A submersible vehicle launch and recovery structure and a transport vessel

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of shipbuilding and marine engineering technology, and particularly to a marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure and transport vessel. The marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure includes: a deployment and retrieval compartment, a cylindrical hull, a ballast platform, and several towing mechanisms. The cylindrical hull is vertically integrated into the deployment and retrieval compartment. The ballast platform is slidably connected to the cylindrical hull and supports the marine submersible. Several towing mechanisms are all located within the deployment and retrieval compartment, and their towing ends pass through the cylindrical hull and connect to the ballast platform. The ballast platform has a receiving cavity, the cavity wall of which has a first through-hole through which water can be injected. Compared to existing technologies, this marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure operates entirely within the vessel hull, with the deployment and retrieval compartment directly lowered into the water, reducing rolling amplitude. This allows the marine submersible transport vessel to operate in high sea states, extends the operational window, ensures safe and efficient deployment and retrieval of the marine submersible, and reduces the vessel's production and operating costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of shipbuilding and marine engineering technology, and in particular to a marine submersible deployment and recovery structure and a transport vessel. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional ocean submersible transport vessels typically use a hoisting method to lower ocean submersibles onto the deck or into the operating area. Since the operating area is usually located in the deep sea, the operation is often affected by wind and waves, resulting in low deployment and retrieval efficiency, short operating window, and high risk.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a marine submersible launch and recovery structure and a transport vessel to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure and transport vessel that can extend the operational window and ensure the safe and efficient completion of marine submersible deployment and retrieval operations.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure includes: a deployment and retrieval chamber, a cylindrical body, a ballast platform, and several towing mechanisms. The cylindrical body is vertically disposed within the deployment and retrieval chamber. The ballast platform is slidably connected to the cylindrical body and is used to support the marine submersible. Several towing mechanisms are disposed within the deployment and retrieval chamber, and the towing ends of several towing mechanisms pass through the cylindrical body and are connected to the ballast platform. The ballast platform has a receiving cavity, and the cavity wall of the receiving cavity has a first through hole through which water can be injected into the receiving cavity.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure, ballast tanks are provided on both the left and right sides of the deployment and retrieval compartment, and first through holes are provided on both the left and right sides of the cavity wall of the receiving chamber. Second through holes are provided on both the left and right sides of the top of the cylinder, and the second through holes connect to the ballast tanks. The two first through holes and the two second through holes are provided in a one-to-one correspondence, and the first through holes can be aligned with the corresponding second through holes. Valves are provided on both the left and right sides of the cavity wall of the receiving chamber, and the valves are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding first through holes. Valves are also provided on both the left and right sides of the cylinder wall of the cylinder, and the valves are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding second through holes.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure, the diameter of the first through hole is the same as the diameter of the second through hole.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure, the bottom left and right sides of the cylinder are provided with third through holes, which are connected to the ballast tank. The two first through holes and the two third through holes are provided one-to-one, and the first through holes can be aligned with the corresponding third through holes. The cylinder walls on the left and right sides of the cylinder are provided with valves, which are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding third through holes.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure, the diameter of the first through hole is the same as the diameter of the third through hole.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure, the inner wall of the cylinder is provided with a number of guide rails at intervals along the circumferential direction, the guide rails extend in the vertical direction, and the ballast platform is slidably connected to the number of guide rails.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure, the outer periphery of the ballast platform is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves, and the plurality of sliding grooves are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of guide rails, and the guide rails are slidably disposed in the sliding grooves.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure, the traction mechanism includes a winch and an anchor chain. The winch is located inside the deployment and retrieval compartment, one end of the anchor chain is connected to the winch, and the other end of the anchor chain passes through the cylinder and is connected to the ballast platform.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned marine submersible deployment and recovery structure, the marine submersible deployment and recovery structure further includes a watertight rubber pad, which is disposed at the bottom of the ballast platform and can abut against the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0014] A transport vessel includes a hull, and the transport vessel also includes a marine submersible deployment and recovery structure as described in any of the preferred technical solutions above. The stern of the hull is provided with four longitudinal bulkheads spaced apart along the length direction and four transverse bulkheads spaced apart along the width direction to divide the stern of the hull into nine compartments. An empty compartment is provided in front of and behind the deployment and recovery compartments. Three ballast tanks are provided on the port side of the hull, and three ballast tanks are provided on the starboard side of the hull.

