Device and method for combating autonomous underwater vehicles

Abstract

Underwater defense robot comprising a drive unit, a control unit and a net device with a net for capturing, recovering and transporting objects, characterized in that - a safety net frame and / or the safety net is electrically conductive, - the safety net frame and / or the safety net is an antenna for creating an electromagnetic field, - the electromagnetic field is specifically directed towards an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an underwater defense robot and a method for using an underwater defense robot.

[0002] Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are unmanned underwater vehicles that perform tasks independently underwater. The primary task of AUVs is mapping or surveying underwater areas, but military reconnaissance and combat missions are also possible. In the context of the inventive device, the AUVs do not have to operate completely autonomously, but can be remotely controlled or even cable-controlled.

[0003] Cable- or remote-controlled AUVs, in particular, are becoming an increasingly important weapon due to their low manufacturing costs and ease of handling, especially in asymmetric conflicts. The protection of floating weapon systems, especially in harbors or heavily frequented areas at sea, is therefore of particular importance. In these areas, the establishment of full combat readiness with all sensors and effectors for naval ships and boats is prohibited in order to reliably prevent collateral damage. In this situation, with self-protection more or less disabled, it is still necessary to protect floating weapon systems against enemy AUVs.

[0004] From the German patent application DE 10 2015 003 323 A1 a device for capturing a flying unmanned aircraft is known.The device comprises a detection device for detecting the flying aircraft by determining the spatial position data of the aircraft, a control device communicating with the detection device, to which the position data are transmitted, at least one unmanned capture aircraft which, after the flying aircraft has been detected by the control device, can be automatically controlled as a function of the detected position data and can be maneuvered in the direction of the aircraft, comprising a capture means attached to it, with which the aircraft can be captured, wherein the capture aircraft can be maneuvered via the control device in such a way that it captures the aircraft with the capture means attached to it and lands it together with the captured aircraft in a controlled manner or drops the capture means together with the captured aircraft in a controlled manner.

[0005] The net catching drone is also equipped with a catch net according to the German published patent application DE 10 2019 119 049 A1 for catching a flying drone.The net-catching drone comprises a drive device, in particular having a plurality of propellers, a net-launching device for firing the net at the flying drone, a first jammer for transmitting a first jamming signal with at least a first frequency from a first frequency range between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz, a second jammer for transmitting a second jamming signal with at least a second frequency from a second frequency range between 5.0 and 5.9 GHz, a third jammer for transmitting a third jamming signal with at least a third frequency from a third frequency range between 1.3 and 1.7 GHz, at least one camera for recording video images of the flying drone, and a transmitting unit for transmitting a data signal comprising the recorded video images in a fourth frequency range between 1.0 and 1.2 GHz to a remote control.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2015 008 296 A1 also discloses a defense drone for defending against a small drone, in particular a remote-controlled helicopter. The defense drone comprises at least one motor for driving at least one propeller, a fuselage connected to the motor, and an HPEM device attached to the fuselage for generating a high-energy electromagnetic pulse.

[0007] An underwater defense robot is known from the Chinese patent application CN 1 08 238 223 A.

[0008] The invention provides a capture device and an underwater defense robot and relates to the technical field of underwater equipment.The capture device comprises an operating mechanism and a capture mechanism; the capture mechanism is mounted on the operating mechanism so that the operating mechanism can drive the capture mechanism to move underwater; the capture mechanism comprises support arms, each support arm having a first end and a second end arranged opposite one another, and the first ends of the support arms are connected to the operating mechanism; the capture mechanism comprises a capture net, and the second ends of the plurality of support arms are connected to the edge of the capture net so that the capture net is kept open, and the capture device comprises a net closing mechanism connected to the support arms and used to drive the second ends of the plurality of support arms to move toward the center direction of the capture net so that a target object is captured in the capture net.

[0009] From published patent application CN 1 17 387 426 A, a collection device is known for catching objects within a body of water. The collection device is brought to the position of the object by means of a ship or an underwater robot. The collection device consists of an ejection mechanism, elastic and rigid parts, which, after being ejected onto an object to be captured, form an enclosed cavity in order to then tow the object or a diver away. The collection device further comprises elastic and movable rods to create a collection basket. The captured object within the enclosed cavity is firmly connected to a ship or underwater robot and can thus be towed.

[0010] German Patent Application CN 1 08 238 223 A discloses a detection device and an underwater backmaking robot. The detection device provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises a traveling mechanism and a catching mechanism, in which the catching mechanism is attached to the traveling device, enabling the traveling mechanism to move the catching mechanism underwater.

[0011] Most recently, an underwater robot for collecting suspended matter is known from published patent application CN 1 07 499 480 A. The suspended matter is collected by a net bag located at the rear of the underwater robot.

[0012] The disadvantage of this known state of the art is that the arresting devices for AUVs are limited to simple mechanical net arresting devices.

[0013] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a device and a method for combating AUVs with an increased probability of success compared to a primitive net-catching robot.

[0014] This object is achieved by the characterizing features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0015] The advantage of the invention is that the underwater defense robot can disrupt, paralyze, or destroy enemy AUVs using two different systems, as well as capture and evacuate them. The jamming, capture, and evacuation systems are combined.

[0016] Combined means that a mechanically functioning safety net frame with a connected safety net also functions as an antenna for generating an electromagnetic field due to its electrical conductivity. Mechanical and simultaneous electromagnetic use can also be intended for the safety net.

