Snorkel device for a submarine

• US 20040169917A1
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GABLER Maschinenbau GmbH (L. Possehl & Co. mit beschränkter Haftung)
• Original Assignee: GABLER Maschinenbau GmbH (L. Possehl & Co. mit beschränkter Haftung)
• Inventors: Buck, Christian, Mente, Michael, Scharf, Wolfgang, Wantig, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 7,209,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/402
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/38 Arrangement of visual or electronic watch equipment, e.g. of periscopes, of radar periscopes, optical aiming or sighting devices per se G02B23/00

Abstract

An optical observation device is connected to an extendable and retractable snorkel tube for above-water observation during the snorkel travel (travel at periscope depth) of the submarine. The optical observation device is designed as a compact unit which consists of an optronics unit with a short-travel drive. The compact unit is assembled on the snorkel tube. At least one further compact unit is provided which comprises at least one communication arrangement with a short-travel drive, wherein this further compact unit is likewise provided on the snorkel tube.

Claims

1. A snorkel device for a submarine, wherein the snorkel device comprises:

an extendible and retractable snorkel tube and an optical means connected to the snorkel tube, for above-water observation during snorkeling travel (travel at periscope depth) of the submarine, wherein the optical observation means is formed as a compact unit which comprises an optronics unit and a short-travel drive;

at least one further compact unit is provided which comprises at least one communications means and a short-travel drive, and wherein these compact units of said optical observation means and said communication means are provided on the extendible and retractable snorkel tube.

2. A snorkel device according to claim 1, wherein the compact units are provided on one of an outer side and an inner side of the snorkel tube, said snorkel tube being able be extended and retracted.

3. A snorkel device according to claim 2, wherein the compact units are provided on the outside of the snorkel tube;

a common, streamlined casing is arranged around the snorkel tube and the compact units.

4. A snorkel device according to claim 2, wherein:

the compact units are provided on the inner side of the snorkel tube;

the snorkel tube itself being at least partly designed in a streamlined manner.

5. A snorkel device according to claim 1, wherein:

the short-travel drives of the compact units include hydraulic cylinder drives.

6. A snorkel device according to claim 2, wherein:

the short-travel drives of the compact units include hydraulic cylinder drives.

7. A snorkel device according to claim 3, wherein:

the short-travel drives of the compact units include hydraulic cylinder drives.

8. A snorkel device according to claim 4, wherein:

the short-travel drives of the compact units include hydraulic cylinder drives.

9. A snorkel device according to claim 1, wherein:

the communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

10. A snorkel device according to claim 2, wherein:

the communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

11. A snorkel device according to claim 3, wherein:

the communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

12. A snorkel device according to claim 4, wherein:

the communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

13. A snorkel device according to claim 5, wherein:

the communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

14. A snorkel device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a yet further compact unit including an information means driven in a short-travel manner, said information means including one of a GPS unit and a ESM unit.

15. A snorkel device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a yet further compact unit including an information means driven in a short-travel manner, said information means including one of a GPS unit and a ESM unit.

16. A snorkel device according to claim 7, further comprising:

a yet further compact unit including an information means driven in a short-travel manner, said information means including one of a GPS unit and a ESM unit.

17. A snorkel device according to claim 8, further comprising:

a yet further compact unit including an information means driven in a short-travel manner, said information means including one of a GPS unit and a ESM unit.

18. A snorkel device according to claim 16, wherein:

the communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

19. A snorkel device according to claim 17, wherein:

the communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

20. A snorkel device for a submarine, the device comprising:

a movable snorkel tube movably connected to the submarine and movable away from the submarine;

an optical device connected to said snorkel tube, said optical device including an optronics short-travel drive connected to said snorkel tube and an optronics unit for above-water observation during snorkeling travel (travel at periscope depth) of the submarine, said optronics short-travel drive moving said optronics unit relative to said snorkel tube to a position with said optronics unit arranged beyond an end of said snorkel tube;

a communication arrangement connected to said snorkel tube, said communication arrangement including a communications short-travel drive connected to said snorkel tube and an communications unit for above-water communication during snorkeling travel (travel at periscope depth) of the submarine, said communications short-travel drive moving said communications unit relative to said snorkel tube to a position with said communications unit arranged beyond said end of said snorkel tube.