Automatic lubricating oil filling system for high-speed diesel engine generator set of surface unmanned ship

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of water unmanned surface vehicle high-speed diesel engine generator set lubricating oil automatic filling system, including pipeline system, the specific structure of pipeline system is as follows: including lubricating oil storage cabinet, the bottom of lubricating oil storage cabinet is provided with oil outlet, oil outlet is connected with pipeline, pipeline is branched with multiple branch pipes, generator set is installed on each branch pipe, remote control valve is installed at the oil pipe of each generator set, manual valve is installed on the pipeline at oil outlet;For when in water unmanned surface vehicle in semi-autonomous or full autonomous navigation, the device can automatically fill the lubricating oil to generator set diesel engine oil sump according to lubricating oil consumption condition.This system is mainly aimed at the generator set using high-speed diesel engine as prime mover, without large-scale modification to generator set.In the process of lubricating oil filling, the whole system is automatically controlled by program, without remote control operation by personnel, improve the integration of lubricating oil system, enhance the endurance and self-support of unmanned surface vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of auxiliary system integration technology for unmanned surface vessels, and in particular to an automatic lubricating oil filling system for high-speed diesel generator sets of unmanned surface vessels. Background Technology

[0002] Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) are unmanned operational platforms that can be remotely controlled and monitored by surface ships or shore-based control stations, navigating on the water in a semi-autonomous or autonomous manner. They are capable of exceeding human physiological limits to complete highly maneuverable and long-duration maritime missions, characterized by their flexibility, long surface endurance, and wide operational area. With advancements in satellite positioning and communication technology, autonomous navigation technology, and intelligent planning and control technology, the application range of USVs has expanded to the open sea, where they can be widely used for tasks such as marine environmental surveys, patrol monitoring, and maritime search and rescue.

[0003] To ensure long endurance and self-sufficiency, unmanned surface vessels (USVs), especially medium and large-sized ones, typically use multiple generator sets to power all the equipment on board. To reduce the weight and size of the generator sets, high-speed diesel engines are generally used. The main components of a high-speed diesel engine are lubricated by pressurized oil supplied by an oil pump, forming a circulating oil circuit. Other parts are lubricated by splashed oil. The basic task of this system is to continuously supply clean, pressurized, and appropriately heated oil to the friction surfaces of moving parts, enabling the diesel engine to operate normally.

[0004] A high-speed diesel engine's lubrication system typically includes an oil pump for pressure lubrication and ensuring oil circulation, an oil pan for storing lubricating oil, lubrication lines, and a circulation circuit consisting of a series of lubrication passages machined into the engine block, as well as related valves and filters. During engine operation, lubricating oil enters the cylinders for combustion. Over time, the amount of lubricating oil decreases slowly. Excessive wear of valve guides and deformation of cylinder liners can further increase lubricating oil consumption. When the lubricating oil level is insufficient, the diesel engine will trigger a low lubricating oil pressure alarm. If the lubricating oil pressure is too low, the engine will automatically shut down and cannot operate normally.

[0005] On manually operated high-speed boats or small vessels, high-speed diesel generator sets are generally lubricated manually. When the crew observes that the lubricating oil level in the oil pan is below the minimum required level, lubricating oil is manually added to the diesel engine oil pan.

[0006] For unmanned surface vessels (USVs), manual lubrication is not feasible. Relying solely on the lubricating oil carried by the diesel engine's oil pan would severely limit the USV's range and endurance. To address this issue, an automatic lubricating oil filling system for high-speed diesel generator sets of USVs has been developed. This system enables automatic lubrication filling of the generator set, allowing USVs to travel further and stay longer on the high seas. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing production technologies, this applicant provides an automatic lubricating oil filling system for high-speed diesel engine generator sets used by unmanned surface vessels (USVs). This system automatically adds lubricating oil to the oil pan of the diesel engine generator set based on lubricating oil consumption during semi-autonomous or fully autonomous navigation of the USV. This system is primarily designed for generator sets using high-speed diesel engines as prime movers, eliminating the need for extensive modifications to the generator set. During the lubricating oil filling process, the entire system is automatically controlled by a program, requiring no remote control operation, thus improving the integration of the lubrication system and enhancing the USV's endurance and self-sufficiency.

