A wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform, comprising a cylinder, a vent pipe, a damping hole, a signal generator, a guide rod, and a float. The signal generator comprises a first signal generator, a second signal generator, and a third signal generator. The cylinder is disposed on the floating platform, the vent pipe is disposed above the cylinder and communicates with an inner cavity within the cylinder, the damping hole is disposed at the bottom of the cylinder, the guide rod is disposed in the inner cavity, the first to third signal generators are disposed sequentially on the inner wall of the cylinder from top to bottom, the first to third signal generators are spaced apart and located on one side of the guide rod, the float is disposed on the guide rod, the float slides relative to the guide rod, and a trigger is provided on the float. The present invention can reduce the impact of waves on detection accuracy and improve detection accuracy; its structure is relatively simple, the equipment has good waterproof performance, and its service life is effectively extended; it can realize automatic control of lifting and lowering, and improve the automation level of the floating platform.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of offshore floating platforms, and in particular to a wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform. Background Art

[0002] Existing non-contact water level detection methods include laser, radar, and ultrasound. Laser measurement is a laser sensor based on the principle of optical detection. It detects by reflecting light from the surface of an object to a receiver. However, when detecting liquids, the liquid easily refracts the light, resulting in the light not being reflected to the receiver. The principle of ultrasonic detection is to calculate the liquid level by detecting the time difference between the transmission and reflection of the ultrasonic wave, so it is easily affected by the energy loss of ultrasonic propagation. The principle of radar detection is to calculate the liquid level by detecting the time difference between the transmission and reflection of the electromagnetic wave. When the above-mentioned detection methods are used on offshore floating platforms, their detection accuracy will be affected by waves. At the same time, their waterproof performance is poor. Since offshore floating platforms need to dive to avoid risks in high sea conditions, the detection equipment is easily damaged. In addition, the hydrodynamic response of the floating platform causes frequent signal generation and frequent floating and sinking control. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform, which can reduce the influence of waves on detection accuracy and facilitate lifting control.

[0004] The specific technical solution is as follows: A wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform, including a cylinder, a vent pipe, a damping hole, a signal generator, a guide rod and a float, the signal generator including a first signal generator, a second signal generator, and a third signal generator, the cylinder is arranged on the floating platform, the vent pipe is arranged above the cylinder and is connected to the inner cavity inside the cylinder, the damping hole is arranged at the bottom of the cylinder, the guide rod is arranged in the inner cavity, the first to third signal generators are arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder from top to bottom, the first to third signal generators are arranged at intervals and are located on one side of the guide rod, the float is arranged on the guide rod, the float slides relative to the guide rod, and a trigger is provided on the float.

[0005] The following are the subsidiary technical solutions of the present invention.

[0006] As a preferred solution, the wave-proof lifting control device of the semi-submersible floating platform includes a controller, and the first to third signal generators communicate with the controller respectively.

[0007] As a preferred solution, the wave-proof lifting control device of the semi-submersible floating platform includes an actuator, which is electrically connected to the controller.

[0008] As a preferred solution, the first signal generator is set at the upper limit, the third signal generator is set at the lower limit, and the second signal generator is set in the middle of the first and third signal generators. When the second signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator stops; when the float rises to the point where the first signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator causes the floating platform to rise; when the float drops to the point where the third signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator causes the floating platform to drop.

[0009] As a preferred solution, the first signal generator, the second signal generator and the third signal generator are the same signal generator.

[0010] As a preferred solution, the signal generator is a reed switch or a proximity switch.

[0011] As a preferred solution, the vent pipe has an opening, and the opening faces the water surface.

[0012] As a preferred solution, the vent pipe is L-shaped.

[0013] As a preferred solution, the wave-proof lifting control device of the semi-submersible floating platform includes a regulating valve, which is connected to the inner cavity of the cylinder, and the damping hole is set on the regulating valve.

[0014] As a preferred solution, the number of the signal generators is greater than three.

