CLOSING DEVICE FOR A PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR, TORPEDO WITH A PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR AND SAID CLOSING DEVICE FOR THE PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR AND USE OF SAID CLOSING DEVICE FOR THE CLOSURE OF A PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR OF A TORPEDO

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device for a pressure reservoir. The invention also relates to a torpedo with a pressure reservoir with a locking device of this type and the use of a locking device of this type for the pressure reservoir of a torpedo. The locking device (1) has an inlet side (3) and an outlet side (4), together with a locking element, which fluidically controls a connection between the inlet side (3) and the outlet side (4). Further, the locking device (1) has an actuator (11) to actuate the locking element. In order to guarantee the envisaged operating pressure in the pressure reservoir, even after several years' storage, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the locking element is a sealing membrane (5) and the actuator (11) has an opening spike (12), arranged so as to be movable, in whose path of travel the sealing membrane (5) is located.

Description

The invention relates to a locking device for a pressure reservoir in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a torpedo with at least one pressure reservoir for supplying pneumatic mechanisms and a locking device for the pressure reservoir in accordance with claim 14. Further, the invention relates to the use of a locking device for locking the pressure reservoir of a torpedo, in accordance with claim 15.

The working gas for pneumatically operated mechanisms is enclosed in a pressure reservoir. Here, a locking device for the pressure reservoir comprises an inlet side for connecting to the pressure reservoir, an outlet side and a locking element, which controls a fluidic connection between the inlet side and the outlet side. The locking element can be acted upon by means of an actuator of the locking device and the inlet side can be fluidically connected to the outlet side, so that the pneumatic loads connected to the pressure reservoir are operated.

Pneumatic activation of working systems are provided, for example, in torpedoes, wherein, by opening a locking device of a pressure reservoir, the systems of the torpedo, each connected to the pressure reservoir, are activated as required. DE 195 37 683 C2 discloses a reservoir independent of the outside atmosphere, for the electric energy for use in a torpedo, which is intended to provide the energy required for the electric drive of the torpedo within the torpedo itself. The known energy store comprises a battery cell with galvanic elements, which is filled with an inert gas, namely nitrogen, prior to activation. The known mechanism incorporates an oxygen-filled pressure reservoir for the activation of the battery. On activating the battery, a shut-off valve of the pressure reservoir is opened by an external activation signal from a control device. A pressure regulator reduces the pressure of the oxygen so that this can actuate a cutting unit, which opens an electrolyte canister. The reduced pressure is simultaneously transferred to the electrolyte canister. Under the pressure of the oxygen, the electrolyte is forced out of the electrolyte canister into chambers of the individual battery cells.

By means of pneumatic actuation from a pressure reservoir, working systems can quickly be brought into service, for example, in the known mechanism, the battery of a torpedo can be filled with electrolyte and activated.

Where the pressure reservoir or a mechanism equipped with the pressure reservoir is stored for a longer period, however, a drop in pressure often occurs in the pressure reservoir, so that, on opening the locking device, sufficient pressure to actuate the connected pneumatic loads is no longer available. Torpedoes in particular, however, must still be immediately operational, even after very long storage periods. Thus, it must be ensured that the operating pressure is present in the pressure reservoir when the locking device is opened, even after the torpedo has been stored for several years.

The present invention is based on the problem of guaranteeing the provided operating pressure in a pressure reservoir, in particular, a pressure reservoir in a torpedo, even after several years' storage.

The problem is solved in accordance with the invention by a locking device for a pressure reservoir with the characteristics of claim 1. The problem is also solved by a torpedo with at least one pressure reservoir with a locking device of this type with the characteristics of claim 14. Further, the problem is solved by the use of a locking device of this type in accordance with claim 15 to lock a pressure reservoir of a torpedo.

