Underwater Payload Launching Apparatus with Electromagnetic Piston Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater payload launching apparatuses face challenges in efficiently generating sufficient water pressure due to electric resistance in seawater, which can lead to incomplete energy conversion and potential electrolysis when using electromagnetic forces.
Innovation Solution
A launching apparatus with a conduit filled with water and axially aligned conduit coils, where electric currents are passed through the coils to generate magnetic fields that interact with a moving object, such as a piston with an induction coil, to increase water pressure for launching payloads without being affected by seawater resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If electric current is passed through water in the conduit to generate electromagnetic force, then water pressure can be increased, but electric resistance of the water prevents sufficient water pressure generation and may cause electrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a moving object (piston) as an intermediary carrier between the electromagnetic force generation system and the water. The piston is driven by electromagnetic force generated in the conduit coils and transfers this force to the water, rather than attempting to generate electromagnetic force directly in the water. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need to pass current through water, thus avoiding energy loss to electric resistance while still achieving water pressure increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct electromagnetic force generation in water (MHD approach) with a mechanical system where electromagnetic force drives a piston that mechanically pushes water. This substitution avoids the fundamental limitation of water's electric resistance while maintaining the benefit of electromagnetic actuation, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency while achieving sufficient water pressure.
2Stress or pressure
If excessively high voltage is applied to overcome electric resistance and generate large electromagnetic force, then water pressure can be increased, but electrolysis of water occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The piston serves as a mediator that receives electromagnetic force in the conduit and mechanically transmits it to the water. This eliminates direct electrical contact with water, preventing electrolysis entirely while still enabling high water pressure generation through the mechanical action of the piston driven by controlled electromagnetic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the direct electromagnetic-water interaction (which causes electrolysis at high voltages) with a mechanical piston-driven system. The electromagnetic force is applied to the piston in the conduit, which then mechanically pushes the water, thereby achieving high water pressure without the harmful electrolysis effect.
3Stress or pressure
If pneumatic pressure is used to drive turbine or piston, then water pressure can be increased, but conversion of pressure energy is incomplete and causes vibration noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic drive system (which causes vibration noise due to incomplete energy conversion) with an electromagnetic drive system acting on the piston. The electromagnetic force provides smooth, controlled acceleration of the piston without the mechanical vibrations and energy losses associated with pneumatic turbines or pistons, thereby reducing vibration noise while maintaining effective water pressure generation.
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 solution efficiently generates sufficient water pressure for launching underwater payloads without the limitations of seawater resistance, ensuring reliable operation and energy efficiency by using electromagnetic forces within the conduit coils.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of main circuits configured to pass an electric current through the conduit coils, respectively, so as to generate an axial first magnetic field in the conduit
Implementation Method 2
the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field making an interaction which moves the moving object in the advance direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a launching apparatus capable of efficiently obtaining water pressure sufficient for launching an underwater payload, including a launch tube, a conduit including a first end portion and a communicating portion communicating with the launch tube, a plurality of conduit coils to axially aligned in a first region between the first end portion and the communicating portion, a plurality of main circuits passing an electric current through respective conduit coils, and a main-circuit control section. The main-circuit control section controls operation of the main circuits to pass electric currents through the conduit coils to generate an axial first magnetic field in the conduit and thereby cause an axial second magnetic field in a moving object, thereby moving the moving object in an advance direction toward a second end portion.