assembly; 3-metal bushing; 4-bolt; 5-nut; 6-cap; 7-upper sleeve of connector; 8-lower sleeve of connector; 9-lifting screw; 10-lifting tool; 11-composite material shell plate; 12-steel structure.

[0018] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0019] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0020] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, the terms "lateral," "longitudinal," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used solely for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this preferred embodiment, a composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle includes a metal bushing 3, a bolt 4, and a cover 6. A nut 5 is welded to the end face of the steel structure 12 facing away from the composite material shell plate 11. The metal bushing 3 is pasted into the mounting hole of the composite material shell plate 11. The metal bushing 3 is hollow (without internal threads). The bolt 4 passes through the metal bushing 3 and its end is screwed out of the nut 5 to fasten the steel structure 12 and the composite material shell plate 11. The cover 6 is provided at the through hole end face of the metal bushing 3, and the cover 6 closes the hole above the head of the bolt 4.

[0022] The composite shell plate can be made of conventional materials available in the prior art. Furthermore, the metal bushing 3 has stepped holes inside to fit the stepped portion of the cover 6; the lower end of the cover 6 adopts an inverted trapezoidal structure to prevent loosening. Correspondingly, the shape of the stepped holes matches the inverted trapezoid to install the cover 6. The cover 6 is secured to the stepped holes inside the metal bushing 3 by the inverted trapezoidal structure (that is, the two are connected by a snap-fit ​​to ensure the cover 6 is securely installed and does not loosen). The cover 6 effectively seals and eliminates the openings on the surface of the composite shell plate 11, thereby improving the vehicle's drag and enhancing its acoustic performance.

[0023] Specifically, this embodiment proposes a structure in which the metal bushing 3 includes a disc portion and a sleeve portion (similar to a mushroom head design) coaxially arranged therewith. The outer walls of the sleeve portion and the disc portion meet at a rounded corner. The outer diameter of the disc portion is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve portion. The top surface of the cover 6 is flush with the top surface of the disc portion, and the bottom end of the cover 6 abuts against the internal step of the disc portion. The bottom end of the bolt head abuts against the internal step of the sleeve portion. The junction between the boundary of the disc portion and the composite material shell plate 11 can adopt a rounded corner structure.

[0024] Specifically, in this embodiment, the top surface of the bolt 4 head is located between the top and bottom surfaces of the disc portion, and the bottom surface of the bolt 4 head is located between the top and bottom surfaces of the sleeve portion. This installation of the bolt 4 head, combined with the structure of the metal bushing 3, increases the pressure area of ​​the composite material shell plate 11 in the locked state, improving the locking effect. Furthermore, it allows the metal bushing 3 to withstand the rotational friction and compression during the locking of the specially designed bolt 4, preventing damage to the composite material and improving connection reliability. After the composite material shell plate 11 is installed, the openings on the outer surface of the shell plate are sealed and eliminated using the cap 6.

[0025] Furthermore, the height of the metal bushing 3 should be 1mm to 2mm less than the thickness of the composite material shell plate 11, and a gap should be provided between the bottom end face of the metal bushing 3 facing the steel structure 12 and the bottom end face of the composite material shell plate 11. The top end face of the metal bushing 3 is flush with the top end face of the composite material shell plate 11.

[0026] Furthermore, an internal square hole is provided on the top surface of the head of bolt 4. Compared with hexagonal socket bolts 4, the internal square hole can withstand a greater load when tightened, ensuring the connection strength and reliable fastening of composite material shell plate 11 and steel structure 12.

[0027] Due to its large size and weight, and the possibility of adhesion to the steel structure 12 during long-term service, the disassembly and hoisting of the composite shell plate 11 are difficult. (Refer to...) Figure 3 and Figure 4In this embodiment, a hoisting assembly 2 is provided. The hoisting assembly 2 includes an upper sleeve 7 of the connector that passes through the composite material shell plate 11 and a lower sleeve 8 of the connector that passes through the upper sleeve 7. A lifting screw 9 is installed in the through hole of the lower sleeve 8. A lifting screw 9 or a hoisting tool 10 is installed in the through hole of the lower sleeve 8.

[0028] The openings on the surface of the composite material shell plate 11 are sealed and eliminated by using the lifting screw 9, thereby improving the aircraft's drag and acoustic performance. The adhesion problem between the composite material shell plate 11 and the steel structure 12 is solved by using the lifting fixture 10, which allows for convenient disassembly and lifting of the composite material shell plate 11 from the outside.

[0029] In this embodiment, the upper sleeve 7 of the connector is bonded to the composite material shell plate 11, and the upper sleeve 7 and the lower sleeve 8 of the connector are threaded together. The lifting screw 9 or the hoisting fixture 10 is threadedly connected to the lower sleeve 8 of the connector. The internal thread of the upper sleeve 7 locks with the external thread of the lower sleeve 8 of the connector, effectively preventing the connector from loosening during service and hoisting. After the composite shell plate 11 is manufactured, holes are drilled at appropriate locations on the composite shell plate 11 according to the hoisting requirements. Then, the upper sleeve 7 and the lower sleeve 8 of the connector are installed. When drilling, appropriate drilling tools should be selected, and process parameters should be controlled to avoid damaging the composite material. After the composite shell plate 11 is installed, the openings on the shell plate surface can be sealed by screwing the lifting screw 9 into the internal thread of the lower sleeve 8 of the connector. When disassembly is required, the composite shell plate 11 can be separated from the steel structure 12 by rotating the lifting screw 9 to solve the adhesion problem between the composite shell plate 11 and the steel structure 12. The lifting screw 9 can be unscrewed and screwed into the hoisting fixture 10 to realize the hoisting and transportation of the composite shell plate 11.