[0015] Beneficial effects of this invention: This invention provides a marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure and a transport vessel. The marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure includes: a deployment and retrieval compartment, a cylindrical body, a ballast platform, and several towing mechanisms. The cylindrical body is vertically integrated into the deployment and retrieval compartment. The ballast platform is slidably connected to the cylindrical body and supports the marine submersible. Several towing mechanisms are all located in the deployment and retrieval compartment, and the towing ends of each towing mechanism pass through the cylindrical body and connect to the ballast platform. The ballast platform has a receiving cavity, and the cavity wall has a first through-hole through which water can be injected. Compared to existing technologies, this marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure operates entirely within the vessel hull, with the deployment and retrieval compartment directly lowered into the water. This reduces rolling amplitude, allowing the marine submersible transport vessel to operate in high sea states, extending the operational window, ensuring safe and efficient deployment and retrieval of the marine submersible, and reducing the production and operating costs of the vessel. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural plan view of the stern region of the transport ship provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the deployment operation process provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the recycling operation process provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stern region of the transport ship provided in an embodiment of the present invention (excluding the take-up and take-down compartments).

[0018] In the picture: 1. Ocean submersible; 2. Ballast platform; 3. Winch; 4. Anchor chain; 5. Tank; 6. Guide rail; 7. Transverse bulkhead; 8. Ballast tank; 9. Longitudinal bulkhead; 10. Valve; 11. Empty compartment; 12. Response compartment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0020] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0021] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0022] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides a marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure. This structure includes: a deployment and retrieval compartment 12, a cylindrical body 5, a ballast platform 2, and several towing mechanisms.

[0024] Specifically, a cylindrical body 5 is vertically inserted into the deployment and recovery compartment 12, and a ballast platform 2 is slidably connected to the cylindrical body 5. The ballast platform 2 supports the marine submersible 1. Several towing mechanisms are installed in the deployment and recovery compartment 12, and the towing ends of these mechanisms pass through the cylindrical body 5 and connect to the ballast platform 2. The ballast platform 2 has a receiving cavity, and the cavity wall has a first through hole through which water can be injected. Compared with the prior art, this marine submersible deployment and recovery structure operates entirely within the ship's hull, with the deployment and recovery compartment 12 directly lowering the submersible into the water. This reduces the rolling amplitude, allowing the marine submersible 1 transport vessel to operate in high sea states, extending the operational window, ensuring the safe and efficient completion of the deployment and recovery of the marine submersible 1, and reducing the ship's production and operating costs.

[0025] Optionally, ballast tanks 8 are provided on both the left and right sides of the receiving and releasing compartment 12, and first through holes are provided on the cavity walls on both the left and right sides of the receiving cavity. Second through holes are provided on the cylinder walls on both the left and right sides of the top of the cylinder 5. The second through holes connect to the ballast tanks 8. The two first through holes and the two second through holes are provided one-to-one. The first through holes can be aligned with the corresponding second through holes. Valves 10 are provided on the cavity walls on both the left and right sides of the receiving cavity. Valves 10 are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding first through holes. Valves 10 are provided on the cylinder walls on both the left and right sides of the cylinder 5. Valves 10 are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding second through holes. With this setup, during the descent of the submersible 1, it is transported from the storage area to the ballast platform 2 by a trolley. At this point, the ballast platform 2 is floating, with the first and second through holes aligned. The ballast tank 8 is already filled with ballast water. Opening valve 10 allows water to be injected into the containment cavity through the second and first through holes, increasing the weight of the ballast platform 2. This allows the ballast platform 2 and the submersible 1 to overcome the buoyancy of the seawater and descend. Furthermore, the diameter of the first and second through holes is the same.

