KR20060043641A - Method for filling the effector-starting tube with fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to a starter pipe to be filled first and an effector inside the starter tube, after the target-filling volume is detected, until the target-filling amount of the fluid is detected and the fluid is discharged from the exhaust port. The effector-starter tube is filled, and then the exhaust port is closed so that the effector-starter tube is configured to be supplied into the starter tube by expansion of the compensation body provided to the starter tube. It relates to a method for doing so.

Description

METHOD FOR FILLING THE EFFECTOR-STARTER-PIPES WITH FLUID}

1 is a basic principle diagram of a fluid supply device connected to an effector-starting tube.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

2: effector- starter 4: effector

6: closing cap 8: compensating thin film

10: fluid 12: supply connection

14: supply line 16: fluid tank

18: temperature measuring sensor 20: measuring line

22: control and operation unit 23: control unit

24: control line 25: operation module

26: motor 28: transfer pump

30: flow meter 32: control line

34: feedback connection 36: feedback line

38: fluid sensor 40: control line

42: control line 44: electric (stop) valve

The present invention relates to a method for filling a effector-starting tube with a fluid having the features described in the preamble of claim 1 with a fluid supply device for implementing the method.

In order to defend the torpedo, a modern submarine is loaded with a replacement body, the so-called effector, which may be launched against the torpedo in some cases. The firing takes place from the effector-starting tubes of the various starting containers with the effectors stored therein.

In operation, the effectors may be exposed to different ambient effects. Thus, for example, effectors stored in the starting container near the top cover may be exposed to freezing or high temperatures depending on the season and / or the field of use.

In order to protect the effector from corrosion or other ambient influences, certain effectors are embedded within the corrosion- and icing protection means depending on the embodiment of the initiating container and its position on the submarine body within the effector-starting tube. For this purpose, the corresponding starter is filled with protective medium, usually glycol, after loading of the effector.

The effector-driven tube comprises a compensating membrane at the end spaced from the firing opening, which may be caused by, for example, a rise in the ambient pressure during diving or by a change in the volume of glycol due to temperature. Internal pressure fluctuations in the same starter can be compensated for.

If too much or too little glycol is in the starter tube, the glycol expands or contracts at a corresponding temperature such that the compensating membrane is overextended or completely destroyed by fluid pressure.

Glycol is discharged from the starter via damaged membranes and replaced by seawater entering the next dive, which replaces the effector's corrosion and eventually results in a complete failure of the effector. In addition, the seawater introduced into the starter tube may be exposed to a temperature low enough to cause the starter to rupture due to freezing of the seawater and severe ice expansion when the submarine floats on the water.

As such, the amount of glycol must be accurately weighed, and such accurate weighing processes make the manual filling process so far difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention, based on the above, is to provide a method for filling an effector-starting tube with a fluid which can reliably eliminate damage to a thin film due to excessive expansion during later operation, and It is further directed to fabricating a fluid supply device that operates according to the method and that can fill the starter tube with precisely entrained fluid and simplify the filling operation.

The object according to the method is achieved by the features described in claim 1. A fluid supply device operating according to the method according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 5.

Preferred embodiments of the invention can be seen from the dependent claims, the following detailed description and the drawings.

In the method according to the invention for filling the effector-starting tube with a fluid, the target-filling amount of the fluid is detected after the target-filling volume is detected with reference to the starting tube to be filled first and the effector inside the starting tube. . The effector-starting tube is then filled with fluid until the fluid is discharged from the exhaust port. The exhaust port is then closed and the target-charge amount which is still insufficient is supplied into the starter tube by expansion of the compensating body provided in the starter tube.

The target-fill volume is first detected before filling the starter tube with fluid. Such detection is necessary because the starter tube to be filled may differ in terms of length and inner diameter of the tube, ie in terms of inner volume of the tube. Effectors loaded on the starter can also vary in dimensions. Correspondingly, the target-filling volume of the effector-starting tube loaded with the effector also varies.

The detected target-fill volume of the starter tube forms the basis for detecting the required target-fluid fill amount, and glycol is generally used as the fluid. The target-charge amount should be set such that the effector in the starter tube is buried inside the fluid under all ambient influences conceivable during the operation of the submarine and the pressure- and temperature difference can be compensated by the compensating body.

