Automatic core transfer and storage system for drilling vessels and operation method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic core transfer and storage system for a drilling vessel and an operating method thereof, comprising: a drilling vessel, which collects cores from the seabed through drilling, cuts and processes the cores in a core collection area on board the vessel, uses a portion for experimental research, and stores the remaining portion. After the drilling vessel returns to its home port, the cores are transferred to an onshore core storage facility for storage; a core carrier, which is a loading tool for the cores and is used for transferring, storing, and transporting the cores at sea and on land; a transfer system, which is used for automatically transferring the cores on the drilling vessel and transferring the cores between the drilling vessel and the home port terminal; and a storage system, which is used for automatically storing the cores on the drilling vessel. The automatic core transfer and storage system and operating method thereof can realize the automatic transfer, storage, and loading and unloading of cores from containers, saving manpower, reducing the workload of personnel, and improving work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drilling ship core transfer and storage technology, and in particular to a drilling ship core automatic transfer and storage system and an operation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As land resources are increasingly explored, the rich resources of the seabed are attracting the attention of countries around the world. Drilling vessels collect a large amount of core material during each voyage. According to statistics, from January 1985 to September 2013, the "Resolution" completed 145 voyages for the Ocean Drilling Program and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, drilling 2,236 wells and obtaining 279,993 meters of core material, an average of approximately 2,000 meters of core material per voyage. With continuous advancements in drilling and coring technology, the coring rate per voyage is increasing. IODP voyage 342 drilled nine locations, producing a total of 5,700 meters of core material; IODP voyage 344 produced approximately 1,500 meters of core material from 11 boreholes at five different locations.

[0003] The drillship utilizes its onboard drill floor and derrick to retrieve cores from the seabed using a core collection system. Initially, long cores, typically about 9.5 meters in length, are landed on the drill floor and transported via a core conveyor to the core collection area located in front of the drill floor. From there, they enter the laboratory. Within the laboratory, the long cores are first cut into 1.5-meter-long segments. These segments undergo XCT scanning, physical property testing, and splitting in half. These splits yield working and archival core halves. The working half is sent to the core characterization and sampling area for experimental work, while the archival half undergoes high-definition photography and paleomagnetic testing before being transferred to the ship's core vault for storage. At the end of the voyage, after the ship docks, the cores stored in the ship's core vault are ultimately transferred to the onshore core vault for storage. Therefore, the core transfer and storage operations involved from embarkation to disembarkation are extensive. However, on most drilling ships, including the Resolution and the Earth, core transfer and storage are all done manually, which is very time-consuming and labor-intensive, inefficient, difficult to manage, and prone to problems.

[0004] The core transfer and storage on existing drilling vessels rely on manual handling, which results in high workload for crew members, low efficiency when transferring large quantities of cores, and difficulty in managing the classification and numbering of cores. There is an urgent need to develop an efficient and intelligent automated core transfer and storage system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated core transfer and storage system for a drilling vessel, which improves the efficiency of core transfer, storage and management while reducing the workload of the crew.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an automatic core transfer and storage system for a drilling ship, comprising:

[0007] a drill ship that collects cores from the seabed through drilling, cuts and processes the cores in a core collection area on board the ship, uses a portion for experimental research, and stores the remaining portion. After the drill ship returns to its home port, the cores are transported to an onshore core storage facility for storage;

[0008] a core carrier, which is a loading tool for the core and is used for transshipping, storing, and transporting the core at sea and on land;

[0009] a transfer system for automatically transferring the cores on the drilling vessel and between the drilling vessel and a home port terminal;

[0010] A storage system is provided for automatically storing the cores on the drilling vessel.

[0011] Furthermore, the core includes a long core, a segmented full core and a segmented half-split core. The core in its initial form collected from the seabed is a long core. The long core is cut radially according to a certain length to obtain a segmented full core. The segmented full core is cut in half along the axial direction to obtain a segmented half-split core. The segmented full core is cut into segmented half-split cores in the laboratory. Half of the segmented half-split cores are used for experimental research in the laboratory, and the other half of the segmented half-split cores are kept for archiving and transported to a core library for storage.

[0012] Furthermore, the drilling vessel includes a core collection area, a laboratory, a core storage and an open-air deck on top of the laboratory. The core collection area is located in front of the drill floor and is flush with the drill floor. The laboratory is a single-layer deckhouse or a multi-layer deckhouse, which is arranged adjacent to the core collection area. The top of the laboratory is an open-air operating deck, and the core storage is located directly below and above the double bottom of the drilling vessel.

[0013] Furthermore, the core carrier includes a core box, a core box tray, a core box, a core box stack and a container. The core box can accommodate one or more segmented full cores or segmented half cores. The core box tray can accommodate multiple core boxes, and multiple core box trays can be stacked up and down. The core box can accommodate multiple core box trays stacked together, and the core boxes can be stacked up and down to form the core box stack. The container can accommodate multiple core box stacks. The core box tray has flanges on the four sides and concave corners on the four sides of the bottom foot. When stacked, the four sides of the upper flange of the lower tray match the concave corners of the bottom foot of the upper tray. The core box tray and the core box have grooves on both sides. The core box has an interface for connection with the transfer system; the inner bottom surface of the core box is provided with bosses around, which coincide with the inner concave corners of the bottom foot of the core box tray; the core box has a column at each of the four corners and baffles on four sides; the columns and the baffles constitute a load-bearing structure, which can withstand the load when the core boxes are stacked; the columns have fixed cone holes at the bottom and fixed cones at the top, which are locked with each other when the core boxes are stacked up and down; the bottom of the four sides of the core box have standard fork openings; the internal floor of the container has a fixed seat, which can fix the core box stack; the container has a door on the side, and the core box loading operation is carried out from the side. The container is arranged on the open deck on the top of the laboratory.

[0014] Furthermore, the transfer system includes a core conveyor, a core transfer device, a core transfer vehicle, an AGV tractor, an elevator and a deck crane, which are used to automatically transfer the cores from the core collection area, through the laboratory to the core library, and from the core library to the open deck on the top of the laboratory, and finally to the home port terminal; the core conveyor and the core transfer device are located in the core collection area, and the core transfer device is also located at the upper front end of the core conveyor. The elevator vertically connects the core library, the laboratory and the open deck on the top of the laboratory, and the elevator is provided with a front door and a rear door on the core library floor; the deck crane is arranged on the open deck on the top of the laboratory, and is used to transfer the container between the drilling ship and the home port terminal; the core transfer vehicle directly loads the core box, or loads one or more stacked core box pallets, and then loads the core box through the core box pallet; The AGV tractor provides traction power to move the core transporter; in an emergency, the core transporter is pushed manually. The core conveyor has a roller rack and a power unit. The roller rack has multiple rollers arranged at regular intervals along the conveying direction. The power unit drives all rollers to rotate in the conveying direction, automatically conveying long cores. After the long cores are cut into segmented whole cores on the core conveyor, they are loaded into the core box and then delivered to the front end by the core conveyor. The core transfer device is used to transfer the core box containing the segmented whole cores from the core conveyor to the core transporter. The core transfer device has a mechanical articulated arm and a clamp. The clamp can grasp the core box, and the mechanical articulated arm can lift, rotate, and transfer the core box. The core transporter has a storage basket and four wheels. The bottom of the vehicle is equipped with a socket for connecting to the AGV tractor. The storage basket can directly carry the core box or carry the core box tray to carry the core box. The bottom surface of the storage basket has a plurality of grooves that match the shape of the bottom of the core box, and there are bosses around the bottom surface that match the concave angles of the bottom feet of the core box tray; the upper top surface of the AGV tractor has a liftable traction column, and the AGV tractor enters the space below the bottom of the core transfer vehicle from the rear side of the core transfer vehicle. The traction column is raised and inserted into the socket at the bottom of the core transfer vehicle. After docking is completed, the core transfer vehicle is towed for operation.

