A multi-CTD probe automatic launching device and a working method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of multiple warm salt deep probe automatic launching device and its working method.To solve the problem of long time operation of personnel when launching probe currently, inconvenient to use, high requirement to operator, high requirement to environment etc.The technical scheme used in the present application is: including box, several warm salt depth measuring instruments are arranged side by side in the box, disposable probe is arranged in each warm salt depth measuring instrument, bottom is provided with end cap, one side of end cap is provided with buckle, the upper surface of one side of buckle is inclined surface, the other side limits end cap;Opening mechanism is arranged between end cap and box;Electric push rod is arranged on the side wall of each warm salt depth measuring instrument, the upper part of electric push rod is connected with the launch tube of warm salt depth measuring instrument, the lower end of electric push rod is connected with connecting rod mechanism, universal ball bearing is arranged at the bottom of connecting rod mechanism;Universal ball bearing is arranged on the inclined surface strip groove of buckle, reset spring is sleeved on the left side of cylindrical rod of buckle, left side of reset spring is pre-pressed on the inner wall of box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine surveying instrument technology, specifically to an automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes and its operating method. Technical Background

[0002] Ocean hydrological parameters, such as temperature and salinity, are important references for ocean research and development, and provide crucial parameter data for marine engineering design and marine environmental monitoring.

[0003] The discardable CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth) system measures seawater temperature and conductivity during the rapid descent of the probe, revealing the variation of these parameters with depth. This allows for the calculation of profile data such as salinity, temperature, and sound velocity. The discardable CTD system can perform ocean temperature profile measurements while the survey vessel is underway, offering advantages such as real-time measurement, speed, and low cost. It is widely used in marine scientific expeditions and studies of marine physical properties.

[0004] Current methods for deploying temperature, salinity, and depth probes require operators to manually deploy them using a handheld launcher. Manual handheld launchers commonly present the following problems:

[0005] 1. Before deployment, the probe needs to be sealed. Otherwise, the probe may be exposed to water and powered on prematurely, resulting in test failure and waste of the probe equipment. Therefore, before deployment, the operator needs to remove the sealing device, install the probe on the launch gun, release the limit pin, and hold the launch gun relatively stably. The operator needs to operate on the ship's deck. In wind and waves, the operator is prone to losing stability, which requires high skill from the operator.

[0006] 2. During measurement, staff need to hold the probe transmitter for a long time, which requires high physical strength and increases the burden on the measurement personnel;

[0007] 3. If personnel encounter wind and waves while deploying the probe from the ship's side, the deployment must be stopped to prevent measurement and testing failure; otherwise, the wind and waves may cause harm to personnel.

[0008] 4. When the probe is deployed into the water, the tail is connected to an enameled wire. Therefore, the personnel need to hold the launch gun steadily during deployment to prevent the enameled wire from hitting the hull and breaking due to large floating and shaking, which would lead to test failure. It is more difficult for personnel to hold the probe steadily in windy and wavey conditions.

[0009] 5. During measurement, the operator can only deploy one probe at a time. After deployment, it is necessary to repeat the operations of unsealing and releasing the limit, which is complicated and cumbersome and has low work efficiency.

[0010] 6. If the height and angle at which the personnel hold the launcher during measurement are not kept completely consistent, it may cause deviations in the water entry speed of different probes, which may result in some errors in the test data.

[0011] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automated device to deploy the probe. Summary of the Invention

[0012] In view of this, the present invention provides an automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes and its working method to solve the problems of long-term operation, inconvenience, high requirements for operators, and high environmental requirements in the current probe deployment process.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0014] An automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes includes a housing, characterized in that: several temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instruments are arranged side by side inside the housing, each measuring instrument contains a disposable probe, and an end cap is provided at the bottom. A buckle is provided on one side of the end cap, the upper surface of one side of the buckle is inclined, and the other side limits the end cap; an opening mechanism is provided between the end cap and the housing.

[0015] The buckle includes a rectangular body with an inclined surface at the top, and a cylindrical rod integrally provided on the left side of the rectangular body. The cylindrical rod is located in the inner hole of the side wall of the box. The buckle can slide left and right in the inner hole of the box through the cylindrical rod. A strip groove is provided on the inclined surface of the upper surface of the rectangular body.

