Hydraulic power station provided with temperature control system and used for saturated diving

By integrating oil heating, air cooling and seawater heat exchange into a hydraulic power station temperature control system, the problems of lag in temperature control and insufficient cooling effect in complex marine environments of existing hydraulic power stations have been solved. This has achieved efficient and reliable temperature control, and improved the stability and energy utilization efficiency of the hydraulic system.

CN120946653AActive Publication Date: 2025-11-14CHINA STATE SHIPBUILDING CORP LTD RESEARCH INSTITUTE 719
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510948333.5
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-07-09
Publication Date
2025-11-14
Estimated Expiration
2045-07-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing temperature control system of hydraulic power station cannot adapt to the high humidity and high heat load conditions in complex marine environments. It has problems such as temperature control lag, insufficient cooling effect or slow heating response, which affect the stability and service life of hydraulic system and has low energy utilization efficiency.

Method used

It integrates oil temperature heating, air cooling and seawater heat exchange functions. It monitors oil temperature changes through temperature sensors and dynamically switches controls. Combined with air coolers, seawater heat exchangers and spray systems, it achieves multi-path temperature control. It uses seawater as a natural cold source to enhance cooling efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Benefits of technology

It improves the reliability and stability of the hydraulic system in deep-sea operating environments, enhances the safety and reliability of the equipment under extreme working conditions, extends the service life of system components, and improves energy utilization efficiency and system integration.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention discloses a hydraulic power station provided with a temperature control system and used for saturated diving, the hydraulic power station is arranged in a container on a deck, provides hydraulic power for a lifting device of a diving bell of a saturated diving system, and comprises an oil tank, an electric pump unit, a hydraulic valve group and an air cooler which are connected in sequence, the air cooler comprises a fan and a radiator, airflow of the fan flows to the electric pump unit after passing through the radiator, the air cooler is connected with a bypass pipeline in parallel, an oil temperature heater is arranged on the side, close to the oil suction port, of the bottom of the oil tank, a temperature sensor is arranged in the oil tank, and a water tank is arranged on the outer side of the lower portion of the oil tank in a surrounding mode. Seawater stored in the water tank can exchange heat with hydraulic oil in the oil tank, and the water tank comprises a water inlet and a water outlet. The hydraulic system integrates the functions of oil temperature heating, air cooling heat dissipation and seawater heat exchange, dynamic switching control can be achieved according to the temperature change of hydraulic oil, and the reliability and stability of the hydraulic system in the deep sea high-strength operation environment are effectively improved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of saturation diving technology, specifically relating to a hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system. Background Technology

[0002] Saturation diving is a diving method suitable for long-duration operations at great depths. Its basic principle is that during descent, the diver's body absorbs inert gases until saturation is reached. Afterward, regardless of the duration of the dive, the desaturation time remains constant. Therefore, saturation divers only need to undergo a single, unified decompression process after the mission, significantly improving the efficiency of deep-sea operations. Saturation diving is widely used in tasks such as the installation and maintenance of offshore oil platforms, laying subsea pipelines, deep-sea salvage, submarine rescue, and emergency response. To support these high-risk, long-duration, and high-pressure diving operations, hydraulic power stations are typically used to provide continuous and stable hydraulic power to critical equipment such as the diving bell deployment device. In existing technologies, hydraulic power stations are usually located in containers on the ship's deck. Their hydraulic systems bear significant loads and generate substantial heat during operation, resulting in drastic fluctuations in hydraulic oil temperature. Therefore, high demands are placed on the temperature control system. To ensure reliable operation of the hydraulic system, the oil temperature must be controlled within a suitable range (e.g., 30℃~50℃) to prevent oil deterioration due to high temperatures or difficulties in oil suction due to low temperatures.

