Non-destructive testing device for subsea cable break location

Abstract

The application discloses a submarine cable broken line position nondestructive detection device, which comprises a moving cabin used for moving outside a submarine cable, a detector for detecting a broken line position and giving an alarm is installed on the top of the moving cabin, and an electric motor is bolted on the inner wall of a first fixed cavity of the moving cabin; a fixed rod is fixed outside a motor shaft, a fixed plate made of metal is fixed in the first fixed cavity on the side of the fixed rod; a valve plate is movably arranged in the moving cabin, a second fixed cavity is formed in the moving cabin outside the valve plate; a sleeve ring is bolted on the bottom of the moving cabin; and a connecting pipe is fixedly connected with one side of a movable block. The submarine cable broken line position nondestructive detection device can clean seaweed, silt and other sundries adhered on the cable during the movement of the detection device, thereby guaranteeing the smoothness of the movement of the device, driving away the marine organisms close to the device and improving the efficiency of detecting the broken line position of the cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cable testing technology, specifically a non-destructive testing device for the location of broken sections in submarine cables. Background Technology

[0002] Submarine cables, made of special materials, are not prone to breakage due to their high-voltage and complex marine environment requirements. However, in shallow waters, they are easily damaged by normal human activities at sea. Therefore, appropriate detectors are needed to locate cable breaks via underwater operations. For example, CN104787274B discloses a submarine cable motion detector and its control method, belonging to the field of electrical testing. This method features a robotic arm that can engage with the cable and move along it to detect leaks and corrosion in real time. It also determines if a cable break has occurred. If a break is detected, the detector releases the cable, floats on the surface, and sends out a distress signal, solving the problems of untimely detection and difficult cable break location in existing technologies. However, this submarine cable motion detector and its control method still have the following drawbacks in practical use:

[0003] 1. Because the cable is on the seabed for a long time, its surface will be covered with a lot of seaweed and silt. Therefore, traditional detection devices will be affected by seaweed and silt during movement. When the detection device is affected, it will be difficult to quickly detect the location of the cable break.

[0004] 2. Furthermore, when the detection device moves on the seabed, it will be disturbed by various marine organisms, which will affect the detection of cable breaks. At the same time, marine organisms may also damage the detection device, thus affecting its service life.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, there is an urgent need for innovative designs based on existing submarine cable inspection methods. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a non-destructive testing device for the location of submarine cable breaks, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, where traditional testing devices are affected by seaweed and silt during movement, and are also subject to interference from various marine organisms when moving on the seabed.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a non-destructive testing device for the location of submarine cable breaks, comprising:

[0008] A mobile cabin is used for moving the outer side of the submarine cable. The top of the mobile cabin is equipped with a detector that detects and alarms the location of the broken line. A first fixed cavity is opened at one end of the detector. An electric motor is bolted to the inner wall of the first fixed cavity, and a motor shaft is connected to the end of the electric motor.

[0009] A fixing rod is fixed to the outside of the motor shaft. A metal fixing plate is fixed in the first fixing cavity on the side of the fixing rod. A first gear is sleeved on the outside of the motor shaft, and a connecting shaft passes through the inside of a second gear that meshes with it. A blade plate is fixedly installed at one end of the connecting shaft.

[0010] A valve plate is movably disposed inside the movable compartment, and a second fixed cavity is provided inside the movable compartment outside the valve plate;

[0011] A collar, bolted to the bottom of the mobile cabin, has auxiliary wheels movably installed inside to facilitate the smooth movement of the mobile cabin;

[0012] A connecting pipe, one end of which is fixedly connected to one side of the movable block, has a movable cylinder connected to its end, and the movable cylinder is connected to the connecting shaft via a pulley mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, the fixing plate is inclined and made of elastic metal material, and the distance between the fixing plate and the motor shaft is greater than the length of the fixing rod. When the fixing rod strikes the fixing plate, it can produce a sound, which serves to drive away marine life.