[0008] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: An automatic lubricating oil filling system for a high-speed diesel generator set of an unmanned surface vessel includes a pipeline system. The specific structure of the pipeline system is as follows: it includes a lubricating oil storage tank, an oil outlet is provided at the bottom of the lubricating oil storage tank, a pipeline is connected to the oil outlet, the pipeline branches into multiple branch pipes, a generator set is installed on each branch pipe, a remote control valve is installed at the oil pipe of each generator set, and a manual valve is installed on the pipeline at the oil outlet. Each generator set is equipped with a generator set monitoring box; It also includes a bridge display and control unit, a submarine-based information system, and a remote control console display and control unit located in the bridge. A signal acquisition box is installed in the engine room, which is connected to the bridge display and control unit via Ethernet. The signal acquisition box is interconnected with the monitoring boxes of each generator set via signal lines, enabling it to collect the operating status of the generator sets and emergency shutdown feedback. The signal acquisition box is also connected to each remote control valve, the oil pan level switch of each generator set, and the lubricating oil storage tank level sensor via signal lines. The signal acquisition box is interconnected with the engine room monitoring and alarm system via RS485, sending low lubricating oil level alarms for the generator sets and low lubricating oil storage tanks. It also includes a power station management system located in the engine room, which is connected to the monitoring boxes of each generator set via signal lines. Both the power station management system and the engine room monitoring and alarm system are connected to the submarine-based information system.

[0009] Its further technical solution lies in: A magnetic float level gauge is installed inside the lubricating oil storage tank to monitor the amount of lubricating oil in the tank.

[0010] The signal acquisition box mainly consists of a programmable logic controller and relays.

[0011] The signal acquisition box collects low oil level alarm signals from the generator set's oil pan, oil level signals from the oil storage tank, low oil level alarm signals from the oil storage tank, valve status system signals, generator set operation signals, and generator set emergency shutdown signals. All of these signals can be displayed on the display and control unit, and an audible and visual alarm will be issued.

[0012] A control unit switching button is installed on the display and control unit located in the driver's cab to ensure that only one control unit's control command is valid at any given time.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention features a compact and rational structure, convenient operation, few components, and a simple construction. It can monitor the lubricating oil level of the generator set and automatically add lubricating oil to the diesel engine oil pan based on the oil consumption. During the lubricating oil filling process, the entire system is automatically controlled, requiring no remote operation. This solves the problem of replenishing lubricating oil in the unmanned surface vessel (USV) generator set during navigation, improves the unmanned nature of the generator set's auxiliary systems, and enhances the USV's endurance and self-sufficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pipeline system of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is an overall system diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the automatic lubricating oil filling system for high-speed diesel generator sets of unmanned surface vessels in this embodiment includes a pipeline system. The specific structure of the pipeline system is as follows: it includes a lubricating oil storage tank, an oil outlet is provided at the bottom of the lubricating oil storage tank, a pipeline is connected to the oil outlet, and multiple branch pipes are branched on the pipeline. A generator set is installed on each branch pipe, a remote control valve is installed at the oil pipe of each generator set, and a manual valve is installed on the pipeline at the oil outlet. Each generator set is equipped with a generator set monitoring box; It also includes a bridge display and control unit, a submarine-based information system, and a remote control console display and control unit located in the bridge. A signal acquisition box is installed in the engine room, which is connected to the bridge display and control unit via Ethernet. The signal acquisition box is interconnected with the monitoring boxes of each generator set via signal lines, enabling it to collect the operating status of the generator sets and emergency shutdown feedback. The signal acquisition box is also connected to each remote control valve, the oil pan level switch of each generator set, and the lubricating oil storage tank level sensor via signal lines. The signal acquisition box is interconnected with the engine room monitoring and alarm system via RS485, sending low lubricating oil level alarms for the generator sets and low lubricating oil storage tanks. It also includes a power station management system located in the engine room, which is connected to the monitoring boxes of each generator set via signal lines. Both the power station management system and the engine room monitoring and alarm system are connected to the submarine-based information system.

[0018] A magnetic float level gauge is installed inside the lubricating oil storage tank to monitor the amount of lubricating oil in the tank.

[0019] The signal acquisition box mainly consists of a programmable logic controller and relays.

[0020] The signal acquisition box collects low oil level alarm signals from the generator set's oil pan, oil level signals from the oil storage tank, low oil level alarm signals from the oil storage tank, valve status system signals, generator set operation signals, and generator set emergency shutdown signals. All of these signals can be displayed on the display and control unit, and an audible and visual alarm will be issued.

[0021] A control unit switching button is installed on the display and control unit located in the driver's cab to ensure that only one control unit's control command is valid at any given time.

[0022] The specific structure and function of the automatic lubricating oil filling system for high-speed diesel engine generator sets of unmanned surface vessels described in this invention are as follows: It mainly includes level sensing switches, level sensors, valves and pipelines, lubricating oil storage cabinets, signal acquisition boxes, and display and control units.

