Structural member for laying and recovering towed sonar

Abstract

The invention discloses a structural member for laying and recovering a towed sonar, and relates to the technical field of marine sonar arrangement. Comprising a supporting frame and a position correcting device. The supporting frame is used for being arranged on a deck. The position correcting device comprises two limiting frames capable of being connected to the supporting frame, the two limiting frames are oppositely arranged, a guide groove is formed between the two limiting frames, and the horizontal cross section of the guide groove is gradually reduced from bottom to top. A dragging cable extends into the upper side of the guide groove, one end of the dragging cable is used for being connected with receiving and releasing equipment, and the other end of the dragging cable can extend into the guide groove from the upper side of the guide groove and is connected with sonar. According to the structural member for laying and recycling of the towed sonar, laying and recycling of the towed sonar can be achieved through a simple mechanism, the failure rate is reduced, the space utilization rate is increased, the cost is reduced, and the weight is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of marine sonar arrangement, and particularly to a structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the technology of unmanned surface vessels, currently, more and more countries have begun to deploy small towed sonars on unmanned surface vessels as the main equipment for underwater target detection. The remote automatic deployment and recovery of towed sonars are key links in realizing underwater target detection. However, at present, for the devices for towing sonar deployment and recovery to achieve remote automation, the device mechanisms mostly adopt methods such as slideway type, "combination pulley block + robotic arm", etc. Especially to ensure the correct position during the sonar recovery process, the prior art mostly uses complex mechanisms to ensure the sonar is in the correct direction. Such mechanisms are relatively complex, have a high failure rate, occupy a large amount of space, are costly, have a large weight, are not conducive to the installation of multiple payload modules on unmanned surface vessels, and greatly limit the application scenarios of unmanned surface vessels. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery, so as to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art. The towing sonar deployment and recovery device can be realized through a simple mechanism, reducing the failure rate, improving the space utilization rate, reducing the cost, and reducing the weight.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0005] The present invention provides a structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery, including a support frame and a positioning device; the support frame is used to be arranged on the deck; the positioning device includes two limiting frames that can be connected to the support frame. The two limiting frames are arranged oppositely and have a guiding groove therebetween. The horizontal cross-section of the guiding groove gradually decreases from bottom to top; the upper side of the guiding groove is used for a towing cable to extend into. One end of the towing cable is used to connect to a winch device, and the other end can extend into the guiding groove from the upper side of the guiding groove and be connected to the sonar.

[0006] Preferably, the two limiting frames are inclined in opposite directions to be able to enclose the guiding groove; the lower edges of each limiting frame are inclined, and the inclination directions of the lower edges of the two limiting frames are opposite. The high end and the low end of the lower edge of one limiting frame are close to the low end and the high end of the lower edge of the other limiting frame respectively.

[0007] Preferably, the lower edges of each limiting frame are all set as arc surfaces.

[0008] Preferably, the positioning device further includes a connecting frame, both of the limiting frames are fixedly connected to the connecting frame, and the connecting frame can be rotatably connected to the support frame; the positioning device can rotate relative to the support frame through the connecting frame under the action of gravity to maintain a vertical state.

[0009] Preferably, a fixed pulley is rotatably arranged on the support frame, and the towing cable can be pressed on the fixed pulley.

[0010] Preferably, the fixed pulley is arranged above the guiding groove, and the towing cable can extend into the guiding groove from the middle of the upper side of the guiding groove; the towing cable is used for connecting to the balance position of the sonar so that the sonar can maintain a horizontal state.

[0011] Preferably, it further includes a driving assembly, and the driving assembly is used to be arranged on the deck; the support frame is used to be rotatably connected to the deck; the connecting frame is rotatably connected to the upper side of the support frame; the driving assembly is connected to the support frame, and the driving assembly can drive the support frame to rotate vertically relative to the deck so that the positioning device can be switched between being above the deck and being above the water surface.

[0012] Preferably, the driving assembly is arranged as a telescopic member; the driving end of the telescopic member is rotatably connected to the support frame, and the other end of the telescopic member can rotate relative to the deck; the telescopic member can adjust its own length to drive the support frame to rotate vertically relative to the deck.

