Underwater vehicle and flexible platform connection structure and method of manufacture

Abstract

The application discloses an underwater vehicle, a flexible platform connecting structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The flexible platform connecting structure of the underwater vehicle comprises a rigid platform plate, an upper arc-shaped plate and a flexible supporting structure. The flexible supporting structure comprises a supporting plate and elastic plates. A slot is formed on the bottom end face of the rigid platform plate. The bottom end of the upper arc-shaped plate is fixedly connected with the top end face side of the rigid platform plate. The top end of the upper arc-shaped plate is fixedly connected with the shell plate of a pressure-resistant hull. The supporting plate is accommodated in the slot and is arranged with a gap from the bottom wall of the slot. The end of the supporting plate is fixedly connected with the shell plate of the pressure-resistant hull. The two side walls of the supporting plate are outwardly extended with a plurality of elastic plates. The end of the elastic plate is fixedly connected with the slot side wall of the rigid platform plate. The flexible platform connecting structure can adapt to the shrinkage deformation of the pressure-resistant hull structure and will not generate structural noise.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater vehicle structural design technology in the field of ship structural design, and particularly to an underwater vehicle and its flexible platform connection structure and manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] To meet the needs of equipment layout and personnel work and living, underwater vehicles are generally equipped with a platform structure, which has a large lateral span and high rigidity requirements.

[0003] However, the pressure hull structure of underwater vehicles will shrink and deform under the pressure of deep water, which will compress the platform structure inside the cabin. If the platform is rigidly connected to the pressure hull structure, it may be compressed and deformed, adversely affecting the platform's structural safety. Current platform structures use a relatively sliding connection type, where the platform connects to the pressure hull via a base, and the base and platform structure can slide relative to each other to accommodate the deformation of the pressure hull structure. This structural type can become restricted in sliding if the bolt preload is too high or if corrosion occurs. Restricted sliding can cause platform deformation, producing noise or even leading to platform damage, which is detrimental to the vehicle's stealth capabilities. Therefore, the current internal platform structure design of underwater vehicles has many drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide an underwater vehicle and its flexible platform connection structure, which is designed to adapt to the shrinkage and deformation of the pressure hull structure without generating structural noise.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle, comprising a rigid platform plate, an upper arc-shaped plate, and a flexible support structure, wherein...

[0006] The flexible support structure includes a support plate and an elastic plate. A slot is formed on the bottom surface of the rigid platform plate. The bottom end of the upper arc plate is fixedly connected to the side of the top surface of the rigid platform plate. The top end of the upper arc plate is fixedly connected to the shell plate of the pressure hull. The support plate is accommodated inside the slot and is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the slot. The end of the support plate is fixedly connected to the shell plate of the pressure hull. Multiple elastic plates extend outward from both sides of the support plate. The end of the elastic plates is fixedly connected to the slotted side wall of the rigid platform plate.

[0007] Preferably, the rigid platform plate includes a platform plate, a crossbeam located below the platform plate and welded thereto, an end longitudinal beam, and U-shaped reinforcing ribs. The grooves enclosing the U-shaped reinforcing ribs are slotted. The two ends of the crossbeam are connected to the middle of the two U-shaped reinforcing ribs, and the two ends of the end longitudinal beam are connected to the ends of the two U-shaped reinforcing ribs. The open side of the U-shaped reinforcing ribs is arranged facing the shell plate of the pressure hull.

[0008] Preferably, the support plate includes an upper and lower panel of the elbow plate arranged in parallel, and a web plate connecting the upper and lower panels of the elbow plate. Multiple elastic plates are fixed on both sides of the web plate. The web plate and the upper panel of the elbow plate are welded to the shell plate of the pressure hull. The upper panel of the elbow plate is arranged in parallel with the platform plate and there is a gap between them.

[0009] Preferably, the height of the elastic plate is less than the height of the elbow plate web.

[0010] Preferably, a gap is provided between the top surface of the elastic plate and the upper panel of the elbow plate, and a gap is provided between the bottom surface of the elastic plate and the lower panel of the elbow plate; the elastic plate and the web of the elbow plate are welded together.

