UNDERWATER BODY HAVING A VARIABLE VOLUME AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH AN UNDERWATER BODY

Abstract

An underwater body having a movable component which can be moved into a retracted position and, as a result, increases the volume of the underwater body. In addition, a method is disclosed for operating such an underwater body. An expansion means conducts a fluid into a hollow space. The hollow space is operatively connected to the movable component. When the fluid is conducted into the hollow space, the movable component is moved into the extended position relative to the shell of the underwater body. The fluid in the hollow space hardens. The hardened fluid in the hollow space holds the movable component in the extended position.

Claims

1.-18. (canceled)

19. An underwater body comprising: a shell, a movable component, an expansion means, and a hollow space, wherein the movable component is movable relative to the shell from a retracted position into an extended position and is operatively connected to the hollow space, wherein the underwater body with the movable component in the extended position has a greater volume compared to the underwater body with the movable component in the retracted position, and wherein the expansion means is configured to conduct a fluid into the hollow space and, as a result, of moving the movable component into the extended position, wherein the underwater body is configured such that when the fluid in the hollow space hardens the hardened fluid holds the movable component in the hollow space in the extended position.

20. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the movable component surrounds the hollow space at least in part.

21. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the hollow space is connected to the movable component via a piston cylinder unit and the hollow space is formed in a chamber of the piston cylinder unit.

22. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the movable component includes a flat element mounted so as to be pivotable on the outside of the shell and wherein the hollow space is formed between the flat element and the shell.

23. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the movable component surrounds the hollow space fully and comprises a flexible outer shell, wherein the introduction of fluid into the hollow space causes the space surrounded by the flexible outer shell to increase in volume.

24. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the shell extends along a longitudinal axis and the movable component is displaceable along the longitudinal axis relative to the shell, wherein when the movable component is in the extended position the underwater body is longer than when the movable component is in the retracted position.

25. The underwater body of claim 24 wherein the underwater body is configured to move through water in a direction of travel, wherein the movable component is arranged at a stern of the shell.

26. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the fluid is an assembly foam and the expansion means includes at least one container with the assembly foam, wherein the assembly foam is configured to harden outside the container.

27. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the expansion means includes an actuating drive configured to move the movable component into the extended position.

28. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the underwater body includes a locking unit configured to lock the movable component in a locked state and configured to enable the movable component to move relative to the shell in a released state.

29. The underwater body of claim 28 wherein the locking unit locks the movable component in the retracted position in the locked state.

30. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the underwater body includes a fluid sensor which is configured to measure an amount of fluid conducted into the hollow space and the expansion means is configured to terminate the introduction of fluid into the hollow space when a predefined amount of fluid is conducted into the hollow space.

31. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the underwater body includes a stop element, wherein the stop element delimits the movement of the movable component into the extended position.

32. The underwater body of claim 31 wherein the stop element is fixable in one of multiple possible positions.

33. The underwater body of claim 19 wherein the underwater body includes a sensor which is configured to detect at least one event comprising: when the underwater body is situated in water or when the underwater body has reached a predefined water depth in water, and the underwater body is configured to activate the expansion means automatically as a reaction to the detection of the event.

34. A method for operating an underwater body wherein the underwater body includes: a shell, a movable component, an expansion means, and a hollow space, wherein the movable component is movable relative to the shell from a retracted position into an extended position and is operatively connected to the hollow space, wherein the method comprises: conducting, via the expansion means, a fluid into the hollow space, moving the movable component from the retracted position into the extended position as a result of the conducting of the fluid, and increasing the underwater body in volume, hardening the fluid in the hollow space, and holding, with the hardened fluid, the movable component in the extended position in the hollow space.

35. The method of claim 34, comprising: detecting, via a sensor of the underwater body, at least one event comprising: when the underwater body is situated in water or the underwater body has reached a predetermined water depth in water, conducting, via the expansion means, the fluid into the hollow space automatically responsive to the detecting of the event.

Description

[0056] The underwater body according to the invention is explained in more detail below by way of three exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which, in this connection:

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a highly schematic sectional representation of an underwater body with a folding shell;

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a highly schematic sectional representation of an underwater body with a displaceable shell segment in the front region of the underwater body;

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a highly schematic sectional representation of an underwater body with a slide-out shell segment and a propeller drive arranged thereon.

