Cable deployment system for submarines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable deployment system for a submarine, comprising: a cable (20) including a tail rope (23), a linear towing sensor (22), and a towing cable (21); a winding unit (300) for winding or deploying the cable (20); and a deployment device (400) for aligning and moving the cable (20) when the cable (20) is wound or deployed, and moving the cable (20) by means of a drive belt (434) and a transport belt (444).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a deployment system for a linear array towed sensor used to detect underwater targets. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, targets on land are detected using radio waves or light waves. However, underwater, target detection using radio waves or light waves is difficult due to high absorption rates.

[0003] Detection of underwater objects is primarily carried out by sonar technology using sound waves, and detection of submarines and the like is also performed by sonar.

[0004] The detection, identification, and location tracking of underwater targets using sound waves is called SONAR (SOund and NAvigation Ranging).

[0005] Sound waves travel faster underwater than in air and have the advantage of being able to travel long distances, so sonar is used to detect submarines from a distance and accurately track their location.

[0006] Sonar is classified into passive sonar and active sonar depending on the detection method. Passive sonar is equipment that detects underwater targets by receiving sound waves generated by them, such as the noise from a submarine's engine or propeller, from a long distance. Examples include towed array sensors towed by cable from a submarine or vessel, hull-mounted sonar attached around the hull of a submarine, and array sensors for sea area surveillance acoustic systems laid on the seabed.

[0007] The linear array towed sensor mounted on the submarine is an underwater surveillance system that detects underwater targets by operating in a manner where it is connected to tow cables and tail ropes at the front and rear, stored wound on a winch drum equipped on the submarine's hull, and then deployed to the rear of the submarine's stern to be towed by the submarine.

[0008] To improve the detection range and accuracy of towed array sensors mounted on submarines, a towing cable is connected to the hull, and the towed array sensors are towed to a certain distance from the hull to perform detection, and to perform target tracking, underwater acoustic detection, and surface target detection.

[0009] As the frequency of sound waves increases, transmission loss due to absorption in water also increases; therefore, low-frequency detection is generally used to accurately detect targets from a long distance.

[0010] Since the spacing and array length of the arranged sensors must be proportional to the wavelength of the target frequency to measure the bearing of sound waves generated by an underwater target, large-scale acoustic detection equipment is required to accurately measure the bearing of low-frequency sound.

[0011] Since the equipment for towed array sonar is large-scale and always located underwater, the deployment system of conventional towed array sensors had the following problems.

[0012] A deployment device is installed for the initial deployment of the cable (Fig. 2). The deployment device is structured to deploy the cable (towing cable, linear towing sensor, and tail rope) by pressing it with the compressive force of a compression roller and the rotational force of a single belt.

[0013] The towing cable, linear towing sensor, and tail rope have different diameters (in conventional cables, the tail rope and towing cable have the same diameter, and the diameter of the linear towing sensor is larger than the diameters of the tail rope and towing cable. Diameter example: tail rope 25mm, linear towing sensor 52mm, towing cable 25mm). Since the conventional deployment device has a structure that accommodates the diameters of the tail rope, linear towing sensor, and towing cable, the compression force of the compression roller is insufficient for the tail rope that is deployed first (it is deployed in the order of tail rope → linear towing sensor → towing cable), so the initial deployment output is significantly insufficient, and if the initial deployment is not possible, the operation of the winch system itself is impossible.

[0014] However, if the compression force of the compression roller is increased to improve the initial pulling power of the tail rope, excessive compression force is applied to the linear array towing sensor, which has a larger diameter than the tail rope. This poses a significant problem, as it raises concerns about permanent damage, such as coating damage and deformation of the internal sensor array, to the linear array towing sensor, which is a core piece of equipment.

[0015] Therefore, it was necessary to develop a cable deployment and initial release system capable of solving the aforementioned conventional problems through an efficient structure. Prior art literature

[0016] Korean Registered Patent 10-1409746 The problem to be solved

[0017] To improve upon the problems of the conventional technology described above, the present invention aims to provide a cable deployment system for submarines that can maintain a constant contact pressure over the entire deployed cable, thereby preventing damage to the cable and breakage of the sensor.

[0018] The present invention aims to provide a cable deployment system for a submarine equipped with a deployment device capable of efficiently deploying a cable with sufficient deployment power while preventing cable damage.