[0015] Technical effects of the present invention: The wave-proof lifting control device of a semi-submersible floating platform of the present invention can reduce the impact of waves on detection accuracy and improve detection accuracy; at the same time, its structure is relatively simple, the equipment has good waterproof performance, and its service life is effectively extended; in addition, its lifting control is convenient, and it can realize automatic control of lifting and lowering, thereby improving the degree of automation of the floating platform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of a wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a floating platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a tension leg anchor system of a floating platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a system architecture diagram of a wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The essential features and advantages of the present invention are further described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the examples listed.

[0021] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform in this embodiment includes a cylinder 1, a vent pipe 2, a damping orifice 3, a signal generator, a third signal generator 6, a guide rod 7, and a float 8. The signal generator includes a first signal generator 4 and a second signal generator 5. The cylinder 1 is mounted on a floating platform 10, and the vent pipe 2 is positioned above the cylinder 1 and communicates with an inner cavity 11 within the cylinder. The damping orifice 3 is located at the bottom of the cylinder, and the guide rod 7 is located within the inner cavity 11. The first to third signal generators are sequentially arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder 1 from top to bottom, spaced apart and located on one side of the guide rod 7. The float 8 is mounted on the guide rod 7 and slides relative to the guide rod. A trigger 9 is provided on the float. In the above technical solution, the floating platform 10 floats on the sea surface. When affected by waves or changes in sea level, seawater can flow in and out of the cylinder through the damping orifice 3, causing the float to change position. The first to third signal generators can sense the trigger on the float, thereby detecting the water surface position. By providing a vent pipe 2, the air pressure inside the cylinder is kept in balance with atmospheric pressure. This technical solution reduces the amplitude of water surface fluctuations inside the cylinder through the damping hole, prolonging the response of the device to water surface changes, and reducing the degradation of water level detection accuracy caused by frequent sea wave fluctuations and platform oscillation. Figure 1 The wavy lines on both sides of the middle cylinder represent waves, and the dotted line inside the cylinder represents the water surface inside the cylinder.

[0022] In this embodiment, the wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform includes a controller 20, with first through third signal generators communicating with the controller. After detecting a signal, the first through third signal generators transmit the signal to the controller, enabling the controller to determine the float's position. Communication between the signal generators and the controller can utilize conventional wireless or wired communication methods. Wireless communication can utilize existing communication technologies such as wireless networks, 2.4G wireless modules, and 433M wireless modules, while wired communication can utilize existing technologies such as optical cables. The controller can be mounted on the cylinder.

[0023] In this embodiment, the wave-proof lifting control device of the semi-submersible floating platform includes an actuator 40, which is electrically connected to the controller 20. After receiving the signal from the signal generator, the controller controls the actuator 40 to lift the floating platform.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first signal generator 4 is set at the upper limit, the third signal generator 6 is set at the lower limit, and the second signal generator 5 is located between the first and third signal generators. When the second signal generator 5 senses the float signal, the actuator stops; when the float rises to the point where the first signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator causes the floating platform to rise; when the float descends to the point where the third signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator causes the floating platform to descend. Through the above technical solution, when the water surface outside the cylinder changes, the float rises and falls. When the float rises to the upper limit, the controller controls the actuator to cause the floating platform to rise to adapt to the water surface change. When the float descends to the lower limit, the controller controls the actuator to cause the floating platform to descend to adapt to the water surface change.

[0025] In this embodiment, the actuator is a tension leg anchor system, a ballast water control system, or an air inflation and deflation control system. A tension leg anchor system, which uses tension legs to raise and lower a platform, is a conventional technology. It includes a cable 401 and a fixed pulley 402. A winch 403 drives the cable to extend and retract, raising and lowering the floating platform. For example, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN107140126A discloses a tension leg system. When the cable is retracted or extended, the winch is driven by a motor. A controller sends signals to the motor, controlling the motor's forward and reverse rotation, thereby retracting or extending the cable. When the cable is released, the distance between the floating platform 10 and the fixed anchor 404 increases, causing the floating platform to rise under the action of buoyancy. When the cable is tightened, the distance between the floating platform 10 and the fixed anchor decreases, causing the floating platform 10 to descend. The floating platform 10 is provided with buoyancy by the buoyant body 101. The actuator used in this embodiment is a tension leg anchor system.

