A water filling and draining pipeline arrangement structure for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a main water storage pipe.

Abstract

This invention discloses a water filling and draining pipeline arrangement structure for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a water storage main pipe. The structure includes: a gate working gate with a retractable docking sealing frame; a flexible docking seal between the sealing frame and the gate; a water storage main pipe, multiple gap-side main pipes, and multiple auxiliary drain pipes within the gate working gate; the water storage main pipe connects the multiple gap-side main pipes in parallel; at least one pressure level gauge is installed at the bottom of the water storage main pipe; one end of each auxiliary drain pipe is connected to the bottom of the docking seal, and the other end is connected to the water storage main pipe; multiple reversible pumps are installed within the gate working gate; each reversible pump is connected to the gap-side main pipe and the pilot channel-side main pipe via corner joints and corrugated expansion joints on both sides; the gap-side main pipes are connected to the docking gap via the gap-side main filling and draining port; and the pilot channel-side main pipe is connected to the pilot channel. This application features a simpler structure, reducing the difficulty of maintenance and repair of equipment within the working area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ship lift technology, and more specifically to a structure for arranging water filling and draining pipelines in the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a main water storage pipe. Background Technology

[0002] Existing ship lifts typically have multiple reversible pumps installed inside the lock gate to fill and drain water into the gap between the ship-carrying chamber and the lock gate. Since the main filling / draining port on the gap side is generally higher than the bottom sealing joint of the gap, a small amount of residual water remains below the main filling / draining port during gap drainage and cannot be directly discharged by the reversible pumps. Furthermore, during gap drainage, water often flows back into the gap after the reversible pumps stop but before the valves close, increasing the residual water within the gap.

[0003] Typically, multiple auxiliary drain pipes are installed at the bottom of the sealing joint. These drain pipes are connected to a temporary water storage tank. After the main pipeline has drained, the valve between the auxiliary drain pipes and the temporary water storage tank is opened, and the remaining water in the joint gap flows into the temporary water storage tank by gravity. Once the remaining water is drained, the sealing frame can be retracted to complete the unsealing action, and the water in the temporary water storage tank is then discharged through multiple auxiliary drain pumps.

[0004] Currently, to reduce backflow during gap drainage, the shut-off water level of one reversible pump is often set lower than that of the other pumps, allowing the last pump to stop to discharge as much backflow as possible. However, the water level gauge controlling the start and stop of the reversible pumps is usually located within the connection gap. This means that the shut-off water level will not fall below the auxiliary drain outlet at the bottom of the gap, resulting in a certain amount of backflow still occurring after the last reversible pump stops.

[0005] Because the gate's operating valve contains numerous mechanical and hydraulic devices and has very limited space, the installation of drainage pumps, temporary water storage tanks, and associated valves on the auxiliary drainage pipeline further increases the amount of equipment inside the operating valve, raising the difficulty of equipment maintenance and repair. Furthermore, the backflow problem in the current reversible pump shutdown control also increases the time required to drain residual water from the gap. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a water filling and draining pipeline arrangement structure for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a water storage main pipe, in order to solve the technical problems in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A water filling and draining pipeline arrangement structure for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a water storage main pipe includes: a gate working gate, a docking sealing frame that can be pushed out and retracted on the gate working gate, a flexible docking seal between the docking sealing frame and the working gate, a water storage main pipe, multiple gap-side main pipes, and multiple auxiliary drain pipes inside the gate working gate, the water storage main pipe connecting the multiple gap-side main pipes in parallel, at least one pressure level gauge at the bottom of the water storage main pipe, one end of each of the multiple auxiliary drain pipes connected to the bottom of the docking seal, and the other end connected to the water storage main pipe, multiple reversible pumps inside the gate working gate, each reversible pump being connected to the gap-side main pipe and the pilot channel-side main pipe on both sides via corner joints and corrugated expansion joints respectively; the gap-side main pipes are connected to the docking gap through the gap-side main filling and draining port; the pilot channel-side main pipe is connected to the pilot channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, each auxiliary drain pipe is equipped with a flexible hose to accommodate the pushing and retracting action of the sealing frame.

