Submarine Weapon Barrel Ejection System with Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Submarine weapon barrels face challenges in achieving a compact, quiet, and efficient ejection system due to the need for pressure integrity and limited space, with existing methods being noisy and inefficient for various types of weapons like torpedoes and mines.
Innovation Solution
A weapon barrel with an integrated working cylinder and pressure accumulator system, utilizing gas and liquid phases to achieve silent ejection by controlling pressure adiabatically, allowing for rapid and quiet deployment of weapons without noise, and featuring a compact design to minimize space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If compressed air is used to eject the weapon, then the ejection speed is high and the weapon is ejected quickly, but the ejection becomes comparatively noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a water piston-cylinder unit with hydraulic actuation to eject the weapon. The hydraulic system provides the necessary force for high-speed ejection while the water medium dampens noise, resolving the contradiction between achieving high ejection speed and minimizing noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the working fluid from gas (compressed air) to liquid (water), which fundamentally alters the ejection characteristics. The liquid phase provides higher density and better noise damping while maintaining the ability to generate high acceleration forces for rapid weapon ejection.
2Productivity
If a conventional ejection system is used, then the weapon can be ejected effectively, but the system occupies significant space and cannot accommodate all weapon types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal ejection device that can handle multiple weapon types (torpedoes, missiles, mines, decoys) through a single integrated system. The adjustable parameters of the hydraulic system allow it to accommodate different weapon weights and sizes, eliminating the need for separate ejection systems for each weapon type and significantly reducing space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable ejection system where the hydraulic parameters can be modified based on the specific weapon being deployed. This dynamic adaptability allows the same compact system to optimize performance for different weapon types without requiring multiple dedicated systems.
3Reliability
If the weapon barrel is designed to be pressure-tight for reloading, then the barrel can fully bear ambient pressure, but the interior space becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the water piston-cylinder unit and other ejection components inside the weapon barrel, nesting the ejection system within the pressure-tight barrel structure. This nested arrangement allows the barrel to maintain its pressure-tight design for reliable reloading while the ejection components utilize the available interior space efficiently.
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 quick and quiet ejection of weapons, reducing noise and space requirements, while maintaining pressure integrity for submarine operations, and accommodating different types of payloads with adjustable ejection speeds.
Implementation Method 1
the gas in the first side of the working cylinder is compressed during ejection. Due to the rapid ejection, this is, in a first approximation, the adiabatic compression of an ideal gas
Implementation Method 2
an ejection device with a water piston-cylinder unit, with the drive taking place via a hydraulic actuating cylinder arrangement
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a weapon barrel (10) for a submarine, comprising an ejection device, wherein the ejection device is provided with at least one first work cylinder (20) and at least one pressure accumulator (30). The at least one first work cylinder (20) is arranged inside the weapon barrel (10), wherein the at least one first work cylinder (20) has at least one first side of the work cylinder (22), and wherein the first side of the work cylinder (22) is filled with gas. The at least one first work cylinder (20) has at least one second side of the work cylinder (24), wherein the second side of the work cylinder (24) is filled with a liquid. The at least one pressure accumulator (30) has at least one first side of the pressure accumulator (32), wherein the first side of the pressure accumulator (32) is filled with gas. The at least one first pressure accumulator (30) has at least one second side of the pressure accumulator (34), wherein the second side of the pressure accumulator (34) is filled with a liquid. The at least one second side of the pressure accumulator (34) and the at least one second side of the work cylinder (24) are connected to one another via a first connection (40), wherein the first connection (40) is provided with a first valve (42). The at least one first work cylinder (20) is provided with a work piston (50), wherein the work piston (50) separates the at least one first side of the work cylinder (22) and the at least one second side of the work cylinder (24). The work piston (50) is connected to a coupling device (60), wherein the coupling device (60) is designed for the ejection of a weapon (80) from the weapon barrel (10).