The process of filling the starter tube with fluid takes place via a supply opening inside the closing cap disposed at the inlet of the starter tube, on which the exhaust cap is also provided. Through the exhaust port, the air in the starter tube is discharged during the filling process, because the air is pushed out of the starter tube by the fluid entering the air. When the entire air is pushed out of the starter, fluid is discharged from the exhaust vent. The vent is closed and fluid which is still insufficient to reach the target-charge amount is supplied into the starter tube by expansion of the compensating body provided in the starter tube.

The target-fill volume is preferably calculated or determined with reference to previously stored values. The target-fill volume appears as the difference between the internal volume of the empty starter tube and the effector volume loaded in the starter tube. The difference or target-fill volume can be calculated for each combination of effector and effector-starter, either newly calculated before charging or once calculated and then tabulated and read from the electronic memory or read out from the electronic memory. have.

The type of filling means is preferably selected according to the starter tube to be filled, the effector in the starter tube and / or the expected conditions of use.

When the starting container is used in winter, it is exposed to a different temperature than when used in summer. The same applies for the anticipated freezing, for example when used near polar and in areas of moderate climate, where the starting container close to the top cover may be exposed to strong sunlight. have. These different ambient conditions are considered by the selection of suitable filling means with corresponding freezing and corrosion protection capabilities and thermal expansion properties.

Before filling the starter tube with fluid, the temperature of the filling fluid is detected and the target-fill amount of the fluid is detected according to the temperature, the temperature coefficient of the fluid and the target-fill volume. The temperature of the filling fluid stored in the tank before filling the starter can be varied, for example, within a temperature range of 5 ° to 35 °. This temperature difference can vary the volume of the fluid by 2% or more, depending on the temperature coefficient of the fluid used. For this reason, in addition to the target-fill volume, the thermal expansion characteristics of the filling fluid by the temperature and temperature coefficient of the fluid are taken into account in the target-charge amount detection.

A device for filling a fluid supply device, in particular an effector-starting tube, is provided for carrying out the method described above. The apparatus comprises at least one fluid tank, conveying means, means for determining a target-charge amount, a display- and operating unit and control means for filling the target-charge amount.

Filling fluid is stored in the fluid tank before filling the starter tube. If the various starters should be filled with different fluids or mixtures of different fluids, it may be desirable to provide multiple fluid tanks for storing the fluids separately.

The fluid tank is preferably connected with conveying means, the conveying means being preferably arranged on a feed pump, a supply line disposed between the feed pump and a starter feed connection and a feedback disposed on a feedback connection of the starter. Include a line.

The transfer pump pumps the fluid out of the fluid tank and directs the fluid to the effector-driven tubes that are to be individually connected and filled with the supply lines. For this purpose, a connection cap for connection to the starter tube disposed on the inlet side of the starter tube is provided with a connection line for supplying the starter tube.

In addition to the start pipe supply connection, the connection cap also includes a feedback connection, and a feedback line is disposed on the feedback connection. The air pushed out by the incoming filling fluid may otherwise be discharged through the feedback line from the starter which is in the closed state.

When the entire air is pushed out of the starter tube, the supplied filling fluid may also flow out of the starter tube through the feedback connection and the feedback line connected to the connection. In order to prevent the outflow of the filling fluid, the starting end of the feedback line is preferably provided with an electrically controllable stop valve which shuts off the feedback line as soon as the fluid is discharged from the starting line.

A fluid sensor is preferably provided at the starting end of the feedback line to detect the outflow of the fluid, which sensor changes its electrical properties when wetted by backflowing fluid, which is interconnected. A signal is detected by the electronic control unit and causes a shutoff of the stop valve.

In order to ensure that the process of filling the starter tube with fluid is as accurate and corresponding to the requirements as possible, one embodiment of the present invention detects the temperature of the filling fluid prior to the filling operation and takes into account the temperature and the temperature coefficient of the filling fluid. A method of determining the target-charge amount is presented. For this purpose a means for detecting the temperature of the filling fluid on the fluid supply device, preferably in the fluid tank, is provided, for example in the form of a temperature measuring sensor, which sensor is arranged in the fluid tank and connected with the electrical control device. .

A flow meter is preferably provided in the supply line to regulate the flow rate of the filling fluid. The flow rate value detected by the flow meter is compared with the target-charge amount, whereby the transfer pump can be switched off when the target-charge amount is reached.

