Buoy for measuring radiated underwater noise

Abstract

Disclosed is a buoy for measuring radiated underwater noise, the buoy comprising: a main body providing buoyancy; and a cylindrical case attached to the exterior of the main body to protect same, wherein the main body comprises a plurality of thrusters that can move the former, and the cylindrical case is provided with a plurality of holes allowing the plurality of thrusters to protrude.

Description

Underwater radiated noise measurement buoy

[0001] The present invention relates to an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy, and more particularly, to an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy that can continuously float at a target location in the sea by applying an automatic positioning system (Dynamic Positioning System).

[0002] In general, a buoy is a type of navigational aid made of a floating body floating on the surface of the ocean. It is divided into warning devices that indicate routes to help ships navigate safely or warn of the presence of navigational hazards such as reefs and sunken ships, and marine meteorological observation devices that detect weather information such as ocean currents, surface water temperature, air pressure, wind direction, and wind speed. These buoys process data within themselves and transmit data regularly.

[0003] Today, devices used to measure underwater radiated noise from ships at sea typically utilize floating devices for on-site installation and recovery. Many relevant organizations, both domestically and internationally, conduct tests using cylindrical or similarly shaped underwater radiated noise measurement buoys. To mitigate external influences such as waves, currents, and wind, circular weights are installed beneath the devices.

[0004] However, to minimize positional fluctuations, the lower weights installed must float underwater, rather than being anchored to the seabed, ensuring safe operation of the buoy. Therefore, even when lower weights are installed during actual sea trials, they frequently drift from their intended location to other areas due to the effects of waves, currents, and wind.

[0005] Furthermore, the movement of the buoy implies a change in the marine environment at the time of measurement. Because underwater radiated noise measurement methods rely on receiving noise generated by a vessel from a certain distance, they are sensitive to changes in the marine environment. Furthermore, if the buoy moves, this directly affects the received signal, potentially compromising the reliability of repeated measurements.

[0006] Furthermore, the underwater radiated noise measurement buoys currently being developed and applied frequently shift from their originally planned locations due to waves, currents, winds, and other factors, even in weather conditions conducive to underwater radiated noise measurement (typically Sea-state 1). This displacement does not significantly impact the underwater radiated noise measurement itself. In other words, this displacement does not impede data transmission or reception, nor does it render the radiated noise measurement data unusable.

[0007] The problem is that to measure underwater radiation noise at sea, a certain area is set up around an underwater radiation noise measurement buoy and repeated navigation is required. The time it takes to approach and depart from the buoy within that area is much longer than the actual measurement time (1-3 minutes). This time is exacerbated for larger vessels. Large LNGCs, for example, can take up to an hour to re-enter the buoy's Closest Point of Approach (CPA) after departing from it.

[0008] This means that during the navigation process for CPA approach and re-approach after departure for measurement, the underwater radiated noise measurement buoy moves a long distance due to the external environment. Such movement not only causes problems such as test delay and reduced reliability of measurement data due to environmental inconsistency, but also has the potential to cause damage to the underwater radiated noise measurement buoy body and auxiliary devices (receiver, antenna, GPS, etc.).

[0009] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy that can continuously float at a target location in the sea by adding a propulsion device to the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy and applying an automatic position maintenance system.

[0010] In order to solve the technical problem of the present invention, an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy is provided, which includes a main body providing buoyancy, a cylindrical case coupled to the outside of the main body and protecting the main body, the main body including a plurality of thrusters capable of moving the main body, and the cylindrical case having a plurality of holes through which the plurality of thrusters can protrude.

[0011] Measurement time delay, measurement environment change, equipment loss, etc. caused by the movement of the buoy's position lead to re-measurement or inability to measure, which leads to a problem of increased human and material resources. According to the present invention, by applying the automatic position maintenance system technology to the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy, the problem of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy's position movement that frequently occurs when measuring underwater radiation noise can be solved.

