External culture environment nondestructive stirring device and stirring method

Abstract

The application relates to an external culture environment nondestructive stirring device and a stirring method, which comprise a first pump body and a second pump body, a first piston and a second piston are respectively arranged in the first pump body and the second pump body, the first piston and the second piston are tightly connected and synchronously move with each other, the first piston divides the internal structure of the first pump body into a first air cavity and a first liquid cavity, the second piston divides the internal structure of the second pump body into a second air cavity and a second liquid cavity, the first liquid cavity and the second liquid cavity are respectively provided with a water inlet communicated with a culture cabin, the plug bodies and the plug rods of the first piston and the second piston are connected in a head-to-tail mode, one of the plug rods extends out of the pump body and is connected with a driving pump body, the internal structure of the driving pump body is divided into two driving cavities, the two driving cavities are provided with driving ports, and the driving pump body and external power fluid drive the first piston and the second piston to reciprocate. In the stirring process, the stirring shaft does not need to extend into the culture cabin, and the high-temperature and high-pressure seawater can be safely and reliably stirred.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of deep-sea environment simulation equipment technology, and in particular to an external culture environment non-destructive stirring device and stirring method suitable for simulating deep-sea environments. Background Technology

[0002] Typical deep-sea experimental devices are divided into two types: deep-sea in-situ environmental experimental devices and deep-sea environmental simulation experimental devices. Deep-sea in-situ environmental experimental devices place various types of experimental devices in the deep sea to carry out various experiments, while deep-sea environmental simulation experimental devices simulate deep-sea environmental parameters such as pressure, temperature, and dissolved oxygen in a laboratory, and conduct cultivation, observation, and research on deep-sea microorganisms or animals in this simulated environment.

[0003] The main component of the deep-sea environment simulation test device is a pressure-resistant culture chamber. The chamber is generally filled with seawater. Based on this, the seawater is heated (to simulate environments such as hydrothermal vents) or cooled (to simulate deep-sea seawater temperature), pressurized, and fed or fed with nutrient solution. When feeding or feeding or heating / cooling, the seawater in the culture chamber must be stirred. Otherwise, the seawater temperature, feed, nutrient solution, and dissolved oxygen inside the culture chamber will be severely uneven, which can easily cause the death of microorganisms or animals in the culture chamber.

[0004] Existing culture chamber agitation technology generally involves inserting a long shaft into the culture chamber through a rotary seal, using an external motor to drive the shaft to rotate, which in turn drives the shaft-connected impeller inside the chamber to rotate, thereby agitating the seawater inside. For culture chambers with lower operating pressures, magnetic stirring technology can also be used. However, for high-pressure and high-temperature culture chambers, the high-temperature water inside the chamber and the vulnerability of the rotary seal can cause high-temperature and high-pressure seawater to leak or spray out from the rotary seal, resulting in pressure instability inside the chamber or burns and injuries to personnel. In addition, because non-magnetic materials resistant to high temperatures and pressures have low strength, if such materials are used to manufacture high-pressure culture chambers, the chamber walls would be too thick, making magnetic stirring technology impractical. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing production technologies, the applicant provides a structurally sound external non-destructive stirring device and method for a culture environment. This device utilizes a specially designed stirring unit to circulate seawater within the culture chamber, achieving stable stirring of the high-temperature, high-pressure seawater and improving safety.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0007] An external, non-destructive stirring device for a culture environment includes a first pump body and a second pump body with chambers separated from each other. A first piston and a second piston are respectively installed in the first pump body and the second pump body. The first piston and the second piston are tightly connected to each other and move synchronously.

[0008] The first piston divides the internal structure of the first pump body into a first gas chamber and a first liquid chamber; the second piston divides the internal structure of the second pump body into a second gas chamber and a second liquid chamber; each of the first and second liquid chambers has a water inlet communicating with the culture chamber.

[0009] The first piston and the second piston are connected end to end by their piston bodies and piston rods. One of the piston rods extends out of the pump body and is connected to the drive pump body. The drive pump body is divided into two drive chambers, each with a drive port. The drive pump body and external power fluid drive the first piston and the second piston to reciprocate.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above technical solution:

[0011] A partition is sealed between the first pump body and the second pump body. The piston rod of the first piston passes through the partition and is threadedly fastened to the piston body of the second piston.