[0003] However, existing hydraulic power station temperature control systems are generally simplified, typically using only air-cooled coolers or heating rods for unidirectional adjustment, lacking consideration for temperature changes in complex marine environments, multi-source heat dissipation, comprehensive monitoring, and precise control. These general-purpose temperature control systems are not optimized for the specific application scenario of saturation diving, and cannot adapt to the enclosed, high-humidity, and high-heat-load operating conditions of shipboard containers. They often suffer from problems such as temperature control lag, insufficient cooling effect, or slow heating response, affecting the stability and service life of the hydraulic system. Existing hydraulic power stations lack compactness, with heaters, coolers, and other equipment occupying large spaces and being difficult to maintain. Furthermore, existing systems fail to fully utilize seawater as a natural cold source, resulting in low energy efficiency, limited heat exchange methods, and low system integration. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a hydraulic power station temperature control system with a more rational structure, more sensitive response, more precise temperature control, and suitability for the actual working conditions of saturation diving, to improve the safety and reliability of deep-sea operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system. It integrates oil heating, air cooling, and seawater heat exchange functions, and can dynamically switch control according to changes in hydraulic oil temperature. This effectively improves the reliability and stability of the hydraulic system in high-intensity deep-sea operating environments and is suitable for various saturation diving operation scenarios.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system is provided. The hydraulic power station is housed in a container on a deck and provides hydraulic power for the launching device of the diving bell in a saturation diving system. The hydraulic power station includes an oil tank, an electric pump unit, a hydraulic valve group, and an air cooler connected in sequence. The air cooler includes a fan and a radiator. The airflow from the fan passes through the radiator and then flows to the electric pump unit. A bypass pipeline is connected in parallel to the air cooler. A first regulating valve is installed at the inlet end of the air cooler, and a second regulating valve is installed on the bypass pipeline. An oil temperature heater is installed at the bottom of the oil tank near the oil suction port. A temperature sensor is installed inside the oil tank. A water tank is arranged around the lower outer side of the oil tank, storing seawater that can exchange heat with the hydraulic oil in the oil tank. The water tank includes an inlet and an outlet.

[0007] Preferably, the inlet of the water tank is connected to the drain pipe of the diving bell or to seawater drawn from the ocean, and the outlet of the water tank is connected to a spray pipe. A universal nozzle is provided at the end of the spray pipe. The universal nozzle is located between the radiator and the electric pump unit and can selectively spray seawater toward the radiator or the motor part of the electric pump unit. A seawater purifier is provided on the spray pipe to filter corrosive components in the seawater.

[0008] Preferably, a first water collection tray is provided at the bottom of the radiator, and a second water collection tray is provided at the bottom of the motor section of the electric pump unit, and the seawater in the first and second water collection trays is collected at the return water inlet of the water tank.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the water tank is provided with a drain outlet.

[0010] Preferably, the water tank is also connected to several sets of seawater heat exchange pipes, which are immersed in the oil tank. When heat exchange is required, the seawater in the water tank is introduced into the oil tank to exchange heat with the hydraulic oil.

[0011] Preferably, the system also includes a control unit, which monitors the oil temperature based on the temperature sensor. When the oil temperature is below 15°C, the control unit starts the oil temperature heater. When the oil temperature is above 60°C, the control unit opens the first regulating valve and closes the second regulating valve, allowing the hydraulic oil to be cooled by the radiator of the air cooler.

[0012] Preferably, the annular inner wall of the water tank and the shell of the oil tank are in contact, and the oil temperature heater is heated by an electric heating tube.

[0013] Preferably, an annular gap is provided between the annular inner wall of the water tank and the shell of the oil tank. The oil temperature heater adopts a heat pump cycle and is a condenser of the heat pump. The evaporator corresponding to the oil temperature heater is located in the water tank, and the cooling energy generated by the evaporator is introduced into the seawater in the water tank.

[0014] Preferably, when the temperature sensor in the oil tank detects that the oil temperature is higher than 50°C, the control unit controls the heat conduction mechanism to work, and introduces the heat conduction material into the annular gap, so that heat exchange occurs between the oil tank and the water tank.

[0015] Preferably, the hydraulic valve group includes a control valve group and a balance valve group. The control valve group includes one pressure regulating valve group, one main control valve group, one auxiliary control valve group, one emergency operation valve group, and one auxiliary valve group. The balance valve group includes two bell winch balance valve groups, two cable winch balance valve groups, two umbilical winch safety valve groups, and one folding arm balance valve group. Each valve group is connected to the electric pump unit through pipelines.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0017] First, this invention integrates an oil heater, an air cooler, and a seawater heat exchange system into the hydraulic power station, constructing a multi-path, dynamically switchable temperature control structure. This structure automatically activates heating or cooling circuits based on changes in hydraulic oil temperature, ensuring the oil temperature remains within a set range. This effectively prevents hydraulic oil deterioration and system efficiency reduction due to excessively high oil temperatures, or oil suction difficulties and abnormal system startup due to excessively low oil temperatures, thus improving the operational stability of the hydraulic system under saturated underwater high-pressure environments. Second, this invention utilizes readily available seawater resources in the marine environment where the ship is located. It incorporates a water tank and seawater heat exchange pipes arranged around the oil tank, combined with natural cold sources to treat the hydraulic oil. This breaks through the traditional hydraulic system's reliance on air coolers for cooling, not only improving cooling efficiency but also reducing energy consumption dependence on the fan system. It exhibits excellent energy utilization and environmental adaptability, making it particularly suitable for the high-temperature, high-humidity, and enclosed space of shipboard container environments. Furthermore, by incorporating spray pipes and universal nozzles, this invention enables directional spray cooling of the motor section of air-cooled radiators or electric pump units. Under extreme conditions, it allows for rapid, localized cooling of critical components, helping to prevent overheating failure, extending the lifespan of system components, and enhancing the safety and reliability of equipment during continuous high-load operation. In addition, by establishing an annular gap between the oil tank and water tank that can be filled with thermally conductive material, and utilizing a heat pump cycle for bidirectional heating and cooling regulation, this invention further enhances the controllability of heat exchange and the system's integration. This allows the temperature control system to not only switch between heating and cooling functions at different stages but also improve heat transfer efficiency and system energy-saving effects, demonstrating high engineering applicability and technological promotion value. Attached Figure Description

