Separately recoverable underwater acoustic release and method of use

Abstract

The application provides a separable underwater release device and a use method thereof, and can reduce the influence of an acoustic release device on an upper floating ball, test equipment and the like during a release stage. The separable underwater release device can realize separation and recovery of test equipment and the acoustic release device, can reduce the influence of the acoustic release device on the test equipment during recovery (the influence on the upper floating ball, the test equipment and the like), and can guarantee the safety of the test equipment when underwater environment detection and underwater scientific experiments are carried out. When underwater model floating experiments are carried out, the influence of the acoustic release device on the experiments can be reduced, and the accuracy of the test can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater testing technology, and in particular to a detachable and retrievable underwater acoustic release device and its method of use. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, acoustic release devices are widely used in marine exploration and underwater scientific experiments, with common working scenarios including... Figure 1 As shown, the acoustic release device and ballast device are connected at the bottom of the test instrument, and the buoy is connected at the top. The instrument is placed on the bottom of the water and the test instrument is collecting data. The acoustic release device is in standby mode. After the test instrument completes the data collection, it emits an acoustic signal through the surface deck unit. The latch at the bottom of the acoustic release device opens, and under the buoyancy of the buoy above, the instrument and the acoustic release device float to the surface for salvage.

[0003] Deploying and retrieving test instruments using acoustic release devices avoids the need for retrieval using ships and ropes, significantly improving the success rate and saving manpower and resources. However, in existing acoustic release device and test instrument retrieval schemes, there is a possibility of collisions between the test instrument and the acoustic release device in complex hydrological environments, potentially damaging the test instrument. Tests such as model buoyancy require a certain retrieval speed and necessitate minimizing the impact of the tail acoustic release device on instrument testing during the retrieval phase. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a detachable and retrievable underwater release device and its method of use, which can reduce the impact of the acoustic release device on the upper float, testing instruments, etc. during the release phase.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0006] The present invention discloses a detachable and retrievable underwater release device, comprising an acoustic releaser, a releaser float, a releaser float limiting device, and a releaser float fixing device. In use, the acoustic releaser is placed underwater, the releaser float fixing device fixes the releaser float to the surface of the acoustic releaser to provide buoyancy, the releaser float limiting device is placed on both sides of the releaser float to prevent the float from falling off from both ends of the acoustic releaser, and the releaser float adjusts the underwater acoustic releaser to a positive buoyancy state to realize the separation and retrieval function after release.

[0007] The system includes ballast, testing instruments, a buoy, and cables. The ballast fixes the entire test setup to the bottom of the water, and its weight is adjusted according to the buoyancy of the buoy, testing device, and underwater acoustic release device. The testing device is configured with corresponding testing equipment according to the test requirements; during underwater surfacing tests, the testing device is a pressure-resistant surfacing model. The buoy is selected based on the weight of the testing device and the depth of the test water area, and its buoyancy is at least greater than the weight of the testing device. During underwater surfacing tests, the testing device and the buoy are integrated into a pressure-resistant surfacing model. The cables connect the ballast, underwater acoustic release device, testing device, and buoy; the cable length is adjusted according to actual needs, and an easy-detach mechanism is provided at the cable connection point to the underwater acoustic release device's release mechanism. The cable length between the underwater acoustic release device and the testing device is greater than the total length of the underwater acoustic release device.

[0008] The buoyancy material of the release device is selected according to the working depth of the testing instrument, and the configuration of the release device buoy is designed and processed according to the shape and wet weight of the acoustic release device.

[0009] The releaser float limiting device is designed with a limiting mechanism according to the shape of the acoustic releaser to achieve the stop and limit of the releaser float.

[0010] The release buoy fixing device uses fasteners selected according to the shape of the release buoy.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method of using the device of the present invention, comprising the following steps:

[0012] The ballast and testing device are connected to cables, with the other end inserted into the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device. The release mechanism is then locked using an acoustic signal. The release device float is fixed to the acoustic release device using a float fixing device, and float limiting devices are installed at both ends. The tightness of each component is confirmed. The other end of the testing device is connected to a buoy via a cable, and all cable connections are checked. The connected ballast, the acoustic release device with the release device float, the float fixing device, and the float limiting device, the testing device, and the buoy are sequentially lowered into the water. Under the action of the ballast and the buoy, the entire device sinks vertically into the water. The entire device is then deployed using cables, ensuring safe deployment. After the entire device is deployed, underwater testing or release experiments are conducted.

[0013] The cables connecting the ballast and the testing instrument are all fixed in the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device. After the release mechanism is opened, the testing instrument floats up under the buoyancy of the buoy, and the acoustic release device floats up under the action of the release device float. The ballast, underwater acoustic release device, testing instrument and buoy are arranged in series on the bottom of the water with the cables connected.

