Mooring type concealed communication buoy

Abstract

The invention belongs to the related technical field of underwater communication equipment, and discloses a mooring type covert communication buoy which comprises a buoy body and a matched optical cable hinge connection assembly, the buoy body is composed of an antenna housing, an instrument bin and a tail assembly, various antennas are installed in the antenna housing, and a plurality of stabilizing wings are arranged outside the antenna housing; an inner groove is designed at the connecting part of the instrument bin and the antenna housing, and meanwhile, a bottom cover plate is designed into a circular truncated cone shape; the whole tail assembly is of a conical frame structure, and a wiring guide pipe is installed on a center shaft in the tail assembly and used for guiding arrangement of optical cables. The optical cable hinge connection assembly comprises a hollow universal coupling and a tension tilt angle sensor. According to the invention, the obtained buoy can quickly enter water and is not dragged on the water surface in the recovery process, and does not generate any wake flow on the water surface, so that the probability that the wake flow generated by dragging the buoy on the water surface is found is reduced, and meanwhile, the optical cable can be ensured to be sufficiently protected in the water surface mooring and recovery process.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of underwater communication equipment, and more particularly relates to a tethered concealed communication buoy. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order not to be discovered and frequently exposed to the target by floating out of the water, the underwater platform is usually in a deep safety depth. Since the high frequency electromagnetic wave attenuates quickly underwater and has limited ability to penetrate seawater, the underwater platform cannot communicate with the outside world and accurately position under this deep depth condition. As a carrier platform for carrying communication, positioning module and antenna and other equipment, the buoy releases the tethered buoy from the underwater platform, and relies on the buoy's own buoyancy to float to the water surface to perform communication and positioning tasks. After the task is completed, the buoy body is recycled into the underwater platform through the control winch.

[0003] At present, there are two types of buoy bodies: one is a towed buoy body. This type of buoy body is towed by the underwater platform on the water surface, and the optical cable length is short, which can be towed on the water surface for a long time, and can be maneuvered with the underwater platform. The other is a tethered buoy body. This type of buoy body floats on the water surface when performing tasks, and releases the optical cable from the platform underwater, so that the buoy body floats on the water surface and does not travel with the platform on the water surface. To meet the task requirements and ensure the communication time, the optical cable length of this type of buoy is usually long.

[0004] However, further research shows that the above prior art still has the following defects or deficiencies: first, the existing various types of tethered buoy bodies have slow water entry action during the recycling process, which can easily produce a tail wake on the water surface, thereby increasing the probability of being exposed and discovered; second, the long optical cable of the current tethered buoy body may be damaged during the tethering and recycling process on the water surface, and the prior art lacks the necessary protection function. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of one or more of the above defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the present application provides a tethered concealed communication buoy, wherein the overall structure is redesigned, especially the specific structure and arrangement of some key components such as the instrument bin, the tail assembly and the optical cable hinge connection assembly, etc. The buoy can quickly enter the water without being towed on the water surface during the recycling process, and does not produce any tail wake on the water surface, thereby reducing the probability of being discovered due to the tail wake produced by the buoy towed on the water surface. At the same time, it can also ensure that the optical cable is adequately protected during the tethering and recycling process on the water surface, and is particularly suitable for performing concealed communication, positioning and other tasks in various complex application environments.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present application, a tethered concealed communication buoy is provided, characterized in that the tethered concealed communication buoy comprises a buoy body composed of a radome, an instrument bin, a tail assembly and a matched optical cable hinged connection assembly, wherein: The main body end of the radome is hemispherical, the rest of the main body is cylindrical, and is used for internally mounting various antennas; the radome is integrally formed with multiple stabilizing wings on the outside. The instrument bin is in a cylindrical structure with an upper inclination angle greater than a lower inclination angle, and is designed with an inner groove at the connection part with the radome, and the shell of the inner groove is made into a grid; various working devices are mounted in the instrument bin, and the bottom cover plate is designed as a circular truncated cone, and a self-sinking device is mounted on the bottom cover plate. The tail assembly is in a conical frame structure, and comprises multiple longitudinal bones extending longitudinally along the outside of the conical surface, multiple ring ribs respectively surrounding and supporting the longitudinal bones, and a conical top connecting disc arranged at the end of the conical frame structure; in addition, a wire routing conduit is mounted on the inner central shaft of the tail assembly for guiding the arrangement of the optical cable, and a ballast block is mounted on the conical top connecting disc for adjusting the center of gravity of the buoy body. The optical cable hinged connection assembly comprises a hollow universal joint, wherein the optical cable passes through the middle of the universal joint, enters the instrument bin via the tail assembly, and the optical cable outside the buoy body can swing ±90° in the X and Y axes, and the optical cable inside the buoy body is in a relaxed state without tension; in addition, a tension angle sensor is integrated between the universal joint and the optical cable, for real-time detection of the tension at the buoy drag point and the inclination angle of the optical cable.