In accordance with the invention, the locking element of the locking device of a pressure reservoir is a locking membrane, wherein the actuator of the locking device has a opening spike arranged so as to be movable. The sealing membrane is located in the path of travel of the opening spike, so that, on actuation, the opening spike is pushed through the sealing membrane and thus creates a fluidic connection between the inlet side and the outlet side of the locking device. The sealing membrane is thereby hermetically sealed, if necessary, by means of additional sealants arranged in the connection between the inlet side and the outlet side of the locking device, so that the pressure reservoir is pressure-resistant and permanently sealed. Here, the sealing membrane, the opening spike and the actuator are dimensioned so that the sealing membrane is reliably pierced through by actuating the opening spike.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing membrane is arranged in a housing of the locking device and separates the inlet side from the outlet side. The locking device can thus be connected to the pressure reservoir with little installation effort and locks the pressure reservoir permanently. In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing membrane is designed as one piece with the housing, so that leaks are precluded. In a further advantageous embodiment, the connection between the inlet side and the outlet side of the locking device is designed as a connection opening in the housing, wherein the sealing membrane is fixed, hermetically sealed at the edge of the connection opening.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing membrane is arranged on a membrane support incorporated in the housing of the locking device. The membrane support is mounted in the housing as a separate component so that the sealing membrane separates the inlet side and the outlet side of the locking device fluidically. After actuating the locking device, and hence destroying the sealing membrane, the sealing membrane can be exchanged with little effort and the pressure reservoir can be refilled with a pressurizing medium for reuse. Advantageously the sealing membrane thereby forms one face of the membrane support and locks a passage for the spike in the interior of the membrane support. The passage for the spike is a hole hereby, which extends to the vicinity of face of the sealing membrane. The sealing membrane can also be designed as one part with the membrane support. In producing the membrane support, the passage for the spike is incorporated here, beginning with a side of the membrane support opposite the sealing membrane, and continuing into the interior of the membrane support. Here, the remaining wall thickness of the face is the thickness of the sealing membrane, which is calibrated to the opening force of the opening spike, so that, on actuating the locking device, the opening spike can reliably pierce the sealing membrane.

In one advantageous design of the invention, the housing of the locking device has a vent hole at the level of a casing of the membrane support. At the same time, the vent hole reliably precludes the opening pressure being connected through to the connected pneumatic loads where leakage may occur in the area of the sealing membrane, for example, after storing the locking device for a longer period, which, as a result, could unintentionally activate the connected pneumatic loads. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a seal is arranged in a section of the casing of the membrane support between the membrane support and the housing, which is located on a side of the vent hole used for the sealing membrane. Thus, the outlet side of the locking device is fluidically separated from the vent hole, so that an unintentional venting is precluded if the sealing membrane is pierced.

Advantageously, the opening spike is arranged on the outlet side of the locking device, whereby the locking device, as a compact subassembly, can be connected to the connection nozzle of a pressure reservoir, for example, a gas canister. A working gas under static pressure, for example, nitrogen, is provided in the pressure reservoir. In particular, the arrangement of the opening spike on the outlet side prevents the fragments or slivers of the sealing membrane destroyed in the opening process from being carried away. The sealing membrane is penetrated by the opening spike in the direction of the inlet side, wherein the free end of the opening spike is guided to protrude through the level of the sealing membrane and prevents the edges of the opening formed in the sealing membrane from being pushed back in the direction of their original position by the static pressure on the inlet side.

Advantageously, the opening spike has at least one tip located facing the sealing membrane, whereby piercing through the sealing membrane is facilitated. In the process, the at least one tip of the opening spike is shaped so that no fragments of the sealing membrane material are formed by piercing the sealing membrane. As a result, fragments of the sealing membrane are precluded from being carried into the connected pneumatic loads with the fluid flow introduced from the pressure reservoir.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one groove is formed on the circumference of the opening spike, which, when the sealing membrane is pierced, creates a fluidic connection between the inlet side and the outlet side of the locking device when the opening spike is intended to partially seal the opening formed in the sealing membrane with its cross-section. Thus, due to the arrangement of grooves on the circumference of the opening spike, the locking device can also be opened without withdrawing the opening spike. Advantageously, here, the grooves are formed in the direction of movement of the opening spike, so that, on the one hand, a reliable fluidic connection between the inlet side and the outlet side of the locking device is formed. On the other hand, by extending the grooves in the direction of movement of the opening spike, fragment formation on piercing the sealing membrane is prevented since a cutting effect of the edges of the groove is precluded. Advantageously, multiple grooves are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of the opening spike, whereby the overall passage cross-section is increased for the working gas. In addition, regardless of the outline of the puncture opening in the sealing membrane, there are always passage cross-sections, even if one of the grooves should be obstructed by the outline of the puncture opening in the sealing membrane for deflected fragments of the sealing membrane.