[0013] Preferably, the support frame is arranged as a gantry frame, and the positioning device is arranged in the middle of the gantry frame.

[0014] Preferably, it further includes a sonar support, and the sonar support is used to be placed on the deck, and when the positioning device is above the deck, the sonar support is placed below the positioning device, and the sonar support is used to horizontally support the sonar.

[0015] The present invention has achieved the following technical effects compared with the prior art:

[0016] The structural member for deploying and retrieving a towed sonar provided by the present invention is integrally supported on the deck by a support frame. There is a guiding groove between the limiting frames of the alignment device, and the horizontal cross-section of the guiding groove gradually decreases from bottom to top. Since the towed cable extends into the guiding groove from the upper side and is connected to the sonar, during the retrieval process, under the action of an external retracting and deploying device, the towed cable can tow the sonar to the guiding groove, and the guiding groove can guide the sonar, enabling the sonar to meet the specified azimuth requirements. Thus, the structural member for deploying and retrieving a towed sonar provided by the present invention can realize the alignment device for deploying and retrieving a towed sonar through a simple mechanism, reducing the failure rate, improving the space utilization rate, reducing the cost, and reducing the weight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 Isometric schematic diagram of the structural member for deploying and retrieving a towed sonar provided by an embodiment of the present invention in the retrieval state;

[0019] Figure 2 Is Figure 1 Front view schematic diagram of the structural member for deploying and retrieving a towed sonar provided;

[0020] Figure 3 Is Figure 1 Side view schematic diagram of the structural member for deploying and retrieving a towed sonar provided;

[0021] Figure 4 Isometric schematic diagram of the structural member for deploying and retrieving a towed sonar provided by an embodiment of the present invention in the deployment state;

[0022] Figure 5 Side view schematic diagram of the support frame provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 Isometric schematic diagram of the alignment device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 Is Figure 6 Front view schematic diagram of the alignment device provided;

[0025] Figure 8 Is Figure 6 Side view schematic diagram of the alignment device provided.

[0026] In the figure: 1 - support frame; 11 - ear plate; 12 - limit rod; 2 - alignment device; 21 - limit frame; 22 - guide groove; 23 - connecting frame; 231 - connecting rod; 232 - connecting plate; 3 - sonar; 4 - fixed pulley; 5 - drive assembly; 51 - telescopic member; 52 - oil cup; 6 - sonar support; 61 - partial support. Detailed implementation manner

[0027] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0028] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art. The towing sonar deployment and recovery device can be realized through a simple mechanism, which reduces the failure rate, improves the space utilization rate, reduces the cost, and reduces the weight.

[0029] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners.

[0030] This embodiment provides a structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery. Please refer to Figures 1-3 , including a support frame 1 and an alignment device 2; the support frame 1 is used to be arranged on the deck; the alignment device 2 includes two limit frames 21 that can be connected to the support frame 1. The two limit frames 21 are arranged oppositely and there is a guide groove 22 between them. The horizontal cross-section of the guide groove 22 gradually decreases from bottom to top; the upper side of the guide groove 22 is used for a towing cable to extend in. One end of the towing cable is used to connect to the retracting device, and the other end can extend into the guide groove 22 from the upper side of the guide groove 22 and be connected to the sonar 3.

[0031] The overall structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery is supported on the deck through the support frame 1. There is a guide groove 22 between the limit frames 21 of the alignment device 2, and the horizontal cross-section of the guide groove 22 gradually decreases from bottom to top. Since the towing cable extends in from the upper side of the guide groove 22 and is connected to the sonar 3, during the recovery process, under the action of an external retracting device such as a conventional winch device, the towing cable can tow the sonar 3 to the guide groove 22, and the guide groove 22 can play a guiding role for the sonar 3, so that the sonar 3 can meet the specified azimuth requirements; thus, the structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery provided by the present invention can realize the towing sonar deployment and recovery alignment device through a simple mechanism, which reduces the failure rate, improves the space utilization rate, reduces the cost, and reduces the weight.

