Open Support Structure for Submarine Ejection Tubes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing submarine ejection devices are limited in their ability to handle immersion bodies of different cross-sectional dimensions, leading to slow ejection speeds and increased risk of damage from shock loads due to restricted water flow and inadequate support structures.

Innovation Solution

A device with an open support structure allowing free airflow around the ejection tube, featuring adjustable guides and gas-pressure spring-loaded supports to accommodate various immersion body sizes and absorb shock loads, ensuring efficient water flow and reduced weight, while maintaining pressure integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a closed tubular storage container is used to store submersible bodies, then the submersible bodies can be securely stored and guided, but water flow is significantly restricted causing slow ejection speed and increased shock load damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure storage and guidanceVSAvoidejection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The closed tubular storage container is segmented into multiple longitudinal sections with transverse connections, creating open longitudinal passages that allow water flow while maintaining structural integrity and guidance capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is designed with porous-like open passages formed by longitudinal segments connected by transverse connections, allowing free water flow through the structure during ejection while providing support and guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Strength

If a closed tubular storage container is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but water hammer effects are amplified during shock loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidwater hammer damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into longitudinal segments with transverse connections, creating open passages that allow water to flow freely during shock loads, preventing water hammer effects while maintaining structural integrity through the segmented design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The open longitudinal passages convert the harmful water hammer effect into a beneficial free-flow condition, allowing water to escape laterally during shock loads rather than building up damaging pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If the storage container inner diameter is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but only submersible bodies of specific outer diameter can be stored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with different submersible body sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure incorporates adjustable guide elements and positioning mechanisms that can be dynamically reconfigured to accommodate submersible bodies of different diameters within the same ejection tube

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection tube and supporting structure are designed as universal systems that can handle multiple submersible body calibers through adjustable components, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated tubes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If support beams and guide rails are added to mount the insertion tube, then mounting stability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidnumber of mounting components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure integrates mounting functions directly into the segmented container design, combining support beams, guide rails, and positioning elements into a unified structure that reduces overall complexity while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables secure storage and reliable ejection of immersion bodies of different sizes, reduces the risk of water hammer damage, and facilitates easier assembly and maintenance by allowing unimpeded water flow and effective shock absorption.

Implementation Method 1

gas-pressure spring-loaded supports to accommodate various immersion body sizes and absorb shock loads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2008930B1Device for storing and starting at least one submersible body in a submarine

Publication Date: 2016.03.30 THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYST GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The device (2) has an out flow pipe (6), particularly torpedo tube, has a supporting frame (8) for supporting and guiding an immersion body (4) in the out flow pipe and units for starting the immersion body from the out flow pipe. The out flow pipe is guided by a pressure body (10) of the submarine. The supporting frame is openly formed, such that a chamber is formed between the out flow pipe and immersion body. The chamber freely passes through in direction transverse to its longitudinal axis.