[0016] Each temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instrument is equipped with an electric actuator on its side wall. The upper part of the electric actuator is connected to the launching tube of the temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instrument via an upper connecting shaft. The lower end of the electric actuator is connected to a linkage mechanism. A universal ball bearing is installed at the bottom of the linkage mechanism. The universal ball bearing slides in the slotted groove on the inclined surface of the buckle through the bottom balls. A return spring is sleeved on the cylindrical rod on the left side of the buckle. The left side of the return spring is pre-pressed against the inner wall of the box.

[0017] The linkage mechanism includes a first connecting rod, a second connecting member, and a third connecting rod that are hinged together in sequence; the center of the second connecting member is connected to the housing via a pin, and the second connecting rod can rotate around the pin.

[0018] The connecting rod is connected to the electric actuator via a lower connecting shaft.

[0019] The opening mechanism includes a pin and a torsion spring. The end cover is connected to the box body by the pin, which allows the end cover to rotate around the pin to open. A torsion spring is provided at the pin. The torsion spring can spring open the end cover and limit its position after opening.

[0020] A sealing gasket is provided on the top of the end cap.

[0021] The temperature, salinity, and depth probe is mounted on a sealing gasket.

[0022] A method for operating an automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes, characterized by the following steps:

[0023] Step 1) Before deployment, the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument and the disposable probe are fixed inside the box to restrict their radial movement. The electric push rod is in a retracted state, and the sealing silicone gasket is in a pre-tightened state. The end cover is in a closed state, the buckle is in a locked state under the action of the return spring, the return spring is in a pre-compressed state, and the torsion spring is in a compressed state.

[0024] Step 2) When the measuring vessel moves to the deployment area, the main control box sends an action command, the electric actuator switches to the extended state, and the connecting shaft on it drives the launch tube of the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument to move upward. The pre-tightening force of the sealing gasket decreases until it disappears, and the sealing structure is released; the disposable probe remains on the end cover under the action of gravity.

[0025] Simultaneously, the electric actuator moves upward, causing the lower connecting shaft to move upward. The lower connecting shaft then causes connecting rod one to move upward, which in turn causes the right end of connecting rod two to move upward. Connecting rod two rotates counterclockwise around the center, causing connecting rod three to move downward, which in turn causes the universal ball bearing balls to press down. Under pressure, the balls press down along the inclined surface of the latch, causing the latch to move to the left along the inner hole of the housing, compressing the return spring. After the latch moves to the left, it separates from the end cover face. The end cover opens rapidly under the action of the torsion spring, and the disposable probe loses axial support and falls under its own weight. The torsion spring still has torsional force after the end cover opens, limiting the end cover and preventing it from rebounding. When the disposable probe comes into contact with water and is energized, it begins to measure hydrological parameters and transmits the stored data back.

[0026] Step 3) After the deployment is completed and the set time has elapsed to ensure that the disposable probe has finished working, the main control box sends a retrieval action command. The electric push rod switches to the retracted state, the connecting rod moves down, the left side of the connecting rod two presses down and rotates clockwise along the central pin shaft, the connecting rod three moves up, the buckle loses its downward pressing force, and resets under the action of the reset spring.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and effects:

[0028] 1) The device of this invention can replace manual deployment of temperature, salinity and depth probes. Operators only need to issue instructions to the deployment device in the control room, without having to go to the ship deck to operate it, which greatly improves the safety of the working environment and eliminates concerns about the risk of injury to personnel from factors such as waves.

[0029] 2) The delivery device of this invention has a built-in sealing and limiting mechanism, which can ensure that the probe will not be powered on prematurely when it encounters water. Therefore, the delivery device can be installed on the shore or in a stable working environment, reducing the difficulty of installation and improving installation efficiency.

[0030] 3) The delivery device of this invention can be installed on the hull, which can eliminate the influence of factors such as unstable human lifting on the enameled wire;

[0031] 4) The delivery device of this invention can be deployed normally even when encountering waves, and can work normally without being affected by severe weather, making it suitable for a wide range of environments.

[0032] 5) The delivery device of the present invention can deliver multiple probes. The delivery device and probes can be installed on the shore. After the first probe is delivered, there is no need to install the launch tube or remove the seal before the second probe can be delivered. The automatic delivery device can advance the probe installation work to the work preparation stage, making the sea delivery work more efficient.

[0033] 6) The device of this invention allows the probes to be dropped into the water from the same height and at the same angle, so that the probes enter the water at basically the same speed, eliminating the measurement error caused by human lifting and shaking, and making the measurement data more accurate.