[0019] The present invention aims to provide a submarine cable deployment system that enables precise deployment by means of a two-belt opposing drive system and has minimal performance degradation. means of solving the problem

[0020] The present invention provides a cable deployment system for a submarine, comprising: a cable (20) including a tail rope (23), a linear towing sensor (22), and a towing cable (21); a winding unit (300) for winding or deploying the cable (20); and a deployment device (400) for aligning and moving the cable (20) when the cable (20) is wound or deployed, and moving the cable (20) by means of a drive belt (434) and a transport belt (444).

[0021] The above-described unfolding device (400) comprises: a housing (410) having a drive motor (435) inside; a drive unit (430) driven by the drive motor (435) and including a drive belt (434); a moving unit (440) provided on the upper part of the housing (410), moving along a certain path, and including a moving belt (444); an elastic unit (450) that applies a certain contact pressure to a cable (20) between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444); and an upper plate (420) provided on the upper part of the drive unit (430) and the moving unit (440), wherein the gap between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444) is adjusted according to the diameter of the cable (20) passing between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444).

[0022] The above drive unit (430) includes a drive gear (431) and a drive pulley (432) that rotate by a drive motor (435); a driven pulley (433) that rotates by the rotational force transmitted by the drive pulley (432); a drive belt (434) connecting the drive pulley (432) and the driven pulley (433); and a drive motor (435) that transmits rotational force to the drive gear (431) and the drive pulley (432). The above moving unit (440) includes a moving gear (441) configured to mesh with the drive gear (431); a first moving pulley (442) that rotates together with the moving gear (441); a second moving pulley (443) that rotates by the rotational force transmitted by the first moving pulley (442); and a moving belt (444) connecting the first moving pulley (442) and the second moving pulley (443). It includes a lower moving plate (445); an upper moving plate (446); and a second upper and lower fastening member (447) fixed to the lower moving plate (445) and the upper moving plate (446), wherein the moving gear (441), the first moving pulley (442), the second moving pulley (443), the moving belt (444), and the second upper and lower fastening member (447) are provided between the lower moving plate (445) and the upper moving plate (446).

[0023] The above elastic member (450) includes an elastic member (451); a length-variable member (452) provided inside the elastic member (451) and having an adjustable length; and a connecting member (453) provided at both ends of the length-variable member (452).

[0024] The lower moving plate (445) is provided with a moving guide hole (4452), and the moving part (440) further includes a moving guide (448) that is inserted into the moving guide hole (4452) and has its lower end fixed to the upper surface of the housing (410).

[0025] One end of the elastic member (450) is connected to a first upper and lower fastening member (470) which is fastened to a housing (410) and an upper plate (420), and the other end of the elastic member (450) is connected to a second upper and lower fastening member (447) which is fastened to a lower movable plate (445) and an upper movable plate (446). Effects of the invention

[0026] The present invention has the following effects.

[0027] First, since it is a drive system that distributes and transmits power using two belts that apply constant contact pressure regardless of cable diameter using gears and elastic members, problems such as insufficient power output due to insufficient compression force, and tearing, scratching, deformation, and damage to the cable sheath due to excessive compression force do not occur.

[0028] Second, since the tensile and tensioning forces applied to the cable are maintained constant regardless of changes in diameter in conjunction with belt spacing adjustment, uneven elongation and contraction of the cable, twisting, and reduced length precision can be prevented.

[0029] Third, since the cable is uniformly gripped and transported from both sides using a 2-belt opposing drive system, wear and heat generation caused by eccentric transport, slipping, and slipping during stopping are minimized, and performance degradation is minimal even during long-term continuous operation.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description in the claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional unfolding device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ejection system equipped with the unfolding device of the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) is a perspective view of the unfolding device of the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view of (a) with the upper plate removed. FIG. 5 relates to an unfolding device of the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a left side view. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the unfolding device of the present invention with the upper plate removed. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the unfolding device of the present invention. Figure 8 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view AA of the state in which the gap between the driven belt and the moving belt is increased. Figure 9 is a plan view and a BB cross-sectional view with the gap between the driven belt and the moving belt reduced. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the driving part and the moving part of the present invention. FIG. 11 relates to a moving part of the present invention, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a bottom view. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and similar parts throughout the specification are given similar reference numerals. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0033] The present invention relates to a system for the deployment and initial deployment of a linear array towed sensor towed by a winch system for a submarine. Specifically, it relates to a system for deploying a cable for a submarine.