In one preferred embodiment the fluid supply device is integrated into a support frame which is movably formed, preferably in a container. Thus, the fluid supply device can be close to the starting container to be filled in the submarine.

The fluid supply device preferably has an electrical control. The electrical controller first detects the target-charge volume by referring to the starter tube to be charged and the effector inside the starter tube. The type of effector and starter tube is preferably transmitted to the control unit via an input module. The data is then processed in the controller in such a way that the controller calculates a target-fill volume from the data or receives the value from a combination table of all possible effector / effector-starters stored electronically.

The control then detects the target-fill amount of the fluid with reference to the temperature, type and temperature coefficient of the filling fluid. For this purpose, the above-described temperature measuring sensor is connected to the control unit to transmit the temperature of the filling fluid to the control unit.

The type of fluid can preferably be delivered to the control unit via an input module, so that the control unit can detect the associated temperature coefficient value from a table stored in the control unit. Alternatively, through the input module a temperature coefficient can be entered directly or a control can be connected with an additional measurement system, which further measures the additional material properties and / or transport properties of the fluid, The type or temperature coefficient of the fluid is detected from this value.

The control unit calculates the target-fill amount of the filling fluid from the temperature value and the temperature coefficient value of the fluid and the previously detected target-fill volume. The controller then controls the fluid supply process, which switches on the transfer pump and automatically switches off the transfer pump when the target-fill amount is reached.

In order to connect the supply and feedback lines of the fluid supply device to the supply and exhaust ports of the starting tube, a coupling member is preferably arranged at the free ends of the supply and feedback lines, the coupling member supplying the starting tube And a corresponding coupling member arranged at the exhaust port. As a coupling system, all tube and pipe couplings are conceivable, by which the supply and feedback lines can be connected to the supply and exhaust ports. However, preferably a quick coupling system, for example quick and simple coupling and decoupling, is provided with a screw coupling with a check valve installed on one or two coupling partners, the check valve being Is open to create a perfusion path and, upon decoupling, interrupts the perfusion path so that no cooling fluid can flow out of the starter and / or feed- and feedback lines.

The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

The figure shows the effector-starting tube 2 with the effector 4 inserted therein. The opening of the starting tube 2 is closed in a sealed manner by a closing cap 6. Compensation thin film 8 is disposed at the end of the starter tube 2 facing away from the closing cap 6, and the compensation thin film is preferably a long stroke rolling membrane. Used.

The starter tube 2 is filled with fluid 10 to protect the effector 4 from freezing and corrosion damage, so that the effector 4 is completely embedded in the fluid 10. As the fluid 10, glycol is generally used. A supply connection part 12 is disposed in the closing cap 6 of the starter tube 2 for the fluid supply process. A supply line 14 is connected to the supply connection 12, and the supply line connects the starter tube 2 with the fluid tank 16, and the fluid 10 is retained in the fluid tank. A temperature measuring sensor 18 is disposed in the fluid tank 16, which protrudes into the fluid 10. The temperature measuring sensor 18 measures the temperature of the fluid 10 in the fluid tank 16 and transmits the result of the measurement to the control- and operating unit 22 via the measuring line 20.

The control and operation unit 22 includes an operation module 25 in addition to the electronic control unit 23, on which a screen, a display, a keyboard and a switch can be arranged. After the fluid supply device is switched on on the manipulation module 25, the type of starter tube 2 and effector 4 to be filled with the fluid and the type of filling fluid 10 used are manipulated. It is entered through the mode.

From the input data for the type of effector-starter tube 2 and effector 4, the electronic control unit 23 detects the target filling volume of the starter tube 2 to be filled with the fluid. The control unit 23 also detects the temperature coefficient of the fluid with reference to the type of the filling fluid 10. The controller 23 then calculates the target-filling amount of the filling fluid 10 from the target filling volume, the temperature coefficient and the temperature of the filling fluid 10 detected by the temperature measuring sensor 18. .

The electronic control unit 23 is an accumulation programmable control unit (SPS), but may also be formed as a microprocessor-system or in some other suitable manner as an analog control.

