Integrated compressed air ejection device for a submarine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a submarine 10, wherein the submarine 10 has a first compressed air reservoir 20, wherein the submarine 10 has a first compressed air consumer, wherein the first compressed air reservoir 20 is connected to the first compressed air consumer, wherein the submarine 10 has at least one first gun barrel 41, characterized in that the first compressed air reservoir 20 is connected to the first gun barrel 41 via a first discharge control 50, wherein the first discharge control 50 has at least one first main control valve 52, wherein the first main control valve 52 has at least one first position and one second position, wherein in the first position no compressed air can flow through the first discharge control 50, wherein in the second position the compressed air from the first compressed air reservoir 20 flows through the first discharge control 50 into the first gun barrel 41.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a compressed air ejection device that is integrated into the overall system of the submarine and is no longer designed as a standalone system.

[0002] There are various methods for ejecting a weapon from a gun barrel. Compressed air is an efficient way to quickly eject a weapon. However, compressed air ejection always produces a certain amount of noise. In addition, there are several other ejection mechanisms, one of which is self-launching torpedoes, which leave the gun barrel under their own power without any additional ejection from the submarine. A problem arises with defective torpedoes that no longer function. The risk is that, for example, if the accumulator of such a defective torpedo ignites, the entire submarine is at risk. Furthermore, there are weapons that cannot leave the gun barrel independently but must be ejected because they lack their own propulsion or a propulsion system that can be activated within the gun barrel.

[0003] From DE 31 22 631 A1 a blow-off device for the discharge and outflow pipes of submarines is known.

[0004] Improvements to detachable attack units for submarines are known from GB 117 927 A.

[0005] From DE 10 2021 206 949 B3 a low-noise weapon compensation device in a submarine and a method for operating it are known.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an ejection device that can be used, for example, for such applications, but is significantly more compact than a conventional ejection device, i.e., smaller with limited functionality.

[0007] This problem is solved by the submarine with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0008] The submarine according to the invention comprises a first compressed air reservoir. Furthermore, the submarine comprises a first compressed air consumer. The first compressed air reservoir is connected to the first compressed air consumer. For example, and in particular, the first compressed air consumer is an emergency inflation system for a ballast tank, and the first compressed air reservoir holds the compressed air needed for surfacing. The first compressed air consumer is distinct from a weapon barrel, or in other words, the first compressed air consumer is not a weapon barrel. It is important to note that this is not a compressed air reservoir specifically for weapon discharge, as is currently the norm. The first compressed air reservoir merely needs to be capable of providing the required compressed air.This is the case, for example, if the first compressed air consumer also has a comparatively high compressed air consumption, especially if it has a high compressed air demand, particularly for short periods, as is the case, for example, during initial blow-off. The submarine has at least one gun barrel. Submarines nowadays typically have between six and eight gun barrels.

[0009] According to the invention, the first compressed air reservoir is connected to the first gun barrel via a first discharge control system, in addition to the first compressed air consumer. The first compressed air reservoir is thus responsible for two consumers, of which the first compressed air consumer is considered primary, and the compressed air discharge from the gun barrel is only a secondary, subordinate use. This, however, means that the condition of the first compressed air reservoir is such that there are situations—for example, when the first compressed air consumer is the emergency blow-off system of the ballast tank and the submarine has already drawn compressed air from the first compressed air reservoir for depth changes—where the pressure is no longer sufficient to discharge the compressed air. The ability to discharge the gun barrel is therefore limited. This is generally considered unacceptable.The submarine according to the invention is not, or only conditionally, to be understood as a primary ejection device, but rather also as an emergency ejection device, for example, to allow torpedoes to be deployed independently during normal deployment and, in the event of a malfunction, to be able to eject these torpedoes with compressed air. Therefore, in this case, the limitation is considered acceptable, as it saves weight and space in the submarine. The first ejection control system has at least one first main control valve. The first main control valve has at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, no compressed air can flow through the first ejection control system. This is thus the safe default state. The first main control valve is in this first position except when a weapon is being ejected.In the second position, the compressed air flows from the first compressed air reservoir through the first discharge control into the first gun barrel. Thus, unlike today, a compressed air source already used for another ship system is employed for the compressed air discharge.

[0010] The key point is that only the primary compressed air reservoir, already present for the first compressed air consumer, is used; thus, there is no dedicated compressed air reservoir for one or more weapon barrels, saving space and weight. Consequently, compressed air discharge within the weapon barrel, as is the usual discharge principle, is not possible during normal operation, since the invention does not provide a separate compressed air supply for this purpose.