[0034] Generally, a towing cable is connected to the front of the towing sensor array (closer to the submarine), and a tail rope is connected to the rear of the towing sensor array (away from the stern) (i.e., it is connected in the order of tail rope → towing sensor array → towing cable).

[0035] The linear towed sensor that performs target detection is connected to the towing cable at the front and towed by the submarine, and the tail rope at the rear acts as a rudder.

[0036] In the present invention, for convenience of explanation, the entire structure in which the towing cable (21), the linear towing sensor (22), and the tail rope (23) are connected is referred to as a higher-level concept called a cable (20). When describing them together, they are referred to as a cable, and when it is necessary to describe them separately, they are described as a towing cable (21), a linear towing sensor (22), and a tail rope (23).

[0037] The submarine cable deployment system of the present invention may include a winding section (300), a deployment device (400), and a cable (20).

[0038] The above cable (20) includes a tail rope (23), a linear towing sensor (22), and a towing cable (21).

[0039] The above winding section (300) is configured to wind and store the cable (20) under normal circumstances and to deploy the cable to the rear of the submarine when detected.

[0040] The winding section (300) of the present invention may be a winch drum, and both an embodiment in which the rotational center axis is provided in the vertical direction and an embodiment in which the rotational center axis is provided in the horizontal direction may be applied.

[0041] The above-mentioned unfolding device (400) performs the function of assisting in the alignment and movement of the cable (20) when the cable (20) is wound or unfolded.

[0042] The unfolding device (400) of the present invention may include a housing (410), an upper plate (420), a driving part (430), a moving part (440), an elastic part (450), a guide tube (460), and a first upper and lower fastening member (470).

[0043] The shape or structure of the above housing (410) is not limited to a single shape, and a driving motor (435) is provided inside the housing (410), and a fastening hole (411) may be provided on the upper surface of the housing (410).

[0044] A driving part (430), a moving part (440), an elastic part (450), a first upper and lower fastening member (470), etc. are provided on the upper part of the housing (410), and the upper surface of the housing (410) may be provided in the form of a flat plate.

[0045] The above drive unit (430) may include a drive gear (431), a drive pulley (432), a driven pulley (433), a drive belt (434), and a drive motor (435).

[0046] The above drive gear (431) and drive pulley (432) are connected to the rotation axis of the drive motor (435) and rotate according to the operation of the drive motor (435).

[0047] The drive belt (434) connects the drive pulley (432) and the driven pulley (433), and the driven pulley (433) rotates by the rotational force received from the drive pulley (432) and the drive belt (434).

[0048] The above drive gear (431), drive pulley (432), driven pulley (433), and drive belt (434) may be provided on the upper part of the housing (410), and the drive motor (435) may be provided inside the housing (410).

[0049] Although an embodiment has been described in which the drive motor (435) is provided inside the housing (410) to form an efficient structure of the unfolding device (400), it may also be provided outside the housing (410) depending on changes in the overall structure of the unfolding device (400).

[0050] The moving part (440) is provided on the upper part of the housing (410) and can move along a certain path. The distance between two opposing belts can be adjusted by the movement of the moving part (440).

[0051] The distance between the movement of the moving part (440) and the belt can be automatically adjusted by the elasticity of the elastic part (450) and the diameter of the cable.

[0052] The above moving part (440) may include a moving gear (441), a first moving pulley (442), a second moving pulley (443), a moving belt (444), a lower moving plate (445), an upper moving plate (446), a second upper and lower fastening member (447), and a moving guide (448).

[0053] The above-mentioned moving gear (441) is provided in a state of meshing with the driving gear (431) of the driving unit (430). Accordingly, the moving gear (441) rotates together with the rotation of the driving gear (431), and this meshing state is maintained even if the position of the moving unit (440) changes.

[0054] The first moving pulley (442) is provided on the same rotation axis as the moving gear (441) and rotates together with the moving gear (441).

[0055] The above-mentioned moving belt (444) connects the first moving pulley (442) and the second moving pulley (443), and the second moving pulley (443) rotates by the rotational force received from the first moving pulley (442) and the moving belt (444).

[0056] The above moving gear (441), first moving pulley (442), second moving pulley (443), moving belt (444), and second upper and lower fastening member (447) may be provided between the lower moving plate (445) and the upper moving plate (446).

[0057] Accordingly, the above-mentioned moving gear (441), first moving pulley (442), second moving pulley (443), moving belt (444), and second upper and lower fastening member (447) can move along a certain path together with the lower moving plate (445) and the upper moving plate (446).

