UNDERWATER BARRICADE APPARATUS

Abstract

There is provided an underwater barricade apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of weights, a float, and a second fiber line. The weights are connected with a first fiber line. The float floats on the water surface or underwater according to how the weights are laid underwater. The second fiber line has one end thereof connected to the weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an underwater barricade apparatus installed underwater for attacking floating and submerged vessels such as merchant ships, warships, and submarines, and more particularly, to an underwater barricade apparatus that stops the progress of a moving vessel using a fiber line that winds around the screw(s) of the vessel, and further strikes the vessel to sink it.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to their respective interests, countries are constantly engaged in full-scale or localized wars. While these wars result in many human casualties, they are also responsible for expediting scientific and technological advancement through weapons development.

There are many methods of attack and defense being implemented for deployment in warfare—for attacking enemy vessels and harbors and blockading certain marine areas, and conversely, for defending the same.

Some of these endeavors include the development of torpedoes and depth charges for attack, and mines and underwater barricades installed for defense, in order to prevent the approach of or to attack submarines, warships, etc.

Such means for attack and defense have diverse, technically advanced electronic equipment, which makes their deployment, maintenance and repair very expensive. Accordingly, countries have recently instigated a wide range of weapons development programs for defending against attacks from enemy vessels and attacking enemy vessels in simple, yet effective ways.

Most vessels are propelled on the water surface or underwater by means of rotating screws. Should its screw(s) be damaged, a vessel is deprived of its required mobility and is therefore rendered vulnerable to enemy attack. This scenario has been documented during World War II in the sinking of the German battleship Bismark. Despite possessing tremendous firepower, the Bismark lost its mobility from its screws being damaged, which made it a “sitting duck” for enemy attack.

Because submarines that infiltrate an area by stealth and torpedoes fired from submarines are means of attack that are difficult to detect, aerial methods and methods of installing nets in certain marine areas are being employed to impede the passage of submarines and torpedoes in order to protect vessels from submarines and torpedoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a (non-explosive) underwater barricade apparatus for installation at harbors and other vital marine areas, for compromising the fighting ability of a moving floating or submerged vessel such as a merchant ship, warship, or submarine, through winding a fiber line around the screw(s) of the vessel and rendering the screw(s) dysfunctional.

The present invention also provides, when required, an explosive underwater barrier apparatus capable of an underwater strike by means of explosives, in addition to the disabling of the function of screws with the above fiber line.

The present invention additionally provides an underwater barricade apparatus for objects that are difficult to detect.

The present invention further provides an underwater barricade apparatus for disabling the function of the screw(s) of a submarine or a torpedo fired from a submarine and, if additionally required, sinking a vessel by explosion.

The technical objects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description that the present invention includes other technical objects not specifically mentioned herein.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an underwater barricade apparatus including: a plurality of weights connected with a first fiber line; a float for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the weights are laid underwater; and a second fiber line with one end thereof connected to the plurality of weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an underwater barricade apparatus including: a plurality of weights connected with a first fiber line; a float for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the weights are laid underwater; and a second fiber line with one end thereof connected to the plurality of weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float, wherein the weights include an explosive weight and a non-explosive weight.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an underwater barricade apparatus including: a plurality of non-explosive weights connected with a first fiber line; a float for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the non-explosive weights are laid underwater; a second fiber line with one end thereof connected to the plurality of non-explosive weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float; a plurality of explosive weights; and a fourth fiber line with one end thereof connected to the non-explosive weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof connected to the explosive weights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an underwater barricade apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating configurative examples of non-explosive weights according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a non-explosive weight according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the structure of a float according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an installed underwater barricade apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a vessel being engaged by an underwater barricade apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of an underwater barricade apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of an explosive weight according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a vessel being engaged by an underwater barricade apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of an underwater barricade apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of an underwater barricade apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a submarine being engaged by an underwater barricade apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an installed underwater barricade apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Moreover, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure the focus of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an underwater barricade apparatus according to the present invention, where the underwater barricade apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes: a plurality of weights 20 connected with a first fiber line 71; a float 30 for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the weights 20 are laid underwater; and a second fiber line 72 with one end thereof connected to the plurality of weights 20 or the first fiber line 71, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float 30.