[0023] Piping system principle as follows Figure 1 As shown, a lubricating oil storage tank supplies lubricating oil to multiple generator sets. The storage tank is equipped with a magnetic float level gauge to monitor the oil level. The level is transmitted to a signal acquisition box via an analog signal (DC24V, 4-20mA). When the oil level is below 5% of the total volume, the control unit will issue a low oil level alarm, preventing further automatic oil filling of the generator sets. The oil outlet of the storage tank is located at the bottom and must be higher than the diesel engine oil filling port.

[0024] Valves are mainly divided into remote-controlled valves and manual valves. Remote-controlled valves are installed at the lubricating oil pipeline of each generator set. The control commands for remote-controlled valves are open, close, stop, and reset; the status feedback is stopped in the middle, fully open, fully closed, fault, opening, and closing. Each remote-controlled valve is equipped with an electric actuator. Manual valves are installed at the outlet of the lubricating oil storage tank, mainly used for cleaning and maintenance of the tank after docking. Under normal circumstances, they are in the open state and are manually closed during cleaning and maintenance of the tank. Each remote-controlled valve is interconnected with a signal acquisition box via signal lines. The signal acquisition box collects the status signals of each remote-controlled valve and simultaneously sends control signals to each valve.

[0025] Two passive, normally open level switches are installed on the diesel engine oil pan to monitor the lubricating oil level. One is a low-level switch, triggered when the oil level is at the lowest permissible level (5% of total volume); the other is a high-level switch, triggered when the oil level is at the highest permissible level (95% of total volume). When the oil level is below the low-level switch, the passive low-level switch closes, and a digital signal is transmitted to the signal acquisition box; when the oil level is above the high-level switch, the passive low-level switch closes, and a digital signal is transmitted to the signal acquisition box.

[0026] The signal acquisition box is interconnected with the monitoring box of each generator set via signal lines, enabling it to collect the operating status of the generator sets and feedback on emergency shutdowns.

[0027] The signal acquisition box mainly consists of a programmable logic controller and relays.

[0028] This system has two display and control locations: one in the wheelhouse and one on the remote control console. The wheelhouse unit is interconnected with the signal acquisition box via a network cable. The remote control unit communicates wirelessly with the submarine-based information system, which in turn is interconnected with the signal acquisition box via RS485.

[0029] The display and control unit is mainly used to display system status and issue control commands to the remote-controlled valves. This system has two display and control units: one located in the ship's wheelhouse and the other in the remote control console. Their display and control functions are essentially the same. When automatic control mode is selected, the display and control unit controls each remote-controlled valve according to the preset program, requiring no human intervention. When manual control mode is selected, the automatic control program is disabled, and manual control of each remote-controlled valve is possible.

[0030] The signal acquisition box collects low oil level alarm signals from the generator set's oil pan, oil level signals from the oil storage tank, low oil level alarm signals from the oil storage tank, valve status system signals, generator set operation signals, and generator set emergency shutdown signals. All of these signals can be displayed on the display and control unit, and an audible and visual alarm will be issued.

[0031] A control location switching button is installed on the control unit located in the driver's cab to ensure that only one control location's control command is valid at any given time. When the control location is selected as the driver's console, control commands issued from the display and control unit located on the driver's console are valid, while operation commands from the remote control console display and control unit are invalid. When the control location is selected as the remote control console display and control unit, control commands issued from the display and control unit located on the remote control console display and control unit are valid, while control commands from the driver's console are invalid.

[0032] The display and control unit located on the driver's console and remote control console has two control modes: automatic and manual. When the automatic control mode is selected, the display and control unit controls each remote-controlled valve according to the set program, without human intervention. When the manual control mode is selected, the automatic control program is disabled, and a person can manually control each remote-controlled valve.

[0033] The signal acquisition box can communicate with the engine room monitoring and alarm system. The signal acquisition box interconnects with the engine room monitoring and alarm system via RS485, sending alarms for low generator oil level and low oil storage tank level. When the lubricating oil level in the diesel engine oil pan of a generator unit triggers the low level switch, the signal acquisition box receives the signal and, after a set time, sends a low lubricating oil level alarm to the engine room monitoring and alarm system. The engine room monitoring and alarm system then sends an alarm to the ship's information system, which in turn sends a shutdown command to the power plant management system (PMS) for that generator unit. The PMS, based on the ship's overall electrical load and generator unit operating status, decides whether to start the standby generator or reduce the overall electrical load, and then shut down the specific generator unit.

[0034] In automatic mode, when the signal acquisition box fails to receive operating and emergency stop signals from the generator set, the display and control unit sends an opening command to the remote control valve at the generator set inlet. When the remote control valve status feedback indicates that it is fully open, lubricating oil filling officially begins, with lubricating oil being injected into the diesel engine oil pan by gravity.

[0035] When the lubricating oil level in the oil pan triggers the high-level limit, the signal acquisition box receives the signal and continues for a set time. Then, the display and control unit sends a closing command to the remote-controlled valve at the unit's inlet. The lubricating oil filling process ends when the remote-controlled valve is fully closed.

