Horizontal storage tank bottom distribution optical fiber layout auxiliary system

Abstract

This invention provides an auxiliary system for the distributed optical fiber deployment at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank, including an optical fiber positioning device. The optical fiber positioning device comprises a main support frame and a secondary support frame, which are perpendicularly connected to each other. A first optical fiber traction mechanism is located in the middle of the main support frame, a second optical fiber traction mechanism is located at the top of the main support frame, and a third optical fiber traction mechanism is located at the top of the secondary support frame. The third optical fiber traction mechanism is arranged opposite to the second optical fiber traction mechanism. Limiting rollers are provided on both sides of the top of the main support frame. This invention enables rapid deployment of optical fibers at the bottom of horizontal storage tanks, saving time and labor, and can adapt to optical fibers of different diameters, exhibiting strong operability and reusability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical fiber deployment technology, specifically a distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system for the bottom of a horizontal storage tank. Background Technology

[0002] Oil and gas storage facilities are a crucial part of the petrochemical industry, and ensuring the structural health and operational safety of petrochemical storage tanks has been a hot research topic in the industry in recent years. Distributed fiber optic sensing technology is an emerging method in the field of structural health monitoring. Due to its advantages such as wide monitoring range, compact and flexible design, non-electrical operation, and intrinsic safety, its application in the field of storage tank safety monitoring is of great significance.

[0003] In recent years, the construction of storage tanks in my country has been developing towards diversification and larger scale. Among them, horizontal storage tanks or bullet-shaped tanks have a wide range of application prospects and are developing towards buried storage tanks covered with soil. Due to the large size of the storage tanks, they cannot be turned over. When laying distributed optical fibers at the bottom of horizontal storage tanks, technicians are required to lay them upside down, which increases the difficulty of the installation. In addition, due to the weight of the optical cable itself, there is a downward force. The epoxy resin or impregnating adhesive used to bond the optical fiber to the tank body requires a long drying time, and the optical cable is very easy to fall off the surface of the tank.

[0004] Traditionally, optical cables are pre-fixed to the tank using super glue and cloth tape, then epoxy resin or impregnating adhesive is applied to firmly bond the cables to the tank surface. However, this method is inefficient and labor-intensive, especially the pre-fixation work, which requires multiple people to work together to hold both ends of the cable and support it while the super glue dries. The entire process is cumbersome, inefficient, and labor-intensive. Therefore, developing a portable and reliable auxiliary device for distributed optical fiber deployment at the bottom of storage tanks is of significant value and importance in solving optical fiber deployment problems encountered in similar work scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention proposes an auxiliary system for the distributed optical fiber deployment at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank.

[0006] This invention provides an auxiliary system for the bottom-distributed optical fiber deployment of a horizontal storage tank, comprising an optical fiber positioning device. The optical fiber positioning device includes a main support frame and a secondary support frame, which are perpendicularly connected to each other. A first optical fiber traction mechanism is provided in the middle of the main support frame, a second optical fiber traction mechanism is provided at the top of the main support frame, and a third optical fiber traction mechanism is provided at the top of the secondary support frame. The third optical fiber traction mechanism is arranged opposite to the second optical fiber traction mechanism. Limiting rollers are provided on both sides of the top of the main support frame.

[0007] Preferably, it further includes an optical fiber storage and delivery device; the optical fiber storage and delivery device includes a moving mechanism, the moving mechanism is provided with a roller, the roller is arranged with optical fibers, and the roller is connected to a first motor.

[0008] Preferably, the main support frame is located below the first optical fiber traction mechanism and is connected to an optical fiber through-hole frame, which has through holes for optical fibers to pass through.

[0009] Preferably, the lower end of the main support frame is provided with a handle, and the outer surface of the handle is provided with an anti-slip layer.

[0010] Preferably, the first fiber optic traction mechanism includes a left extrusion roller and a right extrusion roller arranged opposite to each other. The rear side of the left extrusion roller is connected to a second motor, and the front side of the left extrusion roller is rotatably connected to a left mounting base. Both the second motor and the left mounting base are fixedly connected to the main support frame. The right side of the left mounting base is connected to the left side of the right mounting base via an elastic element, and the front side of the right extrusion roller is rotatably connected to the right mounting base. The lower right end of the left mounting base and the upper left end of the right mounting base are both provided with limiting posts. The left and right mounting bases are also connected by limiting sleeves. The lower left and upper right sides of the limiting sleeves are provided with limiting plates, and the limiting plates are arranged opposite to the limiting posts.