In FIG. 1, the second fiber line 72 is connected at the center of the first fiber line 71 that connects the plurality of weights 20, so that the float 30 is disposed in a position between the weights 20.

If required, anchoring means 40 may be connected to one of the plurality of weights 20, and preferably, to the weights 20 provided at either end, to widely disperse and distribute the plurality of weights 20 lengthwise or widthwise across the seabed (refer to FIG. 13). The connection between the anchoring means 40 and the weight 20 may be configured to be broken when a predetermined tensile force is imparted thereto, or the anchoring means 40 may not be provided.

Also, the weights 20 may include non-explosive weights 20a and/or explosive weights 20b.

While the drawings illustrate a float 30 installed between each pair of adjacent weights 20, a float 30 may be installed between a plurality of weights 20, or a plurality of floats 30 may be installed between a pair of 2 adjacent weights 20.

First Embodiment

The underwater barricade apparatus 100a according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 employs non-explosive weights 20a as the weights 20.

The non-explosive weight 20a used may be constituted by a base member of a typical brick, a ceramic body, or a steel member, and the above fiber members wound a plurality of times around the base member. Also, a typical brick, ceramic body, or steel member may have a hole defined therein and used as a weight, or may be coated with rubber or resin and then have holes defined therein and used as a weight (refer to FIG. 3(E)). Further, a hardened fiber body 20a described below may be used.

[Reinforced Fiber Body]

Reinforced fiber body structures of examples of a non-explosive weight 20a according to the present invention, will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.

For the manufacture of a reinforced fiber body 20a according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fiber member 22 is used that may include at least one of milled fiber, chopped fiber, strands, roving, woven fabric, roving mat, knitted fabric, nonwoven, and unidirectional fabric made with polyethylene fiber. Also, a base member 21 is used that includes at least one selected from a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) made by reinforcing carbon fiber with epoxy resin; a glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) made by reinforcing glass fiber with epoxy resin; and a ceramic formed of at least one of alumina (Al₂O₃), silicon carbide (SiC), and boron carbide (B₄C).

The high-strength polyethylene fiber member 22 may be made as a unidirectional fabric of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE); and the base member 21 that may be manufactured as a polyhedral plate including round or oblong shapes has the fiber member 22 wound around it a plurality of times to enclose it, thereby making the reinforced fiber body 20a.

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the reinforced fiber body 20a according to an example of the present invention is formed of a base member 21 made of CFRP; and a high-density polyethylene fiber member 22 wound a plurality of times around the base member 21 to enclose it.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the reinforced fiber body 20a may be formed of a base member 21 with a CFRP, and ceramic formed of at least one of alumina (Al₂O₃), silicon carbide (SiC), and boron carbide (B₄C) stacked on the CFRP; and a high-density polyethylene fiber member 22 enclosing the base member 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the reinforced fiber body 20a may be formed of a glass fiber reinforced plastic base member 21; and a high-density polyethylene fiber member 22 enclosing the base member 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the reinforced fiber body 20a may be formed of a base member 21 formed of a GFRP, and ceramic formed of at least one of alumina (Al₂O₃), silicon carbide (SiC), and boron carbide (B₄C) stacked on the GFRP; and a high-density polyethylene fiber member 22 enclosing the base member 21.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2E and 2G, the base member 21 may be formed by stacking, in sequence or arbitrarily, ceramic, polyethylene and CFRP; or CFRP, polyethylene and CFRP; or ceramic, polyethylene and ceramic.

As an example of the non-explosive weight 20a, FIG. 3 illustrates a method of making the reinforced fiber body 20a according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate a process of making a reinforced fiber body 20a according to an embodiment of the present invention, by manufacturing a base member 21 in a rectangular form and enclosing it with a polyethylene fiber member 22 formed as a rectangular sheet of a predetermined length.

First, a rectangular base member 21 is manufactured, having a polyhedral shape including an oblong or circular shape with a predetermined width and predetermined length, for example.

Next, the base member 21 is positioned on a mounting portion at one end of a polyethylene fiber member 22 which is formed with approximately the same surface area as the base member 21.

Then, by wrapping the polyethylene fiber member 22 a plurality of times horizontally around the base member 21, a reinforced fiber body 20a is formed having a plurality of layers of the polyethylene fiber member 22 around the base member 21.

