A balanced side-push hole plugging device and a plugging method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a balanced side thrust hole plugging device, in which an airbag compartment is separated by an inner grid and an outer grid on both sides of a side thrust pipe tunnel; an airbag is arranged in the airbag compartment, and the airbag is connected to a pressure gas source through a vent pipe; the side thrust pipe tunnel is provided with a pressure water inlet and a pressure water pressure relief outlet; the pressure of the pressure water is greater than the pressure of the pressure gas source; the airbag compartment extends upward to outside the radial range of the side thrust pipe tunnel, and with the change of the air pressure in the airbag, the airbag can be contracted to outside the radial range of the side thrust pipe tunnel or open and plug the side thrust pipe tunnel. The present invention uses an airbag to plug the side thrust hole, has a high degree of linear fit to the hull, uses compressed air for filling and discharging, has minimal obstruction to the side thrust pipe tunnel, and has no protrusions outside the shipboard, which will not affect other operations such as pulling / anchoring; at the same time, the external forces on the port and starboard sides can be directly transmitted to the other side, which plays a good balancing role, and does not need to set up a fixed reinforcement device on the ship.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a balanced thrust hole plugging device, which is aimed at the thrust holes on ships and relates to ships equipped with bow thrusters, stern thrusters, thrusters for dynamic positioning, etc., belonging to the technical field of ship design. Background Art

[0002] The use of thrusters can effectively improve the maneuverability and turning characteristics of ships, allowing ships to change their attitude without ruddering or when the rudder is ineffective at low speeds. They can also be used to achieve dynamic positioning at sea, so they are widely used in various types of ships. Since the pipe tunnel of the thruster runs through the hull, large-diameter holes are opened on the hull outer plates on both sides. These holes will destroy the streamline of the hull, causing the hull resistance to increase, and will reduce the speed of the ship at the same propulsion power, or require more propulsion power at the same speed, thereby increasing the fuel consumption of the ship, which has a negative impact on the speed and economy of the ship.

[0003] At present, the side thrust hole plugging technology has also been developed in the existing technology, and actual products have been applied to operating ships. The existing side thrust hole plugging technology mainly includes grille shutter type and cover plate type, and their driving principles are similar. Generally, the hydraulic drive device drives the blades or cover plates through one or more rotating shafts to realize the opening and closing of the side thrust hole plugging state, and the position of the blades or cover plates is fixed by a mechanical locking device. There are the following shortcomings:

[0004] 1) Since the shaft needs to pass through the thruster tunnel to connect the blades or cover plates, the shaft needs to be watertightened with seals at the tunnel to prevent water in the tunnel from flowing into the thruster cabin. It is difficult to ensure the sealing effect and reliability.

[0005] 2) Since the blades or cover plates are turned on the spot by the shaft to open or close, when the thruster is working, the blades or cover plates are located in the tunnel, which will block the water flow of the thruster to a certain extent, thereby affecting the efficiency of the thruster.

[0006] 3) When the blades or cover plates are in a horizontal position, a small part of the blades or cover plates may protrude from the hull, which is not very safe. Summary of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a balanced side thrust hole sealing device, which uses an air bag to seal the side thrust hole, has a high degree of fit to the linear shape of the hull, uses compressed air for filling and discharging, has minimal obstruction to the side thrust pipe tunnel, and has no protrusions outside the ship, and will not affect other operations such as pulling / dropping anchors; the external forces on the port and starboard sides can be directly transmitted to the other side, which plays a good balancing role and does not need to be equipped with additional fixed reinforcement devices on the ship; the injection and overflow ports of the working water are both provided with double-way valves, which effectively prevent the water in the side thrust pipe tunnel from accidentally entering the cabin.