[0015] Furthermore, the storage system includes a core pallet processing line, a core box storage transport line, a core box storage transport line, a core box stacking and destacking line, a stack transfer line and a storage area. The core box storage transport line is located on the open-air deck on the top of the laboratory, and the other parts of the storage system are located in the core storage, arranged in three rows. The first row is divided into two areas, front and back, with the elevator as the center. The front door facing the elevator is the core pallet processing line and the core box stacking and destacking line, and the rear door facing the elevator is the core box storage transport line; the second row is the stack transfer line, and the third row is the storage area; the core box stacking and destacking line and the core box storage transport line each have a stacking and destacking area, and the core box stacks are transferred from the stacking and destacking area to The core pallet processing line can grab the core pallet from the core transfer vehicle and transfer it to the core box at the other end, or operate in the opposite direction; the core pallet processing line close to the elevator is a pallet loading and unloading area, and the other end is a core box loading and unloading area; the core pallet processing line has a mechanical articulated arm, a pallet clamp and a walking mechanism, the end of the mechanical articulated arm is a pallet clamp, the root of the mechanical articulated arm is a walking mechanism, the walking mechanism walks on the top track, the pallet clamp can grab the core pallet, and the core pallet is lifted, rotated and moved back and forth by the mechanical articulated arm, and the core pallet is moved to the core box loading and unloading area by the walking mechanism; one end of the core box stacking and destacking line is a core box The loading and unloading area is the other end of the stacking and destacking area; the core box loading and unloading area is used to load or unload core boxes on core pallets, and the core boxes are transferred to the stacking and destacking area for stacking after being filled. The top of the core box stacking and destacking line is provided with a grabbing mechanism that can grab the core boxes, and the grabbing mechanism is installed on a horizontal truss, and the two ends of the horizontal truss are horizontal walking mechanisms that can move back and forth along two horizontal tracks, and the two ends of the horizontal tracks are vertical walking mechanisms that can move up and down along four vertical columns; the core box stacking and destacking line can transfer core boxes between the core box loading and unloading area and the stacking and destacking area through the grabbing mechanism, the horizontal walking mechanism and the vertical walking mechanism; the stack transfer line includes a stack transfer mother car, a stack transfer sub-car, a mother car track, and a sub-car track and a stack fixing seat, the stack transferring mother vehicle and the stack transferring sub-vehicle can carry the core box stack from the core box stacking and destacking line to the storage area or in the opposite direction, and from the transport line in the core box warehouse to the storage area or in the opposite direction; the mother vehicle track is arranged longitudinally along the core warehouse, with the storage area on one side and the core pallet processing line, the core box stacking and destacking line and the transport line in the core box warehouse on the other side; the sub-vehicle track includes a sub-vehicle moving track and a sub-vehicle fixed track, the stack transferring mother vehicle has a sub-vehicle moving track, and the two sub-vehicle fixed tracks are respectively arranged at both ends of the mother vehicle track, perpendicular to the mother vehicle track, and extend from the mother vehicle track to the stacking and destacking area of ​​the core box stacking and destacking line and the transport line in the core box warehouse;Within the length of the mother vehicle track, there are several fixed rails for the sub-vehicles, which are perpendicular to the mother vehicle track and extend from the mother vehicle track to the storage area; the stack fixing seat is arranged on the outside of the sub-vehicle track for fixing and carrying the core box stack; the stack transfer mother vehicle, the core box stacking and destacking line and the stacking and destacking area of ​​the core box storage transport line are each provided with a stack fixing seat; the storage area is provided with the stack fixing seat according to the storage position of the core box stack, the stack fixing seat and the sub-vehicle fixed rail are connected together by a common base, and the stack fixing seat and the sub-vehicle moving rail are directly arranged The stacking and loading mother vehicle is on the frame; the stacking and loading mother vehicle and the stacking and loading sub-vehicle respectively walk on the mother vehicle track and the sub-vehicle track; the stacking and loading sub-vehicle is provided with a lifting device for lifting the core box stack during transportation and ferrying; the transportation line in the core box warehouse includes a fork, a fork frame, a fork frame seat and a top double track, one end of the transportation line in the core box warehouse is a stacking and destacking area, and the other end is an elevator for transferring the core box from the stacking and destacking area to the elevator or in the opposite direction, and the fork is fixedly installed at the lower end of the fork frame, and can be horizontally extended and forked to pick up the core box; the fork frame is a door-shaped frame with The lifting mechanism drives the fork to move up and down in the door-shaped frame, so that the fork can be aligned with the fork opening of the core box on any height of the core box stack; the upper end of the fork frame is fixedly installed on the fork frame seat, and the fork frame seat has a rotating device to rotate the fork frame to any angle and move along the top double track to transport the core box stack. The center position of the top double track is opposite to the rear door of the elevator and extends from the rear door of the elevator to the stacking and destacking area; the core box warehouse external handling line has the same fork, fork frame, fork frame seat and top double track as the core box warehouse internal handling line, but also has a transverse frame, top double track The fork carriage is installed transversely at the bottom of the transverse frame. Horizontal rails are provided at both ends of the transverse frame. The fork carriage can move transversely along the top double rails. The transverse frame drives the top double rails to move longitudinally, so that the external handling line of the core box warehouse can transport the core boxes in both the transverse and longitudinal directions, remove the core boxes from the elevator and transfer them to containers or transfer them in the opposite direction. The storage area is used to store the core box stacks and is provided with several rows of storage positions. Each row has several storage positions. Each storage position is provided with a stack fixing seat that can store and fix a core box stack. Each row of storage positions is provided with a sub-trolley fixing rail. A stack anti-sway device is also provided above the stack fixing seat. The stack anti-sway device is connected to the common base of the stack fixing seat and the sub-trolley fixing rail through a bracket. When the core box stack falls on the stack fixing seat, the stack anti-sway device falls and presses on the fixing cone of the column of the top core box to prevent the core box stack from shaking and overturning during sea transportation.

[0016] An operation method using an automatic core transfer and storage system of a drilling ship includes core storage operations, core unloading and ship-to-shore delivery operations, empty core box storage operations, and empty tray and box retrieval operations.

