Depth-variable pull-type buoy body

Abstract

The invention belongs to the related technical field of underwater communication equipment, and discloses a variable-depth pull-type buoy body, the overall appearance of the variable-depth pull-type buoy body is of a wing-shaped structure, and the variable-depth pull-type buoy body comprises flow stop plate assemblies, an antenna assembly, a watertight instrument cabin, a pull sliding block and a horizontal rudder assembly, the antenna assembly is arranged in a groove in the upper surface of the wing-shaped structure, and the whole watertight instrument cabin is pre-buried in the wing-shaped structure; the dragging sliding block is arranged on the lower surface of the wing-shaped structure and can move front and back, the diving rudder assembly can change the attack angle of the diving rudder, and therefore the underwater depth and posture of the buoy body can be adjusted through cooperation of the diving rudder assembly and the diving rudder assembly. According to the invention, rapid switching between a water surface working state and an underwater working state can be realized, and a function of real-time depth control in an underwater towing process is realized; in addition, when the buoy body sails underwater along with the platform, no obvious signal characteristic exists on the water surface, good working concealment is achieved, and the communication capacity of the deep-sea movable underwater platform can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of underwater communication equipment, and more specifically, relates to a variable depth towed buoy. Background Technology

[0002] To avoid detection and frequent surfacing, underwater platforms typically operate at relatively deep, safe depths. However, high-frequency electromagnetic waves attenuate rapidly underwater, limiting their penetration into seawater. At great depths, underwater platforms cannot communicate or navigate precisely. Buoys, serving as platforms carrying communication and navigation instruments and equipment, are deployed from the underwater platform via a launch and retrieval mechanism. They are then towed by a cable and rise to near the surface using their static buoyancy and dynamic lift to perform communication and navigation tasks. After completing their mission, the buoy is retrieved into the underwater platform's storage compartment through coordinated actions of the launch and retrieval devices.

[0003] Currently, there are two types of buoys: towed buoys and moored buoys. Towed buoys are towed on the water surface by an underwater platform. These have relatively short fiber optic cables and can remain towed on the surface for extended periods, maneuvering with the platform. Moored buoys, on the other hand, float on the surface during missions. The fiber optic cable is released underwater by the platform, allowing the buoy to remain on the surface and not move with the platform. To meet mission requirements and ensure communication duration, the fiber optic cable of this type of buoy is typically longer.

[0004] More specifically, when an underwater platform actively retrieves data or engages in two-way communication via satellite channels, the towed buoy needs to quickly transition to a surface-level towed state, raising its antenna to perform two-way communication and navigation tasks. After completing its mission, it must then rapidly transition to a depth-adjusting state to reduce the probability of detection. However, further research indicates that existing towed buoys cannot effectively achieve rapid switching between surface and underwater operating conditions, nor can they solve problems such as real-time depth control during underwater towing. Furthermore, due to limitations in installation space and size, existing depth-adjusting towed buoys are not well-suited for operational requirements at speeds of 4-6 knots. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address one or more of the aforementioned deficiencies or improvement needs of existing technologies, this invention provides a variable-depth towed buoy. By redesigning its overall structure and shape, and improving the specific structural composition and arrangement of key components such as the flow stop assembly, watertight instrument compartment, towing block, and horizontal rudder assembly, this towed buoy enables rapid switching between surface and underwater operating states and provides real-time depth control during underwater towing. Furthermore, when the towed buoy travels underwater with the platform, it exhibits no obvious signal characteristics on the surface, providing excellent operational concealment and effectively improving the communication capabilities of deep-sea underwater platforms. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for the bidirectional communication and long-term reception requirements of underwater platforms.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to the present invention, a variable-depth towed buoy body is provided, characterized in that the overall shape of the buoy body is wing-shaped, and includes a flow deflector assembly, an antenna assembly, a watertight instrument compartment, a tow block, and a horizontal rudder assembly, wherein: The deflector assembly includes a left deflector and a right deflector, which are symmetrically fixedly installed with respect to the central longitudinal section of the wing-like structure and together form an integrated lifting wing. The antenna assembly includes an antenna and its support rod, which are together disposed in a groove in the middle part of the upper surface of the wing-shaped structure; The watertight instrument compartment is embedded in the central part of the wing-shaped structure and includes, from top to bottom, a communication control equipment compartment, an electric motor compartment, and a mechanical equipment compartment. The towing slider serves as a connection structure between the buoy body and the underwater platform. It is arranged on the lower surface of the wing-shaped structure and can move back and forth relative to the wing-shaped structure, thereby adjusting the underwater depth and attitude of the buoy body. The horizontal rudder assembly is located below the tail of the wing-shaped structure, and can adjust the underwater depth and attitude of the buoy by changing the angle of attack of the horizontal rudder in conjunction with the towed slider.

