A reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for suction cylinder foundations

Abstract

This invention discloses a reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for a suction cylinder foundation, relating to the field of suction pumps. It includes a connecting base with a bottom opening, the bottom of which is fixedly connected to the top of the suction cylinder foundation. An exhaust butterfly valve is installed on the top of the connecting base. One side of the connecting base is connected to a top-closed suction / injection water manifold via a pipe. The other side of the suction / injection water manifold is connected to an end-suction centrifugal pump via a suction three-way ball valve. The top of the end-suction centrifugal pump is connected to a drain three-way ball valve, the top of which is open to the outside environment. One side of the drain three-way ball valve is connected to the upper sidewall of the suction / injection water manifold via a pipe. A suction port is provided on the top of the suction three-way ball valve. This invention uses fewer water circuit switching valves, simplifying control and operation. Furthermore, the use of a highly reliable liquid-driven three-way ball valve for switching improves the system's pressure resistance and sealing performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of suction pump technology, and in particular to a reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for a suction cylinder base. Background Technology

[0002] A suction cylinder foundation, also known as a suction anchor, suction cylinder, suction pile, or suction caisson, is a cylindrical steel structure with an open bottom and a closed top, resembling an inverted cup with a suction port at the top. During lowering, it penetrates to a certain depth into the seabed mud surface under its own weight. The bottom of the suction cylinder foundation is sealed in the mud, and the suction port at the top of the suction anchor is connected to a suction pump. Turning on the pump draws seawater out of the cylinder, creating a negative pressure inside. According to the pressure formula F = Δp * S (F: top pressure, Δp: pressure difference between inside and outside, S: top area of ​​action), the seawater presses the suction cylinder foundation to the designated depth. The friction between the inner and outer walls of the cylinder and the strata, along with the supporting force from the cylinder top contacting the strata, provides sufficient vertical and horizontal bearing capacity and anti-overturning force for the suction anchor. Suction cylinder foundations can be used for vertical bearing or horizontal traction and are widely applied in deep-sea wellheads, wind turbine jacket foundations, subsea structure foundations, or as positioning mooring anchors. Suction cylinder foundations have the advantages of high load-bearing capacity, fast installation speed, no pollution, and recyclability.

[0003] When the suction cylinder foundation is being driven under negative pressure, water needs to be pumped out of the cylinder to make the pressure inside the cylinder lower than the external ambient pressure. This requires starting the pump suction device for forward pumping. When the suction cylinder foundation needs to be retrieved or its attitude needs to be adjusted, water needs to be injected into the cylinder to make the pressure inside the cylinder higher than the external ambient pressure. In this case, the pump suction device needs to be started for reverse water injection. The pump suction device can flexibly switch between forward pumping and reverse water injection modes underwater.

[0004] The existing suction cylinder foundation's pumping device uses a complex parallel forward / reverse function switching valve group to switch between water suction and injection modes. It requires at least four hydraulically controlled butterfly valves to achieve function switching. The numerous actions lead to complex remote control, high overall equipment cost, and increased probability of equipment failure. Without a reliable pressure limiting device, excessive suction during the sinking process of the suction cylinder foundation may cause the cylinder to buckle and break, resulting in installation failure. Although the sliding valve type switching device is simple to operate and has high switching efficiency, it is difficult to achieve a reliable seal, and there is a risk of seal failure during the switching process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for suction cylinder foundations, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It has fewer water circuit switching valves, simple control operation, and uses a highly reliable liquid-driven three-way ball valve for switching, which improves the system's pressure resistance and sealing performance.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0007] This invention provides a reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for a suction cylinder foundation, including a connecting base with a bottom opening, the bottom of which is fixedly connected to the top of the cylinder body of the suction cylinder foundation; an exhaust butterfly valve is installed on the top of the connecting base; a top-closed suction and injection water manifold is connected to one side of the connecting base via a pipe, and an end-suction centrifugal pump is connected to one side of the suction and injection water manifold via a suction three-way ball valve; a drain three-way ball valve is connected to the top of the end-suction centrifugal pump, the top of the drain three-way ball valve is connected to the outside, and one side of the drain three-way ball valve is connected to the upper side wall of the suction and injection water manifold via a pipe; a suction port is provided on the top of the suction three-way ball valve. This invention features a unique water path switching method, employing two hydraulically controlled three-way ball valves to switch the water flow path of the pump suction device. Only one hydraulic oil path is needed to drive the two actuators to operate separately, thus completing the switching between water suction and water injection modes of the pump suction device. The unique pressure-limiting three-way ball valve structure can control the pressure difference between water suction and water injection. The pressure difference can be preset in advance by adjusting the number of springs, and the maximum pressure difference is automatically limited during underwater construction without the need for external control intervention, protecting the safety of the suction cylinder foundation during underwater installation.