[0017] Furthermore, the steps of the core storage operation include:

[0018] Step 1: After the long core is cut into several segments of full cores along the radial direction on the core conveyor, the segmented full cores are placed in the core box and then conveyed to the front end by the core conveyor;

[0019] Step 2: The core box containing the segmented full core is transferred by a core transfer device to a core tray on a core transport vehicle;

[0020] Step 3: The AGV tractor pulls the core transporter from the core collection area to the laboratory for various experimental activities, including cutting the full core into segmented and half-split cores;

[0021] Step 4: After the experiment is completed, the core transport vehicle is loaded with the core tray, the core box and the segmented half-split core, and is towed by the AGV tractor into the elevator on the laboratory floor;

[0022] Step 5: The elevator descends vertically to the core storage floor, and the AGV tractor pulls the core transfer vehicle out of the elevator at the front door of the core storage, and then moves to the pallet loading and unloading area;

[0023] Step 6: The core tray processing line grabs the core tray containing the segmented half-split cores and core boxes from the core transfer vehicle located in the tray loading and unloading area, and then transfers it to the core box loading and unloading area to load the core tray into the core box;

[0024] Step 7: After the core box is full, the core box stacking and destacking line grabs the core box from the core box loading and unloading area and then transfers it to the stacking and destacking area. The first core box is placed on the stack fixing seat on the stacking and destacking area, and the subsequent core boxes are stacked up in sequence until the core box stack height is reached;

[0025] Step 8: The stack transfer sub-carriage moves to the bottom of the core box stack, and the lifting device of the stack transfer sub-carriage lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixed seat, the stack transfer sub-carriage carries the core box stack and moves along the sub-carriage fixed track to the mother car track entrance, waiting for the stack transfer mother car to ferry;

[0026] Step 9: Move the stack transfer vehicle to the entrance of the fixed track of the sub-vehicle of the core box stacking and destacking line, and align the sub-vehicle moving track of the stack transfer vehicle with the fixed track of the sub-vehicle and dock them;

[0027] Step 10: The stack transfer sub-carriage carries the core box stack to the stack transfer mother car. After it reaches the position, the lifting device of the stack transfer sub-carriage lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat on the stack transfer mother car.

[0028] Step 11: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle and the core box stack to the designated entrance of the storage area, and connects the sub-vehicle moving track of the stack transfer mother vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track at the designated location;

[0029] Step 12: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the storage area and moves it to the designated location.

[0030] Step 13: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat at the designated position in the storage area;

[0031] Step 14: The stack anti-sway device in the storage area is lowered to press the top core box in the core box stack to complete the operation.

[0032] Furthermore, the steps of the core delivery operation include:

[0033] Step 1: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track entrance of the storage area where the core box stacks to be shipped are located, and the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle is connected to the sub-vehicle fixed track;

[0034] Step 2: The stack transfer sub-carriage transfers to the sub-carriage fixed track in the storage area where the stack of core boxes to be shipped is located, and moves to the bottom of the stack of core boxes to be shipped;

[0035] Step 3: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat in the storage area, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack back to the stack transfer vehicle.

[0036] Step 4: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle;

[0037] Step 5: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle and the core box stack to the sub-vehicle fixed track entrance of the transport line in the core box warehouse, and connects the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track;

[0038] Step 6: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixed seat of the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the fixed track of the vehicle on the transport line in the core box warehouse.

[0039] Step 7: The stack transfer vehicle moves to the stacking and unstacking area of ​​the transport line in the core box warehouse, and the lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat in the stacking and unstacking area;

[0040] Step 8: The core box handling line in the core box warehouse forks and transfers the top core box of the core box stack each time, and delivers it to the elevator through the back door of the core storage floor;

[0041] Step 9: The elevator carries one core box at a time vertically upward from the core storage floor to the open-air deck floor at the top of the laboratory;

[0042] Step 10: The core box storage external handling line takes and removes the core boxes from the elevator, transfers and delivers the core boxes into containers, arranges them in several rows and columns in the container, and stacks them into a core box stack at each position;

[0043] Step 11: After the container is filled with the core box stack, the deck crane lifts the container and transfers it from the drilling vessel to the dock, thus completing the operation.

[0044] Furthermore, the steps of storing the empty core box include:

[0045] Step 1: The containers returned from the dock to the drilling vessel are placed on both sides of the handling line outside the core box warehouse. The core boxes in the containers only contain empty core boxes and core trays.

[0046] Step 2: The core box storage external handling line forks and removes one core box from the container each time, transfers the core box, and sends it to the elevator on the open deck floor at the top of the laboratory;

[0047] Step 3: The elevator carries one core box at a time vertically down from the open-air deck level at the top of the laboratory to the core storage level;

[0048] Step 4: The core box storage transport line forks and removes the core box from the elevator, transfers the core box to the stacking and destacking area of ​​the core box storage transport line, and places it on the stacking fixed seat. Subsequent core boxes are stacked up in sequence to form a core box stack;

[0049] Step 5: The stack transfer vehicle moves to the stacking and unstacking area of ​​the handling line in the core box warehouse. The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixed seat, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack along the fixed track of the sub-vehicle to the entrance of the mother vehicle track to wait for the stack transfer vehicle to be transferred.

[0050] Step 6: Move the stack transfer vehicle to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track at the transport line in the core box warehouse, and connect the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track;

[0051] Step 7: The stack transfer sub-carriage carries the core box stack to the stack transfer mother car. After it reaches the position, the lifting device of the stack transfer sub-carriage lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer mother car.

[0052] Step 8: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle and the core box stack to the designated entrance of the storage area, and connects the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track at the designated location;

[0053] Step 9: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat on the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the storage area and moves it to the designated location.

[0054] Step 10: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat at the designated position in the storage area;

[0055] Step 11: The stack anti-sway device in the storage area descends to press the top core box of the stack, completing the storage operation of one core box stack;

[0056] Step 12: Repeat the above steps until all core boxes in the container are stored in the storage area, and the warehousing operation is completed.

[0057] Furthermore, the operation of retrieving empty trays and boxes is to transport the empty core trays and boxes stored in the core library back to the laboratory to prepare for loading cores. The operation steps include:

[0058] Step 1: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track entrance of the storage area where the empty core box stacks to be shipped are located, and the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle is connected to the sub-vehicle fixed track;

[0059] Step 2: The stack transfer sub-carriage transfers to the sub-carriage fixed track in the storage area where the empty core box stack to be shipped is located, and moves to the bottom of the empty core box stack to be shipped;

[0060] Step 3: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat in the storage area, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack back to the stack transfer vehicle.

[0061] Step 4: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle;

[0062] Step 5: The stack transfer mother car carries the stack transfer sub-carriage and the core box stack to the sub-carriage fixed track entrance of the core box stacking and destacking line, and connects the sub-carriage mobile track of the stack transfer mother car to the sub-carriage fixed track;

[0063] Step 6: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the fixed track of the vehicle of the core box stacking and destacking line.

[0064] Step 7: The stack transfer vehicle moves to the stacking and destacking area of ​​the core box stacking and destacking line, and the lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat in the stacking and destacking area;

[0065] Step 8: The core box stacking and destacking line grabs the top core box from the core box stack in the stacking and destacking area and then transfers it to the core box loading and unloading area;

[0066] Step 9: The core tray processing line grabs the core tray containing the core box from the top core box in the core box loading and unloading area, and then transfers it to the core transfer vehicle in the tray loading and unloading area. The core trays on the core transfer vehicle are stacked up in sequence.