[0018] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0019] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the hydraulic power station shown in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the oil tank and water tank according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a top view of the oil tank and water tank according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the oil tank and water tank according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a top view of the oil tank and water tank according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Reference numerals: 1-Oil tank; 101-Oil suction port; 102-Temperature sensor; 2-Electric pump unit; 201-Second water collection tray; 3-Hydraulic valve group; 4-Air cooler; 401-Fan; 402-Radiator; 403-First water collection tray; 5-Bypass pipeline; 6-First regulating valve; 7-Second regulating valve; 8-Oil temperature heater; 9-Water tank; 901-Water inlet; 902-Water outlet; 903-Water return outlet; 904-Drain outlet; 10-Spray pipeline; 11-Universal nozzle; 12-Seawater purifier; 13-Seawater heat exchange tube; 14-Annular gap. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only. In the description of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or implying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, unless otherwise stated, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; "multiple" means two or more. The term "comprising" and any variations thereof mean non-exclusive inclusion, where one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components, and / or combinations thereof may be present or added.

[0026] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections via an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. All technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0028] Please see Figure 1-5 This embodiment provides a hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system. The hydraulic power station is installed in a container on the deck and provides hydraulic power for the lifting and lowering device of the diving bell in the saturation diving system. The hydraulic power station is installed in a container on the deck, which facilitates overall transportation, centralized layout and system integration. It helps to improve equipment deployment efficiency and adaptability to the marine environment, and solves the need for high-response and high-reliability hydraulic power supply during the lifting and lowering of the diving bell. It is a core supporting equipment for saturation diving operations.

[0029] The hydraulic power unit comprises an oil tank 1, an electric pump unit 2, a hydraulic valve group 3, and an air cooler 4 connected in sequence. The oil tank 1 stores and buffers hydraulic oil; the hydraulic oil can be No. 46 low-temperature anti-wear hydraulic oil. The electric pump unit 2 pressurizes and delivers the hydraulic oil. The hydraulic valve group 3 controls the flow direction and pressure of the oil, enabling drive control of multiple operating units. The air cooler 4 cools the returning high-temperature hydraulic oil, ensuring system temperature stability under high load conditions. The air cooler 4 includes a fan 401 and a radiator 402. The airflow from the fan 401 flows through the radiator 402 to the electric pump unit 2. The fan 401 enhances the heat exchange efficiency between the radiator 402 and the outside air through forced airflow. The airflow further flows to the electric pump unit 2 for surface cooling of the motor components, improving equipment operational stability. A bypass pipe 5 is connected in parallel to the air cooler 4. A first regulating valve 6 is installed at the inlet end of the air cooler 4, and a second regulating valve 7 is installed on the bypass pipe 5. The switching between the air-cooled circuit and the bypass circuit is achieved by setting the first regulating valve 6 and the second regulating valve 7. When the hydraulic oil temperature is low, the air-cooled path can be closed and the bypass pipeline 5 can be opened to allow the oil to flow directly and accelerate the system response speed. When the oil temperature rises, the first regulating valve 6 opens and the second regulating valve 7 closes, guiding the oil through the radiator 402 for cooling. An oil temperature heater 8 is installed at the bottom of the oil tank 1 near the oil inlet 101, which can preferentially heat the hydraulic oil drawn in during the low-temperature start-up stage, improve the start-up efficiency and reduce low-temperature wear. A temperature sensor 102 is installed inside the oil tank 1 to monitor the oil temperature in the oil tank 1 in real time, providing a basis for temperature control.