[0008] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] A balanced side thrust hole plugging device, an airbag cabin 4 is separated by an inner grid 6 and an outer grid 9 on both sides of a side thrust tube tunnel 11; an airbag 5 is arranged in the airbag cabin 4, and the airbag 5 is connected to a pressure air source through a vent pipe; the side thrust tube tunnel 11 is provided with a pressure water inlet and a pressure water pressure relief outlet; the pressure of the pressure water is greater than the pressure of the pressure air source; the airbag cabin 4 extends upward to outside the radial range of the side thrust tube tunnel 11, and as the air pressure in the airbag 5 changes, the airbag 5 can shrink to outside the radial range of the side thrust tube tunnel 11 or expand and plug the side thrust tube tunnel 11.

[0010] Preferably, the outer grid 9 is contoured to the outer surface of the hull, and the inner grid 6 is perpendicular to the thrust tube tunnel 11 .

[0011] Preferably, the outer diameter of the upper portion of the airbag compartment 4 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the airbag 5 is connected to a pressure gas source via a hose, and the hose is located on the upper part of the airbag cabin 4 .

[0013] Furthermore, a cover plate and a sealing structure are provided at the upper end of the airbag compartment 4 .

[0014] Furthermore, the hose is connected to the airbag compartment valves V3 and V9, and the airbag compartment valves V3 and V9 are simultaneously connected to the air injection valves V1 and V11 for injecting compressed air and the exhaust valves V2 and V10 for discharging compressed air; the pressure water inlet of the side thrust tube tunnel 11 is provided with water injection valves V4 and V5, and the pressure water discharge outlet is provided with drainage valves V7 and V8.

[0015] Furthermore, a pressure sensor 7 is also provided on the side thrust tube tunnel 11 .

[0016] Furthermore, the hose is a stainless steel strong metal hose 1.

[0017] A balanced side-pushing hole plugging method, see Figure 1-Figure 3 , including the following three states:

[0018] The thrust hole is unobstructed: no compressed air and working water are allowed to pass through, the airbag is retracted to the upper part of the airbag compartment, and the thrust hole tunnel is completely unobstructed. Figure 1 As shown, in the unobstructed state, the thrust device can suck seawater from the thrust hole on one side and then discharge it from the thrust hole on the other side, thereby generating thrust on the hull.

[0019] The intermediate state of side thrust hole blocking: Compressed air is injected into the airbag to expand the airbag and fill the tunnel space where the airbag compartment is located. The inner and outer grilles completely confine the airbag in the airbag compartment. After the airbag compartment is full, close the V1, V3 valves and the V9, V11 valves, stop injecting compressed air, and proceed to the next stage.

[0020] Side push hole blocking status: Figure 3 As shown in the figure, after stopping the injection of compressed air, the working water starts to be injected into the thruster tunnel. The working water slowly presses the airbag to the side. When the pressure in the thruster tunnel exceeds the set value of the V8 valve, the working water overflows from the V8 valve. At the same time, the pressure sensor measures the corresponding pressure and issues an alarm. The crew stops injecting working water into the thruster tunnel based on the information. At this time, the thruster hole meets the plugging requirements, and the airbag has been compressed to fit the hull line shape, eliminating the destructive effect of the thruster hole on the hull line shape and reducing the hull resistance.

[0021] It should be noted that the compressed air pressure in the airbag is slightly lower than the working water pressure in the thruster tunnel. When the ship is sailing normally, the force acting on the airbag on the side of the thruster hole can be directly transmitted to the starboard side through the airbag and the working water in the thruster tunnel, and vice versa, so as to achieve a balanced effect. There is no need to install hydraulic or mechanical devices in the hull to withstand this part of the force.

[0022] When the airbag fails, just pull the airbag out from the removable cover and put in the spare airbag.

[0023] The compressed air can come from the existing compressed air system on board, and its pressure is determined by calculation according to the force acting at the side thrust hole when the ship is sailing; the working water can come from the fire water on board or other water sources with a certain pressure, and the required pressure is also determined by calculation.

[0024] The airbag is made of corrosion-resistant and pressure-resistant rubber products with strong plasticity, making it easy to fit the hull line.