[0011] One of the advantages of the invention is that only a small number of compressed air pipes and valves need to be integrated into the submarine to enable a capability extension to compressed air discharge, accepting that compressed air discharge is not possible if the compressed air supply for the emergency blow-off system of the ballast tank is too low.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first compressed air consumer is an emergency blow-off system of a ballast tank. The compressed air reservoir for the ballast tank's emergency blow-off system is comparatively large and is typically designed for several dives. The amount of compressed air required to fire a weapon is significantly less than the amount needed for an emergency ascent. Therefore, this system is particularly suitable as a source of compressed air.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first main control valve controls a first pressure ejection valve, i.e., it can open or close it. In this embodiment, the first main control valve is therefore only a control valve that selectively opens and closes the valves required for ejection, but the actual compressed air for ejection does not flow through it. The first pressure ejection valve is arranged between the first compressed air reservoir and the first gun barrel. The first pressure ejection valve is thus primarily responsible for the rapid opening and closing during ejection, so that the compressed air accelerates the weapon as quickly and abruptly as possible from the outset. This allows the first main control valve and the first pressure ejection valve to be optimized independently of each other for their respective applications.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first ejection control system includes a check valve. The check valve is preferably arranged downstream of a pressure ejection valve, i.e., typically in the unpressurized area. The check valve prevents a fluid, such as air or even water, from flowing from the gun barrel towards the first compressed air reservoir.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first gun barrel has a first compressed air inlet. The first compressed air inlet has a lockable first pipe check valve. The first compressed air inlet forms the connection between the interior of the pressure vessel and the external environment. In particular, the gun barrel is flooded immediately before the ejection point, so that the water on the side of the compressed air inlet facing the gun barrel is at ambient pressure. Therefore, the lockable feature is advantageous in order to securely seal the interior of the pressure vessel.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first compressed air storage tank is designed for a pressure of at least 250 bar. Many common gas storage tanks, such as compressed gas cylinders, are designed for 250 bar, but also for higher pressures, so that implementation with a pressure of 250 bar is relatively simple and common.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, a shut-off valve is arranged between the first compressed air reservoir and the first ejection control unit. This allows for simple and complete shut-off, thus reliably preventing unintentional ejection. Preferably, the shut-off valve is an upstream manual shut-off valve, so that the gun barrel can be easily and safely disconnected from the first compressed air reservoir, for example, if the compressed air supply is too low.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has at least one second gun barrel. Six or eight gun barrels are more common in a submarine. The invention can be scaled accordingly for more than two gun barrels. Preferably, however, gun barrels are always grouped in pairs. The first main control valve has at least one third position, in which the compressed air from the first compressed air reservoir flows through the first discharge control into the second gun barrel. A fourth position would be provided for a third gun barrel, and so on. It is thus possible to select each gun barrel individually via the first main control valve. At the same time, this also means that only one gun barrel can be selected at a time, and not several. This ensures that full pressure is always available for firing a single weapon, and thus the compressed air can accelerate that one weapon to its maximum potential.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second gun barrels are connected to the ejection control via a common three-way valve with three ports. The three-way valve can assume a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, there is no compressed air connection to either the first or the second gun barrel. This is therefore the safe normal position, preventing unintentional ejection. In the second position, there is a compressed air connection only to the first gun barrel, and in the third position, there is a compressed air connection only to the second gun barrel. Preferably, the second and third positions are secured such that these positions can only be activated when other safety-relevant conditions are met. In particular, the gun barrel must be lubricated, the muzzle gate must be open, and / or the holding device must be released.Since these devices are typically all hydraulically or pneumatically controlled, this can be implemented relatively easily from a circuit design perspective. It can be stipulated that these devices or states are monitored by sensors and that signals must be present at the ejection control unit before these positions can be activated.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second gun barrels each have a retaining pawl. The three-way valve is configured such that it can only be switched to the second position when the retaining pawl of the first gun barrel is released. Similarly, the three-way valve can only be switched to the third position when the retaining pawl of the second gun barrel is released. This prevents potential damage to a weapon that is still held in the retaining pawl by its locking lug. If this lug were then ejected with compressed air, there would be a risk of damage to the weapon and thus an immediate risk to the submarine.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the three-way valve can only be switched as long as the connection between the ejection control and the three-way valve is depressurized. This has the advantage that the three-way valve is not the normal ejection valve and is therefore not designed for particularly rapid opening. If the three-way valve were switched when pressure is already present, the pressure in the gun barrel would build up correspondingly slowly due to the slow opening of the three-way valve, which would reduce the maximum achievable acceleration of the weapon.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has a second compressed air reservoir. The submarine has a second compressed air consumer. The second compressed air reservoir is connected to the second compressed air consumer. The second compressed air reservoir is connected to the first gun barrel via the first exhaust control or a second exhaust control. Since most critical systems in a submarine are designed redundantly, the emergency blow-off system is also designed redundantly. Therefore, there are usually two compressed air reservoirs available for blowing the ballast tanks. This redundancy can now also be used for the exhaust system.It is preferred to use two separate ejection controls, as this maintains complete separation of the two compressed air systems and thus eliminates the risk that a defect in one ejection control, for example, could simultaneously damage and disable both emergency blow-off systems. The first and second ejection controls are preferably identical in design; all preferred embodiments described for the first ejection control also apply analogously to the second. An identical design has the advantage that identical spare parts can be kept on hand, which simplifies inventory management.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has a second compressed air reservoir. The submarine has a second compressed air consumer. The second compressed air reservoir is connected to the second compressed air consumer. The second compressed air reservoir is connected to the second gun barrel via a second discharge control. The second compressed air reservoir is not directly connected to the first gun barrel via a second discharge control, but only via a coupling valve. Likewise, the first compressed air reservoir is not directly connected to the second gun barrel via the first discharge control, but only via the coupling valve.The invention therefore comprises two normally separate devices, which can be connected via the coupling valve, so that both parts are completely separate and thus capable of operating independently of each other when the coupling valve is closed. At the same time, opening the coupling valve allows for the discharge of air from the second gun barrel via the first compressed air reservoir and from the first gun barrel via the second compressed air reservoir. This ensures maximum independence of the systems and, at the same time, redundancy.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has at least one compressed air reservoir whose storage volume is larger than that required for at least one compressed air discharge from a weapon barrel and for supplying at least one compressed air consumer. The storage volume can also be distributed among several interconnectable compressed air reservoirs.