After the control unit 23 detects the target filling amount of the filling fluid 10, the control unit drives the drive motor 26 of the transfer pump 28 through the control line 24, and the transfer pump It is arranged in the supply line 14. The transfer pump 28 pumps the fluid 10 from the fluid tank 16 into the starter tube 2. The amount of fluid during the filling process is monitored by a flow meter 30 disposed in the supply line 14 between the transfer pump 28 and the supply connection 12, which measures the amount of perfused fluid 10. This is recorded and transmitted to the controller 23 through the control line 32.

The transfer pump 28 transfers the filling fluid 10 into the starter tube 12. The air in the starter tube 2 is pushed out by the incoming fluid 10. The closing cap 6 of the starter tube 2 is provided with a feedback connection part 34 to discharge the air, and a feedback line 36 is disposed at the connection part, and air is supplied through the feedback line. You can exit from 2). When air is pushed out completely from the inside of the starter tube 2, the filling fluid 10 also flows into the feedback line 36 through the feedback connecting portion 34. A fluid sensor 38 is disposed in the feedback line 36 near the feedback connecting portion 34, and the fluid sensor electronically controls the discharge state of the filling fluid 10 through the control line 40. Transfer to control unit 23. After input of the sensor signal of the fluid sensor 38, the control unit 23 is disposed between the fluid sensor 38 and the feedback connection unit 34 in the feedback line 36 through the control line 42. Causes a shutoff operation of the valve 44.

As the fluid 10 is introduced by the expansion of the compensating membrane 8 disposed in the starter tube 2, the fluid supply process is continued. During the fluid supply process, the controller 23 continuously adjusts the flow rate value transmitted from the flow meter 30 to the same level as the target-charge amount. If the measured flow rate coincides with the target-charge amount, the control unit 23 switches off the drive motor 26 of the transfer pump 28, and the fluid supply process of the effector-starting tube 2 is terminated. The connecting lines 14 and 36 can be separated from the connecting parts 12 and 34.

A feedback valve 34 and a supply connection 12 on the connection cap 6 are respectively provided with a check valve by a screw coupling not shown in the drawing, the check valve being a supply line Automatically open at connection of 14 and feedback line 36 and automatically closed at disconnection of lines 14 and 36.

The present invention provides a method for filling an effector-starting tube with a fluid that can reliably eliminate damage to the membrane due to excessive expansion during later operation, and furthermore, operates according to the method and accurately It is possible to build fluid supply devices that can be filled with enameled fluid and simplify the filling operation.

Claims (12)

After the target-fill volume is detected with reference to the starter tube 2 to be filled first and the effector 4 inside the starter tube, the target-charge amount of the fluid 10 is detected, The effector-starting tube 2 is filled until 10) is discharged, and then the exhaust port 34 is closed so that the compensating body 8 provided with the start-up tube 2 with a still insufficient target-filled fluid. A method for filling the effector-starting tube (2) with a fluid, configured to be fed into the starter tube (2) by expansion of the tube. The method of claim 1, wherein the target-fill volume is determined or determined with reference to previously detected and tabulated values. 3. The type according to claim 1, wherein the type of filling material 10 is selected according to the starter tube 2 to be filled, the effector 4 inside the starter tube and / or the expected conditions of use. How to. The temperature of the fluid 10 according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature of the fluid 10 is detected, and the target-charge amount of the fluid 10 before the filling operation and Detected according to the target-fill volume. At least one fluid tank 16, conveying members 14, 26, 28, 36, means 23 for determining the target-charge amount, display and manipulation unit 25 and control means for filling with the target-charge amount. Apparatus for filling the effector-starting tube (2) with a fluid according to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is equipped with (23). 6. The feed line of claim 5, wherein the transfer member is disposed between a transfer pump 28, the transfer pump 28, and the start pipe supply connection 12. And a feedback line (36) disposed in the connection portion (34). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feedback line (36) is preferably provided with an electrically controllable stop valve (44). 8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fluid sensor (38) is provided at the starting end of the feedback line (36). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means (18) are provided for detecting the temperature of the fluid. 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein a flow meter is provided in the supply line. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid supply device is integrated into a support frame movably formed, preferably in a container. 12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the target-fill volume is detected with reference to the starter tube (2) to be filled first and the effector (4) inside the starter tube. An electronic control (23) is provided, which detects a target-charge amount according to the temperature, type and temperature coefficient of the fluid (10) to control the fluid supply device correspondingly.

Images