[0036] When the diesel engine oil pan of the generator set issues a low oil level alarm, and the remote control valve of the oil filling port of a certain unit fails to open due to a malfunction, resulting in the inability to add lubricating oil, the display and control unit will continuously issue a low oil level alarm. At the same time, the signal acquisition box will send a low oil level alarm for that unit to the engine room monitoring and alarm system, and it is recommended that the unit not be operated in the future.

[0037] When the diesel engine oil pan issues a high oil level alarm, a malfunction in the remote control valve at the lubricating oil filler port of a certain generator unit prevents it from closing, thus preventing the lubricating oil from being stopped. The signal acquisition box will send an alarm to the engine room monitoring and alarm system indicating that the generator unit cannot stop lubricating oil filling, and it is recommended that the generator unit not be operated subsequently.

[0038] When the diesel engine oil pan issues a low lubricating oil level alarm, and the remote control valve of the lubricating oil filling port of a certain unit fails to open due to a malfunction, resulting in the inability to add lubricating oil, the signal acquisition box will send an alarm to the engine room monitoring and alarm system that the unit cannot be filled with lubricating oil, and it is recommended that the unit not be operated in the future.

[0039] A low oil level switch on one of the generator sets malfunctioned, preventing the generation of a low lubricating oil level alarm. When excessive lubricating oil is consumed from the diesel engine oil pan, the generator set will send a low lubricating oil pressure alarm to the engine room monitoring and alarm system. It is recommended that the generator set not be operated subsequently.

[0040] A low-level switch on one of the generator sets malfunctioned, preventing the issuance of a high-level lubricating oil alarm. The signal acquisition box has a maximum time limit for lubricating oil filling. If the remote-controlled valve remains open for longer than this maximum time, the signal acquisition box will remotely close the valve at the lubricating oil filling port of that generator set, even without a high-level lubricating oil alarm signal.

[0041] The above description is an explanation of the present invention and not a limitation thereof. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. Within the scope of protection of the present invention, any form of modification may be made.

Claims

1. An automatic lubricating oil filling system for a high-speed diesel engine generator set of an unmanned surface vessel, characterized in that: The system includes a piping system, the specific structure of which is as follows: it includes a lubricating oil storage tank, an oil outlet is provided at the bottom of the lubricating oil storage tank, a pipeline is connected to the oil outlet, the pipeline branches into multiple branch pipes, a generator set is installed on each branch pipe, a remote control valve is installed at the oil pipe of each generator set, and a manual valve is installed on the pipeline at the oil outlet. Each generator set is equipped with a generator set monitoring box; It also includes a bridge display and control unit, a submarine-based information system, and a remote control console display and control unit located in the bridge. A signal acquisition box is installed in the engine room, which is connected to the bridge display and control unit via Ethernet. The signal acquisition box is interconnected with the monitoring boxes of each generator set via signal lines, enabling it to collect the operating status of the generator sets and emergency shutdown feedback. The signal acquisition box is also connected to each remote control valve, the oil pan level switch of each generator set, and the lubricating oil storage tank level sensor via signal lines. The signal acquisition box is interconnected with the engine room monitoring and alarm system via RS485, sending low lubricating oil level alarms for the generator sets and low lubricating oil storage tanks. It also includes a power station management system located in the engine room, which is connected to the monitoring boxes of each generator set via signal lines. Both the power station management system and the engine room monitoring and alarm system are connected to the submarine-based information system. The display and control unit located in the driver's cab is equipped with a control location switching button to ensure that only one control location's control command is valid at any given time. The display and control units located on the driver's console and remote control station have two control modes: automatic and manual. When the automatic control mode is selected, the display and control unit controls each remote-controlled valve according to the set program without human intervention. When the manual control mode is selected, the automatic control program is disabled, and a person can manually control each remote-controlled valve.

2. The automatic lubricating oil filling system for a high-speed diesel generator set of an unmanned surface vessel as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A magnetic float level gauge is installed inside the lubricating oil storage tank to monitor the amount of lubricating oil in the tank.

3. The automatic lubricating oil filling system for a high-speed diesel generator set of an unmanned surface vessel as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The signal acquisition box mainly consists of a programmable logic controller and relays.

4. The automatic lubricating oil filling system for a high-speed diesel generator set of an unmanned surface vessel as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The signal acquisition box collects low oil level alarm signals from the generator set's oil pan, oil level signals from the oil storage tank, low oil level alarm signals from the oil storage tank, valve status system signals, generator set operation signals, and generator set emergency shutdown signals. All of these signals can be displayed on the display and control unit, and an audible and visual alarm will be issued.

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