Advantageously, the actuator of the locking device incorporates an adjusting screw, which can be driven so as to rotate and function in a linear direction, and a spindle nut, inserted on the adjusting screw, which bears the opening spike. Here, the spindle nut is guided longitudinally to the housing of the locking device so that the rotational movement of the adjusting screw is transformed into a linear working motion of the opening spike. By means of the spindle drive with the adjusting screw and the spindle nut inserted on the adjusting screw, a drive is created for the opening spike, which guarantees the reliable piercing of the sealing membrane.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuator incorporates an electric drive motor, wherein the adjusting screw is driven by the drive motor. In the process, the drive motor furnishes the actuating power required to pierce the sealing membrane. In particular, the electric drive motor can be activated by the application of the electric supply instantaneously, as well as automatically, if required, by an appropriate control signal of a control device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening spike is guided in the housing of the locking device, wherein position sensors are arranged, attached to the housing in the area of the opening spike guide, which act in concert with an indicator on the circumference of the opening spike. Here, the indicator can be moved with the opening spike, so that the current position of the opening spike can be determined by the position sensors. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator is a magnet. Here, the position sensors are designed as Hall sensors. Here, a Hall sensor of this type sends a signal as a function of a magnetic field, in particular, of the abovementioned magnet, to which it is exposed. That fixed position sensor, which faces the magnet on the circumference of the opening spike and which is therefore activated by the magnet, generates a position signal. Thus, even when the pressure reservoir and the locking device have been fitted, for example, in a torpedo, the current position of the locking device can be reliably determined; in particular, it can be determined whether the sealing membrane has, in fact, been opened.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, three or more position sensors are arranged in a line, wherein the middle position sensor corresponds with an inactive state of the opening spike, and a further position sensor arranged to the side of the middle position sensor corresponds with the open stage of the locking device. Here, the inactive state is a state of the locking device, in which the sealing membrane is intact and the opening spike is held ready to pierce the sealing membrane.

A regular check of the functionality of the position sensors is made possible by arranging further position sensors on that side of the position sensor indicating the inactive state, which corresponds to the position sensor for the open position of the locking device. To check the functionality, the opening spike is moved in a direction of movement away from the sealing membrane by means of the spindle drive. In the process, the position sensor provided for the testing operation responds when the magnet on the circumference of the opening spike faces the position sensor and signals the operational readiness of the mechanism.

Advantageously, the spindle nut is guided at its circumference on the housing of the locking device, wherein the spindle nut forms a piston-cylinder unit with the housing. The spindle nut guide, in the form of a piston, guarantees reliable guiding of the opening spike. Advantageously, a seal is arranged here, on the circumference of the spindle nut, whereby, by simple means, the outlet side of the locking device is sealed.

Advantageously, the opening spike is arranged in a pressure chamber designed within the housing of the locking device, which has a connection opening, wherein the connection opening and the sealing membrane are located in planes set at an angle to one another. Thus, when the sealing membrane is pierced, a rectilinear throughflow of the pressure chamber is precluded, so that carrying fragments away is also countered.

In accordance with the invention, the locking device is used for locking a pressure reservoir of a torpedo, so that the sealing membrane ensures the operating pressure in the pressure reservoir, even after a long storage period of the torpedo. The activability of the pneumatically operable mechanisms of the torpedo is therefore assumed, regardless of the storage period, i.e. even after a very long storage periods, since the sealing membrane hermetically locks the pressure reservoir.

