Patent Document

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
   The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to a reduced drag steering device. More particularly, the invention relates to a steering device for an underwater vehicle that uses a selectively ejected drag reducing medium to steer the vehicle. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The current art for steering underwater vehicles is by means of rudders or other similar protruding mechanisms. In the case of many underwater vehicles, there is a need for a more streamlined approach to steering. In particular, torpedoes need compact steering mechanisms in order to fit inside of torpedo tubes. Other craft require compact steering mechanisms to run at shallow depths, or to reduce the chance of fouling. Further, torpedoes, submarines, and other vehicles require smooth streamlined steering mechanisms to reduce drag and noise. 
   The following patents, for example, disclose drag reducing methods or underwater steering, but do not disclose the use of a selectively ejected drag reducing medium to control steering of an underwater vehicle. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,969,759 to Giles;
         U.S. Pat. No. 3,096,739 to Smith;   U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,739 to Swanson;   U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,661 to Mayer, Jr.;   U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,488 to Gibson; and   U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,679 to Fabula et al.       

   Specifically, Giles discloses hydrodynamic drag reduction in vehicles through boundary layer control. The device includes a plurality of slit means integral with the surface of the vehicle to permit a suction flow, duct means operatively associated with the slit means for carrying the suction flow to the stern of the vehicle, pump means operatively coupled to the duct means for generating and maintaining the suction flow and for preventing any hindrance to the suction flow at the surface of the vehicle, and means for reversing the suction flow. 
   The patent to Smith discloses a method and apparatus for steering underwater bodies of the type having a surface adjacent which water is adapted to flow and produce hydrodynamic force lateral to the direction of movement of the body and includes the steps of delivering a gas in a quantity insufficient to produce a jet reaction steering force but in a quantity sufficient for flow adjacent the surface to spoil the water flow and produce a different lateral hydrodynamic force on the body. 
   Swanson discloses a torpedo drag reduction apparatus. Sheets of an ablative and water soluble material containing a drag reducing polymer agent are mounted on a labyrinth of baffles in an annular cavity underneath the nose fairing of a torpedo. Ambient seawater, under ram pressure, is ingested by scoops and introduced into the rear end of the chamber. As the seawater circulates through the baffle labyrinth it dissolves the polymer agent contained in the ablative sheets. The front end of the annular chamber is communicated with the exterior of the surface of the torpedo hull by a circumferential slot which extends continuously about the torpedo. The solution of seawater and polymer, resulting from the circulation of the water through the labyrinth, issues forth through the slot into the boundary layer flow under the ram pressure. 
   Mayer, Jr. discloses a vehicle movable through a fluid-supporting medium and includes an active system for controlling the layer of fluid over at least a portion of the vehicle exterior surface. Parallel slots through the surface permit fluid under pressure to issue over the surface to reduce drag and improve lift and/or propulsion. 
   The patent to Gibson discloses an elongated flexible strip incorporating a longitudinally extending central tube provided with egress openings and is wrapped about the hull portion of a boat adjacent its bow. A chemical is fed into the central tube and passes out in controlled quantities from the egress openings to thereby form with water passing by the hull a diluted solution which then passes down the length of the hull and thereby reduces the friction of the boat hull when passing through water. 
   Fabula, et al. disclose a method and apparatus for reducing torpedo drag in which polymer drag reducing material is carried by the torpedo in concentrated form, ambient water is ingested and mixed with the concentrated polymer to produce a seawater-polymer solution of predetermined concentration, and the solution is ejected from the torpedo nose to be swept rearward in intimate contact with the exterior surface of the torpedo under torpedo forward motion. 
   It should be understood that the present invention would in fact enhance the functionality of the above patents by providing a steering mechanism for an underwater vehicle, in which the steering mechanism includes the selective ejection of a drag reducing polymer from a periphery of the vehicle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide an improved steering system for an underwater vehicle. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a steering system for an underwater vehicle using a drag reduction medium. 
   Still another object of this invention is to provide a steering system for an underwater vehicle using selectively ejected drag reduction medium for initiating movement in predetermined directions. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a steering system for an underwater vehicle which eliminates conventional steering mechanisms. 
