Underwater Cable Winch Coupling Device for UUV Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in recovering abandoned unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) due to speed mismatches between UUVs and submarines, leading to complex capture routines and potential damage during retrieval, especially when the submarine is moving at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
An underwater cable winch with a coupling device and control system that allows adjustable lowering speed relative to the winch speed, enabling the coupling device to move at a slower speed than the submarine, facilitating safe coupling and decoupling of UUVs, and incorporating speed sensors, buoyancy elements, sound transducers, and optical reflection materials for precise maneuvering and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the submarine approaches the unmanned underwater vehicle at high speed, then the retrieval time is reduced, but the contact speed becomes too high causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling device is introduced as an intermediary component between the submarine and the unmanned underwater vehicle. This coupling device can be detached and reattached, allowing the submarine to maintain a safe distance while still enabling retrieval. The coupling device absorbs the speed differential and prevents direct high-speed contact between the submarine and UUV.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static mechanical connection to a dynamic, controllable coupling mechanism. The coupling device can be independently controlled to move at different speeds relative to the submarine, allowing speed adjustment to match the slower UUV while the submarine maintains higher speed for efficient retrieval.
2Productivity
If the submarine moves at high speed, then productivity is improved, but the UUV cannot keep up due to its slow propulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device serves as a mediator that decouples the speed requirements of the submarine and UUV. It can move independently at the slower speed required by the UUV while being pulled by the high-speed submarine, effectively bridging the speed gap between the two vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval system is segmented into independent components: the submarine, the winch cable, and the coupling device. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal speed independently, with the coupling device acting as a buffer that can move at the UUV's slower speed while being pulled by the faster submarine.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a stern-mounted approach is used, then the submarine can maintain course, but the UUV cannot reach the submarine due to speed mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device mounted on the stern acts as an intermediary that remains stationary or moves slowly relative to the submarine, allowing the UUV to approach and couple at its own slower speed without requiring the submarine to reduce its course stability or speed.
4Ease of operation
If bow-side capture is used, then the UUV can be captured near its propulsion system, but the high approach speed causes damage and control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device provides a dedicated capture point that is independent of the submarine's propulsion system. This allows the UUV to couple safely at its own speed without the high-speed contact that would occur with direct bow-side capture, eliminating the need for complex control and regulation power transfer.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an underwater cable winch for coupling and/or uncoupling an unmanned underwater vehicle at a winch cable end of a winch cable, comprising: a control device associated with a winding device; the winch cable; and a coupling device; wherein the coupling device is arranged at the winch cable end, wherein the control device and the winding device are designed in such a way that a pay-out speed of the coupling device can be set in relation to a winding speed of the underwater cable winch.