A marine solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system and bulk carrier

Abstract

The present invention provides a ship-borne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system and a bulk carrier. The ship-borne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system includes a power supply, a level sensor, a signal collector, a computer control terminal and an alarm; wherein: the power supply is used to supply power to the level sensor and the signal collector; the level sensor monitors the position information of the bulk cargo in real time and converts the position information into a signal and transmits it to the signal collector; the signal collector collects the signal transmitted by the level sensor and transmits the signal to the computer control terminal; the computer control terminal receives the signal transmitted by the signal collector and triggers an alarm signal when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset threshold; the alarm sounds an alarm when receiving the alarm signal. The above alarm system can monitor the liquefaction of bulk cargo in the cargo hold of the bulk carrier in real time around the clock and sound an alarm when the cargo liquefies. The alarm has high reliability and is conducive to improving the safety of ships transporting solid bulk cargo.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an alarm system, in particular to a ship-based solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system and a bulk carrier. Background Art

[0002] Sea transportation is the main mode of transportation in international logistics. At present, more than 2 / 3 of the total international trade volume and about 90% of China's total import and export freight volume are transported by sea. At the beginning of 2020, the total number of commercial ships of 100 gross tons and above in the world was 98,000, totaling 2.06 billion tons. For bulk cargoes, they are usually transported by bulk carriers. Bulk carrier is the abbreviation of bulk carrier, which is specially used to transport unpackaged goods, such as coal, ore, grain salt, cement and other bulk dry bulk cargoes. As of the end of December 2020, there were a total of 12,312 ships in the global dry bulk market, with a total capacity of 912 million tons.

[0003] When a ship is sailing at sea, it will sway due to wind and wave loads, and the main engine, generator and other mechanical equipment will cause the hull structure to vibrate. Solid bulk cargo that is easy to fluidize will have its original structure destroyed under the action of external excitation loads, and the water between solid particles will be squeezed and move, causing the viscosity of some cargo areas to decrease and the fluidity to increase, and then flow with the swaying of the ship, resulting in insufficient stability of the ship, and even causing the ship to capsize in severe cases, resulting in significant casualties and property losses.

[0004] According to statistics from the International Association of Dry Bulk Shipowners, from 2009 to 2018, a total of 48 10,000-ton bulk carriers were completely lost due to accidents, resulting in the death of 188 crew members, of which 9 ships were lost due to bulk cargo liquefaction, resulting in the death of 101 crew members. This shows that among all types of accidents, the consequences of ship accidents caused by bulk cargo liquefaction are the most serious.

[0005] The common monitoring method for bulk cargo liquefaction (i.e. fluidization) is for the crew to open the cargo hold cover for manual detection when the sea conditions are good during the voyage. However, since this method is affected by weather, sea conditions, and the professional level and sense of responsibility of the crew, this manual monitoring method often cannot be carried out in a timely and effective manner; in particular, cargo liquefaction and threats to the ship usually occur in bad weather and sea conditions, and at this time the cargo hold cover must be strictly closed, and manual detection cannot be carried out, thus failing to effectively ensure the stability and safety of bulk cargo transportation.

[0006] At present, there is no technical means to monitor whether the bulk cargo is liquefied when the bulk cargo is loaded on the bulk carrier, which results in a great potential safety hazard and seriously threatens the safety of the ship and the lives of the crew. In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a ship-based solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system and a bulk carrier. The alarm system can monitor the liquefaction of bulk cargo in the cargo hold of the bulk carrier in real time around the clock and alarm when the cargo liquefies. The alarm has high reliability and is beneficial to improving the safety of ships transporting solid bulk cargo.

[0008] The present invention provides a ship-based solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system, comprising a power supply, a level sensor, a signal collector, a computer control terminal and an alarm; wherein:

[0009] The power supply is used to supply power to the level sensor and the signal collector;

[0010] The level sensor monitors the location information of bulk cargo in real time and converts the location information into signals to be transmitted to the signal collector;

[0011] The signal collector collects the signal transmitted by the level sensor and transmits the signal to the computer control terminal;

[0012] The computer control terminal receives the signal transmitted by the signal collector and triggers an alarm signal when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset threshold;

[0013] The alarm will sound when receiving an alarm signal.