[0026] Optionally, the bottom left and right sides of the cylinder wall of the cylinder 5 are provided with third through holes, which connect to the ballast tank 8. Two first through holes and two third through holes are provided in a one-to-one correspondence, allowing the first through holes to align with their corresponding third through holes. Valves 10 are provided on the left and right sides of the cylinder wall of the cylinder 5 to control the opening and closing of the corresponding third through holes. With this configuration, during the recovery of the submersible 1, the ballast platform 2 rises into the cylinder 5 under the pull of the traction mechanism, aligning the first and third through holes. The valves 10 are then opened, activating the ballast pipe system to pump water from the ballast platform 2, reducing its weight and allowing both the ballast platform 2 and the submersible 1 to float under the buoyancy of the seawater. Furthermore, the diameter of the first through hole is the same as the diameter of the third through hole.

[0027] Optionally, the inner wall of the cylinder 5 is provided with a plurality of guide rails 6 at intervals along the circumferential direction, and the guide rails 6 extend in the vertical direction. The ballast platform 2 is slidably connected to the plurality of guide rails 6. This arrangement enables the ballast platform 2 to move along the extension direction of the guide rails 6, thereby improving the stability of the ballast platform 2 and preventing the ballast platform 2 from tilting.

[0028] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the ballast platform 2 is provided with several grooves, each corresponding to a number of guide rails 6. The guide rails 6 are slidably disposed within the grooves, which can further improve the stability of the ballast platform 2 and prevent it from tilting. In this embodiment, four guide rails 6 are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction on the inner wall of the cylinder 5. Of course, in other embodiments, the number of guide rails 6 is determined according to the actual situation, which will not be elaborated here.

[0029] Optionally, the traction mechanism includes a winch 3 and an anchor chain 4. The winch 3 is located inside the launch / recruitment compartment 12, and one end of the anchor chain 4 is connected to the winch 3, while the other end of the anchor chain 4 passes through the cylinder 5 and is connected to the ballast platform 2. With this configuration, the winch 3 only provides the lifting force for the ballast platform 2, which descends by gravity.

[0030] Optionally, the underwater vehicle deployment and recovery structure also includes a watertight rubber pad, which is located at the bottom of the ballast platform 2 and abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder 5. This arrangement ensures the seal between the lower panel of the ballast platform 2 and the inner wall of the cylinder 5 when the ballast platform 2 moves within the cylinder 5, preventing seawater from seeping in.

[0031] The present invention also provides a transport vessel, including a hull, and the transport vessel also includes the marine submersible deployment and recovery structure in the above embodiments. The stern of the hull is provided with four longitudinal bulkheads 9 spaced apart along the length direction and four transverse bulkheads 7 spaced apart along the width direction to divide the stern of the hull into nine compartments. Among them, an empty compartment 11 is provided in front of and behind the deployment and recovery compartment 12. Three ballast tanks 8 are provided on the port side of the hull and three ballast tanks 8 are provided on the starboard side of the hull. The transport vessel also includes other essential components that constitute a transport vessel in the prior art.

[0032] The operational process of the marine submersible deployment and recovery structure and the transport vessel provided by this invention is as follows: Deployment operation process: such as Figure 2 As shown, the ocean submersible 1 is transported from the submersible storage area to the ballast platform 2 by a trolley. At this time, the ballast platform 2 is in a floating state, with the first and second through holes aligned. The ballast tank 8 is already filled with ballast water. At this time, the valves 10 on the cylinder 5 and the longitudinal bulkhead 9 are opened. The anchor chain 4 is connected to the bottom of the ballast platform 2 and connected to the winch 3. Water is injected into the ballast tank 8 through the second and first through holes to increase the weight of the ballast platform 2. The ballast platform 2 is lowered below the bottom of the ship. At this time, the ocean submersible 1 sails out of the ship, thus completing the deployment process of the ocean submersible 1.

