Removable submarine sensor in an elastomer coating

Details Removable submarine sensor in an elastomer coating Removable submarine sensor in an elastomer coating

1999-04-19

2001-05-29

Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)

Metal working

Method of mechanical manufacture

Utilizing transitory attached element or associated separate...

C029S527200, C425S812000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06237209

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods, systems and apparatuses for effecting installation of devices, more particularly for installing instruments such as sensors in elastomerically coated structures such as submarine hulls.
The U.S. Navy implements electronic sensors which are situated in elastomer-coated submarine hulls.
According to a method conventionally used by the U.S. Navy for installing an electronic sensor in an elastomer-coated submarine hull, the elastomer is cast around the sensor, which is situated at the outside of the hull. This old method proves successful, and provides minimal or no gap between the sensor and the surrounding elastomer. However, this method is time consuming. Moreover, removal of the sensor requires cutting and/or grinding of the elastomeric material around the sensor, while working from the exterior of the submarine. Furthermore, the process of cutting and/or grinding may damage the sensor.
Another technique commonly used by the U.S. Navy is to cast the elastomer on the outside of the hull, and to cut a hole in the elastomer, thereby permitting the sensor to be installed from the exterior of the submarine. This method allows for easy installation and removal of the sensor. However, this method as well is time consuming. In addition, this method does not necessarily provide minimal or no gap between the sensor and the elastomer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an efficient and effective method for installing a sensor in an elastomer-coated submarine hull.
A notable realm of inventive application is that involving submarines. According to many such inventive embodiments, a device (e.g., an electronic sensor) is inventively rendered removably installed in a cured elastomer-coated submarine hull. Inventively utilized is a plug (preferably a structurally solid plug) having a three-dimensional geometrical shape which is identical to that of the device to be installed.
Typical embodiments of the inventive methodology generally include the following steps or stages:
I. An opening in a hull (or other wall-like structure) is (or has been) produced, such hull opening having a shape which comports with that of the plug, except for a relatively small peripheral hole which will permit insertion of a tube adjacent the plug once the plug is installed in the hull opening.
II. A solid plug is (or has been) produced, such solid plug having the same geometrical shape as that of the to-be-installed device.
III. The plug is coated with a mold release agent, for many inventive embodiments preferably a water soluble mold release agent such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
IV. The practitioner working from the inside of the hull, the plug is installed in the hull opening prior to casting the elastomer to the hull. Such installation is accomplished whereby the plug is even or flush, or substantially so, with respect to the hull opening, except for the small peripheral hole.
V. The elastomer (e.g., viscoelastic material) is cast and cured with respect to the outside of the hull. What was previously a bare structural hull has now become an externally cured-elastomer-coated hull.
VI. After the elastomer has been cast and cured, a small diameter venting tube (e.g., a tube made of metal) is inserted by the practitioner(s) (who is/are working from the inside of the hull). It is preferable inventive practice for many inventive embodiments that the venting tube be lubricated (with a lubricating agent such as that used for lubricating the device as described in step VIII hereinbelow) prior to insertion. While inserted, the venting tube proceeds first through the peripheral hole, and then between the plug and the elastomer.
VII. Many inventive embodiments preferably use a mold release agent which is liquid (e.g., water) soluble. While the venting tube is in place, pressurized liquid (e.g., water) is fed through the venting tube so as to flow between the elastomer and the plug, thereby dissolving the liquid (e.g. water) soluble mold release agent. The plug is removed by the practitioner(s) (who is/are working from the inside of the hull) by being slidably withdrawn from the cured elastomer-coated hull. Such removal is facilitated by the mold release agent which coats the plug, and by the venting tube which allows air to vent into the resultant increasing void in the elastomer as the plug is being removed. Complete removal of the plug leaves a cavity which will conformally serve as a sort of chamber or compartment for snugly holding the device. The cavity comprises the hull opening and the maximally voluminous elastomer void (i.e., the entirely unoccupied space in the elastomer).
VIII. The device is coated with a lubricating agent.
IX. A venting tube (such as that used for plug removal) is inserted through the peripheral hole by the practitioner (who is working from the inside of the hull).
X. The cavity (which comprises the hull opening and the maximally voluminous elastomer void) has a shape which comports with that of the device. While the venting tube is in place, the lubricant-coated device is installed by the practitioner(s) (who is/are working from the inside of the hull) by being slidably advanced into the aperture. Such installation is facilitated by the lubricating agent which coats the device, and by the venting tube which allows air to vent from the resultant decreasing void in the elastomer as the device is being installed.
Once inventively installed, there is little or no gap between the device and the surrounding elastomer.
Moreover, the device can be easily removed from the interior of the submarine or other edifice. A venting tube (such as that used for plug removal or device installation) is inserted by the practitioner(s) (who is/are working from the inside of the hull) first through the peripheral hole, and then between the device and the elastomer. Again, it is preferable inventive practice for many inventive embodiments that the venting tube be lubricated (with a lubricating agent such as that used for lubricating the device as described in step VIII hereinabove) prior to insertion. Removal of the device is facilitated by the remaining lubricating agent which coats the device, and by the venting tube which allows air to vent into the resultant increasing void in the elastomer as the device is being removed.
The present invention features implementation of a plug which is constructed to be geometrically identical to a device intended to be installed. The present invention also features the provision of a cavity or chamber which defines a shape identical to that of the device as well as that of the plug.
The hull opening having been formed in conformity with the plug or the device, and the elastomeric material having been molded and cured in conformity with the plug, the device will fit inside the chamber-like cavity as well (i.e., as flushly or evenly) as does the plug when the plug is removed and the device is installed in place of the plug. Therefore, an important inventive advantage is that when the device is completely installed, little or no gap exists between the device and the surrounding elastomer.
The plug serves as a sort of temporary, precursive geometric form which is used to establish the shape of the cavity which will enclose the enduring, permanent geometric form, viz., the device. The plug is made to be an exact geometric duplicate of the device. The ordinarily skilled artisan is familiar with the various methodologies, such as involving molding techniques, for fabricating a plug which is an identical geometric copy of an original device or other object.
The plug and the device both fit the same conformal cavity, but are not necessarily identical in all geometric respects. The geometric sameness/congruency of the plug and device is inventively crucial at least with respect to the respective portions of the plug and device which are inside the chamber-like cavity when the plug or the device is in the completely installed position.
Another inventive feature is the

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