Launching system for inflatable boats for a submarine, particularly for covert operations

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an overall system for deploying an inflatable boat for special forces, which is to be deployed from a submerged submarine. The primary objective here is to minimize the probability of detection during deployment.

[0002] During the phase in which special forces are deployed from a submarine, the submarine is forced to stay in a fundamentally high-risk area, and its mobility is restricted by the operation. Likewise, the time the special forces spend on the surface carries a high risk of detection. Special forces, in this context, are individuals who leave a submerged submarine to carry out missions. For example, the special forces leave the submarine via a lock while diving and then use the detached inflatable boat to reach the actual deployment site. Combat swimmers are an example of a special forces force.

[0003] The aim is therefore always to shorten the time for the entire process and to reduce the risk of detection for the submarine and the special forces.

[0004] This problem is therefore fundamentally different from the deployment of rescue equipment such as life rafts. When deploying a life raft, quick and easy location is more important for the rescue of the crew. Furthermore, subsequent location of the submarine is also useful in order to be able to rescue additional crew members if necessary, for example, with a rescue submarine.

[0005] A system for stowing and deploying a life raft is known from DE 60 2005 00 194 T2.

[0006] From DE 10 2009 053 742 A1 an unmanned underwater vehicle and a device for connecting a fiber optic cable to an unmanned underwater vehicle are known.

[0007] A rescue device for platforms is known from EP 0 557 802 A1.

[0008] EP 2 138 395 A1 discloses an arrangement for deploying a payload from a submarine.

[0009] The object of the invention is to minimize the risk by minimizing the time for detection.

[0010] This object is achieved by the submarine having the features specified in claim 1, the capsule having the features specified in claim 5, and the method having the features specified in claim 11. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0011] The submarine according to the invention has a device for the covert deployment of an inflatable boat. This makes it possible not only to deploy divers undetected while submerged, but also to launch an inflatable boat, minimizing the probability of detection during the deployment process. The submarine has a pressure hull. The device has a storage area arranged outside the pressure hull. The storage area is designed to store and dispense a pressure-resistant capsule. Such systems are known in principle for a variety of applications. For example, rescue devices, such as life rafts, are known that are stored outside the pressure hull and can be deployed. However, the submarine according to the invention differs fundamentally from this, since the focus here is on minimizing the probability of detection during the deployment of the inflatable boat.

[0012] According to the invention, the capsule is designed to accommodate an inflatable boat. The inflatable boat is compactly arranged in the capsule in its deflated form. For example, and preferably, the inflatable boat is arranged in a reduced-pressure environment within the capsule, thereby providing a protected environment and thus a longer service life for the inflatable boat.

[0013] The capsule is cylindrical. "Cylindrical" means that the capsule is cylindrical in the middle section, and at both ends it has end caps, for example, in the shape of hemispheres. This shape allows for particularly good compressive strength.

[0014] The capsule has two half-shells. The half-shells have a flat connecting area. In particular, each half-shell has the shape of a cylinder halved lengthwise, with an outwardly extending connecting area at the edge of the half-shell. This increases the contact surface between the half-shells and also allows seals to be inserted more easily. The two connecting areas can be flat and lie along the cutting plane through the cylinder. However, the connecting area of ​​one half-shell can also overlap the connecting area of ​​the other half-shell. The connecting areas of the two half-shells can be designed as connecting flanges, for example. The two connecting areas of the two half-shells can be connected to one another using adhesives, shear bolts, or tapes, for example.These can also be held together by force, for example, when the interior is evacuated. It is also conceivable that they can be held together magnetically, for example. It is important that the two half-shells can be separated again by a force acting from within.

[0015] The storage area has a clamping device, wherein the clamping device is designed to secure the capsule in the connecting area of ​​the half-shells. For this purpose, the clamping device preferably engages over the connecting area of ​​the upper half-shell, thus securing the entire capsule. This actively holds the capsule in the storage area and can be released by actively releasing the clamping device.

[0016] The storage area and the capsule are connected to each other via a tether, whereby the storage area has a release device for the controlled release of the tether.

[0017] For example, rescue capsules are known from the state of the art, which, once released, surface directly to the water surface and usually deploy automatically immediately. In contrast, the controlled release of the tether serves to create a way to bring the capsule close to the water surface while keeping it below the surface. If the capsule were to surface immediately, it could easily be discovered long before the special forces also reach the water surface. Therefore, controlled buoyancy through targeted release of the tether by a release device is essential to minimize the risk of detection.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device comprises a holding device. The holding device is designed to prevent the tether from being released against the buoyancy of the capsule. This allows for simple, targeted servicing below the water surface. The holding device can be designed, for example, in the form of a brake.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the storage area is arranged in a lockable manner in the upper area of ​​the submarine below the outer skin.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the storage area has a separating device for cutting the holding cable.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device is a drum, wherein the length of tether dispensed via the drum is detected by detecting the rotation of the drum. Furthermore, the rotation of the drum can be blocked to maintain a maximum dispensed length of tether.