[0011] Preferably, the main support frame is located below the first optical fiber traction mechanism and is connected to an auxiliary support frame, and the left mounting seat is fixed to the auxiliary support frame by a support rod.

[0012] Preferably, the second fiber optic traction mechanism includes a left support rod and a right support rod arranged opposite to each other. The lower parts of the left and right support rods are both made of highly elastic rubber. The top of the left support rod is provided with a rotatable left compression ball, and the top of the right support rod is provided with a rotatable right compression ball. The top of the main support frame is provided with an H-shaped slot, and the bottom of the left and right support rods is provided with an H-shaped plate. The H-shaped plate and the H-shaped slot are slidably connected. The H-shaped slot is provided with multiple clips, and the outside of the H-shaped plate is provided with a sleeve. The sleeve and the H-shaped plate are rotatably connected. The lower inner part of the sleeve is also connected to the H-shaped plate through an elastic element. The sleeve can be snapped together with the clips.

[0013] Preferably, the third fiber optic traction mechanism includes a left extrusion groove and a right extrusion groove arranged opposite to each other. The lower end of the left extrusion groove is provided with a left bar gear, which meshes with a left circular gear. The lower end of the right extrusion groove is provided with a right bar gear, which meshes with a right circular gear. A rod gear is provided between the left and right circular gears. The left and right circular gears mesh with the left and right sides of the rod gear, respectively. The bottom of the rod gear is connected to a third motor. The central axis of the left bar gear, the central axis of the right bar gear, and the center connection line between the left and right circular gears can be connected to form a triangle.

[0014] Preferably, the third motor is placed on the auxiliary support frame, and the fixing bolt passes through the bottom of the auxiliary support frame and is threaded into the housing of the third motor.

[0015] Preferably, the limiting roller is provided with movable brackets on both sides, the limiting roller is rotatably connected to the movable bracket, the bottom of the movable bracket is provided with a fixed bracket, the top of the fixed bracket is provided with a U-shaped groove, the movable bracket is inserted into the U-shaped groove, and a connecting seat is provided in the U-shaped groove. The bottom side of the fixed bracket is connected to the connecting seat through an elastic element.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank provided by the present invention can realize the rapid deployment of optical fibers at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank through the cooperation of the first, second and third optical fiber traction mechanisms, saving time and effort, and can adapt to optical fibers of different diameters, with strong operability and turnover. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the optical fiber storage and transportation device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first optical fiber traction mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second optical fiber traction mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the card sleeve in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the third optical fiber traction mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the movable bracket and the fixed bracket in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 100, Main support frame; 101, Fiber optic cable through-hole frame; 102, Through hole; 103, Handle; 104, Auxiliary support frame; 105, H-shaped slot; 106, Clip; 200, Secondary support frame; 300, First fiber optic traction mechanism; 301, Left compression roller; 302, Right compression roller; 303, Second motor; 304, Left mounting base; 305, Right mounting base; 306, Right mounting base; 307, Limiting post; 308, Limiting sleeve; 400, Second fiber optic traction mechanism; 401, Left support rod; 402, Right support rod; 403, Left compression ball; 404, Right compression ball; 405. H-shaped clamp; 406, clamp sleeve; 500, third fiber optic traction mechanism; 501, left extrusion groove; 502, right extrusion groove; 503, gear teeth; 504, left rack gear; 505, left circular gear; 506, right rack gear; 507, right circular gear; 508, rod gear; 509, third motor; 600, limiting roller; 601, movable bracket; 602, fixed bracket; 603, U-shaped groove; 604, connecting seat; 700, glue applicator; 800, fiber optic storage and delivery device; 801, roller; 802, fiber optic cable; 803, trolley; 804, first motor; 805, triangular wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below with reference to specific illustrations.