[0014] In one embodiment, the power supply is used to convert the power of the ship's power system into power suitable for the level sensor and the signal collector.

[0015] In one embodiment, a ship-borne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system includes a plurality of level sensors, which are respectively installed on the upper part of a plurality of cargo holds, each of which has its own number, and each level sensor is used to monitor the distance information from the bulk cargo to the level sensor in real time.

[0016] Furthermore, the level sensor is a radar sensor, a laser sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.

[0017] In one embodiment, the computer control terminal is integrated with a calculation and analysis module, which is used to convert the distance information from the bulk cargo to the level sensor into the height information of the bulk cargo and draw a curve of the cargo height changing with time according to the height information.

[0018] Furthermore, the computer control terminal can change the alarm threshold according to the type of bulk cargo to complete the alarm function setting.

[0019] Furthermore, the computer control terminal can monitor the height information of the bulk cargo in real time, and display the alarm cargo hold number and trigger the alarm when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset alarm threshold.

[0020] In one embodiment, the alarm is an audible and visual alarm, which includes an alarm light and an electroacoustic alarm.

[0021] Furthermore, the shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system also includes a display, which is used to display the human-computer interaction interface of the computer control terminal in real time. The display can display the height information of the bulk cargo, the curve of the cargo height changing with time, the alarm cargo hold number and system function information in real time.

[0022] The present invention also provides a bulk carrier provided with any one of the above-mentioned ship-based solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm systems.

[0023] The shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system of the present invention utilizes a level sensor to monitor the position information of the bulk cargo in real time, and the computer control terminal triggers an alarm to sound an alarm when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset threshold, thereby being able to monitor the liquefaction of the bulk cargo in the cargo hold of the bulk carrier in real time around the clock and providing an alarm when the cargo liquefies. The alarm system is independent of weather, sea conditions, and the professional level of the crew, thus avoiding various uncertainties existing in manual monitoring, and having high alarm safety and reliability, which is beneficial to improving the safety of ships transporting solid bulk cargoes, thereby avoiding loss of personnel and property. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Description of reference numerals:

[0027] 1: Power supply; 2: Level sensor; 3: Signal collector; 4: Computer control terminal; 5: Alarm; 6: Display. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. In addition, the terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal connection of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the ship-borne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system of this embodiment includes a power supply 1, a level sensor 2, a signal collector 3, a computer control terminal 4 and an alarm 5; wherein: the power supply 1 is used to supply power to the level sensor 2 and the signal collector 3; the level sensor 2 monitors the position information of the bulk cargo in real time and converts the position information into a signal and transmits it to the signal collector 3; the signal collector 3 collects the signal transmitted by the level sensor 2 and transmits the signal to the computer control terminal 4; the computer control terminal 4 receives the signal transmitted by the signal collector 3 and triggers an alarm signal when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset threshold; the alarm 5 gives an alarm when receiving the alarm signal.

[0033] The ship-based solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system of this embodiment is mainly used to monitor the liquefaction of solid bulk cargo loaded in the cargo hold of a bulk carrier and to give an alarm when the bulk cargo liquefies, so that the crew can take safety measures as soon as possible to avoid further liquefaction of the bulk cargo and ensure the safety of the ship and the crew, thereby ensuring the safety of bulk cargo transportation.

[0034] In the above alarm system, the power supply 1 is mainly used to supply power to the level sensor 2 and the signal collector 3; there is no strict restriction on the specific type and power supply mode of the power supply 1, as long as the above power supply function can be realized, for example, the power supply can convert the power of the ship's power system into power suitable for the level sensor and the signal collector (mainly referring to voltage, AC / DC form). In this embodiment, the power supply 1 can supply power to the level sensor 2 and the signal collector 3 by converting the AC power of the bulk carrier's power system into 24V DC power; in other embodiments, other conventional power supply devices in the art can also be used for power supply.

