Submarine Ventilation Device Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ventilating a submerged, damaged submarine at great depths poses challenges due to the need for a pressure-resistant hose or pipe that can withstand water pressure while ensuring safe air pressure levels for occupants, as traditional flexible hoses are prone to high water pressure and rigid pipes are cumbersome for storage and movement compensation.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation device equipped with a pressure reducer and compressor system that uses a flexible hose to deliver compressed air from a surface ship, reducing air pressure to safe levels within the submarine and expelling used air, featuring a compressed air motor and pressure control devices to manage pressure and airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible hose is used for ventilation, then the hose can be stored compactly and compensate for ship movements, but the hose must be designed to withstand high water pressure at great depths which is hardly possible with a 50 cm nominal diameter hose
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid intermediate pipe section is introduced between the flexible hose and the submarine ventilation connection. This intermediate pipe withstands the high water pressure at depth, while the flexible hose only needs to handle lower pressures and provides movement compensation. The intermediate pipe acts as a mediator that separates the pressure resistance function from the flexibility function.
2Reliability
If a pressure-resistant pipe is used for ventilation, then the air pressure can be kept at safe levels for persons on board, but the pipeline is difficult to store on a ship due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented into three parts: a flexible hose for storage and movement compensation, a rigid intermediate pipe for pressure resistance, and a connection system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while the entire system meets all requirements.
3Strength
If a pressure-resistant hose with greater pressure resistance is used, then the hose can withstand water pressure, but the ventilation pressure must be greater than water pressure which endangers the health of persons in the submarine
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid intermediate pipe serves as a mediator that allows the system to withstand high external water pressure without transmitting this pressure to the interior of the submarine. The flexible hose connects to this intermediate pipe, and together they form a system that can resist external pressure while maintaining safe internal pressure levels.
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
Enables safe ventilation of a submerged submarine using a flexible hose without endangering occupants, allowing for efficient air exchange and pressure management, even at great depths, while being compact and adaptable to ship movements.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure reducer (18) arranged in a line path (14) from the connection (16) for the supply line (12) to the ventilation connection (6) of the submarine
Implementation Method 2
a compressor (26), with which the air discharged from the pressure hull of the submarine can be compressed to such an extent that it can be forced out of the ventilation device against the water pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The device (10) has a connection for a supply line (12) leading to a water surface, and a pressure regulator (18) arranged in a conducting path from the connection of the supply line to a ventilation connection (6) of a submerged damaged submarine (2). A compressed air motor (28) forms a drive of a compressor (26), and includes an air outlet connected with the conducting path. A line branch is provided at the air outlet of the air motor. A pressure regulation unit (34) is arranged in the line branch and is connected with a pressure sensor (36) arranged at an input side of the compressor.