Emergency rapid floating device

Abstract

The invention provides an emergency rapid floating device, and relates to the technical field of underwater unmanned vehicles. A shell is arranged at the top of the unmanned underwater vehicle or above the gravity center, and a triggering mechanism, a chemical fuel gas generator and an air bag are sequentially connected into the shell. The triggering mechanism can sense external water pressure and trigger the chemical fuel gas generator without depending on electric power when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold value. The chemical fuel gas generator rapidly generates a large amount of gas through chemical reaction, the gas is immediately inflated into the air bag to inflate the air bag, and the air bag is fixedly connected with the underwater unmanned vehicle through the rope in advance, so that strong upward buoyancy is provided for the underwater unmanned vehicle. The underwater unmanned vehicle can be ensured to emerge out of the water quickly and safely in emergency, the risk that the underwater unmanned vehicle is lost is greatly reduced, and the survivability of the underwater unmanned vehicle in a complex underwater environment is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of underwater unmanned vehicle technology, and more specifically, to an emergency rapid ascent device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, when performing underwater missions, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) primarily rely on commands from the main control system to control ballast jettisoning or purging of ballast tanks via solenoid valves for emergency surfacing. However, this power-dependent emergency surfacing system has significant limitations. When the UUV experiences a complete power outage, a main control computer crash, a short circuit, or severe water leakage, these power-dependent systems will all fail, rendering the UUV unable to perform emergency surfacing operations and thus risking loss.

[0003] While existing technologies include mechanical ballast jetting devices designed to provide emergency ascent without relying on electricity, these devices are relatively limited in function, typically offering only limited buoyancy, resulting in slow ascent speeds for underwater unmanned vehicles (UAVs). Furthermore, the reliability of mechanical ballast jetting devices is difficult to guarantee under complex and variable sea conditions, potentially failing due to mechanical malfunctions or external environmental influences, further increasing the safety risks for UAVs in emergency situations. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device capable of quickly and reliably achieving emergency ascent in the event of a serious malfunction, particularly a complete power system failure, to effectively prevent the loss of underwater UAVs.

[0004] There is currently no effective technical solution to the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide an emergency rapid ascent device, which aims to solve the technical problem that underwater unmanned vehicles cannot quickly and reliably achieve emergency ascent when encountering serious faults such as power system failure, thus facing the risk of loss.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides an emergency rapid surfacing device for use in an underwater unmanned vehicle, comprising: a shell, wherein the shell is disposed on the top of the underwater unmanned vehicle or above its center of gravity; The housing is equipped with a triggering mechanism, a chemical gas generator, and a gasbag connected in sequence. The triggering mechanism is used to sense the external water pressure and trigger the chemical gas generator when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold; A chemical gas generator is used to produce gas through a chemical reaction upon triggering; The airbag is pre-fixed to the underwater unmanned vehicle via a cable and is used to inflate under the force of the gas generated by the chemical gas generator, providing upward buoyancy for the underwater unmanned vehicle.

[0007] This application provides an emergency rapid buoyancy device that does not rely on electricity and generates gas by triggering a chemical reaction under water pressure to inflate an airbag. This effectively solves the problem that underwater unmanned vehicles cannot surface in extreme situations such as power system failure, and significantly improves the emergency buoyancy capability and safety of underwater unmanned vehicles.

[0008] Optionally, the triggering mechanism includes a bellows, a break pin, a preload spring, and a firing pin; Corrugated pipes are used to generate displacement in response to changes in external water pressure; A preload spring is inserted through the firing pin, and one end of the break pin is inserted into the firing pin. The break pin is used to be sheared and broken when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold. The preload spring is used to provide elastic force after the break pin is sheared and broken to push the firing pin to strike the chemical gas generator.

[0009] This technical solution utilizes the displacement of the bellows to drive the fracture pin to shear and break, thereby releasing the preload spring to push the firing pin, forming a mechanical water pressure triggering mechanism. This ensures accurate response to water pressure changes even in the absence of electricity, improving the reliability and response speed of the triggering mechanism.

