Underwater Vehicle Hovering System Using Detachable Auxiliary Propellers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small underwater vehicles launched from tube type launchers face challenges with speed control and limited mission performance due to high-speed requirements for control force generation, leading to short operating times and restricted low-speed mission capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A detachable hovering system with an extendable auxiliary propeller system using rotating arms and sub-motors to generate additional propulsion and control forces, allowing for low-speed operation and extended mission capabilities without altering the vehicle's design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control rudder is attached to the tail part of the streamlined body for tube type launcher compatibility, then the vehicle can be mounted on the cylindrical launcher, but the control force becomes insufficient at low speeds leading to limited mission performance
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular components: a streamlined body for launcher compatibility and a separate detachable hovering system with auxiliary propellers for enhanced control. This segmentation allows the vehicle to maintain launcher compatibility while adding independent control capability through the auxiliary propellers that provide control force even at low speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The hovering system is designed to be detachable and configurable, allowing the vehicle to dynamically adapt its configuration based on mission requirements. The auxiliary propellers can be attached when low-speed control is needed and removed when not required, making the control system dynamic rather than static.
2Ease of operation
If high-speed travelling is conducted to obtain adequate control force, then the control rudder can generate sufficient control force, but the propulsion energy source is quickly lost resulting in short operating time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the main propeller to provide excessive speed for control force generation, the auxiliary propellers provide partial control force independently. This allows the vehicle to travel at lower speeds while still obtaining adequate control force through the combined effect of the control rudder and auxiliary propellers, thereby conserving energy and extending operating time.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary propellers act as an intermediary control mechanism between the main propulsion system and the control rudder. They provide additional control force at low speeds without requiring the main propeller to operate at high speeds, thus mediating between propulsion efficiency and control effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary propeller system is made detachable, then the vehicle design remains unchanged for launcher compatibility, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hovering system with auxiliary propellers is designed as a separate detachable module rather than being integrated into the streamlined body. This segmentation allows the auxiliary propellers to be attached or removed based on mission requirements without modifying the basic vehicle structure, thereby managing complexity through modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable hovering system serves multiple functions: it provides low-speed control capability, extends operating time by enabling efficient low-speed operation, and can be configured for different mission types. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile mission capability from a single modular addition.
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 hovering system enhances the underwater vehicle's travel ability, enabling both low-speed and high-speed operations, thereby improving mission performance and allowing for diverse missions like landing, search, and attack.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary propeller assembly (610) connected to the connection assembly (630) through a rotating arm assembly (640)
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater vehicle having a hovering system using a tube type launcher. The underwater vehicle includes a streamlined body and a hovering system connected to a rear of the streamlined body to generate a kinetic force of the streamlined body. The hovering system includes an extension shaft extended to be connected to the rear, a connection assembly connected to the rear through the extension shaft, and an auxiliary propeller assembly connected to the connection assembly.