Hydraulic launching device for underwater vehicle, and operating method therefor

By designing an underwater vehicle hydraulic launch device including offshore platform, submersible launch tube, automatic release fixture and vortex forming mechanism, the problems of slow submersible diving speed and unstable diving path are solved, efficient hydraulic launch is achieved, and submersible efficiency is improved and emission resistance is reduced.

WO2025118319A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-06-12JIANGSU UNIV OF SCI & TECH

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CN2023/138121
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-12-05
Filing Date
2023-12-12
Publication Date
2025-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing deep submersibles have limited diving speed, and the diving path is not straight, resulting in low diving efficiency. The existing transmitting devices have great resistance when underwater pressure is high, affecting the emission efficiency.

Method used

A hydraulic launch device for an underwater vehicle is designed, including a marine platform, a submersible launch tube, an automatic release fixture and a vortex forming mechanism. The deep submersible is hoisted into the launch tube through the deep submersible launch tube on the offshore platform, and the automatic release fixture is used to achieve automatic release of the deep submersible, and a vortex is generated in the water through the vortex formation mechanism to increase the water flow speed, thereby achieving efficient hydraulic emission of the deep submersible.

Benefits of technology

It improves the submersible's submersible's diving efficiency, reduces interference when operating in different environmental media, reduces the pressure difference resistance at the outlet of the launch tube, and has a small impact on underwater emission.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention are a hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle, and an operating method therefor. The hydraulic launching device comprises an offshore platform, a platform stabilizing mechanism, a deep-sea submersible launching tube, an automatic release clamp and a vortex forming mechanism, wherein the offshore platform comprises a platform deck, a lifting assembly and a lower float assembly, the lifting assembly being mounted on the upper surface of the platform deck, a through hole being provided in the middle of the platform deck, the deep-sea submersible launching tube being arranged downwards from the through hole and connected to the platform deck, and the lower float assembly being mounted at the bottom of the platform deck and surrounding the deep-sea submersible launching tube; the automatic release clamp is connected to the lifting assembly, cooperates with the deep-sea submersible launching tube, and is configured to clamp a deep-sea submersible; and the platform stabilizing mechanism comprises a plurality of platform float stabilizers, and the platform float stabilizers are mounted spaced apart from each other on the upper surface of the platform deck in a circumferential direction. The present invention can improve the diving efficiency of a deep-sea submersible, and can reduce the combined interference from unknown wind, waves and currents when the deep-sea submersible runs in two distinct environmental mediums.
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Description

A hydraulic launching device for underwater vehicle and a working method thereof Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydraulic launching device, in particular to a hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle and a working method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Deep-sea submersibles (hereinafter referred to as submersibles) need to dive without power, then conduct detection, and wait for the mission to be completed before automatically surfacing for recovery. They are often used in ocean surveys, deep-sea resource exploration, submarine cable maintenance, salvage of objects that fell into the sea, military reconnaissance, etc. The underwater operation time of a submersible includes diving and surfacing time and deep-sea engineering operation time, of which the diving and surfacing time of a submersible is about 50% of its underwater operation time. Since the diving and surfacing time of a submersible is long, it restricts its underwater operation time, thereby reducing the working efficiency of the submersible.

[0003] Factors that limit diving time include the diving speed, the diving path, and the deceleration protection when landing on the bottom. The most restrictive factors are the diving speed and the diving path. Submersibles generally use the method of discarding ballast iron, such as controlling the ballast iron with an electromagnet. The ballast iron will automatically detach from the submersible under the action of gravity, allowing the submersible to float. However, the method of discarding ballast iron alone usually has two disadvantages: first, the initial diving velocity of the submersible is limited; second, due to the influence of underwater drift force, the diving path of the submersible will become S-shaped. Therefore, it is necessary to give the submersible an initial diving velocity to improve the diving efficiency of the submersible.

[0004] Existing submersible retraction and deployment systems primarily use a deep-sea towing mechanism to drag the submersible to the vicinity of a working mother ship, and then a release mechanism to release the submersible into the water. Furthermore, the launch mechanism, commonly found in submarine torpedo launchers, relies on water pressure to propel the torpedo out of the launch tube. Due to the high underwater pressure, a large pressure differential between the inside and outside of the launch tube creates significant resistance to the submersible, hindering launch.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] Purpose of the invention: In response to the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic launch device for underwater vehicles to improve the diving efficiency of submersibles and provide a working method thereof.

[0007] Technical solution: A hydraulic launch device for an underwater vehicle, comprising an offshore platform, a platform stabilizing mechanism, a submersible launch tube, an automatic release fixture, and a vortex forming mechanism;

[0008] The offshore platform includes a platform deck, a lifting assembly, and a lower floating body assembly. The lifting assembly is installed on the upper surface of the platform deck. A through hole is provided in the middle of the platform deck. A submersible launch tube is downwardly arranged from the through hole and connected to the platform deck. The lower floating body assembly is installed at the bottom of the platform deck and surrounds the submersible launch tube. An automatic release clamp is connected to the lifting assembly and cooperates with the submersible launch tube. The automatic release clamp is used to clamp the submersible. The platform stabilization mechanism includes multiple platform floating body stabilization members, which are installed at circumferential intervals on the upper surface of the platform deck.