[0022] Alternatively, a tether with a precisely pre-calculated length could be used, in which case the diving depth of the submarine cannot be subsequently varied during deployment.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the clamping device comprises at least four clamping devices, with at least two clamping devices arranged on each side of the capsule, and with the clamping device being designed for simultaneous release of all clamping devices. Alternatively, only the clamping devices on one side can be released first, followed by the clamping devices on the other side.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the storage area has vertical sliding elements. The vertical sliding elements serve to guide the capsule as it ascends from the storage area.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the storage area has a hatch. The hatch can be closed after the inflatable boat has been lowered into the submerged state. This restores the closed outer hull, preventing turbulence at the opening or exposed components, thus preventing noise. This reduces the likelihood of detection for the submarine after the inflatable boat has been lowered into the submerged state.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has an exit lock for the disembarkation of divers while submerged. The exit lock can be a special lock or, for example, the tower lock. The exit lock can also be the gun barrel. Divers can preferably also be re-entered through the exit lock.

[0027] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a capsule, wherein the capsule is designed to accommodate an inflatable boat. The inflatable boat is contained in the capsule in an uninflated, compact form. Preferably, the inflatable boat is already connected to an outboard motor in a manner suitable for direct use, and more preferably, the inflatable boat has a tank inside the capsule that is already filled with fuel. The capsule is cylindrical and has two half-shells. The half-shells have a flat connecting area. In particular, each half-shell has the shape of a cylinder halved lengthwise, with an outwardly extending connecting area at the edge of the cylinder. This increases the contact surface between the half-shells, and seals can also be better inserted here.The two connecting areas can be flat and lie along the cutting plane through the cylinder. However, the connecting area of ​​one half-shell can also overlap the connecting area of ​​the other half-shell. The capsule has an inflation device for the dinghy. In order to inflate the dinghy, the inflation device has an activation device arranged on the outside of the capsule. The connection between the half-shells is designed to be released by the inflation of the dinghy inside the capsule. If the dinghy is unfolded inside by the inflation device, the two half-shells are separated and the capsule is opened.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, the two connecting areas of the two half-shells are connected to each other, for example, by means of adhesive, shear bolts, or straps. These can also be held together by force, for example, when the interior is evacuated. It is also conceivable that they can be secured magnetically, for example. It is important that the two half-shells can be separated again by a force acting from the inside.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the inflation device comprises a compressed air reservoir or a compressed air generator, preferably a compressed air cylinder. For example, and preferably, the compressed air reservoir is connected to the inflatable boat via an inflation valve. The inflation valve can be switched to open by means of the activation device. Alternatively, the compressed air reservoir can be connected to the inflatable boat via a closure membrane, wherein the activation device is designed to pierce the closure membrane.

[0030] According to the invention, the activation device has an activation connection, in particular for pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. The activation connection can, for example, be suitable for screwing or plugging a gas cartridge into the activation connection. Likewise, the activation connection can, for example, be suitable for connecting to a diver's breathing apparatus. Alternatively, a compressed air generating device can be connected to the activation connection, which generates pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to activate the inflatable boat's inflation system.

[0031] In In a further embodiment of the invention, the activation device has a safety switch, which must be flipped or removed to access the activation port. As a further positive side effect, the safety switch also ensures that the activation port does not become contaminated, which could, for example, make it difficult to connect a gas cartridge. In In a possible refinement of this embodiment, the safety switch is also designed to be both watertight and pressure-resistant and is attached to the activation device. Shielding the activation connection against ambient overpressure can prevent accidental activation of the activation device in the event of pressure waves. Alternatively, the activation connection can be designed to be pressure-compensated, so that only a significant pressure difference between the connection side and the ambient pressure leads to activation of the activation connection.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the activation device can be triggered remotely. Particularly preferably, the activation device can be triggered mechanically using a simple rope or line or the like. This allows the swimmers deploying the inflatable boat to stay outside the area that is or could be occupied by the deploying inflatable boat.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the inflatable boat is connected to one of its half-shells with a tether. This prevents the half-shell from sinking immediately after the inflatable boat is inflated, which is advantageous if equipment, such as oars, is still attached to the half-shell. This tether is then preferably cut before use of the inflatable boat to safely submerge the half-shell.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, a first half-shell is connectable to a tether of a submarine and a second half-shell is connected to the first half-shell with a tether.