At least one hole (a) is defined proximate to the opposing ends of the reinforced fiber body 20a, and the holes (a) become media through which the first fiber line 72 is coupled, so that a plurality of reinforced fiber bodies 20a may be connected along a lengthwise direction. FIG. 3 illustrates 2 holes (a) respectively defined at either end of the reinforced fiber body 20a.

Here, FIG. 3A illustrates a mounting portion at one end of the straight sheet-type polyethylene fiber member 22 and a base member 21 positioned at the mounting portion, FIG. 3B illustrates the base member 21 positioned overlapping the mounting portion, FIG. 3C illustrates a state in which the polyethylene fiber member 22 is wound horizontally around the base member 21 that has been positioned overlapping the mounting portion, and FIG. 3D illustrates a finished reinforced fiber body 20a with a plurality of polyethylene fiber member 22 layers around the base member 21.

In this method, from among the 4 side surfaces (sides) of a polyhedral base member 21 that includes round or oblong shapes, predetermined opposite sides (for example, only 2 sides) may be wound. Accordingly, in order to wind all the side surfaces, a method may be employed in which 2 or a plurality of polyethylene fiber members 22 extending lengthwise may be positioned to intersect one another, after which the base member 21 may be mounted and each polyethylene fiber member may be wound to intersect one another.

As illustrated in FIG. 3E, the non-explosive weight 20a may be used by perforating a typical brick, ceramic body, steel member, etc., or perforating after applying a rubber coating.

[Structure of Float]

The structure of the float 30 coupled through the second fiber line 72 to the first fiber line 71 or the weight 20 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4.

The float 30 according to the present invention includes: a skein 31 having the second fiber line 72 wound a plurality of times therein; a housing 32 enclosing the skein 31; a passage 33 through which the second fiber line 72 is extruded from the skein 31; and a plug 34 for sealing the passage 33 when the second fiber line 72 is extruded through the passage 33.

In particular, the skein 31 includes a skein rod 31a extending lengthwise and around whose surface the second fiber line 72 is wound a plurality of times, and a holder 31b that fixes the skein rod 31a to the housing 32. The skein 31 may also be made of a plastic member having buoyancy. To give buoyancy, the inside of the skein 31 may be defined as a cavity C1.

The housing 32 may be formed as a roughly egg-shaped oval body in which the holder 31b is mounted at one side—specifically, the upper side in the diagram. To achieve this, one side surface of the holder 31b for the housing is curved in accordance with the shape of the upper portion of the housing 31.

Because the holder 31b is attached to the upper portion of the housing 31, the skein rod 31a is made to extend from the top of a cavity C2 within the housing 31 straight downward.

Here, the lower part of the skein rod 31a extending straight downward (or the lower part of the housing) is opened to define the passage 33.

This passage 33 is sealed by the plug 34, and the second fiber line 72 is extruded through the center of the plug 34. Thus, the inside of the float may be sealed by the plug 34 inserted in the passage 33, with the second fiber line 72 extruded through the plug 34.

The outer housing of the plug 34 has a thickness h2, and the second fiber line 72 passes through the plug 34 of this thickness from top to bottom in the drawing. The plug 34 with the thickness h2 may be formed hollow inside.

The housing 32 and the plug 34 may be made of a starch plastic that can be dissolved (melted) by moisture. The thickness h1 of the starch plastic for the housing 32 is made greater than the thickness h2 of the starch plastic for the plug 34.

This configuration is designed so that the plug 34 separates from the passage 33 before the housing 32 dissolves completely.

To describe the operation of the float 30, when the underwater barricade apparatus according to the present invention is installed in the sea, the housing 32 and the plug 34 are dissolved by moisture. When this occurs, the plug 34 dissolves faster than the housing 32 due to the discrepancy in their thicknesses. Accordingly, the plug 34 disengages from the passage 33 as the housing 32 partially dissolves.

Thus, the housing 32 and the skein 31 float to the water surface due to their material and structural (inner cavity structure) characteristics, and their rise to the surface unravels the second fiber line from the skein rod 31a.

Thus, the housing 32 and the skein 31 rise to the water surface or to a predetermined submerged depth according to the length of the second fiber line.

