Underwater replacement method for speed log and its application of sealing fixtures

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of ship repair technology and discloses an underwater replacement method for a log and its application of a sealing fixture. The method is used to replace a log mounted on the outer hull plating. The log includes a guide rod, a sea valve, and a lifting drive. The guide rod passes through the sea valve and exits the hull through an opening in the outer hull plating. The lifting drive is connected to the guide rod to raise and lower it. During log replacement, the guide rod is first removed and the sea valve is closed. Then, the opening is sealed from outside the hull using the sealing fixture. Next, the old log (excluding the guide rod) is removed from inside the hull, and the new log is installed. Finally, the sealing fixture is removed. This underwater log replacement method eliminates the need for the ship to dock, reducing the cost of log replacement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ship repair technology, and in particular to a sealing tool for underwater replacement of a log and its application. Background Technology

[0002] As an important underwater engineering device, the odometer is used to measure ship speed and accumulate voyage. There are two common types of electromagnetic sensors used in odometers: one is a planar sensor, whose bottom surface is flush with the hull, and the other is a guide rod sensor. Because the guide rod itself is relatively slender and easily damaged, to extend its service life, when the odometer is working, the guide rod extends from an outlet in the hull to contact seawater; when not working, the guide rod can be raised. To isolate the interior of the hull from the outlet in the hull when the guide rod is raised, odometers using guide rod sensors also include a sea valve. When the guide rod is retracted into the hull, the sea valve is closed.

[0003] With prolonged use, the guide rod may become stuck inside the sea valve, preventing it from raising or lowering, or the seal between the guide rod and the sea valve may deteriorate, necessitating the replacement of the entire log, including the sea valve. Currently, repairs and replacements typically require the ship to enter dry dock and the water to be pumped out of the dock, resulting in enormous costs, significantly increasing additional expenses, and also incurring long replacement times and low efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide an underwater replacement method for a log, which can be completed when the ship is stationary, thereby reducing the cost and time of log replacement.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An underwater replacement method for a odometer, used to replace a odometer mounted on the outer plating of a ship's bottom, the odometer comprising a guide rod, a sea valve, and a lifting drive, wherein the guide rod can pass through the sea valve and exit the hull through an opening in the outer plating of the ship's bottom, and the lifting drive is connected to the guide rod to drive the guide rod to rise and fall, comprising the following steps:

[0007] S1. Locate the position of the opening of the ship that is relatively stationary;

[0008] S2. Apply force to the guide rod from inside and / or outside the cabin to make the guide rod pass through the opening. After the guide rod has completely passed through the sea valve, close the sea valve.

[0009] S3. Seal the opening outside the cabin using sealing fixtures;

[0010] S4. Remove the old odometer from the cabin except for the guide rod and install a new odometer.

[0011] S5. Remove the sealing fixture.

[0012] Preferably, determining the position of the opening in step S1 includes:

[0013] Based on the drawings, the location of the opening was initially determined;

[0014] Based on observations of the location where the diver's bubbles are generated and the movement of the tether, the diver is informed to change the diving direction in real time.

[0015] By striking the deck near the location where the odometer is installed with a heavy object to generate vibration and sound, the divers are guided to find the opening, and one end of the tow rope is fixed to the bottom of the boat near the opening.

[0016] Preferably, a powerful magnet is fixed to one end of the traction rope.

[0017] Preferably, the removal of the guide rod in step S2 includes: striking the guide rod from inside the cabin to move it out of the cabin, pulling the guide rod out underwater, and closing the sea valve when the guide rod has completely passed through it.

[0018] Preferably, the method of sealing the opening using the sealing fixture in step S3 is as follows: adjust the sealing fixture so that the opening is directly opposite the center of the sealing fixture, and fix the sealing fixture to the bottom of the ship to seal the opening.

[0019] Preferably, the odometer also includes a base plate, and the sea valve and the lifting drive are both mounted on the base plate. The base plate has a through hole for the guide rod to pass through. When replacing the odometer in step S4, it is necessary to ensure that the through hole is coaxial with the opening.

[0020] Preferably, before removing the sealing fixture, it is necessary to determine whether the sea valve in the new speedometer is properly sealed.

[0021] Preferably, before step S1, the hatch cover of the odometer compartment needs to be checked for water tightness and an emergency wooden plug and submersible pump need to be prepared according to the size of the opening.

[0022] A second objective of this invention is to provide a sealing fixture for sealing the opening in an underwater replacement method for a speedometer. The sealing fixture includes a magnetic plate, a sealing layer, a magnet, and a handle. The magnet can be attached to the bottom of the vessel. The sealing layer and the handle are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the magnetic plate. The side of the magnetic plate where the sealing layer is disposed can be attached to the magnet to seal the opening.