[0035] The working principle of the alarm system of this embodiment is: when the bulk cargo in the cargo hold is liquefied, the height of the cargo will change to a certain extent. Specifically, when the ship is not shaking violently, the height of the cargo will rise or fall to a certain extent; when the ship is shaking violently, the liquefied cargo will produce a free liquid surface, and sway in the cargo hold with the shaking of the ship, making the height of the cargo unstable. Therefore, the liquefaction of the bulk cargo can be obtained by real-time monitoring of the height of the bulk cargo in the cargo hold. If the height change of the bulk cargo exceeds the change in the alarm threshold, the alarm 5 can be triggered by the computer control terminal 4 to alarm, which can be used to remind the crew to take safety measures as soon as possible to avoid the liquefaction of the bulk cargo and ensure the safety of the ship and the crew.

[0036] The level sensor 2 is mainly used for real-time monitoring of the position information of bulk goods; there is no strict restriction on the position information, which may be the height information of the bulk goods or the position information related to the height information of the bulk goods; it can be understood that if the level sensor 2 is used to monitor the position information related to the height information of the bulk goods, the position information of the bulk goods can be subsequently converted into height information through the computer control terminal 4.

[0037] In this embodiment, the level sensor 2 is used to monitor the distance information (related to the height information) from the bulk cargo to the level sensor in real time. At this time, the level sensor 2 can be installed on the upper part of the cargo hold; in other embodiments, the level sensor 2 can also directly monitor the height position of the bulk cargo in real time. There is no strict restriction on the specific type of the level sensor 2. It can be a radar sensor, a laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc. The sensor emits ultrasonic, laser or electromagnetic radar signals and receives the echo signal generated by the surface of the cargo to calculate the distance from the surface of the cargo to the sensor. This distance can be regarded as the position information of the bulk cargo. After monitoring the above position information of the bulk cargo, the level sensor 2 converts it into an electrical signal, a digital signal or other required form of information output according to a certain rule.

[0038] There can be multiple level sensors 2, which can be installed on the top of multiple cargo holds respectively. The multiple cargo holds have their own numbers. Each level sensor 2 is used to monitor the distance information from the bulk cargo to the level sensor 2 in real time; when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds the preset alarm threshold, the computer control terminal 4 can display the alarm cargo hold number and trigger the alarm 5.

[0039] The signal collector 3 is mainly used to collect the signal transmitted by the level sensor 2 and transmit the signal to the computer control terminal 4. When the level sensor 2 outputs a digital signal, the signal collector 3 can directly use the digital signal and transmit it to the computer control terminal 4; when the level sensor 2 outputs an electrical signal, the signal collector 3 can convert the electrical signal into a digital signal and then transmit it to the computer control terminal 4.

[0040] The computer control terminal 4 is mainly used to receive the signal transmitted by the signal collector 3 and trigger an alarm signal when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset threshold value; there is no strict restriction on the specific setting method of the preset threshold value, for example, it can be set to the normal height range of the bulk cargo (i.e., the height range when no liquefaction occurs). At this time, the computer control terminal 4 triggers an alarm signal when it detects that the position of the bulk cargo exceeds the normal height. In addition, the preset threshold value can also be set to the maximum value of the height change of the bulk cargo, that is, the difference between the initial height and the height when liquefaction occurs. The computer control terminal 4 triggers an alarm signal when it detects that the position change of the bulk cargo exceeds the maximum value of the height change. The specific value of the preset threshold value can be obtained by testing according to the conventional method in the field according to the type of bulk cargo, and it can be pre-set in the computer control terminal 4.

[0041] Furthermore, in the shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system of the present embodiment, a plurality of preset thresholds for different types of bulk cargoes can be preset in the computer control terminal 4, and the computer control terminal 4 can set the corresponding preset thresholds according to the type of bulk cargoes. There is no strict restriction on the type of bulk cargoes, for example, it can be bulk dry bulk cargoes such as coal, ore, grain salt, cement, etc. At this time, the computer control terminal 4 can change the alarm threshold according to the type of bulk cargoes to complete the alarm function, so that the liquefaction of various types of bulk cargoes can be monitored and alarmed.