[0060] The three figures show an underwater body 101, 201, 301 which travels from left to right in a direction of travel.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. An underwater body 101 comprises a shell 103. A folding shell 107 is arranged on the outside of the shell 103. The folding shell 107 is segmented and in a preferred manner is arranged extending all around a longitudinal axis of the underwater body 101 and is fastened by means of pivot joints 109 to the shell 103 of the underwater body 101. The pivot joints 109 are connected to an actuating motor 111. A first assembly foam cartridge 113, a second assembly foam cartridge 115, a third assembly foam cartridge 117 and a fourth assembly foam cartridge 119 are situated in the interior of the underwater body 101 in each case on an underside and upper side, therefore there is a total of eight cartridges. A respective outlet of the respective assembly foam cartridges 113, 115, 117 and 119 is guided to the outside through the shell 103 of the underwater body 101 and they are situated between the folding shell 107 and the outside of the shell 103. The cartridges 113 to 119 are associated with the expansion means of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0062] In addition, the expansion means includes a component which holds the assembly foam 121 in the cartridges 113 to 119 in the liquid or foam state and as a result prevents the assembly foam 121 from hardening already in a cartridge 113 to 119, which is unwanted. The underwater body 101 comprises a propeller drive 105 at the stern.

[0063] Whilst the underwater body 101 is transported, for example, in an aircraft, the folding shell 107 is in a transport position in which the flap 107 abuts directly against the shell 103 of the underwater body. The folding shell 107 is locked in said stowed position by means of a predetermined breaking point. The underwater body 101 is thrown out of the aircraft, not shown, above the planned site of use into the sea or another body of water and is immersed into the water.

[0064] The underwater body 101 is automatically transferred from the transport position into a driving position when a predetermined event has occurred. FIG. 1 shows the folding shell 107 in said driving position. Said predetermined event occurs, for example, when a predetermined interval since the ejection from the aircraft has passed. Or a sensor (not shown) of the underwater body 101 detects the event where the underwater body 101 has reached the water and the predetermined event then occurs when a predetermined interval has passed after said detection. Or a depth sensor on-board the underwater body 101 measures the current diving depth of the underwater body 101 sinking in the water and situated in the transport position. As soon as the measured current diving depth matches a predetermined diving depth, the step of transferring the underwater body from the transport position into the driving position is automatically triggered.

[0065] The following steps are carried out during the transfer from the transport position into the driving position: The actuating motor 111 releases the pivot joints 109. The four assembly cartridges 113, 115, 117 and 119 are activated. For example, one opening in each cartridge 113 to 119 is opened. As a result, assembly foam 121 is released from the assembly foam cartridges 113, 115, 117 and 119, for example because the liquid assembly foam 121 in the cartridges 113 to 119 was under overpressure. The releasing of the assembly foam 121 causes the predetermined breaking point to break and the lock is freed as a result. The released assembly foam 121 presses against the flap 107. In addition, the actuating motor 111 pivots the folded shell 107 away from the shell 103 of the underwater body 101. As a result of said two effects combined together the flap 107 is moved away from the shell 103 and folded out to its maximum position. A hollow space is formed between the folded-out folding shell 107 and the shell 103. Said hollow space is filled with assembly foam 121. The assembly foam 121 hardens and as a result locks the folding shell 107 permanently. The folding shell 107 now has the form of a truncated cone which surrounds the shell 103. The diameter of the folding shell 107 increases in a direction toward the stern of the underwater body 101 so that a favorable hydrodynamic form continues to be obtained.

[0066] Because the folding shell 107 is held permanently in the maximum position, the volume of the underwater body 101 is permanently increased. It is also possible for the folding shell 107 only to be pivoted out to an intermediate position and for the assembly foam 121 to hold the folding shell 107 in said intermediate position. In one design, the position into which the folding shell 107 is to be folded out and locked there is set in advance in a control program. Said position can depend on a desired water depth and/or on a water temperature. In another design, a stop element (not shown) delimits the possible movement of the folding shell 107 away from the shell 103. In a preferred embodiment, said stop element can be fixed in one of multiple possible positions so that a volume selected from multiple possible volumes of the underwater body 101 is obtained.