[0023] Preferably, the sealing layer is made of foamed rubber.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The underwater replacement method of the present invention uses a sealing tool to seal the opening where the log is located, and the entire replacement of the log can be completed inside the cabin without the need for the ship to enter the dry dock, saving the huge costs associated with entering the dry dock, which has significant economic benefits. In addition, it reduces the replacement time of the log and lowers the time cost. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a partial structural diagram of the odometer installed on the outer plate of the ship's bottom in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing tool in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the underwater replacement process of the speedometer in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Sea valve; 2. Lifting drive unit; 3. Base plate; 4. Outer bottom plate; 5. Guide sleeve; 6. Sealing layer; 7. Magnetic plate; 8. Handle. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0030] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to 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 invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0032] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0033] The first aspect of this invention proposes an underwater replacement method for a speed log. First, a brief description of the speed log structure to which this invention is applicable is given. (See reference...) Figure 1 The odometer is mounted on the outer plating 4 of the ship's bottom and includes a guide rod (not shown in the figure), a sea valve 1, a lifting drive component 2, and an upper limit switch (not shown in the figure, generally using a ring-shaped fixing structure such as a clamp). The sea valve 1 and the lifting drive component 2 are both mounted on the outer plating 4 of the ship's bottom via a base plate 3. The base plate 3 has a through hole for the guide rod to pass through, and the outer plating 4 of the ship's bottom has an opening through which the guide rod exits. The opening and the through hole are coaxial. The sea valve 1 is located directly above the opening. One end of the guide rod passes through a section fixed inside the ship's cabin. The guide rod is positioned at one end and inserted into the sea valve 1 at the other. To ensure a tight seal and reduce friction between the guide rod and the outer hull plate 4, a guide sleeve 5 is installed inside the opening. The guide sleeve 5 is T-shaped. The bottom plate 3 is screwed to the outer hull plate 4. When the bottom plate 3 is installed onto the outer hull plate 4, it can compress the guide sleeve 5 to form a seal. At the same time, a sealing gasket is also installed between the bottom plate 3 and the outer hull plate 4. The sealing gasket is made of oil-resistant asbestos rubber. The lifting drive component 2 is generally a cylinder, which is connected to the guide rod to drive the guide rod to rise and fall. When the log is working, the guide rod can pass through the sea valve 1 from top to bottom and exit the opening under the action of the lifting drive component 2. When the log is not working, the guide rod rises under the action of the lifting drive component 2 until its lower end is above the sea valve 1, at which time the sea valve 1 is in the closed state. This setting can ensure that seawater does not enter the cabin when the log is retracted or extended.

[0034] See Figure 3 Based on the above-described odometer structure, an embodiment of the present invention proposes an underwater replacement method for the odometer, which enables the removal of the odometer or replacement of certain components of the odometer in a seawater environment. The underwater replacement method for the odometer mainly includes the following steps:

[0035] S1. First, the opening position of the stationary ship is externally located so that the divers performing underwater operations can quickly and smoothly find the opening position when they are working multiple times (the time underwater is limited and it is difficult to complete all the operations at once).

[0036] S2. Apply force to the guide rod from inside and / or outside the cabin to make the guide rod pass through the opening. When the guide rod has completely passed through the sea valve 1, the sea valve 1 needs to be closed in time.

[0037] S3. The divers went underwater and used sealing equipment to seal the opening outside the cabin;

[0038] S4. Remove the old logbook from the cabin except for the guide rod and install the new logbook.

[0039] S5. The divers went back into the water to remove the sealing equipment.

[0040] The aforementioned underwater log replacement method involves divers sealing the opening, allowing the log to be replaced inside the ship's hold. This eliminates the need for docking and pumping out seawater, as was previously required. The process can be performed while the ship is stationary, significantly reducing the costs associated with docking. To enhance the safety of divers' operations, ships are typically stationary at the dock. In other words, the above operations are conducted at the dock.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method for locating the opening in step S1 is as follows: the opening location is initially determined based on the drawings, the diver puts on a diving suit, and enters the water from the work boat with a tow rope. One end of the tow rope is fixed to the work boat. Before entering the water, the direction is roughly confirmed. The driver of the work boat or other staff determines the direction of the diver's position relative to the opening by observing the position of the bubbles generated by the diver and the position of the tow rope. The diver is informed to change the diving direction in time through professional underwater communication equipment. At the same time, the personnel in the cabin knock on the deck near the opening with a heavy object to generate vibration and sound, guiding the diver to find the opening. One end of the tow rope is fixed to the bottom of the boat near the opening. After the positioning is completed, the diver returns to the work boat.