[0033] Recycling operation process: such as Figure 3 As shown, the ballast platform 2 is pulled by the winch 3 to a position that is just right to carry the ocean submersible 1. At this time, the ballast platform 2 carrying the ocean submersible 1 is pulled into the cylinder 5 by the winch 3, so that the ballast tank 8 is docked with the ballast platform 2, so that the first through hole is aligned with the third through hole. The valves 10 on the cylinder 5 and the longitudinal bulkhead 9 are opened, and the ballast pipe system is started to pump the seawater in the ballast platform 2 until the ballast platform 2 floats to the deck height, thus completing the recovery operation of the ocean submersible 1.

[0034] like Figure 4As shown, during deployment and recovery operations, the valve 10 on the longitudinal bulkhead 9 is always open, so that the port and starboard ballast tanks 8 are connected. This can effectively reduce rolling and offset the negative impact of wind and waves on the operation of the transport ship in high sea state conditions.

[0035] Furthermore, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A marine submersible deployment and recovery structure, characterized in that, include: The submersible includes a launch and recovery compartment (12), a cylindrical body (5), a ballast platform (2), and several towing mechanisms. The cylindrical body (5) is vertically disposed through the launch and recovery compartment (12). The ballast platform (2) is slidably connected to the cylindrical body (5) and is used to support the submersible (1). Several towing mechanisms are disposed in the launch and recovery compartment (12), and the towing ends of several towing mechanisms pass through the cylindrical body (5) and are connected to the ballast platform (2). The ballast platform (2) has a receiving cavity, and the cavity wall of the receiving cavity has a first through hole, through which water can be injected into the receiving cavity.

2. The marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Ballast chambers (8) are provided on both the left and right sides of the receiving chamber (12). The first through holes are provided on the walls of the left and right sides of the receiving cavity. The second through holes are provided on the walls of the top left and right sides of the cylinder (5). The second through holes are connected to the ballast chambers (8). The two first through holes and the two second through holes are provided one-to-one. The first through holes can be aligned with the corresponding second through holes. Valves (10) are provided on the walls of the left and right sides of the receiving cavity. The valves (10) are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding first through holes. Valves (10) are provided on the walls of the left and right sides of the cylinder (5). The valves (10) are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding second through holes.

3. The marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the first through hole is the same as the diameter of the second through hole.

4. The marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom left and right sides of the cylinder wall of the cylinder body (5) are provided with a third through hole, which is connected to the ballast tank (8). The two first through holes and the two third through holes are provided one-to-one. The first through holes can be aligned with the corresponding third through holes. The left and right sides of the cylinder wall of the cylinder body (5) are provided with valves (10), which are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding third through holes.

5. The marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The diameter of the first through hole is the same as the diameter of the third through hole.

6. The marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the cylinder (5) is provided with a plurality of guide rails (6) spaced apart along the circumferential direction. The guide rails (6) extend in the vertical direction, and the ballast platform (2) is slidably connected to the plurality of guide rails (6).

7. The marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the ballast platform (2) is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves, and the plurality of sliding grooves are provided in correspondence with the plurality of guide rails (6), and the guide rails (6) are slidably disposed in the sliding grooves.

8. A marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The traction mechanism includes a winch (3) and an anchor chain (4). The winch (3) is located inside the launch and take-off compartment (12). One end of the anchor chain (4) is connected to the winch (3), and the other end of the anchor chain (4) passes through the cylinder (5) and is connected to the ballast platform (2).

9. A marine submersible deployment and recovery structure according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The marine submersible deployment and recovery structure also includes a watertight rubber pad, which is located at the bottom of the ballast platform (2) and can abut against the inner wall of the cylinder (5).

10. A transport vessel, comprising a hull, characterized in that, The transport vessel also includes a marine submersible deployment and retrieval structure as described in any one of claims 1-9. The stern of the hull is provided with four longitudinal bulkheads (9) spaced apart along the length direction and four transverse bulkheads (7) spaced apart along the width direction, so as to divide the stern of the hull into nine compartments. An empty compartment (11) is provided in front of and behind the deployment and retrieval compartment (12). Three ballast tanks (8) are provided on the port side of the hull and three ballast tanks (8) are provided on the starboard side of the hull.

Images