[0012] In addition, the position maintenance technology of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy is an issue that must be improved for rapid underwater radiation noise measurement. According to the present invention, underwater radiation noise can be accurately and safely measured while minimizing the influence of changes in the marine environment (waves, currents, wind), while preventing concerns about damage to the equipment and maintaining the measurement environment, thereby increasing the reliability of the measurement data.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the main body of an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy equipped with a thruster according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a thruster according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a main body to which a support part of an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy is coupled according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy having a cylindrical case coupled to a main body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of electronic components that operate an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy according to one embodiment of the present invention and that can measure underwater radiation noise.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy comprises: a main body providing buoyancy; and a cylindrical case coupled to the outside of the main body to protect the main body, wherein the main body includes a plurality of thrusters capable of moving the main body, and the cylindrical case is provided with a plurality of holes capable of protruding the plurality of thrusters.

[0019] Each of the above thrusters may include a duct, a propeller and a propeller guard.

[0020] The above underwater radiation noise measuring buoy further includes a GPS unit that measures the position of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy and generates position information; a first communication unit that can transmit the position information of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy to a vessel to be measured; a first control unit that controls the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy; and a battery that supplies power to the GPS unit, the first communication unit, the first control unit, and the thruster, wherein when the first communication unit receives target position information of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy from the vessel to be measured, the first control unit can drive the thruster according to the target position information to move and maintain the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy to a target position.

[0021] During the actual measurement time when the above-mentioned measured vessel passes the CPA (Closest Point of Approach), the first control unit can stop the operation of the thruster.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0023] In describing the embodiments of this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of this specification, the detailed description is omitted.

[0024] The description in the present invention of "comprising" a particular configuration does not exclude configurations other than that configuration, and means that additional configurations may be included within the scope of the practice of the present invention or the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0025] In addition, the components shown in the embodiments of the present invention are independently depicted to represent different characteristic functions, and this does not mean that each component is composed of separate hardware or a single software component. That is, each component is listed and included as a separate component for convenience of explanation, and at least two components among each component may be combined to form a single component, or a single component may be divided into multiple components to perform a function, and such integrated and separate embodiments of each component are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they do not deviate from the essence of the present invention.

[0026] Additionally, some components may not be essential components that perform essential functions of the present invention, but may be optional components merely used to enhance performance. The present invention may be implemented by including only components essential to implementing the essence of the present invention, excluding components used solely for performance enhancement. A structure that includes only essential components, excluding optional components used solely for performance enhancement, is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Additionally, in this specification, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0028] FIGS. 1 to 4 are drawings showing an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a main body of an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy equipped with a thruster according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a thruster according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a main body to which a support part of an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy is coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy in which a cylindrical case is coupled to a main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy includes a main body (100) that provides buoyancy, a support (200), and a cylindrical case (300).

[0030] When a ship operates at sea, the noise radiated underwater by the ship is called Underwater Radiated Noise (URN). From a military perspective, URN is directly related to survivability and can increase the probability of detection by the enemy. From a commercial perspective, it is an important factor that threatens the marine ecosystem or affects the comfort of passengers, so it must be accurately measured through accurate prediction and measurement.

[0031] The main body (100) floats on the sea and is formed with a watertight structure to prevent seawater from entering, thereby providing buoyancy to the underwater radiation noise measurement buoy. The main body (100) is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape in FIG. 1, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] The main body (100) has a low-center design structure like a pillar to minimize posture deformation.

[0033] The main body (100) includes a plurality of thrusters (thrusters, 110), which are propulsion power devices capable of moving the main body. FIGS. 1 to 4 are drawings showing an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a main body of an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy equipped with a thruster according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a thruster according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a main body to which a support part of an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy in which a cylindrical case is coupled to a main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy includes a main body (100) that provides buoyancy, a support (200), and a cylindrical case (300).