[0010] In some embodiments, multiple pressure level gauges are provided at the bottom of the main water storage pipe. The average water level measured by the multiple pressure level gauges at the bottom of the main water storage pipe is used to control the start and stop of the reversible pump. The stop water level of one reversible pump is set at the bottom of the main water storage pipe, while the stop water level of the other reversible pumps is a certain distance above the bottom of the main water storage pipe.

[0011] In some embodiments, an electric valve and a manual maintenance valve are provided on the main pipeline on the pilotway side.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0013] The water filling and draining pipeline for the docking gap of the ship lift described in this patent eliminates the need for a drain pump, temporary water storage tank, and matching valves on the auxiliary drainage pipeline, resulting in a simpler structure and reducing the difficulty of equipment maintenance and repair within the working area. When draining water from the gap, the backflow generated by the reversible pump stopping will not return to the docking gap, shortening the time required to drain residual water from the gap. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the water filling and draining pipeline layout for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a main water storage pipe;

[0015] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of Part I;

[0016] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Sectional view of AA. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components having the same or similar functions throughout. The described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0018] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or display that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or display.

[0022] The following will combine Figure 1-3 This application provides a detailed description of the water filling and draining pipeline arrangement structure for a ship lift docking gap equipped with a main water storage pipe, as described in the embodiments of this application. It is worth noting that the following embodiments are merely for explaining this application and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0023] Example 1:

[0024] A water filling and draining pipeline arrangement structure for a ship lift docking gap equipped with a water storage main pipe includes: a gate working gate 1, a docking sealing frame 2 that can be pushed out and retracted on the gate working gate, a flexible docking seal 3 between the docking sealing frame and the working gate, a water storage main pipe, multiple gap-side main pipes, and multiple auxiliary drain pipes inside the gate working gate, the water storage main pipe connecting the multiple gap-side main pipes in parallel, at least one pressure level gauge at the bottom of the water storage main pipe, one end of the multiple auxiliary drain pipes connected to the bottom of the docking seal, and the other end connected to the water storage main pipe, multiple reversible pumps 4 inside the gate working gate, each reversible pump being connected to the gap-side main pipe and the pilot channel-side main pipe 6 on both sides via corner joints and corrugated expansion joints respectively; the gap-side main pipe 5 is connected to the docking gap through the gap-side main filling and draining port; the pilot channel-side main pipe is connected to the pilot channel.

[0025] This patent describes a water filling and draining pipeline arrangement for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a main water storage pipe. Its main structural feature is the use of a main water storage pipe that connects multiple main filling and draining pipes on the gap side in parallel. Multiple auxiliary drain pipes located at the bottom of the dock seal are directly connected to this main water storage pipe. A pressure level gauge is installed at the bottom of the main water storage pipe to control the start and stop of the reversible pumps on the main filling and draining pipes. When draining water from the gap, the stop water level of one reversible pump is lower than that of the other pumps, and the stop water level of the last pump to stop is located at the bottom of the main water storage pipe. Therefore, the return water after its stop will only enter the main water storage pipe and will not enter the docking gap. After the water above the main filling and draining ports on the gap side is completely drained, the remaining water below the filling and draining ports will all flow by gravity into the main water storage pipe. The remaining water in the gap and the return water from the reversible pumps in the main water storage pipe do not need to be drained; they will be directly added to the docking gap during the next docking.

[0026] Similar to common lock gate systems and docking maintenance filling / draining systems, the lock gate 1 has a retractable docking sealing frame 2, and a flexible docking seal 3 between the sealing frame and the gate. Multiple reversible pumps 4 are installed inside the lock gate. Each pump is connected to the main pipeline 5 on the gap side and the main pipeline 6 on the pilot channel side via corner joints and corrugated expansion joints. The main pipeline 5 on the gap side is connected to the docking gap via the main filling / draining port 5a on the gap side. The main pipeline 6 on the pilot channel side is connected to the pilot channel and is equipped with an electric valve 7 and a manual maintenance valve.

[0027] Compared to common filling and draining pipelines, this patent mainly features a main water storage pipe 8 that connects multiple gap-side main pipelines 5 in parallel. Multiple pressure level gauges 10 are installed at the bottom of the main water storage pipe. One end of each of the multiple auxiliary drain pipes 9 is connected to the bottom of the mating seal 3, and the other end is connected to the main water storage pipe 8. Each auxiliary drain pipe is equipped with a flexible hose to accommodate the pushing and retracting movements of the seal frame. The main water storage pipe 8 expands the total volume of the gap-side pipelines, which can accommodate the residual water below the main filling and draining port 5a on the gap side when draining gap water, as well as the backflow generated after a single reversible pump stops.