[0007] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, for the radome, an S satellite antenna and a Beidou antenna are mounted in the inside of the hemispherical main body end, and a UHF satellite antenna is mounted in the interlayer of the hemispherical main body end; a radar warning antenna and other antenna electronic modules are mounted in the inner wall of the cylindrical main body part.

[0008] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the radome and the stabilizing wings are preferably made of epoxy glass fiber composite material.

[0009] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, for the stabilizing wings, the number is designed as 3, one of which is located in the middle of the bottom of the radome, and the other two are symmetrically arranged on the left and right of the middle stabilizing wing, and the inclination angles of the left and right stabilizing wings are set to 150°-160°.

[0010] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, for the instrument bin, a temperature, depth and salinity sensor is also integrated on the bottom cover plate thereof, and is protected by a sensor outer cover; in addition, all external cables enter the interior of the instrument bin from the bottom cover plate.

[0011] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the shell of the instrument bin is made of T800 carbon fiber, and is internally provided with a power supply, a radar warning processor, communication and positioning electronic equipment and a water entry detection sensor.

[0012] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the tail assembly is made of TC4 titanium alloy, and can be equipped with a lifting plate according to requirements.

[0013] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the optical cable hinged connection assembly is made of TC4 titanium alloy.

[0014] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the related parameters of the above-mentioned mooring type covert communication buoy are designed as follows: the maximum diameter is 300 mm, the length is more than 2000 mm, the weight is less than 50 kg, and the underwater net buoyancy is more than 56 kg.

[0015] As a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned mooring type covert communication buoy can realize the following three working modes by adjusting the recovery speed: Slow recovery mode: the buoy body and the optical cable are recovered on the water surface, and this mode is used to increase the communication and positioning time; Fast recovery mode: the buoy body immediately enters the water, and the buoy body and the optical cable are recovered underwater, and this mode is used to provide higher concealment; Towed mode: the buoy body is towed with the underwater platform, and this mode can theoretically satisfy infinite communication and positioning time.