[0009] The vortex forming mechanism is installed at the bottom of the lower floating body assembly. The vortex forming mechanism includes a vortex forming body and a suction and discharge cabin. The suction and discharge cabin is arranged at intervals below the lower floating body assembly. The suction and discharge cabin is anchored to the seabed through an anchor chain. The vortex forming body is arranged between the lower floating body assembly and the suction and discharge cabin and is slidably connected to the two respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, the lifting assembly includes a lifting mast, a sling, and a large lifting arm. The lifting mast is vertically installed on the upper surface of the platform deck and close to the side of the through-port. The automatic release clamp is installed on the upper part of the sling. At least one large lifting arm is installed on the platform deck.

[0011] Furthermore, the lower floating body assembly includes a column and a lower floating body. The lower floating body is annular, arranged at intervals below the platform deck and coaxially aligned with the through opening. Multiple columns are arranged at intervals between the platform deck and the lower floating body and are respectively connected to the two. The vortex forming body is slidably connected to the bottom surface of the lower floating body.

[0012] Furthermore, the submersible launch tube includes an upper launch tube, a support column, a limit plate, a support seat, an inner gear ring, a cylindrical pin, a rack, a lower launch tube, a pinion, and a slider rocker mechanism. The upper launch tube is vertically arranged, and its upper port is connected to the platform deck and communicated with the through port on it. A limit plate is provided on the outer ring of the lower port. A plurality of support columns are provided at intervals on the outer circumference of the upper launch tube. The upper end of the support column is fixed to the bottom of the platform deck, and the lower end is fixed to the upper surface of the limit plate. The upper end of the lower launch tube is connected to the bottom surface of the limit plate through the support seat and is coaxially arranged with the upper launch tube. The limiting plate and the middle part of the support seat are provided with circular openings, so that the upper launching tube and the lower launching tube are connected. The inner ring of the limiting plate is slidably connected to the inner gear ring. A plurality of small gears are installed on the support seat and along the inner ring of the inner gear ring. The small gears are respectively engaged with the inner gear ring. A cylindrical pin is respectively provided on one side of the small gear, and the cylindrical pin is radially penetrated into the inner circumferential wall of the upper launching tube. Each cylindrical pin is respectively provided with a rack engaged with a corresponding small gear. A notch is provided on the limiting plate, and the slider rocker mechanism is installed on the support seat and connected to the inner gear ring through the notch.

[0013] Optimally, the slider rocker mechanism includes a rocker, a slider, a telescopic rod, and a telescopic sleeve. The telescopic sleeve is installed on a support seat. One end of the telescopic rod is connected to the telescopic sleeve, and the other end is connected to the slider. The outer peripheral surface of the rocker is hinged to the slider, and one end of the rocker passes through the notch and is connected to the inner gear ring.

[0014] Furthermore, the automatic release fixture includes a piston, a fixture head, a large spring, a nail cap, a square wedge, a small spring, a large hexagonal screw, a clutch sliding block, a coupling, and a small hexagonal screw. The upper part of the piston is connected to the lifting assembly, and a through groove is axially provided in the center of the lower bottom surface. The upper part of the fixture head is passed through the through groove, and a large spring is sleeved on its outer circumference. The upper end edge of the fixture head is provided with an outer convex ring, and the inner ring of the through groove of the piston is provided with an inward convex ring. The two ends of the large spring are respectively in contact with the lower surface of the outer convex ring and the upper surface of the convex ring. The lower part of the head is a triangular chuck structure, and a plurality of groups of threaded holes and square holes are opened in sequence from the outside to the inside along the radial direction on its circumference. A square wedge is provided in each square hole, and a large hexagon socket screw is provided in the threaded hole. A small spring is provided between the large hexagon socket screw and the corresponding square wedge. The nail cap is installed in the center of the lower part of the fixture head, and the square wedge supports the nail cap. The outer peripheral surface of the supporting nail cap is slidably connected to the inner wall of the fixture head through a clutch sliding block. The submersible is installed at the lower part of the nail cap through a coupling, and the coupling is circumferentially fastened with a small hexagon socket screw.

[0015] Furthermore, the platform float stabilizer includes a boom telescopic sleeve, a boom telescopic shaft, a boom, a cross shaft, a ball head, and a pontoon. The boom is suspended outward from the upper surface of the platform deck, one end of which is hinged to the upper surface of the platform deck, and the other end is universally connected to the pontoon through a cross shaft and a ball head. One end of the boom telescopic sleeve is hinged to the upper surface of the platform deck, and the other end is connected to one end of the boom telescopic shaft, and the other end of the boom telescopic shaft is hinged to the boom.

[0016] Furthermore, the vortex forming body includes a stirring rod, a screw propeller, a four-rod connecting plate, a pod arm, and a sliding connection assembly. Two four-rod connecting plates are arranged in parallel and spaced apart in the upper and lower directions, and the two are connected by four stirring rods arranged in sequence along the circumferential direction. At least one pod arm is installed on one side surface in the same direction of each stirring rod, and each pod arm is installed with a screw propeller. The upper surface of the upper four-rod connecting plate is connected to the lower floating body assembly through a sliding connection assembly, and the lower surface of the lower four-rod connecting plate is connected to the suction and discharge cabin through another sliding connection assembly.