A torpedo often incorporates multiple pneumatically operable and pneumatically activatable mechanisms or systems. At the same time, in one embodiment of the invention, the pneumatic mechanisms can be operated from a common pressure reservoir, which is locked during the storage period by means of a locking device in accordance with the invention and can be opened as required. In further advantageous embodiments, separate pressure reservoirs, which can be opened independently, are designated for each pneumatically activatable mechanism. Here, depending on the respective function of the pneumatically activatable mechanism, the respective pneumatically activatable mechanism of the torpedo, switched accordingly, can be sequentially put into operation or activated.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a pressure reservoir is equipped with the locking device in accordance with the invention, which is connected to the corresponding pneumatically activatable mechanism of the battery unit to activate a battery unit or a battery part of a torpedo. In the process, in particular, a pneumatically activatable activation device is attached to the operating supply reservoirs of the battery unit, for example, an electrolyte reservoir and/or a coolant reservoir. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, this activation device incorporates a pneumatically activatable cutting unit. After the locking device in accordance with the invention is opened by actuating the opening spike and the working gas is thereby able to pass out of the pressure reservoir, the cutting element of the activation mechanism is operated and the operating supply reservoir is opened. Thus, the contents of the respective operating supply reservoir of the battery unit, namely an electrolyte or a coolant, can be conducted into the battery cell section. In a battery unit, the interior of the operating supply reservoir, which contains the electrolyte, for example, a battery fluid, is connected to the pressure reservoir, advantageously, with a pressure regulator inserted inline. After the pressure reservoir is opened, the released operating pressure, which can be adjusted by means of the pressure regulator, drives the electrolyte out of the operating supply reservoir and conducts the electrolyte into the individual battery cells of the battery cell section.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure reservoir with its locking device in accordance with the invention is part of an actuation of an extendable radio antenna of a torpedo. A (remotely) controlled torpedo of this type, with an antenna section with an extendable radio antenna, is disclosed in DE 10 2009 040 152 A1. The known torpedo has a telescopic radio antenna, together with radio communications equipment for transmitting and/or receiving. The radio antenna is of such a length as to allow the surface of the water to be reached, even when the torpedo is submerged, in order hence to be able to establish a communications connection and/or to be able to receive data from a satellite navigation system. With an actuation system for the telescopic radio antenna, which incorporates a pressure reservoir and the locking device for the pressure reservoir in accordance with the invention, the telescopic antenna is extended pneumatically. In the process, after opening the locking device, the operating pressure is conducted from the pressure reservoir to the telescopic cylinder of the telescopic radio antenna, whereby the telescopic cylinder extends due to the force of the operating pressure of the pressure reservoir.

Further characteristics of the invention result from the subclaims and from the exemplary embodiments outlined in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a locking device of a pressure reservoir,

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the opening spike according to II-II in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the locking device according to FIG. 1, in the open position,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a battery section of a torpedo with a locking device according to FIGS. 1 to 3 and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a locking device with an exchangeable sealing membrane.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 each depict a cross-section through a locking device 1 for a pressure reservoir 2 depicted in FIG. 4. Nitrogen is enclosed in the pressure reservoir 2 under static pressure as the working gas for supplying pneumatically activatable mechanisms. The locking device 1 locks the pressure reservoir in a pressure-resistant manner and can be opened when required. Here, FIG. 1 depicts the locking device 1 in the closed position. The open position of the locking device 1 is depicted in FIG. 3.

The locking device 1 has an inlet side 3, for connecting to a pressure reservoir 2, and an outlet side 4, and a locking element, which fluidically controls a connection between the inlet side 3 and the outlet side 4. The locking element of the locking device 1 is a sealing membrane 5, which separates an inlet chamber 7 allocated to the inlet side 3 and a pressure chamber 8 allocated to the outlet side 4 inside a housing 6 of the locking device 1.

The housing 6 has a connection opening 9 on the inlet side 3 of the locking device 1, to which the pressure reservoir is connected when the locking device 1 is installed. A connection opening 10 is designed on the outlet side 4 in the housing 6, with which pneumatic loads or pneumatically activatable mechanisms can be connected to the locking device 1.

An actuator 11 for impacting the sealing membrane 5 incorporates a opening spike 12, arranged so as to be movable, in whose path of travel the sealing membrane 5 is located. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the opening spike 12 is rod-shaped and is arranged to be able to be displaced longitudinally in the direction of a longitudinal axis 13 of the housing 6. To open the locking device 1, the sealing membrane 5 is pierced through using the opening spike 12. This position of the locking device 1 is represented in FIG. 3, wherein the opening spike 12 creates an opening 14 in the sealing membrane 5, which fluidically connects the inlet side 3 with the outlet side 4 of the locking device 1.

At its free end, i.e. located facing the sealing membrane 5, the opening spike 12 has a tip 15, which facilitates cutting through the sealing membrane 5 and, in particular, counteracts the formation of fragments when the sealing membrane 5 is pierced. The tip 15 penetrates the sealing membrane 5 during the working motion of the opening spike 12 and thus widens the opening 14 in the sealing membrane 5. As can be seen in FIG. 2, in the cross-section of the opening spike 12, the opening spike 12 is depicted in the exemplary embodiment with a circular cross-section, wherein multiple grooves 16 are designed on the circumference of the opening spike 12, longitudinal to the opening spike 12.