[0007] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the overall shape of the buoy body is wing-shaped, and the cross-section of the wing-shaped structure preferably adopts the NACA4424 airfoil.

[0008] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner cores of the wing-shaped structure, the left deflector, and the right deflector are all made of epoxy-based glass microsphere reinforced composite material, and then covered with an outer shell; the outer shell is made using an epoxy glass fiber vacuum-assisted molding process.

[0009] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna and its support rod include a pair of mutually perpendicular first magnetic antennas and second magnetic antennas, and are equipped with an antenna folding mechanism for performing the actions of folding down and standing up the antenna and its support rod.

[0010] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower part of the antenna and its support rod also has a groove filling block for maintaining the shape integrity of the wing-shaped structure.

[0011] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of the watertight instrument compartment is preferably designed to be I-shaped.

[0012] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left and right ends of the communication control equipment compartment have frustum-shaped water-sealed covers, and buoyancy material filler blocks are used to fill the recessed part of the frustum, thereby sealing the multiple electronic communication and control modules as a whole; the motor compartment has a racetrack-shaped water-sealed cover, and a towing slider drive motor and a horizontal rudder drive motor are installed inside; the mechanical equipment compartment has a horizontal rudder linkage control mechanism installed inside.

[0013] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of the horizontal rudder is preferably of the NACA0012 airfoil, and it is mounted on the horizontal rudder bushing located between the tail portions of the left and right deflectors.

[0014] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the relevant parameters of the above-mentioned variable depth towed buoy body are designed as follows: length is 1.5 meters, width is 1.07 meters, height is 0.55 meters, maximum cross-sectional area is 0.313㎡, and total weight is 318kg; in addition, its total underwater displacement volume is 0.35m³, and its total underwater buoyancy is 3200N.

[0015] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned variable-depth towed buoy body has the following two working modes: a surface-level towed working mode at a depth of about 0.5 meters underwater, and a variable-depth towed working mode at a depth of up to 10 meters underwater.

