UNDERWATER VEHICLE WITH AT LEAST A DURABLE, THICK HULL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an underwater craft such as a submarine proper.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to an underwater vehicle comprising at least one thick hull resistant to the maximum immersion pressure.

[0003] We know that underwater vehicles can be used in particular to deploy one or more divers, for example belonging to special units.

[0004] Several systems for deploying and recovering these divers have already been proposed in the state of the art.

[0005] Thus, for example, the weapon launching tubes of the underwater vehicle, also known as torpedo tubes, can be used to deploy these divers.

[0006] The conning tower or conning tower of the submarine can also be used for this purpose by incorporating an airlock.

[0007] Special airlocks forming an extension of the submarine's thick hull have also been proposed.

[0008] DE 10 2018 217667, US 5 462 003, US 5 979 354, DE 10 2015 221096 and WO 2009 / 002520 describe underwater vehicles with an airlock.

[0009] But all these systems have a number of drawbacks insofar as the means of deploying the divers are subjected to the maximum immersion pressure, occupy in most cases a significant place in the thick hull and constitute a specific difficulty during the manufacture and qualification of the underwater vehicle.

[0010] The purpose of the invention is therefore to solve these problems.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an underwater vehicle comprising at least one thick hull resistant to the maximum immersion pressure, characterized in that it further comprises a diver deployment airlock, placed outside the thick hull, connected to it by a first passage and to the external environment of the underwater vehicle by a second passage and at least one weapon launching tube, associated with filling / emptying means for controlling the operation of this tube, and in that the diver deployment airlock is connected to these filling / emptying means of this weapon launching tube in order to pool them and allow the operation of the airlock to be controlled by using at least part of these means.

[0012] Depending on other characteristics of the device according to the invention, taken alone or in combination: It includes means for equalizing the pressure of the airlock with the underwater vehicle's environment outside of diver deployment phases and / or when the underwater vehicle's immersion depth exceeds a predetermined value; the means for equalizing the pressure of the airlock with the underwater vehicle's environment include pilotable means for opening the second passage; the means for equalizing the pressure of the airlock with the underwater vehicle's environment include a connecting pipe from the airlock to the vehicle's environment, equipped with a pilotable valve; the shared means include: ∘ at least one filling / emptying tank, ∘ at least one compensation tank; ∘ trim adjustment means; and ∘ air and water ducts; the first passage between the airlock and the underwater vehicle's thick hull is formed by a weapon loading passage into the latter;The second passage through the airlock to the outside of the underwater vehicle is aligned with the first passage to allow the loading of weapons into the underwater vehicle; each passage includes a raised section associated with a pilotable shutter panel; the airlock includes at least one bulkhead shared with at least one other piece of equipment of the underwater vehicle; the other piece of equipment consists of a ballast tank and / or an adjustment tank.

[0013] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 represents a synoptic diagram illustrating the structure of an underwater vehicle according to the invention; and [ Figs. 2 to 6 ] THE figures 2 to 6 illustrate schematic views representing a cycle of implementation of divers using an underwater device according to the invention.

[0014] This has indeed been illustrated in these figures, and in particular in the figure 1 , an underwater vehicle designated by the general reference 1 in these figures.

[0015] This underwater vehicle is, for example, a submarine in the true sense of the word.

[0016] This one has a classic thick hull designated by the general reference 2, i.e. resistant to the maximum immersion pressure and in which the crew is located.

[0017] The underwater vehicle also includes, for example, an external hull designated by the general reference 3, around the thick hull, which is not resistant to immersion pressure and at the front of which are arranged a number of functional components of the submarine.

[0018] These components are then placed, for example, in a framework at the front of the submarine, as will be described in more detail later.

[0019] In fact, in the underwater vehicle according to the invention, there is a diver deployment chamber which is designated by the general reference 4 on these figures.

[0020] This airlock is placed outside the thick hull 2, for example at the front of it, in the framework and is connected to this thick hull of the submarine by a first crossing designated by the general reference 5 on these figures.

[0021] This airlock 4 is also connected to the external environment of the underwater vehicle by a second passage designated by the general reference 6.

