The present invention relates to deceleration and stopping of submerged propelled sea craft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The maneuvering and stopping of submerged sea craft including waterjet propelled and conventional propeller driven submarines heretofore involved diversion of jet outflow from its propulsion unit or reversal of propeller rotation. It is therefore an important object of the present invention to improve travel stoppage of such sea craft without adverse impact on its propulsion unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, when propulsion of a fully submerged sea craft at a high speed is terminated, forward movement of the sea craft may then be decelerated and stopped by projection of drag plates from retracted positions within the sea craft hull or the steering rudders on the stern end portion of the hull. In such retracted positions, outer surfaces on the drag plates are flush with the outer surface of the hull or the steering rudders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a jet propelled sea craft with braking devices pursuant to one embodiment the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial section view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2—2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A is a partial section view corresponding to that of FIG. 2, showing projection of a braking device from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 is a partial section view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3—3 in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 4 is a partial section view taken substantially through a plane indicted by section line 4—4 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating operational controls associated with the braking devices shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A, 3 and 4;
FIG. 6 is a partial top plan view of a stern end portion of a sea craft having a rudder from which braking devices are projected according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view corresponding to that of FIG. 6, showing a braking device projected from the rudder according to yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawing in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates an underwater submerged sea craft 10 having an axis-symmetric shaped hull 12 according to one embodiment. The sea craft 10 is propelled in a forward direction by emergence of propelling water jets 14 from a conical stern end portion 16 of the hull 12 as generally known in the art. The propelling jets 14 emerge from any number of main water outflow nozzles 18 such as four. Accordingly to one embodiment, conventional rudders 20 are mounted on and project from the hull 12 at locations thereon along a hull centerline 22, closer to the stern end portion 16 than a forward bow end portion 24 onto which seawater flow 26 impinges during propelled travel of the sea craft 10.
Pursuant to the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, four (4) high speed flow drag braking devices 28 are positioned on the bow end portion 24 of the hull 12 in angularly spaced relation to each other. Each of the braking devices 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 includes an elongated arcuate drag plate 34 that is projected from the hull 12. An end cap 36 at the radially outer end of the drag plate 34 is positioned with its outer surface flush with the outer surface of the hull 12 at the bow end portion 24 in a retracted position of the braking device 28 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the braking devices 28 is projected from its retracted position to an extended position as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 by an actuator 38 connected thereto inside of a ballast tank chamber 40 enclosed within the hull 12.
Projection of the drag plates 34 from the hull 12 is effected for emergency deceleration and stopping of the craft 10 by flow drag during forward travel under high speed conditions. Toward that end an electric power supply 42 within the sea craft 10, as diagramed in FIG. 5, is connected to a maneuvering control system 44 through which the drag plate actuators 38 are operated in response to input of signals from a craft operator 45 and a craft speed sensor 46. Accordingly, pursuant to one embodiment of the present invention the sea craft 10 under travel propulsion is decelerated and then stopped by the extension of the drag devices 28 from their retracted positions under selective control after termination of propulsion.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, the braking devices 28 as hereinbefore described are replaced by braking devices 28′ that are projected laterally from the rudders 20 as shown in FIG. 6 or some other type of directional controls. Such braking devices 28′ extended from the rudders 20 are plates pivoted to the lateral sides of the rudders 20, with outer plate surfaces 48 flush with the rudder sides in their retracted positioned within slots 50 formed in the rudders 20. In FIG. 7, yet another embodiment is shown wherein braking devices 28″ extended laterally from the rudders 20 are arcuate shaped plates slidably retracted into arcuate slots 50′ within the rudders 20.
Obviously, other modifications and variations of the present invention may be possible in light of the foregoing teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Patent Grant
6983710
