Unmanned free-fall controlled floating craft

Abstract

This utility model pertains to shipbuilding and concerns the development of means for protecting ships and transport vessels from group attacks by enemy floating surface, underwater, or diving marine robotic systems (MRCS). The objective of the utility model is to enhance maneuverability, even in conditions of group deployment, of unmanned (robotic) controlled free-fall floating craft to intercept a swarm of attacking enemy MRCS at a distance safe for the protected ship carrying these craft, by destroying them with fire (detonation) or kinetically (direct collision), including in adverse weather conditions. The technical result of using the utility model consists of supplementing the existing lines of defense of ships against a swarm of attacking enemy MRCS using known combat means (anti-torpedo, anti-sabotage, fire, etc.).) the last line of defense based on highly maneuverable robotic means with power supply and control facilities from the protected carrier ship or auxiliary carrier, with communication and control channels of these robotic means that are not susceptible to electromagnetic suppression by the enemy. The device is designed in the form of a hull 1 with smooth contours, beacons 2 and 3, covered with covers smoothed with the surface of the hull 1, handles 4 for manually carrying the floating craft and buoyancy compartments 5 located in the cavity. The device contains a propulsion system 9, designed in the form of a fixed-pitch propeller 10 in a nozzle 11 with an engine 12 connected to a remote control system 13 for the ejected water jet, connected via a power supply and remote control line along a floating durable load-bearing cable 14 introduced through a sealed inlet 15 into the cavity of the floating craft to the control system.The smoothed hull 1 is made of an axisymmetric shape, the propulsion system 9 and the sealed input 15 of the cable 14 are located at the opposite ends of this hull, the buoyancy compartments 5 are located with the center of gravity of the floating craft shifted towards the propulsion system 9, at the output of the propulsion system 9 four independently functioning rudder blades 16 are installed transversely to each other. In the cavity of the hull 1 there is a warhead 6 and a detonator 7 connected via a cable 14 to the control system located on the carrier ship with contact and contactless sensors 8 for proximity to the attacking MRTK and a navigation system 21, as well as a sensor 22 for immersion depth.The use of the proposed utility model in the Navy, in interaction with the combat and technical means of ships, allows for an increase in the military-economic effectiveness of their last line of defense against group attacks by enemy missile systems, and can also be effectively used to protect transport vessels and other marine technical facilities from deliberate destruction when using enemy missile systems.

Description

[0001] Field of technology to which the utility model belongs

[0002] The utility model relates to the field of shipbuilding and concerns the creation of means of protecting ships and transport vessels from a group attack by floating surface, underwater or diving marine robotic systems (MRTS) of the enemy.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] To combat ships' floating weapons, various devices and methods are used that target their control systems, mechanically destroy their hulls and instruments, or create mechanical obstacles in the path of torpedoes. To counteract the control systems of torpedo-type floating weapons, electronic countermeasures are used, including hydroacoustic ones, which include drifting or self-propelled jamming devices (Naval Dictionary / Ed.-in-Chief V.N. Chernavin. - Moscow: Voenizdat, 1989. - 511 p.). As devices for mechanical action on the torpedo body and its instruments, torpedo fire destruction devices are used, including rocket and conventional depth charges, anti-torpedoes, and kinetic destruction devices (Novikov A.V., Evdokimov A.L., Dolbilin R.V. On multiple launch rocket systems in naval underwater weapons. / / Marine Radio Electronics, No. 4, 2008, pp. 58-62, Kinetic beam projectile "Kimry".Patent RU 2413922. - M.: FIPS, 2011, Kotov A.S. Another ultra-small torpedo. / / Underwater sea weapons. Issue 7. - St. Petersburg, Gidropribor, 2006). Protective boom barriers and various nets are used as a mechanical obstacle in the path of the PSP (Katorin Yu.F. Unique and paradoxical military equipment / Yu.F. Katorin, N.L. Volkovsky, V.V. Tarnavsky. - St. Petersburg: OOO Izdatelstvo Poligon, 2003, p. 18).

[0005] A drawback of electronic countermeasures for ship anti-torpedo defense is their vulnerability, which is reflected in the ability of modern anti-torpedo control systems to effectively counter them. Torpedo-killing and kinetic countermeasures require ships to be equipped with naval weapon systems, which require special procedures for handling them on board and are also dependent on hydrological conditions. The use of protective booms and permanently installed nets is characterized by low operational responsiveness in rapidly changing tactical situations.