[0014] Beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. Compared with the prior art, the underwater release device of the present invention can separate and recover the test instrument and the acoustic release device. When conducting underwater environmental exploration and underwater scientific experiments, it can reduce the impact of the acoustic release device (on the upper buoy, test instrument, etc.) during the test instrument recovery stage, and ensure the safety of the test instrument. When conducting underwater model surfacing tests, it can reduce the impact of the acoustic release device on the test and improve the accuracy of the test.

[0016] 2. This invention can directly modify commercial acoustic release devices or integrate acoustic release devices and release floats, making modification relatively convenient. It can achieve functionality by simply adding an acoustic release float without disassembling the acoustic release device, resulting in a reasonable design, low manufacturing difficulty, simple installation, and convenient maintenance.

[0017] 3. This invention, through the flexible adjustment of the release buoy, can adapt to acoustic releasers of different shapes and types, exhibiting strong adaptability and applicability to various application scenarios of acoustic releasers. The release buoy is fixed using a release buoy fixing device and a limiting device, minimizing the impact on existing acoustic releasers and testing devices. While enabling the release of underwater testing devices, it reduces or even eliminates the influence of the release mechanism on the testing devices. Especially when conducting underwater model surfacing tests, it can reduce the impact of the acoustic releaser on the test and improve the accuracy of the test.

[0018] 4. In this invention, the cables connecting the ballast and the testing instrument are all fixed in the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device. Under the action of the buoy and the release device's float, the underwater acoustic release device and the testing instrument will not interfere with each other. Simultaneously, the underwater acoustic signal receiving end of the release device faces upwards, facilitating the reception of the underwater acoustic release signal. After the release mechanism is opened, the testing instrument rises rapidly under the buoyancy of the buoy, while the acoustic release device rises slowly under the action of the release device's float. The two can be effectively staggered to avoid interference. The ballast, underwater acoustic release device, testing instrument, and buoy are arranged in series on the bottom of the water by the connection of the cables, resulting in a simple, safe, and reliable connection structure. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of an existing acoustic release device.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the detachable and recyclable underwater acoustic release device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the detachable and recyclable underwater acoustic release device of the present invention.

[0022] Among them, 1-acoustic release device, 2-release device float, 3-release device float limiting device, 4-release device float fixing device, 5-ballast, 6-testing instrument, 7-buoy, 8-cable. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] To reduce the impact of the acoustic release device on the upper float, testing instruments, etc. during the release phase, this invention proposes a detachable and recoverable underwater release device, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the device includes an acoustic release device 1, a release device float 2, a release device float limiting device 3, and a release device float fixing device 4. In use, the acoustic release device 1 is placed underwater. The release device float fixing device 4 secures the release device float 2 to the surface of the acoustic release device 1, providing buoyancy. The release device float limiting device 3 is placed on both sides of the release device float 2 to prevent the float from detaching from both ends of the acoustic release device 1. The release device float 2 adjusts the underwater acoustic release device 1 to a positive buoyancy state, enabling separation and recovery after release.

[0025] Specifically, the underwater acoustic release device 1 can be selected with a suitable pressure resistance depth and load according to the test requirements; the release device float 2 can be made of a suitable pressure-resistant buoyancy material according to the working depth of the testing instrument, and the float configuration can be designed and processed according to the shape and wet weight of the acoustic release device 1; the release device float limiting device 3 can be designed with a suitable limiting mechanism according to the shape of the acoustic release device 1 to achieve the stop and limit of the release device float 2; the release device float fixing device 4 can be fastened with corrosion-resistant metal cable ties, clamps or bolts according to the shape of the release device float 2, ensuring that the release device float is firmly fixed and that the installation does not affect the operation of the cable, release mechanism, etc., and fully considering the reliability and corrosion prevention issues in the test water area.

[0026] In use, the underwater release device of the present invention, which can be separated and recovered, also includes ballast 5, testing instruments 6, floats 7, and cables 8. Specifically, the ballast 5 can fix the entire test device to the bottom of the water, and the weight of the ballast 5 can be adjusted according to the buoyancy of each component such as the buoy, the test device, and the underwater acoustic release device; the test device 6 can be configured with corresponding test equipment according to the test requirements, and the test device 6 should be a pressure-resistant floating model when conducting underwater surfacing tests; the buoy 7 can be selected with appropriate size and pressure resistance depth according to the weight of the test device 6 and the depth of the test water area, and the buoyancy of the buoy 7 should be at least greater than the weight of the test device; when conducting underwater surfacing tests, the test device 6 and the buoy 7 can be integrated into a pressure-resistant floating model; the cable 8 can connect the ballast 5, the underwater acoustic release device 1, the test device 6, and the buoy 7, and the length of each part of the cable can be adjusted according to actual needs. The cable connecting to the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device can be equipped with a smooth ring or other easy-to-detach mechanism; the length of the cable 8 between the underwater acoustic release device 1 and the test device 6 should be greater than the total length of the underwater acoustic release device 1 to avoid collision between the release device and the test device.