   An additional object of this invention is to provide a steering system for an underwater vehicle which supplements conventional steering mechanisms (e.g., torpedo&#39;s small control surfaces). 
   In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a steering system for a hydrodynamically shaped vehicle having a nose end, a tail end, and forward propulsion. The steering system includes an internal supply of drag reducing medium, at least one ejector ring positioned adjacent a nose end of the vehicle, and a plurality of ejector sections formed in the at least one ejector ring. Each ejector section includes an opening arrangement for ejecting drag-reducing medium to an external surface of the vehicle. A control unit selectively supplies and modulates drag-reducing medium to at least one of the plurality of ejector sections. The drag-reducing medium ejected from selected ejector sections causes a reduced drag surface on said vehicle body and an increased speed thereof relative to a remainder of the vehicle body and thereby imparting a controlled uneven directional motion to the vehicle, producing steering and trim control in the pitch and yaw directions. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The appended claims particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of this invention. The various objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will be more fully apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an underwater vehicle of a first streamlined shape showing locations of ejection slots according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an underwater vehicle of an alternative streamlined shape showing locations of ejection slots according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a vehicle nose with positioning of ejector slots in a first configuration; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a vehicle nose with positioning of ejector slots in an alternative configuration; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a vehicle nose with positioning of ejector slots in still another configuration; 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a detail and exploded view, respectively, of a shape of ejection outlets for the present invention; 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are a detail and an exploded view, respectively, of an alternative shape of ejection outlets for the present invention; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a detail and an exploded view, respectively, of another shape of ejection outlets for the present invention; 
       FIGS. 9A through 9I  are sample ejection patterns of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the underwater vehicle with an ejection from pattern  9 A passing over the vehicle body; 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are schematic port and starboard views, respectively, showing a fluid dispensing arrangement for the present invention with an ejection from pattern  9 B passing over the vehicle body; 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view showing an additional fluid dispensing arrangement for the present invention with an ejection from pattern  9 B, as indicated by valve positions; 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are port and starboard views, respectively, of a schematic view showing another fluid dispensing arrangement for the present invention with an ejection from pattern  9 B passing over the vehicle body; and 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic view showing an additional fluid dispensing arrangement for the present invention with an ejection pattern  9 I, as indicated by valve positions. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In general, the present invention is directed to a steering device applicable to an underwater vehicle  10  of the type shown by way of example in either of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . The underwater vehicle  10  includes a nose end  12  and a tail end  14 . In each instance, the underwater vehicle  10  will eject a drag-reducing medium  22 , such as a drag-reducing polymer, from at least one of plural ejection rings, generally shown as  16 ,  18 , and  20 . 
   The vehicle  10  of  FIG. 1  has a torpedo shaped body with an ejection ring  16  located adjacent the nose end  12  of the body, an ejection ring  20  located at an aft region of the body, and an ejection ring  18  located between the rings  16  and  20 . 
   The vehicle  10  of  FIG. 2  has a more streamlined shaped body and the ejection rings  16 ,  18 , and  20  are shown more pronouncedly at the nose end  12  of the vehicle. The drag-reduction steering of the present invention is intended to be applicable to any vehicle body moving through the water, usually a submerged vehicle body, and the views of  FIGS. 1 and 2  are exemplary only. 
   Each ejection ring  16 ,  18 ,  20  is simply a circumferential region on the vehicle body for ejection of the drag-reducing medium  22 . The operating principle of the invention is the ejection of the drag-reducing medium  22  to effect a steering of the vehicle  10 . In order to simplify the following disclosure, it will be assumed that drag-reducing medium is selectively ejected from an ejector section  24  around a circumference of the vehicle  10  and at any or all of the ejection ring locations  16 ,  18 ,  20 . 
   The ejector sections  24  are selectively actuated to accomplish the intended steering and exemplary placements of the ejector sections is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 . Each of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  are viewed as facing vehicle  10  from the nose end  12  of vehicle  10 . In  FIG. 3  there are a total of four ejector sections  24  shown including the top  24   a , port  24   b , bottom  24   c , and starboard  24   d . In  FIG. 4 , the ejector sections  24  are nominally offset 45° as compared to the arrangement of  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 5 , there are additional ejector sections  24   a  through  24   h  shown for increased maneuverability as will be explained. 