[0030] A water tank 9 is arranged around the lower outer side of the oil tank 1. The water tank 9 stores seawater, which can exchange heat with the hydraulic oil in the oil tank 1. The water tank 9 includes an inlet 901 and an outlet 902. The surrounding arrangement of the water tank 9 not only results in a compact structure but also a large heat exchange area. The seawater, as a natural cold source, flows through the water tank 9 and exchanges heat with the oil, effectively reducing the oil temperature. The seawater in the water tank 9 can also serve as a cold and heat storage medium, possessing excellent heat capacity regulation capabilities. By absorbing or releasing heat, it balances the system temperature, effectively mitigating oil temperature fluctuations in the oil tank 1 and improving the stability of the temperature control system. At the same time, the surrounding water tank structure saves space and forms a buffer support ring for the oil tank 1, providing a certain degree of anti-sway effect and enhancing the equipment's resistance to turbulence, adapting to the complex working conditions of ships or floating platforms. The water tank 9 can be constructed using corrosion-resistant composite materials or with an inner wall coated with a salt-resistant coating to prevent long-term corrosion of the metal structure by salt and chloride ions in seawater.

[0031] Furthermore, the inlet 901 of water tank 9 is connected to the drainage pipe of the diving bell or to seawater drawn from the ocean. This allows for on-site recovery of seawater discharged during operations, reducing external water intake time and improving system response efficiency. Alternatively, seawater can be directly drawn from the ocean as a natural cold source, enabling continuous replenishment of the cooling medium. The outlet 902 of water tank 9 is connected to the spray pipe 10, guiding the seawater in water tank 9 to the spray system for subsequent spray cooling, thus forming a water circulation path. A universal nozzle is installed at the end of the spray pipe 10. The spray pipe 10 delivers water to the directionally adjustable nozzle structure. The universal nozzle 11 is located between the radiator 402 and the electric pump unit 2, and can selectively spray seawater towards the radiator 402 or the motor section of the electric pump unit 2. The universal nozzle 11 enables targeted cooling of key heat-generating components. When the ambient temperature or load is high, the spray direction can be switched to enhance the heat exchange effect and prevent local overheating from causing failure. A seawater purifier 12 is installed on the spray pipe 10 to filter corrosive components in the seawater. The seawater purifier 12 pre-treats the spray water, effectively removing salt, particles, or corrosive ions from the seawater, avoiding crystallization or corrosion deposits on the surface of the air-cooled radiator 402 and the motor housing, and extending the service life of the equipment.

[0032] In addition, a first water collection tray 403 is provided at the bottom of the radiator 402. The first water collection tray 403 is used to collect seawater flowing down from the surface of the radiator 402 after spray cooling, preventing seawater from dripping randomly and affecting other equipment, and facilitating unified recycling. A second water collection tray 201 is provided at the bottom of the motor section of the electric pump unit 2. The second water collection tray 201 is used to collect seawater that falls on the surface of the motor housing during spraying, preventing water accumulation and corrosion of the bottom of the motor and ensuring electrical safety. The seawater from the first water collection tray 403 and the second water collection tray 201 is collected at the return water inlet 903 of the water tank 9. The collected seawater can flow back into the water tank 9 to form a circulation path, improving the efficiency of water resource utilization and reducing the energy consumption of the entire temperature control system.

[0033] It should be noted that under normal operating conditions, it is not necessary to spray the radiator 402 and the motor section of the electric pump unit 2. The conventional cooling requirements of the hydraulic oil can be met by the fan 401 and radiator 402 in the air cooler 4 alone. Heat exchange is carried out by natural airflow or forced air supply, and the system operates stably with low energy consumption. The spray structure is mainly used for auxiliary cooling under extreme conditions, such as high ambient temperature, continuous high load operation, or reduced air cooling efficiency. The universal nozzles 11 spray key parts in a directional manner, which effectively improves heat dissipation efficiency, prevents local overheating, and ensures that the hydraulic power station can still operate safely and reliably in complex marine environments.

[0034] In this embodiment, the selection of radiator 402 and its thermal performance parameters are designed and verified based on the thermal characteristics of hydraulic oil and the actual heat dissipation requirements of the system. The inlet and outlet oil temperature difference of radiator 402 can be estimated using the following formula:

[0035] ΔT=Q / (V oil ×ρ×C p )

[0036] in:

[0037] ΔT represents the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet oil of the radiator, in degrees Celsius (°C).

[0038] Q represents the actual heat dissipation of the radiator, measured in watts (W).