[0067] In a modification, each folding shell 107 is connected respectively to a spring element. Said spring element attempts to hold the folding shell 107 in the transport position, that is to say in the position at which the folding shell 107 abuts against the shell 103 of the underwater body 101. The released assembly foam 121 pivots the folding shell 107 against the spring force of said spring element away from the shell 103. The position which the pivoted-out folding shell 107 reaches depends, on the one hand, on the spring force and, on the other hand, on the amount of assembly foam 121 released. At least one of said two parameters can be set in dependence on the desired water depth and/or the water temperature.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The underwater body 201 comprises a shell 203 and a propeller drive 205. The shell 203 of the underwater body 201 includes a sequence with four shell segments, namely when seen in the direction of travel from left to right, a first shell segment 223, a second shell segment 225, a third shell segment 227 and a fourth shell segment 229. A first assembly foam cartridge 213 and a second assembly foam cartridge 215 are fastened to the shell 203 for example to the first shell segment 223. In each case an outlet of the cartridge 213 and 215 leads into the interior of the second shell segment 225. The second shell segment 225 can be displaced relative to the third shell segment 227 along the longitudinal axis of the underwater body 201. An optional linear motor 231 can move the second shell segment 225 relative to the shell 203. A guide device (not shown) preferably guides the second shell segment 225 in a movement relative to the third shell segment 227.

[0069] In the transport position, the second displaceable shell segment 225 is pushed above the third shell segment 227, for example telescopically, such that the second shell segment 225 overlaps in part with the third shell segment 227. The second shell segment 225 abuts in part against the first shell segment 223. Consequently, the underwater body 201 comprises a compact form with the shortest possible length and the smallest possible volume. A flexible seal is preferably arranged between the second shell segment 225 and the third shell segment 227. A flexible seal is also arranged in a preferred manner between the second shell segment 225 and the first shell segment 223. Said flexible seals retain their sealing effect even when the second shell segment 225 is moved.

[0070] As soon as the above-described event has occurred, the underwater body 201 is automatically transferred into a driving position. FIG. 2 shows the underwater body 201 in said driving position. The following steps are carried out during the transfer: Assembly foam 221 exits from the first assembly foam cartridge 213 and the second assembly foam cartridge 215. The emerging assembly foam 221 causes the second shell segment 225 to be displaced away from the third shell segment 227. As a result, the length and the volume of the underwater body 201 are increased. In addition, as an option, the linear motor 231 moves the second shell segment 225. It is additionally possible for a gas, for example compressed air, to be admitted into the second shell segment 225 and additionally to contribute to the displacement of the second shell segment 225. By the second shell segment 225 being displaced, a hollow space is formed in the interior of the second shell segment 225. The assembly foam 221 flows into the second shell segment 225 and hardens there. The hardened assembly foam 221 prevents ingress of water into the hollow interior of the shell segment 225.

[0071] In one design, the first segment 223 is fixedly connected to the shell segment 225 and is also displaced away from the third shell segment 227. In another design, the diameter of the second shell segment 225 is greater than the diameter of the first shell segment 223. As a result, the volume of the underwater body 201 is also increased when the first shell segment 223 is fixedly connected to the third shell segment 227.

[0072] In both designs, the emerging assembly foam 221 hardens in the hollow space generated and, as a result, fixes the displaceable second shell segment 225 relative to the third shell segment 227. The amount by which the volume is increased depends on the amount of assembly foam 221 released, which can be adjusted. In one design, the linear motor 231 and/or a stop element (not shown) delimit the possible movement of the second shell segment 225 away from the third shell segment 227 and, as a result, establish the amount of the volume increase.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. The underwater body 301 has a shell 303 which is subdivided into a sequence of five shell segments, namely into a first shell segment 323, a second shell segment 325, a third shell segment 327, a fourth shell segment 329 and a fifth shell segment 333. The fifth shell segment 333 is arranged at the stern of the underwater body 301 and carries the propeller 305. At the bow-side, the fifth shell segment 333 is connected to a first assembly foam cartridge 313 and a second assembly foam cartridge 315. The cartridges 313 and 315 are mounted on the rear wall of the fourth segment 329 and their outlets lead into the fifth shell segment 333. The first four shell segments 323 to 329 are fixedly connected together. The fifth shell segment 333 surrounds a hollow interior and can be displaced rearward relative to the fourth shell segment 329 along the longitudinal axis of the underwater body 301. A guide device preferably guides the fifth shell segment 333 in a movement relative to the fourth shell segment 329.