[0025] The stainless steel metal hose is pressure-resistant and seawater-resistant, has certain flexibility and scalability, and can change with the airbag.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0027] 1) The airbag is used to seal the side thrust hole, which has a high degree of fit to the hull line shape. Compressed air is used for filling and discharging, which minimizes the obstruction to the side thrust tunnel, and there is no protrusion outside the side, which will not affect other operations such as pulling / dropping anchors;

[0028] 2) Inner and outer grilles are set on both sides of the airbag compartment, which can effectively restrain the airbag and have an ingenious design;

[0029] 3) The external forces on both sides of the ship can be directly transferred to the other side, which plays a good balancing role and does not require additional fixed reinforcement devices on the ship;

[0030] 4) Equipped with a removable cover, the airbag can be easily replaced at sea, and repair and maintenance are convenient;

[0031] 5) A pressure sensor is provided to effectively monitor the pressure in the thrust tunnel and give an alarm according to the preset pressure in the blocked state;

[0032] 6) The injection and overflow ports of working water are both set as double-way valves, which can effectively prevent the water in the thruster tunnel from entering the cabin accidentally;

[0033] 7) Both compressed air and working water can utilize the existing air and water sources on board, which is convenient for implementation;

[0034] 8) A stainless steel metal hose is installed in the airbag cabin, which is pressure-resistant and seawater-resistant, and has certain flexibility and scalability, is easy to implement, and has good reliability.

[0035] 9) The system is simple, without hydraulic devices, rotating shafts, locking devices and seals; the initial investment is small;

[0036] 10) Compared with louver or cover type, it has high linear fit and small installation space;

[0037] 11) Low cost and low failure rate;

[0038] 12) Easy maintenance, no need to dock, just need to trim the ship by the stern and adjust the draft of the bow thruster to be lower than the removable cover plate to quickly replace the airbag; installation and operation are simple;

[0039] 13) No risk of oil pollution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the balanced side-push hole plugging device of the present invention when the side-push hole is in an unobstructed state.

[0041] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the side push hole of the balanced side push hole plugging device of the present invention in the middle state.

[0042] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the balanced side-push hole plugging device of the present invention in the side-push hole plugging state.

[0043] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Center B view.

[0044] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Center A view.

[0045] In the figure, 1. stainless steel metal hose, 2. removable cover and bolts, 3. annular sealing ring, 4. airbag compartment, 5. airbag, 6. inner grille, 7. pressure sensor, 8. thrust device, 9. outer grille, 10. water in the thrust pipe, 11. thrust pipe tunnel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0047] See also Figure 1-Figure 3 A balanced side thrust hole plugging device, an airbag cabin 4 is separated by an inner grid 6 and an outer grid 9 on both sides of a side thrust tube tunnel 11; an airbag 5 is arranged in the airbag cabin 4, and the airbag 5 is connected with a pressure air source through a vent pipe; the side thrust tube tunnel 11 is provided with a pressure water inlet and a pressure water pressure relief outlet; the pressure of the pressure water is greater than the pressure of the pressure air source; the airbag cabin 4 extends upward to outside the radial range of the side thrust tube tunnel 11, and as the air pressure in the airbag 5 changes, the airbag 5 can shrink upward to outside the radial range of the side thrust tube tunnel 11 or block the side thrust tube tunnel 11 downward.

[0048] In this embodiment, see Figure 1-Figure 3 The outer grid 9 is contoured to the outer surface of the hull, and the inner grid 6 is perpendicular to the thrust tube tunnel 11.

[0049] In this embodiment, see Figure 1-Figure 3 , the outer diameter of the upper part of the airbag compartment 4 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower part.

[0050] In this embodiment, see Figure 2-Figure 3 The airbag 5 is connected to a pressure gas source through a hose, and the hose is located on the upper part of the airbag cabin 4.

[0051] In this embodiment, see Figure 1-Figure 3 A cover plate and a sealing structure are provided at the upper end of the airbag compartment 4.