In the end position of the opening spike 12 depicted in FIG. 3, the grooves 16 guarantee a fluidic connection between the inlet side 3 and the outlet side 4, so that the locking device 1 can be opened, even without withdrawing the opening spike 12. The grooves 16, evenly arranged on the circumference of the opening spike 12, also ensure that the edge segments of the opening 14 of the sealing membrane 5 are evenly and deliberately snapped off when the sealing membrane 5 is penetrated by the opening spike 12 and, in particular, when the sealing membrane 5 is pierced. Thus, edge segments of the opening 14 of the pierced sealing membrane 5 are also prevented from being able to be torn off and carried along with the volume flow through the open locking device 1 where the opening spike 12 is withdrawn from the end position depicted in FIG. 3.

The sealing membrane 5 in the exemplary embodiment depicted is a thinned section of a partition 17 of the housing 6, which, in the housing 6, separates the inlet chamber 7 from the pressure chamber 8 connected to the outlet side 4. The one-piece design of the sealing membrane 5 and the partition 17 guarantees a hermetic lock of a pressure reservoir, which can be stored with the locking device 1 for a longer period without loss of pressure. The locking device is thus preferably used for locking pressure reservoirs of torpedoes, which are often stored for a longer period and are subsequently expected to be rapidly ready for operation.

In one exemplary embodiment, not depicted, the sealing membrane 5 is attached to the surrounding edge of an opening 18 of the partition 17 and hermetically sealed, using additional sealant, if necessary.

The wall thickness of the sealing membrane 5 is measured so that, on the one hand, the sealing membrane 5 will permanently withstand the operating pressure envisaged in the connected pressure reservoir and, on the other hand, the sealing membrane 5 will be reliably pierced by the opening spike 12 when the opening spike 12 is actuated. FIG. 5 depicts a cross-section of a locking device 1 with a housing 6, in which the sealing membrane 5 is arranged on a membrane support 42. Here, as described above for FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the sealing membrane 5 separates the inlet side 3 from the outlet side 4 of the locking device 1.

The membrane support 42 in the exemplary embodiment depicted is a rotationally symmetric component and is inserted into the housing 6 of the locking device 1 so that its face 43 seals a through-hole between the inlet side 3 and the outlet side 4. Here, the sealing membrane 5 forms the face 43 of the membrane support 42 and seals a path of the pin 44 in the interior of the membrane support 42. The path of the pin 44 is a hole in the centre of the membrane support 42. In the installation position depicted, the membrane support 42 is located coaxially to the opening spike 12, so that the opening spike 12 can be moved through the path of the pin 44 in the direction of the sealing membrane 5 with the aid of the spindle drive. Here, as described above in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the spindle drive incorporates, in particular, an adjusting screw and a spindle nut, to convert the actuation travel of a drive motor into a linear actuation movement of the opening spike 12.

The membrane support 42 in the exemplary embodiment depicted is designed in one piece with the sealing membrane 5, wherein the axial length of the central path of the pin 44 determines the wall thickness of the sealing membrane 5. In producing the membrane support 42, the path of the pin 44 is designed with a depth so that the material remaining in the area of the face 43 forms the desired wall thickness of the sealing membrane 5. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the sealing membrane 5 is mounted, hermetically sealed, on the membrane support 42, as a separate component.

The membrane support 42 is axially braced against the base of the housing 6 by an assembly incorporating the opening spike 12, wherein the membrane support 42 fluidically seals the inlet side 3 of the locking device 1 with the sealing membrane 5. A seal 45, for example, an O-ring, is arranged in the area of the face 43 of the membrane support 42, to improve the sealing of the inlet side 3.

Due to the arrangement of the sealing membrane 5 on a membrane support 42, following a locking device 1 actuation process, wherein the sealing membrane 5 is destroyed, the sealing membrane can be exchanged with little effort. That is, the membrane support 42 is a separate component in the housing 6. The membrane support 42 is removed from the housing 6 along with the destroyed sealing membrane 5 and a new membrane support 42 with an intact sealing membrane 5 is then inserted into the housing 6.