[0042] In this embodiment, since the level sensor 2 monitors the distance information from the bulk cargo to the level sensor in real time, the computer control terminal 4 is also integrated with a calculation and analysis module, which is used to convert the distance information from the bulk cargo to the level sensor 2 into the height information of the bulk cargo and draw a curve of the cargo height changing over time based on the height information. There is no strict restriction on the calculation and analysis module, as long as it can realize the corresponding function, for example, it can be a cargo alarm software system, etc. At this time, the cargo alarm software system can be loaded in the computer control terminal 4 to realize the above functions. It can be understood that the above-mentioned computer control terminal 4 of this embodiment can monitor the height information of bulk cargo in real time, draw a curve of the cargo height changing over time, display the alarm cargo hold number, complete the alarm function setting and realize other system functions.

[0043] The alarm 5 is mainly used to sound an alarm when an alarm signal is received; there is no strict restriction on the type of the alarm 5, for example, an audible and visual alarm can be used, the audible and visual alarm includes an alarm light and an electroacoustic alarm 5, which can emit both audible and visual alarm signals at the same time, and has a good alarm effect.

[0044] In addition, the shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system of this embodiment may also include a display 6, which is used to display the human-computer interaction interface of the computer control terminal in real time, including real-time display of bulk cargo height information, a curve of cargo height changes over time, the cargo hold number where the alarm occurs, a system parameter setting interface and other information, so that the crew can check it at any time.

[0045] During the bulk cargo transportation, if the cargo liquefies, the height of the cargo will be reduced to a certain extent when sailing in calm sea conditions; when sailing in high sea conditions, the liquefied cargo will slosh and the height of the cargo will fluctuate. These changes in cargo height can be detected by the alarm system of this embodiment and an alarm will be issued according to the threshold value set in advance in the computer control terminal software. After receiving the alarm signal, the crew can promptly initiate the emergency plan according to the on-site situation, such as timely draining the moisture in the cargo hold, immediately sailing to a nearby safe harbor, changing the course to reduce the rolling, contacting the company or rescue unit to request rescue, and starting the abandonment procedure to prepare for abandonment in order to buy time for escape, etc. The above alarm system does not rely on weather, sea conditions and the professional level of the crew, avoids various uncertainties existing in manual monitoring, and has high security and reliability of the alarm.

[0046] The shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system of the present embodiment utilizes the level sensor 2 to monitor the position information of the bulk cargo in real time. The computer control terminal 4 triggers the alarm 5 to sound an alarm when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset threshold, thereby being able to monitor the liquefaction of the bulk cargo in the cargo hold of the bulk carrier in real time around the clock and providing an alarm when the cargo liquefies. The alarm system is independent of weather, sea conditions, and the professional level of the crew, thus avoiding various uncertainties in manual monitoring. The alarm has high safety and reliability, which is conducive to improving the safety of ships transporting solid bulk cargoes, thereby avoiding loss of life and property.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] The present embodiment provides a bulk carrier, which is provided with a ship-borne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system, and the ship-borne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system includes a power supply, a radar level sensor, a signal collector, a computer control terminal, an alarm software system and an audible and visual alarm.

[0049] The power supply is used to supply power to the level sensor and signal collector. There is no strict restriction on the power supply type and voltage, as long as it can meet the needs of the equipment.

[0050] The radar level sensor is installed on the upper part of the cargo hold to detect the distance from the cargo to the sensor and transmit a specific current signal to the signal collector. The basic principle is to emit electromagnetic waves of a certain frequency vertically downward. After encountering the upper surface of the cargo, the electromagnetic waves reflect upward and the echo is received by the sensor. By calculating the time difference between the transmitted and received signals, multiplying it by the speed of light and dividing it by 2, the distance between the upper surface of the cargo in the hold and the sensor can be obtained.

[0051] When the cargo in the cargo hold liquefies, the cargo height will change to a certain extent. When the ship is not shaking violently, the cargo height will drop to a certain extent; when the ship is shaking violently, the liquefied cargo will produce a free liquid surface, which will sway in the cargo hold with the shaking of the ship, making the cargo height unstable. The radar level sensor monitors the distance from the upper surface of the cargo to the sensor in real time and sends the data to the control terminal. The control terminal calculates the real-time cargo height through software. When the cargo height changes by more than the preset alarm threshold, it automatically sends a signal to the alarm to sound an alarm.

[0052] The signal collector is used to collect the electrical signals sent by the level sensor, convert the electrical signals into digital signals and transmit them to the computer control terminal.