[0010] Optionally, the housing is provided with a through hole, one end of which is connected to a pressure-resistant bellows, and the other end of which is connected to a chemical gas generator. The firing pin is disposed in the through hole, and a first protrusion is provided in the through hole. A second protrusion is provided on the firing pin, and a preload spring is located between the first and second protrusions.

[0011] By positioning the preload spring by setting a first protrusion inside the through hole and a second protrusion on the firing pin, the structure of the triggering mechanism becomes more compact and stable, ensuring that the firing pin can accurately strike the chemical gas generator under the action of the preload spring, thus further improving the reliability of the device.

[0012] Optionally, the chemical gas generator includes an ignition port and a fuel chamber connected in sequence; A solid igniter is provided inside the ignition port, which is used to ignite when struck by the firing pin; The fuel chamber contains solid fuel, which is used to ignite the solid igniter to produce gas through a chemical reaction.

[0013] This technical solution, employing a combination of solid igniter and solid fuel, enables the chemical gas generator to rapidly and stably produce a large amount of gas upon impact with the firing pin, providing sufficient power for the inflation of the gasbag and ensuring rapid emergency ascent.

[0014] Optionally, the solid fuel is sodium azide.

[0015] Optionally, the chemical gas generator is connected to the gas bag via a first conduit, which is used to introduce gas from the fuel chamber into the gas bag.

[0016] Optionally, the housing is also provided with a cover plate above the airbag. The cover plate is engaged with the housing by a connector. The housing also includes a cover-breaking mechanism for cutting the connector of the cover plate under gas-driven conditions to open the cover plate.

[0017] Optionally, the cap-breaking mechanism is connected to the fuel chamber via a second conduit, which is used to introduce gas from the fuel chamber into the cap-breaking mechanism.

[0018] Optionally, the cap-breaking mechanism includes a piston with a shearing structure at its end, the piston being used to shear the connector when driven by gas.

[0019] Alternatively, the cable may be Kevlar rope.

[0020] As described above, the emergency rapid ascent device provided in this application consists of a shell installed on the top or above the center of gravity of the underwater unmanned vehicle (UAV). Inside the shell, a triggering mechanism, a chemical gas generator, and an airbag are connected in sequence. The triggering mechanism senses external water pressure and, when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold, triggers the chemical gas generator without relying on electricity. The chemical gas generator rapidly produces a large amount of gas through a chemical reaction. This gas then fills and inflates the airbag, which is pre-connected to the UAV via a cable, thus providing the UAV with strong upward buoyancy. This device effectively solves the problem in existing technologies where underwater UAVs are unable to perform emergency ascent operations and face the risk of loss when encountering extreme failures such as a complete power outage, main control computer crash, short circuit, or severe water leakage, resulting in total electrical system failure. Compared to power-dependent emergency surfacing systems and single-function mechanical ballast throwing devices, the device proposed in this application has significant advantages such as independence from the power system, fast response speed, large buoyancy, and high reliability. It can ensure that underwater unmanned vehicles can quickly and safely surface in emergency situations, greatly reducing the risk of underwater unmanned vehicles being lost and improving their survivability in complex underwater environments.

[0021] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing embodiments of this application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the emergency rapid ascent device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0023] Figure 2A partial structural schematic diagram of the emergency rapid ascent device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0024] Labeling: 100, housing; 200, triggering mechanism; 201, bellows; 202, break pin; 203, preload spring; 204, firing pin; 205, first protrusion; 206, second protrusion; 300, chemical gas generator; 301, ignition port; 302, fuel chamber; 303, first conduit; 304, second conduit; 400, airbag; 500, cover plate; 600, cover breaking mechanism; 700, underwater unmanned vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this application, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 1-2 This application provides an emergency rapid ascent device that can rapidly generate a large amount of gas to inflate the airbag 400 through a chemical reaction when the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 suffers a serious malfunction, especially when the power system fails completely. This provides strong buoyancy for the underwater unmanned vehicle 700, enabling rapid and reliable emergency ascent and effectively preventing the loss of the underwater unmanned vehicle 700.