[0027] The present invention also provides a method of using a detachable and recyclable underwater release device, comprising the following steps:

[0028] By connecting the ballast 5 and the test device 6 to the cable 8 respectively, and inserting the other end into the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device 1, the release mechanism can be locked by the underwater acoustic signal, and the release command of the acoustic release device 1 can be tested on land as needed.

[0029] The release float 2 is fixed to the acoustic release device 1 by the release float fixing device 4, and the release float limiting devices 3 are installed at both ends. The tightness of each component is confirmed.

[0030] Connect the other end of the testing device 6 to the float 7 via cable 8, and check and confirm all connections of the cable. Place the connected ballast 5, acoustic release device 1 (including release device float 2, release device float fixing device 4, and release device float limiting device 3), testing device 6, and float 7 into the water in sequence. Under the action of ballast 5 and float 7, the entire device sinks vertically into the water. The cable 8 can then be used for deployment, ensuring safe deployment. The cable connecting ballast 5 and testing device 6 is fixed to the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device 1. Under the action of float 7 and release device float 2, the underwater acoustic release device and testing device will not interfere with each other. Simultaneously, the underwater acoustic signal receiver of the release device faces upwards for easy reception of the underwater acoustic release signal. After the release mechanism is opened, testing device 6 rises rapidly under the buoyancy of float 7, while acoustic release device 1 rises slowly under the action of release device float 2. The two are effectively staggered to avoid interference. The ballast 5, underwater acoustic release device 1, testing instrument 6, and float 7 are arranged in series on the bottom of the water under the connection of cables. The connection structure is simple, safe and reliable.

[0031] Once the entire device is deployed, underwater testing or release trials can be conducted.

[0032] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A detachable and recyclable underwater release device, characterized in that, The system includes an acoustic release device, a release device float, a release device float limiting device, and a release device float fixing device. In use, the acoustic release device is placed underwater. The release device float fixing device secures the release device float to the surface of the acoustic release device, providing buoyancy. The release device float limiting device is placed on both sides of the release device float to prevent the float from detaching from both ends of the acoustic release device. The release device float adjusts the underwater acoustic release device to a positive buoyancy state, enabling separation and recovery after release. The system also includes ballast, testing instruments, a buoy, and cables. The ballast fixes the entire test setup to the bottom of the water, and its weight is adjusted according to the buoyancy of the buoy, testing equipment, and underwater acoustic release device. The testing setup is configured with corresponding testing equipment according to experimental needs; for underwater surfacing tests, the testing setup is a pressure-resistant surfacing mold. The float is selected based on the weight of the testing device and the depth of the test water area, and its buoyancy is at least greater than the weight of the testing device. During the underwater surfacing test, the testing device and the float are integrated into a pressure-resistant surfacing model. The cable connects the ballast, underwater acoustic release device, testing device, and float, and the cable length of each part is adjusted according to actual needs. An easy-to-detach mechanism is configured at the cable connection point with the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device. The cable length between the underwater acoustic release device and the testing device is greater than the total length of the underwater acoustic release device. The buoyancy material of the release device float is selected according to the working depth of the testing instrument, and the configuration of the release device float is designed and processed according to the shape and wet weight of the acoustic release device. The release device float limiting device is designed with a limiting mechanism according to the shape of the acoustic release device to achieve the stopping and limiting of the release device float.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The release buoy fixing device selects fasteners for fastening according to the shape of the release buoy.

3. A method of using the device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The ballast and testing device are connected to cables, with the other end inserted into the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device. The release mechanism is then locked using an acoustic signal. The release device float is fixed to the acoustic release device using a float fixing device, and float limiting devices are installed at both ends. The tightness of each component is confirmed. The other end of the testing device is connected to a buoy via a cable, and all cable connections are checked. The connected ballast, the acoustic release device with the release device float, the float fixing device, and the float limiting device, the testing device, and the buoy are sequentially lowered into the water. Under the action of the ballast and the buoy, the entire device sinks vertically into the water. The entire device is then deployed using cables, ensuring safe deployment. After the entire device is deployed, underwater testing or release experiments are conducted.

4. The method as described in claim 3, wherein the cables connecting the ballast and the testing instrument are both fixed in the release mechanism of the underwater acoustic release device; after the release mechanism is opened, the testing instrument floats up under the buoyancy of the buoy, and the acoustic release device floats up under the action of the release device float; the ballast, the underwater acoustic release device, the testing instrument and the buoy are arranged in series on the bottom of the water under the connection of the cables.

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