[0011] Preferably, the elbow plate web is perpendicular to the elbow plate upper surface, the elbow plate web is perpendicular to the shell plate of the pressure hull, the elastic plate is an arc-shaped plate, and the arc-shaped plates on both sides of the elbow plate web are symmetrically arranged.

[0012] Preferably, the rib height of the pressure hull is H, and the gap width between the end face of the platform plate and the shell plate of the pressure hull is 0.8H~1.2H.

[0013] Preferably, the rib spacing of the pressure hull is L, the width of the gap between the end face of the elastic plate away from the shell plate and the slot is 0.1L~0.3L, and the upper arc plate arches upward.

[0014] The present invention also proposes an underwater vehicle comprising the aforementioned flexible platform connection structure.

[0015] The present invention further proposes a method for manufacturing an underwater vehicle based on the above, comprising the following steps:

[0016] The rigid platform slab, the upper arc slab, and the flexible support structure are prefabricated separately.

[0017] The prefabricated flexible support structure is welded and fixed to the shell plate of the pressure hull.

[0018] Hoist the rigid platform plate to the top of the flexible support structure, and weld the end of the elastic plate to the grooved side wall at the bottom of the rigid platform plate.

[0019] The end face of the upper arc plate is welded to the end face of the shell plate of the pressure hull and the end face of the rigid platform plate, thereby fixing the rigid platform plate.

[0020] The flexible platform connection structure proposed in this invention connects the rigid platform plate to the support plate via only a few elastic plates through a slot at the lower end. A certain gap exists between the lower surface of the platform plate and the upper surface of the elbow plate, eliminating metal-to-metal friction. Compared to rigidly connected rigid platform plates and relatively sliding rigid platform plates, this flexible platform connection structure can adapt to the shrinkage and deformation of the pressure hull, simplifies the structure, and avoids deformation noise from the rigid platform plate. It ensures the load-bearing capacity of the rigid platform plate while improving the stealth capability of the aircraft. Furthermore, this flexible platform connection structure is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, low in cost, and structurally stable and reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a front view of the flexible platform connection structure of the underwater vehicle of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the I-I direction shown;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along direction II-II;

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partially enlarged structural diagram;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along direction III-III.

[0026] In the diagram, 1-pressure hull structure; 2-rigid platform plate; 3-flexible support structure; 4-shell plate; 5-rib; 6-platform plate; 7-beam web; 8-beam panel; 9-U-shaped reinforcing rib; 10-end longitudinal beam; 11-upper arc plate; 12-elbow plate web; 13-elbow plate upper panel; 14-elbow plate lower panel; 15-elastic plate.

[0027] 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

[0028] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0029] 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.

[0030] This invention proposes a flexible platform connection structure for underwater vehicles.

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 5 In this preferred embodiment, a flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle includes a rigid platform plate 2, an upper arc-shaped plate 11, and a flexible support structure 3, wherein...

[0032] The flexible support structure 3 includes a support plate and an elastic plate 15. A slot is formed on the bottom surface of the rigid platform plate 2. The bottom end of the upper arc plate 11 is fixedly connected to the side of the top surface of the rigid platform plate 2. The top end of the upper arc plate 11 is fixedly connected to the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull. The support plate is accommodated inside the slot and is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the slot. The end of the support plate is fixedly connected to the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull. Multiple elastic plates 15 extend outward from both sides of the support plate. The end of the elastic plate 15 is fixedly connected to the slotted side wall of the rigid platform plate 2.

[0033] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 This embodiment presents a specific structure of a rigid platform plate 2: the rigid platform plate 2 includes a platform plate 6, a crossbeam located below and welded to the platform plate 6, end longitudinal beams 10, and U-shaped reinforcing ribs 9. The grooves enclosing the U-shaped reinforcing ribs 9 are slotted. The two ends of the crossbeam are connected to the middle of the two U-shaped reinforcing ribs 9, and the two ends of the end longitudinal beams 10 are connected to the ends of the two U-shaped reinforcing ribs 9. The open sides of the U-shaped reinforcing ribs 9 face the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull. The crossbeam and the end longitudinal beams 10 are arranged vertically. The crossbeam includes a crossbeam web 7 and a crossbeam face plate 8, and the crossbeam web 7 is welded to the platform plate 6.

[0034] The rigid platform has a partially recessed lower part (that is, a slotted structure is set), which allows the flexible support structure 3 to be embedded under the platform, and the platform surface is flat and continuous.