Ultimately, the housing 32 completely dissolves so that only the skein 31 connected to the second fiber line remains suspended on the water surface or at a predetermined depth underwater, and in this manner, a plurality of second fiber lines are installed to project into the water from the water surface. In this state, because only the skein 31 and thin second fiber line are suspended on or below the water surface, they are difficult to detect through observation.

The reason that the housing of the float 30 is egg-shaped is to help the skein rod 31a retain a vertical disposition when rising in the water or floating on or below the water surface, and to facilitate unraveling of the second fiber line from the skein rod 31a. Thus, the float 30 may have a protruding midsection.

[Operation of Underwater Barricade Apparatus According to First Embodiment]

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 13, a description will be provided below of an underwater barricade apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. While a reinforced fiber body 20a being a non-explosive weight 20a will be described below as an example of the weight 20, it will be noted that a common brick, ceramic body, steel member, etc. that is coated with rubber and perforated can have the same effect when used instead.

The marine area in which the underwater barricade apparatus is installed may be a marine area designated off-limits to vessels by the government. The underwater barricade apparatus may also be installed along waterways for vessels or installed to intersect waterways for vessels.

In particular, a plurality of non-explosive weights 20a (reinforced fiber bodies, for example) are distributed on the seabed in a lengthwise direction (across), a widthwise direction (front-to-rear), or a matrix configuration (refer to FIG. 13); and in this way, the plurality of floats 30 are suspended on the water surface. Here, the float 30 may have the housing 32 partially dissolved or completely dissolved with only the skein 31 remaining, and one end of the second fiber line 72 is connected to the first fiber line, and the other end is connected to the skein rod 31a of the skein 31.

If a certain vessel should enter the restricted marine area, the plurality of skeins 31 and second fiber lines 72 become entangled around the screw (S) of the vessel. Here, because the second fiber line 72 is made of a material with a high modulus of elasticity (UHMWPE polyethylene fiber, for example), it will not sever and will raise the non-explosive weight 20a.

Thus, if the screw S continues to rotate, the underwater non-explosive weight 20a rises and becomes wedged into the screw S (refer to FIG. 6). In this state, the screw S is either slowed in its rotation or is prevented from rotating altogether, so that the vessel is put adrift in the restricted marine area.

Should a submarine or torpedo enter the restricted marine area, the second fiber lines 72 will first become entangled around the screw S of the underwater vessel, and then the underwater reinforced fiber body and skein 31 wind therein. In this state, the moving speed of the underwater vessel is gradually reduced to ultimately strand the vessel.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of an underwater barricade apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. An underwater barricade apparatus 100b according to the second embodiment includes: a plurality of weights 20 connected with a first fiber line 71; a float 30 for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the weights 20 are laid underwater; and a second fiber line 72 with one end thereof connected to the plurality of weights 20 or the first fiber line 71, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float 30. The weight 20 is an explosive weight—for example, a depth charge 20b.

The configurations of the float 30 and the first and second fiber lines 71 and 72 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Also, because the explosive weight 20b of the second embodiment generally has more weight than the non-explosive weight 20a, even if the anchoring means 40 is not included, the underwater barricade apparatus 100b can easily be laid and retained on the seabed.

Here, the explosive weight 20b may employ any of various explosive devices other than a depth charge, such as a bomb.

[Depth Charge]

A description will be provided below of a depth charge as an example of the explosive weight according to the present invention, with reference to FIG. 8. A depth charge 20b according to the present invention is configured with a water pressure sensor 25, a detonator 26, and a third fiber line 73 connecting the water pressure sensor 25 and the detonator 26.

In addition to holding the above elements, the depth charge further includes a housing 27 between the above elements that holds an explosive in a cavity.

A plurality of connecting rings 29 is installed on the housing 27 to link the depth charge to an adjacent depth charge 20b1 by connecting the first fiber line 71. FIG. 8 illustrates the connecting rings 29 installed on the upper, middle, and lower portions, respectively, of the housing 27.

Here, the water pressure sensor 25 is configured with a conduit 25a extending in a lengthwise direction, a cylinder 25b housed in the conduit 25a, a spring 25c (resilient means) resiliently supporting the cylinder 25b from below within the conduit 25a, and a starch plastic cap 25d covering the conduit 25a at the top of the cylinder 25b.