[0016] Overall, compared with the prior art, the above technical solutions conceived by the present application mainly have the following technical advantages: (1) The present application re-designs the overall structure of the mooring type covert communication buoy, especially improves the instrument bin which constitutes one of the main body assemblies from aspects of the specific structural composition and the setting mode thereof, wherein the design of the inner groove can effectively reduce the cross-sectional area, reduce the fluid resistance, and at the same time generate lift at the upper part to improve the lift-drag ratio in the recovery process; the circular truncated cone-shaped bottom cover plate which is designed in a matched manner can reduce the shell weight and the weight of the entire buoy body, and further improve the lift-drag ratio in the recovery process; (2) The present invention also simultaneously improved the tail component, which constitutes another main component, in terms of its specific structural composition and its setting method. The conical frame structure can effectively reduce the frontal resistance of the moored buoy body, while not affecting the flow field at the bottom of the instrument compartment, so that the bottom of the instrument compartment can generate greater lift. At the same time, the conical frame structure is also conducive to enabling the moored buoy to enter and exit the recovery tube of the underwater platform better. (3) The present invention also simultaneously improved the optical cable hinge connection component, which constitutes another key component. This component adopts a universal coupling with tension tilt angle detection function, which can effectively withstand various tensions between the moored buoy and the optical cable. The optical cable inside the buoy can be in a relaxed state through the cable conduit and not bear tension. During the mooring and retrieval process on the water surface, due to the arbitrary rotation of the universal coupling, the optical cable outside the buoy is also in a relaxed state, which plays a good protective role. (4) In this invention, the UHF spherical four-walled spiral antenna is embedded in the middle of the composite material spherical shell sandwich of the radome, so that the antenna and the shell become one, which can increase the internal space of the radome without affecting the arrangement of other modules; at the same time, by arranging the S-band satellite communication and Beidou antennas in the hemispherical structure, the size space of the spherical part can be reasonably utilized to install the antenna; in addition, by designing the installation position and specific angle of the three stabilizing wings, it can be ensured that they play a good stabilizing role during the release and recovery process. (5) The moored buoy of the present invention has a compact overall structure and is easy to operate. During the retrieval process, it can quickly enter the water without being dragged on the water surface and does not produce any wake or wake on the water surface, reducing the probability of being detected due to the wake or wake generated by the buoy dragging on the water surface. At the same time, it can also ensure that the optical cable is adequately protected during the mooring and retrieval process on the water surface. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for performing covert communication, positioning and other tasks in various complex application environments. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is an overall perspective view of the tethered concealed communication buoy according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is an overall cross-sectional view of the tethered covert communication buoy according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is an axial cross-sectional view of the tethered covert communication buoy according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram for more specifically showing the internal installation of the radome according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram for more specifically showing the internal installation of the instrument compartment according to the present invention; Figure 6 It is along Figure 5the local sectional view obtained in I; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram for more specifically showing the tail assembly according to the present application; In the present application, the same reference signs are used to indicate the same elements or structures, wherein: 1-antenna cover; 2-instrument bin; 3-tail assembly; 4-optical cable hinge connecting assembly; 5-stabilizing wing; 6-grating; 7-outer shell; 8-self-sinking device; 9-outer shell of the tail assembly; 10-wiring conduit; 11-ballast block; 12-tension angle sensor; 13-cardan joint; 14-conical top connecting disc; 15-bottom cover plate; 16-Satcom and Beidou antenna; 17-UHF Satcom antenna; 18-radar warning antenna; 19-other antenna electronic module; 20-power supply; 21-radar warning processor; 22-communication and positioning electronic equipment; 23-water inlet detection sensor; 24-mounting support; 25-micro electric push rod; 26-sealing plug; 27-anti-loosening rod; 28-temperature, depth and salinity sensor; 29-sensor outer protective cover; 30-longitudinal rib; 31-ring rib. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and not used to limit the present application. In addition, the technical features involved in each embodiment of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0019] Figure 1 is a whole perspective view of the mooring type covert communication buoy according to the present application, Figure 2 is a whole sectional view of the mooring type covert communication buoy according to the present application, Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of the mooring type covert communication buoy according to the present application. The present application will be explained more specifically below with reference to Figures 1 to 3 .

[0020] As Figures 1-3 shown in I, the mooring type covert communication buoy according to the present application mainly comprises a buoy body composed of an antenna cover 1, an instrument bin 2 and a tail assembly 3, and a matched optical cable hinge connecting assembly 4, which will be explained and described one by one below.

[0021] For the antenna cover 1, the main body end part thereof is hemispherical, the rest part of the main body is cylindrical, and is used for internally mounting various antennas; a plurality of stabilizing wings 5 are integrally formed on the outside of the antenna cover 1.