The housing 6 has a vent hole 47 at the level of a casing 46. If the locking device were to show signs of leakage in the area of the sealing membrane 5 after a longer storage period, then gas would pass through the vent hole 47 of the inlet side 3 into the outlet side 4 and hence would prevent the accidental activation of the pneumatic systems connected to the locking device 1. The membrane support 42 has a surrounding O-ring 48 on its casing so that there is an all-round seal between the membrane support 42 and the housing 6. Here, the O-ring 48 is located in a section of the casing 46 of the membrane support 42, which is located on a side of the sealing membrane 5 facing away from the vent hole 47. In the process, the O-ring 48 precludes a fluidic connection between the outlet side 4 of the locking device 1 and the vent hole 47. After the sealing membrane 5 has been pierced by the opening spike 12, a loss of pressure via the vent hole 47 is prevented by the O-ring 48.

The actuator 11 incorporates an adjusting screw 19, which can be driven to rotate, and a spindle nut 20, which bears the opening spike 12. The spindle nut 20 acts in concert with the adjusting screw 19 by means of an internal thread. The spindle nut 20 is also guided longitudinally in a cylindrical section of the housing 6, that is, by a guide groove 21 in the direction of movement, in which a slide block 22 ensures the translational movement. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the guide groove 21 is formed on the circumference of the spindle nut 20. The slide block 22, which meshes into the guide groove 21 when the spindle nut 20 is installed, is part of the cylindrical section of the housing 6 in the exemplary embodiment depicted. The slide block 22, which can be moved in the guide groove 21, synchronizes the rotary movement of the adjusting screw 19 with the linear motion of the spindle nut 20.

The actuator 11 also incorporates an electric drive motor 23, which is attached to the housing 6 of the locking device 1 and which drives the adjusting screw 21.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the opening spike 12 is mounted on a face 24 of the spindle nut 20 facing the sealing membrane 5, that is, screwed in as a separate component.

On its circumference, the spindle nut 20 guide also provides a guide for the opening spike 12 attached to the spindle nut 20 in the housing 6 of the locking device 1.

The opening spike 12 is arranged in the pressure chamber connected to the outlet side 4. A pressure-resistant seal is provided for the pressure chamber 8 by a seal arranged on the circumference of the spindle nut 20, which, in the exemplary embodiment depicted, is an O-ring 25. The connection opening 10 of the pressure chamber 8 and the sealing membrane 5 are located in respective planes, which are at an angle to one another. Thus, the transfer of pressure is guaranteed and, in addition, the working gas is conducted through the pressure chamber 8 over a route at an angle, whereby the risk of fragments breaking of the pierced sealing membrane 5 is reduced.

Multiple fixed position sensors 26, 27, 28, designed, for example, as Hall sensors, are arranged in the area of the spindle nut 20 guide, which act in concert with a magnet 29 arranged on the circumference of the spindle nut 20 and these each send a signal as a function of the magnetic field of the magnet 29 detected by them.

In place of a magnet 29, other indicators are arranged on the circumference of the spindle nut 20 in further exemplary embodiments, to which appropriately adapted position sensors 26, 27, 28 respond.

The position sensors 26, 27, 28, designed as Hall sensors, are longitudinally arranged in a line, i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal axis 13 of the locking device 1. If one of the position sensors responds in the presence of the magnet 29, then a conclusion can immediately be drawn as to the position of the opening spike 12 since the magnet 29 is moved with the opening spike 12 by means of the spindle nut 20.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted, three position sensors 26, 27, 28 are arranged in a line, wherein the position sensor 26 in the middle corresponds with the inactive state of the opening spike 1, which is represented in FIG. 1. In the inactive state, the sealing membrane 5 separates the inlet side 3 from the outlet side 5 of the locking device 1, while the opening spike 12 is held ready to pierce the sealing membrane 5. The next position sensor 27 in the line of position sensors 26, 27, 28 of the sealing membrane 5 corresponds with the open position of the locking device 1, which is represented in FIG. 3, wherein the opening spike 12 protrudes through the sealing membrane 5. By evaluating the signals of the position sensors 26, 27, 28, the position of the opening spike 12, in particular, whether the locking device 1 has, in fact, been moved into the open position after an actuation and the sealing membrane 5 has been pierced through can be reliably detected without opening the housing 6 of the locking device. For this purpose, the position sensors 26, 27, 28 can be read out externally, for example, when the locking device is installed in a torpedo, by means of an interface 39 (FIG. 4) on the outer hull of the torpedo.