[0028] In a first aspect, this application provides an emergency rapid surfacing device for use in an underwater unmanned vehicle 700, comprising: a housing 100, wherein the housing 100 is disposed on the top of the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 or above its center of gravity; The housing 100 is provided with a triggering mechanism 200, a chemical gas generator 300 and an airbag 400 connected in sequence; Triggering mechanism 200 is used to sense external water pressure and trigger chemical gas generator 300 when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold; The chemical gas generator 300 is used to generate gas through a chemical reaction upon triggering; The airbag 400 is pre-fixed to the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 via a cable and is used to inflate under the force of the gas generated by the chemical gas generator 300 to provide upward buoyancy for the underwater unmanned vehicle 700.

[0029] The emergency rapid ascent device provided in this application is based on a combination of non-electric mechanical triggering and chemical reaction to achieve autonomous emergency ascent of an underwater unmanned vehicle (UAV) 700. The "shell 100" refers to the external structure used to house and protect the internal mechanisms; it is typically made of pressure-resistant materials to withstand the high-pressure underwater environment. The "triggering mechanism 200" is a key component that senses external water pressure and initiates the entire ascent process; its design ensures reliable operation under specific water depths or pressures. The "chemical gas generator 300" is the core component that generates the gas required for ascent; by controlling the rate of the chemical reaction and the amount of gas produced, the ascent speed and buoyancy can be adjusted. The "airbag 400" is an inflatable, flexible container used to provide buoyancy after gas is inflated; its materials and structure must possess good pressure resistance and tear resistance. A "rope" is used to securely connect the airbag 400 to the UAV 700, ensuring that the inflated airbag 400 effectively pulls the UAV 700 to the surface.

[0030] Specifically, the shell 100 of the emergency rapid ascent device is designed to be positioned on top of or above the center of gravity of the underwater unmanned vehicle 700. This positioning is intended to ensure that the buoyancy generated by the inflation of the airbag 400 can effectively maintain the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 in a stable attitude and allow it to move upwards. The shell 100 can be made of various materials and structural forms; for example, it can be a cylindrical or streamlined structure made of high-strength composite materials or titanium alloy to reduce underwater drag and withstand deep-water pressure.

[0031] Inside the housing 100, a trigger mechanism 200, a chemical gas generator 300, and an airbag 400 are connected in sequence. This series arrangement ensures the logical order of energy transfer and functional implementation. The trigger mechanism 200 can use a mechanical pressure sensor to sense changes in external water pressure. When the water pressure reaches a preset threshold, the mechanism will generate a mechanical action.

[0032] Upon receiving a signal from the triggering mechanism 200, the chemical gas generator 300 immediately initiates a chemical reaction to produce gas. The generated gas is then introduced into the airbag 400. The airbag 400 is typically folded or rolled up when uninflated to reduce its volume. When gas is introduced, the airbag 400 rapidly inflates, and the increased volume displaces the surrounding water, generating upward buoyancy. The airbag 400 can be made of a high-strength, corrosion-resistant, flexible material, such as polyurethane-coated fabric or rubber composite material.

[0033] The airbag 400 is securely connected to the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 via a cable. The length and strength of the cable need to be designed based on the size, weight, and expected ascent speed of the underwater unmanned vehicle 700.

[0034] The emergency rapid ascent device of this application provides an emergency ascent solution that does not rely on the main control system and power of the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 through the coordinated operation of the aforementioned components. When the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 encounters an emergency, such as a complete power outage or a main control computer crash, changes in external water pressure directly affect the trigger mechanism 200. Once the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold, the trigger mechanism 200 is activated, thereby activating the chemical gas generator 300. After being triggered, the chemical gas generator 300 rapidly generates a large amount of gas through an internal chemical reaction. This gas is then introduced into an airbag 400, which is pre-fixed to the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 via a cable. The airbag 400 rapidly inflates under the action of the gas, and the dramatic increase in its volume makes the overall buoyancy of the device much greater than its weight, thus providing a strong upward buoyancy for the underwater unmanned vehicle 700. Therefore, the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 can achieve rapid and reliable emergency ascent without relying on its own power system, effectively avoiding the risk of loss due to malfunction.