[0039] V oil The volumetric flow rate of the oil is expressed in cubic meters per second (m³). 3 / s;

[0040] ρ is the density of the hydraulic oil, in kg / m³. 3 In this embodiment, ρ = 900 kg / m 3 ;

[0041] C pC represents the specific heat capacity of the hydraulic oil, expressed in J / (kg·℃). In this embodiment, C = 2000 J / (kg·℃).

[0042] Based on the actual application requirements of this hydraulic system, the required heat dissipation capacity is determined to be 100kW. Under the above parameter conditions, the calculated oil temperature difference ΔT between the radiator inlet and outlet is approximately 11℃, which meets the system's requirements for temperature control response speed and steady-state temperature control.

[0043] In this embodiment, a drain outlet 904 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 9. The drain outlet 904 is used to regulate the water storage volume in the water tank 9. When the oil temperature is too low, some seawater can be discharged through the drain outlet 904 to reduce the heat capacity of the water tank and avoid over-cooling that could lead to system startup difficulties. When the water temperature in the water tank 9 does not meet the cooling or heat exchange requirements, high-temperature or low-temperature seawater can also be discharged in time through the drain outlet 904, and new seawater can be introduced through the inlet to maintain stable heat exchange efficiency. In one embodiment, when the oil temperature in the oil tank 1 exceeds a set value, such as 40°C, the water tank 9 can be filled with seawater. The water tank 9 is also connected to several sets of seawater heat exchange pipes 13, which are immersed inside the oil tank 1. When heat exchange is required, for example, when the oil temperature in the oil tank 1 exceeds 50°C, the seawater in the water tank 9 is introduced into the oil tank 1 to exchange heat with the hydraulic oil. The seawater heat exchange tube 13 passes through the inner cavity of the oil tank 1 and extends into the hydraulic oil but does not directly contact it. Heat transfer is achieved only through the tube wall, thus avoiding the risk of seawater contamination of the hydraulic oil and ensuring oil cleanliness. The arrangement of the seawater heat exchange tube 13 is flexible and can be configured in multiple points or groups according to the spatial structure of the oil tank 1. Those skilled in the art can select an appropriate method to achieve efficient heat exchange based on actual layout requirements.

[0044] This embodiment also includes a control unit. The control unit monitors the oil temperature based on the temperature sensor 102. By receiving the hydraulic oil temperature data collected by the temperature sensor 102 in real time, the control unit can automatically adjust the current operating condition and control strategy. The temperature sensor 102 is installed inside the oil tank 1 and can accurately reflect the temperature rise trend of the oil, providing a precise basis for the control logic. When the oil temperature is below 15°C, the oil temperature heater 8 is activated to avoid difficulties in low-temperature oil suction or delayed start-up, improving the system's adaptability and reliability in low-temperature environments. When the temperature exceeds 30°C, the oil temperature heater 8 is automatically stopped to avoid system fluctuations caused by overheating. When the oil temperature exceeds 60℃, the first regulating valve 6 is opened and the second regulating valve 7 is closed. The first regulating valve 6 is connected to the oil inlet of the air cooler 4, and the second regulating valve 7 is located on the bypass pipe 5. By switching the control, the hydraulic oil flows to the air-cooling circuit, allowing the hydraulic oil to be cooled by the radiator 402 of the air cooler 4. The fan 401 works simultaneously to blow cold air across the radiator 402, quickly removing excess heat from the hydraulic oil, thereby controlling the oil temperature within the set range and preventing overheating that could lead to a decrease in system performance or aging of the hydraulic oil. In an optional embodiment, the hydraulic system can be equipped with a high-temperature protection strategy. When the oil temperature in the oil tank 1 continues to rise and exceeds the temperature threshold, such as 70℃, and it is determined that the temperature is still rising, the control unit will automatically enter the emergency mode. Emergency cooling will be performed by forcibly opening the spray pipe 10 and fully opening the water tank heat exchange pipe 13, etc. At the same time, an alarm signal will be issued to prompt manual intervention, ensuring that the system does not fail due to overheating.