[0034] 7) The structure of this invention requires only one electric actuator as the power output and only one electrical signal to operate. The launching tube, sealing structure and locking structure are linked through the linkage mechanism to complete the launching action. It does not require multiple power systems or multiple electrical signals to operate. The structure is simple and stable and easy to operate.

[0035] 8) The present invention has a simple structure, is easy to operate, can be reused multiple times, reduces the workload of operators, and ensures the uniformity of delivery conditions.

[0036] 9) This invention is characterized by its simplicity, ease of use, reliable operation, low cost, strong scalability, and applicability to various disposable measuring instruments. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main body of the disposable measuring instrument;

[0039] Figure 3 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the buckle structure;

[0040] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the linkage structure and the opening motion of the latch;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the torsion spring.

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic dispenser before it is deployed;

[0043] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the automatic dispenser's dispensing process;

[0044] Figure 8 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the movement under the locking state during the deployment process;

[0045] Figure 9 A diagram illustrating the institutions that have completed the deployment;

[0046] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the buckle structure.

[0047] Marking description: 1-Box body, 2-Temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument, 3-Connecting rod one, 4-Electric actuator, 5-Connecting part two, 6-Connecting rod three, 7-Connecting rod four, 8-Connecting rod five, 9-Universal ball bearing; 10-Reset spring; 11-Snap fastener; 12-End cap; 13-Torsion spring; 14-Silicone sealing gasket; 15-Disposable probe. Detailed Implementation

[0048] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0049] This embodiment provides an automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes, including a housing 1, several temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instruments 2, and an opening mechanism, such as... Figure 1 As shown;

[0050] Several temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instruments 2 are arranged side by side inside the housing 1. Each temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instrument 2 contains a disposable probe 15. An end cap 12 is located at the bottom of the housing 1. A buckle 11 is located on one side of the end cap 12, with one side of the buckle 11 having a beveled upper surface, and the other side limiting the position of the end cap 12. An opening mechanism is provided between the end cap 12 and the housing 1. A silicone sealing gasket 14 is located above the end cap 12, and the temperature, salinity, and depth probe 15 is mounted on the silicone sealing gasket 14. Figures 2-4 .

[0051] The aforementioned linkage mechanism includes a first connecting rod 6, a second connecting member 7, and a third connecting rod 8 that are hinged together in sequence. The lower end of the first connecting rod 6 is hinged to the upper end of the second connecting rod 7, and the lower end of the second connecting rod 7 is hinged to the upper end of the third connecting rod 8. A universal ball bearing 9 is provided at the bottom of the third connecting rod 8. The center of the second connecting member 7 is connected to the housing 1 through a pin. The second connecting rod 7 can rotate around the pin.

[0052] The aforementioned buckle 11 includes a rectangular body with an inclined surface at the top. A cylindrical rod is integrally formed on the left side of the rectangular body. The cylindrical rod is disposed within an inner hole in the side wall of the housing 1. The buckle 11 can slide left and right within the inner hole of the housing 1 via the cylindrical rod. A strip groove is provided on the inclined surface of the upper surface of the rectangular body, such as... Figure 10As shown;

[0053] Each of the above-mentioned temperature, salinity and depth measuring instruments 2 is provided with an electric push rod 4 on its side wall. The upper part of the electric push rod 4 is connected to the launching tube of the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument 2 through the upper connecting shaft 3. The lower end of the electric push rod 4 is hinged to the upper end of the connecting rod 6 through the lower connecting shaft 5. The universal ball bearing 9 slides in the groove of the inclined surface of the buckle 11 through the bottom ball. The left cylindrical rod of the buckle 11 is fitted with a return spring 10. The left side of the return spring 10 is pre-pressed on the inner wall of the housing 1.

[0054] The opening mechanism includes a pin and a torsion spring 13. The end cover 12 is connected to the housing 1 via the pin, allowing the end cover 12 to rotate and open around the pin. A torsion spring 13 is provided at the pin. Figure 5 As shown; the torsion spring 13 can spring open the end cover and limit the end cover 12 after it is opened.

[0055] The housing 1 of this invention is made of high-strength aluminum alloy. The mechanical properties and structural form of the housing are determined according to the internal weight, vibration frequency and fixing method.

[0056] The temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instrument 2 of this invention uses the standard XBT / XCTD temperature, salinity, and depth detection product, and its internal part is for hydrological parameter measurement (detection probe 15).