[0035] In some embodiments, the triggering mechanism 200 includes a bellows 201, a break pin 202, a preload spring 203, and a firing pin 204; The bellows 201 is used to generate displacement in response to changes in external water pressure; A preload spring 203 is inserted through the firing pin 204. One end of the break pin 202 is inserted into the firing pin 204. The break pin 202 is used to be sheared and broken when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold. The preload spring 203 is used to provide elastic force after the break pin 202 is sheared and broken to push the firing pin 204 to hit the chemical gas generator 300.

[0036] Specifically, the bellows 201 is an elastic, expandable tubular structure that deforms and displaces when there is a pressure difference between its internal and external water pressure. This displacement is used to transmit information about water pressure changes. The fracture pin 202 is typically made of a material with specific shear strength, designed to fracture when subjected to shear forces exceeding a preset threshold. Common materials include hardened steel (such as spring steel and tool steel), specific copper alloys, or aluminum alloys. These materials can have their hardness and strength precisely adjusted through heat treatment processes. One or more "V" or "U" shaped grooves (called "shear necks") are set at a preset position on the fracture pin 202, making the cross-section weakest at that point. This results in a more precise and controllable fracture location and strength value. Based on the maximum design safety depth of the UUV (e.g., 20 meters of water pressure), the total force acting on the bellows is calculated. Then, based on the transmission ratio of the mechanical structure, the precise shear force value that the fracture pin needs to withstand is calculated. Finally, by selecting materials, designing the diameter, and determining the groove size, a fracture pin that meets this shear force value is manufactured and calibrated and verified through experiments (e.g., a hydraulic test bench). The preload spring 203 is an energy storage element that releases elastic potential energy and provides thrust when compressed. The firing pin 204 is a slender rod-shaped component.

[0037] The solution proposed in this application, by concretizing the triggering mechanism 200 into a combination of a bellows 201, a break pin 202, a preloaded spring 203, and a firing pin 204, effectively addresses the potential shortcomings of traditional abstract triggering mechanisms 200 in terms of water pressure sensing and triggering reliability. When the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 descends to a certain depth and the external water pressure gradually increases, the bellows 201 will displace accordingly. This displacement is designed to apply a shear force to the break pin 202 when the water pressure reaches a preset threshold. Once the water pressure exceeds this threshold, the break pin 202 will be sheared and broken, thereby releasing the constraint on the firing pin 204. At this time, the pre-compressed preloaded spring 203, after losing its constraint, will use its stored elastic force to push the firing pin 204 forward rapidly, causing it to strike the chemical gas generator 300, thereby initiating a chemical reaction to produce gas. This mechanical triggering mechanism avoids the potential failure risks of electronic components in the underwater environment and provides a direct and reliable physical triggering method.

[0038] Through the above technical solution, the emergency rapid buoyancy device of this application can achieve accurate sensing and reliable triggering of external water pressure. The displacement of the bellows 201 is directly related to changes in water pressure, ensuring the sensitivity of triggering; the shear fracture mechanism of the fracture pin 202 provides a clear threshold judgment, avoiding the problems of false triggering or untimely triggering. The combination of the preload spring 203 and the firing pin 204 ensures the rapid and powerful triggering action, thereby ensuring that the chemical gas generator 300 can be started in a timely manner. Compared with other possible triggering mechanisms 200, this solution has the advantages of simple structure, stable operation, strong anti-interference ability, and high reliability in extreme underwater environments, significantly improving the overall performance and safety of the emergency buoyancy device.

[0039] In some embodiments, the housing 100 is provided with a through hole, one end of which is connected to a pressure-resistant bellows 201, and the other end of which is connected to a chemical gas generator 300. A firing pin 204 is disposed in the through hole, and a first protrusion 205 is provided in the through hole. A second protrusion 206 is provided on the firing pin 204, and a preload spring 203 is located between the first protrusion 205 and the second protrusion 206.