[0067] Step 10: The core transfer vehicle filled with core trays is towed by the AGV tractor and driven into the elevator on the core storage floor;

[0068] Step 11: The elevator goes up vertically to the laboratory floor, and the AGV tractor pulls the core transfer vehicle out of the elevator to the laboratory floor, and then moves to the designated location, completing the operation.

[0069] Due to the adoption of the above technology, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0070] The automatic core transfer and storage system and the operating method thereof can realize automatic transfer, storage, and container loading and unloading of cores, saving manpower, reducing the workload of personnel, and improving work efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1 This is a front view of the automatic core transport and storage system of the present invention;

[0072] Figure 2 A top view of the automatic core transfer and storage system of the present invention on the laboratory deck;

[0073] Figure 3 A top view of the automatic core transfer and storage system of the present invention in a core warehouse;

[0074] Figure 4 for Figure 3 AA cross-sectional view.

[0075] Figure 5 for Figure 3 BB cross-sectional view.

[0076] Figure 6A top view of the automatic core transfer and storage system of the present invention on the open deck at the top of the laboratory;

[0077] Figure 7 This is a main view of the core carrier, core transfer vehicle and AGV tractor of the automatic core transfer and storage system of the present invention;

[0078] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Left view of;

[0079] Figure 9 for Figure 7 A top view of

[0080] Figure 1: Drilling vessel; 11: Core collection area; 12: Laboratory; 13: Core storage; 14: Laboratory roof deck; 2: Core; 21: Long core; 22: Segmented full core; 23: Segmented half core; 3: Core carrier; 31: Core box; 32: Core box tray; 33: Core box; 34: Core box stack; 35: Container; 4: Transfer system; 41: Core conveyor; 42: Core transfer device; 43: Core transfer vehicle; 44: AGV tractor; 45: Elevator; 451: Front door; 452: Rear door; 46: Deck crane; 5. Storage system; 51. Core pallet processing line; 511. Pallet loading and unloading area; 52. Core box stacking and destacking line; 521. Core box loading and unloading area; 522. Stacking and destacking area; 53. Stack transfer line; 531. Stack transfer mother car; 532. Stack transfer sub-car; 533. Mother car track; 534. Sub-car moving track; 535. Sub-car fixed track; 536. Stack fixing seat; 537. Lifting device; 54. Core box internal transport line; 541. Stacking and destacking area; 55. Core box external transport line; 56. Storage area; 561. Stack anti-sway device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0082] See Figures 1 to 9 The present invention provides an automatic core transfer and storage system for a drilling vessel, comprising: a drilling vessel 1 having a core collection area 11 in front of the drilling platform; a laboratory 12 disposed adjacent to the core collection area 11; and a core storage 13 located directly below the laboratory 12. A laboratory roof deck 14 is located on top of the laboratory 12.

[0083] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the automatic core transfer and storage system further includes: a core 2, which is collected from the seabed by a drilling vessel 1. The core 2 is initially a long core 21, which is then segmented to obtain a segmented full core 22. The segmented full core 22 is then axially split in half to obtain a segmented half-split core 23. One half of the segmented half-split core 23 is used for laboratory research, while the other half is retained for archiving and transferred to a core library for storage.

[0084] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the automatic core transfer and storage system further includes a core carrier 3, which includes a core box 31, a core box tray 32, a core box 33, a core box stack 34, and a container 35. The core box 31 is used to store segmented cores 22 and segmented half-split cores 23. The core box tray 32 is used to store core boxes 31, and multiple core box trays 32 can be stacked vertically. The core box 33 is used to store core box trays 32, and multiple core boxes 33 can be stacked vertically to form a core box stack 34. The container 35 is used to load and transport the core boxes 33, and the core boxes 33 are stacked within the container 35 to form a core box stack 34. The container 35 is located on the top weather deck 14 of the laboratory.

[0085] The core box 31 can accommodate one or more segmented full cores or segmented half-split cores, the core box tray 32 can accommodate multiple core boxes 31, and multiple core box trays 32 can be stacked up and down, the core box 31 can accommodate multiple stacked core box trays 32, and the core boxes 33 can be stacked up and down to form a core box stack 34, and the container 35 can accommodate multiple core box stacks 34.

[0086] The core box tray 32 has flanges on its top and concave corners on its bottom. When stacked, the flanges on the bottom tray align with the concave corners on the bottom of the top tray. Both the core box tray 32 and the core box 31 have grooves on their sides for connection to the transfer system.

[0087] The inner bottom surface of the core box 31 has raised projections around its perimeter, aligning with the concave corners of the base of the core box tray 32. Core box 31 has a column at each corner and baffles on all four sides. These columns and baffles form a load-bearing structure that withstands the load of stacked core boxes. The columns have fixed tapered holes at the bottom and a fixed cone at the top, which lock the core boxes 33 together when they are stacked. Standard fork openings are located on the bottom of each of the four sides of the core box 33.

[0088] The container 35 has a fixed base on the floor to hold the core boxes. The container 35 has a door on the side to allow for loading of the core boxes 31. The container 35 is placed on the open deck at the top of the laboratory.

[0089] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the automated core transfer and storage system further comprises a transfer system 4 that automatically transfers cores from the core collection area, through the laboratory, to the core storage, and from the core storage to the laboratory's rooftop deck, and finally to the home port terminal. Transfer system 4 includes a core conveyor 41, a core transfer device 42, a core transfer vehicle 43, an AGV tractor 44, an elevator 45, and a deck crane 46. Core conveyor 41 is located in core collection area 11, and core transfer device 42 is located above the front end of core conveyor 41. AGV tractor 44 tows core transfer vehicle 43 between core collection area 11, laboratory 12, and core storage 13. Elevator 45 vertically connects the core storage 13, laboratory 12, and the laboratory's rooftop deck 14. It transports the AGV tractor 44, core transfer vehicle 43, and core boxes 33 vertically. Elevator 45 has a front door 451 and a rear door 452 in the core storage 13. The AGV tractor 44 and core transfer vehicle 43 enter and exit through the front door 451, while the core boxes 33 enter and exit through the rear door 452. A deck crane 46 is located on the laboratory's rooftop deck 14 and is used to lift containers 35 between the drillship 1 and the home port terminal.

[0090] The core conveyor 41 and core transfer device 42 are located in the core collection area, with the core transfer device 41 also located at the front end and upper portion of the core conveyor. An elevator vertically connects the core storage, laboratory, and the open-air deck atop the laboratory. The elevator has front and rear doors on the core storage floor. A deck crane is located on the open-air deck atop the laboratory and is used to transfer containers between the drilling vessel and the home port terminal. The core transfer vehicle 43 can directly load core boxes 31 or one or more stacked core box pallets 32, which are then loaded onto the core box pallets 32. An AGV tractor 44 provides traction to move the core transfer vehicle 43. In an emergency, the core transfer vehicle 43 can also be manually pushed.

[0091] The core conveyor 41 comprises a roller frame and a power unit. The roller frame has multiple rollers arranged at regular intervals along the conveying direction. The power unit drives all rollers to rotate in the conveying direction, automatically conveying long cores. The long cores are cut into segments on the core conveyor, loaded into core boxes, and then delivered to the front end of the core conveyor.

