How a submarine works: description, characteristics and principle of operation

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Submarines are a class of ships that are able to move and perform other actions completely autonomously under water and on its surface. Such vessels are capable of carrying weapons, and can also be adapted for various specialized operations. Consider how a submarine works and how it works.

Historical facts

The very first information about such swimming facilities dates back to 1190. In one of the German legends, the main character built something like a submarine out of leather and managed to hide on it from enemy ships on the seabed. This swimming facility stayed at the bottom for 14 days. Air was supplied inside through a tube, the second end of which was on the surface. No details, drawings, information on how the submarine is arranged have been preserved.

More or less real basics of scuba diving were outlined by William Buen in his work in 1578. Bouin on the basis of the law of Archimedes for the first time scientifically substantiates the methodssurfacing and diving by changing the characteristics of the buoyancy of the vessel, changing its displacement. Based on these works, it was possible to build a ship capable of sinking and surfacing. The ship could not sail underwater.

Further, in the era of scientific and technological progress, in St. Petersburg, engineers secretly laid down the principle of a submarine intended for the armed forces. It was built according to the designs of Yefim Nikonov. The project was carried out from 1718 to 1721. Then the prototype was launched, and he was able to successfully pass all the tests.

After 50 years, the United States built the first submarine, which was used in combat operations. The case was shaped like a lentil of two halves, which were connected with flanges and leather inserts. On the roof was a copper hemisphere with a hatch. The boat had a ballast compartment, which was emptied and filled with a pump. There was also an emergency lead ballast.

Dzhevetsky's ship became the first serial submarine. The series was 50 pieces. Then the design was improved, and instead of the oar drive, first a pneumatic and then an electric drive appeared. These structures were built from 1882 to 1888.

The first electric submarine was a ship designed by Claude Goubet. The prototype was launched in 1888, the ship had a displacement of 31 tons. For movement, an electric motor with a capacity of 50 horsepower was used. Power was supplied from a 9-ton battery.

In 1900, French engineers created the first boat with steam and electricengine. The first was intended for movement above the water, the second - under it. The design was unique. The American vessel, similar to the design of the French, was powered by a gasoline engine to float above the surface of the water.

Submarine device

This issue should be given special attention. Let's look at how a submarine works. It consists of several structural elements that perform a variety of functions. Consider the main elements.

Case

The main task of the hull is to fully provide a constant internal environment for the ship's mechanisms and for its crew during the dive. Also, the hull should be such that the maximum possible speed of movement under water is achieved. This is ensured by a lightweight body.

Case Types

Submarines, where the hull performs these two tasks, were called single-hull. The main ballast tank was located inside the hull, which reduced the usable volume inside and required maximum wall strength. A boat of this design wins in weight, in the required engine power and in maneuverability characteristics.

Submarines with one and a half hulls are equipped with a strong hull, which is partially covered by a lighter one. The cistern of the main ballast was brought outside here. It is located between two buildings. Among the advantages - excellent maneuverability and fast diving speed. Cons - little space inside, short battery life.

Classic double-hull boats are equipped with a strong hull, which is covered by a light hull along its entire length. The main ballast is located between the hulls. The boat has great reliability, battery life, large internal volume. Among the minuses are the long immersion process, large size, the complexity of filling systems for ballast tanks.

Modern approaches to submarine construction dictate optimal hull shapes. The evolution of form is very closely related to the development of engine systems. Initially, the priority was boats for surface movement with the possibility of short-term immersion to solve combat missions. The hull of those submarines had a classic shape with a pointed bow. The hydrodynamic resistance was very high, but then it did not play a special role.

Modern boats have much greater autonomy and speed, so engineers have to reduce it - the hull is made in the form of a drop. This is the optimal shape for moving underwater.

Motors and batteries

In the device of a modern submarine for movement, there are batteries, electric motors and diesel generators. One battery charge is often not enough. The maximum that a charge is enough for is up to four days. At maximum speed, the battery of a submarine is discharged in a few hours. Recharging is carried out by a diesel generator. The boat has to surface to recharge the batteries.

Also used in the design of a diesel submarineanaerobic or air-independent engines. They don't need air. The boat might not have surfaced.

Dive and Ascent Systems

The submarine also has these systems. To dive, a submarine, unlike a surface boat, must have negative buoyancy. This was achieved in two ways - by increasing the weight or reducing the displacement. To increase the weight in submarines, there are ballast tanks that are filled with water or air.

For normal ascent or dive, boats use stern tanks, as well as bow tanks or main ballast tanks. They are needed to fill with water for diving and to fill with air for ascent. When the boat is under water, the tanks are full.

To quickly and accurately control the depth, tanks with depth control are used. Take a look at the photo of the submarine device. By changing the volume of water, the change in depth is controlled.

Vertical rudders are used to control the direction of the boat. On modern cars, steering wheels can reach enormous sizes.

Surveillance systems

One of the first submarines for shallow depth was controlled through the windows. Further, as development progressed, the question arose of confident navigation and control. For the first time, a periscope was used for this in 1900. In the future, the systems were constantly upgraded. Now no one uses periscopes, and hydroacoustic active and passive ones have taken their place.sonars.

Boat inside

Inside the submarine has several compartments. If we look at how a submarine works on the example of one of the exhibits of the exhibition "From the History of the Russian Submarine Fleet", then immediately in the first compartment you can see six bow torpedo tubes, a firing device, and spare torpedoes.

The second compartment contains officer and commander's quarters, a sonar specialist's cabin and a radio reconnaissance room.

The third compartment is the central post. In this compartment, there are a lot of various instruments and devices for controlling movement, diving, ascent.

The fourth is a wardroom for foremen, a galley, a radio room. In the fifth compartment there are three diesel engines with a capacity of 1900 liters. With. each. They work when the boat is above the water. The next compartment contains three electric motors for underwater travel.

In the seventh, torpedo tubes, a firing device, personnel berths were installed. You can see how the submarine is arranged inside. The photo will allow you to get acquainted with all the devices and compartments.