[0022] More specifically, reference can be made to I and II simultaneously. Figure 4The antenna cover 1 is internally provided with S satellite and Beidou antennas 16 at the end of the hemispherical body, and the UHF satellite antenna 17 is arranged in the interlayer of the hemispherical body; the radar warning antenna 18 and other antenna electronic modules 19 are arranged in the inner wall of the cylindrical body part. When the captive buoy body is out of water, the radar warning device is first turned on to detect radar waves before formal communication.

[0023] In addition, reference can be made to Figure 3 The antenna cover is integrally formed with three stabilizing wings 5. The middle stabilizing wing is provided with two wings symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides, and the angle of the two wings is between 150° and 160°. The three stabilizing wings are used to stabilize the buoy body in the axial and longitudinal directions when the buoy body is towed underwater, and prevent the buoy body from rolling and swinging.

[0024] Through the above design, the UHF spherical four-wall spiral antenna is embedded in the interlayer of the composite material spherical head shell of the antenna cover, so that the antenna and the shell are integrated, the internal space of the antenna cover can be increased, and the arrangement of other modules is not affected. At the same time, by arranging the S satellite and Beidou antennas in the hemispherical structure, the size space of the spherical part can be reasonably utilized to install the antennas. In addition, through the design of the installation position and specific angle of the three stabilizing wings, good stable posture can be ensured during the release and recovery process.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the antenna cover 1 and the stabilizing wings 5 are made of epoxy glass fiber composite material.

[0026] For the instrument bin 2 which constitutes one of the main components of the buoy body, the whole is in a cylindrical structure with the upper inclination angle being greater than the lower inclination angle, and an inner groove is designed at the connection part with the antenna cover 1, and the outer shell of the inner groove is made into a grid 6. Various working devices are arranged in the instrument bin 2, and the bottom cover plate 15 is designed as a circular truncated cone, and the self-sinking device 8 is arranged on the bottom cover plate 15.

[0027] More specifically, reference can be made to Figure 5 The outer shell of the instrument bin 2 is preferably integrally formed with an inner groove by using carbon fiber composite material, and the outer part is provided with a grid 6, and is designed in the form that the upper inclination angle is greater than the lower inclination angle; the inclination angles of the upper and lower parts are adjusted according to the required lift, total net buoyancy and underwater recovery posture of the buoy body. For example, the outer shell 7 of the instrument bin is made of T800 carbon fiber, and is internally provided with a power supply 20, a radar warning processor 21, communication and positioning electronic equipment 22 and a water inlet detection sensor 23.

[0028] In addition, the temperature, depth and salinity sensors 28 are also integrally arranged on the bottom cover plate 15, and are protected by a sensor outer cover 29. In the present application, all the external cables can enter the interior of the instrument bin 2 from the bottom cover plate 15.

[0029] Through the above design, the inner groove of the instrument cabin can effectively reduce the sectional area and the fluid resistance, and generate lift at the upper part to improve the lift-drag ratio in the recovery process; the circular truncated cone bottom cover can reduce the weight of the shell and the weight of the whole buoy body, and further improve the lift-drag ratio in the recovery process.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment of the present application, the instrument cabin bottom, i.e. the bottom cover 15, is provided with a self-sinking device 8. In an emergency, the self-sinking device 8 is opened to discard the buoy body, and the buoy body sinks into the seabed after being filled with water. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6 , the self-sinking device 8 includes a mounting bracket 24, a micro electric push rod 25, a sealing plug 26, and an anti-loose rod 27.

[0031] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 7 , the tail assembly 3, which constitutes another main body component of the buoy body, has a whole conical frame structure, and includes a plurality of longitudinal bones 30 extending longitudinally along the outer side of the conical surface, a plurality of ring ribs 31 connected and supported around the longitudinal bones 30, respectively, and a conical top connecting disc 14 arranged at the end of the conical frame structure. In addition, a wire routing conduit 10 is arranged on the inner central axis of the tail assembly 3 for guiding the arrangement of the optical cable, and a ballast block 11 is arranged on the conical top connecting disc 14 for adjusting the center of gravity of the buoy body.