[0035] Reference Figures 3 to 5This embodiment proposes a specific structure for a support plate: the support plate includes an upper elbow plate 13 and a lower elbow plate 14 arranged in parallel, and an elbow plate web 12 connecting the upper elbow plate 13 and the lower elbow plate 14. Multiple elastic plates 15 are fixed on both sides of the elbow plate web 12. The elbow plate web 12 and the upper elbow plate 13 are both welded to the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull. The upper elbow plate 13 is arranged in parallel with the platform plate 6 and a gap is provided between them.

[0036] Furthermore, referring to Figure 5 The height of the elastic plate 15 is less than the height of the elbow plate web 12. A gap is provided between the top surface of the elastic plate 15 and the upper panel 13 of the elbow plate, and a gap is provided between the bottom surface of the elastic plate 15 and the lower panel 14 of the elbow plate; the elastic plate 15 and the elbow plate web 12 are welded together.

[0037] Because the height of the elastic plate 15 is less than that of the elbow plate web 12, and there are certain gaps between the upper and lower ends and the upper and lower panels of the elbow plate 13 and the lower panel of the elbow plate 14 respectively, the elastic plate 15 can be freely deformed laterally.

[0038] In this embodiment, the elbow plate web 12 is perpendicular to the elbow plate upper panel 13, and the elbow plate web 12 is perpendicular to the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull. The elastic plate 15 is an arc-shaped plate, and the arc-shaped plates on both sides of the elbow plate web 12 are symmetrically arranged. In this embodiment, the figure shows an example with four elastic plates 15 on both sides of the elbow plate web 12 for specific illustration.

[0039] Furthermore, referring to Figures 2 to 4 The rib height of the pressure hull is H, and the gap width between the end face of the platform plate and the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull is 0.8H~1.2H.

[0040] The rib spacing of the pressure hull is L. The width of the gap between the end face of the elastic plate 15 away from the shell plate 4 and the slot is 0.1L~0.3L. The upper arc plate 11 arches upward. The load-bearing capacity of this rigid platform plate 2 can be designed by adjusting the material properties, specifications and quantity of the elastic plate 15.

[0041] All components of this flexible platform connection structure are metal structures. The rigid platform plate 2 and the flexible support structure 3 are prefabricated separately. The elbow plate web 12 is welded to the upper and lower panels 13 and 14 of the elbow plate. Then, the elastic plate 15 is welded to the elbow plate web 12, and this part of the structure is welded to the pressure hull plate 4. After the rigid platform plate 2 is prefabricated as a whole, it is hoisted into the pressure hull. After proper assembly, the welding between the elastic plate 15 and the U-shaped reinforcing rib 9 is completed. Finally, the arc-shaped plate 11 is welded on.

[0042] When the pressure hull structure undergoes radial contraction deformation under deep-water pressure, the upper arc plate 11 and the elastic plate 15 deform accordingly, enabling the rigid platform plate 2 to adapt to the deformation of the pressure hull structure. This flexible support structure 3 has a large vertical stiffness to support the vertical load of the rigid platform plate 2, while its lateral stiffness is relatively weak, allowing it to adapt to the contraction deformation from the pressure hull structure.

[0043] The flexible platform connection structure proposed in this embodiment, because the slot at the lower end of the rigid platform plate 2 is connected to the support plate only through several elastic plates 15, and there is a certain gap between the lower surface of the platform plate and the upper surface 13 of the elbow plate, there is no metal friction between the two. Compared with the rigidly connected rigid platform plate 2 and the relatively sliding rigid platform plate 2, this flexible platform connection structure can adapt to the shrinkage deformation of the pressure hull on the one hand, and simplifies the structure on the other hand, without generating deformation noise of the rigid platform plate 2. It can both ensure the load-bearing capacity of the rigid platform plate 2 and improve the stealth of the vehicle. At the same time, this flexible platform connection structure also has the advantages of simple structure, easy manufacturing, low cost, and stable and reliable structure.

[0044] The present invention further proposes an underwater vehicle.

[0045] In this preferred embodiment, an underwater vehicle includes a flexible platform connection structure. The specific structure and beneficial effects of the flexible platform connection structure are the same as those described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] This invention proposes a method for manufacturing an underwater vehicle.