[0017] The best, guide rail travel structure includes rolling bearings, studs, nuts, rollers, slide rails, and pins. There are four studs and they correspond to the stirring rods one by one. One end of the stud passes through the four-rod connecting plate and the end of the stirring rod in turn and is threadedly connected to them. The stud is fastened to the connecting plate by two nuts arranged up and down. The other end of the stud is laterally installed with a wheel axle, and the two ends of the wheel axle are in rolling contact with the inner surface of the slide rail through a rolling bearing respectively; the roller is parallel to the central axis of the stud, and the roller is installed on the stud by using a pin; the slide rail is annular, and one is installed on the suction and drainage cabin and the lower floating body assembly respectively. The cross-section of the slide rail is U-shaped, and its end is provided with an inward flange. The rolling bearing is arranged in the corresponding slide rail and the rolling connection between the flange and the roller reduces collision.

[0018] A method for operating the hydraulic launch device of the underwater vehicle comprises the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: Hoisting stage;

[0020] S11: The device is launched into the water and connected to the seabed through an anchor chain. The lower buoy assembly is immersed in the water, and the lifting assembly lifts the submersible to the platform deck.

[0021] S12: Install the submersible onto the automatic release fixture;

[0022] S13: The lifting assembly lifts the head of the submersible downwards, aligns the axis of the automatic release fixture and the submersible launch tube, lowers it to the submersible, and the automatic release fixture sequentially enters the submersible launch tube;

[0023] Step 2: Locking stage;

[0024] S21: The automatic release fixture continues to be lowered into position, and after being stopped in the launch tube of the submersible, the rope between the lifting assembly and the automatic release fixture is released;

[0025] Step 3: Vortex generation stage;

[0026] S31: The draft of the device is adjusted by the platform float stabilizer to maintain its stability;

[0027] S32: starting the vortex forming body, and generating a vortex under the action of the fluid viscosity force;

[0028] S33: The suction and drainage compartment sucks the water in the inner ring into the compartment, and then discharges the water from the outer ring of the suction and drainage compartment 32, forming a local low-pressure area;

[0029] Step 4: Release and launch phase;

[0030] S41: Unlocking the limit of the automatic release fixture and the submersible launch tube. After a collision in the submersible launch tube, the automatic release fixture is separated from the submersible.

[0031] S42: The submersible quickly dives into deep water under water pressure, thereby realizing the hydraulic launch of the submersible.

[0032] Beneficial effects: Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of the present invention are: it can improve the diving efficiency of the submersible, can reduce the combined interference of unknown wind, waves and currents when operating in two completely different environmental media (air and water), and can reduce the influence of the pressure difference resistance at the outlet of the launch tube on underwater launch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0034] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention;

[0035] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a guide rail vehicle according to the present invention;

[0036] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an automatic release fixture;

[0037] FIG5 is a front cross-sectional view of the interior of the submersible launch tube;

[0038] FIG6 is a top view of the interior of the submersible launch tube;

[0039] FIG7 is a diagram showing the working process of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific examples. It should be understood that these examples are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0041] A hydraulic launch device for an underwater vehicle, as shown in Figures 1 to 7, includes an offshore platform, a platform stabilization mechanism, a submersible launch tube, an automatic release fixture, and a vortex forming mechanism;

[0042] The offshore platform includes a platform deck 5, a lifting assembly, and a lower floating body assembly. The lifting assembly is installed on the upper surface of the platform deck 5. A through hole is provided in the middle of the platform deck 5. A submersible launch tube is downwardly arranged from the through hole and connected to the platform deck 5. The lower floating body assembly is installed at the bottom of the platform deck 5 and surrounds the submersible launch tube. An automatic release clamp is connected to the lifting assembly and cooperates with the submersible launch tube. The automatic release clamp is used to clamp the submersible 4. The platform stabilization mechanism includes multiple platform floating body stabilization members, which are installed at circumferential intervals on the upper surface of the platform deck 5.

[0043] The vortex forming mechanism is installed at the bottom of the lower floating body assembly. The vortex forming mechanism includes a vortex forming body and a suction and discharge cabin 32. The suction and discharge cabin 32 is arranged at intervals below the lower floating body assembly. The suction and discharge cabin 32 is anchored to the seabed through an anchor chain 33. The vortex forming body is arranged between the lower floating body assembly and the suction and discharge cabin 32 and is slidably connected to the two respectively.