[0032] Among the optional solutions of this embodiment, it is more preferred to refer to Figures 6-8 The two limit frames 21 are tilted in opposite directions to form a guide groove 22; the lower edges of each limit frame 21 are tilted, and the tilt directions of the lower edges of the two limit frames 21 are opposite, and the high end and low end of the lower edge of one limit frame 21 are respectively close to the low end and high end of the lower edge of the other limit frame 21.

[0033] Among them, by setting the lower edges of the two limit frames 21 to opposite inclined states, even under the pulling of a single towing cable, the sonar 3 is not directly opposite the opening of the guide groove 22. When the sonar 3 is against the lower edges of the two limit frames 21, the opposite inclined states combined with the pulling of the towing cable can make the sonar 3 rotate back to the center along the inclined lower edges, so that it can enter the guide groove 22 and be further guided to the correct position to meet the required position requirements.

[0034] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the lower side edge of each limit frame 21 is set to a curved surface to reduce the resistance of the sonar 3 during the process of rotating back to the center along the inclined lower edge, and the curved surface can reduce damage to the outer wall of the sonar 3.

[0035] Specifically, each limit frame 21 can be hollowed out to reduce its own weight, and a reinforcing plate can be welded in the middle of the limit frame 21 to ensure strength; and the lower side of the limit frame 21 can be set to a hollow circular tube shape to reduce its own weight and meet the requirements of the arc surface setting.

[0036] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the positioning device 2 also includes a connecting frame 23, the two limiting frames 21 are fixedly connected to the connecting frame 23, and the connecting frame 23 can be rotatably connected to the support frame 1; the positioning device 2 can rotate relative to the support frame 1 through the connecting frame 23 under the action of gravity to maintain a vertical state.

[0037] Among them, by rotatably connecting the connecting frame 23 with the support frame 1, the entire positioning device 2 can be maintained in a vertical state, so that the sonar 3 can always maintain the positive requirement during the recovery and deployment process; specifically, the connecting frame 23 is configured to include a connecting rod 231 and a connecting plate 232, and the two sides of the lower end of the connecting rod 231 are fixedly connected to the top of the two limit frames 21, such as welding or bolting, and the two sides of the upper end of the connecting rod 231 are fixedly connected, such as bolting, with two connecting plates 232, and the two connecting plates 232 are rotatably connected to the support frame 1; a guide hole for the towing cable to pass through can be set in the middle of the lower end of the connecting rod 231 to prevent the towing cable from escaping from the guide groove 22, resulting in the inability to drag the sonar 3 into the guide groove 22.

[0038] In an optional solution of this embodiment, more preferably, a fixed pulley 4 is rotatably provided on the support frame 1 , and the towing cable can be pressed onto the fixed pulley 4 .

[0039] Among them, by setting the fixed pulley 4, the dragging friction of the dragging cable can be reduced, playing a role in saving effort. Specifically, two opposite ear plates 11 can be fixedly arranged at the upper end of the support frame 1 by means of bolts or welding. A fixed shaft is arranged between the two ear plates 11. The fixed pulley 4 is arranged between the two ear plates 11 and is rotatably sleeved outside the fixed shaft through a bearing. Moreover, both ends of the fixed shaft can penetrate through the two ear plates 11, and both ends can respectively form a rotatable matching manner with the two connecting plates 232 through bearings. In this way, by means of the setting method of sharing a fixed shaft, the mechanism can be further simplified and the self-weight can be reduced.

[0040] Further preferably, a limiting rod 12 is arranged at the upper end of the support frame 1. There are two limiting rods 12, which are arranged on both sides of the ear plate 11. Both ends of the limiting rod 12 are fixedly connected to the support frame 1 and an ear plate 11 respectively by means of welding or bolts. Correspondingly, each connecting plate 232 is arranged as a C-shaped plate, and the opening faces the limiting rod 12. The limiting rod 12 can resist and limit the connecting plate 232 to prevent the positioning device 2 from swinging excessively.

[0041] In an alternative solution of this embodiment, more preferably, the fixed pulley 4 is arranged above the guide groove 22, and the dragging cable can extend into the guide groove 22 from the middle of the upper side of the guide groove 22. The dragging cable is used to be connected to the balance position of the sonar 3 so that the sonar 3 can maintain a horizontal state.