[0045] Please see Figure 2-3 In one embodiment, the annular inner wall of the water tank 9 is in contact with the shell of the oil tank 1. The water tank 9 is arranged in a surrounding structure to fit the outer wall of the oil tank 1, which saves space in terms of layout while forming a stable surrounding support. This helps to reduce the relative displacement of the oil tank 1 during the ship's rolling process, and improves the system's anti-interference ability and overall rigidity. The contact structure also facilitates the direct conduction of heat between the water tank 9 and the oil tank 1, eliminating the need for intermediate media or heat exchange components, making the heat exchange process more efficient and reliable. The annular water tank 9 ensures a large contact area on the outer surface of the oil tank 1, enabling uniform heat transfer within a circumferential range, avoiding local overcooling or overheating, and helping to maintain the overall stability of the hydraulic oil temperature. The oil temperature heater 8 uses an electric heating tube. As a mature and reliable heating element, the electric heating tube can achieve continuous and stable heating output. It has a simple structure and fast response speed, and is suitable for rapid heating when the oil temperature is below the normal operating range, ensuring that the hydraulic oil maintains a suitable viscosity in low-temperature environments, and improving the starting efficiency and operational stability of the entire hydraulic system.

[0046] In this embodiment, to meet the preheating requirements of the hydraulic oil before startup, the heating capacity of the electric heating element can be estimated using the following formula:

[0047] N = C × ρ × V × ΔQ / T

[0048] in:

[0049] N represents the heating capacity of the electric heating element, measured in watts (W).

[0050] C is the specific heat capacity of the hydraulic oil, ranging from 1680 to 2094 J / (kg·℃). In this embodiment, C can be taken as 2000 J / (kg·℃).

[0051] ρ is the density of the hydraulic oil, taken as ρ = 900 kg / m³ 3 ;

[0052] V represents the volume of hydraulic oil in the tank, which in this embodiment is 1500L (i.e., 1.5m³). 3 );

[0053] ΔQ is the temperature rise required for heating, which is set to 12°C in this embodiment;

[0054] T represents the heating time, which is 2 hours (i.e., 7200 seconds).

[0055] Substituting the values ​​into the calculation, we get:

[0056] N=2000×900×1.5×12 / 7200≈4500W;

[0057] Considering the thermal efficiency η of the electric heating element, let η = 0.8, then the required electric power P of the electric heating element is:

[0058] P = N / η = 4500 / 0.8 = 5625W

[0059] Based on the above calculation results, in order to ensure that the oil temperature reaches the preset value within a limited time, this embodiment selects two AC380V electric heaters with a rated power of 3kW for configuration. This not only meets the overall heating capacity requirements, but also facilitates the layout and control, and has good engineering adaptability.

[0060] Please see Figure 4-5In another embodiment, an annular gap 14 is provided between the annular inner wall of the water tank 9 and the shell of the oil tank 1. The annular gap 14 effectively separates the oil tank 1 from the water tank 9 structurally. When the hydraulic oil does not need cooling, no heat exchange occurs between the seawater and the oil tank 1, avoiding unnecessary heat loss or overcooling, forming a controllable heat exchange logic. This design realizes dynamic isolation and precise activation of the cooling path. The oil temperature heater 8 adopts a heat pump cycle. A heat pump cycle is a closed-loop system that uses a compressor refrigerant to absorb heat at the cold end and release heat at the hot end, with advantages such as high energy efficiency and bidirectional temperature adjustment. The heat pump system includes four basic components: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The refrigerant is compressed, condensed, throttled, and evaporated in the loop in sequence, forming a continuous heat transfer process. In this embodiment, the oil temperature heater 8 is the condenser of the heat pump. The condenser is arranged at the bottom of the oil tank 1, which can release the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in the heat pump system to the oil tank 1, so that the hydraulic oil is heated and warmed up to meet the low-temperature start-up requirements. The evaporator corresponding to the oil temperature heater 8 is located in the water tank 9. The evaporator absorbs cold energy through heat exchange with the seawater in the water tank 9, forming a stable heat cycle. The cold energy generated by the evaporator is introduced into the seawater in the water tank 9, realizing the recovery and storage of cold energy. When the hydraulic oil temperature is rising, the system can first store the cold energy in the seawater in the water tank 9. When the oil temperature rises to the stage where cooling is required, the cold energy is reused through heat exchange between the water tank 9 and the oil tank 1, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving the overall efficiency of the temperature control system. In addition, the heat pump cycle can also be equipped with reversing control components such as a four-way valve to switch between cooling and heating modes under special operating conditions, enhancing the system's flexibility and fault adaptability. In this invention, when the air cooler fails, the control unit can switch the heat pump operation mode, so that the heater assembly, which was originally a condenser, works in an evaporation state, directly absorbing heat from the hydraulic oil in the oil tank and conducting the heat to the evaporator on the water tank side. At this time, the evaporator becomes a condenser, and the system heat is quickly released through seawater heat exchange, realizing direct cooling of the hydraulic oil and improving the reliability of temperature control in extreme environments.