[0022] Provisions are also made for means of bringing the airlock into equal pressure with the outside of the underwater vehicle outside of the phases of deployment of divers and / or when the immersion depth of the underwater vehicle exceeds a predetermined value, such as for example a depth of 55m known as the safety depth.

[0023] Of course, other values ​​can be considered.

[0024] As previously indicated, other components or equipment of the submarine may be provided in this forward part of the underwater craft, such as equipment designated by references 7 and 8 in these figures.

[0025] These include, for example, selected components or equipment from the group, including compensation funds, means of adjusting the tax base, etc.

[0026] Crossings such as crossings 5 ​​and 6 each include a surbau 9 and 10 respectively, associated with a shutter panel 11 and 12 respectively.

[0027] These shutter panels can be controlled to open and close, for example remotely, from inside the thick hull.

[0028] As illustrated, the airlock 4 can also include partitions that can be shared, i.e. common or shared with the other components or equipment 7, 8 of the submarine, and with the thick hull 2 ​​of the submarine as illustrated.

[0029] As previously stated, means are also planned to bring the airlock into equal pressure with the environment of the underwater vehicle outside of the deployment phases of the diver(s) and / or when the immersion depth of the underwater vehicle exceeds the predetermined value.

[0030] These means include, for example, controllable means for opening the second crossing 6, such as, for example, means for opening panel 12 of this second crossing 6.

[0031] Other embodiments of these means can be envisaged and these means of bringing the airlock into equal pressure with the environment of the underwater vehicle can also, for example, include a connecting pipe of the airlock to the environment of the vehicle, equipped with a controllable valve.

[0032] An example of this implementation is illustrated in these figures, with the tubing designated by general reference 13 and the pilot valve by general reference 14 in these figures.

[0033] The underwater vehicle is also equipped with at least one weapon launching tube associated with filling / emptying means for controlling the operation of this tube.

[0034] These means are designated by the general reference 15 on these figures, and therefore include means for controlling the operation of the tube in association with a water filling / draining box designated by the general reference 16 on this figure.

[0035] Depending on the operational needs of the weapon launch tube, these means allow water to be transferred between the tube and the crate and vice versa, to fill or empty it.

[0036] Means of compensation and pitch adjustment can also operate according to this principle.

[0037] Air and water ducts are then used to connect the tube and these boxes.

[0038] In fact, in the device according to the invention, the filling / emptying means 15 and 16 for controlling the operation of the weapon launching tube are also connected to the airlock 4 for the deployment of the diver(s), in order to pool, i.e. share, these means and allow the operation of the airlock to be controlled by using at least part of these filling / emptying means.

[0039] As previously indicated, a first crossing 5 is planned between the lock 4 and the thick hull 2 ​​of the underwater vehicle.

[0040] In the underwater vehicle according to the invention, the first passage 5 between the airlock and the thick hull of the underwater vehicle is formed by a weapon loading passage in the latter.

[0041] Indeed, weapons such as torpedoes or missiles are loaded into the underwater vehicle, for example, through a specific passage through its thick hull.

[0042] In the underwater vehicle according to the invention, this weapon loading passage is also used to allow the movement of divers between the thick hull and the airlock.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the second crossing 6 between the airlock and the outside of the underwater vehicle is aligned with the first crossing 5 to allow in particular the loading of weapons into the underwater vehicle, including weapons of considerable length such as torpedoes or missiles.

[0044] Of course, many other implementation methods can still be considered.

[0045] On the figures 2 to 6 We have illustrated a cycle of deployment of divers from an underwater vehicle according to the invention.

[0046] The beginning of the cycle is illustrated on the figure 2 which represents the initial state of the underwater vehicle, in which airlock 4 is full of water and open to the outside to be in equal pressure with the environment of the submarine.

[0047] As previously indicated, this is achieved for example either by opening panel 12 of the second crossing 6, or by opening valve 14 of pipe 13.

[0048] In this case, airlock 4 is therefore in equal pressure with the environment of the underwater vehicle and is not subjected to the maximum immersion pressure, and the underwater vehicle can therefore move completely freely.

[0049] When it is necessary to deploy divers, the underwater vehicle ascends to a depth suitable for deploying divers, such as an immersion above 55m.