[0044] The lifting assembly includes a lifting rod 1, a sling 2, a large lifting arm 24, a lower floating body assembly includes a column 25, a lower floating body 26, a submersible launch tube includes an upper launch tube 6, a support column 7, a limit plate 8, a support seat 9, an inner gear ring 10, a cylindrical pin 11, a rack 12, a lower launch tube 13, a pinion 44, a slider rocker mechanism, a slider rocker mechanism includes a rocker 45, a slider 46, a telescopic rod 47, a telescopic sleeve 48, an automatic release fixture includes a piston 3, a fixture head 35, a large spring 36, a nail cap 37, a square Wedge block 38, small spring 39, large hexagon socket screw 40, clutch sliding block 41, coupling 42, small hexagon socket screw 43, platform float stabilization parts include boom telescopic sleeve 18, boom telescopic shaft 19, boom 20, cross shaft 21, ball head 22, float 23, vortex forming body includes stirring rod 15, screw propeller 16, four-rod connecting plate 27, pod arm 28, sliding connection assembly, sliding connection assembly includes rolling bearing 14, stud 17, nut 29, roller 30, slide rail 31, pin 34.

[0045] First, the platform buoy stabilizers for the four platforms are installed in an array on the platform deck 5 of the offshore platform. The offshore platform and the platform buoy stabilizers utilize both rotational and sliding connections. The boom telescopic sleeve 18 and boom 20 are connected to the offshore platform, as are the boom telescopic shaft 19 and boom 20. A sliding connection is used between the boom telescopic sleeve 18 and boom telescopic shaft 19. A universal connection is achieved between the end of the boom 20 and the buoy 23 using a cross shaft 21 and a ball head 22. Next, as shown in Figure 2, the position and connection relationship between the vortex-forming mechanism and the offshore platform are illustrated. The lower buoy 26 of the offshore platform is fixedly connected to the circular slide 31. The vortex-forming mechanism is located between the upper and lower circular slides 31. An anchor chain 33 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the suction and discharge compartment 32, with the end of the anchor chain 33 anchored to the seabed. Finally, as shown in Figure 4, the piston 3 is connected to the upper end of the automatic release clamp, and the submersible 4 is connected to the lower end. A clamp head 35 is installed in the center hole of piston 3, forming a sliding connection with piston 3. The tail of submersible 4 is secured to screw cap 37 using a coupling 42 and a small hexagon socket head screw 43. Finally, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the submersible launch tube is mounted in the center of the deck, and its upper circular launch tube 6 is mounted on the platform deck 5 of the offshore platform, with a fixed connection between the two.

[0046] The offshore platform is the main part of the entire equipment. The platform deck 5 of the offshore platform is fixedly connected to the column 25, and the column 25 and the lower buoy 26 are all fixedly connected. A lifting mast 1, a sling 2, and a large lifting arm 24 are installed on the platform deck 5. The lifting mast 1 and the large lifting arm 24 are fixedly connected to the platform deck 5; the lifting mast 1 and the sling 2 are directly above the upper launching circular tube 6, and the large lifting arm 24 is arranged diagonally. The large lifting arm 24 is used to lift the submersible 4 in the water onto the platform deck 5. The two large lifting arms 24 can cover all places on the platform deck 5; one end of the anchor chain 33 is connected to the suction and discharge cabin 32, and the other end is anchored to the seabed.

[0047] The platform float stabilizer is a stability-enhancing device mounted on the deck, designed to enhance the stability of the equipment at sea. The platform float stabilizer's boom 20 is pivotally connected to the platform deck 5, and a cross-shaft 21 and ball head 22 are used to achieve a universal connection between the boom 20 and the buoy 23. The boom 20 is a thin-walled shell-like component with a cross-sectional shape that is a composite of square and circular. The buoy 23 is a conventional combined three-buoy cassette. The boom 20 is actively rotated by hydraulically controlling the movement of the telescopic sleeve 18 and the boom telescopic shaft 19, thereby achieving up and down movement of the buoy 23 and ultimately controlling stability.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the principle of the vortex forming mechanism is to use the thrust generated by the screw propeller 16 to push the four stirring rods 15 to rotate along the circular slide rail 31. The stirring rods 15 drive the viscous fluid to form a vortex when rotating; in addition, the function of the suction and drainage chamber 32 is to suck the water in the center into the chamber, and then discharge the water stored in the suction and drainage chamber 32 from a position away from the vortex. The flow velocity is large on the inner side of the circular ring of the suction and drainage chamber 32, which realizes a local increase in the flow velocity to form a low-pressure area. Two pod arms 28 are fixedly connected to the four stirring rods 15, and the screw propeller 16 is installed on the pod arm 28; as shown in Figure 3, the guide rail driving structure includes a rolling bearing 14, a stud 17, a nut 29, a roller 30, a slide rail 31, and a pin 34. There are four studs 17 and they correspond to the stirring rods 15 respectively. One end of the stud 17 passes through the four-rod connecting plate 27 and the end of the stirring rod 15 in sequence and is threadedly connected thereto. The stud 17 is fastened to the connecting plate 27 by two nuts 29 set up above and below. The stud 17 A wheel axle is installed laterally at the other end, and the two ends of the wheel axle are in rolling contact with the inner surface of the slide rail 31 through a rolling bearing 14 respectively; the roller 30 is parallel to the central axis of the stud 17, and the roller 30 is installed on the stud 17 by using a pin 34; the function of the rolling bearing 14 is to enable the stud 17 to roll along the groove of the annular slide rail 31; the function of the roller 30 is to reduce the sliding wear of the stud 17 when it moves in the slide rail 31; the function of the four-bar connecting plate 27 is to ensure the simultaneous movement and movement stability of the four stirring rods 15.