[0027] This invention provides an auxiliary system for the bottom-distributed optical fiber deployment of horizontal storage tanks, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a fiber optic positioning system. The system comprises a main support frame 100 and a secondary support frame 200, which are perpendicularly connected. Both the main support frame 100 and the secondary support frame 200 can be configured as a triangle to maintain the stability of the entire positioning system. A first fiber optic traction mechanism 300 is located at the front center of the main support frame 100, a second fiber optic traction mechanism 400 is located at the top of the main support frame 100, and a third fiber optic traction mechanism 500 is located at the top of the secondary support frame 200. The third fiber optic traction mechanism 500 and the first fiber optic traction mechanism 300 are located on the same side, and the third fiber optic traction mechanism 500 and the second fiber optic traction mechanism 400 are arranged opposite each other. Limiting rollers 600 are provided on both sides of the top of the main support frame 100. The outer surface of the limiting rollers 600 can be larger than the inner surface to accommodate the curved structure of the tank bottom.

[0028] The operation method of this invention is as follows: The auxiliary system is placed at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank. The delivered optical fiber is sequentially passed through the first optical fiber traction mechanism 300, the second optical fiber traction mechanism 400, and the third optical fiber traction mechanism 500. A glue applicator 700 is used to bond the portion of the optical fiber extending from the third optical fiber traction mechanism 500 to the horizontal storage tank. The auxiliary system is moved along the direction opposite to the direction of optical fiber extension, adhering to the horizontal storage tank, and this process is continued until the portion of the optical fiber extending from the third optical fiber traction mechanism 500 is bonded to the horizontal storage tank. The glue applicator 700 may include a metal tube with a glue nozzle installed at the upper end and the lower end connected to an extrusion chamber. The prepared adhesive is placed in the extrusion chamber, and the adhesive is extruded from the glue nozzle by extrusion.

[0029] In some embodiments, the auxiliary system may include an optical fiber storage and delivery device 800; the optical fiber storage and delivery device 800 may include a moving mechanism, on which a roller 801 is provided, and an optical fiber 802 is arranged on the roller 801. For example, Figure 2 As shown, a trolley 803 is used as the moving mechanism. A roller 801 is installed inside the trolley 803, and the optical fiber 802 is wound around the roller 801. The roller 801 is connected to the output end of a first motor 804 via a rotating shaft and a rubber belt. The first motor 804 drives the roller 801 to rotate, thereby continuously conveying the optical fiber 802. A triangular wheel 805 can be installed on each side of the bottom of the trolley 803 to adapt to uneven surfaces in the optical fiber deployment environment.

[0030] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the main support frame 100 is located below the first optical fiber traction mechanism 300 and can be fixedly connected to an optical fiber through-hole frame 101. The optical fiber through-hole frame 101 is provided with through holes 102 for optical fibers to pass through, so that the optical fiber can be better constrained during the traction process.

[0031] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the lower end of the main support frame 100 may be provided with a handle 103, and the outer surface of the handle 103 is provided with an anti-slip layer to facilitate hand operation by the operator.

[0032] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , 4As shown, the first fiber optic traction mechanism 300 may include a left extrusion roller 301 and a right extrusion roller 302 arranged opposite to each other. The rear side of the left extrusion roller 301 is connected to the output end of the second motor 303 via a rotating shaft. The front side of the left extrusion roller 301 is rotatably connected to the left mounting base 304 via a rotating shaft and a bearing. Both the second motor 303 and the left mounting base 304 are fixedly connected to the main support frame 100. The right side of the left mounting base 304 is connected to the left side of the right mounting base 305 via two springs. The front side of the right extrusion roller 302 is rotatably connected to the right mounting base 305 via a rotating shaft and a bearing.

[0033] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the lower right end of the left mounting base 304 and the upper left end of the right mounting base 305 are both provided with limiting posts 307. The left mounting base 304 and the right mounting base 305 are also connected by a limiting sleeve 308. The lower left side and the upper right side of the limiting sleeve 308 are both provided with limiting plates, which are arranged opposite to the limiting posts 307.