[0035] When a ship operates at sea, the noise radiated underwater by the ship is called Underwater Radiated Noise (URN). From a military perspective, URN is directly related to survivability and can increase the probability of detection by the enemy. From a commercial perspective, it is an important factor that threatens the marine ecosystem or affects the comfort of passengers, so it must be accurately measured through accurate prediction and measurement.

[0036] The main body (100) floats on the sea and is formed with a watertight structure to prevent seawater from entering, thereby providing buoyancy to the underwater radiation noise measurement buoy. The main body (100) is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape in FIG. 1, but is not limited thereto.

[0037] The main body (100) has a low-center design structure like a pillar to minimize posture deformation.

[0038] The main body (100) includes a plurality of thrusters (110), which are propulsion power devices capable of moving the main body.

[0039] A thruster (110) refers to an auxiliary thrust generating device installed on the side of a ship to improve the ship's maneuverability when docking or unberthing. In the present invention, the thruster (110) may also refer to a propeller system.

[0040] The thruster (110) is equipped with a duct (111), a propeller (112), and a propeller guard (113). The thruster (110) is coupled to the main body (100).

[0041] In order to maintain the purpose and function of the low center of gravity design of the main body (100) and to maintain the buoy in a horizontal plane position, it will be important to select the installation location of the thruster (110) that can minimize the tilt considering the center of gravity and the vector when the propulsive force is generated.

[0042] In the present invention, preferably, the thruster (110) should be located underwater, and it is preferable that the thruster (110) be located at the lower part of the main body (100).

[0043] In the present invention, it is preferable that the thrusters (110) are arranged in four directions, i.e., four thrusters (110) are arranged facing each other. However, there is no limitation on the number of thrusters (110) as long as they can move in position.

[0044] The thruster (110) may be provided with a duct (111) and a propeller guard (113) to prevent damage to the thruster (110) and surrounding devices or the environment due to exposure of the propeller (112). The propeller guard (113) is installed outside the propeller and has a mesh structure.

[0045] A duct (111) is connected to the main body (100), and the duct (111) may have a built-in power device (not shown) capable of driving a propeller (112). Due to the duct (110), the thruster (110) has a structure that protrudes from the main body (100).

[0046] A support member (200) can be combined with the main body (100). The support member (200) can support or protect the main body (100), and can be placed on the top, bottom, and side of the main body (100) for collecting buoys or connecting cables.

[0047] A cylindrical case (300) is attached to the outside of the main body (100) to protect the main body (100).

[0048] A cylindrical case (300) is provided with a plurality of holes (310) through which a plurality of thrusters (110) can protrude. The plurality of holes (310) can be provided in a number corresponding to the positions corresponding to the plurality of thrusters (110).

[0049] Although not shown in the drawing, the bottom of the underwater radiated noise measurement buoy may be further equipped with cables, hydrophones, attitude finders, fingers, and weights located underwater.

[0050] Cables are usually formed with a length of more than 100 m and are subject to significant changes in position due to waves and currents.

[0051] Depending on the purpose of the test, multiple hydrophones are placed vertically and distributed.

[0052] The attitude measurement device uses a cable to acquire attitude-related information, thereby improving the accuracy of signal processing. The attitude measurement device is characterized by being composed of a three-axis compass and a depth sensor, and is installed at three or more locations on the cable. The three-axis compass obtains information about motion by decomposing magnetic components in three directions, and the depth sensor within the attitude measurement device measures pressure to obtain information about depth and position. The number of attitude measurement devices installed is proportional to the length of the cable, but it is preferable to install them at least three locations to ensure measurement reliability. In this case, the attitude measurement device may be formed as a cylinder with a cover supported by springs at the top and bottom, and may accommodate a three-axis compass and a depth sensor with a substrate structure by stacking them at regular intervals inside.

[0053] The finger accommodates the functions of transmitting and receiving set sound waves.