[0053] The computer control terminal is used to load the cargo alarm software system, which is used to calculate the cargo height through an algorithm and continuously monitor it over time. When the cargo height changes to a value that meets the system's preset conditions, the sound and light alarm is triggered.

[0054] The sound and light alarm is used to send out a sound and light alarm when receiving a trigger signal, and includes a warning light and an electroacoustic alarm.

[0055] Furthermore, the shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system also includes a screen, which is used to display the real-time height of the cargo, a curve of the cargo height changing with time, the alarmed cargo hold number and a software operation interface.

[0056] The bulk carrier of this embodiment is provided with the above-mentioned alarm system, which monitors the distance from the cargo in the cargo hold to the sensor in real time through the level sensor, and converts the above-mentioned distance into real-time information of the cargo height in the hold through the computer control terminal, and can send out a cargo liquefaction sound and light alarm signal when the cargo height changes beyond the alarm threshold. In addition, the monitoring software pre-installed in the control terminal can modify the alarm threshold according to the type of cargo, and can display the software interface through the display, and the software interface can display the real-time cargo height in the hold, draw a curve of the cargo height change over time, and query the cargo height in the hold at any time.

[0057] The bulk carrier of this embodiment can realize all-weather, 24-hour monitoring of the liquefaction of cargo and provide alarms. It does not rely on manual monitoring, avoids various uncertainties of manual monitoring, and is safe and reliable. In addition, the bulk carrier can set scientific alarm thresholds for different cargoes to make the alarm credible and reliable. The bulk carrier of this embodiment can realize real-time monitoring of the height of cargo in the cargo hold of the ship by installing the above-mentioned level sensor on the top of the ship's cargo hold, combining the signal output device and the alarm software system designed according to the actual conditions of the ship. If the cargo liquefies, the height of the cargo will be reduced to a certain extent when sailing in calm sea conditions; when sailing in high sea conditions, the liquefied cargo will slosh, and the height of the cargo page will fluctuate. These changes in the height of the cargo can be detected by the alarm system and generate an alarm according to the settings in the software in advance. The bulk carrier of this embodiment can monitor the liquefaction of cargo in the hold in real time for 24 hours, and issue an alarm when the cargo liquefies, so that the crew can take safety measures as soon as possible, greatly improving the stability and safety of the bulk carrier when transporting bulk cargo.

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements 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 solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system for ships, characterized in that: It includes power supply, level sensor, signal collector, computer control terminal and alarm; among which: The power supply is used to supply power to the level sensor and the signal collector; The level sensor monitors the location information of bulk cargo in real time and converts the location information into signals to be transmitted to the signal collector; The signal collector collects the signal transmitted by the level sensor and transmits the signal to the computer control terminal; The computer control terminal receives the signal transmitted by the signal collector and triggers an alarm signal when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds a preset threshold value. The computer control terminal can change the alarm threshold value according to the type of bulk cargo to complete the alarm function setting; The alarm device will sound an alarm when receiving an alarm signal; The computer control terminal is integrated with a calculation and analysis module, which is used to convert the distance information from the bulk cargo to the level sensor into the height information of the bulk cargo and draw a curve of the cargo height changing with time according to the height information.

2. The solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power supply is used to convert the power of the ship's power system into power suitable for the level sensor and signal collector.

3. The solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: It comprises a plurality of level sensors which are respectively installed on the upper part of a plurality of cargo holds, each of which has its own number, and each level sensor is used for real-time monitoring of the distance information from the bulk cargo to the level sensor.

4. The solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system for ships according to claim 3, characterized in that: The level sensor is a radar sensor, a laser sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.

5. The solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The computer control terminal can monitor the height information of the bulk cargo in real time, and display the alarm cargo hold number and trigger the alarm when the position of the bulk cargo exceeds the preset alarm threshold.

6. The solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alarm is an audible and visual alarm, which includes an alarm light and an electro-acoustic alarm.

7. The solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system for ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a display, which is used to display the human-computer interaction interface of the computer control terminal in real time. The display can display the height information of the bulk cargo, the curve of the cargo height changing with time, the alarm cargo hold number and system function information in real time.

8. A bulk carrier, characterized in that: A shipborne solid bulk cargo liquefaction alarm system is provided according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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