[0028] The water drainage method for the docking gap of the ship lift described in this patent is as follows:

[0029] The average water level measured by multiple pressure level gauges 10 at the bottom of the main water storage pipe is used to control the start and stop of the reversible pump. The stop water level of one reversible pump is set at the bottom of the main water storage pipe, while the stop water level of the other reversible pumps is a certain distance above the bottom of the main water storage pipe.

[0030] During the drainage of interstitial water, the reversible pumps with higher stop-pump water levels first cease operation, and the electric valves 7 on the corresponding pilot channel side main pipeline 6 are closed. The return water from these pumps is then discharged by the reversible pump with lower stop-pump water levels. After the water above the main fill / drain port 5a on the interstitial side is discharged by the reversible pumps, the remaining water below these fill / drain ports flows by gravity into the main storage pipe 8 through multiple auxiliary drain pipes 9. When the water level in the main storage pipe 8 drops to the stop-pump water level of the last reversible pump, that pump stops operation and the corresponding electric valve is closed, and all the return water it generates is stored in the main storage pipe. The main storage pipe 8 stores the interstitial water and the return water from the reversible pumps until the next docking when the interstitial gap is filled with water, at which point this water will be used to fill the docking gap by the reversible pumps.

[0031] It should be noted that:

[0032] 1. The main water storage pipe 8 can be replaced by multiple water storage tanks or other water storage devices. The connection method of these water storage devices should achieve the effect of parallel connection of the main pipelines 5 on each side, and the position should be above the reversible pump 4 and below the docking seal 3 to achieve the same water storage effect as the main water storage pipe 8.

[0033] 2. The pressure level gauge 10 can be replaced by other types of level gauges. Under the premise of ensuring control accuracy, a single level gauge can be used instead of multiple level gauges to take the average value to control the start and stop of the reversible pump.

[0034] 3. The water level gauge may not be installed at the bottom of the main water storage pipe 8, but at another suitable position below the docking seal 3. However, it should be installed so that the backwater generated by the last reversible pump that stops will not enter the docking gap, and the residual water below the main charging drain port 5a on the gap side can be completely discharged.

[0035] 4. A drainage pump can be installed on the auxiliary drainage pipe 9 to speed up the drainage of residual water in the gap, and a valve can also be installed to facilitate pipeline maintenance.

[0036] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water filling and draining pipeline arrangement structure for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a main water storage pipe, characterized in that: include: The gatehouse has a working gate equipped with a retractable and extendable sealing frame. A flexible sealing seal is provided between the sealing frame and the gatehouse. Inside the gatehouse is a main water storage pipe, multiple gap-side main pipelines, and multiple auxiliary drainage pipes. The main water storage pipe connects the multiple gap-side main pipelines in parallel. At least one pressure level gauge is installed at the bottom of the main water storage pipe. One end of each auxiliary drainage pipe is connected to the bottom of the sealing seal, and the other end is connected to the main water storage pipe. Multiple reversible pumps are installed inside the gatehouse. Each reversible pump is connected to the gap-side main pipeline and the pilot channel-side main pipeline on both sides via corner joints and corrugated expansion joints. The gap-side main pipelines are connected to the gap gap through the gap-side main filling and drain ports. The pilot channel-side main pipelines are connected to the pilot channel. Each auxiliary drain pipe is equipped with a flexible hose to accommodate the pushing and retracting action of the sealing frame; The bottom of the main water storage pipe is equipped with multiple pressure level gauges. The average water level measured by the multiple pressure level gauges at the bottom of the main water storage pipe is used to control the start and stop of the reversible pump. The water level at which one reversible pump stops is set at the bottom of the main water storage pipe, while the water level at which the other reversible pumps stops is a certain distance above the bottom of the main water storage pipe.

2. The arrangement structure of the filling and draining water pipeline for the docking gap of a ship lift equipped with a main water storage pipe as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Electric valves and manual valves for maintenance are installed on the main pipeline on the pilot channel side.

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