[0014] Preferably, the diameter and number of teeth of the first gear are both greater than those of the second gear, and the second gear, the impeller, the connecting rod, and the valve plate are coaxially arranged so that the rotation of the first gear can drive the second gear to rotate rapidly.

[0015] Preferably, the other end of the connecting shaft is connected to a connecting rod, and a cleaning brush is provided on the side of the connecting rod. Both the connecting rod and the cleaning brush have the same inclination angle to the surface of the mobile cabin. At the same time, the end of the mobile cabin near the connecting rod has a tapered structure, which can drive the connecting rod to rotate synchronously when the connecting shaft rotates, and drive the cleaning brush to clean the end of the mobile cabin.

[0016] Preferably, the connecting shaft located in the second fixed cavity is provided with two threaded grooves with the same pitch and opposite directions, and the connecting shaft and the valve plate are threadedly connected. The edge of the valve plate is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the second fixed cavity, and the valve plate can be driven to reciprocate within the second fixed cavity when the connecting shaft rotates.

[0017] Preferably, the bottom of the second fixed cavity is connected to one end of the gas delivery pipe, and the other end of the gas delivery pipe is connected to a connecting plate. The connecting plate is embedded on the other side of the movable block, and the gas delivery pipe can be driven by the movement of the valve plate.

[0018] Preferably, the second fixed cavity is connected to the movable block through a gas supply pipe, and the movable block, the connecting plate, and the collar all form a relative rotation structure, so that the gas can finally enter the movable block. The rotation between the connecting plate and the movable block does not affect the gas transmission, nor does it hinder its rotation.

[0019] Preferably, the movable block is connected to the movable cylinder via a connecting pipe, and a fixed shaft is fixed at an equal angle on the inner wall of the movable cylinder. A sludge-cleaning connecting block is connected to the end of the fixed shaft, and an air vent is reserved on the side of the connecting block near the cable so that gas can be blown toward the cable through the air vent, thereby accelerating the speed at which the sludge and seaweed fall.

[0020] Preferably, the movable cylinder is connected to the fixed shaft and the connecting block, and both the fixed shaft and the valve plate are equipped with a one-way valve structure. The distance between one end of the connecting block and the cable is smaller than the distance between the other end of the connecting block and the cable. By rotating the connecting block, the silt and seaweed on the cable can be scraped off.

[0021] Preferably, a movable shaft is movably provided on the side of the movable cylinder, and a cutter for cleaning seaweed is fixedly installed at the end of the movable shaft. The movable shaft and the cutter are distributed at equal angles. At the same time, the cutter forms a rotating structure through the movable shaft and the movable cylinder, so that when the device moves, the cutter first cuts the seaweed to prevent it from getting tangled in the device.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the non-destructive testing device for the location of submarine cable breakage can clean the seaweed, silt and other debris adhering to the cable during the movement of the testing device, thereby ensuring the smooth movement of the device, and at the same time, it has the effect of repelling nearby marine organisms, thus improving the efficiency of detecting cable breakage.

[0023] 1. When the motor shaft rotates, it can drive the fixed rod to rotate synchronously and knock on the fixed plate to produce a sound, which can drive away marine life and prevent it from affecting the movement of the device. Since the fixed plate is made of elastic metal material, it will not affect the rotation of the fixed rod, and it can contact the fixed rod when it rotates. Furthermore, the rotation of the connecting shaft can drive the connecting rod and the cleaning brush to rotate, which plays a role in cleaning the surface of the mobile cabin.

[0024] 2. When the connecting shaft rotates, it can drive the valve plate to move back and forth, and transmit the air in the second fixed chamber to the movable block through the air supply pipe. The rotation between the connecting plate and the movable block will not affect the transmission of gas. Then the gas enters the movable cylinder through the connecting pipe, and finally blows the gas from the air outlet to the cable through the fixed shaft and the connecting block, which has the effect of blowing away the fallen seaweed and silt.