[0040] Specifically, the aforementioned through hole can be understood as a through channel formed inside the housing 100. Its main function is to provide a precise guiding path for the firing pin 204, ensuring that the firing pin 204 can move in a straight line when pushed by the preload spring 203 and accurately strike the chemical gas generator 300. One end of the through hole is designed to connect to the pressure-resistant bellows 201 to receive the displacement of the pressure-resistant bellows 201 caused by changes in external water pressure and transmit this displacement to the firing pin 204. The other end of the through hole is connected to the chemical gas generator 300, ensuring that the firing pin 204 can directly act on the ignition port 301 of the chemical gas generator 300. The firing pin 204 is disposed inside the through hole, thereby being precisely constrained and guided by the through hole wall. In order to effectively accommodate and preload the preload spring 203, a first protrusion 205 is provided on the inner wall of the through hole, while a second protrusion 206 is provided on the firing pin 204. The preload spring 203 is placed between the first protrusion 205 and the second protrusion 206, which axially position and compress it to store the required elastic potential energy.

[0041] The solution proposed in this application effectively solves the problems of guiding the firing pin 204 and ensuring the stable installation of the preload spring 203 by setting a through hole inside the housing 100 and using the first protrusion 205 and the second protrusion 206 to position the preload spring 203. When the external water pressure exceeds the preset threshold, the pressure-resistant bellows 201 is displaced, which in turn acts on the break pin 202, causing the break pin 202 to be sheared and broken. At this time, the preload spring 203, which was pre-compressed by the first protrusion 205 and the second protrusion 206, releases its stored elastic potential energy after losing the constraint of the break pin 202, pushing the firing pin 204 to move at high speed along the precise guide path of the through hole, and finally accurately impacting the ignition port 301 of the chemical gas generator 300, thereby reliably triggering the chemical gas generator 300 to produce gas. This structural design ensures the stability of the movement of the firing pin 204 and the accuracy of the impact, avoiding triggering failure due to deflection or jamming. It significantly improves the overall safety and response efficiency of the emergency rapid buoyancy device.

[0042] In some embodiments, the chemical gas generator 300 includes an ignition port 301 and a fuel chamber 302 connected in sequence; A solid igniter is provided inside the ignition port 301, which is used to ignite when struck by the firing pin 204; Fuel chamber 302 is provided with solid fuel, which is used to be ignited when the solid igniter is burned to produce gas through a chemical reaction.

[0043] Solid igniters typically employ either impinging or igniting agents. Common components include lead azide (Pb(N3)2) or lead stearate, which are extremely sensitive to impact and needle penetration. These agents are usually mixed with oxidizers and combustibles, pressed into shape, and installed within the ignition port 301 to form a "primer" or "fire cap" assembly.

[0044] The proposed solution refines the chemical gas generator 300 into an ignition port 301 and a fuel chamber 302, each configured with a solid igniter and solid fuel, enabling the chemical gas generator 300 to efficiently and reliably generate gas upon triggering. When the triggering mechanism 200 senses that the external water pressure exceeds a preset threshold and pushes the firing pin 204 to strike the ignition port 301, the solid igniter within the ignition port 301 is ignited. The combustion of the solid igniter then ignites the solid fuel in the fuel chamber 302, causing a chemical reaction in the solid fuel and rapidly generating a large amount of gas. Thus, the chemical gas generator 300 can quickly respond to the trigger signal, providing sufficient gas for the inflation of the airbag 400, thereby enabling the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 to rapidly ascend in an emergency.

[0045] Through the aforementioned technical solutions, the working mechanism of the chemical gas generator 300 is clearly defined and optimized, ensuring that gas can be generated rapidly and stably in emergency situations. This step-by-step ignition and fuel reaction mechanism improves the reliability and efficiency of the gas generation process. Through the synergistic effect of solid igniter and solid fuel, the rate and amount of gas generation can be precisely controlled, thereby providing just the right amount of buoyancy for the airbag 400 and effectively ensuring the emergency surfacing capability of the underwater unmanned vehicle 700.

[0046] In some implementations, the solid fuel is sodium azide.