[0008] Optionally, a first hydraulic actuator is driven to one side of the exhaust butterfly valve, a second hydraulic actuator is driven to one side of the water suction three-way ball valve, and a third hydraulic actuator is driven to one side of the drain three-way ball valve.

[0009] Optionally, a hydraulic motor is driven to the end of the end-suction centrifugal pump that is away from the suction three-way ball valve.

[0010] Optionally, a water suction filter is fixedly connected to the water suction port via a flange.

[0011] Optionally, the outlet at the top of the end-suction centrifugal pump is fixedly connected to the drain three-way ball valve via a transition joint.

[0012] Optionally, the side flange of the drain three-way ball valve is connected to a first horizontal pipe via a rubber joint, and the end of the first horizontal pipe away from the rubber joint is fixedly connected to the upper side wall of the suction and injection manifold; the side wall of the suction and injection manifold is fixedly connected to the side flange of the suction three-way ball valve away from the end suction centrifugal pump via a second horizontal pipe.

[0013] Optionally, the suction three-way ball valve includes a valve body and a valve core disposed within the valve body. The valve core is connected to the second hydraulic actuator via a drive valve stem. Two side flanges are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the valve body, and an end flange perpendicular to the side flanges is disposed between the two side flanges. The second hydraulic actuator is disposed perpendicular to the plane containing the center lines of the side flanges and the end flange. A pressure regulating spring is disposed in the groove at the connection end between the side flange and the valve body. A sealing piston is fixedly connected to one end of the pressure regulating spring. The sealing piston is located between the pressure regulating spring and the valve core, and the sealing piston can make sealing contact with the valve core. The three-way ball valve has a pressure limiting function, which limits the suction and injection pressure difference by adjusting the number of pressure regulating springs.

[0014] Optionally, a centering end cap is fixedly and sealed to the end of the valve body away from the second hydraulic actuator. A centering rod is provided inside the centering end cap. A centering hole is opened at the end of the valve core away from the second hydraulic actuator, which can be movably inserted into the centering rod. A square hole is opened at the end of the valve core away from the centering hole, and one end of the drive valve rod is fixedly inserted into the square hole. The drain three-way ball valve has the same structure as the suction three-way ball valve.

[0015] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0016] The present invention provides a reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for suction cylinder foundations. The unique water circuit control valve has a compact structure and is controlled by a three-way ball valve actuator. It can control the switching between suction pump suction and injection modes. The structure is simple, easy to operate, and reliable. The pressure-limiting three-way ball valve is set according to the ultimate pressure difference that the suction anchor cylinder can withstand. Before construction, the number of safety valve springs is adjusted and the pressure difference value is preset. It is set independently in both directions and automatically protects without human intervention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device based on a suction cylinder according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the water suction three-way ball valve structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main view of the water suction three-way ball valve of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the AA cross-section;

[0022] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 3 BB cross-sectional diagram;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the side flange structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the valve core structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the water absorption state of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the water injection state of the present invention;