[0025] In a further development of the invention of this embodiment, the compressed air storage unit has a storage volume that is dimensioned such that at least one compressed air discharge of a weapon tube and at least one filling of a control cell of the submarine can be carried out at a diving pressure of the design depth.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has at least one compressed air reservoir whose storage volume is less than or equal to that required for one compressed air discharge per gun barrel and 100 supplies to the first compressed air consumer. The storage volume can also be distributed among several interconnectable compressed air reservoirs.

[0027] In a further development of this embodiment of the invention, the compressed air storage unit has a storage volume that is smaller than or equal to that required for a maximum of 8 compressed air discharges from a gun barrel and 10 complete fillings of all control cells of the submarine at a diving pressure of the design depth.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pressure in the first compressed air reservoir and in the second compressed air reservoir is determined before ejection, and the compressed air reservoir with the higher residual pressure is selected for ejection.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second discharge control system comprises a second main control valve. The second discharge control system comprises a second pressure discharge valve. All preferred embodiments described for the first discharge control system also apply analogously to the second discharge control system.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first ejection control system includes a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve serves to depressurize the area between the gun barrel and the first pressure relief valve after an ejection. For this purpose, the compressed air is preferably simply released into the interior of the submarine's pressure hull.

[0031] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a submarine according to the invention. By moving the first ejection control to the second position, a weapon is ejected from the first gun barrel by means of compressed air. Preferably, moving the first ejection control to the second position opens the first pressure ejection valve.

[0032] Preferably, after the weapon has been ejected, the first ejection control is returned to the first position, thereby closing the first pressure ejection valve and subsequently opening the pressure relief valve.

[0033] Naturally, the ejection of the weapon also includes further steps, all of which are carried out in accordance with the prior art, such as, for example, and in particular, inserting a weapon into the gun barrel, wetting the gun barrel, opening the muzzle flap, and releasing the retaining lug. Likewise, the muzzle flap is subsequently closed again and the gun barrel is vented. More broadly, the journey to the target area and the return to port are also included, but these do not affect the ejection method according to the invention.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the execution of the method is prevented if the pressure in the first compressed air reservoir falls below a predetermined pressure. In particular, this pressure can be 20% below the maximum pressure of the first compressed air reservoir. Thus, for example, if the maximum pressure of the first compressed air reservoir is 250 bar, the method cannot be carried out if the pressure in the first compressed air reservoir is below 200 bar. This is due to the coupling, or rather the "parasitic" use, of another compressed air system, especially for blowing the ballast tanks. And precisely for this purpose, sufficient air must be available; that is, at maximum ambient pressure and maximum immersion depth, enough gas must be available to completely fill the ballast tanks.Assuming a maximum pressure of 30 bar for simplicity, it follows that the first compressed air reservoir requires approximately at least 16% of the ballast tank volume to operate at 200 bar. Since the first compressed air reservoir is designed to withstand its maximum pressure, a percentage limit for its use in the inventive method is advisable to ensure the safety of the submarine. If the first compressed air reservoir were, for example, the breathing air, a different limit could be appropriately defined.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first main control valve can only be moved from the first position to the second position if the first pipe check valve is unlocked and the three-way valve is in the second position. This also serves a safety purpose and, since the components are usually actuated hydraulically or pneumatically, can be implemented simply.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first main control valve controls the first pressure relief valve and the three-way valve. Preferably, the three-way valve is controlled before the first main control valve, so that the switching process of the three-way valve is completely finished before the first pressure relief valve is opened.