[0006] The closest technical equivalent to the claimed device is the unmanned, free-fall, controllable floating craft described in patent document RU 214851 U1, which can be used to protect a ship from a PSP attack. This floating craft is designed as a hull with smooth contours, equipped with a beacon, a propulsion system, a remote control system, eyebolts and lifting eyes, and handles for manual transfer. The device contains a propulsion system with a variable jet direction, powered by a floating, durable load-bearing power and remote control cable from the carrier vessel. An electric water jet propulsion unit, consisting of a siphon-type water conduit, both flanges of which are secured to the bottom, allows for variable jet direction around the entire circumference. In accordance with the purpose of this floating craft, protruding, unsmoothed irregularities in the shape of a manipulator and a grappling hook are located on the surface of its hull.

[0007] A drawback of the known unmanned controlled floating craft is its limited maneuverability, especially on the water surface in adverse weather conditions. This hinders the interception of surface and / or deep-sea missiles maneuvering at high speeds and attacking its carrier (the ship being protected). This drawback is due to the asymmetry of the craft's hull relative to the propulsion system's waterjet axis, which prevents sufficient control at the required high lateral and vertical speeds. This drawback is particularly pronounced when defending against surface missiles in adverse weather conditions due to the dynamic effects of wave loads.

[0008] Limitations on the maneuverability of the known floating craft are also due to the presence of protruding, unsmoothed irregularities on the hull surface—the manipulator and grappling anchor. During abrupt maneuvering in adverse weather conditions, particularly when the craft capsizes on a wave, these irregularities can snag the cable, preventing the device from maneuvering properly and, consequently, from protecting the ship from attacking intercontinental missile systems.

[0009] The technical problem solved by the utility model is to increase maneuverability in conditions of group use of unmanned (robotic) controlled floating craft, launched by free fall, to intercept a swarm of attacking enemy MRTK at a distance safe for the protected ship-carrier of these floating craft, by destroying them with fire (detonating them) or by kinetic destruction (direct collision), including in difficult meteorological conditions.

[0010] Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

[0011] The technical result of using the utility model consists in supplementing the existing lines of defense of ships from a swarm of attacking enemy MRTK, using known combat means (anti-torpedo, anti-sabotage, fire, etc.), with a last line of defense based on highly maneuverable robotic means with power supply and control means from the protected carrier ship or auxiliary carrier, with communication and control channels of these robotic means that are not susceptible to electromagnetic suppression by the enemy.

[0012] The task is solved by an unmanned, controlled free-fall floating craft designed as a hull with smooth contours, beacons covered by covers smoothed to the hull surface, handles for manual handling, and buoyancy compartments located within the hull. The device contains a propulsion system consisting of a fixed-pitch propeller mounted on a motor. The propulsion system is connected to a remote control system for the ejected water jet, and the power and remote control lines are fed by a buoyant, durable load-bearing cable inserted into the hull cavity through a sealed entry, which connects to the control system on the carrier.

[0013] A novel feature of this utility model is its axisymmetrical, smooth hull. The propulsion system and sealed cable entry are located at opposite ends of the elongated, axisymmetric hull, and the buoyancy compartments are positioned with the craft's center of gravity offset toward the propulsion system. Four independently operating transverse rudder blades are installed at the propulsion system's outlet. The hull cavity contains the warhead and a detonator, connected via cable to the control system on the carrier ship, with contact and proximity sensors for proximity to the attacking missile / submarine complex. The navigation system also includes sensors for its angular position relative to the vertical and the target bearing, as well as a depth sensor.

[0014] The drives of the rudder feathers can be implemented on the principle of relay control of contactors connected to the coils of solenoid coils interacting by pulling in ferromagnetic cores that are articulated with the deflecting edges of the rudder feathers.

[0015] The cores can be longitudinally magnetized.

[0016] The drives of the steering wheel feathers can be implemented according to the principle of relay control of solenoid contactors interacting by attraction with the ferromagnetic steering wheel feathers.