[0035] Preferably, the inflatable boat is connected to the second half-shell with a tether, and further, the first half-shell can be connected to a tether of a submarine, and a second half-shell is connected to the first half-shell with a tether. This initially keeps everything connected until the connection between the submarine and the first half-shell, as well as between the inflatable boat and the second half-shell, is severed.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, the capsule exhibits positive buoyancy. This ensures safe ascent of the capsule, but also prevents it from ascending too quickly and thus uncontrollably.

[0037] In a further embodiment of the invention, the half-shells are made of aluminum. According to the invention, this also includes aluminum alloys and aluminum composite materials.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one half-shell has holders for equipment on the outside. Examples of equipment arranged therein include paddles, oars, and the like.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one half-shell has at least one buoyancy element. The half-shell, together with the buoyancy element, exhibits a downward force after being detached from the other half-shell and the inflatable boat. Due to the resulting downward force, the half-shell sinks to the bottom with the buoyancy element, thus preventing later detection. A foam material can preferably be used as the buoyancy element.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, the capsule has a leak sensor. The leak sensor is located in the lower half-shell, but not at the lowest point of the lower half-shell. The lowest point is unsuitable, as even small amounts of condensation could falsely indicate a leak. The leak sensor is usually a humidity sensor that detects the presence of water, for example, via conductivity.

[0041] In a further embodiment of the invention, the capsule has reinforcing elements. The reinforcing elements can be designed as frames or stringers, for example. The capsule is preferably submersible pressure-resistant for a maximum diving depth of the submarine of at least 100 m, which corresponds to an external overpressure of 10 6 Pa. Further preferably, the capsule is submersible pressure-resistant for a maximum diving depth of the submarine of at least 300 m, which corresponds to an external overpressure of 3 10 6 Pa. Particularly preferably, the capsule is submersible pressure-resistant for a maximum diving depth of the submarine of at least 500 m, which corresponds to an external overpressure of 5 10 6 Pa. A pressure resistance of more than 10 7 Pa, which corresponds to a diving depth of approximately 1000 m, is usually not necessary, since submarines used at diving depths greater than 1000 m are usually not designed to deploy special forces.

[0042] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for deploying special forces with an inflatable boat from a submarine according to the invention with a capsule according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps: a) Disembarkation of special forces, b) Ascent of the special forces to the water surface, c) Deployment of the capsule from the storage area of ​​the submarine so that the capsule is held by the tether near the water surface but completely below the water surface, whereby step c) takes place independently of steps a) and b) but is completed before the completion of step b), d) Further ascent of the capsule to the water surface, e) Activation of the inflation device by means of the activation device arranged on the outside of the capsule, f) Cutting the tether between the submarine and the capsule before, during or after steps d) and e).

[0043] The release of special forces in step a) and their ascent to the water surface in step b) can occur in any manner. The capsule is deployed in step c) at a time independent of the behavior of the special forces. The only important thing is that the capsule occupies a position just below the water surface before, at the same time as, or shortly after the special forces. In the context of this invention, "short" means a period of time within 0 to 10 minutes, preferably 0 to 5 minutes, particularly preferably 0 to 2 minutes. This eliminates the risk of detection by objects on the water surface. At the same time, the length of time the special forces remain after surfacing is minimized.

[0044] Near the water surface is preferably understood to mean the area from the water surface to 20 m, particularly preferably to 10 m, below the water surface.

[0045] The further ascent of the capsule to the water surface in step d) can be achieved either by further controlled release of the tether by the submarine. This is preferred as it allows for a particularly controlled surfacing. Alternatively, the capsule can be brought to the water surface by cutting the tether, either by the submarine or by the special forces on the capsule. The aim is to time the surfacing of the capsule and the surface of the combat swimmers so that it occurs within the narrowest possible time window. To minimize the risk to the combat swimmers when the capsule surfaces, the capsule can be brought to the water surface shortly before the combat swimmers reach the water surface.

[0046] In step e), the inflation device is activated using the activation device located on the outside of the capsule, preferably by the special forces. This allows for activation when all special forces on the surface have assumed a safe position relative to the capsule.