Here, the starch plastic cap 25d is attached to the top of the conduit 25a by being screwed onto or inserted therein, for example, and when attached, its bottom surface presses against the top surface of the cylinder 25b to constrain discharge of the cylinder 25b from the conduit 25a.

The conduit 25a in the drawing is formed as a polyhedral cylinder extending vertically from bottom to top, and an opening 25a1 is defined in the floor of the conduit 25a. Also, the third fiber line 73 is coupled to the lower end of the cylinder 25b resiliently supported by the spring 25c in the conduit 25a. The third fiber line 73 is extruded through the opening 25a1 and is extruded out from the housing 27 through a fiber line extension passage 28.

The detonator 26 is a typical detonator apparatus provided with a trigger mechanism 26a whose striker is spring-loaded, a delay 26b that the striker strikes, and a detonator charge 26c that explodes from the strike of the delay 26b.

Provided at one end of the trigger mechanism 26a (the back end of the striker) are a firing pin 26a1 and a hole defined in which the firing pin 26a1 is inserted. When the firing pin 26a1 is removed from the hole, the striker is moved by the resilient force of the spring and strikes the delay 26b.

The third fiber line 73 is connected to one end of the firing pin 26a1, and the other end of the third fiber line 73 extends out from the housing 27 through the fiber line extension passage 28.

Here, the third fiber line 73 specifically includes a first sub-fiber line 73a connected to the bottom end of the cylinder 25b and passed through the opening 25a1 and the fiber line extension passage 28 and extruded out of the housing, and a second sub-fiber line 73b connected to one end of the firing pin 26a1 and passed through the fiber line extension passage 28 and extruded out of the housing 27.

The first sub-fiber line 73a and second sub-fiber line 73b are combined to one another outside the housing to become the third fiber line 73.

Here, by controlling the extruded length of the first sub-fiber line 73a and second sub-fiber line 73b from the fiber line extension passage 28 and combining them—that is, by combining the first sub-fiber line 73a and second sub-fiber line 73b and controlling the length of the third fiber line 73 that extends from the bottom of the cylinder 25b to the firing pin 26a1, the depth at which the depth charge explodes may be controlled.

With the depth charge 20b illustrated in FIG. 8, while the first sub-fiber line 73a and second sub-fiber line 73b are extruded from the fiber line extension passage 28 and controlled in the length of their extrusion to control the depth at which detonation occurs, the fiber line extension passage 28 may alternatively be omitted, and the third fiber line may be controlled in length prior to its installation when the water pressure sensor 25 and the detonator 26 are installed in the housing 27.

Here, the depth charge 20b is positioned underwater so that the starch plastic cap 25d is dissolved by moisture over time. Accordingly, the top of the conduit 25 is opened, and the depth charge is put in a ready-to-explode state.

If the depth charge 20b rises in the ready-to-explode state, the water pressure exerted on the cylinder 25b gradually decreases. At this time, the cylinder 25b inside the conduit 25 is pushed out by the spring 25c and gradually rises, whereby pulling force (when the cylinder 25b rises to the top within the conduit 25a or is discharged to the outside) is exerted on the first sub-fiber line 73a attached to one end of the cylinder 25b, and the pulling force is transmitted to the second sub-fiber line 73b coupled to the first sub-fiber line 73a and is applied to the firing pin 26a1 coupled to the other end of the second sub-fiber line 73b, to pull the firing pin 26a1 from the hole in the trigger mechanism 26a.

In this manner, the striker of the trigger mechanism 26a strikes the delay, and the detonator charge 26c is activated after a predetermined time elapse, to detonate the explosive material within the housing.

[Operation of Underwater Barricade Apparatus According to Second Embodiment]

A description of the exploding operation of the above depth charge 20b will be provided below. First, the depth charge 20b is positioned underwater—for example, on the underwater seabed.

In this state, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 13, the plurality of explosive weights 20b or depth charges 20b connected by the first fiber line 71 is distributed lengthwise, widthwise, or in a matrix configuration, the plug 31 disengages from the passage 33 as the housing 32 partially dissolves, and the housing 32 and skein 31 rise to the water surface, whereupon the second fiber line is unraveled from the skein rod 31a.