   Each ejector section  24  is the smallest entity that is controlled as far as selective ejection of the drag-reducing medium  22  is concerned. Each ejector section  24 , when instructed, puts out a sheet, or quasi sheet, of a drag-reducing solution material  22  along a shaped surface of the vehicle body  10 . The selected ejection ring  16 ,  18 ,  20  should optimally be far forward in the vehicle body to facilitate reduced drag steering. An ejection ring  16  farther forward toward the nose  12  of the vehicle will benefit the steering in at least two ways. First, more of the vehicle body  10  will receive the effects of the drag reduction fluid  22 , by the fluid covering more of the desired regions of the body. Further, by being far forward, there will be more of a moment arm relative to the location of an aft thrusting mechanism  26 . However, the ejection ring  16  should be at least a minimal distance back from the very nose  12  of the body  10  for practical reasons. Specifically, if the ring  16  were very near the front nose  12 , a slight angle of attack of the torpedo could make the ejecting matter stream off to one side and not cover enough of the body  10 . Further, there may be a need to place sonar, or even other devices, very close to the forward-most portion of the vehicle body  10 , and placement of an ejector ring  16  may interfere with this equipment. 
   To maneuver the vehicle  10 , selective ejection of the drag reducing medium  22  is controlled. For example, selective ejection of drag reducing medium  22  at the top regions of the vehicle will cause the vehicle to dive. Drag reduction material  22  on the top regions of the body  10  will mean the top has less resistance to forward movement. The top will increase in speed causing the vehicle  10  to dive, or more accurately, to curve in a diving direction. When the desired angle downward is achieved, the ejection process will be stopped or reduced. This can be better understood from a more detailed description of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 . In  FIG. 3 , fluid ejected from the top ejector section  24   a  will cause the vehicle to dive as explained, and depending upon the up, down, left or right maneuver desired, only one-quarter of the total ejection ring  16 ,  18 , or  20  will be used. Another geometry, as shown in  FIG. 4 , requires that about twice the vehicle body  10  be covered with drag-reduction material  22  as compared to the arrangement of  FIG. 3 . In this arrangement the location of spaces between the ejector sections are located at the top, bottom, starboard and port sides of the vehicle body. To initiate a dive, the two top sections  24   a ,  24   d  will be activated and eject drag-reducing material  22  along essentially the top half of the vehicle body  10 . This slight unbalancing of resistive forces will cause the vehicle body  10  to turn downwards in a diving direction. The arrangement shown in  FIG. 5  includes eight ejection sections  24   a  through  24   h . Selected ejection of the top four sections  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   g ,  24   h  will produce a dive. Selected ejection of the top most two sections  24   a ,  24   h  will also produce a dive but with less diving force than all four top sections distributing the drag reduction medium  22 . 
   It will be understood that the arrangement of  FIG. 5  is specific enough such that the top four sections  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   g ,  24   h  may be used to start a dive maneuver and subsequently only the top most sections  24   a ,  24   h  will be used to continue the diving maneuver. After the proper desired dive angle and/or the proper desire depth is reached, the sections will be controlled to end the maneuver. This ending of the dive may be done by slowing or stopping the ejection out of the upper sections, by ejecting drag-reducing fluid  22  out some or all of the bottom sections  24   d ,  24   e  (for example), or some combination and sequencing of ejections out of any or all of the sections  24   a  through  24   h . It will be further understood that other numbers of ejection sections  24  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   The ejection sections  24  may take different forms depending upon their intended use, the type or viscosity of drag reduction fluid used, or other related factors. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , each ejection section  24  may be formed of multiple circular openings  28  defining each section. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , each section  24  may be formed of elongated slots  30 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the ejection section  24  may itself be a single elongated slot  32 . Depending upon the size of the vehicle, it is anticipated that as many as one hundred circular openings  28  or slots  30  may be used for each individual ejection section  24 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 9A through 9I , there are several illustrations of the possible combinations of operative ejector sections  24 . In  FIG. 9A , the drag-reduction fluid  22  is shown being ejected from the top four ejection sections  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   g ,  24   h , thus facilitating the dive as discussed,  FIG. 10  shows the possible appearance of the drag-reduction fluid  22  as it streams along the body surface of the vehicle  10 . In  FIG. 9B , only the top two ejector sections  24   a ,  24   h  are operative, thereby lessening the dive maneuver as compared to  9 A.  