[0032] Through the above design, the conical frame structure can effectively reduce the frontal resistance of the mooring type buoy body, while not affecting the flow field at the bottom of the instrument cabin, so that the instrument cabin bottom can generate greater lift. At the same time, the conical frame structure is also conducive to the mooring type buoy to better enter and exit the recovery cylinder of the underwater platform.

[0033] More specifically, as shown in Figure 7 , the tail assembly 9 is a conical frame structure, which can be made of 8 longitudinal bones 30, 6 ring ribs 31, and a conical top connecting disc 13. This structure not only smoothly guides the buoy body into the recovery cylinder, but also does not affect the water flow at the bottom of the instrument cabin. In addition, a wire routing conduit 10 is arranged on the inner central axis of the tail assembly for guiding the arrangement of the optical cable, and a ballast block 11 is arranged on the conical top connecting disc 14 for adjusting the center of gravity of the buoy body.

[0034] For another key component of the application, i.e. the optical cable hinge connection assembly 4, it comprises a hollow universal joint 13, wherein the optical cable passes through the middle of the universal joint 13, enters the instrument bin 2 via the tail assembly 3, and the optical cable outside the buoy body can swing ±90° in both X and Y axes, and the optical cable inside the buoy body is in a relaxed state without tension; in addition, a tension angle sensor 12 is integrated between the universal joint 13 and the optical cable, for real-time detection of the tension at the buoy drag point and the angle of the optical cable.

[0035] Through the above design, compared with the prior art, various tensions between the mooring buoy body and the optical cable can be effectively borne. The optical cable inside the buoy body can be in a relaxed state through a wiring conduit and the like, without tension; and during the mooring and recovery process on the water surface, due to the arbitrary angle rotation of the universal joint, the optical cable outside the buoy body is also in a relaxed state, which corresponds to a good protection function.

[0036] According to another preferred embodiment of the application, the related parameter design of the above-mentioned mooring concealed communication buoy is as follows: the maximum diameter is 300 mm, the length is more than 2000 mm, the weight is less than 50 kg, and the underwater net buoyancy is more than 56 kg.

[0037] The specific working process of the mooring concealed communication buoy of the application will be explained below.

[0038] When communication is needed, the optical cable is released by the winch, and the buoy floats to the water surface by its own buoyancy. Continue to release the optical cable, and the mooring buoy body floats on the water surface to perform communication, positioning and other tasks; When the task is completed, the optical cable is recovered by the winch. In this recovery process, the mooring concealed communication buoy of the application not only can generate greater lift compared with the existing device, but also can realize the following three working modes by adjusting the recovery speed: Slow recovery mode: the buoy body and the optical cable are recovered on the water surface, and this mode is used to increase the communication and positioning time; Fast recovery mode: the buoy body immediately enters the water, and the buoy body and the optical cable are recovered underwater, and this mode is used to provide higher concealment; Towing mode, the buoy body is towed with the underwater platform, and this mode can theoretically meet the infinite communication and positioning time.