[0017] Surveillance and targeting equipment may be placed outside the hull under the shells that smooth their surface, connected via a cable to the control system located on the carrier or, through it, on the protected ship.

[0018] The side surface of the case can be rubberized or made of elastic-soft plastic.

[0019] The floating craft can be equipped with simulators of the physical fields of the protected carrier ship.

[0020] Brief description of drawings

[0021] The schematic view of the described floating craft is shown in the drawing.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the floating craft, and Fig. 2 shows a side view.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a view along the longitudinal axis of the propulsion system of the watercraft according to Fig. 1.

[0024] Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the nozzle of the propulsion system of the watercraft from Figure 2.

[0025] The following notations are used in the drawing.

[0026] 1 - body;

[0027] 2 - lighthouse;

[0028] 3 - lighthouse;

[0029] 4 - handles for carrying a watercraft;

[0030] 5 - buoyancy compartment;

[0031] 6 - warhead;

[0032] 7 - detonator;

[0033] 8 - contactless proximity sensors with an attacking MRTK;

[0034] 9 - propulsion complex;

[0035] 10 - screw;

[0036] 11 - nozzle;

[0037] 12 - engine;

[0038] 13 - Remote control system;

[0039] 14 - load-bearing cable;

[0040] 15 - sealed input;

[0041] 16 - steering wheel;

[0042] 17 - contactor;

[0043] 18 - solenoid;

[0044] 19 - ferromagnetic core;

[0045] 20 - observation and sighting means;

[0046] 21 - navigation system;

[0047] 22 - depth sensor;

[0048] 23 - Simulator of the physical fields of the carrier ship.

[0049] For clarity and simplicity, elements shown in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Specifically, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to others. Furthermore, reference numbers may be repeated in the drawings, where necessary, to indicate corresponding or similar elements.

[0050] Implementation of a utility model

[0051] An unmanned controlled floating craft, free-falling from the side of its carrier and protecting it from attacking enemy missile systems, consists of a smooth hull 1 with smooth contours of an elongated axisymmetric shape.

[0052] On the outer surface of hull 1, covered by covers smoothed to the surface of hull 1, are a light beacon 2 and a hydroacoustic beacon 3. Beacon 2 is designed to determine the location of the floating craft relative to the mothership on the water's surface, while beacon 3 is used when submerged. Beacons 2 and 3 have a working signal transmission range of at least 300 m.

[0053] On the surface of the hull 1 there are handles 4, recessed relative to its surface, for carrying the watercraft.

[0054] In the cavity of the hull 1 there are buoyancy compartments 5 filled with foamed polystyrene, a warhead 6 and a detonator 7 with contact and contactless sensors 8 for proximity to the attacking MRTK.

[0055] The floating craft contains a propulsion system 9, made in the form of a fixed-pitch propeller 10 in a nozzle 11 with an engine 12 connected to a remote control system 13, connected via a power supply line and a remote control via a floating durable load-bearing cable 14. The load-bearing cable 14 is introduced into the hull 1 through a sealed input 15 and is connected, via a release mechanism, to the control system on the carrier or, through it, to the combat information and control system of the protected ship.

[0056] Propulsion system 9 and cable entry 15 are located at opposite ends of the elongated, axisymmetric hull. Buoyancy compartments 5 are positioned with the craft's center of gravity offset toward propulsion system 9.

[0057] Four independently functioning rudder blades 16 are transversely mounted in the path of the water jet at the outlet of the propulsion system 9. The rudder blades 16 and the nozzle 11 of the propulsion system 9 are made of a smooth shape, eliminating snagging when the cable 14 slides along their surface. The drives of the rudder blades 16 are implemented according to the principle of relay control of contactors 17 connected to the coils of solenoids 18 interacting with ferromagnetic cores 19, which are coupled with the deviating (opposite to the stock) edges of the rudder blades 16. Alternatively, the cores 19 can be longitudinally magnetized, which will allow them to be silently drawn into the coils of the solenoids 18 and fixed in their center. Alternatively, solenoids 18 can be used simply to deflect the ferromagnetic rudder feathers 16, if measures are taken to soften the impacts when they are triggered, and / or if the carrier ship’s combat information and control systems are not susceptible to the influence of the acoustic pulses they create.