[0027] Among them, 1 is the connecting base, 2 is the exhaust butterfly valve, 3 is the first hydraulic actuator, 4 is the end suction centrifugal pump, 5 is the hydraulic motor, 6 is the suction three-way ball valve, 6-1 is the valve body, 6-2 is the second hydraulic actuator, 6-3 is the valve core, 6-3-1 is the square hole, 6-4 is the side flange, 6-5 is the sealing piston, 6-6 is the pressure adjusting spring, 6-6-1 is the groove, 6-7 is the drive valve stem, 6-8 is the centering end cover, 7 is the suction filter, 8 is the transition joint, 9 is the drain three-way ball valve, 9-2 is the third hydraulic actuator, 10 is the rubber joint, and 11 is the suction and injection manifold. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] The purpose of this invention is to provide a reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for suction cylinder foundations, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It has fewer water circuit switching valves, simple control operation, and uses a highly reliable liquid-driven three-way ball valve for switching, which improves the system's pressure resistance and sealing performance.

[0030] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] This invention provides a reversible pressure-limiting pump suction device suitable for a suction cylinder foundation, such as... Figure 1As shown, the system includes a connecting base 1 with a bottom opening, the bottom of which is used for fixed connection to the top of the suction cylinder foundation. An exhaust butterfly valve 2 is installed on the top of the connecting base 1, which can be opened and closed under the drive of a first hydraulic actuator 3. Before the suction cylinder foundation is submerged in water, the exhaust butterfly valve 2 is opened to allow water to enter and expel gas from the suction cylinder. When negative pressure is introduced into the suction cylinder foundation, the exhaust butterfly valve 2 is closed to achieve a sealed suction cylinder. One side of the connecting base 1 is connected to a top-sealed water intake / intake manifold 11 via a pipe, and one side of the water intake / intake manifold 11 is connected to a water intake three-way ball valve. A centrifugal pump 4 with end suction is connected to the end suction centrifugal pump 6. The outlet of the top of the end suction centrifugal pump 4 is fixedly connected to the drain three-way ball valve 9 through a transition joint 8. The top of the drain three-way ball valve 9 is connected to the outside sea. A hydraulic motor 5 is driven to the end of the end suction centrifugal pump 4 away from the suction three-way ball valve 6. The end suction centrifugal pump 4 drives the centrifugal pump impeller to rotate under the drive of the hydraulic motor 5. Under the action of centrifugal force, water is drawn from the horizontal flange and drained from the top flange. One side of the drain three-way ball valve 9 is connected to the upper side wall of the suction and injection manifold 11 through a pipe. A suction port is opened on the top of the suction three-way ball valve 6. A suction filter 7 is fixedly connected to the suction port through a flange.

[0032] Specifically, the exhaust butterfly valve 2 is connected to a first hydraulic actuator 3 on one side, the suction three-way ball valve 6 is connected to a second hydraulic actuator 6-2 on one side, and the drain three-way ball valve 9 is connected to a third hydraulic actuator 9-2 on one side. The suction three-way ball valve 3, driven by the second hydraulic actuator 6-2, can rotate its internal ball core, changing the flow path of the ball valve. The drain three-way ball valve 9, driven by the third hydraulic actuator 9-2, can rotate its internal ball core, changing the flow path of the ball valve.