[0025] 3. The rotating shaft can drive the movable cylinder to rotate, which can scrape off the silt on the cable when the connecting block rotates. When the movable cylinder moves, it can first cut the seaweed with the cutter. The cutter can rotate freely due to the impact of the water flow, so it is convenient to cut at different positions and facilitate the stable and smooth movement of the detection device. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front section structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the side cross-section of the collar structure of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point AA;

[0029] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point BB;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed-axis side section structure of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the collar of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a side view of the movable block structure of the present invention.

[0033] In the diagram: 1. Moving chamber; 2. Detector; 3. First fixed cavity; 4. Motor; 5. Motor shaft; 6. Fixed rod; 7. Fixed plate; 8. First gear; 9. Second gear; 10. Connecting shaft; 11. Paddle plate; 12. Connecting rod; 13. Cleaning brush; 14. Valve plate; 15. Second fixed cavity; 16. Air supply pipe; 17. Connecting plate; 18. Movable block; 19. Collar; 20. Auxiliary wheel; 21. Connecting pipe; 22. Movable cylinder; 221. Fixed shaft; 222. Connecting block; 223. Air outlet; 23. Pulley mechanism; 24. Movable shaft; 25. Cutter. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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.

[0035] Please see Figure 1-7This invention provides a technical solution: a non-destructive testing device for the location of a broken submarine cable, comprising a mobile cabin 1, a detector 2, a first fixed cavity 3, a motor 4, a motor shaft 5, a fixed rod 6, a fixed plate 7, a first gear 8, a second gear 9, a connecting shaft 10, a paddle plate 11, a connecting rod 12, a cleaning brush 13, a valve plate 14, a second fixed cavity 15, an air supply pipe 16, a connecting plate 17, a movable block 18, a collar 19, an auxiliary wheel 20, a connecting pipe 21, a movable cylinder 22, a fixed shaft 221, a connecting block 222, an air outlet 223, a pulley mechanism 23, a movable shaft 24, and a cutter 25.

[0036] Mobile cabin 1 is used for moving the outer side of the submarine cable. A detector 2 is installed on the top of the mobile cabin 1 to detect and alarm the location of the broken line. A first fixed cavity 3 is opened at one end of the detector 2. A motor 4 is bolted on the inner wall of the first fixed cavity 3. A motor shaft 5 is connected to the end of the motor 4.

[0037] A fixing rod 6 is fixed on the outside of the motor shaft 5. A metal fixing plate 7 is fixed in the first fixing cavity 3 on the side of the fixing rod 6. A first gear 8 is sleeved on the outside of the motor shaft 5, and a connecting shaft 10 passes through the inside of the second gear 9 that meshes with it. A blade plate 11 is fixedly installed at one end of the connecting shaft 10.

[0038] The valve plate 14 is movably disposed inside the movable compartment 1, and a second fixed cavity 15 is provided inside the movable compartment 1 outside the valve plate 14.

[0039] The collar 19 is bolted to the bottom of the mobile cabin 1, and the collar 19 is internally equipped with auxiliary wheels 20 to facilitate the smooth movement of the mobile cabin 1.

[0040] The connecting pipe 21 has one end fixedly connected to one side of the movable block 18. The end of the connecting pipe 21 is connected to the movable cylinder 22, and the movable cylinder 22 is connected to the connecting shaft 10 through the pulley mechanism 23.

[0041] The fixing plate 7 is inclined and is made of elastic metal material. The distance between the fixing plate 7 and the motor shaft 5 is greater than the length of the fixing rod 6.

[0042] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the rotation of the motor shaft 5 can drive the fixed rod 6 to rotate and strike the fixed plate 7. The resulting sound can drive away marine life. Since the fixed plate 7 is made of elastic metal, it will not affect the rotation of the fixed rod 6 and facilitates contact between the two.

[0043] The diameter and number of teeth of the first gear 8 are both greater than those of the second gear 9. The second gear 9, the blade plate 11, the connecting rod 12, and the valve plate 14 are coaxially arranged. The other end of the connecting shaft 10 is connected to the connecting rod 12. A cleaning brush 13 is provided on the side of the connecting rod 12. The connecting rod 12 and the cleaning brush 13 are inclined at the same angle to the surface of the moving cabin 1. At the same time, the end of the moving cabin 1 near the connecting rod 12 is a tapered structure.