[0034] When the first fiber optic traction mechanism 300 is in operation, it passes the fiber optic cable through the gap between the left compression roller 301 and the right compression roller 302. The second motor 303 drives the left compression roller 301 to rotate counterclockwise, pulling the fiber optic cable upward. Under the compression of the fiber optic cable, the right compression roller 302 moves away from the left compression roller 301. Under the constraint of the two springs and the limiting post 307 and the limiting sleeve 308, the right compression roller 302 is limited, so that the gap between the left compression roller 301 and the right compression roller 302 is adjustable to accommodate fibers of different diameters.

[0035] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the main support frame 100 is located below the first optical fiber traction mechanism 300 and can be connected to an auxiliary support frame 104. The left mounting base 304 is fixed to the auxiliary support frame 104 by two support rods. The left mounting base 304 can also be fixedly connected to the sub-support frame 200 by a support rod.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the second fiber optic traction mechanism 400 includes a left support rod 401 and a right support rod 402 arranged opposite to each other. The lower parts of both the left support rod 401 and the right support rod 402 are made of highly elastic rubber to provide cushioning when squeezed by the fiber optic cable. The top of the left support rod 401 is rotatably connected to the left compression ball 403 via a bearing, and the top of the right support rod 402 is rotatably connected to the right compression ball 404 via a bearing. The top of the main support frame 100 is provided with an H-shaped slot 105, and the bottom of both the left support rod 401 and the right support rod 402 is provided with an H-shaped locking plate 405, which is slidably connected to the H-shaped slot 105.

[0037] Furthermore, multiple wedge-shaped clips 106 are evenly arranged within the H-shaped slot 105, and a clip 406 (e.g., a sleeve) is provided on the outer side of the H-shaped card plate 405. Figure 6 As shown, the wedge-shaped ferrule 406 and the H-shaped clamping plate 405 can be rotated up and down. The lower inner part of the ferrule 406 is also connected to the H-shaped clamping plate 405 by a spring. The ferrule 406 can be snapped into the clamping piece 106. By moving the ferrule 406 up and down, the ferrule 406 and the clamping piece 106 can be connected and separated, thereby limiting the left support rod 401 and the right support rod 402, so that the gap between the left support rod 401 and the right support rod 402 is adjustable to accommodate optical fibers of different diameters.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , 7 As shown, the third fiber optic traction mechanism 500 includes a housing, within which are a left extrusion groove 501 and a right extrusion groove 502 arranged opposite to each other. Several gear teeth 503 are evenly distributed on opposite sides of both the left and right extrusion grooves 501 and 502. A left rack gear 504 is provided at the lower end of the left extrusion groove 501, meshing with a left circular gear 505. A right rack gear 506 is provided at the lower end of the right extrusion groove 502, meshing with a right circular gear 507. The gears are meshed, with a rod gear 508 positioned between the left circular gear 505 and the right circular gear 507. The left and right circular gears 505 and 507 mesh with the left and right sides of the rod gear 508, respectively. The bottom of the rod gear 508 is connected to the output end of the third motor 509. The central axis of the left bar gear 504, the central axis of the right bar gear 506, and the center line connecting the left and right circular gears 505 and 507 can be connected to form a triangle. For example, when the third motor 509 drives the rod gear 508 to rotate counterclockwise and the left circular gear 505 to rotate clockwise, the left and right bar gears 504 and 506 can be moved away from each other, thereby increasing the gap between the left and right extrusion grooves 501 and 502. This allows the gap between the left and right extrusion grooves 501 and 502 to be adjustable to accommodate optical fibers of different diameters.

[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , 7 As shown, the third motor 509 is placed on the auxiliary support frame 200, and the fixing bolt 201 passes through the bottom of the auxiliary support frame 200 and is threadedly connected to the housing of the third motor 509, so that the third fiber optic traction mechanism 500 can be detachably installed on the auxiliary support frame 200.

[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, movable supports 601 can be provided on both sides of the limiting roller 600. The limiting roller 600 and the movable supports 601 are rotatably connected by a pivot. A fixed support 602 is provided at the bottom of the movable support 601. Figure 8 As shown, the top of the fixed bracket 602 is provided with a U-shaped groove 603, the movable bracket 601 is inserted into the U-shaped groove 603, and a connecting seat 604 is provided in the U-shaped groove 603. The front bottom of the fixed bracket 602 is connected to the connecting seat 604 by a spring. In this way, the movable bracket 601 is damped, allowing the limiting roller 600 to move more stably against the horizontal storage tank.