Resultantly, the housing 32 and skein 31 rise to the water surface or a predetermined depth underwater according to the length of the second fiber line, and ultimately, only the skein 31 connected to the second fiber line is suspended on the water surface or at a predetermined depth underwater when the housing 32 dissolves completely. The cap 25d is also dissolved by moisture to open the top of the conduit 25a and put the depth charge in a ready-to-explode state for detonation.

In this state, if any vessel 0 should enter the restricted marine area, the plurality of skein rods 31 and second fiber lines 72 entangle around the screw S of the vessel 0 to slow the rotating speed of the screw S, while the skeins 31 and second fiber lines 72 continue to wind further into the screw S.

In accordance, the underwater depth charge 20b connected to the second fiber line 72 rises toward the vessel 0 and explodes when reaching a predetermined depth (refer to FIG. 9). Thus, the vessel 0 is sunk by explosion.

In addition, if a submarine or torpedo should enter the restricted marine area, the second fiber line 72 and the skein 31 first wind around the screw S of the underwater vessel. Then, the depth charge 20 rises and detonates upon reaching a predetermined depth to sink the submarine or torpedo by explosion.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, while one float 30 is illustrated as installed on the second fiber line 72 between the first fiber lines 71, it will be noted that a plurality of second fiber lines 72 and floats 30 may be installed with respect to the first fiber line 71.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of an underwater barricade apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. An underwater barricade apparatus 100c according to the third embodiment includes: a plurality of weights 20 connected with a first fiber line 71; a float 30 for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the weights 20 are laid underwater; and a second fiber line 72 with one end thereof connected to the plurality of weights 20 or the first fiber line 71, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float 30. The weights 20 include a non-explosive weight 20a and an explosive weight 20b. That is, the explosive weights 20b (for example, depth charges) may be randomly installed between the non-explosive weights 20a (for example, reinforced fiber bodies) that are connected in plurality by the second fiber line 72.

While FIG. 10 illustrates explosive weights 20b installed for each of the non-explosive weights 20a, the non-explosive weights 20a may be installed between pluralities of explosive weights 20b (batches of 20 to 30, for example).

Through this configuration, when a vessel 0 enters a restricted marine area, first, the plurality of non-explosive weights 20a and floats 30 entangle around the screw S of the vessel to slow the vessel. Then, if the slowed vessel should continue, the underwater explosive weights 20b rise and detonate upon reaching a predetermined depth to sink the vessel by explosion.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 11, an underwater barricade apparatus 100d according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

An underwater barricade apparatus 100d according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of non-explosive weights 20a (for example, the reinforced fiber body) connected with a first fiber line 71; a float 30 for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the non-explosive weights 20a are laid underwater; and a second fiber line 72 with one end thereof connected to the plurality of non-explosive weights 20a or the first fiber line 71, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float 30.

The underwater barricade apparatus 100d further includes: a plurality of explosive weights 20b (for example, the depth charges); and a fourth fiber line 74 with one end thereof connected to the non-explosive weights 20a or the first fiber line 71, and the other end thereof connected to the explosive weights 20b (for example, the depth charges).

According to this configuration, because the plurality of non-explosive weights 20a may be maintained on the seabed by using the explosive weights 20b, the anchoring means 40 may be omitted.

Also, if a vessel should venture into the restricted marine area, the process of the plurality of non-explosive weights 20a winding first around the screw S of the vessel may be performed more easily.

Other Embodiment

While description of the above embodiments address waterborne vessels, the underwater barricade apparatus according to the present invention has sufficient striking ability against submarines and torpedoes equipped with screws.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when the second fiber line winds around the screw of a submerged submarine or torpedo, the float 30 and weight 20a or 20b will move toward the screw by means of the pulling force transmitted through the second fiber line and wind inwards, or explode at a certain distance, so that the submarine or torpedo can be stopped or sunk by explosion. In FIG. 12, a submarine that has its screw wound with weights, fiber lines, etc. is depicted in a stranded state by the dotted outline, and the solid outline depicts a submarine being struck by a depth charge.

While the first through fourth fiber lines described above may be made of various types of fiber lines, they may be formed of UHMWPE line.