[0044] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the meshing of two gears can drive the collar 19 to slide on the cable. The auxiliary wheel 20 can improve the smoothness of movement. Since the front end of the moving chamber 1 is a conical structure, the resistance can be reduced when moving forward for detection. At the same time, when the connecting shaft 10 rotates, it can drive the connecting rod 12 and the cleaning brush 13 to rotate synchronously, which can clean the front end of the moving chamber 1 and prevent the adhesion of debris from affecting the detection accuracy.

[0045] The connecting shaft 10 located in the second fixed cavity 15 has two threaded grooves with the same pitch but opposite directions. The connecting shaft 10 and the valve plate 14 are threadedly connected, and the edge of the valve plate 14 is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the second fixed cavity 15. The bottom of the second fixed cavity 15 is connected to one end of the air supply pipe 16, and the other end of the air supply pipe 16 is connected to a connecting plate 17, which is embedded on the other side of the movable block 18. The second fixed cavity 15 is connected to the movable block 18 through the air supply pipe 16, and the movable block 18 is connected to the connecting plate 17 and the collar 19. All of them form a relative rotating structure; the movable block 18 is connected to the movable cylinder 22 through the connecting pipe 21, and the inner wall of the movable cylinder 22 is fixed with a fixed shaft 221 at equal angles, and the end of the fixed shaft 221 is connected to a sludge cleaning connecting block 222, and the connecting block 222 has a reserved air vent 223 on the side near the cable; the movable cylinder 22 is connected to the connecting block 222 through the fixed shaft 221, and both the fixed shaft 221 and the valve plate 14 are equipped with a one-way valve structure, and the distance between one end of the connecting block 222 and the cable is smaller than the distance between the other end of the connecting block 222 and the cable;

[0046] like Figure 4-7As shown, the connecting shaft 10 rotates while driving the valve plate 14 to move back and forth in the second fixed cavity 15. When the valve plate 14 moves to the right, it can push the air in the second fixed cavity 15 into the air supply pipe 16, then into the movable block 18, and then into the movable cylinder 22 through the connecting pipe 21. Finally, it is discharged from the air outlet 223 through the fixed shaft 221 and the connecting block 222. The wind blows towards the cable surface, which can accelerate the speed at which silt and seaweed fall and improve the cleaning efficiency. Since the connecting plate 17 connected to the air supply pipe 16 and the movable block 18 can rotate, it will not affect the rotation of the movable cylinder 22, nor will it hinder the transmission of gas. In addition, one-way valves are provided in both the valve plate 14 and the fixed shaft 221, which facilitates the flow of gas and prevents seawater from entering the detection device.

[0047] A movable shaft 24 is movably provided on the side of the movable cylinder 22, and a cutter 25 for cleaning seaweed is fixedly installed at the end of the movable shaft 24. The movable shaft 24 and the cutter 25 are distributed at equal angles, and the cutter 25 forms a rotating structure through the movable shaft 24 and the movable cylinder 22.

[0048] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, when the detection device moves, it can drive the cutter 25 to contact the seaweed, thereby chopping the seaweed and preventing it from getting tangled on the device and affecting its movement. The cutter 25 can also rotate via the movable shaft 24 following the impact of the water flow, so as to chop the seaweed in different directions. When the connecting shaft 10 rotates, it can drive the movable cylinder 22 to rotate via the pulley mechanism 23. Thus, when the detection device moves, the movable cylinder 22 drives the fixed shaft 221 and the connecting block 222 to rotate, which can scrape off the silt and seaweed adhering to the cable, ensuring the smooth movement of the detection device. Furthermore, when the movable cylinder 22 rotates, it can drive the movable block 18 to rotate within the collar 19 via the connecting pipe 21, thus ensuring the stability of the movable cylinder 22 during rotation.