[0026] The ballast water control system, which controls the ballast water level within the floating platform's buoyancy, enables the platform to be raised and lowered. This technology is currently available, with patents CN107618620A and CN107380368A disclosing related technical content. In this embodiment, a controller controls a water pump to pump ballast water into or out of the buoyancy, thereby changing the ballast water level and raising and lowering the floating platform.

[0027] The inflation and deflation control system is an existing technology that controls the amount of gas in the float to change the volume of the float, change the buoyancy, and realize the lifting and lowering of the floating platform. The controller can control the operation of the air pump to achieve inflation or deflation.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first signal generator 4, the second signal generator 5 and the third signal generator 6 are the same signal generator (model). The signal generator is a reed switch or a proximity switch. The trigger 9 can be a magnet. When the trigger approaches the reed switch, the reed switch generates a signal. Specifically, a signal processing module is provided in the signal generator. After the signal processing module receives the signal from the proximity switch, it sends a signal through the wireless module. The controller and the signal processing module are composed of an Arduino nano microcontroller and an ESP8266 wireless module. Arduino nano is a miniature version of the Arduino USB interface. Its processor core is ATmega328, with 14 digital I / O ports, 8 analog inputs, 1 16MHz crystal oscillator, 1 mini-B USB port, 1 ICSP header and 1 reset button.

[0029] In this embodiment, the vent pipe 2 has an opening 21, and the opening 21 faces the water surface, thereby preventing water from entering the cylinder through the vent pipe. In this embodiment, the vent pipe is L-shaped.

[0030] In this embodiment, the wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform includes a regulating valve 30, which is connected to the inner cavity of the cylinder 1 and has a damping orifice disposed on the regulating valve. The regulating valve can control the size of the damping orifice, thereby adjusting the fluid exchange rate between the inner cavity of the cylinder and the exterior.

[0031] In this embodiment, the number of the signal generators is greater than three, so that more sinking and floating positions of the floating platform can be controlled.

[0032] The wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform of this embodiment can reduce the impact of waves on detection accuracy and improve detection accuracy; at the same time, its structure is relatively simple, the equipment has good waterproof performance, and its service life is effectively extended; in addition, its lifting control is convenient and can realize automatic control of lifting and lowering, thereby improving the degree of automation of the floating platform.

[0033] It should be noted that the above preferred embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical concepts and features of the present invention. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the contents of the present invention and implement them accordingly. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention are intended to be encompassed within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wave-proof lifting control device for a semi-submersible floating platform, characterized in that: It includes a cylinder, a vent pipe, a damping hole, a signal generator, a guide rod and a float. The signal generator includes a first signal generator, a second signal generator and a third signal generator. The cylinder is arranged on a floating platform. The vent pipe is arranged above the cylinder and communicates with the inner cavity inside the cylinder. The damping hole is arranged at the bottom of the cylinder. The guide rod is arranged in the inner cavity. The first to third signal generators are arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder from top to bottom. The first to third signal generators are arranged at intervals and are located on one side of the guide rod. The float is arranged on the guide rod. The float slides relative to the guide rod. A trigger is provided on the float. The wave-proof lifting control device of the semi-submersible floating platform includes a controller, and the first to third signal generators communicate with the controller respectively. The wave-proof lifting control device of the semi-submersible floating platform includes an actuator, which is electrically connected to the controller. The first signal generator is set at the upper limit, the third signal generator is set at the lower limit, and the second signal generator is set in the middle of the first and third signal generators. When the second signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator stops; when the float rises to the point where the first signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator causes the floating platform to rise; when the float falls to the point where the third signal generator senses the float signal, the actuator causes the floating platform to fall. The first signal generator, the second signal generator and the third signal generator are the same signal generator.

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