Also, the above-described “starch plastic” denotes a solidified plastic that is made using starch and can be dissolve by moisture. However, the present invention may employ a diverse range of alternative “water-soluble plastics” that can be dissolved by moisture. Other than the starch plastic, the water-soluble plastic may include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylamide, methylol urea resin, methylol melanin resin, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), etc. Besides plastic, water-soluble fiber material containing material including paper may be used instead of starch plastic.

While the referred to drawings depict the underwater barricade apparatus 100 one-dimensionally so that the weights 20 appear to be installed proximally in one-dimension, it will be clear from the illustration in FIG. 13 that the weights may be installed in a two-dimensional matrix configuration on the seabed or disposed above the seabed. Further, when the weights 20 are positioned two-dimensionally, it will be clear that the floats 30 may also be disposed on the water surface or underwater in a matrix configuration. Therefore, the underwater barrier apparatus 100 according to the present invention is disposed three-dimensionally overall in the water.

Through installation of the underwater barricade apparatus configured according to the present invention in harbors and other vital marine areas, effects can be obtained for neutralizing the fighting ability of a moving vessel such as a merchant ship, warship, or submarine, through winding a fiber line around the screw(s) of the vessel, and rendering the screw(s) dysfunctional.

Also, the function of the screw(s) of a vessel can be disabled by means of the fiber lines, and at the same time, an underwater strike with explosives can be achieved.

In addition, an effective engaging means can be provided at low cost.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An underwater barricade apparatus comprising:

a plurality of weights connected with a first fiber line;

a float for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the weights are laid underwater; and

a second fiber line with one end thereof connected to the plurality of weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float.

2. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights comprises an explosive weight or a non-explosive weight.

3. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 1, wherein the float comprises:

a skein having the second fiber line wound therein;

a housing enclosing the skein;

a passage through which the second fiber line is extruded from the skein; and

a plug for sealing the passage when the second fiber line is extruded through the passage.

4. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 3, wherein the housing and the plug are made of water-soluble plastic that is dissolved by moisture.

5. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 3, wherein the housing is made of water-soluble plastic with a thickness h1, and the plug is made of water-soluble plastic with a thickness h2, where h1 is greater than h2.

6. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 2, wherein the non-explosive weight comprises:

a base member of a polyhedral shape formed of at least one of or a combination of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and ceramic layer member; and

an ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber member made of unidirectional UHMWPE fabric wound a plurality of times around the base member.

7. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 2, wherein the explosive weight is a mine comprising

a water pressure sensor,

a detonator, and

a third fiber line connecting the water pressure sensor and the detonator; and

the water pressure sensor comprises a conduit extending in a lengthwise direction, a cylinder housed in the conduit, resilient means resiliently supporting the cylinder from below, and a water-soluble plastic cap covering the conduit at a top of the cylinder;

wherein the top of the conduit is opened through the water-soluble plastic cap being dissolved and removed by moisture due to the mine being disposed underwater.

8. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 7, wherein

the third fiber line has one end coupled to a lower end of the cylinder, and the other end coupled to a firing pin provided at one end of the detonator, and

according to movement of the cylinder along the conduit, pulling force is exerted through the third fiber line on the detonator to trigger the detonator.

9. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 7, wherein the third fiber line comprises:

a first sub-fiber line having one end connected to one end of the cylinder, and the other end extruded out of the housing; and

a second sub-fiber line having one end extruded out of the housing, and the other end connected to a firing pin of the detonator.

10. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 8, wherein a depth at which the detonator is triggered is determined by controlling a length of the third fiber line.

11. An underwater barricade apparatus comprising:

a plurality of weights connected with a first fiber line;

a float for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the weights are laid underwater; and

a second fiber line with one end thereof connected to the plurality of weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float, wherein

the weights comprise an explosive weight and a non-explosive weight.

12. An underwater barricade apparatus comprising:

a plurality of non-explosive weights connected with a first fiber line;

a float for floating on a water surface or underwater according to how the non-explosive weights are laid underwater;

a second fiber line with one end thereof connected to the plurality of non-explosive weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof wound and connected to the float;

a plurality of explosive weights; and

a fourth fiber line with one end thereof connected to the non-explosive weights or the first fiber line, and the other end thereof connected to the explosive weights.

13. The underwater barricade apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first to fourth fiber line is ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE) line.