[0050] The airlock 4 is then isolated from the outside of the submersible by closing the panel 12 of the second passage 6 and / or the valve 14 of the pipe 13 as illustrated on the figure 3 .

[0051] The airlock 4 can then be emptied into the weapon launch tube filling / emptying box 16 using the control means 15 of these.

[0052] This draining is done with low-pressure air and uses the existing installation dedicated to filling / draining the tubes.

[0053] Once the airlock has been emptied, it is pressurized from inside the thick hull using specific connection means and panel 11 of the first crossing 5 is opened.

[0054] The diver(s) can then leave the thick hull 2 ​​and enter the airlock 4 by passing through the first crossing 5.

[0055] Then panel 11 of the first crossing is closed, and the airlock is refilled using water from the filling / draining box for the weapon launch tubes.

[0056] The air from the airlock is then sent either into the thick hull or outside.

[0057] This is illustrated on the figure 4 .

[0058] On the figure 5 , we see that once the airlock is filled with water, it is enough to balance the internal pressure of the airlock with the pressure outside the underwater vehicle, for example by using the tubing 13 and the valve 14 described previously.

[0059] Once this equalization is achieved, panel 12 of the second crossing 6 can be opened to allow the divers to exit.

[0060] We find ourselves at the final stage illustrated on the figure 6 , in which airlock 4 returned to its initial state, i.e. filled with water and in equal pressure with the external environment of the underwater vehicle.

[0061] The recovery of the divers is done by following a cycle that is the reverse of the one just described.

[0062] It is therefore understandable that such an underwater vehicle has a number of advantages.

[0063] Indeed, the airlock shares common partitions with other equipment of the underwater vehicle and its thick hull.

[0064] This airlock also shares equipment with other existing facilities on board, such as, for example, facilities for filling / emptying weapon launch tubes, weapon loading, compensation, adjustment, etc.

[0065] This makes it easier to prepare for the deployment of swimmers, while having very little or no impact on the weight and stability of the submarine.

[0066] The airlock described above can be integrated into the forward structure of a submersible and can, for example, be modular.

[0067] It is therefore no longer an internal piece of equipment with a thick hull resistant to maximum immersion pressure, which was complex to handle, manufacture and qualify.

[0068] Of course, many other implementation methods can be considered.

Claims

1. A submarine craft (1) comprising at least one pressure hull (2) resistant to the maximum immersion pressure, further comprising a lockout chamber (4) for deploying a diver, placed outside the pressure hull (2), connected to the latter by a first passage (5) and to the external environment of the submarine craft by a second passage (6) and at least one weapon launch tube, associated with flood / drain means (15, 16) for controlling the operation of that tube, characterised in that the lockout chamber (4) for deploying the diver(s) is connected to these flood / drain means for this weapon launch tube in order to pool them and enable the operation of the lockout chamber to be controlled at least partially using these means.

2. The submarine craft (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means (12; 13, 14) for equalising the pressure of the lockout chamber with the environment of the submarine craft outside of diver deployment phases and / or when the immersion depth of the submarine craft exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The submarine craft (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the means for equalising the pressure of the lockout chamber with the environment of the submarine craft comprise controllable means for opening the second passage (6).

4. The submarine craft (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the means for equalising the pressure of the lockout chamber with the environment of the submarine craft comprise a pipe (13) for connecting the lockout chamber to the environment of the vehicle, provided with a controllable valve (14).

5. The submarine craft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shared means comprise: - at least one flood / drain tank, - at least one compensating tank; - trim control means; and - air and water lines.

6. The submarine craft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first passage (5) between the lockout chamber (4) and the pressure hull (2) of the submarine craft is formed by a weapon-loading passage therein.

7. The submarine craft (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the second passage (6) of the lockout chamber (5) to the outside of the submarine craft is aligned with the first passage (5) to allow weapons to be loaded into the submarine craft.

8. The submarine craft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each passage (5, 6) comprises a coaming (9, 10) associated with a controllable closing panel (11, 12).

9. The submarine craft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lockout chamber (4) comprises at least one bulkhead shared with at least one other piece of equipment (2, 7, 8) of the submarine craft.

10. The submarine craft (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the other equipment is formed by a ballast tank and / or a trim tank.