[0012] The first pump body has a first base plate sealed on the side opposite to the second pump body.

[0013] The second pump body has an end cap sealed on the side opposite to the first pump body, and the drive pump body is connected to the end cap; the piston rod of the second piston passes through the end cap and extends into the drive pump body, dividing the internal space of the drive pump body into two drive chambers.

[0014] The side of the drive pump body opposite to the second pump body is sealed with a second base plate.

[0015] The two drive chambers inside the drive pump body are respectively equipped with a first drive port and a second drive port, which are located on the side wall of the drive pump body and the second bottom plate, respectively.

[0016] A tie rod connects the first base plate and the second base plate. The first base plate, the second base plate, and the tie rod are axially tensioned to limit the first pump body, the second pump body, and the drive pump body.

[0017] The tie rod ring array is located around the circumference of the first pump body, the second pump body, and the drive pump body assembly.

[0018] The flow rates at the first and second water inlets are almost the same per unit time.

[0019] The first air chamber and the second air chamber are respectively provided with a first air port and a second air port.

[0020] A stirring method using an external, non-destructive stirring device for a culture environment includes the following steps:

[0021] Assembly stage:

[0022] The first and second water inlets are connected to the bottom of the external culture chamber via an inlet distribution valve, and to the top of the culture chamber via an outlet distribution valve.

[0023] The first drive port and the second drive port are connected to an external hydraulic pump station or compressed air.

[0024] The first and second air inlets open directly into the atmosphere.

[0025] Mixing stage:

[0026] When the power fluid is input into the first drive port, the first piston and the second piston are pushed by the high-pressure fluid and move towards the second bottom plate. At this time, the first piston and the second piston move at the same speed. The second liquid chamber draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the water inlet distribution valve, while the first liquid chamber presses water into the top of the culture chamber through the water outlet distribution valve.

[0027] The power fluid flows into the second drive port, and the first piston and the second piston are pushed by the high-pressure fluid to move towards the first bottom plate. At this time, the first piston and the second piston move at the same speed. The first liquid chamber draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the water inlet distribution valve, while the second liquid chamber presses water into the top of the culture chamber through the water outlet distribution valve.

[0028] At any given time, the inflow and outflow of water are almost the same, and the high-pressure water pressure inside the culture chamber remains stable.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0030] This invention has a compact and reasonable structure and is easy to operate. By designing a specially structured stirring device, it realizes the circulation of high-temperature and high-pressure seawater in the culture chamber, avoiding the need for the rotating sealing design required for the stirring structure to extend into the high-temperature and high-pressure seawater. This invention is reliable and safe, and solves the stirring problem inside the high-temperature and high-pressure culture chamber that traditional stirring technology cannot solve.

[0031] Although this invention is similar to a piston cylinder, it ensures, through specific processing steps and structural design, that the stirring device contains two annular cavities with minimal differences in cross-sectional area, and that the two cavities move at the same axial speed. This results in the water volume flowing out of and into the culture chamber per unit time being almost the same, ensuring stable pressure within the culture chamber during the stirring process. In contrast, a piston cylinder achieves piston rod extension and retraction through the pressure difference between the two cavities and does not pursue identical cross-sectional areas in the two cavities. This is a significant difference between this invention and a piston cylinder. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a front view of the stirring device of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the stirring device of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the stirring device of the present invention to illustrate its internal structure.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the water flow path according to the present invention.

[0036] Wherein: 1. First base plate; 2. First air inlet; 3. First pump body; 4. First air chamber; 5. First piston; 6. First liquid chamber; 7. First water inlet;

[0037] 8. Partition;

[0038] 9. Second water inlet; 10. Second liquid chamber; 11. Second pump body; 12. Second air chamber; 13. Second air inlet; 14. Second piston; 15. End cap;

[0039] 16. Drive pump body; 1601. First drive port; 1602. Second drive port;

[0040] 17. Pull rod; 1801. First inlet water distribution valve; 1802. Second inlet water distribution valve; 1901. First outlet water distribution valve; 1902. Second outlet water distribution valve; 20. Second base plate. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the external culture environment non-destructive stirring device of this embodiment includes a first pump body 3 and a second pump body 11 with chambers separated from each other. A first piston 5 and a second piston 14 are respectively installed in the first pump body 3 and the second pump body 11. The first piston 5 and the second piston 14 are tightly connected to each other and move synchronously.