FIGS. 9C and 9D  show those sections  24   d ,  24   e  ( FIG. 9C ) or  24   c ,  24   d ,  24   e ,  24   f  ( FIG. 9D ) which will be activated for a climb operation of the vehicle  10 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  indicate a dive or downward pitch.  FIGS. 9C and 9D  indicate a climb or upward pitch. This invention is capable of pitch control.  FIG. 9E  will enable a turning climb to the direction opposite of the ejector sections  24   c ,  24   d ,  24   e ,  FIG. 9H  will enable a turning climb to the direction opposite of the ejector sections  24   d ,  24   e , and  24   f .  FIGS. 9   f  and  9   g  show a turn to the side away from ejector sections  24   b ,  24   c  ( FIG. 9F ), and a harder turn with sections  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d  ( FIG. 9G ). This invention is capable of yaw control. It is also capable of a combination of pitch and yaw control as indicated in  FIGS. 9E and 9H . These ejection patterns shown are not intended to be limiting of the invention and any suitable ejection pattern, including maneuver 360′ degree radiuses in both pitch and yaw may be performed to achieve a desired maneuver. 
   If the vehicle body  10  is significantly negatively or positively buoyant, there may be a need to configure the ejector sections  24  in a non-symmetrical way. If the body  10  is designed to turn in a non-symmetrical way, the sections  24  might do better with more than eight sections or the vehicle body itself may be configured non-symmetrically. This is similar to the concept of race cars being built non-symmetrically because they turn one way only around a track. 
   In fact, the un-symmetric drag reduction could help keep a negatively or positively buoyant body  10  going straight ahead. 
   If a body is long and slender, multiple ejection rings  16 ,  18 ,  20  down the length of the vehicle  10  may be used. For example, in  FIG. 1 , ring locations  16  and  18 , both with the top two sections  24   a ,  24   h  in the arrangement of  FIG. 5  being activated will cause a dive. Ring section  18  will restore drag reduction fluid  22  to the top of the vehicle  10 , which due to the long distance from ring  16 , has been overly dissolved to be effective. 
   There are several choices of where to locate the ejector rings  16 ,  18 ,  20 . Some factors dictating these choices have been discussed. Other considerations for location of the ejector rings include body speed, body size, fluid media, and Reynolds number. The Reynolds number could change by an order of magnitude due to speed changes (particularly) and fluid medium change (to a lesser extent). Speed changes could occur during a run (during a particular firing of that body), or various speeds could be selected for various runs. Fluid medium changes which will impact Reynolds number calculations are due to density and viscosity changes, which result from a combination of salinity changes and temperature changes, which in turn result from a combination of horizontal location and vertical location (depth). Bodies that cover large speed ranges and operating conditions may use two slot locations to optimize the ejection point. So, at one Reynolds number,  FIG. 2  ring location  16  might be used, and for other operating conditions,  FIG. 2  ring location  18  might be preferred. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  12 ,  13 A,  13 B, and  14 , each ejector ring  16 ,  18 ,  20  and each ejector section  24  in the ejector ring is controlled by a main control unit  34 , and the actual mechanism for control are manifolds “M” and valves “V”, connected by pipes as shown. One configuration for the valves and pipes and which may be used as the basis for virtually any configuration, is shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . In  FIG. 11A , elements M- 1 , M- 2 , M- 3  and M- 4  identify manifolds for the ejector sections  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d , respectively and valves V- 1  through V- 4  control the supply of drag-reducing fluid  22  to the respective manifolds. In  FIG. 11B , elements M- 5 , M- 6 , M- 7 , and M- 8  identify manifolds for the ejector sections  24   e ,  24   f ,  24   g , and  24   h , respectively, and valves V- 5  through V- 8  control the supply of drag-reducing fluid  22  to the respective manifolds. In  FIG. 12 , valves V- 1  through V- 8  control the supply of drag reducing fluid  22  to the manifolds M- 1  through M- 8 , respectively. Wires  36  connecting the control unit  34  to the valves “V” are shown in  FIG. 12 . Pipes  38  from a drag-reduction fluid reservoir  40  to the valves “V” are shown in both  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The drag reduction fluid  22  may be force fed to the valves “V” and manifolds “M” as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . This method is common in torpedoes that force process fluid through a plumbing system and is a pressure over liquid (POL) method. A ninth valve V- 9  is used to control air pressure from a flask  42  over the drag-reduction fluid  22  in reservoir  40 . In  FIG. 11  the reservoir  40  is shown essentially full and in  FIG. 12 , the reservoir  40  is about half depleted. 
