Submarine Countermeasure Shutter via Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current countermeasure launching devices face difficulties in opening the shutter quickly and easily due to the high pressure exerted by pressurized gas, requiring significant force to overcome the pressure on movable parts, which complicates the operation and safety of the system.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a cup-shaped shutter with a helical spring and a variable-volume chamber, where the pressure difference between the chamber and the cylindrical cavity allows the shutter to open rapidly by depressurizing the chamber, enabling easy operation even under high-pressure conditions, and an exhaust valve assists in restoring the shutter to the closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-pressure gas (300 bars and more) is used to maximize acceleration of the countermeasure, then the countermeasure can be launched faster and farther, but the shutter becomes difficult to open due to the high pressure exerted on its movable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into two separate elements: a fixed shutter and a movable shutter. The fixed shutter remains stationary while the movable shutter is the only part that moves during opening. This segmentation reduces the complexity of movable parts exposed to high pressure, making the opening operation easier while maintaining the high-pressure launch capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A variable-volume chamber is introduced as an intermediary space between the high-pressure gas source and the shutter mechanism. This chamber allows pressure equalization and provides a controlled environment for shutter operation, mediating the transition between high-pressure storage and low-pressure actuation, thereby enabling easy shutter opening despite the high-pressure gas supply.
2Reliability
If high-pressure gas is used to ensure the countermeasure is distanced as far and as fast as possible from the launch tube, then launch effectiveness is improved, but considerable force must be exerted to open the shutter against the pressurized gas pressure
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shutter into fixed and movable parts, the system maintains high-pressure gas storage for reliable launch effectiveness while minimizing the movable mass that requires force to move. Only the lightweight movable shutter needs to be actuated, significantly reducing the opening force requirement compared to moving the entire shutter assembly against high pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable-volume chamber acts as a pressure mediator, allowing the high-pressure gas to be stored effectively for reliable launch while providing a low-pressure environment for the shutter actuation mechanism. This intermediary chamber enables the system to maintain both high launch effectiveness and low opening force requirements simultaneously.
3Reliability
If the shutter is designed to close the feed opening to prevent pressurized-gas flow, then safety is improved, but the high pressure from the pressurized gas makes the valve difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter system is segmented into a fixed shutter that provides the primary sealing function for safety, and a movable shutter that handles only the minimal movement needed for opening. This segmentation allows the fixed shutter to maintain safety through reliable sealing while the movable shutter enables easy opening with minimal force, as it only needs to overcome a small sealing force rather than the full high-pressure load.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable-volume chamber serves as a safety intermediary by providing a controlled pressure environment. It allows the system to maintain high pressure for safety and effectiveness while creating a low-pressure actuation zone that enables easy valve opening. The chamber mediates between the high-pressure safety requirement and the low-force operation requirement.
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 design allows for fast and effortless opening of the shutter, ensuring efficient launch of countermeasures while maintaining safety and operational efficiency, even with high-pressure gases exceeding 300 bars, by leveraging the pressure difference to assist in opening the shutter and then restoring it automatically.
Implementation Method 1
the pressurized gas from the valve presses on the movable parts of the shutter
Implementation Method 2
shutter (30) also comprises a helical spring (45) interposed between cup-shaped body (31) and support (32)
Implementation Method 3
the pressure difference between the chamber and the cylindrical cavity allows the shutter to open rapidly by depressurizing the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A submarine countermeasure launching device having a launch tube (2) for launching a countermeasure (3); a cylinder (5) of pressurized gas; and a feed system (7) for feeding gas from the cylinder to the launch tube (2). A shutter of the feed system has a supporting body (32), and a cup-shaped body which slides with respect to the supporting body and has an annular end portion (42) for closing a gas feed opening (28) to the launch tube; and the supporting body and the cup-shaped body define a variable-volume inner chamber (47). The shutter (30) is housed in a seat (24) into which pressurized gas from the cylinder is fed so that the gas exerts pressure on at least part of the cup-shaped body. When the chamber is depressurized, the gas pressure on the cup-shaped body slides the cup-shaped body on the supporting body to open the shutter.