[0058] The use of the arrangement of the rudder blades 16 (preferably orthogonal) directly behind the propulsion complex 9 ensures high maneuverability of the device both on a rough sea surface and when the floating craft is completely submerged, which makes it possible to destroy not only semi-submersible, but also underwater and diving missile defense systems, as well as to destroy attacking missile defense systems with dynamic support principles by jumping above the wave surface from a submerged position due to the short-term application of an increased axial driving force of the axial arrangement of the propulsion propeller 10 in the nozzle 11. Such an arrangement of the rudder blades 16 determines the absence of a strict need to reorient the angle of the axial position (roll) of the hull 1. Due to the placement of the buoyancy compartment 5 at the input 15 of the cable 14, when the floating craft is located on the surface of the water and at any angle of rotation of its hull 1 along the longitudinal axis, the propulsion complex 9 is submerged in water.Accordingly, when the floating craft is submerged, propulsion system 9 remains submerged in the water regardless of the position of hull 1. This eliminates any negative impact on the functioning of the floating craft from its axial capsize on a wave crest in adverse weather conditions or due to abrupt maneuvering. With any axial rotation of hull 1 on the water surface, beacons 2 are positioned on top, while beacon 3, located closer to propulsion system 9, always remains submerged.

[0059] To protect against impact damage from the side of the carrier in difficult conditions (in rough seas), the side surface of the hull 1 can be rubberized (not shown in the drawing) or made of elastic-soft plastic.

[0060] Cable 14 contains current-carrying conductors for supplying power to the floating craft, and a shielded twisted-pair cable for interface channels, such as RS-485, for control and monitoring. Cable 14 is Kevlar-reinforced with an outer braid of foamed polyurethane and is up to 300 m long and approximately 12 mm in diameter. This allows the floating craft to be manually lifted aboard the carrier vessel directly by cable 14, without the use of special lifting equipment. Cable 14 is also neutrally buoyant in seawater.

[0061] Outside the hull 1, under the shells that smooth their surface, surveillance and sighting devices 20 can be placed, connected via cable 14 to the control system located on the carrier ship.

[0062] Hull cavity 1 houses navigation system 21, including sensors for its angular position relative to the vertical and the target bearing. Also located within is depth sensor 22, connected via cable 14 to the control system located on the carrier ship.

[0063] Alternatively, the vessel can be equipped with 23 simulators for the carrier's physical fields (acoustic, magnetic, electrical, etc.). Using these simulators allows the vessel to operate as a decoy, increasing its combat effectiveness and the carrier's protection.

[0064] The floating craft's displacement is approximately 50 kg. Its longitudinal and transverse speed is approximately 14 knots, which is sufficient for transverse movement when approaching the trajectory of attacking missiles, as extrapolated by the carrier ship's combat information and control system. Its cruising range is 300 m. The floating craft is operational in sea state up to 6, with outside air temperatures from -40 to +50°C and water temperatures from -2 to +35°C.

[0065] The claimed device operates as follows.

[0066] Unmanned, free-fall controlled floating craft provide the ship's last line of defense against attacking missiles and supplement its anti-torpedo and anti-sabotage systems, using electronic warfare components from its standard combat information and control system for target designation.

[0067] The device can be used both directly on the protected carrier ship and on auxiliary carrier vessels moored alongside the protected ship or transport vessel, for example, while they are moored at anchor or sailing on a parallel tack. For remote control of the claimed devices on the auxiliary carrier vessels, either their own control systems or those communicating via communication lines with the combat information and control system of the protected ship can be used.

[0068] The watercraft are not only securely attached to the carrier in their stowed position, but are also constantly ready for launch. The watercraft can be mounted at an angle on the launching frame either on the starboard or port sides of the carrier, or on one side of the auxiliary carrier, or on the stern, or simply secured to the carrier's decks at the sides.

[0069] When the attacking missile launchers approach the protected ship, its crew members or the auxiliary carrier, respectively, complete preparations for launch. During the final stages of approaching the attacking missile launchers, additional data received from beacons 2 and 3 are entered into the carrier's combat information and control system or into the control system on the auxiliary carrier (for protecting transport vessels).

[0070] Two crew members complete the preparations for the release of each watercraft within approximately one minute. If it is necessary to insert cable 14 through the detachable connector (e.g., when replacing a damaged watercraft), connect cable 14.