[0041] The above are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structures made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, whether directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are similarly within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system for the bottom of a horizontal storage tank, characterized in that, The device includes a fiber optic positioning system, comprising a main support frame and a secondary support frame, which are perpendicularly connected to each other. A first fiber optic traction mechanism is located in the middle of the main support frame, a second fiber optic traction mechanism is located at the top of the main support frame, and a third fiber optic traction mechanism is located at the top of the secondary support frame. The third fiber optic traction mechanism is arranged opposite to the second fiber optic traction mechanism. Limiting rollers are provided on both sides of the top of the main support frame. The first fiber optic traction mechanism includes a left extrusion roller and a right extrusion roller arranged opposite to each other. The rear side of the left extrusion roller is connected to a second motor, and the front side of the left extrusion roller is rotatably connected to a left mounting base. Both the second motor and the left mounting base are fixedly connected to the main support frame. The right side of the left mounting base is connected to the left side of the right mounting base through an elastic element, and the front side of the right extrusion roller is rotatably connected to the right mounting base. The lower right end of the left mounting base and the upper left end of the right mounting base are both provided with limiting posts. The left and right mounting bases are also connected by limiting sleeves. The lower left and upper right sides of the limiting sleeves are provided with limiting plates, and the limiting plates are arranged opposite to the limiting posts. The second fiber optic traction mechanism includes a left support rod and a right support rod arranged opposite to each other. The lower parts of the left and right support rods are both made of highly elastic rubber. The top of the left support rod is provided with a rotatable left compression ball, and the top of the right support rod is provided with a rotatable right compression ball. The top of the main support frame is provided with an H-shaped slot, and the bottom of the left and right support rods is provided with an H-shaped plate. The H-shaped plate and the H-shaped slot are slidably connected. The H-shaped slot is provided with multiple clips, and the outside of the H-shaped plate is provided with a sleeve. The sleeve and the H-shaped plate are rotatably connected. The lower inner part of the sleeve is also connected to the H-shaped plate through an elastic element. The sleeve can be snapped together with the clips. The third fiber optic traction mechanism includes a left extrusion groove and a right extrusion groove arranged opposite to each other. The lower end of the left extrusion groove is provided with a left bar gear, which meshes with a left circular gear. The lower end of the right extrusion groove is provided with a right bar gear, which meshes with a right circular gear. A rod gear is provided between the left and right circular gears, and the left and right circular gears mesh with the left and right sides of the rod gear, respectively. The bottom of the rod gear is connected to a third motor. The central axis of the left bar gear, the central axis of the right bar gear, and the center connection line between the left and right circular gears can be connected to form a triangle.

2. The distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an optical fiber storage and delivery device; the optical fiber storage and delivery device includes a moving mechanism, on which a roller is provided, and optical fibers are arranged on the roller, and the roller is connected to a first motor.

3. The distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main support frame is located below the first optical fiber traction mechanism and is connected to an optical fiber through-hole frame, which has through holes for optical fibers to pass through.

4. The distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the main support frame is provided with a handle, and the outer surface of the handle is provided with an anti-slip layer.

5. The distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The main support frame is located below the first optical fiber traction mechanism and is connected to an auxiliary support frame. The left mounting seat is fixed to the auxiliary support frame by a support rod.

6. The distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system at the bottom of a horizontal storage tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The third motor is placed on the auxiliary support frame, and the fixing bolt passes through the bottom of the auxiliary support frame and is threaded into the housing of the third motor.

7. The distributed optical fiber deployment auxiliary system for the bottom of a horizontal storage tank as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Both sides of the limiting roller are provided with movable brackets, and the limiting roller is rotatably connected to the movable bracket. The bottom of the movable bracket is provided with a fixed bracket, and the top of the fixed bracket is provided with a U-shaped groove. The movable bracket is inserted into the U-shaped groove, and a connecting seat is provided in the U-shaped groove. The bottom side of the fixed bracket is connected to the connecting seat through an elastic element.

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