   For the schematics of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , valves V- 1  and V- 8  are open. Valves V- 2  through V- 7  are closed. Valve V- 9  is also open. It should be noted that valve V- 9  may be an on-off valve or a modulating valve so that the POL pressure can be modulated and controlled. Valves V- 1  through V- 8  may be on-off valves or modulating valves. This arrangement of valves allows drag-reduction fluid  22  to be ejected from the ejector sections  24  forming the top most sections. As previously explained, an ejection from the top two ejector sections  24  will initiate a dive maneuver for the vehicle  10 . 
   In addition to the basic arrangement shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , it will be appreciated that a feedback may be used to determine whether the commanded heading, depth, or other desired result has been achieved. Specific vehicle features such as body length, weight, hydrodynamic aspects, center of gravity, center of buoyancy, and the like will all have an impact on the control of the vehicle  10 . 
   Although the POL method of supplying drag reduction fluid is illustrated, it will be appreciated that other known methods of acquiring and supplying a drag-reduction fluid to a delivery system may be utilized in the present invention and are included in the scope of the invention. For example, a typical configuration is shown in  FIG. 13  and involves a concentrated drag-reduction slurry supply  44  within the body of the vehicle that utilizes external seawater from an intake at  46  as a mixing element. The seawater passes through a pump  48  to a mixer  50  where the seawater is combined with the concentrated slurry to produce a desired concentration for drag-reduction fluid  22 . The mixed drag-reducing fluid  22  is supplied to the drag-reduced steering arrangement as previously described. Proper activation and control of concentrated slurry supply  44 , pump  48 , and mixer  50 , along with proper utilization of valves V- 1  through V- 8  and manifolds M- 1  through M- 8  will yield desired control and modulation of the ejected mixed slurry fluid  22  by controlling distribution of the slurry among the various sections in the various rings. This method effectively reduces the volume of slurry carried onboard a vehicle. 
   In addition to the segmented ejection slots being either fully activated (fully on) or fully off, one or more of them may be partially activated (partially on).  FIG. 9I  depicts a flow patterns wherein the lower four slots ( 24   c ,  24   d ,  24   e ,  24   f ) are activated but at a reduced level, and the upper four slots ( 24   a ,  24   b ,  24   g ,  24   h ) are fully activated (fully on). For example in  FIG. 9I , the drag-reduction fluid  22  coming out of  24   c  would be approximately half of the fluid  22  coming out of  24   b . This flow pattern could be created by controlling the valves in  FIG. 14  as follows: valves V- 1 , V- 2 , V- 7 , and V- 8  are fully opened; valves V- 3 , V- 4 , V- 5 , and V- 6  are approximately half opened. Such a flow pattern would be advantageous near the latter portions of a vehicle run wherein the vehicle has become lighter due to consumption of fuel or even consumption of drag-reduction slurry. Note in  FIG. 14 , the reservoir  40  is shown essentially three-quarters depleted. 
   Accordingly, the present invention is a new and advantageous steering system for underwater vehicles, enabling an increased speed with reduced power requirements due to the reduction in external components for the underwater vehicle. The steering device is fully integrated within the body of the vehicle, thereby maintaining an outward streamlined shape. This configuration facilitates high velocity, low drag, and low noise flow over the vehicle body. 
   In view of the above detailed description, it is anticipated that the invention herein will have far reaching applications other than those of underwater steering. 
   This invention has been disclosed in terms of certain embodiments. It will be apparent that many modifications can be made to the disclosed apparatus without departing from the invention. Therefore, it is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Technology Category: 7