[0047] Alternatively, the inflation device can be activated immediately after reaching the water surface, as is the case with life rafts, for example. However, the disadvantage of this is that special forces may be present in the area of ​​the inflating dinghy.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention, the activation in step e) takes place at a distance of 5 m to 25 m.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the invention, after the inflatable boat has been inflated after activation in step e), equipment attached to the outside of the half-shells is brought into the inflatable boat.

[0050] In a further embodiment of the invention, after the inflatable boat has been inflated following activation in step e), a connection between the inflatable boat and the half-shells is severed. This causes the half-shell or both half-shells, if connected, to be submerged. This prevents the half-shells from revealing the position of the submarine or the presence of special forces.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the invention, activation in step e) occurs when the special forces connect a gas cartridge, in particular a CO2 cartridge, to the activation device and activate it in such a way that the CO2 cartridge releases gas and an overpressure is applied to the activation device, so that the activation device is triggered. The advantage is that CO2 cartridges are easy to use, have good durability properties and do not require a complex triggering mechanism. For example, the CO2 cartridge can be connected to the activation device, in particular to an activation port of the activation device, via a hose. This can ensure a safe distance between the special forces and the capsule.

[0052] In a further embodiment of the invention, the inflatable boat is not inflated symmetrically. Instead, buoyancy elements near the motor are inflated first, followed by buoyancy elements located further away from the motor. This ensures that the comparatively heavy motor can be safely kept afloat after the capsules are opened. Alternatively, additional buoyancy elements can be used to prevent excessive sinking of heavy components, such as the motor. The buoyancy components are then attached to the components themselves or in the area of ​​the heavy components on the inflatable boat.

[0053] In a further embodiment of the invention, the holding in step c) takes place in a range of 0.5 m to 10 m below the water surface, preferably in a range of 1 m to 5 m below the water surface. This ensures that the capsule is safely below the water surface even in a wave trough, but still at a depth accessible to swimmers. Furthermore, the remaining ascent distance is short, allowing the ascent to be particularly controlled.

[0054] The system according to the invention comprising a submarine and a capsule is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 Capsule in the submarine Fig. 2 Capsule under the water surface Fig. 3 Capsule on the water surface Fig. 4 Inflatable boat ready for use Fig. 5 Cross-section capsule Fig. 6 Cross-section of the Kasel in the storage area Fig. 7 Longitudinal section of the capsule

[0055] The illustrations are schematic and not to scale.

[0056] In Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 the deployment of an inflatable boat 50 from a submarine 10 by means of a capsule 40 is shown.

[0057] In Fig. 1 The capsule 40 is located in the storage area 30 of the submarine 10. The storage area 30 is located above and outside the pressure hull 20 below the outer skin. For example, the submarine 10 has a lock 80 in the turret. A weapon barrel 70 is located in the bow. Special forces can, for example, escape from the pressure hull into the surrounding water and to the water surface 90 through the lock 80 and / or the weapon barrel 70.

[0058] In the storage area 30, a dispensing device 100 for a holding cable 110 is arranged, wherein the holding cable 110 is connected to the capsule 40.

[0059] Of course, the submarine 10 can also have multiple storage areas 30, for example, two or four. Likewise, two capsules 40 can be arranged in one storage area 30, for example.

[0060] Fig. 2 shows the state after opening the storage area 30 and deploying the capsule 40. The capsule 40 is held with the holding rope 110 just below the water surface 90, for example 10 m below the water surface 90. Once the special forces are in position, the capsule 40 can be Fig. 3 shown, brought to the water surface 90.

[0061] At the water surface 90, the inflatable boat 50 is unfolded, the capsule 40 is opened and the half-shells 60 are sunk, as in Fig. 4 shown. The submarine 10 has also severed its connection to the tether 110, can close the storage area 30, and drive away.

[0062] In particular, by keeping it below the water surface 90, as in Fig. 2 shown, and the automatic unfolding of the inflatable boat 50, as in Fig. 4 As shown, the time spent at the water surface 90 can be minimized and thus the probability of detection can be minimized.

[0063] In Fig. 5 A cross-section through the capsule 40 is shown. The capsule 40 consists of two half-shells 60, each having a connecting area 120 through which the two half-shells 60 are sealed together. Inside the capsule 40, an inflatable boat 50 is stored in a compacted, uninflated form, but with an outboard motor mounted and fueled.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows the storage area 30 with the capsule 40 in cross-section. The storage area 30 can be opened using the hatch 140 to release the capsule 40. In the stored state, a clamping device 130, for example consisting of four clamping devices, holds the capsule 40. The dispensing device 100 is designed here in the form of a drum and can dispense the retaining cable 110 in a controlled manner. By blocking the drum of the dispensing device 100, the capsule 40 can thus be held at any desired depth. The dispensing device 100 is preferably controlled from inside the pressure hull 20.