[0058] For connecting the lower moving plate (445) and the upper moving plate (446), the lower moving plate (445) may be provided with a plurality of connecting holes (4451), and the upper moving plate (446) may be provided with a plurality of connecting holes (4461).

[0059] A plurality of second upper and lower fastening members (447) are fastened to the fastening holes (4451) and (4461), so that the lower movable plate (445) and the upper movable plate (446) can be fastened at a certain upper and lower interval.

[0060] In order to allow the lower moving plate (445) to move along a certain path, the lower moving plate (445) is provided with a moving guide hole (4452), a moving guide (448) is inserted into the moving guide hole (4452), and the lower end of the moving guide (448) is fixed to the upper surface of the housing (410).

[0061] It is preferable that the above-mentioned moving guide hole (4452) and moving guide (448) be provided in multiple numbers, and in one embodiment of the present invention, two of each are provided. The moving path and moving range must be provided so that the meshing state of the moving gear (441) and the driving gear (431) is maintained.

[0062] The path along which the lower moving plate (445) moves is determined by the path determined by the moving guide hole (4452) and the moving guide (448), and since the moving gear (441), the first moving pulley (442), the second moving pulley (443), the moving belt (444), and the upper moving plate (446) are connected to the upper part of the lower moving plate (445), they move together with the movement of the lower moving plate (445).

[0063] The above elastic part (450) is connected between the moving part (440) and the housing so that a constant contact pressure is applied to the cable (20) located between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444).

[0064] The above elastic member (450) may include an elastic member (451), a length-variable member (452) provided inside the elastic member (451) and having an adjustable length, and a connecting member (453) provided at both ends of the length-variable member (452).

[0065] The above elastic member (451) may be provided with a material having elastic restoring force. It may be made of a coil spring, rubber, etc.

[0066] The above length variable member (452) may be provided with two members of different diameters, such that one member with a smaller diameter is inserted into another member with a relatively larger diameter.

[0067] The above connecting part (453) is provided with a through hole, and the first upper / lower fastening member (470) and the second upper / lower fastening member (447) are inserted into the through hole so that the elastic part (450) can rotate. At this time, the first upper / lower fastening member (470) and the second upper / lower fastening member (447) are provided with grooves with a small diameter so that the connecting part (453) can be connected to the grooves.

[0068] Since the above elastic part (450) must be connected so that the above moving part (440) can move, one end of the elastic part (450) is connected to a first upper and lower fastening member (470) that is fastened to the housing (410) and the upper plate (420), and the other end of the elastic part (450) can be connected to a second upper and lower fastening member (447) that is fastened to the lower moving plate (445) and the upper moving plate (446). That is, one of the two connecting parts (453) of the elastic part (450) can be connected to the first upper and lower fastening member (470) that is fastened to the housing (410) and the upper plate (420), and the other can be connected to the second upper and lower fastening member (447) that is fastened to the lower moving plate (445) and the upper moving plate (446).

[0069] Due to this connection structure, one of the two ends of the elastic part (450) is connected to the housing (410) so that its position is fixed, and the other end is connected to the moving part (440) so that its position can be moved. As a result, the moving part (440) moves according to the elastic restoring force of the elastic part (450) and the diameter of the cable (20), and the gap between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444) is automatically adjusted by the movement of the moving part (440), and the contact pressure acting on the cable (20) between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444) can be maintained in a constant state.

[0070] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate that the gap between the drive belt (434) and the movable belt (444) is automatically adjusted according to the diameter of the cable.

[0071] That is, looking at FIG. 8, it can be seen that the moving part (440) moves upward to the left, increasing the gap between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444) (when a relatively large diameter linear towing sensor passes through), and looking at FIG. 9, it can be seen that the moving part (440) moves downward to the right, decreasing the gap between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444) (when a relatively small diameter towing cable or tail rope passes through).

[0072] With this operating mechanism, the gap between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444) that moves the cable can be automatically adjusted, and the problem of insufficient output and cable damage can be solved simultaneously by a constant contact pressure.

[0073] The angle, length, position, number of the above-mentioned moving guide hole (4452) and moving guide (448), the angle, size, position, number, elastic modulus, etc. of the above-mentioned elastic part (450) can be determined according to the required specifications of the deployment system of the present invention.

[0074] The upper plate (420) may be provided on the upper part of the driving part (430), the moving part (440), and the elastic part (450).