[0061] In this embodiment, when the temperature sensor 102 in the oil tank 1 detects that the oil temperature is higher than 50°C, it is necessary to dissipate heat in time to avoid the deterioration of the oil performance. The control unit controls the heat conduction mechanism to work and introduce heat conduction material into the annular gap 14. After the heat conduction material fills the annular gap 14, effective thermal coupling between the oil tank 1 and the water tank 9 is achieved in the structure, so that heat exchange can be carried out between the oil tank 1 and the water tank 9. Seawater can absorb the heat of the hydraulic oil and realize the transfer of cold energy, thereby quickly reducing the oil temperature and ensuring that the hydraulic system is maintained within a safe and stable working range.

[0062] Specifically, the thermally conductive material can be a thermally conductive block, such as a thermally conductive block with graphene composite material as its core, which has excellent thermal conductivity and structural stability, making it suitable for rapid heat transfer within a limited space. The thermally conductive block is inserted into the annular gap 14 via a mechanical structure. For example, the thermally conductive block can be driven by an electric screw mechanism, establishing a direct thermal connection channel between the water tank 9 and the oil tank 1, forming an efficient heat exchange path. When cooling is needed, the thermally conductive block is inserted to activate the heat exchange function; when cooling is not needed, the thermally conductive block is removed, essentially realizing a controllable on / off thermal switch mechanism. This allows the system to flexibly adjust the heat exchange state under different operating conditions, improving the response capability and energy-saving effect of the temperature control system. The structural form of the thermally conductive material is not limited; other mechanisms with thermal conductivity can also be used to achieve heat exchange control. This is something that those skilled in the art can flexibly design according to specific application requirements, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0063] In this embodiment, the hydraulic valve group 3 includes a control valve group and a balance valve group. As the core regulating component of the hydraulic system, the hydraulic valve group 3 is responsible for the comprehensive control of the fluid pressure, flow rate, and direction, enabling precise scheduling of different actuators. The control valve group includes one pressure regulating valve group, one main control valve group, one secondary control valve group, one emergency operation valve group, and one auxiliary valve group. The pressure regulating valve group is used to stabilize the working pressure of the main circuit of the system and prevent pressure fluctuations from impacting the system. The main control valve group and the secondary control valve group are used for daily operation control and multi-circuit switching, respectively. The emergency operation valve group provides a manual switching channel in case of power failure or loss of control. The auxiliary valve group can be used for supplementary control of special functions, such as pressure compensation and flow regulation. The balancing valve assembly includes two bell winch balancing valve assemblies, two cable winch balancing valve assemblies, two umbilical winch safety valve assemblies, and one folding arm balancing valve assembly. The balancing valve assembly is primarily used for load holding and overload protection of external actuators. The bell winches and balancing valve assemblies are used in pairs to achieve smooth speed regulation and load positioning during hoisting. The cable winch balancing valve assembly controls cable tension to prevent impact loads. The umbilical winch safety valve assembly ensures system safety even under sudden force changes. The folding arm balancing valve assembly is used for balancing the folding arm mechanism to avoid return impact. Each valve assembly is connected to the electric pump unit 2 via pipelines. The electric pump unit 2 provides the system power source. The valve assembly, connected to it via pipelines, forms a closed hydraulic circuit, realizing a complete functional link from hydraulic pressurization and control to execution, ensuring stable operation and reliable response of the system in complex underwater operations.

[0064] In summary, this invention discloses a hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system. This hydraulic power station is installed in a container on a deck and includes an oil tank 1, an electric pump unit 2, a hydraulic valve group 3, and an air cooler 4 connected in sequence. The air cooler 4 includes a fan 401 and a radiator 402, and is connected in parallel with a bypass pipe 5. An oil temperature heater 8 and a temperature sensor 102 are installed at the bottom of the oil tank 1, and a water tank 9 is arranged around it. This invention integrates multiple functional paths such as air cooling, water cooling, heating, intelligent control, seawater utilization, and heat conduction switching to construct a multi-mode oil temperature control system that is fast-responding, precise in control, compact in structure, and highly adaptable. This effectively improves the thermal management capability of the hydraulic power station during saturation diving operations. The system can intelligently select the optimal heat dissipation mode according to the oil temperature state, ensuring long-term stable operation of the hydraulic system while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs, and avoiding performance degradation and failure risks caused by oil temperature fluctuations. This invention provides a specially optimized hydraulic temperature control solution for the characteristics of long operation time, high load, and complex environment in the saturation diving field, possessing strong engineering adaptability and promotional value. By innovatively integrating the air-cooling path, water tank structure, heat conduction components, and heat exchange methods, the safety, reliability, and intelligence of the hydraulic system in the deep-sea environment have been improved. This is of great significance for improving the localization level of saturation diving equipment and ensuring the safety of deep-sea operations.