[0065] Fig. 7shows a longitudinal section through the capsule 40. The inflatable boat 50 can be inflated via an inflation device 150, which is connected to a compressed air reservoir 170 for this purpose. The inflation device 150 is triggered via the activation device 160, through which, for example, a CO2 cartridge can be inserted from the outside and thus the inflation device 150 can be activated. Reference symbol

[0066] 10Submarine 20Pressure hull 30Storage area 40Capsule 50Inflatable boat 60Half shell 70Gun barrel 80Lock 90Water surface 100Discharge device 110Tether 120Connection area 130Clamping device 140Hatch 150Inflation device 160Activation device 170Compressed air reservoir

Claims

1. Submarine (10) with a device for the concealed deployment of an inflatable boat (50), the device having a storage region (30) arranged outside the pressure hull (20) of the submarine (10), wherein the storage area (30) is designed for storing and dispensing a pressure-resistant capsule (40), wherein the capsule (40) is designed to receive an inflatable boat (50) , wherein the capsule (40) is cylindrical in shape, wherein the capsule (40) has two half-shells (60), wherein the half-shells (60) have a flat connecting region (120), wherein the bearing region (30) has a clamping device (130), wherein the clamping device (130) is designed for fixing the capsule (40), wherein the clamping device (130) contacts the capsule (40) in the connecting region (120) of the half-shells (60), wherein the bearing region (30) and the capsule (40) are connected to one another via a retaining cable (110), wherein the bearing region (30) has a dispensing device (100) for controlled dispensing of the retaining cable (110).

2. Submarine (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the release device (100) has a holding device, the holding device being designed to prevent the release of the tether (110) against the buoyancy of the capsule (40).

3. A submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispensing device (100) is a drum, wherein the length of tether (110) dispensed via the drum is detected by detecting the rotations of the drum, wherein the rotation of the drum can be blocked to maintain a maximum length of tether (110) to be dispensed.

4. Submarine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamping device (130) has at least four clamping devices, at least two being arranged on each side of the capsule (40), the clamping device (130) being designed to release all the clamping devices simultaneously.

5. Capsule (40), wherein the capsule (40) is designed to accommodate an inflatable boat (50), wherein the capsule (40) is cylindrical in shape, wherein the capsule (40) has two half-shells (60), wherein the half-shells (60) have a flat connecting region (120), wherein the capsule (40) has an inflation device (150) for the inflatable boat (50), the inflation device (150) having an activation device (160) arranged on the outside of the capsule (40), the connection between the half-shells (60) being designed to be released by the inflation of the inflatable boat (50) in the capsule (40), , characterised in that the activation device (160) has an activation connection.

6. Capsule (40) according to claim 5, characterised in that the activation device (160) has a safety device, whereby this must be turned over or removed in order to reach the activation connection.

7. Capsule (40) according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterised in that the activation device (160) can be triggered remotely.

8. Capsule (40) according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterised in that d he blue boat is connected to one of the half shells (60) with a retaining rope (110).

9. Capsule (40) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that a first half-shell (60) is connectable to a tether (110) of a submarine (10), wherein a second half-shell (60) is connected to the first half-shell (60) with a tether (110).

10. Capsule (40) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterised in that the capsule (40) has a tightness sensor, the tightness sensor being arranged in the lower half-shell (60) but not at the lowest point of the lower half-shell (60).

11. Method for deploying special forces with an inflatable boat (50) from a submarine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 with a capsule (40) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, the method comprising the following steps: a) Discharge of special forces, b) Ascent of the special forces to the water surface (90), c) Deployment of the capsule (40) from the storage area (30) of the submarine (10), so that the capsule (40) is held on the tether (110) in the vicinity of the water surface (90) but completely below the water surface (90), wherein the step c) takes place independently of steps a) and b), but is completed before the completion of step b), d) Further ascent of the capsule (40) to the water surface (90), e) Activation of the inflation device (150) by means of the activation device (160) arranged on the outside of the capsule (40), f) Disconnecting the tether (110) between the submarine (10) and the capsule (40) before, during or after steps d) and e).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that, after the inflatable boat (50) has been inflated after activation in step e), a connection between the inflatable boat (50) and the half-shells (60) is separated.

13. Method according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterised in that the activation in step e) is achieved by special forces activating the capsule by means of a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic device.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the holding in step c) takes place in a range of 0.5 m to 10 m below the water surface, preferably in a range of 1 m to 5 m below the water surface.