[0075] The upper plate (420) is provided with a plurality of fastening holes (421), and a first upper and lower fastening member (470) can be fastened to the fastening holes (421) and the fastening holes (411) of the housing (410).

[0076] Previously, it was explained that the second upper and lower fastening member (447) and the first upper and lower fastening member (470) are fastened to the fastening holes using bolts, but they may also be fixed to the housing (410) and upper plate (420), and the lower movable plate (445) and upper movable plate (446), respectively, by welding instead of bolts.

[0077] The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom.

[0078] Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical concept of the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0079] 100. Guide Section 300. Gwonseonbu 400. Deployment device 410. Housing 411. Fastening hole 420. Top plate 421. Fastening hole 430. Drive unit 431. Drive gear 432. Driving pulley 433. Driven pulley 434. Drive Belt 435. Drive motor 440. Moving part 441. Moving gear 442. First moving pulley 443. Second moving pulley 444. Transport belt 445. Lower movable plate 4451. Fastening hole 4452. Movement Guide Hall 446. Upper movable plate 4461. Fastening hole 447. Second upper and lower fastening member 448. Transportation Guide 450. Elastic part 451. Elastic member 452. Variable length member 453. Connection 460. Guide Hall 470. First upper and lower fastening member 10. Hull 20. Cable 21. Towing cable 22. Linear towing sensor 23. Tail rope

Claims

Claim 1 In a deployment system for a submarine cable, the system comprises: a cable (20) including a tail rope (23), a linear towing sensor (22), and a towing cable (21); a winding unit (300) for winding or deploying the cable (20); and a deployment device (400) for aligning and moving the cable (20) when the cable (20) is wound or deployed, and for moving the cable (20) by means of a drive belt (434) and a moving belt (444), wherein the deployment device (400) comprises: a housing (410) having a drive motor (435) inside; a drive unit (430) driven by the drive motor (435) and including a drive belt (434); a moving unit (440) provided on the upper part of the housing (410), moving along a certain path, and including a moving belt (444); and an elastic unit (450) for applying a certain contact pressure to the cable (20) between the drive belt (434) and the moving belt (444). A submarine cable deployment system comprising an upper plate (420) provided on the upper part of the drive unit (430) and the movable unit (440), wherein the gap between the drive belt (434) and the movable belt (444) is adjusted according to the diameter of the cable (20) passing between the drive belt (434) and the movable belt (444). Claim 2 delete Claim 3 In claim 1, the driving unit (430) comprises a driving gear (431) and a driving pulley (432) that rotate by a driving motor (435); a driven pulley (433) that rotates by the rotational force transmitted by the driving pulley (432); a driving belt (434) connecting the driving pulley (432) and the driven pulley (433); and a driving motor (435) that transmits rotational force to the driving gear (431) and the driving pulley (432), and the moving unit (440) comprises a moving gear (441) provided to mesh with the driving gear (431); a first moving pulley (442) that rotates together with the moving gear (441); and a second moving pulley (443) that rotates by the rotational force transmitted by the first moving pulley (442). A submarine cable deployment system comprising a movable belt (444) connecting a first movable pulley (442) and a second movable pulley (443); a lower movable plate (445); an upper movable plate (446); and a second upper and lower fastening member (447) fixed to the lower movable plate (445) and the upper movable plate (446), wherein the movable gear (441), the first movable pulley (442), the second movable pulley (443), the movable belt (444), and the second upper and lower fastening member (447) are provided between the lower movable plate (445) and the upper movable plate (446). Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the elastic member (450) comprises: an elastic member (451); a length-variable member (452) provided inside the elastic member (451) and having adjustable length; and a connecting member (453) provided at both ends of the length-variable member (452), forming a cable deployment system for a submarine. Claim 5 A submarine cable deployment system according to paragraph 3, wherein the lower movable plate (445) is provided with a movable guide hole (4452), and the movable part (440) is inserted into the movable guide hole (4452) and further includes a movable guide (448) whose lower end is fixed to the upper surface of the housing (410). Claim 6 A submarine cable deployment system characterized in that, in any one of claims 1, 3 to 5, one end of the elastic member (450) is connected to a first upper and lower fastening member (470) which is fastened to a housing (410) and an upper plate (420), and the other end of the elastic member (450) is connected to a second upper and lower fastening member (447) which is fastened to a lower movable plate (445) and an upper movable plate (446).

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