Air introduction device

Abstract

A device for introducing an air flow into a submarine, including a first duct which is fixed relative to the hull of the submarine and a second duct which is telescopically movable relative to the first duct, for emerging from the water with its upper end and allowing the air above to be sucked in while the submarine is running at periscope depth, the first and second ducts being in fluid connection with air sucking means and being at least partly housed in a tower of the submarine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for introducing an air flow into a submarine, comprising a first duct which is fixed relative to the hull of the submarine and a second duct which is telescopically movable relative to the first duct, for emerging from the water with its upper end and allowing the air above to be sucked in while the submarine is running at periscope depth, said first and second ducts being in fluid connection with air sucking means and being at least partly housed in a tower of the submarine, comprising an aeraulic machine operating along one of said first or second ducts, said aeraulic machine being designed to at least partly compensate for pressure losses in the air flow passing through at least said second duct. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said aeraulic machine is operatively separate from said sucking means and is positioned in series relative to them. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one sensor indicating operating parameters of said air flow, said sensor being positioned along one of either the first or the second ducts. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , comprising control means for controlling the operating parameters of said aeraulic machine, said control means being operatable depending on a signal detected by said sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said aeraulic machine is an axial fan. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said aeraulic machine is a helico-centrifugal fan. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said aeraulic machine is a compressor. 
     
     
         8 . A method for managing the air flow introduced into a submarine through a snorkel whose upper end emerges from the water, comprising the steps of:
 preparing an aeraulic machine acting on said snorkel,   detecting along said snorkel at least one of either the flow rate or pressure values of said flow,   adjusting at least one operating parameter of said aeraulic machine depending on said value detected.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said step of adjusting at least one parameter is carried out by adjusting the speed of rotation of the aeraulic machine depending on said value detected according to a predetermined law. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said second, movable duct has a predetermined working cross-section, wherein said step of preparing an aeraulic machine comprises the step of selecting an aeraulic machine able to modify the operating parameters of said air flow so as to make it correspond in terms of flow rate to the flow which, in the absence of said aeraulic machine, would pass through at least said movable duct if the movable duct were to have a working cross-section greater than said predetermined working cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . Use of a device according to  claim 1 , with said movable duct having a predetermined working cross-section, for modifying the operating parameters of said air flow so as to make it correspond in terms of flow rate to the flow which, in the absence of said aeraulic machine, would pass through at least said movable duct if the movable duct were to have a cross-section greater than said predetermined working cross-section.