[0037] The submarine according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 exemplary submarine Fig. 2 Exemplary pipe check valve, locked Fig. 3 Exemplary pipe check valve, unlocked Fig. 4 Exemplary pipe check valve, during ejection

[0038] In Fig. 1 An exemplary submarine 10 is shown. This purely schematic and not-to-scale representation of the submarine 10 features a first compressed air reservoir 20, which is connected via a ballast tank valve 32 to at least two ballast tanks 30. The primary function of the first compressed air reservoir is therefore to enable the submarine 10 to change depth during surfacing. The first compressed air reservoir 20 must always contain sufficient residual compressed air to completely fill all ballast tanks 30 with air, even at maximum diving depth, in the event of an emergency inflation, thus generating maximum buoyancy.

[0039] This compressed air system is now also used for compressed air discharge. For this purpose, the first compressed air reservoir 20 is connected via a shut-off valve 70 to the discharge control 50, and via the discharge control 50 to the three-way valve 80. The compressed air can be directed via the three-way valve 80 to the first gun barrel 41 or the second gun barrel 42. The first pipe check valve 61 is located directly on the first gun barrel 41, and the second pipe check valve 62 is located on the second gun barrel 42. The first pipe check valve 61 prevents water from entering from a flooded first gun barrel 41, and the second pipe check valve 62 prevents water from entering from a flooded second gun barrel 42.

[0040] The ejection control unit 50 initially includes a check valve 54, which prevents any backflow to the ballast tank system. Compressed air can therefore only flow through the check valve 54 from the first compressed air reservoir 20 towards the gun tubes 41, 42, and not vice versa. Downstream of the check valve 54, in the direction of gas flow, is the pressure ejection valve 56. This valve is designed to switch as quickly as possible, thus enabling rapid pressure build-up behind a weapon in the gun tube 41, 42 and thereby achieving maximum acceleration within the gun tube 41, 42. The ejection control unit also includes a pressure release valve 58 to depressurize the area after ejection. For this purpose, the compressed air is simply released into the interior of the submarine 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the discharge control 50 includes a main control valve 52. The main control valve 52 is connected to the three-way valve 80. There are two possible configurations for this. Either the main control valve is connected to the three-way valve 80 for actuation and thus switching, and therefore opens the connection to the selected gun tube 41, 42 before the pressure discharge valve 56 opens. Alternatively, the main control valve 52 can only be moved into a position if the corresponding gun tube 41, 42 has already been activated via the three-way valve 80. Thus, in both cases, the main control valve 52 can only open the pressure discharge valve 56 if the connection to the selected gun tube 41, 42 has already been established without pressure.

[0042] The Fig. 2 bis Fig. 4 shows an example pipe check valve 61. This is in Fig. 2 locked, in Fig. 3 unlocked and in Fig. 4 The pipe check valve 61 is shown during ejection. Its primary function is to prevent water from entering the interior of the pressure vessel via the compressed air lines from the gun barrel, regardless of the pressure conditions. To this end, the pipe check valve 61 has an inlet through which compressed air from the ejection control 100 can be introduced, and an outlet through which the compressed air can be directed into the gun barrel 102. The pipe check valve 61 can be closed by a valve 110. A seal 112 is provided there to seal the valve. Normally, the valve 110 is held closed by the spring 120. Therefore, to open the valve 110, the gas pressure must be higher than the water pressure in the gun barrel plus the pressure exerted by the spring force. Thus, even during ejection and with the valve 110 open, no water can enter the compressed air lines.