[0049] As shown in FIG4 , the automatic release fixture of the submersible has a circular protrusion in the center of the piston 3. One end of the fixture head 35 is installed in the circular protrusion of the piston 3. A large spring 36 is sleeved on the fixture head 35. The large spring 36 can prevent the collision between the piston 3 and the fixture head 35. The other end of the fixture head 35 is a three-jaw chuck. The side walls of the three chucks are respectively provided with threaded holes and square holes. A square wedge 38 is installed in the square hole. A large hexagon socket screw 40 is installed in the threaded hole. There is a small spring 39 between the hexagon socket screw 40 and the square wedge 38. The function of the small spring 39 is to reset the square wedge 38, and the function of the square wedge 38 is to support the nail cap 37; the square wedge 38 and the clamp head 35 and the clutch sliding block 41 are all slidingly connected between the nail cap 37. The nail cap 37 moves up and down in the hole of the clamp head 35, and the clutch sliding block 41 is sleeved on the nail cap 37; the nail cap 37 and the submersible 4 are fixedly connected by a coupling 42 and two small hexagon socket screws 43. The working principle of the automatic release fixture of the submersible is that the submersible 4 is at the outlet of the lower launch tube 13. Due to the influence of inertia, the submersible 4 drives the nail cap 37 and the clutch sliding block 41 to move upward; when the clutch sliding block 41 moves upward, the upper surface of the clutch sliding block 41 pushes the square wedge 38 to retract into the hole of the clamp head 35, and the clutch sliding block 41 contacts the nail cap 37 and combines to form a bulge; then, under the action of gravity, the nail cap 37, the clutch sliding block 41 and the submersible 4 all move downward. Movement, the lower surface of the clutch sliding block 41 pushes the square wedge 38 back into the hole of the clamp head 35 again, and the nail cap 37 moves to the bottom of the square wedge 38. The nail cap 37, the clutch sliding block 41 and the submersible 4 are separated from the clamp head 35 and fall directly into the water; when the clutch sliding block 41 is separated from the nail cap 37, the clutch sliding block 41 and the nail cap 37 are separated to form a groove, and the square wedge 38 is in the middle of the clutch sliding block 41 and the nail cap 37, and the square wedge 38 supports the nail cap 37 and the submersible 4.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the upper launch tube 6 of the submersible launch tube is fixedly connected to the platform deck 5. The limit plate 8 is fixedly connected to the platform deck 5 by a support column 7. The limit plate 8 and the support plate 9 are fixedly connected by bolts. The support plate 9 and the lower launch tube 13 are also fixedly connected by bolts. A through hole is opened in the side wall of the upper launch tube 6, and a cylindrical pin 11 is installed in the through hole of the side wall of the upper launch tube 6. The cylindrical pin 11 is fixed to the rack 12 by a bolt connection. As shown in Figure 6, a gear pair consisting of three pairs of racks 12 and pinions 44 is evenly distributed on the circumference, and the rack 12 is installed in a dovetail groove evenly distributed on the circumference of the limit plate 8; the pinion 44 is installed on the support seat 9, and the pinion 44 and the support seat 9 are rotationally connected; the internal gear 10 is installed in the groove between the limit plate 8 and the support seat 9; the rocker 45, the slider 46, the telescopic rod 47 and the telescopic sleeve 48 form a slider rocker mechanism, whose function is to rotate the internal gear 10, the internal gear 10 drives the three pinions 44 to rotate, and the pinion 44 drives the rack 12 to move radially along the limit plate 8 in the dovetail groove, and finally realizes the telescopic movement of the cylindrical pin 11; the internal gear 10 is fixedly connected to the rocker 45, the slider 46 slides up and down on the rocker 45, the telescopic rod 47 and the slider 46 are rotationally connected, and the telescopic rod 47 and the telescopic sleeve 48 form a hydraulic telescopic rod; the movement of the telescopic rod 47 can realize the movement of the slider 46 and the swing of the rocker 45.

[0051] As shown in FIG7 , the specific method for the hydraulic launch equipment of the underwater vehicle includes: a hoisting stage, a locking stage, a vortex generation stage, and a release and launch stage. Specifically, the following steps are included:

[0052] Step 1: Hoisting stage

[0053] S11: The lower buoy 26 is completely immersed in water, one end of the anchor chain 33 is fixed to the seabed, the draft is half of the column 25, and the large crane 24 lifts the submersible 4 from the water and places it on the deck;

[0054] S12: At the tail of the submersible 4, screw a small hexagon socket screw 43 into the threaded hole of the coupling 42 to securely connect the submersible 4 and the nail cap 37;

[0055] S13: The large lifting arm 24 lifts the tail of the submersible 4 downward, and inserts the nail cap 37 of the piston 3 into the clamp head 35 to achieve a fixed connection between the submersible 4 and the piston 3;

[0056] S14: The sling 2 on the lifting mast 1 lifts the head of the submersible 4 downward, aligns the axis of the piston 3 and the upper launch tube 6, and then places the piston 3 into the upper launch tube 6;