[0071] Floating craft are dropped from the carrier ship or, accordingly, from auxiliary carriers at anchor or underway. When the stoppers holding the floating craft are released, they slide off, accelerate along the guides of the inclined frame, and after falling, briefly submerge in the water (they "dive" with the propulsion system 9 at an angle to the water surface) at a safe distance from the carrier.

[0072] The floating craft can also be released manually, using gravity, from its mounting location alongside the boat. The smooth, streamlined contours of hull 1 significantly dampen the hydrodynamic shock when the craft enters the water. It can also be supported by a release cable 14.

[0073] Propulsion system 9 is driven by engine 12, the speed of rotation of the output shaft of which is determined by the power supplied to this engine 12. The power of engine 12 is regulated by means of remote control system 13. Propulsion system 9 displaces water to the input 15 of cable 14, thereby creating a thrust that tensions cable 14. While the carrier is moving, the tension force of the cable must be sufficient to hold it at a given distance, taking into account its ability to overcome water resistance. The possibility of unlimited use of a sufficiently powerful electric motor 12 is ensured by direct transmission of electrical power from the carrier's electrical power system via a releasable (as needed) floating durable load-bearing cable 14 for power and remote control.

[0074] For relay control of rudders 16, remote control system 13 uses contactor 17 as an ON / OFF switch by alternately supplying current pulses to the coils of a pair of opposite solenoids 14, which attract rudder feathers 16 in the corresponding direction.

[0075] When the durations of the pulses supplied to these coils are equal, as well as when no pulses are supplied to them, the flow of water from the propulsion system 9 is directed along the axis of the hull 1 and the propulsion system brings the cable 14 into a taut state, moving the watercraft away from the carrier.

[0076] With different durations of pulses supplied to these coils and their common phase, the flow of water from the propulsion system 9 deviates from the axis of the hull 1 and the propulsion system moves (pulls) the watercraft towards the location of the solenoid 18 relative to the rudder blade 16, supplied with pulses of shorter duration, holding the watercraft in a taut state of the cable 14 relative to the carrier.

[0077] When pulses of the appropriate duration are applied to these coils in antiphase, the water flow from hull 1 and the propulsion system rotates hull 1 along its axis in the direction of rotation opposite to the angle of rudder blade edge 16 deflection by solenoid 18, powered by pulses of longer duration, while maintaining the watercraft in a taut state of cable 14 relative to the carrier. By combining the relative durations of the paired pulses and the power supplied to propulsion system 9, remote control system 13, in response to commands generated by the combat information and control system of the protected ship or the control system on the auxiliary carrier, controls the movement of the dropped watercraft. The watercraft depart from the carrier and from each other along the perimeter encircling the protected ship and form a formation, fanning out at a distance from it and from each other.

[0078] To compensate for the drift of floating craft at anchor, the propulsion system 9 is supplied with an extremely low power, sufficient to ensure tension on cable 14. While underway, the supplied power is increased accordingly.

[0079] Compensation for the axial moment of rotation of the floating craft, arising due to the reaction of the rotational movement of the propeller, is carried out by a corresponding increase in the duration of the periods of the antiphase correction for the operation of contactors 17, which causes an equal in magnitude and opposite in direction torque from the water jet of the propulsion system 9.

[0080] The smooth shape of the housing 1 prevents cable 14 from snagging on irregularities on its surface and, consequently, from becoming entangled during maneuvering of the floating craft and the protected carrier or auxiliary carrier. Axial twisting of cable 14 can also be eliminated spontaneously due to the elasticity of its sheath and current-carrying conductors.

[0081] The operator of the carrier ship's combat information and control system or, respectively, the auxiliary carrier's control system, switches on beacons 2 and 3 by sending commands using remote control system 13.

[0082] During a group attack by enemy missile complexes, the electronic warfare systems of the protected ship or the electronic warfare systems of the auxiliary carrier determine their location, speed and direction of movement, and also, using beacons 2 and 3 interacting with this system, the location of the floating craft relative to the carrier ship, and the sensors of the navigation system 21 determine the angular positions of the hulls 1 and, through cable 14, transmit this data to the electronic warfare systems of the carrier ship or, accordingly, the auxiliary carrier.

