Submarine Rudder Elastomer Coupling for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rudder systems in submarines, including those with electric servomotors, generate significant noise emissions, which are a concern for military submarines aiming to minimize such disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A submarine rudder system featuring a linear drive with an elastomer coupling between the push rod and the linear drive's translational part, utilizing a synchronous torque motor and planetary roller drive, where the elastomer coupling acts as a damping element to reduce noise propagation, and includes an anti-rotation device to prevent unwanted rotary movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a rigid connection is used between the linear drive and push rod, then force transmission is efficient, but structure-borne noise propagates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomer coupling element is introduced as an intermediary component between the linear drive and push rod. This elastomer element acts as a mediator that transmits force from the linear drive to the push rod while simultaneously damping structure-borne noise, thus resolving the contradiction between efficient force transmission and noise reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The connection type is changed from rigid to flexible by using an elastomer coupling. This parameter change in the mechanical connection properties allows the system to maintain force transmission capability while introducing vibration damping characteristics that reduce structure-borne noise propagation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an elastomer coupling is used to reduce noise, then noise emissions are reduced, but connection precision and alignment tolerance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer coupling element functions as a flexible component that can accommodate misalignment and angular offsets between the linear drive and push rod. This flexibility compensates for manufacturing tolerances and alignment variations while maintaining the noise reduction benefit of the elastomer material
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the push rod is rigidly connected to the linear drive, then structural stability is maintained, but noise transmission to the outside is high
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer coupling serves as a mediator component that decouples the structural connection between the linear drive and push rod. It maintains the necessary mechanical connection for force transmission while interrupting the direct structural path for noise transmission to the submarine exterior
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection parameters are changed from rigid to flexible through the elastomer coupling. This parameter change reduces the transmission of vibrations and noise while maintaining sufficient structural stability for force transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between noise transmission and structural stability
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
The elastomer coupling significantly reduces structure-borne noise transmission from the linear drive to the push rod and outside the submarine, enhancing stealth capabilities by minimizing noise emissions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastomer element of the elastomer coupling forms a damping element, which significantly reduces the propagation of structure-borne noise from the linear drive to the push rod
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a submarine. Said submarine has at least one rudder mechanism equipped with a linear drive. The linear drive is movably coupled to at least one rudder by means of an articulated linkage. A linear-drive part capable of translatory motion can thereby be connected in the direction of motion to an articulated-linkage connecting-rod capable of translatory motion, by means of an elastomer coupling.