Submarine Antenna Cladding with Segmented Joint Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing enveloping body arrangements for underwater antennas require the dismantling of multiple sections for maintenance or repair, which is labor-intensive due to their layered or tongue and groove connections, necessitating the removal of several adjacent sections to access a single section.

Innovation Solution

The design features differently configured end sections of enveloping body sections that do not overlap, using a joint profile and filler to create a uniform outer surface, allowing individual sections to be dismantled without removing adjacent ones, with the joint profile being introduced and fixed using the filler as both a lubricant and adhesive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If enveloping body sections are connected using layered composite or tongue and groove connection, then structural integrity and uniform outer surface are improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of repair
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The enveloping body is divided into multiple individual sections that can be independently removed. Each section is separated from adjacent sections by joints that allow independent access, enabling maintenance personnel to remove only the specific section requiring repair rather than dismantling the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A joint profile acts as an intermediary element between adjacent enveloping body sections. This joint profile includes a joint bridge portion that spans the joint gap and joint bearing portions that engage with recesses in adjacent sections, providing structural connection while enabling independent section removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If end sections of adjacent enveloping body sections overlap, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The design transitions from overlapping end sections to non-overlapping sections with defined joints between them. Each section is a distinct, separable unit that can be independently accessed and removed, improving operational ease while maintaining structural stability through the joint profile connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system uses a joint profile that extends into the joint gap between sections, creating a three-dimensional connection structure. The joint bridge portion spans across the gap while joint bearing portions engage with recesses, providing stability without requiring overlapping end sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Shape

If joint profile is introduced into joint with joint filler, then uniform outer surface is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform outer surfaceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The joint filler material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lubricant during insertion of the joint profile, provides adhesive bonding to secure the joint profile in place, and fills residual joints to create a uniform outer surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate materials and steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple functions (lubrication, adhesion, filling) into a single joint filler material application step. Instead of using separate lubricants, adhesives, and fillers, the joint filler performs all these functions in sequence during the assembly process, simplifying the manufacturing procedure.

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

This approach reduces the effort required for maintenance and repair by enabling individual sections to be dismantled independently, maintaining a uniform outer surface and ensuring structural integrity, while minimizing the need for additional adhesives or lubricants.

Implementation Method 1

the joint filler is not only used to fill a joint or residual joint, but also as a lubricant for introducing the joint profile into the joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

as an adhesive for permanently fastening the joint profile in the joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2605957B1Cladding body assembly having a uniform outer surface, submarine antenna and submarine boat comprising the cladding body assembly and method for producing the cladding body assembly
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP2605957B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2605957B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2605957B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The invention relates to a cladding body assembly 1 having a uniform outer surface 30 for a submarine antenna 38 of a submarine boat 36, to the submarine antenna 38, to the submarine boat 14, and to a method for producing the cladding body assembly 1. According to the invention, a joint profile 12 is arranged at least partially in a joint 2 which abuts against a respective first and second end section 8, 4 of adjoining cladding body sections 6, 10 of the cladding body assembly. Moreover, an elastic joint filler 22 to be cured is arranged as adhesive between the joint profile 12 and the end sections 8, 4 of the adjoining cladding body sections 6. A joint gap 20 of the joint 2 is bridged. The invention achieves a uniform outer surface 30 of the cladding body assembly 1, wherein individual cladding body sections 6, 10, 44, 46 can be removed from a row of adjoining cladding body sections 6, 10, 44, 46, for example for maintenance purposes, without also having to remove adjoining cladding body sections 6, 10, 44, 46, which simplifies the maintenance of the submarine antenna 38.