[0057] Step 2: Locking stage

[0058] S21: Using hydraulic pressure to move the telescopic rod 47, the inner gear ring 10 and the pinion 44 rotate counterclockwise, and the rack 12 and the cylindrical pin 11 move outward, so that the inner gear ring 10, the cylindrical pin 11, the rack 12, the pinion 44, and the rocker 45 are reset;

[0059] S22: After resetting, the telescopic rod 47 is adjusted again, the inner gear ring 10 and the pinion 44 rotate clockwise instantaneously, and the rack 12 and the cylindrical pin 11 move toward the axis until the rocker 45 rotates to the limit position;

[0060] S23: When the sling 2 is retracted or lowered, the piston 3 moves downward along the upper launching tube 6 until the bottom surface of the piston 3 contacts the cylindrical pin 11, the rope between the piston 3 and the sling 2 is loosened, and the piston 3 is supported by the cylindrical pin 11.

[0061] Step 3: Vortex Generation Stage

[0062] S31: Hydraulically adjust the telescopic shaft 19, causing the boom 20 to rotate and the buoy 23 to immerse in water; in addition, the draft of the offshore platform is adjusted, thereby improving the stability of the platform;

[0063] S32: The propeller 16 is used to push the stirring rod 15 to rotate in the slide rail 31, and a vortex is generated under the action of the fluid viscosity force;

[0064] S33: The suction and discharge chamber 32 sucks the water in the inner ring into the chamber, and then discharges the water from the outer ring of the suction and discharge chamber 32, forming a local low-pressure area.

[0065] Step 4: Release and launch phase

[0066] S41: Adjust the telescopic rod 47 again, the inner gear ring 10 and the pinion 44 rotate counterclockwise, the rack 12 and the cylindrical pin 11 move outward, so that the cylindrical pin 11 retracts into the hole, and the piston 3 descends vertically;

[0067] S42: After the piston 3 collides with the lower launch tube 13, the clamp head 35 moves downward under the action of inertia, the clutch sliding block 41 moves upward relative to the clamp head 35, the nail cap 37 falls off from the clamp head 35, and the submersible 4 and the piston 3 are separated;

[0068] S43: The submersible 4 will quickly dive into deep water under huge water pressure, thereby realizing the hydraulic launch of the submersible.

[0069] The present invention installs a vertical launch tube on an offshore platform, from which a submersible is ejected. Under water, a propeller is used to drive a stirring rod to rotate along a circular slide rail. Under the influence of fluid inertia and viscosity, an elongated vortex is formed in the water. A suction and discharge chamber is added at the bottom of the vortex to increase the water flow speed, thereby accelerating the water flow rotation. The submersible is vertically ejected from the lower launch tube and descends vertically along the center of the vortex. When the vortex disappears, the underwater pressure will also increase instantaneously, and the submersible will be sucked into the deep water area, thereby improving the submersible's diving efficiency. This method has the advantage of reducing the impact of the pressure difference at the launch tube outlet on underwater launch. In addition, compared with the submersible's retraction and deployment device, this hydraulic launch method can reduce the combined interference of unknown wind, waves, and currents when operating in two completely different environmental media (air and water).

[0070] In the present invention, the offshore platform floats on the sea, and its function is to provide support for hydraulic launch equipment; the top of the offshore platform is a deck, with four columns in the middle and a circular lower floating body at the bottom. There are four arrays of buoys around the deck, and the purpose of the four buoys is to reduce rolling and increase stability; in the middle of the deck is a vertical launch tube for the submersible; the shape of the entire platform is similar to that of an umbrella, and this structure can help it become a "tumbler" on the sea.

[0071] In the present invention, the suction and drainage chamber 32 is annular in shape, with numerous small holes on the inner side of the ring for efficient water absorption. Furthermore, the chamber houses a ballast tank and a pump compartment, allowing water to be drawn in from the inner side of the ring and discharged from the outer side. The suction and drainage chamber creates a pressure outlet at the bottom of the boundless vortex, improving the vortex's stability.

[0072] In the present invention, the structure and appearance of the multi-propeller vortex forming device provide a method for manufacturing an underwater vortex; a screw propeller is installed on the boom of the stirring rod, and the thrust direction of the screw propeller is tangent to the circular ring, pushing the stirring rod to rotate along the circular ring slide; the stirring rod is a thin plate, the middle section of the stirring rod is fixedly connected to the boom, the L-shaped boom is used to install the screw propeller, the upper and lower ends of the stirring rod are connected to the circular ring slide, and the stirring rod rolls along the circular ring slide; the rotation of the stirring rod accelerates the movement of the surrounding fluid, accelerates the rotation speed of the fluid to form a spiral vortex, and the central area of ​​the spiral vortex is the low-pressure area.

[0073] In the present invention, the automatic release clamp of the underwater vehicle hydraulic launch equipment, when the submersible descends to the outlet of the lower launch tube, moves upward after the submersible comes into contact with water, the square wedge block retracts into the hole, and the nail cap separates from the clamp head, thereby separating the submersible from the piston; this method of using the moving clutch sliding block to achieve the suspension and release of the submersible has the advantage of automatic separation of the submersible from the hydraulic launch equipment.