[0033] The side flange of the drain three-way ball valve 9 is connected to a first horizontal pipe via a rubber joint 10. The end of the first horizontal pipe away from the rubber joint 10 is fixedly connected to the upper side wall of the suction manifold 11. The side wall of the suction manifold 11 is fixedly connected to the side flange of the suction three-way ball valve 6 away from the end-suction centrifugal pump 4 via a second horizontal pipe. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the suction three-way ball valve 6 includes a valve body 6-1 and a valve core 6-3 disposed within the valve body 6-1. The valve core 6-3 is connected to the second hydraulic actuator 6-2 via a drive valve stem 6-7. Two side flanges 6-4 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the valve body 6-1, and an end flange perpendicular to the side flanges 6-4 is disposed between the two side flanges 6-4. The second hydraulic actuator 6-2 is disposed perpendicular to the plane containing the center lines of the side flanges 6-4 and the end flange. A pressure regulating spring 6-6 is disposed in the groove 6-6-1 at the connection end of the side flange 6-4 and the valve body 6-1. A sealing piston 6-5 is fixedly connected to one end of the pressure regulating spring 6-6. The sealing piston 6-5 is located between the pressure regulating spring 6-6 and the valve core 6-3, and the sealing piston 6-5 can make sealing contact with the valve core 6-3. A centering end cap 6-8 is fixedly and sealed to the end of the valve body 6-1 away from the second hydraulic actuator 6-2. A centering rod is located inside the centering end cap 6-8. A centering hole is provided at the end of the valve core 6-3 away from the second hydraulic actuator 6-2, allowing it to be movably inserted into the centering rod. A square hole 6-3-1 is provided at the end of the valve core 6-3 away from the centering hole, and one end of the drive valve stem 6-7 is fixedly inserted into the square hole 6-3-1. The second hydraulic actuator 6-2 can rotate 90°, driving the drive valve stem 6-7 to rotate. The lower end of the drive valve stem 6-7 engages with the square hole 6-3-1 at the top of the valve core 6-3, thereby driving the valve core to rotate 90°. The lower end of the ball valve core engages with the centering end cap 6-8, serving a centering function. The sealing piston 6-5 can move horizontally within the valve body. Two sealing pistons 6-5 mate with each side of the ball valve. The arc-shaped end face of the sealing piston 6-5 is equipped with a seal to achieve a seal with the valve core, and an O-ring seal is provided on the side to seal with the valve body. The rear end contacts several pressure regulating springs 6-6. The pressure regulating springs 6-6 are placed in corresponding grooves 6-6-1 at the end of the side flange 6-4. The sealing pressure of the ball valve can be adjusted by changing the number of pressure regulating springs 6-6. As shown in the AA cross-section diagram, the horizontal channel of the three-way ball valve is open, and the lower channel is closed. When the pressure in the horizontal channel is lower than the pressure in the lower channel, the seawater pressure difference acts on the sealing pistons 6-5 on both sides. When the pressure is sufficient to overcome the spring resistance, a gap is created between the sealing piston and the valve core, allowing seawater to enter the horizontal channel. After the pressure difference between the horizontal channel and the external environment decreases, the sealing piston re-contacts the ball valve to maintain a constant ultimate pressure difference. The drain three-way ball valve 9 has a similar structure to the suction three-way ball valve, but its function differs; it also has a pressure limiting function. The drain three-way ball valve and the suction three-way ball valve have the same structure.

[0034] The waterway reversing principle of this invention is as follows: Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown in the figure, the arrows indicate the direction of water flow. By controlling the suction three-way ball valve 6 and the drainage three-way ball valve 9, the water flow channel is changed to switch between water suction and water injection functions. The two three-way ball valves use T-type valve cores, and the valve core functions of the two ball valves are shown in the figure.

[0035] Suction Mode: The valve core positions of the suction three-way ball valve 6 and the drain three-way ball valve 9 are shown in the figure. The horizontal ports of the suction three-way ball valve 6 are connected, and the top port is closed. The upper and lower ports of the drain three-way ball valve 9 are connected, and the side channel is closed. When the end suction centrifugal pump is started, the liquid flow direction inside the suction anchor is as shown by the arrow. The liquid in the suction cylinder base passes through the connecting base 1, the lower horizontal channel of the suction and injection manifold 11, the suction three-way ball valve 6, the end suction centrifugal pump 4, the transition joint 8, and the drain three-way ball valve 9 before being discharged outside the suction cylinder for water suction operation.