[0043] In addition to this backflow prevention function, the pipe check valve 61 is also lockable and has a locking mechanism 130 for this purpose. This is actuated by the hydraulics 132 from the in Fig. 2 shown locked position in the Fig. 3 und Fig. 4 to be moved. In the Fig. 2 In the locked position shown, the locking mechanism 130 blocks the valve 110, preventing it from opening regardless of the pressure conditions. The use of hydraulics 132 to move the locking mechanism 130 has the significant advantage that, due to its incompressible nature, simply shutting off the hydraulics 132 is sufficient to reliably prevent any movement of the locking mechanism 130. Reference sign

[0044] 10 Submarine 20 Compressed air reservoir 30 Ballast tank 32 Ballast tank valve 41 First gun tube 42 Second gun tube 50 Ejection control 52 Main control valve 54 Check valve 56 Pressure ejection valve 58 Pressure relief valve 61 First tube check valve 62 Second tube check valve 70 Shut-off valve 80 Three-way valve 100 From the ejection control 102 Into the gun tube 110 Valve 112 Seal 120 Spring 130 Locking device 132 Hydraulics

Claims

1. Submarine (10), wherein the submarine (10) has a first compressed air reservoir (20), wherein the submarine (10) has a first compressed air consumer, wherein the first compressed air reservoir (20) is connected to the first compressed air consumer, wherein the submarine (10) has at least one first gun tube (41), wherein the first compressed air consumer is different from a gun tube (41, 42), characterized by the fact that the first compressed air reservoir (20) is connected to the first gun barrel (41) via a first ejection control (50), wherein the first ejection control (50) has at least one first main control valve (52), wherein the first main control valve (52) has at least one first position and one second position, wherein in the first position no compressed air can flow through the first ejection control (50), wherein in the second position the compressed air from the first compressed air reservoir (20) flows through the first ejection control (50) into the first gun barrel (41).

2. Submarine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first compressed air consumer is an emergency blow-in system of a ballast tank (30).

3. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the first ejection control (50) has a check valve (54).

4. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the first main control valve (52) controls a first pressure relief valve (56), wherein the first pressure relief valve (56) is arranged between the first compressed air reservoir (20) and the first gun tube (41).

5. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the first gun tube (41) has a first compressed air inlet, wherein the first compressed air inlet has a lockable first tube check valve (61).

6. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe first compressed air storage tank (20) is designed for a pressure of at least 250 bar.

7. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that A shut-off valve (70) is arranged between the first compressed air reservoir (20) and the first discharge control (50).

8. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the submarine (10) has a second gun tube (42), wherein the first main control valve (52) has at least a third position, wherein in the third position the compressed air flows from the first compressed air reservoir (20) through the first discharge control (50) into the second gun tube (42).

9. Submarine (10) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact thatthe first gun tube (41) and the second gun tube (42) are connected to the ejection control (50) via a common three-way valve (80), wherein the three-way valve (80) can assume a first position, a second position and a third position, wherein in the first position there is no compressed air connection to the first gun tube (41) or to the second gun tube (42), wherein in the second position there is a compressed air connection only to the first gun tube (41), wherein in the third position there is a compressed air connection only to the second gun tube (42).

10. Submarine (10) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact thatthe first gun tube (41) and the second gun tube (42) each have a retaining pawl, wherein the three-way valve (80) is connected such that the three-way valve (80) can only be switched to the second position when the retaining pawl of the first gun tube (41) is released, wherein the three-way valve (80) is connected such that the three-way valve (80) can only be switched to the third position when the retaining pawl of the second gun tube (42) is released.

11. Submarine (10) according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized by the fact that the three-way valve (80) can only be switched as long as the connection between the ejection control (50) and the three-way valve (80) is depressurized.

12. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe submarine (10) has a second compressed air reservoir (20), wherein the submarine (10) has a second compressed air consumer, wherein the second compressed air reservoir (20) is connected to the second compressed air consumer, the second compressed air reservoir (20) is connected to the first gun tube (41) via the first ejection control (50) or a second ejection control (50).

13. Submarine (10) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the second discharge control (50) has a second main control valve (52), wherein the second discharge control (50) has a second pressure discharge valve (56).

14. Submarine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the first ejection control (50) has a pressure relief valve (58).

15. Method for operating a submarine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by moving the first ejection control (50) into the second position a weapon is ejected from the first gun tube (41) by means of compressed air.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that The execution of the procedure is prevented if the pressure in the first compressed air reservoir (20) falls below a predetermined pressure.

17. Method according to one of claims 15 to 16, characterized by the fact that the first main control valve (52) can only be moved from the first position to the second position if the first pipe check valve (61) is unlocked and the three-way valve (80) is in the second position.

18. Method according to one of claims 15 to 16, characterized by the fact that the first main control valve (52) controls the first pressure relief valve (56) and the three-way valve (80).

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