[0074] When the underwater body 301 is in the transport position, the fifth shell segment 333 is inserted into the fourth shell segment 329. A locking wedge, not shown, locks the fifth shell segment 333 in said position. The propeller drive 305 abuts directly against the stern-side end of the fourth shell 329.

[0075] FIG. 3 shows the underwater body 301 in the driving position. In order to transfer the underwater body 301 into the driving position, the following steps are carried out: The lock of the fifth shell segment 333 is released. The assembly foam 321 is released from the first assembly foam cartridge 313 and the second assembly foam cartridge 315. The released assembly foam 321 penetrates into the hollow space in the interior of the fifth shell segment 333. The released assembly foam 321, as a result, exerts a pressure on the fifth shell segment 333. As a result of said pressure, the fifth shell 333 including the propeller drive 305 is pushed out of the fourth shell segment 329, away from the fourth shell segment 329. The released assembly foam 321 fills the hollow space in the fifth shell segment 333 entirely or at least in part and hardens. As a result, the fifth shell segment 333 is permanently fixed in the extended position.

[0076] In one design, the optional linear motor 331 pushes the fifth shell segment 333 away from the fourth shell segment 329. It is possible additionally for a gas, for example compressed air, to be conducted into the fifth shell segment 333. In one design, the linear motor 331 and/or a drive element (not shown) delimits the linear movement of the fifth shell segment 333 away from the fourth shell segment 329. Once again, the amount of the volume increase can be adjusted by the amount of the released assembly foam 321 and/or the distance over which the linear motor 331 displaces the fifth shell segment 333 being correspondingly adjusted or by the stop element being correspondingly fixed.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0077] 101 Underwater body of the first exemplary embodiment

[0078] 103 Shell of the underwater body 101

[0079] 105 Propeller drive of the underwater body 101

[0080] 107 Folding shell with which the pivoting joint 109 is pivotably mounted on the shell 103

[0081] 109 Pivot joint in which the flap 107 is pivotably mounted on the shell 103

[0082] 111 Actuating motor, can pivot the folding shell 107

[0083] 113 First assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the interior of the shell 103

[0084] 115 Second assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the interior of the shell 103

[0085] 117 Third assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the interior of the shell 103

[0086] 119 Fourth assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the interior of the shell 103

[0087] 121 Assembly foam from the four cartridges 113 to 119

[0088] 201 Underwater body of the second exemplary embodiment

[0089] 203 Shell of the underwater body 201

[0090] 205 Propeller drive of the underwater body 201

[0091] 213 First assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the first shell 223

[0092] 215 Second assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the first shell 223

[0093] 221 Assembly foam from the two cartridges 213 and 215

[0094] 223 First shell segment of the shell 203

[0095] 225 Second, displaceable shell segment of the shell 203

[0096] 227 Third shell segment of the shell 203

[0097] 229 Fourth shell segment of the shell 203

[0098] 231 Linear motor for displacing the second shell segment 225

[0099] 301 Underwater body of the third exemplary embodiment

[0100] 303 Shell of the underwater body 301

[0101] 305 Propeller drive of the underwater body 301, mounted on the fifth shell segment 333

[0102] 313 First assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the fourth shell segment 329

[0103] 315 Second assembly foam cartridge, mounted in the fourth shell segment 329

[0104] 321 Assembly foam from the two cartridges 313 and 315

[0105] 323 First shell segment of the shell 303

[0106] 325 Second shell segment of the shell 303

[0107] 327 Third shell segment of the shell 303

[0108] 329 Fourth shell segment

[0109] 331 Linear motor for displacing the fifth shell segment 333

[0110] 333 Fifth, slide-out shell segment, carries the propeller drive 305