[0092] The core transfer device 42 is used to transfer the core box 31 containing the segmented full core from the core conveyor to the core transfer vehicle. The core transfer device 42 has a mechanical articulated arm and a clamp. The clamp can grasp the core box 31, and the mechanical articulated arm can lift, rotate and transfer the core box 31.

[0093] The core transport vehicle 43 has a storage basket and four wheels. A socket is located on the bottom of the vehicle for connection to the AGV tractor 44. The storage basket can carry the core boxes 31 directly or use a core box tray to carry the core boxes. The bottom of the storage basket has multiple grooves that match the shape of the core box bottoms, and there are protrusions around the bottom surface that match the concave corners of the bottom of the core box tray 32.

[0094] The upper surface of the AGV tractor 44 is provided with a liftable traction column. The AGV tractor 44 enters the space below the bottom of the core transfer vehicle 43 from the rear side of the core transfer vehicle 43. The traction column is raised and inserted into the socket at the bottom of the core transfer vehicle 43. After the docking is completed, the core transfer vehicle 43 is pulled into operation.

[0095] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the automatic core transfer and storage system further comprises a storage system 5, comprising a core pallet handling line 51, a core box stacking and destacking line 52, a stack transfer line 53, an in-store core box transport line 54, an out-store core box transport line 55, and a storage area 56. The core pallet handling line 51, the core box stacking and destacking line 52, the stack transfer line 53, the in-store core box transport line 54, and the storage area 56 are located in the core storage 13, while the out-store core box transport line 55 is located on the laboratory's roof deck 14. The core pallet handling line 51 is used to load and unload core pallets 32. The end of the core pallet handling line 51 near the elevator 45 is a pallet loading and unloading area 511. The core box stacking and destacking line 52 is used to stack and destacker core boxes 33. The end of the core box stacking and destacking line 52 near the core pallet handling line is a core box loading and unloading area 521, and the other end is a stacking and destacking area 522. The stack transfer line 53 is used to transfer the core box stacks 34 from the core box stacking and destacking line 52 or the core box storage transport line 54 to the storage area 56, or vice versa. The stack transfer line 53 also includes a stack transfer mother vehicle 531, a stack transfer sub-vehicle 532, a mother vehicle track 533, a sub-vehicle moving track 534, a sub-vehicle fixed track 535, and a stack fixing seat 536. The sub-vehicle moving track 534 is installed on the stack transfer mother vehicle 531, and the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 is laid between the stacking and destacking areas 522 and 541 and the mother vehicle track 533, as well as between the storage area 56 and the mother vehicle track. The stack fixing seat 536 is installed in the stacking and destacking areas 522 and 541, the stack transfer mother vehicle 531, and the storage area 56. The core box storage internal transport line 54 has a rear door 452 for the elevator 45 at one end and a stacking and destacking area 541 at the other end, used to transfer core boxes 33 from the stacking and destacking area 541 to the elevator 45, or vice versa. The core box storage external transport line 55 has an elevator 45 at one end, with containers 35 arranged on both sides of the line for transferring core boxes 33 from the elevator 45 to the containers 35, or vice versa. The storage area 56 is used to store the core box stacks 34 and is equipped with several rows of storage locations, each row having several storage locations. Each storage location can store one core box stack 34. A stack anti-sway device 561 is installed above the storage location to prevent the core box stacks 34 from shaking and overturning during marine transportation.

[0096] The core tray handling line 51 can grab core trays from the core transfer vehicle and transfer them to the core box at the other end, or vice versa. The end of the core tray handling line 51 closest to the elevator is the tray loading and unloading area, while the other end is the core box loading and unloading area. The core tray handling line 51 consists of a mechanical articulated arm, a tray clamp, and a traveling mechanism. The tray clamp is located at the end of the mechanical articulated arm, and the traveling mechanism is located at the base of the mechanical articulated arm. The traveling mechanism runs on the top track. The tray clamp grabs the core tray, which is then lifted, rotated, and moved back and forth by the mechanical articulated arm. The traveling mechanism then moves the core tray to the core box loading and unloading area.

[0097] One end of the core box stacking and destacking line 52 is the core box loading and unloading area, and the other end is the stacking and destacking area. The core box loading and unloading area is where core pallets are loaded and unloaded. Once the core boxes are full, they are transferred to the stacking and destacking area for stacking. The core box stacking and destacking line 52 has a gripping mechanism at the top that can grab the core boxes. The gripping mechanism is mounted on a horizontal truss. The horizontal truss has horizontal running mechanisms at both ends that can move forward and backward along two horizontal tracks. The horizontal tracks have vertical running mechanisms at both ends that can move up and down along four vertical columns. The core box stacking and destacking line uses the gripping mechanism, horizontal running mechanism, and vertical running mechanism to transfer core boxes between the core box loading and unloading area and the stacking and destacking area.

[0098] The mother car track 533 is arranged longitudinally along the core storage facility, with the storage area on one side and the core pallet processing line, core box stacking and destacking line, and core box storage internal handling line on the other. The sub-cart track includes a sub-cart movable track 534 and a sub-cart fixed track 535. One sub-cart movable track 534 is located on the stack transfer mother car 531. Two sub-cart fixed tracks 535 are located at either end of the mother car track 533, extending perpendicularly from the mother car track 533 to the stacking and destacking areas of the core box stacking and destacking line and the core box storage internal handling line. Several sub-cart fixed tracks 535 are distributed along the length of the mother car track 533, extending perpendicularly from the mother car track 533 to the storage area.

[0099] The stacking mounts 536 are located outside the sub-trolley tracks and are used to secure and support the core box stacks. A stacking mount 536 is installed on the stack transfer vehicle 531, as well as in the stacking and destacking areas of the core box stacking and destacking lines and the core box storage transport lines. Stacking mounts are located in the storage area according to the storage location of the core box stacks. The stacking mounts 536 and the sub-trolley fixed tracks 535 are connected by a common base. The stacking mounts 536 and sub-trolley movable tracks 535 are directly mounted on the frame of the stack transfer vehicle 531.

[0100] The stack transfer vehicle 531 and the stack transfer vehicle 532 travel on the vehicle track 533 and the vehicle track, respectively. The stack transfer vehicle 532 is equipped with a lifting mechanism. During handling operations, it first lifts the core box stack, freeing it from its fixed base, and then moves the entire stack together. The stack transfer vehicle is used to ferry the core box stack from the stacking and destacking line to the storage area or vice versa, as well as from the transport line within the core box warehouse to the storage area or vice versa. During ferrying, the stack transferring mother car moves into position first, so that the moving track of the sub-cart on the stack transferring mother car is aligned with the fixed track of the sub-cart where the stack transferring sub-cart is located, and then the stack transferring sub-cart carrying the stack of core boxes can be moved onto the stack transferring mother car, and the lifting device of the stack transferring sub-cart descends, so that the stack of core boxes falls to the stack fixed seat on the stack transferring mother car, and then the stack transferring mother car carries the stack of core boxes and the stack transferring sub-cart moves along the mother car track to the entrance of the fixed track of the sub-cart at the destination, and aligns the moving track of the sub-cart on the stack transferring mother car with the fixed track of the sub-cart at the destination, and finally the lifting device of the stack transferring sub-cart lifts the stack of core boxes from the stack fixed seat on the stack transferring mother car, and the stack transferring sub-cart carries the stack of core boxes along the moving track of the sub-cart of the stack transferring mother car, transitions to the fixed track of the sub-cart at the destination, and completes the ferrying.