[0039] In summary, the tethered concealed communication buoy according to the present application is designed by re-designing the overall structure, especially by improving the specific structure and setting mode of some key components such as the instrument bin, tail component and photoelectric cable hinge connecting component, etc. The buoy can quickly enter water without dragging on the water surface, and does not generate any tail flow on the water surface, thereby reducing the probability of being discovered due to the tail flow generated by the buoy dragging on the water surface. Meanwhile, the photoelectric cable can be sufficiently protected during the tethering and recovery on the water surface, and thus the buoy is especially suitable for performing concealed communication, positioning and other tasks in various complex application environments, and has good practical value and application prospect.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will easily understand that the above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A tethered covert communication buoy, characterized in that, The tethered covert communication buoy comprises a buoy body consisting of an antenna dome (1), an instrument compartment (2), and a tail assembly (3), as well as a matching optical cable hinge connection assembly (4), wherein: The main body of the radome (1) is hemispherical at the end and cylindrical at the rest, and is used to install various antennas inside; the radome (1) has multiple stabilizing wings (5) integrally formed on the outside. The instrument compartment (2) has a cylindrical structure with an upper tilt angle greater than the lower tilt angle, and an inner groove is designed at the connection with the antenna cover (1). The outer shell of the inner groove is made into a grid (6). Various working devices are installed inside the instrument compartment (2). Its bottom cover plate (15) is designed as a frustum, and a self-sinking device (8) is installed on the bottom cover plate (15). The tail assembly (3) has a conical frame structure and includes multiple longitudinal ribs (30) extending longitudinally and obliquely along the outer side of the conical surface, multiple ring ribs (31) that connect and support these longitudinal ribs (30) respectively, and a conical top connecting plate (14) set at the end of the conical frame structure; in addition, a cable guide (10) is installed on the internal central shaft of the tail assembly (3) for guiding the arrangement of optical cables, and a ballast block (11) is installed on the conical top connecting plate (14) for adjusting the center of gravity of the buoy body; The optical cable hinge connection assembly (4) includes a hollow universal coupling (13), through which the optical cable passes through the middle of the universal coupling (13) and enters the instrument compartment (2) via the tail assembly (3). The optical cable outside the buoy body can swing ±90° in both the X and Y axes, while the optical cable inside the buoy body is in a relaxed state and does not bear tension. In addition, a tension tilt sensor (12) is integrated between the universal coupling (13) and the optical cable to detect the tension at the buoy drag point and the tilt angle of the optical cable in real time.

2. The tethered covert communication buoy as described in claim 1, characterized in that, For the radome (1), an S-band satellite communication and Beidou antenna (16) is installed inside the hemispherical end of the main body, and a UHF satellite communication antenna (17) is installed in the interlayer of the hemispherical end of the main body; a radar alarm antenna (18) and other antenna electronic modules (19) are installed in the inner wall of the cylindrical main body.

3. The tethered covert communication buoy as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Both the radome (1) and the stabilizing wing (5) are preferably made of epoxy glass fiber composite material.

4. The tethered covert communication buoy as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The number of the stabilizing wing (5) is designed to be 3 pieces, one of which is located at the bottom center of the antenna radome (1), and the other two pieces are symmetrical about the middle stabilizing wing, and the tilt angle of the left and right pieces is set to 150° to 160°.

5. The moored covert communication buoy as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, For the instrument compartment (2), temperature, depth and salinity sensors (28) are also integrated on its bottom cover (15) and protected by sensor outer cover (29); in addition, all external cables enter the interior of the instrument compartment (2) from the bottom cover (15).

6. The tethered covert communication buoy as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The outer shell (7) of the instrument compartment (2) is preferably made of T800 carbon fiber, and a power supply (20), a radar alarm processor (21), a communication and positioning electronic device (22) and a water ingress detection sensor (23) are installed inside.

7. The tethered covert communication buoy as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The tail assembly (3) is preferably made of TC4 titanium alloy and can be fitted with a lifting plate as needed.

8. The tethered covert communication buoy as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The optical cable hinge connection assembly (4) is made of TC4 titanium alloy.

9. The tethered covert communication buoy as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The relevant parameters of the above-mentioned moored concealed communication buoy are designed as follows: maximum diameter of 300mm, length of 2000mm or more, weight of 50kg or less, and net underwater buoyancy of 56kg or more.

10. The moored covert communication buoy as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The aforementioned tethered covert communication buoy can achieve the following three operating modes by adjusting the retrieval speed: Slow recovery mode: Recovers the buoy and fiber optic cable on the water surface. This mode is used to increase the duration of communication and positioning. Rapid recovery mode: The buoy body is immediately submerged in the water, and the buoy body and optical cable are recovered underwater. This mode is designed to provide greater stealth. In towed mode, the buoy is towed along with the underwater platform. This mode can theoretically provide unlimited communication and positioning time.

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