[0042] Among them, the fixed pulley 4 is arranged above the guide groove 22, which is convenient for the routing of the dragging cable and reduces the bending routing. The dragging cable is used to be connected to the balance position of the sonar 3, that is, the upper end of the cross-section where the center of gravity is located, so that the sonar 3 can maintain a horizontal state as much as possible under the dragging of the dragging cable, and avoid the sonar 3 from tilting during the lowering and recovery processes.

[0043] In an alternative solution of this embodiment, more preferably, the structural member for dragging the sonar for deployment and recovery provided in this embodiment further includes a driving assembly 5, and the driving assembly 5 is used to be arranged on the deck; the support frame 1 is used to be rotatably connected to the deck; the connecting frame 23 is rotatably connected to the upper side of the support frame 1.

[0044] Among them, the lower end of the support frame 1 is rotatably connected to the fixed seat through a pin shaft, and the fixed seat is fixedly connected to the deck by means of welding or bolts. The connecting frame 23 is rotatably connected to the upper side of the support frame 1, so that the positioning device 2 can adjust its position with the vertical swing of the support frame 1 to be able to switch between being above the deck and being above the water surface; the driving assembly 5 is connected to the support frame 1, and the driving assembly 5 can drive the support frame 1 to rotate vertically relative to the deck, so that the positioning device 2 can switch between being above the deck and being above the water surface; when the support frame 1 is in a vertical state, the positioning device 2 is above the deck, as Figure 1As shown, when the driving assembly 5 drives the support frame 1 to rotate, the position of the alignment device 2 is lowered and above the water surface, as Figure 4 shown. In this state, the sonar 3 can be deployed in the water or retrieved from the water. After the retrieval is completed, the driving assembly 5 drives the support frame 1 to rotate so that the support frame 1 is in a vertical state.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the driving assembly 5 is arranged as a telescopic member 51; the driving end of the telescopic member 51 is rotatably connected to the support frame 1, and the other end of the telescopic member 51 can rotate relative to the deck; the telescopic member 51 can adjust its own length to drive the support frame 1 to rotate vertically relative to the deck.

[0046] Among them, the telescopic member 51 is arranged as a hydraulic telescopic rod. The free end of the telescopic member 51 is rotatably connected to the support frame 1 through a pin shaft, and its fixed end is rotatably connected to an oil cup 52 through a pin shaft. The oil cup 12 is fixedly arranged on the deck. The oil cup 12 is communicated with the telescopic member 51 and provides hydraulic oil to meet the telescopic requirements.

[0047] In addition, it should be noted that the driving assembly 5 is not limited to the above-mentioned telescopic member 51, and can also be arranged as other structures, such as a flipping driving member (such as a flipping motor) arranged at the bottom end of the support frame 1, which drives the support frame 1 to flip through its own rotation; the driving assembly 5 can also be arranged as other structures capable of driving the support frame 1 to flip.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, preferably, please refer to Figure 5 , the support frame 1 is arranged as a gantry, and the alignment device 2 is arranged in the middle of the gantry.

[0049] Among them, arranging the alignment device 2 in the middle of the gantry can improve the overall balance; further, the gantry has two support rods. Correspondingly, each support rod is connected with a driving assembly 5, and the two driving assemblies 5 act synchronously to realize the stable flipping of the whole gantry.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the structural member for towing sonar deployment and retrieval provided in this embodiment further includes a sonar support 6. The sonar support 6 is used to be placed on the deck, and when the alignment device 2 is above the deck, the sonar support 6 is placed below the alignment device 2. The sonar support 6 is used to horizontally support the sonar 3.

[0051] Among them, the sonar support 6 may include a plurality of local supports 61 arranged side by side along the axial direction of the sonar 3. The upper side of each local support 61 has a support groove that gradually expands from bottom to top, which can play a role in guiding and stable support. Specifically, each local support 61 includes two half-supports. The half-supports are fixedly connected to the deck by welding or bolts. The upper side of the half-supports has an inclined surface, and the two inclined surfaces on the upper sides of two adjacent half-supports enclose the support groove.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment of the present embodiment, preferably, the above-mentioned device for winding and unwinding the towing cable and the driving assembly 5 can be communicatively connected to a remote control mechanism to realize remote control of the deployment and recovery of the towed sonar.