The third position sensor 28, which is arranged beyond the sealing membrane 5 relative to the middle position sensor 26, enables a test of the locking device, wherein the actuator 11 is driven against the working direction for piercing the sealing membrane 5. Accordingly, in the test, the adjusting screw 19 is driven in the opposite rotational direction by the drive motor 23, so that the opening spike 12 is not displaced in the direction of the sealing membrane 5, but instead, the spindle nut 12, with the opening tip 12, is retracted into the interior of the cylindrical section of the housing 6. Once the magnet 29 faces the third position sensor 28 on the circumference of the spindle nut 20, the operational readiness of the actuator 11 can be deduced from the corresponding signal of the position sensor 28.

FIG. 4 depicts a section of a torpedo constructed in sections, namely a battery section 30 in the exemplary embodiment. The battery section 30 incorporates a battery 31, which, after activating the torpedo, is used to supply its electric systems. To activate the battery 31, among other things, an electrolyte is forced into the battery 31, which is held in an electrolyte reservoir 32 while the torpedo is in storage.

The electrolyte reservoir 32 is pneumatically operated in order to deliver the electrolyte to the battery 31. A pressure reservoir 2, that is, a gas canister with a compressed gas reserve, is provided for this purpose in the battery section 30 of the torpedo. The pressure reservoir 2 is locked with a locking device 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3. As described above, the locking device 1 is in the inoperative state prior to the activation, in which the pressure reservoir 2 is hermetically sealed. The drive motor, with which the opening spike 12 can be operated, is electrically activatable. Once the opening spike 12 pierces the sealing membrane 5, the pneumatic impact of the electrolyte reservoir 32 is directed into the lines. Hence, a pneumatically activatable piston/cylinder unit 33 is switched ahead of the electrolyte reservoir 32. At the same time, the actuator 34 of the piston/cylinder unit 33 and the connections of the piston/cylinder unit 33 which can be switched by the actuator 34 are designed so that the hydraulic connection between the electrolyte reservoir 32 and the battery 31 is released first.

Pressure is applied to the electrolyte reservoir 32 only after opening the hydraulic feed line 35 in order to flush out the electrolyte. After the blade 36 has opened the feed line 35, the actuator 34 connects a pressure line 37 of the electrolyte reservoir 32 to the pressure reservoir 2 on its further opening stroke. A pressure regulator 38 is arranged in the pressure line 37, which reduces the operating pressure in the pressure reservoir 2, for example, 200 bar, to an electrolyte pressure of approximately 5-6 bar.

Here, the edge of the actuator 34 in the area of the feed line 35 of the electrolyte reservoir 32 is designed with sharp edges or as a blade 36. With the pneumatically operated movement of the actuator 34, the blade 36 removes a seal, for example, a cap, which, in the inactive state, i.e. when the torpedo is in storage, seals the feed line 35.

The electric energy for the drive motor 23 is supplied via an interface 39 on the outer hull of the battery section 30. In the actuation operation, the drive motor 23 is controlled so that the adjusting screw 19 drives the opening spike 12 through the sealing membrane 5, so that the systems of the torpedo connected to the pressure reservoir 2 are pneumatically actuated.

The position signals 40 of the position sensors 26, 27, 28 (FIG. 1) can also be transferred via the interface 39, so that the position of the locking device 5 can be verified without opening the torpedo. Thereby, for the purposes of regular maintenance, a test run can also be performed, in which the drive motor 23 is driven in the opposite rotational direction to that of the actuation operation and opening the locking device 1.

In a further exemplary embodiment, an evaluation unit 41 connected to the interface 39 is provided in the battery section 30, which processes the position signals 40 of the locking device 1 and can be controlled via the interface 39.

In many exemplary embodiments, the torpedo contains further pneumatically activatable mechanisms or systems, the respective pressure reservoirs of which are opened on activation. A locking device 1 in accordance with the invention is also connected to these pressure reservoirs according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, so that the torpedo is immediately and reliably operational, even after a longer storage period.