[0101] The transport line 54 within the core box warehouse includes a fork, a fork frame, a fork frame seat, and an overhead double track. One end of the transport line 54 within the core box warehouse is the stacking and destacking area, and the other end is an elevator, which is used to transfer the core boxes from the stacking and destacking area to the elevator or vice versa. The fork is fixedly mounted at the lower end of the fork frame and can be extended and retracted horizontally to pick up the core boxes. The fork frame is a door-shaped frame with a lifting mechanism that drives the fork up and down within the door-shaped frame, so that the fork can be aligned with the fork opening of the core box at any height on the core box stack. The upper end of the fork frame is fixedly mounted on the fork frame seat. The fork frame seat has a rotating device that can rotate the fork frame to any angle and can move along the overhead double track to transport the core box stack. The center position of the overhead double track is directly opposite the rear door of the elevator, extending from the rear door of the elevator to the stacking and destacking area.

[0102] In addition to having the same forks, fork carriages, fork carriage seats and overhead double tracks as the core box warehouse internal transport line 54, the core box warehouse external transport line 55 also has a transverse frame. The overhead double tracks are installed transversely at the bottom of the transverse frame. Horizontal tracks are provided at both ends of the transverse frame. The fork carriage seats can move transversely along the overhead double tracks. The transverse frame drives the overhead double tracks to move longitudinally, so that the core box warehouse external transport line can transport the core box in both the transverse and longitudinal directions, take the core box out of the elevator and transfer it to the container or transfer it in the opposite direction.

[0103] During container loading and unloading operations, the containers are longitudinally arranged on both sides of the core box warehouse external transport line 55 , and the container doors are opened on the side facing the core box warehouse external transport line 55 .

[0104] Storage area 56 is used to store core box stacks. It features several rows of storage locations, each row containing several locations. Each location is equipped with a stacking station that can store and secure a core box stack. Each row of storage locations is equipped with a track for securing a trolley. A stacking anti-sway device is located above the stacking station. This device is connected to the common base of the stacking station and the track via a bracket. When a core box stack lands on the stacking station, the device descends and presses against the securing cone of the uppermost core box column, preventing the stack from shaking and tipping over during offshore transport.

[0105] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the process of the automatic core transfer storage system performing the core storage operation includes:

[0106] Step 1: The long core 21 is cut into several segments of full cores 22 along the radial direction on the core conveyor 41. The segmented full cores 22 are then loaded into the core box 31 and then conveyed to the front end by the core conveyor 41.

[0107] Step 2: The core box 31 containing the segmented full core 22 is transferred from the core transfer device 42 to the core tray 32 of the core transfer vehicle 43;

[0108] Step 3: The AGV tractor 44 pulls the core transporter 43 from the core collection area 11 to the laboratory 12 for various experimental activities, including cutting the segmented full core 22 into segmented half-cut cores 23;

[0109] Step 4: After the experiment is completed, the core transport vehicle 43 is loaded with the core tray 32, the core box 31 and the segmented half-cut core 23, and is towed by the AGV tractor 44 into the elevator 45 on the 12th floor of the laboratory;

[0110] Step 5: The elevator 45 descends vertically to the core storage 13th floor, and the AGV tractor 44 pulls the core transfer vehicle 43 out of the elevator 45 to the front door 451 of the core storage 13, and then moves to the pallet loading and unloading area 511;

[0111] Step 6: The core tray processing line 51 grabs the core tray 32 containing the segmented half core 23 and the core box 31 from the core transfer vehicle 43 located in the tray loading and unloading area 511, and then transfers it to the core box loading and unloading area 521 to load the core tray 32 into the core box 33;

[0112] Step 7: After the core boxes 33 are full, the core box stacking and destacking line 52 grabs the core boxes 33 from the core box loading and unloading area 521 and transfers them to the stacking and destacking area 522. The first core box 33 is placed on the stack fixing seat 536 on the stacking and destacking area 522. The subsequent core boxes 33 are stacked up in sequence until the core box stack 34 is reached.

[0113] Step 8: The stack transfer sub-carriage 532 moves to the bottom of the core box stack 34. The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer sub-carriage 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536, the stack transfer sub-carriage 532 carries the core box stack 34 and moves along the sub-carriage fixed track 535 to the entrance of the mother car track 533, waiting for the stack transfer mother car 531 to ferry the core box stack 34.

[0114] Step 9: The stack transfer vehicle 531 moves to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 of the core box stacking and destacking line 52, and aligns the sub-vehicle moving track 534 of the stack transfer vehicle 531 with the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 and docks;

[0115] Step 10: The stack transfer sub-carriage 532 carries the core box stack 34 to the stack transfer mother car 531. After reaching the position, the lifting device 537 of the stack transfer sub-carriage 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 on the stack transfer mother car 531.

[0116] Step 11: The stack transfer vehicle 531 carries the stack transfer vehicle 532 and the core box stack 34 to the designated entrance of the storage area 56, and docks the vehicle moving track 534 of the stack transfer vehicle 531 with the vehicle fixed track 535 at the designated location.

[0117] Step 12: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536 of the stack transfer vehicle 531, the stack transfer vehicle 532 carries the core box stack 34 to the storage area 56 and moves it to the designated location.

[0118] Step 13: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 at a designated position in the storage area 56;

[0119] Step 14: The stack anti-sway device 561 of the storage area 56 is lowered to press the top core box 33 of the core box stack 34 to complete the operation.

[0120] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the process of the core automatic transfer storage system performing the core outbound ship-to-shore delivery operation includes:

[0121] Step 1: The stack transfer mother vehicle 531 carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle 532 to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 of the storage area 56 where the core box stack 34 to be shipped is located, and the sub-vehicle moving track 534 of the stack transfer mother vehicle 531 is docked with the sub-vehicle fixed track 535;

[0122] Step 2: The stack transfer sub-carriage 532 transitions to the sub-carriage fixed track 535 of the storage area 56 where the stack of core boxes 34 to be shipped is located, and moves to the bottom of the stack of core boxes 34 to be shipped;

[0123] Step 3: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536 in the storage area 56, the stack transfer vehicle 532 returns the core box stack 34 to the stack transfer vehicle 531.

[0124] Step 4: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 of the stack transfer vehicle 531;

[0125] Step 5: The stack transfer mother vehicle 531 carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle 532 and the core box stack 34 to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track 536 of the transport line 54 in the core box warehouse, and docks the sub-vehicle mobile track 534 of the stack transfer mother vehicle 531 with the sub-vehicle fixed track 535;

[0126] Step 6: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536 of the stack transfer vehicle 531, the stack transfer vehicle 532 carries the core box stack 34 to the vehicle fixing track 535 of the transport line 54 in the core box warehouse;

[0127] Step 7: The stack transfer vehicle 532 moves to the stacking and destacking area 541 of the transport line 54 in the core box warehouse, and the lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 in the stacking and destacking area 541;

[0128] Step 8: The core box storage transport line 54 picks up and transfers the top core box 33 of the core box stack 34 each time, and delivers it to the elevator 45 from the rear door 452 on the 13th floor of the core storage;

[0129] Step 9: The elevator 45 carries one core box 33 at a time vertically upward from the core storage 13th floor to the open air deck 14th floor at the top of the laboratory;

[0130] Step 10: The core box storage external transport line 55 picks up and removes the core boxes 33 from the elevator 45, transfers and delivers the core boxes 33 into the container 35, and arranges the core boxes 33 into several rows and columns in the container 35, and stacks them into a core box stack 34 at each position;

[0131] Step 11: After the container 35 is filled with the core box stack 34, the deck crane 46 lifts the container 35 from the drilling vessel 1 to the dock, thus completing the operation.