[0030] Furthermore, a first disc extends from the end of the upper sleeve 7 of the connector away from the steel structure 12, and a second disc extends from the end of the lower sleeve 8 of the connector near the steel structure 12. Both the first and second discs are embedded inside the composite material shell plate 11. The end of the second disc is located on the outer side of the outer wall of the lower sleeve 8 of the connector. By setting the first and second discs, the structural strength of the connection between this lifting assembly 2 and the composite material shell plate 11 is ensured.

[0031] The metal bushing 3, bolt 4, nut 5, upper sleeve of connector 7, lower sleeve of connector 8, lifting screw 9 and other components are made of stainless steel, and the cover 6 is made of rubber material, thus solving the corrosion problem.

[0032] The installation process of this composite material shell plate connection structure is as follows: 1. A steel structure 12 will be installed at the corresponding position of the underwater vehicle, and nuts 5 have been welded onto the steel structure 12; 2. Make holes in the composite material shell plate 11, and glue metal bushings 3 or upper sleeves 7 of connectors to the corresponding mounting holes. Then, screw lower sleeves 8 of connectors into the corresponding upper sleeves 7 of connectors, and install lifting screws 9 and lifting fixtures 10 on lower sleeves 8 of connectors. 3. The composite material shell plate 11 is hoisted onto the steel structure 12 using the hoisting tool 10. The composite material shell plate 11 and the steel structure 12 are fastened together by fasteners passing through the metal bushing 3 and nut 5. Then, the cover 6 is installed above the bolt 4. 4. Remove the hoisting fixture 10 and screw the lifting screw 9 into the internal thread hole of the lower sleeve 88 of the connector to seal its inner hole.

[0033] The disassembly process of this composite material shell plate connection structure is as follows: 1. Remove the cover 6 and unscrew the bolt 4; 2. Unscrew the lifting screw 9 to separate the composite material shell 11 from the steel structure 12; 3. The composite material shell is lifted and dismantled by screwing the lifting fixture 10 into the threaded hole of the lower sleeve 8 of the connector.

[0034] The composite material shell plate connection structure for underwater vehicles proposed in this invention ensures a firm connection between the composite material shell and the steel structure 12, while also solving the problems of disassembling and hoisting the composite material shell plate 11. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for openings on the vehicle surface, thereby reducing drag and current-induced noise and improving the vehicle's acoustic performance. This composite material shell plate connection structure has been verified through finite element simulation and model testing. It increases the pressure-bearing area of ​​the shell plate in the locked state, ensuring that the composite material shell plate 11 is not damaged during fastening and service, achieving a firm connection between the composite material shell plate 11 and the steel structure 12, and effectively suppressing structural vibration.

[0035] The present invention further proposes an underwater vehicle.

[0036] In this preferred embodiment, an underwater vehicle includes the aforementioned composite material shell plate connection structure, and further includes a composite material shell plate 11 and a steel structure 12 connected thereto. The specific structure and beneficial effects of the composite material shell plate connection structure are as described in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0037] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the description and drawings of the present invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle, characterized in that, The device includes a metal bushing, bolts, and a cap. A nut is welded to the end face of the steel structure facing away from the composite material shell. The metal bushing is adhered to the mounting hole inside the composite material shell. The metal bushing is hollow. The bolt passes through the metal bushing, with its end screwed out of the nut to securely connect the steel structure and the composite material shell. A cap is placed over the through-hole end face of the metal bushing, sealing the hole above the bolt head. The metal bushing has a stepped hole inside to fit the stepped portion of the cap. The lower end of the cap has an inverted trapezoidal structure to prevent loosening. The metal bushing includes a disc portion and a sleeve portion coaxially arranged therewith. The outer walls of the sleeve portion and the disc portion meet at a rounded corner. The outer diameter of the disc portion is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve portion. The top surface of the cap is flush with the top surface of the disc portion. The bottom end of the cap abuts against the stepped portion inside the disc portion. The bottom end of the bolt head abuts against the stepped portion inside the sleeve portion.

2. The composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top face of the bolt head is located between the top face and the bottom face of the disc portion, and the bottom face of the bolt head is located between the top face and the bottom face of the sleeve portion.

3. The composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the metal bushing should be 1mm to 2mm less than the thickness of the composite material shell plate, and a gap should be provided between the bottom end face of the metal bushing facing the steel structure and the bottom end face of the composite material shell plate.

4. The composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bolt head has an inner four-corner hole on its top surface.

5. The composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The composite material shell plate is also equipped with a lifting assembly, which includes an upper sleeve of the connector that passes through the composite material shell plate and a lower sleeve of the connector that passes through the interior of the upper sleeve of the connector. A lifting screw or lifting tool is installed in the through hole of the lower sleeve of the connector.

6. The composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The upper sleeve of the connector is bonded to the composite material shell plate, and the upper sleeve and the lower sleeve of the connector are threaded together. The lifting screw or hoisting tool is threaded together with the lower sleeve of the connector.

7. The composite material shell plate connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The upper sleeve of the connector has a first disc extending outward from the end opposite to the steel structure, and the lower sleeve of the connector has a second disc extending outward from the end near the steel structure. Both the first and second discs are embedded inside the composite material shell plate.

8. An underwater vehicle, characterized in that, It includes the composite material shell plate connection structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and further includes the composite material shell plate and steel structure connected thereto.

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