In a further advantageous exemplary embodiment of a torpedo, the torpedo incorporates a pneumatically activatable mechanism to extend a radio antenna designed in the form of a telescopic antenna. A telescopic cylinder of a telescopically extendable radio antenna of the torpedo is supplied from a pressure reservoir, which is sealed with a locking device 1 as described in FIGS. 1 to 3. Once the opening spike 12 of the locking device pierces the sealing membrane 5 and thus releases the working gas from the pressure reservoir, the operating pressure connects through to the pressure chamber of the telescopic cylinder of the radio antenna, so that the radio antenna is extended out from the torpedo. Here, the telescopic cylinder is of such a length and consists of an appropriate number of telescopic tubes inserted into one another so that the radio antenna can break the surface of the water while the torpedo is traveling close to the surface of the water. By means of the extended radio antenna, the torpedo can establish a radio connection to an external carrier platform or, for example, receive navigation information via GPS, which is fed to its control unit and is taken as a basis for its navigation.

All characteristics referred to in the foregoing description of the figures, in the Claims and in the introduction to the description can be applied, both individually and in any combination with one another. The disclosure of the invention is therefore not limited to the combinations of characteristics described or claimed. Rather, all combinations of individual characteristics should be viewed as having been disclosed.

Claims

1. A locking device for a pressure reservoir, comprising an inlet side for the connection to a pressure reservoir, an outlet side and a locking element, which fluidically controls a connection between the inlet side and the outlet side and to an actuator designed for operating the locking element, wherein

the locking element comprises a sealing membrane and the actuator comprises an opening spike, arranged so as to be movable, in whose path of travel the sealing membrane is located.

2. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

the sealing membrane is arranged in a housing of the locking device, wherein the sealing membrane hermetically seals an opening in a partition of the housing.

3. The locking device in accordance with claim 2,

wherein

the sealing membrane is arranged on a membrane support incorporated in the housing, wherein the sealing membrane forms a face of the membrane support and locks a path of the pin in the interior of the membrane support.

4. The locking device in accordance with claim 3,

wherein

the housing comprises a vent hole at the level of a casing of the membrane support, wherein a seal is arranged between the membrane support and the housing in a section of the casing of the membrane support, which is located on a side of the vent hole facing away from the sealing membrane.

5. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

the opening spike is arranged on the outlet side of the locking device.

6. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

the opening spike has at least one tip located facing the sealing membrane.

7. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

at least one groove is formed on the circumference of the opening spike, wherein the grooves are designed in the direction of movement of the opening spike, wherein multiple grooves are arranged at equal distances on the circumference of the opening spike.

8. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

the actuator incorporates an adjusting screw, which can be driven so as to rotate, and an adjusting screw acting in concert with a spindle nut, which is guided longitudinally and bears the opening spike, wherein the spindle nut is guided longitudinally on the housing of the locking device.

9. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

the actuator comprises an electric drive motor, wherein the adjusting screw is driven by the drive motor.

10. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

the opening spike is guided in the housing of the locking device, comprising position sensors arranged in the area of the opening spike guide, fixed in place on the housing, which act in concert with a locator, which can be moved with the opening spike, wherein the locator is a magnet and the position sensors are Hall sensors.

11. The locking device in accordance with claim 10,

wherein

the position sensors comprise three position sensors arranged in a line, wherein the middle position sensor corresponds with an inactive state of the locking device with an intact sealing membrane.

12. The locking device in accordance with claim 7,

wherein

a spindle nut is guided on its circumference on the housing, wherein a seal is arranged on the circumference of the spindle nut, wherein the seal is a circumferential O-ring.

13. The locking device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein

the opening spike is arranged in a pressure chamber, which has a connection opening, wherein the connection opening and the sealing membrane are located in planes set at an angle to one another.

14. A torpedo with at least one pressure reservoir to supply the pneumatically operated mechanisms of the torpedo and with a locking device for the pressure reservoir, the locking device comprising an inlet side for the connection to the at least one pressure reservoir, an outlet side and a locking element, which fluidically controls a connection between the inlet side and the outlet side and to an actuator designed for operating the locking element, the locking element comprising a sealing membrane and the actuator comprising an opening spike arranged so as to be movable in whose path of travel the sealing membrane is located.

15. (canceled)