Submarine Torpedo Trough Using Composite Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of torpedo troughs in submarines is time-consuming and costly due to the need for assembly in cramped spaces, requiring disassembly into sections and reassembly within the submarine, which complicates the process and increases manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

Designing the trough with a cross-sectional contour diameter smaller than the torpedo tube allows it to be assembled and tested externally, then inserted in one piece through the torpedo tube, eliminating the need for disassembly and reassembly within the submarine, using fiber-reinforced composite materials like CFRP for high strength and low weight, and incorporating a stiffening element and undivided shells for enhanced rigidity and ease of manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the trough is designed with sufficient width to provide lateral support for the torpedo, then the torpedo storage stability is improved, but the trough cannot be inserted through the access shaft in a fully pre-assembled state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorpedo storage stabilityVSAvoidtrough assembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The trough is divided into multiple longitudinal sections that can be assembled separately and then inserted into the submarine through the access shaft. This segmentation allows the trough to be manufactured and pre-assembled in sections outside the submarine, avoiding the need to insert a large fully-assembled trough through the limited access shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal sections of the trough are designed to nest within each other during storage and transport, allowing them to be compacted for insertion through the access shaft. Once inside the submarine, the sections are extracted and assembled into the complete trough structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the trough is divided into longitudinal sections for insertion through the access shaft, then the ease of insertion is improved, but the assembly time and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrough insertion easeVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal sections of the trough are pre-assembled and pre-tested in a workshop environment before being disassembled for insertion into the submarine. This preliminary assembly and testing outside the submarine allows for quality control and problem resolution in a more accessible environment, reducing the need for complex assembly operations inside the submarine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly and testing operations are extracted from the submarine environment and performed in an external workshop setting. This removes the constraints of the cramped submarine space during the assembly process, allowing for more efficient work with tools and personnel access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the trough is assembled and tested inside the submarine, then the installation completeness is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation completenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The trough sections are completely assembled and tested in a workshop environment before insertion into the submarine. This preliminary completion of assembly and testing ensures that the trough is fully functional before installation, eliminating the need for costly and complex assembly operations inside the submarine while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complete trough assembly process is replicated in the external workshop environment rather than being performed inside the submarine. This allows for standard manufacturing procedures and quality control measures to be applied in a more economical setting, while the finished product is then installed in the submarine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Significantly reduces manufacturing and assembly costs and time by allowing the trough to be introduced and secured in a single piece, ensuring shock-resistant and precise support for torpedoes, while maintaining high flexural rigidity and precision in design.

Implementation Method 1

using fiber-reinforced composite materials like CFRP for high strength and low weight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiber reinforcement: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 2

the circumscribed diameter of the cross-sectional contour of the trough is smaller than the inner diameter of the torpedo tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric constraint: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2266875B1Submarine

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYST GMBH

AI summary

The submarine has a torpedo tube led through a wall of a pressure body, and a hollow part (5) formed within the pressure body for bearing a weapon i.e. torpedo, where diameter of a tub-shaped cross sectional outline of the hollow part is smaller than inside diameter of the torpedo tube. The hollow part is made of fiber-reinforced composite material with carbon fibers or pre-impregnated fibers, where the composite material is carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The hollow part is formed in a longitudinal direction (6) in an undivided manner.