Amphibious Vehicle Flow Duct Anti-Mine Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Military amphibious vehicles with internal water jet drives face challenges in protecting the crew from military threats due to the flow duct's inflow and outflow openings, which can be compromised by explosions or warfare agents, potentially leading to damage and injury.
Innovation Solution
The flow duct ends are designed to be closable via anti-mine elements made of armored steel, which can be moved between a closed and open position using a driving device and electronic control, ensuring protection during land travel while allowing water flow during water travel, with a frame and seal for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the flow duct is arranged internally in the hull for water jet drive, then the drive train becomes simpler and more protected against mechanical damage, but the hull is weakened due to inflow and outflow openings that allow penetration of blast waves and warfare agents
Solution Approach 1:
The flow duct is segmented into separate sections with individual closable openings at the front and rear ends. Each opening can be independently closed by anti-mine elements, allowing the duct to maintain its internal drive function while protecting against external threats by sealing off vulnerable sections when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow duct transitions from a static open structure to a dynamic system with movable closable openings. The anti-mine elements can move between open and closed positions, enabling the flow duct to adapt its configuration based on operational mode (land or water) and threat level, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
2Productivity
If the flow duct openings are kept open for water intake and outflow, then water jet drive functionality is maintained, but the crew is exposed to military threats during travel on land
Solution Approach 1:
The flow duct openings are equipped with movable anti-mine elements that can dynamically change position based on operational requirements. During land travel, the elements close the openings to protect the crew, while during water travel, they open to enable water jet drive functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-mine elements are positioned and configured in advance to prevent potential harm before it occurs. By closing the openings before exposure to military threats during land travel, the system proactively protects the crew and flow duct from blast waves and warfare agents, while maintaining the capability to open for water operation when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly increases crew safety by shielding the flow duct from military threats during land travel while maintaining a simple and protected internal water drive system for amphibious vehicles, reducing the risk of damage and penetration during mine explosions or other hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a water jet drive, which is arranged therein, for driving the amphibious vehicle during travel on water
Implementation Method 2
the propeller is arranged within a flow duct and is used for accelerating a water jet, via the repelling force of which the required propulsion is produced
Data Source
AI summary
An amphibious vehicle (1), which may be a military amphibious vehicle, having a hull (2) which accommodates the crew of the vehicle, and a flow duct (10) extending through the hull (2) and having a water jet drive (12) arranged therein for driving the vehicle (1) on water, wherein at least one end (11) of the flow duct (10) can be closed off by an anti-mine element (14) when the vehicle is travelling on land. A method for operating an amphibious vehicle (1), which may be a military amphibious vehicle, having a hull (2) which accommodates the crew of the vehicle, a flow duct (10) which extends through the hull (2), and a water jet drive (12) arranged therein for driving the vehicle (1) on water, includes closing off at least one end (11) of the flow duct (10) by an anti-mine element (14) when the vehicle is travelling on land.