[0074] In the present invention, the locking mechanism of the underwater vehicle hydraulic launch equipment converts the linear movement of the telescopic rod into the rotation of the internal gear ring through a slider and a rocker. The rotating internal gear ring drives the rotation of multiple small gears, and finally realizes the radial movement of the rack and the radial expansion and contraction of the cylindrical pin; the locking mechanism not only plays a supporting role, but also uses a hydraulic mechanism to realize the radial expansion and contraction of the cylindrical pin.

Claims

1. A hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle, characterized in that: it includes an offshore platform, a platform stabilizing mechanism, a deep submergence vehicle launching tube, an automatic release clamp, and a vortex forming mechanism; The offshore platform includes a platform deck (5), a lifting assembly, and a lower floating body assembly. The lifting assembly is installed on the upper surface of the platform deck (5). There is a through opening in the middle of the platform deck (5). The deep submergence vehicle launching tube is arranged downward from the through opening and is connected to the platform deck (5). The lower floating body assembly is installed at the bottom of the platform deck (5) and surrounds the deep submergence vehicle launching tube. The automatic release clamp is connected to the lifting assembly and cooperates with the deep submergence vehicle launching tube. The automatic release clamp is used to clamp the deep submergence vehicle (4). The platform stabilizing mechanism includes multiple platform floating body stabilizers, which are installed at circumferential intervals on the upper surface of the platform deck (5); The vortex forming mechanism is installed at the bottom of the lower floating body assembly. The vortex forming mechanism includes a vortex forming main body and a water suction and drainage chamber (32). The water suction and drainage chambers (32) are arranged at intervals below the lower floating body assembly. The water suction and drainage chambers (32) are anchored to the seabed through anchor chains (33). The vortex forming main body is arranged between the lower floating body assembly and the water suction and drainage chamber (32) and is slidably connected to both of them respectively.

2. The hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly includes a lifting rod (1), a sling (2), and a large boom (24). The lifting rod (1) is vertically installed on the upper surface of the platform deck (5) and close to one side of the through opening. The automatic release clamp is installed on the upper part of the sling (2). At least one large boom (24) is installed on the platform deck (5).

3. The hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower floating body assembly includes columns (25) and a lower floating body (26). The lower floating body (26) is annular, arranged at intervals below the platform deck (5) and coaxially aligned with the through opening. Multiple columns (25) are arranged at intervals between the platform deck (5) and the lower floating body (26) and are respectively connected to both of them. The vortex forming main body is slidably connected to the bottom surface of the lower floating body (26).

4. The hydraulic launching device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deep submergence vehicle launch tube includes an upper launch circular tube (6), support columns (7), a limit plate (8), a support base (9), an internal gear ring (10), cylindrical pins (11), racks (12), a lower launch circular tube (13), pinions (44), and a slider-rocker mechanism. The upper launch circular tube (6) is vertically arranged, its upper port is connected to the platform deck (5) and communicates with the through hole thereon, and a limit plate (8) is arranged on the outer periphery of the lower port. A plurality of support columns (7) are spaced apart on the outer periphery of the upper launch circular tube (6). The upper ends of the support columns (7) are fixed to the bottom of the platform deck (5), and the lower ends are fixed to the upper surface of the limit plate (8). The upper end of the lower launch circular tube (13) is connected to the bottom surface of the limit plate (8) through the support base (9) and is coaxially arranged with the upper launch circular tube (6). The limit plate (8) and the support base (9) both have circular through holes in the middle to connect the upper launch circular tube (6) and the lower launch circular tube (13). An internal gear ring (10) is slidably connected to the inner ring of the limit plate (8). A plurality of pinions (44) are installed on the support base (9) at intervals along the inner ring of the internal gear ring (10). The pinions (44) are respectively meshed with the internal gear ring (10). A cylindrical pin (11) is respectively arranged on one side of each pinion (44). The cylindrical pin (11) is radially inserted into the inner peripheral wall of the upper launch circular tube (6). A rack (12) meshed with a corresponding pinion (44) is respectively arranged on each cylindrical pin (11). A notch is arranged on the limit plate (8). The slider-rocker mechanism is installed on the support base (9) and is connected to the internal gear ring (10) through the notch.

5. The hydraulic launching device of an underwater vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: The slider-rocker mechanism includes a rocker (45), a slider (46), a telescopic rod (47), and a telescopic sleeve (48). The telescopic sleeve (48) is installed on the support base (9). One end of the telescopic rod (47) is connected to the telescopic sleeve (48), and the other end is connected to the slider (46). The outer peripheral surface of the rocker (45) is hinged to the slider (46). One end of the rocker (45) passes through the notch and is connected to the internal gear ring (10).