[0057] The connecting rods of this invention are made of stainless steel and are connected to the electric actuator. The connections between the connecting rods are stable, ensuring that each rod can complete its movement. The strength and stiffness of the connecting rods are checked according to the motion load, and the design is reasonable to ensure the structural strength of the connecting rods.

[0058] The universal ball bearing 9 of this invention is a standard part that is connected to the connecting rod. The bottom ball is engaged with the snap-fit ​​inclined surface. The bearing is used to reduce friction during movement, so that the mechanism can run smoothly.

[0059] The buckle 11 of this invention is machined and has a cylindrical tail. The cylindrical shape fits into the box body 1, and the buckle can move left and right along the inner hole of the box body 1.

[0060] The end cap 12 of this invention is formed by machining, and the torsion spring 13 is installed at the end cap pivot. After the end cap is opened, it can be rotated open in time under the action of the torsion spring, and the end cap does not reset under the restriction of the torsion spring, so as not to affect the probe falling and the wire feeding action.

[0061] The electric actuator 4 of this invention is a standard product. The electric actuator is rigidly fixed to the housing with screws, which can effectively fix the electric actuator and prevent displacement.

[0062] A method for operating an automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes, characterized by the following steps:

[0063] like Figure 6As shown, before deployment, the temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instrument 2 and the probe 15 are fixed inside the housing 1, restricting their radial movement. The electric actuator 4 is in a retracted state, and the sealing silicone gasket 14 is in a pre-compressed state, serving a sealing function to prevent the probe from being energized when exposed to water; the end cap 12 is in a closed state, and the latch 11 is locked under the action of the return spring 10. The end cap 12 provides axial support for the disposable probe 15 to prevent the probe from falling into the water prematurely. The return spring 10 is in an initial pre-compressed state, and the torsion spring 13 is in a compressed state.

[0064] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, when the measuring vessel moves to the deployment area, the main control box sends an action command, the electric push rod 4 switches to the extended state, and the connecting shaft 3 on it drives the launch tube of the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument 2 to move upward, the pre-tightening force of the silicone sealing gasket 14 decreases until it disappears, and the sealing structure is released; at this time, the probe 15 still stays on the end cover 12 under the action of gravity.

[0065] Simultaneously, the electric actuator moves upward, causing the lower connecting shaft 5 to move upward. The lower connecting shaft 5 then causes the connecting rod 6 to move upward. The connecting rod 6 causes the right end of the connecting rod 7 to move upward. The connecting rod 7 rotates counterclockwise around the center, causing the connecting rod 8 to move downward. This causes the ball bearing 9 to press down. Under pressure, the ball bearing presses down along the inclined surface of the buckle 11, causing the buckle 11 to move to the left along the inner hole of the housing 1. The tail cylindrical rod moves to the left, compressing the return spring 10. After the buckle 11 moves to the left a certain distance, the buckle 11 separates from the end face of the end cover 12. The end cover 12 opens rapidly under the action of the torsion spring 13. The probe 15 loses axial support and falls under its own weight. The torsion spring 13 still has torsional spring force after the end cover 12 opens, limiting the end cover 12 and preventing the end cover 12 from rebounding and affecting the falling process of the disposable probe 15 and the data acquisition process. The probe 15 falls and becomes energized when it encounters water, starting to measure hydrological parameters and transmitting back the stored data.

[0066] like Figure 9 As shown, after the deployment is completed and the set time has elapsed to ensure that the disposable probe 15 has finished working, the main control box sends a retrieval action command. The electric push rod 4 switches to the retracted state, the connecting rod 1 6 moves down, the connecting rod 2 7 presses down on the left side and rotates clockwise along the central pin shaft, the connecting rod 3 8 moves up, the buckle 11 loses its downward pressing force, and resets under the action of the reset spring 10.

[0067] The electronic control system of this invention issues a release command → the electric push rod 4 moves up → the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument 2 moves up → the sealing gasket 14's clamping force disappears, and the sealing structure is released → the lower connecting shaft 5 moves up → the connecting rod 1 6 moves up → the connecting rod 2 7 rotates counterclockwise → the connecting rod 3 8 presses down → the buckle 11 moves to the left along the guide rail → the end cover 12 opens → the disposable probe 15 is released.

[0068] The housing 1 of this invention is mounted on the railing of the deployment platform using a standard universal clamp, ensuring a reliable connection without relative wobbling or sliding. During each deployment, housing 1 remains at the same height. Before the probe is deployed, a silicone sealing gasket 14 provides a seal, preventing water from entering the housing due to wave impact.