[0083] Using data characterizing the current situation and received from the floating craft, as well as the corresponding software, the combat information and control system operator transmits generated commands to each floating craft, specifying the target selection and its movement parameters. For this purpose, it is preferable to use group control algorithms for robotic systems. According to these algorithms, the floating craft, upon approaching the designated targets and using (if available) their surveillance and sighting devices 20 with a fuse 7 and contact and contactless proximity sensors 8 with the attacking MRTK, detonate the warhead 6 and / or perform kinetic destruction of the target by direct ramming.

[0084] Watercraft adjacent in a fan-shaped arrangement around the protected carrier ship or, accordingly, the auxiliary carrier, during a group attack by enemy MRTK, as they are destroyed in combat during the attack, can be quickly replaced by both adjacent watercraft in a fan-shaped arrangement and additionally dropped watercraft, covering newly identified attack directions by quickly reorganizing in accordance with the formation of the attacking shoal of MRTK.

[0085] After the MRTK attack is completed, the surviving floating craft are returned and lifted on board using the floating strong load-bearing cable 14.

[0086] Complementing the existing means of protecting ships from attacks by a swarm of MRTKs, the proposed device is characterized by high cost-effectiveness and combat effectiveness, as well as ease of manufacture and operation.

[0087] A device with an auxiliary carrier in the kinetic target destruction version is preferable for protecting transport vessels in non-military situations, in particular from pirate attacks.

[0088] The device with an auxiliary carrier can also be used for operational measures to protect coastal facilities. It has an advantage over frontline hydroacoustic stations, as it allows for rapid tactical deployment of the proposed floating craft to form a close defense line for a critical facility in a section of water. This eliminates the possibility of combat damage to the defense system by severing the underwater power and remote control cable, which is a vulnerable component of frontline hydroacoustic stations.

[0089] Thus, the conducted examination shows that the use of the proposed utility model "Unmanned controlled floating craft, descended by free fall" in the Navy, in interaction with the combat and technical means of ships, allows for an increase in the military and economic effectiveness of their last line of defense against group attacks of enemy MRTK, and can also be effectively used to protect transport vessels and other marine technical facilities from deliberate destruction when using enemy MRTK.

Claims

1. An unmanned controlled floating craft, launched in free fall from a carrier, made in the form of a hull with smooth contours, beacons covered by covers smoothed with the surface of the hull, handles for carrying the floating craft manually and buoyancy compartments located in the cavity, containing a propulsion system made in the form of a fixed-pitch propeller in a nozzle with an engine connected to a remote control system for the ejected jet of water, connected via a power supply line and remote control via a floating strong load-bearing cable introduced through a sealed input into the cavity of the floating craft to the control system, characterized in that the smoothed hull is made of an axisymmetric shape, the propulsion system and the sealed cable input are located at opposite ends of the elongated axisymmetric hull, the buoyancy compartments are located with a shift in the center of gravity of the floating craft towards the propulsion system,At the output of the propulsion system, four independently functioning rudder blades are installed transversely to each other, and in the cavity of the hull there is a warhead and a detonator with contact and contactless sensors for proximity to the attack marine robotic complex (MRTC), connected via a cable to the control system located on the carrier ship, and a navigation system, including sensors for its angular position relative to the vertical and a given bearing, as well as a immersion depth sensor.

2. An unmanned controlled watercraft according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the rudder blade drives are made according to the principle of relay control of contactors connected to the coils of solenoid valves that interact by retraction with ferromagnetic cores that are connected to the deflecting edges of the rudder blades.

3. An unmanned controlled floating craft according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the cores are made longitudinally magnetized.

4. An unmanned controlled watercraft according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the rudder blade drives are made according to the principle of relay control of solenoid contactors interacting by attraction with the ferromagnetic rudder blades.

5. An unmanned controlled floating craft according to paragraph 1, characterized in that outside the hull, under the shells that smooth their surface, surveillance and sighting devices are located, connected via a cable to the control system located on the carrier ship.

6. An unmanned controlled floating craft according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the side surface of the hull is rubberized or made of elastic-soft plastic.

7. An unmanned controlled floating craft according to paragraph 1, characterized in that simulators of the physical fields of the protected ship are installed on the floating craft.

Images