[0054] The dismantling means has a structure that supports a weight on a detacher at the bottom of the cable. The weight is configured in the shape of a disk to damp up-and-down movement due to waves or currents.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of electronic components that operate an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy according to one embodiment of the present invention and that can measure underwater radiation noise.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 5, the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) includes a GPS unit (410), a first communication unit (420), a first control unit (430), and a battery (440). The GPS unit (410) and the first communication unit (420) may be placed outside the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400), and the first control unit (430) and the battery (440) may be placed inside the main body (100).

[0057] The GPS unit (410) calculates the location of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) and generates location information. In the present invention, the GPS unit (410) provides accurate location information using a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS).

[0058] The first communication unit (420) can transmit and receive information with the measured vessel (500). The communication unit (420) can perform communication using a communication protocol.

[0059] The first communication unit (420) can transmit location information generated by the GPS unit (410) to the measured vessel (500).

[0060] The vessel to be measured (500) is equipped with a monitoring unit (510) and a coordinate input unit (520) based on the location information of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) received from the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400).

[0061] The target location information of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) may be manually input into the coordinate input unit (520), or the target location information of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) may be automatically input by the second control unit (530) of the measured vessel (500).

[0062] When target position information of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) is input into the coordinate input unit (520), the second communication unit (540) of the measured vessel (500) can transmit the target position information to the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400).

[0063] When the first communication unit (420) of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) receives the target position of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400), the first control unit (430) drives the thruster (110) of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) to move the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) to the target position.

[0064] In order to measure underwater radiation noise at sea, a certain area is set around an underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) and the measured vessel (500) is repeatedly operated. At this time, the actual measurement time is usually about 1 to 3 minutes. The time for the measured vessel (500) to approach, depart from, and re-approach the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) within the set certain area is usually about 30 minutes to 1 hour, which is longer than the actual measurement time.

[0065] The first control unit (430) maintains the position of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) using the dynamic positioning system until the measured vessel (500) departs or reapproaches.

[0066] Automatic position maintenance system technology refers to a technology that automatically maintains the position of an underwater radiation noise measurement buoy (400) using a propulsion device such as a thruster.

[0067] During the actual measurement time when the measured vessel (500) passes the Closest Point of Approach (CPA), the first control unit (430) stops the operation of the thruster (110) of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400). This is because noise generated by the operation of the thruster (110) may cause errors in the underwater radiation noise measurement. The actual measurement time is set according to the distance between the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) and the measured vessel (500), and the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400) can receive data from the measured vessel (500).

[0068] Additionally, the first control unit (430) may perform emergency braking to prevent a startup error due to malfunction of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy (400).

[0069] The battery (440) supplies power to the GPS unit (410), the first communication unit (420), and the first control unit (430), and can supply power to a motor (not shown) that drives the propeller (112) of the thruster (110).

Claims

1. A body that provides buoyancy; and It includes a cylindrical case that is coupled to the outside of the main body and protects the main body, The above body includes a plurality of thrusters capable of moving the above body, An underwater radiation noise measuring buoy characterized in that the cylindrical case is provided with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of thrusters can protrude.

2. In paragraph 1, An underwater radiated noise measurement buoy characterized in that each of the above thrusters comprises a duct, a propeller and a propeller guard.

3. In paragraph 2, The above underwater radiation noise measuring buoy includes a GPS unit that measures the location of the above underwater radiation noise measuring buoy and generates location information; A first communication unit capable of transmitting location information of the above underwater radiation noise measuring buoy to a measuring vessel; A first control unit for controlling the above underwater radiation noise measuring buoy; and Further comprising a battery that supplies power to the GPS unit, the first communication unit, the first control unit, and the thruster, An underwater radiation noise measuring buoy, characterized in that when the first communication unit receives target position information of the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy from the measured vessel, the first control unit drives the thruster according to the target position information to move and maintain the underwater radiation noise measuring buoy to the target position.

4. In paragraph 3, An underwater radiation noise measuring buoy characterized in that the first control unit stops driving the thruster during the actual measuring time when the measured vessel passes the CPA (Closest Point of Approach).

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