[0052] In this embodiment, see Figure 1-Figure 3 The hose is connected to the airbag compartment valves V3 and V9, and the airbag compartment valves V3 and V9 are also connected to the injection valves V1 and V11 for injecting compressed air and the exhaust valves V2 and V10 for discharging compressed air; the pressure water inlet of the side thrust tube tunnel 11 is provided with injection valves V4 and V5, and the pressure water discharge outlet is provided with drainage valves V7 and V8.

[0053] In this embodiment, see Figure 1-Figure 3 The side thrust tube tunnel 11 is also provided with a pressure sensor 7 .

[0054] In this embodiment, the hose is a stainless steel strong metal hose 1.

[0055] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the balanced side thrust hole plugging device is composed of an airbag cabin 4, an airbag 5, a removable cover plate and bolts 2, an inner grille 6, an outer grille 9, an annular sealing ring 3, a stainless steel metal hose 1, a compressed air pipe and valve, a working water pipe and valve, a pressure sensor 7 and valve, etc. The side thrust hole has three states: unobstructed, blocked in the middle and blocked. The opening / closing conditions of each valve in different states are as follows:

[0056]

[0057]

[0058] Among them, V1 and V11, V2 and V10, V3 and V9 are all symmetrically arranged.

[0059] The three different states are as follows:

[0060] The thrust hole is unobstructed: no compressed air and working water are passed, the airbag is retracted to the upper part of the airbag compartment, and the thrust hole tunnel is completely unobstructed;

[0061] The intermediate state of the side thrust hole blocking: Compressed air is injected into the airbag to expand the airbag and fill the tunnel space where the airbag compartment is located. The inner and outer grilles completely confine the airbag in the airbag compartment. After the airbag compartment is full, stop injecting compressed air and proceed to the next stage.

[0062] Sealing status of the thrust hole: After stopping the injection of compressed air, start filling the thrust tunnel with working water. The working water presses the airbag to the side. When the pressure in the thrust tunnel exceeds the set value of the drainage pressure, the working water overflows from the drain port. At the same time, the pressure sensor measures the corresponding pressure and issues an alarm. The crew stops filling the thrust tunnel with working water based on the information. At this time, the thrust hole meets the sealing requirements and the airbag has been compressed to fit the line of the hull.

[0063] The compressed air pressure in the airbag is slightly lower than the working water pressure in the thruster tunnel. When the ship is sailing normally, the force acting on the side airbag of the thruster hole is transmitted through the airbag and the working water in the thruster tunnel. The force on the port side is directly transmitted to the starboard side, and vice versa, to achieve a balancing effect. No hydraulic or mechanical device is installed in the hull to withstand this part of the force.

[0064] When the airbag fails, the airbag is pulled out from the detachable cover of the airbag compartment 4, and then a spare airbag is put in;

[0065] The compressed air can come from the existing compressed air system on board, and its pressure is determined by calculation according to the force acting at the side thrust hole when the ship is sailing; the working water comes from the pressurized water source on board, and its required pressure is also determined by calculation; the airbag is made of corrosion-resistant and pressure-resistant rubber products.

[0066] In summary, the present invention mainly provides a balanced side thrust hole plugging device, which can plug the side thrust holes on the ship, reduce the adverse effects of the side thrust holes on the hull resistance, and reduce the main propulsion power required by the ship at the same speed, thereby achieving the purpose of energy saving. At the same time, by using airbags to plug the side thrust holes on both sides of the ship, the adaptability of the airbags to the hull line shape is utilized to improve the negative impact of the side thrust holes on the resistance; at the same time, water is injected into the side thrust pipe space between the two airbags to make the water pressure reach a certain level, so that when the ship is sailing, the external forces acting on the left and right plugging airbags can be offset by each other through the middle side thrust pipe water cavity, thereby achieving the purpose of balance.