[0016] In summary, the technical solutions conceived by this invention have the following main technical advantages compared with the prior art: (1) The present invention designs the overall shape of the variable depth towed buoy body as an airfoil structure, and arranges antenna components and watertight instrument chambers in the groove on its upper surface and the central part of its interior, respectively. This structural design can form a multi-component integrated hydrodynamic layout of the buoy body, thereby increasing the lift coefficient of the buoy body and reducing the drag coefficient of the buoy body shape. (2) The present invention also simultaneously designed a towing slider to realize the real-time adjustment function of the towing point. By changing the position of the towing slider relative to the wing-shaped structure, the underwater depth and attitude of the buoy can be adjusted in real time in a way that is easy to control and highly accurate. At the same time, the buoy can smoothly adapt to different swaying depths after the adjustment is completed. In addition, the present invention also simultaneously designed the adjustment function of the horizontal rudder component. By changing the angle of attack of the horizontal rudder, the underwater depth and attitude of the buoy can be adjusted more accurately in conjunction with the adjustment operation of the towing slider. (3) The present invention further makes targeted designs on the core materials of the left and right deflectors and the wing-shaped structure, which can provide greater static buoyancy under low speed conditions, so that the buoy body can better meet the requirements of static stability and towing stability; in addition, by using vacuum-assisted molding process to cover the lifting wing shell with epoxy glass fiber, it is beneficial for the pre-embedded magnetic antenna to receive very low frequency signals smoothly. (4) Compared with existing similar products, the towed buoy body of the present invention has a larger lift-to-drag ratio, and even in the deep diving state of the underwater platform, it can still meet the stability requirements of towing in the water and on the water surface, as well as the requirement of safe retrieval from a depth of 150 meters underwater; the buoy body can maintain towing at a depth of 0.5 meters above the water surface and towing underwater at varying depths according to the mission requirements, and at the same time realize the rapid switching between working state on the water surface and underwater. (5) The towed buoy of the present invention has no obvious signal characteristics on the water surface when it travels with the platform underwater, and has good operational concealment. It can effectively improve the communication capability of the deep-sea underwater platform, and is therefore particularly suitable for the communication needs of underwater platforms for two-way communication and long-term signal reception. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a top axonometric view of the variable-depth towed buoy body according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a bottom axonometric view of the variable-depth towed buoy body according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a top view of the lifting wing of the variable-depth towed buoy body according to the present invention; Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The structural cross-sectional view obtained by line AA in the middle; Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The structural cross-sectional view obtained by the middle BB line; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the left and right baffles according to the present invention in more detail; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the watertight instrument chamber according to the present invention in more detail; Figure 8This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the horizontal rudder assembly according to the present invention in more detail; In this invention, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements or structures, wherein: 1-Watertight instrument compartment; 2-Left deflector; 3-Antenna folding mechanism; 4-Groove filling block; 5-Antenna and its support rod; 6-Wing-shaped structure; 7-Right deflector; 8-Horizontal rudder; 9-Tow slider; 10-Buoyancy material filling block; 11-Horizontal rudder linkage control mechanism; 12-First magnetic antenna; 13-Second magnetic antenna; 14-Left deflector inner core; 15-Wing-shaped structure inner core; 16-Drive motor; 17-Outer shell; 18-Right deflector inner core; 19-Horizontal rudder shaft sleeve; 20-Communication control equipment compartment; 21-Motor compartment; 22-Mechanical equipment compartment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a top axonometric view of the variable-depth towed buoy body according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a bottom axial view of the variable-depth towed buoy body according to the present invention. Reference will be made below. Figure 1 and Figure 2 To explain the invention in more detail.

[0020] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the overall shape of the variable-depth towed buoy body according to the present invention is wing-shaped, and includes a flow deflector assembly, an antenna assembly, a watertight instrument compartment, a tow block, and a horizontal rudder assembly, which will be described in detail below.

[0021] The deflector assembly, which constitutes one of the key components of the present invention, includes a left deflector 2 and a right deflector 7, which are symmetrically fixedly installed on the left and right sides relative to the central longitudinal section of the wing-shaped structure 6, and together form an integral lifting wing.

[0022] More specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the cross-section of the wing-like structure 6 can preferably be an NACA4424 airfoil, with two flow deflectors symmetrically bonded to its left and right ends about the central longitudinal section of the wing-like structure; the left and right flow deflectors are, for example, streamlined flat plate structures, and are vacuum-assisted molded to form a lifting wing after becoming a whole.

[0023] The antenna assembly includes the antenna and its support rod 5, which are together arranged in a groove in the middle part of the upper surface of the wing-shaped structure 6.

[0024] More specifically, see also Figure 3 and Figure 4 A groove is machined in the middle of the upper surface of the wing-shaped structure 6, and an antenna and its support rod 5 are then installed in the groove. The antenna and its support rod 5 may include, for example, a pair of mutually perpendicular first magnetic antennas 12 and second magnetic antennas 13, and are equipped with an antenna folding mechanism 3 for performing the folding and erecting actions of the antenna and its support rod. Furthermore, a groove filling block 4 may be provided at the lower part of the antenna and its support rod 5 to maintain the shape integrity of the wing-shaped structure.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, see [reference needed] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The wing-shaped structure 6 has an inner core 15, and the left deflector 2 and right deflector 7 also have inner cores 14 and 18 respectively. These inner cores are all made of epoxy-based glass microsphere reinforced composite material, with an evaluated density of, for example, 0.42 g / mm³. 3 Then, a shell 17 is covered on the outside of them; the shell 17 is made by epoxy glass fiber vacuum-assisted molding process.