6. The hydraulic launching device of an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The automatic release fixture includes a piston (3), a fixture head (35), a large spring (36), a nail cap (37), a square wedge (38), a small spring (39), a large internal hexagonal screw (40), a clutch sliding block (41), a coupling (42), and a small internal hexagonal screw (43). The upper part of the piston (3) is connected to the lifting assembly. A through groove is axially provided at the center of the lower bottom surface. The upper part of the fixture head (35) is inserted into the through groove, and a large spring (36) is sleeved on its outer peripheral surface. An outer convex ring is provided at the upper edge of the upper end of the fixture head (35), and an inward convex ring is provided on the inner ring of the through groove of the piston (3). The two ends of the large spring (36) are respectively abutted against the lower surface of the outer convex ring and the upper surface of the convex ring. The lower part of the fixture head (35) is a triangular chuck structure, and a plurality of groups of threaded holes and square holes are successively opened in the radial direction from the outside to the inside on its peripheral surface. A square wedge (38) is provided in each square hole, and a large internal hexagonal screw (40) is provided in the threaded hole. A small spring (39) is provided between the large internal hexagonal screw (40) and the corresponding square wedge (38). The nail cap (37) is installed at the center of the lower part of the fixture head (35), and the square wedge (38) supports the nail cap (37). The outer peripheral surface of the supporting nail cap (37) is slidably connected to the inner wall of the fixture head (35) through the clutch sliding block (41). The submersible (4) is installed at the lower part of the nail cap (37) through the coupling (42), and the small internal hexagonal screw (43) is circumferentially fastened to the coupling (42).

7. The hydraulic launching device of an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The platform floating body stabilizer includes a boom telescopic sleeve (18), a boom telescopic shaft (19), a boom (20), a cross shaft (21), a ball head (22), and a floating cylinder (23). The boom (20) is suspended outward on the upper surface of the platform deck (5). One end of it is hinged to the upper surface of the platform deck (5), and the other end is universally connected to the floating cylinder (23) through the cross shaft (21) and the ball head (22). One end of the boom telescopic sleeve (18) is hinged to the upper surface of the platform deck (5), and the other end is connected to one end of the boom telescopic shaft (19). The other end of the boom telescopic shaft (19) is hinged to the boom (20).

8. The hydraulic launching device of an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vortex formation main body includes a stirring rod (15), a screw propeller (16), a four-bar connecting plate (27), a nacelle arm (28), and a sliding connection assembly. Two four-bar connecting plates (27) are arranged in parallel at intervals up and down, and are connected by four stirring rods (15) arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. At least one nacelle arm (28) is installed on the same side of each stirring rod (15) in the same direction, and a screw propeller (16) is installed on each nacelle arm (28). The upper surface of the upper four-bar connecting plate (27) is connected to the lower floating body assembly through a sliding connection assembly, and the lower surface of the lower four-bar connecting plate (27) is connected to the water suction and drainage tank (32) through another sliding connection assembly.

9. The hydraulic launching device of an underwater vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guide rail traveling structure includes rolling bearings (14), studs (17), nuts (29), rollers (30), slide rails (31), and pins (34). There are four studs (17), which respectively correspond to the stirring rods (15) one by one. One end of the stud (17) sequentially passes through the four-rod connecting plate (27) and the end of the stirring rod (15) and is threadedly connected thereto. The stud (17) is fastened to the connecting plate (27) by two nuts (29) arranged vertically. The other end of the stud (17) is transversely provided with a wheel axle, and both ends of the wheel axle are in rolling contact with the inner surface of the slide rail (31) through a rolling bearing (14); the roller (30) is parallel to the central axis of the stud (17), and the roller (30) is installed on the stud (17) by using a pin (34); the slide rail (31) is annular, and one is installed on the water absorption and drainage tank (32) and the lower floating body assembly respectively. The cross section of the slide rail (31) is U-shaped, and its port is provided with an inward flanging. The rolling bearing (14) is arranged in the corresponding slide rail (31) and is in rolling connection with the roller (30) through the flanging to reduce collision.

10. A working method of a hydraulic launching device of an underwater vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it includes the following steps: Step one: Hoisting stage; S11: The device is launched into the water and connected to the seabed through an anchor chain. The lower floating body assembly is immersed in the water, and the lifting assembly hoists the deep submergence vehicle to the platform deck; S12: Install the deep submergence vehicle on the automatic release fixture; S13: The lifting assembly hoists the head of the deep submergence vehicle downward to align the axis of the automatic release fixture and the deep submergence vehicle launch tube, and lowers it until the deep submergence vehicle and the automatic release fixture enter the deep submergence vehicle launch tube in sequence; Step two: Locking stage; S21: The automatic release fixture continues to be lowered in place. After being limited in the deep submergence vehicle launch tube, the rope between the lifting assembly and the automatic release fixture is loosened; Step three: Vortex generation stage; S31: Adjust the draft of the device through the platform floating body stabilizer to maintain its stability; S32: Start the vortex formation main body, and a vortex occurs under the action of the fluid viscous force; S33: The water absorption and drainage tank sucks the water in the inner ring into the tank, and then discharges the water from the outer ring of the water absorption and drainage tank 32 to form a local low-pressure area; Step four: Release and launch stage; S41: Unlock the limit of the automatic release fixture and the deep submergence vehicle launch tube. After being impacted once in the deep submergence vehicle launch tube, the automatic release fixture is separated from the deep submergence vehicle; S42: The deep submergence vehicle quickly dives into the deep water under the water pressure, thereby realizing the hydraulic launch of the deep submergence vehicle.

Citation Information

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