[0067] The above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art may make various changes or improvements on this basis. Without departing from the general concept of the present invention, these changes or improvements should fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A balanced side-thrust hole plugging method, characterized in that: An airbag compartment (4) is separated on both sides of the side thrust tube tunnel (11) by an inner grid (6) and an outer grid (9); an airbag (5) is arranged in the airbag compartment (4), and the airbag (5) is connected to a pressure gas source through a vent pipe; the side thrust tube tunnel (11) is provided with a pressure water inlet and a pressure water pressure relief outlet; the pressure of the pressure water is greater than the pressure of the pressure gas source; the airbag compartment (4) extends outside the radial range of the side thrust tube tunnel (11), and as the air pressure in the airbag (5) changes, the airbag (5) can be retracted outside the radial range of the side thrust tube tunnel (11) or expanded to block the side thrust tube tunnel (11); The balanced side-push hole plugging method includes the following three states: The thrust hole is unobstructed: no compressed air and working water are allowed to pass through, the airbag is retracted to the upper part of the airbag compartment, and the thrust hole tunnel is completely unobstructed; The intermediate state of the side thrust hole blocking: Compressed air is injected into the airbag to expand the airbag and fill the tunnel space where the airbag compartment is located. The inner and outer grilles completely confine the airbag in the airbag compartment. After the airbag compartment is full, stop filling with compressed air and proceed to the next stage; Sealing status of the thrust hole: After stopping the injection of compressed air, start filling the thrust tunnel with working water. The working water presses the airbag to the side. When the pressure in the thrust tunnel exceeds the set value of the drainage pressure, the working water overflows from the drain port. At the same time, the pressure sensor measures the corresponding pressure and issues an alarm. The crew stops filling the thrust tunnel with working water based on the information. At this time, the thrust hole meets the sealing requirements and the airbag has been compressed to fit the line of the hull.

2. The balanced side-pushing hole plugging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compressed air pressure in the airbag is slightly lower than the working water pressure in the thruster tunnel. When the ship is sailing normally, the force acting on the side airbag of the thruster hole is transmitted through the airbag and the working water in the thruster tunnel. The force on the port side is directly transmitted to the starboard side, and vice versa, to achieve a balancing effect. No hydraulic or mechanical device is installed in the hull to withstand this part of the force.

3. The balanced side-thrust hole plugging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the airbag fails, the airbag is pulled out from the detachable cover plate of the airbag compartment (4) and then a spare airbag is put in.

4. The balanced side-pushing hole plugging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compressed air can come from the existing compressed air system on board, and its pressure is determined by calculation according to the force acting at the side thrust hole when the ship is sailing; the working water comes from the pressurized water source on board, and its required pressure is also determined by calculation; the airbag is made of corrosion-resistant and pressure-resistant rubber products.

5. The balanced side-pushing hole plugging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer grid (9) is contoured to the outer surface of the hull, and the inner grid (6) is perpendicular to the thrust tube tunnel (11).

6. The balanced side-thrust hole plugging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the upper portion of the airbag compartment (4) is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower portion.

7. The balanced side-pushing hole plugging method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The airbag (5) is connected to a pressure gas source via a hose, and the hose is located at the upper part of the airbag cabin (4).

8. The balanced side-pushing hole plugging method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper end of the airbag compartment (4) is provided with a cover plate and a sealing structure.

9. The balanced side-thrust hole plugging method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The hose is connected to the airbag compartment valve (V3, V9), and the airbag compartment valve (V3, V9) is simultaneously connected to the air injection valve (V1, V11) for injecting compressed air and the exhaust valve (V2, V10) for discharging compressed air; The pressure water inlet of the lateral thrust pipe tunnel (11) is provided with water injection valves (V4, V5), and the pressure water outlet is provided with drainage valves (V7, V8).

10. The balanced side-thrust hole plugging method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The side thrust pipe tunnel (11) is also provided with a pressure sensor (7).

11. The balanced side-thrust hole plugging method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The hose is a stainless steel strong metal hose (1).

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