[0026] As for the watertight instrument compartment 1, which constitutes another key component of the present invention, it is embedded in the central part of the interior of the wing-shaped structure 6, and includes, from top to bottom, a communication control equipment compartment 20, a motor compartment 21, and a mechanical equipment compartment 22.

[0027] More specifically, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 7 As shown, the cross-section of the watertight instrument compartment 1 of the present invention is preferably designed as an I-shape; wherein, the left and right ends of the communication control equipment compartment 20 have frustum-shaped watertight covers, and the recessed part of the frustum is filled with buoyancy material filling blocks 10, thereby sealing multiple electronic communication and control modules such as satellite communication modules, antenna matching modules, navigation modules, electromechanical control modules and transmission modules as a whole; the motor compartment 21 has a racetrack-shaped watertight cover, and a towing slider drive motor and a horizontal rudder drive motor are installed inside; the mechanical equipment compartment 22 has a horizontal rudder linkage control mechanism 11 installed inside.

[0028] As for the towing slider 9, which constitutes another key component of the present invention, it serves as a connection structure between the buoy body and the underwater platform. It is arranged on the lower surface of the wing-shaped structure 6 and can move back and forth relative to the wing-shaped structure, thereby adjusting the underwater depth and attitude of the buoy body. In addition, the horizontal rudder assembly is located below the tail of the wing-shaped structure 6, and can work with the towing slider 9 to adjust the underwater depth and attitude of the buoy body by changing the angle of attack of the horizontal rudder 8.

[0029] More specifically, such as Figure 8 As shown, the cross-section of the horizontal rudder 8 can preferably be an NACA0012 airfoil. It can be mounted, for example, on the horizontal rudder bushing 19 located between the tails of the left and right deflectors, and connected to the horizontal rudder drive motor in the mechanical equipment compartment, thereby changing the angle of attack of the horizontal rudder. Furthermore, the towed slider 9 can be connected to a towed slider drive motor in the mechanical equipment compartment via a screw structure. The motor drives the screw to rotate, causing the towed slider 9 to move back and forth, thereby changing the relative position between the tow point and the airfoil-like structure, and thus achieving real-time adjustment of the buoy's underwater depth and attitude.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the relevant parameters of the above-mentioned variable depth towed buoy body are designed as follows: length is 1.5 meters, width is 1.07 meters, height is 0.55 meters, maximum cross-sectional area is 0.313㎡, and total weight is 318kg; in addition, its total underwater displacement volume is 0.35m³, and its total underwater buoyancy is 3200N.

[0031] The working process of the variable-depth towed buoy body according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0032] The variable-depth towed buoy is installed outside the underwater platform's cabin and is released into the water via a deployment and retrieval device. When the underwater platform is traveling at a speed of 4 to 6 knots within a certain depth range, the buoy can be released to perform its mission. During operation, the buoy is towed along with the platform and can operate in two modes: surface-level towing (0.5 meters underwater) and depth-deep towing (within 10 meters underwater). These two modes work together to achieve two-way underwater communication while improving the stealth of both the buoy and the underwater platform.

[0033] More specifically, after the underwater platform deploys the buoy, it can remain concealed within 10 meters underwater for extended periods, receiving very low frequency (VLF) signals omnidirectionally without a noticeable wake or wake. When the underwater platform needs to actively retrieve data or conduct two-way communication via satellite channels, the buoy transitions to a surface-level towed state, raising its antenna to perform two-way communication and navigation tasks. After completing its mission, the buoy quickly transitions to a depth-adjusting state, reducing the probability of detection. This depth-adjusting towed buoy possesses the capability for long-term concealed VLF signal reception underwater and two-way communication on the surface. The buoy spends most of its time underwater, moving with the platform, with no obvious signal characteristics on the surface, providing excellent operational concealment. This effectively improves the communication capabilities of deep-sea underwater platforms, meeting their needs for two-way communication and long-term signal reception.

