Method and apparatus for enhancing the internal combustion engine performance for submarines in snorkel running

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for enhancing the internal combustion engine performance, particularly the performance of charged diesel engines for charging batteries for submarines in snorkel running, whereby the exhaust gasses generated by the internal combustion engines during snorkel running are introduced into the water that surrounds the submarine, and whereby a reduced water pressure is created in at least one region at the submarine via flow-oriented measures by way of the motion of the submarine through the surrounding water, and the exhaust gasses are introduced into this region, for which purpose mechanically actuated flow-directing elements are arranged at the submarine.

1 - 27  (currently cancelled).  
     
     
         28 . A method for enhancing internal combustion engine performance for a submarine in snorkel running, comprising: 
 generating exhaust gasses by the internal combustion engines during snorkel running;    introducing the exhaust gasses into water that surrounds the submarine;    creating a reduced water pressure in a region at the submarine via flow-oriented measures by a motion of the submarine through the surrounding water; and    introducing the exhaust gasses into this region.    
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a charged diesel engine for charging batteries.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 providing flow-directing elements such that the region of reduced water pressure is generated via a water jet formed by the flow-directing elements in combination with the motion of the submarine through the water.    
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 producing the water jet with a nozzle effect.    
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the nozzle effect is generated at a tower of the submarine.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the nozzle effect is generated at a top of the tower.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 providing flow-directing elements to produce the nozzle effect that operate in a funnel-like manner and are open in a running direction.    
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 regulating a height of the reduced water pressure.    
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the regulation occurs by influencing the nozzle effect.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 regulating a velocity of generated water jet.    
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein regulating a velocity comprises at least one of: 
 regulating a position of the flow-directing elements; and    regulating a cross-section of the nozzle.    
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 producing a fine distribution of the exhaust gasses in the water due to the water jet.    
     
     
         40 . An apparatus of a submarine for enhancing a performance of internal combustion engines of the submarine in snorkel running, comprising: 
 mechanically or hydraulically actuated flow-directing elements arranged at the submarine configured to take a partial stream from water flowing around the submarine.    
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a charged diesel engine.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein: 
 the actuated flow-directing elements form a funnel-shaped device whose largest cross-section is arranged at a front in a running direction.    
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein the funnel- shaped device is polygonal.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 a mechanical or hydraulic pivot mechanism of the funnel-shaped device configured to pivot the funnel-shaped device out of the surface of the submarine.    
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein: 
 the funnel-shaped device is fashioned in a multi-part manner, and is symmetrically arranged at the submarine.    
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the funnel-shaped device comprises two individual funnels that are respectively arranged at two sides of the submarine tower.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein: 
 the funnel-shaped device comprises a nozzle at a water exit side from which water of the partial stream emerges as a water jet with a significantly increased velocity.    
     
     
         48 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 a gas mixing chamber into which respective exhaust gas conduits of the internal combustion engines discharge is arranged behind a narrowest point of the funnel-shaped device.    
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the exhaust gas mixing chamber is fashioned as an axially traversed exhaust gas nozzle segment.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein a cross-section of the generated water jet is polygonal  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the cross-section of the generated water jet is rectangular.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein a cross-section of the generated water jet is round or oval.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , further comprising: 
 a regulating unit for regulating a reduced water pressure in an exit region of exhaust gasses, thereby providing for regulating a counter- pressure of the exhaust gas.    
     
     
         54 . The apparatus according to  claim 53 , wherein: 
 the actuated flow-directing elements form a funnel-shaped device whose largest cross-section is arranged at a front in a running direction; and    the regulating unit for regulating the counter-pressure of the exhaust gas comprises an interactive connection to the mechanical or hydraulic actuation elements of the funnel-shaped device.    
     
     
         55 . The apparatus according to  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 pressure sensors connected to the regulating unit, the pressure sensors being located in a least one of an exhaust gas conduit and gas mixing chambers.    
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , further comprising: 
 position sensors connected to the regulating unit, the position sensors being located in at least one of the flow-directing elements and the funnel-shaped device.    
     
     
         57 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , further comprising: 
 a controller of an exhaust gas control system of the internal combustion engines; and    a data exchange mechanism configured to exchange data between the controller and the regulating unit.    
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein the regulating unit is configured to accept at least one of a submarine speed and a propeller rpm for its calculations.  
     
     
         59 . A retrofitting kit for a submarine, comprising: 
 funnel-shaped devices for actuated flow arranged at the submarine configured to take a partial stream from water flowing around the submarine with their gas mixing chambers;    a regulating unit for regulating a reduced water pressure in an exit region of exhaust gasses with the sensors and the mechanical or hydraulic adjustment elements; and    connections of an exhaust gas conduit.    
     
     
         60 . The retrofitting kit for a submarine according to  claim 59 , further comprising: 
 higher-performance diesel generator units.    
     
     
         61 . A submarine having at least one internal combustion engine, comprising the apparatus according to  claim 40  configured for shortening a charging time of its batteries in snorkeling mode.  
     
     
         62 . A method for operating a submarine, comprising the method according to  claim 28  and further comprising shortening a charging time of its batteries in snorkeling mode.  
     
     
         63 . A submarine having at least one internal combustion engine, comprising the apparatus according to  claim 40  configured for charging its batteries in snorkeling mode.  
     
     
         64 . A method for operating a submarine, comprising the method according to  claim 28  and further comprising charging its batteries in snorkeling mode.