[0069] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for operating an automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes, characterized in that: The automatic deployment device for multiple temperature, salinity, and depth probes includes a housing (1), in which several temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instruments (2) are arranged side by side. Each temperature, salinity, and depth measuring instrument (2) contains a disposable probe (15), and an end cap (12) is provided at the bottom. A buckle (11) is provided on one side of the end cap (12). The upper surface of one side of the buckle (11) is inclined, and the other side limits the end cap (12). An opening mechanism is provided between the end cap (12) and the housing (1). The buckle (11) includes a rectangular body with an inclined surface on the upper part, and a cylindrical rod integrally provided on the left side of the rectangular body. The cylindrical rod is provided in the inner hole of the side wall of the box (1). The buckle (11) can slide left and right in the inner hole of the box (1) through the cylindrical rod. A strip groove is provided on the inclined surface of the upper surface of the rectangular body. Each temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument (2) is provided with an electric push rod (4) on its side wall. The upper part of the electric push rod (4) is connected to the launching tube of the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument (2) through the upper connecting shaft (3). The lower end of the electric push rod (4) is connected to the linkage mechanism. The bottom of the linkage mechanism is provided with a universal ball bearing (9). The universal ball bearing (9) slides in the strip groove on the inclined surface of the buckle (11) through the bottom ball. A return spring (10) is sleeved on the cylindrical rod on the left side of the buckle (11). The left side of the return spring (10) is pre-pressed on the inner wall of the box (1). The linkage mechanism includes a first connecting rod (6), a second connecting rod (7), and a third connecting rod (8) that are hinged together in sequence; the center of the second connecting rod (7) is connected to the housing (1) by a pin, and the second connecting rod (7) can rotate around the pin; The connecting rod 1 (6) is connected to the electric push rod (4) via the lower connecting shaft (5); The opening mechanism includes a pin and a torsion spring (13). The end cover (12) is connected to the box body (1) by a pin, so that the end cover (12) can be rotated around the pin to open. A torsion spring (13) is provided at the pin. The torsion spring (13) can spring open the end cover and limit the end cover (12) after it is opened. A sealing gasket (14) is provided on the top of the end cap (12); The disposable probe (15) is disposed on the sealing gasket (14); The steps are as follows: Step 1) Before deployment, the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument (2) and the disposable probe (15) are fixed inside the box (1) to restrict their radial movement. The electric push rod (4) is in a retracted state, and the sealing silicone pad (14) is in a pre-tightened state. The end cap (12) is in a closed state, the buckle (11) is in a locked state under the action of the return spring (10), the return spring (10) is in a pre-compressed state, and the torsion spring (13) is in a compressed state. Step 2) When the measuring vessel moves to the deployment area, the main control box sends an action command, the electric push rod (4) switches to the extended state, and the connecting shaft (3) on it drives the launch tube of the temperature, salinity and depth measuring instrument (2) to move upward. The pre-tightening force of the sealing gasket (14) decreases until it disappears, and the sealing structure is released. The disposable probe (15) remains on the end cap (12) under the action of gravity. At the same time, the electric actuator moves upward, causing the lower connecting shaft (5) to move upward. The lower connecting shaft (5) causes the connecting rod one (6) to move upward. The connecting rod one (6) causes the right end of the connecting rod two (7) to move upward. The connecting rod two (7) rotates counterclockwise around the center, causing the connecting rod three (8) to move downward. This causes the ball bearing (9) to press down. Under pressure, the ball presses down along the inclined surface of the buckle (11), causing the buckle (11) to move to the left along the inner hole of the housing (1), compressing the return spring (10). When the buckle (11) moves to the left, the buckle (11) separates from the end face of the end cap (12). The end cap (12) opens rapidly under the action of the torsion spring (13). The disposable probe (15) loses its axial support and falls under its own weight. The torsion spring (13) still has torsional spring force after the end cap (12) is opened, which limits the end cap (12) and prevents the end cap (12) from rebounding. The disposable probe (15) is powered when it encounters water and begins to measure hydrological parameters and transmits the stored data back. Step 3) After the deployment is completed, after a set time, to ensure that the disposable probe (15) has finished working, the main control box sends a recycling action command, the electric push rod (4) switches to the retracted state, the connecting rod one (6) moves down, the connecting rod two (7) presses down on the left side and rotates clockwise along the central pin shaft, the connecting rod three (8) moves up, the buckle (11) loses its downward pressing force and resets under the action of the reset spring (10).

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