[0042] During the above process, the staff on the workboat and those inside the cabin can work with the divers to quickly locate the opening in the seawater where visibility is limited. After the tow rope is fixed to the bottom of the boat, the divers can quickly locate the opening under the guidance of the tow rope during subsequent dives, improving the efficiency of changing the log.

[0043] In order to secure the tow rope to the bottom of the boat as quickly as possible, the frogman carries a tow rope with a powerful magnet attached to one end, which can be directly attracted to the bottom of the boat.

[0044] The guide rod gets stuck in the sea valve 1 often because the lower part of the guide rod is deformed or misaligned. Therefore, force is usually applied inside the cabin to move the guide rod outward. Thus, in some embodiments, the removal of the old log includes the following steps: the diver dives back to the opening position according to the tow rope, connects the end of the guide rod that is passing through the outlet with a rope, and the personnel inside the cabin use a release bar to knock the guide rod to move it outward. During the knocking process, the personnel inside the cabin maintain real-time communication with the diver. The diver catches and pulls out the guide rod outside the cabin according to the movement of the guide rod to prevent it from falling to the seabed, so as to determine the cause of the guide rod getting stuck or the seal deteriorating. The personnel inside the cabin close the sea valve 1 in time when the guide rod has completely passed through it.

[0045] Compared to applying force into the cabin from outside the cabin or applying force away from the opening from inside the cabin, the above operation makes it easier to detach the guide rod from the sea valve 1 and reduces the time the frogman spends underwater.

[0046] In some embodiments, the method by which a diver uses a sealing device to seal an opening is as follows: the diver carries the sealing device to the opening, adjusts the device so that the opening is aligned with the center of the device, and then fixes the device to the bottom of the vessel to seal the opening. After the sealing is completed, the diver notifies the personnel inside the vessel via underwater communication equipment. The personnel inside the vessel open the sea valve 1 and observe the water ingress into the vessel. If water flows out briefly and then stops, the sealing is successful. If water continues to enter, the sealing device needs to be readjusted until no water is allowed to enter at all.

[0047] In some embodiments, based on the lifting drive 2 being a cylinder, the specific steps for removing the old odometer and installing the new odometer include:

[0048] Remove the connecting air pipe connected to the lifting drive component 2, remove the old sealing gasket between the bottom plate 3 and the outer plate 4 of the ship bottom and the bottom plate 3, and prepare a new sealing gasket according to the shape of the old sealing gasket. Remove the guide sleeve 5. If the fit clearance between the guide sleeve 5 and the outer plate 4 of the ship bottom is small, the guide sleeve 5 is not easy to pull out from the opening. The guide sleeve 5 can be pulled out by inserting a screw into the guide sleeve 5. After the guide sleeve 5 is pulled out, absorb the water remaining in the opening and measure the opening size to determine the size of the new guide sleeve 5 required.

[0049] Place the new guide sleeve 5 into the opening, and place the base plate 3 and the new sealing gasket on the outer plate 4 of the hull bottom. After confirming that the opening, the through hole on the base plate 3 for the guide rod to pass through, and the upper limit position are all coaxial, use bolts to fix the base plate 3 and the sealing gasket to the outer plate 4 of the hull bottom. During operation, the guide rod can be used to determine whether the through hole, opening, and upper limit position are coaxial. If the guide rod moves up and down without any jamming, it indicates that they are coaxial.

[0050] If the lifting drive component 2 is a hydraulic cylinder or an electric cylinder, then disconnect the connecting oil pipe or cable connected to the lifting drive component 2.

[0051] In some embodiments, the method for removing the sealing device includes: after shutting down the new log, a diver enters the water and removes the sealing device; personnel inside the cabin check for water leakage; if leakage is found, the sealing device can be used to reseal the opening; the new log installed inside the cabin is then sealed; after confirming a good seal, the lifting drive 2 is operated to move the new guide rod, allowing it to extend out of the hull from the opening; the diver is instructed to gently shake the lower end of the new guide rod to check the gap, thereby determining the verticality of the new guide rod. After ensuring everything is correct, the diver is instructed to return to the workboat with the sealing device.

[0052] In some embodiments, preparatory work is required before removing the old log, specifically including the following: 1. Conduct a watertightness check on the hatch cover of the log cabin, disconnect the wiring and cables from each junction box inside the log cabin, and if necessary (if the opening is difficult to seal and water enters the log cabin), close the hatch cover of the log cabin to isolate the log cabin from other cabins. 2. Prepare emergency wooden plugs in advance according to the size of the opening. When the ship is moored, the water level is generally within 5 meters, and the pressure is relatively small. Therefore, when water enters the log cabin, wooden plugs can be directly inserted into the opening to block it. 3. Configure multiple submersible pumps in the log cabin, specifically three sets, to pump out the water when the log cabin is flooded. 4. Arrange personnel in the log cabin, on the deck, in the work boats, and in the walkways, and deploy mobile personnel. Each person is equipped with walkie-talkies and other communication equipment to deal with emergencies.