[0065] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Under the concept of the present invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the present invention as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system, the hydraulic power station being installed in a container on a deck, providing hydraulic power for the hoisting device of the diving bell in a saturation diving system, characterized in that, The hydraulic power station includes an oil tank (1), an electric pump unit (2), a hydraulic valve group (3), and an air cooler (4) connected in sequence. The air cooler (4) includes a fan (401) and a radiator (402). The airflow from the fan (401) flows through the radiator (402) to the electric pump unit (2). The air cooler (4) is connected in parallel with a bypass pipe (5). A first regulating valve (6) is provided at the inlet end of the air cooler (4). A second regulating valve (7) is provided on the bypass pipeline (5). An oil temperature heater (8) is provided on the bottom of the oil tank (1) near the oil suction port (101). A temperature sensor (102) is provided inside the oil tank (1). A water tank (9) is arranged around the lower outer side of the oil tank (1). Seawater stored in the water tank (9) can exchange heat with the hydraulic oil in the oil tank (1). The water tank (9) includes an inlet (901) and an outlet (902).

2. The saturation diving hydraulic power station with a temperature control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet (901) of the water tank (9) is connected to the drainage pipe of the diving bell or to draw seawater from the ocean. The outlet (902) of the water tank (9) is connected to the spray pipe (10). A universal nozzle (11) is provided at the end of the spray pipe (10). The universal nozzle (11) is located between the radiator (402) and the electric pump unit (2). It can selectively spray seawater toward the motor part of the radiator (402) or the electric pump unit (2). A seawater purifier (12) is provided on the spray pipe (10) to filter corrosive components in the seawater.

3. The saturation diving hydraulic power station with a temperature control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The radiator (402) is provided with a first water collection plate (403) at the bottom, and the electric pump unit (2) is provided with a second water collection plate (201) at the bottom of the motor section. The seawater in the first water collection plate (403) and the second water collection plate (201) is collected at the return water inlet (903) of the water tank (9).

4. The saturation diving hydraulic power station with a temperature control system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom of the water tank (9) is provided with a drain outlet (904).

5. The saturation diving hydraulic power station with a temperature control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water tank (9) is also connected to several sets of seawater heat exchange pipes (13). The seawater heat exchange pipes (13) are immersed in the oil tank (1). When heat exchange is required, the seawater in the water tank (9) is introduced into the oil tank (1) to exchange heat with the hydraulic oil.

6. The saturation diving hydraulic power station with a temperature control system according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a control unit, which monitors the oil temperature based on the temperature sensor (102). When the oil temperature is below 15°C, it controls the oil temperature heater (8) to start. When the oil temperature is above 60°C, it controls the first regulating valve (6) to open and the second regulating valve (7) to close, so that the hydraulic oil can be cooled by the radiator (402) of the air cooler (4).

7. The saturation diving hydraulic power station with a temperature control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The annular inner wall of the water tank (9) is in contact with the shell of the oil tank (1), and the oil temperature heater (8) is heated by an electric heating tube.

8. The hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, An annular gap (14) is provided between the annular inner wall of the water tank (9) and the shell of the oil tank (1). The oil temperature heater (8) adopts a heat pump cycle. The oil temperature heater (8) is the condenser of the heat pump. The evaporator corresponding to the oil temperature heater (8) is located in the water tank (9). The cooling energy generated by the evaporator is introduced into the seawater in the water tank (9).

9. The hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the temperature sensor (102) in the oil tank (1) detects that the oil temperature is higher than 50°C, the control unit controls the heat conduction mechanism to work and introduce the heat conduction material into the annular gap (14) so ​​that heat exchange occurs between the oil tank (1) and the water tank (9).

10. The hydraulic power station for saturation diving equipped with a temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydraulic valve group (3) includes a control valve group and a balance valve group. The control valve group includes a pressure regulating valve group, a main control valve group, a secondary control valve group, an emergency operation valve group, and an auxiliary valve group. The balance valve group includes two bell winch balance valve groups, two cable winch balance valve groups, two umbilical winch safety valve groups, and one folding arm balance valve group. Each valve group is connected to the electric pump unit (2) through pipelines.

Citation Information

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