[0047] Specifically, sodium azide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaN3. Its key characteristic is its ability to rapidly decompose and generate a large amount of nitrogen gas under specific conditions. In the chemical gas generator 300, when the solid igniter burns, the heat and flame generated ignite the sodium azide in the fuel chamber 302, causing a rapid chemical decomposition reaction that produces a large amount of gas in a short time. This gas is primarily nitrogen, which is non-toxic and non-corrosive, making it suitable for inflating the airbag 400 to provide buoyancy. The purpose is to ensure that the chemical gas generator 300 can rapidly and efficiently generate sufficient gas after being triggered to meet the needs of rapid emergency ascent. For example, when the water depth reaches 200 meters, the triggering mechanism 200 is activated, and the sodium azide generates enough gas within 3 seconds to inflate a 10-liter airbag 400, allowing the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 to quickly gain sufficient buoyancy and begin rapid ascent. This design ensures that the device can provide timely and effective emergency ascent capability in critical moments.

[0048] The proposed solution effectively addresses the issues of insufficient gas production efficiency and reaction speed that may exist with traditional solid fuels by selecting sodium azide as the solid fuel. When the triggering mechanism 200 senses that the external water pressure exceeds a preset threshold and triggers the chemical gas generator 300, the solid igniter is struck by the firing pin 204 and ignites, subsequently igniting the sodium azide in the fuel chamber 302. After ignition, the sodium azide undergoes a rapid decomposition reaction, producing a large amount of nitrogen gas. This rapid and efficient gas production process ensures that in emergency situations, the airbag 400 can obtain sufficient gas in a timely manner and inflate rapidly, thereby providing immediate upward buoyancy for the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 and avoiding missing the optimal surfacing opportunity due to delayed gas production.

[0049] In some embodiments, the chemical gas generator 300 is connected to the gas bag 400 via a first conduit 303, which is used to introduce gas from the fuel chamber 302 into the gas bag 400.

[0050] Specifically, the first conduit 303 refers to a channel structure used to connect the chemical gas generator 300 and the airbag 400. Its main function is to guide the gas generated in the fuel chamber 302 inside the chemical gas generator 300, allowing it to smoothly and quickly enter the airbag 400. The first conduit 303 can be made of flexible or rigid materials, such as pressure-resistant rubber tubing, metal tubing, or composite material tubing, to adapt to pressure changes in the underwater environment and the structural layout of the device. Its design should ensure sufficient strength and sealing when gas passes through at high speeds to prevent gas leakage or reduced transmission efficiency. By setting up the first conduit 303, a dedicated, low-resistance transmission path can be provided for the gas, thereby ensuring that the gas can quickly and effectively fill the airbag 400 to achieve rapid ascent.

[0051] In some embodiments, the housing 100 is further provided with a cover plate 500 above the airbag 400. The cover plate 500 is engaged with the housing 100 by a connector. The housing 100 also includes a cover-breaking mechanism 600, which is used to cut the connector of the cover plate 500 under gas-driven conditions to open the cover plate 500.

[0052] Specifically, the cover plate 500 is positioned above the airbag 400. Its main function is to protect the airbag 400 from damage by the external environment when the device is not activated, and to maintain the streamlined appearance of the underwater unmanned vehicle 700. A connector is used to reliably fix the cover plate 500 to the housing 100, ensuring that the cover plate 500 will not accidentally detach under normal operating conditions. This connector can be understood as a breakable or separable structure, such as a shear pin, a breakable bolt, or other mechanical locking structure. The cover-breaking mechanism 600 can be understood as a mechanical or pneumatic device, the purpose of which is to quickly and effectively cut off or release the fixing effect of the connector on the cover plate 500 upon receiving a gas-driven signal, thereby allowing the cover plate 500 to open. Here, gas-driven refers to using the gas generated by the chemical gas generator 300 as a power source to activate the cover-breaking mechanism 600.