[0043] The first piston 5 divides the internal structure of the first pump body 3 into a first air chamber 4 and a first liquid chamber 6; the second piston 14 divides the internal structure of the second pump body 11 into a second air chamber 12 and a second liquid chamber 10; the first liquid chamber 6 and the second liquid chamber 10 each have a water inlet that communicates with the culture chamber.

[0044] The piston body and piston rod of the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 are connected end to end, with one piston rod extending out of the pump body and connected to the drive pump body 16; the drive pump body 16 is divided into two drive chambers, each with a drive port; the drive pump body 16 and the external power fluid drive the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 to reciprocate.

[0045] A partition 8 is provided between the first pump body 3 and the second pump body 11 for sealing purposes. The piston rod of the first piston 5 passes through the partition 8 and is threadedly fastened to the piston body of the second piston 14.

[0046] The first base plate 1 is sealed and installed on the side of the first pump body 3 that is away from the second pump body 11.

[0047] The second pump body 11 is sealed with an end cover 15 on the side opposite to the first pump body 3, and the drive pump body 16 is connected to the end cover 15; the piston rod of the second piston 14 passes through the end cover 15 and extends into the drive pump body 16, dividing the internal space of the drive pump body 16 into two drive chambers.

[0048] The drive pump body 16 is sealed to the side opposite to the second pump body 11 with a second base plate 20.

[0049] The two drive chambers inside the drive pump body 16 are respectively equipped with a first drive port 1601 and a second drive port 1602, and the two drive ports are located on the side wall of the drive pump body 16 and the second base plate 20, respectively.

[0050] A tie rod 17 is connected between the first base plate 1 and the second base plate 20. The first base plate 1, the second base plate 20, and the tie rod 17 are axially tightened and limited to the first pump body 3, the second pump body 11, and the drive pump body 16.

[0051] The pull rod 17 is arranged in a ring around the circumference of the assembly of the first pump body 3, the second pump body 11 and the drive pump body 16.

[0052] The flow rates at the first water inlet 7 and the second water inlet 9 are almost the same per unit time.

[0053] The first air chamber 4 and the second air chamber 12 are respectively provided with a first air port 2 and a second air port 13.

[0054] The stirring method of this embodiment using an external non-destructive stirring device for the culture environment includes the following steps:

[0055] Assembly stage:

[0056] The first water inlet 7 and the second water inlet 9 are connected to the bottom of the external culture chamber via an inlet distribution valve, and to the top of the culture chamber via an outlet distribution valve.

[0057] The first drive port 1601 and the second drive port 1602 are connected to an external hydraulic pump station or compressed air.

[0058] The first air inlet 2 and the second air inlet 13 are directly open to the atmosphere.

[0059] Mixing stage:

[0060] When the power fluid is input into the first drive port 1601, the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 are pushed by the high-pressure fluid and move towards the second bottom plate 20. At this time, the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 move at the same speed. The second liquid chamber 10 draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the water inlet distribution valve, while the first liquid chamber 6 pressurizes water into the top of the culture chamber through the water outlet distribution valve.

[0061] The power fluid flows into the second drive port 1602, and the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 are pushed by the high pressure fluid to move towards the first base plate 1. At this time, the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 move at the same speed. The first liquid chamber 6 draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the water inlet distribution valve, while the second liquid chamber 10 pressurizes water into the top of the culture chamber through the water outlet distribution valve.

[0062] At any given time, the inflow and outflow of water are almost the same, and the high-pressure water pressure inside the culture chamber remains stable.

[0063] The specific structure and working principle of this invention are as follows:

[0064] by Figure 3 Taking the Chinese position as an example, the assembly structure of the stirring device of the present invention is as follows: the two end faces of the first pump body 3 are respectively sealed and abutted with the end face of the first base plate 1 and the end face of the partition plate 8; the two end faces of the second pump body 11 are respectively sealed and abutted with the end face of the partition plate 8 and the end face of the end cover 15; the two end faces of the drive pump body 16 are respectively sealed and abutted with the end face of the end cover 15 and the end face of the second base plate 20; several tie rods 17 are connected to the first base plate 1 and the second base plate 20 by threads at both ends, thereby tightening the first base plate 1, the first pump body 3, the partition plate 8, the second pump body 11, the end cover 15, the drive pump body 16, and the second base plate 20.