[0053] The working method of the structural member for deploying and recovering the towed sonar provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0054] The structural member for deploying and recovering the towed sonar is integrally arranged on the deck. When sonar deployment is required, the driving assembly 5 drives the support frame 1 to rotate vertically, so that the positioning device 2 is above the water surface. Then, the winding and unwinding device releases the towing cable, and the sonar 3 is deployed into the water under the action of gravity. When recovery is required, the positioning device 2 is above the water surface, the winding and unwinding device tightens the towing cable, so that the sonar 3 is recovered from the water, and under the action of the positioning device 2, the sonar 3 is adjusted to the required direction. Then, the driving assembly 5 drives the support frame 1 to rotate vertically, so that the positioning device 2 is above the deck, the winding and unwinding device releases the towing cable, and the sonar 3 is placed on the sonar support 6 under the action of gravity for stable support.

[0055] In the present invention, specific examples are used to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present invention. At the same time, for those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation manner and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A structural member for the deployment and recovery of a towed sonar, characterized in that: Comprising: A support frame (1) for being arranged on the deck; An alignment device (2) including two limit frames (21) capable of being connected to the support frame (1). The two limit frames (21) are oppositely arranged and have a guide groove (22) therebetween. The horizontal cross-section of the guide groove (22) gradually decreases from bottom to top. The upper side of the guide groove (22) is for a towing cable to extend into. One end of the towing cable is for connecting to a winch device, and the other end can extend into the guide groove (22) from the upper side of the guide groove (22) and be connected to a sonar (3).

2. The structural member for deploying and recovering a towed sonar according to claim 1, wherein: The two limit frames (21) are inclined in opposite directions so as to be able to enclose the guide groove (22). The lower side edges of each limit frame (21) are inclined, and the inclination directions of the lower side edges of the two limit frames (21) are opposite. The high end and the low end of the lower side edge of one limit frame (21) are close to the low end and the high end of the lower side edge of the other limit frame (21) respectively.

3. The structural member for the deployment and recovery of a towed sonar according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower side edges of each limit frame (21) are all arranged as arc surfaces.

4. The structural member for deploying and recovering a towed sonar according to claim 1, wherein: The alignment device (2) further includes a connecting frame (23). The two limit frames (21) are both fixedly connected to the connecting frame (23), and the connecting frame (23) can be rotatably connected to the support frame (1). The alignment device (2) can rotate relative to the support frame (1) through the connecting frame (23) under the action of gravity to maintain a vertical state.

5. The structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery according to claim 4, characterized in that: A fixed pulley (4) is rotatably arranged on the support frame (1), and the towing cable can be pressed on the fixed pulley (4).

6. The structural member for the deployment and recovery of a towed sonar according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fixed pulley (4) is arranged above the guide groove (22), and the towing cable can extend into the guide groove (22) from the middle of the upper side of the guide groove (22). The towing cable is for connecting to the balance position of the sonar (3) so that the sonar (3) can maintain a horizontal state.

7. The structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery according to claim 4, characterized in that: It further includes a driving assembly (5) for being arranged on the deck. The support frame (1) is for being rotatably connected to the deck. The connecting frame (23) is rotatably connected to the upper side of the support frame (1). The driving assembly (5) is connected to the support frame (1), and the driving assembly (5) can drive the support frame (1) to rotate vertically relative to the deck so that the alignment device (2) can be switched between being above the deck and being above the water surface.

8. The structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery according to claim 7, characterized in that: The driving assembly (5) is arranged as a telescopic member (51). The driving end of the telescopic member (51) is rotatably connected to the support frame (1), and the other end of the telescopic member (51) can rotate relative to the deck. The telescopic member (51) can adjust its own length to drive the support frame (1) to rotate vertically relative to the deck.

9. The structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame (1) is arranged as a gantry, and the alignment device (2) is arranged in the middle of the gantry.

10. The structural member for towing sonar deployment and recovery according to claim 7, wherein: It further includes a sonar support (6) for being placed on the deck, and when the alignment device (2) is above the deck, the sonar support (6) is placed below the alignment device (2). The sonar support (6) is for horizontally supporting the sonar (3).

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