[0053] Through the above technical solution, while the chemical gas generator 300 generates gas and inflates the airbag 400, the cover plate 500 can be opened in a timely and reliable manner. This effectively solves the problem that the airbag 400 may not be able to fully deploy due to obstruction during the inflation process, ensuring that the airbag 400 can be deployed quickly and completely, thereby providing maximum upward buoyancy for the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 and significantly improving the efficiency and reliability of emergency rapid ascent.

[0054] In some embodiments, the cap-breaking mechanism 600 is connected to the fuel chamber 302 via a second conduit 304, which is used to introduce gas from the fuel chamber 302 into the cap-breaking mechanism 600.

[0055] Specifically, the second conduit 304 can be understood as a gas transmission channel, with one end connected to the fuel chamber 302 and the other end connected to the cap-breaking mechanism 600. The fuel chamber 302 is the main location for gas generation in the chemical gas generator 300, while the cap-breaking mechanism 600 requires gas drive to perform the operation of cutting off the connector of the cover plate 500. By setting the second conduit 304, it can be ensured that when the fuel chamber 302 generates gas, a portion of the gas can be directly and quickly guided to the cap-breaking mechanism 600, providing it with the necessary driving force. In practical applications, the material of the second conduit 304 can be selected as a high-pressure resistant and corrosion-resistant material, such as stainless steel or high-strength composite material, to adapt to the high-temperature and high-pressure gas environment generated by the chemical gas generator 300. Its purpose is to establish an independent and efficient gas supply path, ensuring that the cap-breaking mechanism 600 can obtain driving gas in a timely manner.

[0056] The solution proposed in this application solves the problems of gas transmission delay and insufficient pressure by directly connecting the cap-breaking mechanism 600 to the fuel chamber 302 via the second conduit 304. When the chemical gas generator 300 is triggered, the solid fuel in the fuel chamber 302 is ignited and a large amount of gas is rapidly generated. This gas not only enters the gasbag 400 through the first conduit 303, but is also guided to the cap-breaking mechanism 600 through the second conduit 304. This direct connection ensures that the cap-breaking mechanism 600 can receive high-pressure gas almost synchronously, thereby being driven at the first moment to cut off the connector of the cover plate 500, allowing the cover plate 500 to open rapidly. The presence of the second conduit 304 eliminates the need for other indirect or complex gas supply routes for the cap-breaking mechanism 600, ensuring the immediacy and reliability of its operation.

[0057] In some embodiments, the cap-breaking mechanism 600 includes a piston with a shearing structure at its end, the piston being used to shear the connector when driven by gas.

[0058] Specifically, a piston is a mechanical component capable of displacement under gas pressure. Its end shearing structure acts on the shearing neck of the connector under gas pressure to achieve a shearing action. The shearing structure can be a U-shaped groove, a blade, or two opposing protruding cutting edges. The piston is typically sealed inside the cap-breaking mechanism 600 and connected to the gas drive source (i.e., the gas generated in the fuel chamber 302). When gas enters the cap-breaking mechanism 600, the piston moves under gas pressure. The connector can be understood as a component that is easily broken at a predetermined position under a preset force, with a design strength lower than the piston shearing force, ensuring reliable shearing during piston action. The connector securely connects the cover plate 500 to the housing 100, while also being sheared by the piston in emergencies, thus achieving rapid separation of the cover plate 500. In practical applications, the piston material can be lightweight, high-strength metals or composite materials to ensure rapid response and reliable operation under gas drive. The connecting parts can be made of alloy materials with specific shear strength, such as commonly used hardened steel (e.g., spring steel, tool steel), specific copper alloys, or aluminum alloys. These materials can have their hardness and strength precisely adjusted through heat treatment processes. One or more "V"-shaped or "U"-shaped grooves (called "shear necks") are set at predetermined positions on the connecting parts to ensure that they can break along a predetermined path under the shear force of the piston, avoiding fragmentation or jamming.

[0059] Specifically, when the gas generated by the chemical gas generator 300 enters the cap-breaking mechanism 600 through the second conduit 304, the gas pressure acts on the piston, causing it to shift. This piston movement directly acts on the connector between the housing 100 and the cover plate 500. Since the connector is designed to break at a preset position under specific shear force, the piston's shearing action reliably cuts off the connector, thereby releasing the locking connection between the cover plate 500 and the housing 100. This ensures that the airbag 400 can deploy without obstruction.