[0053] Secondly, see Figure 2 The present invention also proposes a sealing tool for use in the underwater replacement method of the above-mentioned odometer to seal the opening. The sealing tool includes a magnetic plate 7, a sealing layer 6, a magnet and a handle 8. The handle 8 and the sealing layer 6 are respectively disposed on both sides of the magnetic plate 7. The magnet is a strong magnet that can be directly attracted to the bottom of the boat. The side of the magnetic plate 7 where the sealing layer 6 is disposed can be fixed to the bottom of the boat by the attraction of the magnet, thereby achieving rapid sealing of the opening. The handle 8 is convenient for divers to carry.

[0054] To improve the strength of the connection between the magnetic plate 7 and the bottom of the vessel, in some embodiments, the magnetic plate 7 is made of a circular steel plate with a thickness of 5 mm and a diameter of 300 mm. Seawater is less likely to corrode the steel plate, thus extending the service life of the sealing fixture. Similarly, the handle 8 is made of a circular steel bar with a diameter of 4 mm and welded to the magnetic plate 7. The sealing layer 6 is made of foamed rubber with a thickness of 20 mm.

[0055] More specifically, four magnets are arranged around the opening, forming a sealing area. Each end face of the magnetic plate 7 can be attracted to the magnets to seal the opening.

[0056] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underwater replacement method for a log, used to replace a log installed on the outer hull plate (4) of a ship, the log comprising a guide rod, a sea valve (1), and a lifting drive (2), the guide rod being able to pass through the sea valve (1) and exit the hull through an opening in the outer hull plate (4), the lifting drive (2) being connected to the guide rod to drive the guide rod to rise and fall, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Externally locate the position of the opening of the ship that is in a relatively stationary state; S2. Apply force to the guide rod of the old log from inside and / or outside the cabin so that the guide rod passes through the opening and close the sea valve (1) in time when the guide rod has completely passed through the sea valve (1). S3. Seal the opening outside the cabin using sealing fixtures; S4. Remove the old odometer except for the guide rod inside the cabin and install the new odometer. S5. Remove the sealing fixture.

2. The underwater replacement method for the speedometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining the location of the opening in step S1 includes: Based on the drawings, the location of the opening was initially determined; Based on observations of the location where the diver's bubbles are generated and the movement of the tether, the diver is informed to change the diving direction in real time. By striking the deck near the location where the odometer is installed with a heavy object to generate vibration and sound, the divers are guided to find the opening, and one end of the tow rope is fixed to the bottom of the boat near the opening.

3. The underwater replacement method for the speedometer according to claim 2, characterized in that, A powerful magnet is fixed to one end of the traction rope.

4. The underwater replacement method for the speedometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step S2 includes: striking the guide rod from inside the cabin to move the guide rod out of the cabin, pulling the guide rod out underwater, and closing the sea valve (1) when the guide rod has completely passed through the sea valve (1).

5. The underwater replacement method for the speedometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method of sealing the opening using the sealing fixture in step S3 is as follows: adjust the sealing fixture so that the opening is directly opposite the center of the sealing fixture, and fix the sealing fixture to the bottom of the ship to seal the opening.

6. The underwater replacement method for the speedometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The odometer also includes a base plate (3), the sea valve (1) and the lifting drive (2) are both installed on the base plate (3), and the base plate (3) has a through hole for the guide rod to pass through. When replacing the odometer in step S4, it is necessary to ensure that the through hole is coaxial with the opening.

7. The underwater replacement method for the speedometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before removing the sealing fixture, it is necessary to determine whether the sea valve (1) in the new speedometer is properly sealed.

8. The underwater replacement method for the speedometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before step S1, the hatch cover of the odometer compartment needs to be checked for water tightness and an emergency wooden plug and submersible pump need to be prepared according to the size of the opening.

9. A sealing tool, characterized in that, In the underwater replacement method of the odometer as described in any one of claims 1-8, the tooling is used to seal the opening. The sealing tooling includes a magnetic plate (7), a sealing layer (6), a magnet, and a handle (8). The magnet can be attached to the bottom of the boat. The sealing layer (6) and the handle (8) are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the magnetic plate (7). The side of the magnetic plate (7) where the sealing layer (6) is disposed can be attached to the magnet to seal the opening.

10. The sealing fixture according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sealing layer (6) is made of foamed rubber.

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