[0132] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the process of the automatic core transfer storage system performing the empty core box storage operation includes:

[0133] Step 1: The container 35 returned from the dock to the drilling vessel 1 is placed on both sides of the transport line 55 outside the core box warehouse, and the core box 33 in the container 35 only contains empty core boxes 31 and core trays 32;

[0134] Step 2: The core box storage external transport line 55 forks and removes one core box 33 from the container 35 each time, transfers the core box 33 and sends it to the elevator 45 on the 14th floor of the open-air deck at the top of the laboratory;

[0135] Step 3: The elevator 45 carries one core box 33 at a time vertically downward from the open-air deck 14 on the top of the laboratory to the core storage 13 on the floor;

[0136] Step 4: The core box storage transport line 54 picks up and removes the core box 33 from the elevator 45, transfers the core box 33 to the stacking and destacking area 541 of the core box storage transport line 54, and places it on the stack fixing seat 536. Subsequent core boxes 33 are stacked up in sequence to form a core box stack 34;

[0137] Step 5: The stack transfer sub-carriage 532 moves to the stacking and unstacking area 541 of the transport line 54 in the core box warehouse. The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer sub-carriage 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536, the stack transfer sub-carriage 532 carries the core box stack 34 and moves along the sub-carriage fixed track 535 to the entrance of the mother car track 533 to wait for the stack transfer mother car 531 to ferry the core box stack 34.

[0138] Step 6: Move the stack transfer vehicle 531 to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 at the transport line 54 in the core box warehouse, and dock the sub-vehicle mobile track 534 of the stack transfer vehicle 531 with the sub-vehicle fixed track 535;

[0139] Step 7: The stack transfer sub-carriage 532 carries the core box stack 34 to the stack transfer mother car 531. After reaching the position, the lifting device 537 of the stack transfer sub-carriage 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 of the stack transfer mother car 531.

[0140] Step 8: The stack transfer mother vehicle 531 carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle 532 and the core box stack 34 to the designated entrance of the storage area 56, and docks the sub-vehicle moving track 534 of the stack transfer mother vehicle 531 with the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 at the designated location;

[0141] Step 9: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536 on the stack transfer vehicle 531, the stack transfer vehicle 532 carries the core box stack 34 to the storage area 56 and moves it to the designated location.

[0142] Step 10: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 at a designated position in the storage area 56;

[0143] Step 11: The stack anti-sway device 561 of the storage area 56 descends to press the top core box 33 of the core box stack 34, completing the storage operation of one core box stack 34;

[0144] Step 12: Repeat the above steps until all the core boxes 33 in the container 35 are stored in the storage area, and the storage operation is completed.

[0145] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the process of the automatic core transfer storage system performing the operation of retrieving empty core trays and empty core boxes and returning them to the laboratory includes:

[0146] Step 1: The stack transfer mother vehicle 531 carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle 532 to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 of the storage area 56 where the empty core box stack 34 to be shipped is located, and the sub-vehicle moving track 534 of the stack transfer mother vehicle 531 is docked with the sub-vehicle fixed track 535;

[0147] Step 2: The stack transfer sub-carriage 532 transitions to the sub-carriage fixed track 535 of the storage area 56 where the empty core box stack 34 to be shipped is located, and moves to the bottom of the empty core box stack 34 to be shipped;

[0148] Step 3: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536 in the storage area 56, the stack transfer vehicle 532 returns the core box stack 34 to the stack transfer vehicle 531.

[0149] Step 4: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 of the stack transfer vehicle 531;

[0150] Step 5: The stack transfer mother vehicle 531 carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle 532 and the core box stack 34 to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track 535 of the core box stacking and destacking line 52, and docks the sub-vehicle mobile track 534 of the stack transfer mother vehicle 531 with the sub-vehicle fixed track 535;

[0151] Step 6: The lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lifts the core box stack 34. After the core box stack 34 is separated from the stack fixing seat 536 of the stack transfer vehicle 531, the stack transfer vehicle 532 carries the core box stack 34 to the vehicle fixing track 535 of the core box stacking and destacking line 52.

[0152] Step 7: The stack transfer vehicle 532 moves to the stacking and destacking area 522 of the core box stacking and destacking line 52, and the lifting device 537 of the stack transfer vehicle 532 lowers the core box stack 34 and places the core box stack 34 on the stack fixing seat 536 in the stacking and destacking area 522;

[0153] Step 8: The core box stacking and destacking line 52 grabs the top core box 33 from the core box stack 34 in the stacking and destacking area 522 and transfers it to the core box loading and unloading area 521;

[0154] Step 9: The core tray processing line 51 grabs the core tray 32 containing the core box 31 from the top core box 33 in the core box loading and unloading area 521, and then transfers it to the core transfer vehicle 43 in the tray loading and unloading area 511. The core trays 32 on the core transfer vehicle 43 are stacked up in sequence.

[0155] Step 10: The core transfer vehicle 43 filled with core trays 32 is towed by the AGV tractor 44 and enters the elevator 45 on the 13th floor of the core storage;

[0156] Step 11: The elevator 45 goes up vertically to the 12th floor of the laboratory, and the AGV tractor 44 pulls the core transfer vehicle 43 out of the elevator 45 to the 12th floor of the laboratory, and then moves to the designated location, completing the operation.