[0017] The net frame can be configured as an antenna in various shapes, such as a dipole, a rod antenna, or a horn antenna. Furthermore, drivable joints, hinges, and sliding elements can be attached to create different antenna shapes, as well as mechanical grippers or pincers. If an AUV appears superior to the underwater defense robot due to its maneuverability or agility, the steered antennas allow for rapid targeting of the AUV without the underwater defense robot having to follow the AUV.

[0018] The goal of the electromagnetic field is to disrupt the electrical or electronic propulsion and control units of the enemy AUV, paralyzing their function or destroying parts of them. For this reason, it is advantageous to design the antennas so that the electromagnetic field can be specifically directed at the AUV to achieve the greatest possible success.

[0019] Of course, the closer the enemy AUVs are to the antennas, the greater the electromagnetic effect.

[0020] Due to the dual use of the arresting net frame, it is possible to recover and transport the AUV after it has been paralyzed or destroyed in order to remove reconnaissance equipment or cargo from a danger area.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the net frame is movable. "Movable" in the context of this invention can mean that the frame has a folding hinge, thus performing a gripper function. Alternatively, the net frame can also be moved as a whole, like a quiver, around the AUV, or it can have a clamping mechanism for clamping the AUV between the underwater defense robot and the net frame.

[0022] It is advantageous to first paralyze or destroy the AUV in an optimal position of the movable safety net frame for emitting an electromagnetic field and then to capture and transport the paralyzed or destroyed AUV with the movable safety net frame.

[0023] It is also advantageous to track very small and mobile AUVs by moving the movable net frame while the electromagnetic field is being emitted in order to compensate for the inertial disadvantage of the underwater defense robot.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment, two safety net frame elements arranged parallel to one another are designed as a one-piece, rigid device. The rigid frame has the advantage that an optimized antenna structure can be formed. For example, the frame can be shaped like a parallel plate to generate an optimized electromagnetic field. Due to the high attenuation of an electromagnetic field in water, the field is generated between two parallel plates. The plates are in turn represented by conductive components of a rigid, resilient safety net frame element with a stretched safety net and its conductive components. In this embodiment example, the safety net is initially stretched in the safety net frame. Once the AUV, which is subjected to an electromagnetic field, is motionless, the rigid safety net frame is guided over at least part of the AUV and the net is partially detached from the safety net frame.The net covers at least part of the AUV and the AUV is connected to the underwater defense robot via the net for removal.

[0025] For further explanation, the following advantageous functional sequence of the underwater defense robot according to the invention is described: In the vicinity of a weapon system docked in port whose combat readiness is limited, an AUV is detected and located by the weapon system, the underwater defense robot, or a third reconnaissance unit. The underwater defense robot then moves toward this position. The net assembly, consisting of the net frame and net assembly, is aligned to an optimal antenna position. The net assembly can be designed, for example, similar to a dipole, a rod antenna, or a horn antenna. An electromagnetic field is directed by the net assembly to the AUV's position.Once the AUV's electrical or electronic components have been destroyed by the electromagnetic field, resulting in paralysis or destruction, at least part of the AUV is secured using the net frame or net, and the underwater defense robot removes it from the danger zone for the weapon system. Alternatively, the AUV can first be captured by the underwater defense robot's net system and only then paralyzed by the electromagnetic field. In this scenario, the net system does not have an optimal antenna design, but it advantageously compensates for the significant attenuation of electromagnetic fields in water.

[0026] It shows the only Fig. 1 an underwater defense robot according to the invention and an AUV in a schematic side view.

[0027] It shows Fig.1 shows an underwater defense robot 1 and an AUV 2. The underwater defense robot 1 comprises, among other things, a safety net frame 3 and a safety net 4. The safety net 4 is attached to the safety net frame. The safety net is designed to enclose at least some parts of the AUV and to connect them firmly so that the AUV 2 can be transported away with the underwater defense robot 1. The safety net frame 3 has hinges 5 on which parts of the safety net frame are movably mounted. In a first position shown, the safety net frame is shown as an antenna for an electromagnetic field 6. In a second position not shown, the safety net frame serves to grip the AUV 2 that has been paralyzed or destroyed by the electromagnetic field. In the second position not shown, the safety net frame 3 with the attached safety net 4 encloses the AUV 2. List of reference symbols 1 underwater defense robot 2 AUV 3 safety net frames 4 safety net 5 Hinge 6 electromagnetic field

Claims

[1] Underwater defense robot comprising a drive unit, a control unit and a net device with a net for capturing, recovering and transporting objects, characterized by , that - a safety net frame and / or the safety net is electrically conductive, - the safety net frame and / or the safety net is an antenna for creating an electromagnetic field, - the electromagnetic field is specifically directed towards an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). [2] Underwater defense robot according to claim 1, characterized by that the safety net device comprises a movable frame made of at least partially conductive material and a safety net made of at least partially conductive material. [3] Underwater defense robot according to claim 1, characterized bythat the safety net device has a fixed frame made of at least partially conductive material, is designed in the form of a parallel plate and a safety net is connected for capturing, recovering and transporting the AUV. [4] A method for deploying an underwater defense robot according to claim 1, characterized by , that, - an AUV is detected, - the underwater defense robot approaches the detected AUV, - an electromagnetic field is directed at the AUV via a net device of the underwater defense robot, - The faulty or destroyed AUV is recovered and removed using the net arrester.

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