[0034] In summary, the variable-depth towed buoy of the present invention, through redesign of its overall structure and shape, and improvements to the specific structural composition and arrangement of key components such as the flow stop assembly, watertight instrument compartment, towing slider, and horizontal rudder assembly, enables rapid switching between surface and underwater working states and provides real-time depth control during underwater towing. Furthermore, this towed buoy exhibits excellent operational concealment, effectively improving the communication capabilities of deep-sea underwater platforms and better meeting their needs for two-way communication and long-term signal reception. Therefore, it possesses significant practical value and application prospects.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A variable-depth towed buoyant body, characterized by, The overall shape of the buoy body is a wing structure, and comprises a flow stop plate assembly, an antenna assembly, a watertight instrument cabin, a towing slider and a horizontal rudder assembly, wherein: The flow stop plate assembly comprises left and right flow stop plates (2) and (7) which are fixedly installed symmetrically relative to the central longitudinal section of the wing structure (6) and jointly constitute an integral lifting wing; The antenna assembly comprises an antenna and its support rod (5) which are arranged together in a groove in the middle part of the upper surface of the wing structure (6); The watertight instrument cabin (1) is integrally embedded in the inner central part of the wing structure (6) and comprises, from top to bottom, a communication control device cabin (20), a motor cabin (21) and a mechanical device cabin (22); The towing slider (9) is arranged on the lower surface of the wing structure (6) and can move forward and backward relative to the wing structure (6), thereby adjusting the underwater depth and posture of the buoy body; The horizontal rudder assembly is arranged below the tail of the wing structure (6) and can jointly adjust the underwater depth and posture of the buoy body by changing the attack angle of the horizontal rudder (8) in cooperation with the towing slider (9).

2. The variable-depth towed body of claim 1, wherein, The overall shape of the buoy body is a wing structure, and the cross section of the wing structure (6) preferably adopts a NACA4424 airfoil shape.

3. A variable-depth towed body according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, The inner core of the wing structure (6), the left flow stop plate (2) and the right flow stop plate (7) are all made of epoxy-based glass microbead reinforced composite material, and then a shell (17) is covered on the outer side of each of them; the shell (17) is made by epoxy glass fiber vacuum assisted forming process.

4. A variable-depth towed body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The antenna and its support rod (5) comprise a pair of first and second magnetic antennas (12) and (13) which are perpendicular to each other, and are equipped with an antenna folding mechanism (3) for performing the folding and standing up actions of the antenna and its support rod.

5. The variable-depth towed body of claim 4, wherein, The lower part of the antenna and its support rod (5) further has a groove filling block (4) for maintaining the integrity of the outer shape of the wing structure.

6. A variable-depth towed body according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that The cross section of the watertight instrument cabin (1) is preferably designed as an I-shaped section.

7. A variable-depth towed body as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that, The left and right ends of the communication control device cabin (20) have circular truncated cone watertight covers, and a buoyancy material filling block (10) is used to fill the lower concave part of the circular truncated cone, thereby sealing a plurality of electronic communication and control modules as a whole; the motor cabin (21) has a runway-shaped watertight cover and is internally provided with a towing slider driving motor and a horizontal rudder driving motor; the mechanical device cabin (22) is internally provided with a horizontal rudder connecting rod operating mechanism (11).

8. A variable-depth towed body according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The cross section of the horizontal rudder (8) preferably adopts a NACA0012 airfoil shape and is installed on a horizontal rudder shaft sleeve (19) between the tails of the left and right flow stop plates.

9. The variable-depth towed body of claim 8, wherein, The related parameter design of the above-mentioned deepening towing type buoy body is as follows: the length is 1.5 meters, the width is 1.07 meters, the height is 0.55 meters, the maximum cross-sectional area is 0.313 m2, and the total weight is 318 kg; in addition, the total underwater displacement volume is 0.35 m3, and the total underwater buoyancy is 3200 N.

10. A variable-depth towed body according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The deep variable depth towed buoy body has two working modes as follows: a water surface adhering towed working mode at about 0.5 meters underwater, and a deep variable depth towed working mode at 10 meters underwater.

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