Claims

1. An operating method using a drilling ship automatic core transfer and storage system, the drilling ship automatic core transfer and storage system comprising: a drilling vessel, which collects cores from the seabed by drilling, cuts and processes the cores in the core collection area on board, uses a portion of the cores for experimental research, and stores the remaining portion; after the drilling vessel returns to its home port, the cores are transported to an onshore core warehouse for storage; a core carrier, which is a loading tool for the cores and is used for transporting, storing, and transporting the cores at sea and on land; a transfer system, which is used for automatically transporting the cores on the drilling vessel and between the drilling vessel and the home port terminal; a storage system, which is used for automatically storing the cores on the drilling vessel, and is characterized in that the operation method includes core storage operations, core unloading operations, ship-to-shore delivery operations, empty core box storage operations, and empty tray and box retrieval operations; The steps of the core storage operation include: Step 1: After the long core is cut into several segments of full core along the radial direction on the core conveyor, the segmented full core is placed in the core box and then sent to the front end by the core conveyor; Step 2: The core box containing the segmented full core is transferred by a core transfer device to a core tray on a core transport vehicle; Step 3: The AGV tractor pulls the core transporter from the core collection area to the laboratory for various experimental activities, including cutting the full core into segmented and half-split cores; Step 4: After the experiment is completed, the core transport vehicle is loaded with the core tray, the core box and the segmented half-split core, and is towed by the AGV tractor into the elevator on the laboratory floor; Step 5: The elevator descends vertically to the core storage floor, and the AGV tractor pulls the core transfer vehicle out of the elevator at the front door of the core storage, and then moves to the pallet loading and unloading area; Step 6: The core tray processing line grabs the core tray containing the segmented half-split cores and core boxes from the core transfer vehicle located in the tray loading and unloading area, and then transfers it to the core box loading and unloading area to load the core tray into the core box; Step 7: After the core box is full, the core box stacking and destacking line grabs the core box from the core box loading and unloading area and then transfers it to the stacking and destacking area. The first core box is placed on the stack fixing seat on the stacking and destacking area, and the subsequent core boxes are stacked up in sequence until the core box stack height is reached; Step 8: The stack transfer sub-carriage moves to the bottom of the core box stack, and the lifting device of the stack transfer sub-carriage lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixed seat, the stack transfer sub-carriage carries the core box stack and moves along the sub-carriage fixed track to the mother car track entrance, waiting for the stack transfer mother car to ferry; Step 9: Move the stack transfer vehicle to the entrance of the fixed track of the sub-vehicle of the core box stacking and destacking line, and align the sub-vehicle moving track of the stack transfer vehicle with the fixed track of the sub-vehicle and dock them; Step 10: The stack transfer sub-carriage carries the core box stack to the stack transfer mother car. After it reaches the position, the lifting device of the stack transfer sub-carriage lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat on the stack transfer mother car. Step 11: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle and the core box stack to the designated entrance of the storage area, and connects the sub-vehicle moving track of the stack transfer mother vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track at the designated location; Step 12: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the storage area and moves it to the designated location. Step 13: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat at the designated position in the storage area; Step 14: The stack anti-sway device in the storage area is lowered to press the top core box in the core box stack to complete the operation.

2. The operation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps of the core delivery operation include: Step 1: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track entrance of the storage area where the core box stacks to be shipped are located, and the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle is connected to the sub-vehicle fixed track; Step 2: The stack transfer sub-carriage transfers to the sub-carriage fixed track in the storage area where the stack of core boxes to be shipped is located, and moves to the bottom of the stack of core boxes to be shipped; Step 3: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat in the storage area, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack back to the stack transfer vehicle. Step 4: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle; Step 5: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle and the core box stack to the sub-vehicle fixed track entrance of the transport line in the core box warehouse, and connects the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track; Step 6: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixed seat of the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the fixed track of the vehicle on the transport line in the core box warehouse. Step 7: The stack transfer vehicle moves to the stacking and unstacking area of ​​the transport line in the core box warehouse, and the lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat in the stacking and unstacking area; Step 8: The transport line in the core box warehouse picks up and transfers the top core box of the core box stack at a time, and delivers it into the elevator through the back door of the core warehouse floor; Step 9: The elevator carries one core box at a time vertically upward from the core storage floor to the open-air deck floor at the top of the laboratory; Step 10: The core box storage external handling line takes and removes the core boxes from the elevator, transfers and delivers the core boxes into containers, arranges them in several rows and columns in the container, and stacks them into a core box stack at each position; Step 11: After the container is filled with the core box stack, the deck crane lifts the container and transfers it from the drilling vessel to the dock, thus completing the operation.

3. The operation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps of the empty core box storage operation include: Step 1: The containers returned from the dock to the drilling vessel are placed on both sides of the handling line outside the core box warehouse. The core boxes in the containers only contain empty core boxes and core trays. Step 2: The core box storage external handling line forks and removes one core box from the container each time, transfers the core box, and sends it to the elevator on the open deck floor at the top of the laboratory; Step 3: The elevator carries one core box at a time vertically down from the open-air deck level at the top of the laboratory to the core storage level; Step 4: The core box storage transport line forks and removes the core box from the elevator, transfers the core box to the stacking and destacking area of ​​the core box storage transport line, and places it on the stacking fixed seat. Subsequent core boxes are stacked up in sequence to form a core box stack; Step 5: The stack transfer vehicle moves to the stacking and unstacking area of ​​the handling line in the core box warehouse. The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixed seat, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack along the fixed track of the sub-vehicle to the entrance of the mother vehicle track to wait for the stack transfer vehicle to be transferred. Step 6: Move the stack transfer vehicle to the entrance of the sub-vehicle fixed track at the transport line in the core box warehouse, and connect the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track; Step 7: The stack transfer sub-carriage carries the core box stack to the stack transfer mother car. After it reaches the position, the lifting device of the stack transfer sub-carriage lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer mother car. Step 8: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle and the core box stack to the designated entrance of the storage area, and connects the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track at the designated location; Step 9: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat on the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the storage area and moves it to the designated location. Step 10: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat at the designated position in the storage area; Step 11: The stack anti-sway device in the storage area descends to press the top core box of the stack, completing the storage operation of one core box stack; Step 12: Repeat the above steps until all core boxes in the container are stored in the storage area, and the warehousing operation is completed.

4. The operation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operation of retrieving empty trays and boxes is to transport the empty core trays and boxes stored in the core library back to the laboratory to prepare for loading cores. The operation steps include: Step 1: The stack transfer mother vehicle carries the stack transfer sub-vehicle to the sub-vehicle fixed track entrance of the storage area where the empty core box stacks to be shipped are located, and the sub-vehicle mobile track of the stack transfer mother vehicle is connected to the sub-vehicle fixed track; Step 2: The stack transfer sub-carriage transfers to the sub-carriage fixed track in the storage area where the empty core box stack to be shipped is located, and moves to the bottom of the empty core box stack to be shipped; Step 3: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat in the storage area, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack back to the stack transfer vehicle. Step 4: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle; Step 5: The stack transfer mother car carries the stack transfer sub-carriage and the core box stack to the sub-carriage fixed track entrance of the core box stacking and destacking line, and connects the sub-carriage mobile track of the stack transfer mother car to the sub-carriage fixed track; Step 6: The lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lifts the core box stack. When the core box stack is separated from the stack fixing seat of the stack transfer vehicle, the stack transfer vehicle carries the core box stack to the fixed track of the vehicle of the core box stacking and destacking line. Step 7: The stack transfer vehicle moves to the stacking and destacking area of ​​the core box stacking and destacking line, and the lifting device of the stack transfer vehicle lowers the core box stack and places the core box stack on the stack fixing seat in the stacking and destacking area; Step 8: The core box stacking and destacking line grabs the top core box from the core box stack in the stacking and destacking area and then transfers it to the core box loading and unloading area; Step 9: The core tray processing line grabs the core tray containing the core box from the top core box in the core box loading and unloading area, and then transfers it to the core transfer vehicle in the tray loading and unloading area. The core trays on the core transfer vehicle are stacked up in sequence. Step 10: The core transfer vehicle filled with core trays is towed by the AGV tractor and driven into the elevator on the core storage floor; Step 11: The elevator goes up vertically to the laboratory floor, and the AGV tractor pulls the core transfer vehicle out of the elevator to the laboratory floor, and then moves to the designated location, completing the operation.

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