[0049] Working principle: such as Figure 1-7 As shown, after the detection device is first attached to the end of the cable, when the device moves on the seabed, the motor 4 drives the first gear 8 to rotate through the motor shaft 5, and then drives the connecting shaft 10 to rotate through the second gear 9. This drives the propeller plate 11 to rotate, thereby moving the device. The detector 2 detects the location of the cable break. During the movement of the device, the movable cylinder 22 drives the fixed shaft 221 and the connecting block 222 to rotate synchronously, cleaning the silt and seaweed adhering to the cable, thus ensuring the smooth movement of the device.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A non-destructive testing device for the location of submarine cable breaks, characterized in that, include: A mobile cabin is used for moving the outer side of the submarine cable. The top of the mobile cabin is equipped with a detector that detects and alarms the location of the broken line. A first fixed cavity is opened at one end of the detector. An electric motor is bolted to the inner wall of the first fixed cavity, and a motor shaft is connected to the end of the electric motor. A fixing rod is fixed to the outside of the motor shaft. A metal fixing plate is fixed in the first fixing cavity on the side of the fixing rod. A first gear is sleeved on the outside of the motor shaft, and a connecting shaft passes through the inside of a second gear that meshes with it. A blade plate is fixedly installed at one end of the connecting shaft. A valve plate is movably disposed inside the movable compartment, and a second fixed cavity is provided inside the movable compartment outside the valve plate; A collar, bolted to the bottom of the mobile cabin, has auxiliary wheels movably installed inside to facilitate the smooth movement of the mobile cabin; A connecting pipe, one end of which is fixedly connected to one side of the movable block, and a movable cylinder is connected to the end of the connecting pipe, and the movable cylinder is connected to the connecting shaft through a pulley mechanism. The bottom of the second fixed cavity is connected to one end of the gas supply pipe, and the other end of the gas supply pipe is connected to a connecting plate. The connecting plate is embedded on the other side of the movable block. The second fixed cavity is connected to the movable block through the gas supply pipe, and the movable block, the connecting plate, and the collar all form a relative rotation structure. The movable block is connected to the movable cylinder through a connecting pipe, and a fixed shaft is fixed at an equal angle on the inner wall of the movable cylinder. A connecting block for cleaning silt is connected to the end of the fixed shaft, and an air vent is reserved on the side of the connecting block near the cable.

2. The non-destructive testing device for submarine cable breakage location according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing plate is inclined and is made of elastic metal material, and the distance between the fixing plate and the motor shaft is greater than the length of the fixing rod.

3. The non-destructive testing device for submarine cable breakage location according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter and number of teeth of the first gear are both greater than those of the second gear, and the second gear, the impeller plate, the connecting rod, and the valve plate are coaxially arranged.

4. The non-destructive testing device for submarine cable breakage location according to claim 3, characterized in that: The other end of the connecting shaft is connected to a connecting rod, and a cleaning brush is provided on the side of the connecting rod. Both the connecting rod and the cleaning brush have the same inclination angle to the surface of the moving cabin. At the same time, the end of the moving cabin near the connecting rod has a tapered structure.

5. The non-destructive testing device for submarine cable breakage location according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting shaft located in the second fixed cavity is provided with two threaded grooves with the same pitch and opposite directions. The connecting shaft and the valve plate are threadedly connected, and the edge of the valve plate is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the second fixed cavity.

6. The non-destructive testing device for submarine cable breakage location according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable cylinder is connected to a fixed shaft and a connecting block. Both the fixed shaft and the valve plate are equipped with a one-way valve structure. Furthermore, the distance between one end of the connecting block and the cable is smaller than the distance between the other end of the connecting block and the cable.

7. The non-destructive testing device for submarine cable breakage location according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable cylinder has a movable shaft movably mounted on its side, and a cutter for cleaning seaweed is fixedly installed at the end of the movable shaft. The movable shaft and the cutter are distributed at equal angles, and the cutter forms a rotating structure through the movable shaft and the movable cylinder.

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