Submarine Communication Energy Management Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional submarines face limited underwater endurance due to high electrical energy consumption, with non-nuclear powered submarines having significant power requirements from batteries for both communication and other electrical systems, which reduces their operational time.
Innovation Solution
A submarine with an integrated energy management controller that automatically switches on and off communication system components based on operational states, such as antenna position, diving depth, and atmospheric conditions, to minimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication system components are kept continuously operational, then communication reliability is improved, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system components are switched on and off periodically based on operational requirements. The controller automatically activates communication components only during periods when communication is needed (e.g., during surfacing, periscope operations, or scheduled contact periods) and switches them off during submerged cruising periods, creating a periodic operation pattern that balances reliability with energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system transitions from a static continuously-on state to a dynamic state where components are adaptively switched based on real-time operational conditions. The controller dynamically adjusts the operational status of communication components according to factors such as depth, speed, and mission requirements, optimizing the balance between communication availability and power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all communication components are kept active, then communication availability is improved, but underwater endurance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Communication components operate in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The system is activated during specific operational phases (such as when the submarine surfaces or uses periscope antennas) and remains inactive during extended submerged periods, creating a pattern that maintains communication availability when needed while preserving battery power for extended underwater endurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically manages the switching of communication components based on detected operational states without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors its own operational context (depth, antenna position, mission phase) and autonomously decides when communication components should be active or inactive, optimizing the trade-off between communication availability and endurance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If communication components are switched off during submerged operations, then power consumption is reduced, but communication capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system dynamically adapts its operational state based on the submarine's depth and antenna configuration. When submerged with antennas below waterline, the system switches off radio components that cannot transmit effectively. When surfacing or using periscope/towered antennas that extend above water, the system automatically activates communication components, ensuring capability is available when physically possible while conserving power when it is not.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power state of communication components) based on changing physical conditions (submarine depth, antenna extension state). The controller monitors these parameters and adjusts communication component operation accordingly, switching from an off state during deep submerged operations to an on state when surface communication is feasible, optimizing both power consumption and capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The submarine boat has a communication system (2) and a controller (16) for energy management of the communication system, which automatically switches-on or -off one or more electrical components of the communications system depending on predetermined states. The communication system has multiple transmitting- and receiving-units formed for operating in different frequency ranges. The transmitting- and receiving-units are automatically switched-on and -off by the controller based on the antenna position, operating condition of an extending mast and the diving depth of the submarine.