[0047] In this preferred embodiment, a method for manufacturing an underwater vehicle based on the above-described method is characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0048] Step S10: Prefabricate the rigid platform plate 2, the upper arc plate 11, and the flexible support structure 3 respectively;

[0049] Step S20: Weld and fix the prefabricated flexible support structure 3 to the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull;

[0050] Step S30: Hoist the rigid platform plate 2 above the flexible support structure 3, and weld the end of the elastic plate 15 to the side wall of the grooved bottom end of the rigid platform plate 2.

[0051] In step S40, the end face of the upper arc plate 11 is welded to the end face of the shell plate 4 of the pressure hull and the rigid platform plate 2 respectively, thereby fixing the rigid platform plate 2.

[0052] In step S10, when prefabricating the flexible support structure 3, after welding the elbow plate web 12 to the upper panel 13 and the lower panel 14 of the elbow plate, elastic plates 15 are welded to both sides of the elbow plate web 12.

[0053] The manufacturing method proposed in this invention is simple and easy to operate, has high construction efficiency, and produces a stable and reliable structure.

[0054] 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 flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle, characterized in that, It includes a rigid platform plate, an upper arc plate, and a flexible support structure, among which, The flexible support structure includes a support plate and elastic plates. A slot is formed on the bottom surface of the rigid platform plate. The bottom end of the upper arc-shaped plate is fixedly connected to the side edge of the top surface of the rigid platform plate. The top end of the upper arc-shaped plate is fixedly connected to the shell plate of the pressure hull. The support plate is accommodated inside the slot and has a gap with the bottom wall of the slot. The end of the support plate is fixedly connected to the shell plate of the pressure hull. Multiple elastic plates extend outward from both sides of the support plate, and the ends of the elastic plates are fixedly connected to the slotted sidewalls of the rigid platform plate. The rigid platform plate includes a platform flat plate, a crossbeam located below the platform flat plate and welded to it, and an end... The system includes longitudinal beams and U-shaped reinforcing ribs. The U-shaped reinforcing ribs form slots, and the two ends of the crossbeams connect to the middle of the two U-shaped reinforcing ribs. The two ends of the end longitudinal beams connect to the ends of the two U-shaped reinforcing ribs. The open sides of the U-shaped reinforcing ribs face the shell plates of the pressure hull. The support plate includes an upper and lower elbow plate arranged in parallel, and an elbow plate web connecting the upper and lower elbow plate. Multiple elastic plates are fixed on both sides of the elbow plate web. The elbow plate web and the upper elbow plate are welded to the shell plates of the pressure hull. The upper elbow plate upper plate is parallel to the platform plate, and there is a gap between them.

2. The flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the elastic plate is less than the height of the elbow plate web.

3. The flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A gap is provided between the top surface of the elastic plate and the upper panel of the elbow plate, and a gap is provided between the bottom surface of the elastic plate and the lower panel of the elbow plate; the elastic plate and the web of the elbow plate are welded together.

4. The flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elbow plate web is perpendicular to the elbow plate top plate, and the elbow plate web is perpendicular to the shell plate of the pressure hull. The elastic plate is an arc-shaped plate, and the arc-shaped plates on both sides of the elbow plate web are symmetrically arranged.

5. The flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rib height of the pressure hull is H, and the gap width between the end face of the platform plate and the shell plate of the pressure hull is 0.8H~1.2H.

6. The flexible platform connection structure for an underwater vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rib spacing of the pressure hull is L, the width of the gap between the end face of the elastic plate away from the shell plate and the slot is 0.1L~0.3L, and the upper arc plate arches upward.

7. An underwater vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the flexible platform connection structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method for manufacturing an underwater vehicle based on claim 7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The rigid platform slab, the upper arc slab, and the flexible support structure are prefabricated separately. The prefabricated flexible support structure is welded and fixed to the shell plate of the pressure hull. Hoist the rigid platform plate to the top of the flexible support structure, and weld the end of the elastic plate to the grooved side wall at the bottom of the rigid platform plate. The end face of the upper arc plate is welded to the end face of the shell plate of the pressure hull and the end face of the rigid platform plate, thereby fixing the rigid platform plate.

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