[0036] Water injection mode: The second hydraulic actuator 6-2 and the third hydraulic actuator 9-2 are driven to rotate via a remote hydraulic control system. The valve core of the suction three-way ball valve 6 rotates 90 degrees clockwise, while the valve core of the drain three-way ball valve 9 rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise. The left channel of the suction three-way ball valve 6 is connected to the upper channel, and the right channel is closed; the lower channel of the drain three-way ball valve 9 is connected to the right channel, and the upper channel is closed. When the end-suction centrifugal pump is started, the liquid flow direction inside the suction anchor is as shown by the arrow. External seawater is injected into the suction cylinder base cylinder through the suction filter 7, the suction three-way ball valve 6, the end-suction centrifugal pump 4, the drain three-way ball valve 9, the rubber joint 10, and the upper horizontal channel of the suction and injection pipe 13 for water injection operation.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A reversible pressure limited suction pump suction device suitable for use with a suction bucket foundation, characterized in that: The utility model provides a kind of suction and injection water pipe manifold, comprising the bottom opening of connecting base, the bottom of the connecting base is used to be fixedly connected with the top of the cylinder body of suction cylinder foundation;The top of the connecting base is equipped with exhaust butterfly valve;One side of the connecting base is communicated with top closed suction and injection water pipe manifold by pipeline, one side of the suction and injection water pipe manifold is communicated with end suction centrifugal pump by water suction tee bend ball valve, the top of the end suction centrifugal pump is communicated with drainage tee bend ball valve, the top of the drainage tee bend ball valve is communicated with outside, one side of the drainage tee bend ball valve is communicated with the upper lateral wall of the suction and injection water pipe manifold by pipeline;Water suction port is opened in the top of the water suction tee bend ball valve;The side flange of the drainage tee bend ball valve is connected with first horizontal pipeline by rubber joint, the end of the first horizontal pipeline away from the rubber joint is fixedly communicated with the upper lateral wall of the suction and injection water pipe manifold;The lateral wall of the suction and injection water pipe manifold is fixedly communicated with the side flange of the water suction tee bend ball valve away from the side of end suction centrifugal pump by second horizontal pipeline;The water suction tee bend ball valve includes valve body and valve core arranged in the valve body, two side flanges are symmetrically arranged on the both sides of the valve body, and pressure regulating spring is arranged in the recess of the connection end of the side flange and the valve body;One end of the pressure regulating spring is fixedly connected with sealing piston, the sealing piston is located between the pressure regulating spring and the valve core, and the sealing piston can be sealingly connected with the valve core or have clearance.

2. A reversible limit pressure pump suction device for a suction cylinder foundation according to claim 1, characterized in that: One side of the exhaust butterfly valve is drivingly connected with first hydraulic actuator, one side of the water suction tee bend ball valve is drivingly connected with second hydraulic actuator, and one side of the drainage tee bend ball valve is drivingly connected with third hydraulic actuator.

3. A reversible limit pressure pump suction device for a suction cylinder foundation according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the end suction centrifugal pump away from the water suction tee bend ball valve is drivingly connected with hydraulic motor.

4. A reversible limit pressure pump suction device for a suction cylinder foundation according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water suction filter is fixedly connected to the water suction port by flange.

5. A reversible limit pressure pump suction device for a suction cylinder foundation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water outlet at the top of the end suction centrifugal pump is fixedly connected with the drainage tee bend ball valve through a transition joint.

6. A reversible limit pressure pump suction device for a suction cylinder foundation according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve core is drivingly connected with the second hydraulic actuator through a drive valve rod, and end flanges perpendicular to the side flanges are arranged between the two side flanges.

7. A reversible limit pressure pump suction device for a suction cylinder foundation according to claim 6, characterized in that: The valve body is fixedly and sealingly connected with a centering end cover at an end away from the second hydraulic actuator, a centering rod is arranged inside the centering end cover, a centering hole is arranged at an end of the valve core away from the second hydraulic actuator, and the centering hole can be movably inserted into the centering rod, a square hole is arranged at an end of the valve core away from the centering hole, and one end of the drive valve rod is fixedly inserted into the square hole. The drainage tee bend ball valve has the same structure as the water suction tee bend ball valve.

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