[0060] In some implementations, the cable is a Kevlar rope.

[0061] Specifically, Kevlar rope refers to a rope woven from Kevlar fibers. Kevlar fiber is a high-performance synthetic fiber, renowned for its extremely high tensile strength, high modulus, low density, and excellent abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance. Its purpose is to provide a high-strength, durable rope to ensure a secure and reliable connection between the airbag 400 and the underwater unmanned vehicle 700 during emergency surfacing.

[0062] The solution proposed in this application uses Kevlar rope as the connecting cable between the airbag 400 and the underwater unmanned vehicle 700. Utilizing the inherent high strength and high modulus properties of Kevlar fiber, the cable can withstand the enormous tensile force generated when the airbag 400 inflates and produces significant buoyancy, effectively avoiding the risk of breakage due to insufficient cable strength. Simultaneously, the excellent corrosion resistance of Kevlar rope ensures that it is not prone to aging or degradation in long-term underwater environments, thus maintaining the stability and reliability of its mechanical properties.

[0063] In this document, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0064] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An emergency rapid ascent device, applied to an underwater unmanned vehicle (700), characterized in that, include: The housing (100) is located on top of or above the center of gravity of the underwater unmanned vehicle (700); The housing (100) is provided with a triggering mechanism (200), a chemical gas generator (300) and a gasbag (400) connected in sequence. The triggering mechanism (200) is used to sense the external water pressure and trigger the chemical gas generator (300) when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold. A chemical gas generator (300) is used to generate gas through a chemical reaction upon triggering; The airbag (400) is pre-fixed to the underwater unmanned vehicle (700) by a cable and is used to inflate under the force of the gas generated by the chemical gas generator (300) to provide upward buoyancy for the underwater unmanned vehicle (700).

2. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The triggering mechanism (200) includes a bellows (201), a break pin (202), a preload spring (203), and a firing pin (204). The bellows (201) is used to generate displacement in response to changes in external water pressure; A preload spring (203) is inserted through the firing pin (204), and one end of a break pin (202) is inserted into the firing pin (204). The break pin (202) is used to be sheared and broken when the water pressure exceeds a preset threshold. The preload spring (203) is used to provide elastic force after the break pin (202) is sheared and broken to push the firing pin (204) to hit the chemical gas generator (300).

3. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing (100) is provided with a through hole, one end of which is connected to a pressure-resistant bellows (201), and the other end of which is connected to a chemical gas generator (300). The firing pin (204) is provided in the through hole, and a first protrusion (205) is provided in the through hole. A second protrusion (206) is provided on the firing pin (204). The preload spring (203) is located between the first protrusion (205) and the second protrusion (206).

4. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chemical gas generator (300) includes an ignition port (301) and a fuel chamber (302) connected in sequence. A solid igniter is provided inside the ignition port (301), which is used to burn when struck by the firing pin (204); The fuel chamber (302) is provided with solid fuel, which is used to be ignited when the solid igniter is burned to produce gas through a chemical reaction.

5. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The solid fuel is sodium azide.

6. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The chemical gas generator (300) and the gas bag (400) are connected by a first conduit (303), which is used to introduce gas from the fuel chamber (302) into the gas bag (400).

7. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The housing (100) is also provided with a cover plate (500) above the airbag (400). The cover plate (500) is engaged with the housing (100) by a connector. The housing (100) also includes a cover-breaking mechanism (600) for cutting the connector of the cover plate (500) under gas-driven conditions to open the cover plate (500).

8. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cap-breaking mechanism (600) is connected to the fuel chamber (302) via a second conduit (304), which is used to introduce gas from the fuel chamber (302) into the cap-breaking mechanism (600).

9. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cap-breaking mechanism (600) includes a piston with a shearing structure at its end, which is used to shear the connector when driven by gas.

10. The emergency rapid ascent device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rope is a Kevlar rope.

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