Snorkel device for a submarine

• US 7,209,288 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GABLER Maschinenbau GmbH (L. Possehl & Co. mit beschränkter Haftung)
• Original Assignee: GABLER Maschinenbau GmbH (L. Possehl & Co. mit beschränkter Haftung)
• Inventors: Scharf, Wolfgang, Buck, Christian, Wantig, Ulrich, Mente, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn; Drew A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FINEMAN, LEE A
• Application Number:
  US10/785,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20040169917A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 359402-403, 359405-406, 359/895, 114/340
• 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 having a pressure hull, wherein the snorkel device comprises:

a telescopically movable snorkel tube including a telescopically movable structure connected to an outside of said pressure hull for extending and retracting an end thereof;

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

at least one further compact unit comprising at least one communications means and another short-travel drive, and wherein optical observation means compact unit and communications means further compact unit are provided on said telescopically movable snorkel tube.

2. A snorkel device according to claim 1, wherein said optical observation means compact unit and said at least one further compact unit are provided on one of an outer side and an inner side of said snorkel tube, said snorkel tube being extendable and retractable.

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

a common streamlined casing, wherein said optical observation means compact unit and said at least one further compact unit are provided on said outer side of said snorkel tube and said common, streamlined casing is arranged around said snorkel tube and said compact units.

4. A snorkel device according to claim 3, wherein said short-travel drives of said optical observation means compact unit and said at least one further compact unit include hydraulic cylinder drives.

5. A snorkel device according to claim 4, further comprising:

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

6. A snorkel device according to claim 5, wherein said communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

7. A snorkel device according to claim 3, wherein said communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

8. A snorkel device according to claim 2, wherein said optical observation means compact unit and said at least one further compact unit are provided on said inner side of said snorkel tube;

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

9. A snorkel device according to claim 8, wherein said short-travel drives of said optical observation means compact unit and said at least one further compact unit include hydraulic cylinder drives.

10. A snorkel device according to claim 9, further comprising:

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

11. A snorkel device according to claim 10, wherein said 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 8, wherein said 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 2, wherein said short-travel drives of said optical observation means compact unit and said at least one further compact unit include hydraulic cylinder drives.

14. A snorkel device according to claim 2, wherein said communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

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

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

16. A snorkel device according to claim 1, wherein said short-travel drives of said optical observation means compact unit and said at least one further compact unit include hydraulic cylinder drives.

17. A snorkel device according to claim 16, wherein said communication means includes a radio unit for HF, VHF, UHF or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

18. A snorkel device according to claim 1, wherein said communication means includes a radio unit for high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF), ultra high frequency (UHF) or UHF-satcom radio communication or a combination thereof.

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

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

20. A snorkel device for a submarine having a pressure hull having a pressure space, the device comprising:

a movable snorkel tube movably connected to the submarine pressure hull and movable away from the submarine, said snorkel tube mounted outside of said pressure space;

at least one stationary tube located within said snorkel tube in a non-operating position;

a vertical guiding rail;

a rail connected to bottom of said snorkel tube, said rail slidably mounted to said vertical guiding rail;

a driving means for engaging said rail, said rail telescopically extending said snorkel tube relative to at least one stationary tube to an operating position;

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

a communication arrangement connected to said snorkel tube in another retracted position, said communication arrangement comprising a communications short-travel drive connected to said snorkel tube for moving said communications arrangement relative to said snorkel tube and a communications unit for above-water communication during travel of the submarine at periscope depth, said communications short-travel drive moving said communications unit relative to said snorkel tube to another extended position with said communications unit arranged beyond said end of said snorkel tube.

21. A snorkel device according to claim 20, wherein said optical device and said communication arrangement are retracted within said snorkel tube in a non-operating state.