[0065] The piston body of the first piston 5 and the inner wall diameter of the first pump body 3 are sealed together. The piston rod of the first piston 5 and the inner wall diameter of the hole on the partition plate 8 are sealed together. The piston rod of the first piston 5 and the piston body of the second piston 14 are positioned and fastened by a stepped surface and are sealed together by a threaded fastening.

[0066] The second piston 14 has a sealing fit with the inner wall of the second pump body 11, and the piston rod of the second piston 14 has a sealing fit with the inner wall of the through hole on the end cap 15. The portion of the second piston 14 extending out of the end cap 15 is threadedly connected to a drive piston. The drive piston rests in the drive pump body 16, and the outer wall of the drive piston has a sealing fit with the inner wall of the drive pump body 16.

[0067] The key processing features of the above structure are defined as follows:

[0068] The inner circle of the first pump body 3 and the inner circle of the second pump body 11 are precision ground as a whole, with dimensional tolerance not exceeding IT7 grade and cylindricity not exceeding 6 grade.

[0069] The machining methods for the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 are as follows:

[0070] S1: The piston rod of the first piston 5 is precision machined, and its cylindricity is no higher than grade 6;

[0071] S2: The outer diameter of the piston of the first piston 5 and the outer diameter of the piston of the second piston 14 are reserved for finishing.

[0072] S3: At the stepped joint between the piston rod of the first piston 5 and the piston body of the second piston 14, the external and internal threads are fastened with medium-strength threaded rubber.

[0073] S4: The three-jaw chuck clamps the piston rod of the second piston 14, and the tip presses against the center of the end face of the first piston 5, so that the outer circle of the first piston 5 and the outer circle of the second piston 14 are precision machined as a whole, with a dimensional tolerance not higher than IT7 grade.

[0074] The circulating pump is characterized by the following: the first pump body 3, the first piston 5, and the partition 8 together form a sealed cavity A; the second pump body 11, the first piston 5, the second piston 14, and the partition 8 together form a sealed cavity B; both cavities A and B are annular, with the inner diameter of the two annular rings being the outer diameter of the piston rod of the first piston 5, and the outer diameters being the inner diameters of the first pump body 3 and the second pump body 11, respectively; due to the following two points:

[0075] 1) The cylindricity grade of the first piston rod was controlled during machining;

[0076] 2) The inner circle of the first pump body 3 and the inner circle of the second pump body 11 are integrally precision machined, and the outer circle of the first piston 5 and the outer circle of the second piston 14 that are adapted to the two inner circles are integrally precision machined.

[0077] Therefore, the difference in cross-sectional area between cavity A and cavity B is minimal.

[0078] When the stirring device is required, first install and connect the stirring device to the culture chamber and the external power source. The first water inlet 7 and the second water inlet 9 are connected to the bottom of the culture chamber through the first water inlet distribution valve 1801 and the second water inlet distribution valve 1802, respectively, and are connected to the top of the culture chamber through the first water outlet distribution valve 1901 and the second water outlet distribution valve 1902. The first drive port 1601 and the second drive port 1602 are connected to the hydraulic pump station or compressed air. The first air port 2 and the second air port 13 are directly connected to the atmosphere.

[0079] Taking the connection of the first drive port 1601 and the second drive port 1602 to the hydraulic pump station as an example:

[0080] Reference Figure 4 When high-pressure oil is introduced into the first drive port 1601, the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 move to the right together. Since they are rigidly connected, their movement speeds are the same. At this time, the B chamber draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the second water inlet distribution valve 1802, while the A chamber pressurizes water into the top of the culture chamber through the first water outlet distribution valve 1901. Since the cross-sectional area of ​​the A chamber and the B chamber are very small and their axial speeds are the same, the volume of water flowing out of the A chamber and the volume of water flowing into the B chamber are almost the same within any small time Δt. Therefore, the high-pressure water pressure inside the culture chamber can remain stable.

[0081] When high-pressure oil is introduced into the second drive port 1602, the first piston 5 and the second piston 14 move to the left together. Since they are rigidly connected, their movement speeds are the same. At this time, chamber A draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the first water inlet distribution valve 1801, while chamber B pressurizes water into the top of the culture chamber through the second water outlet distribution valve 1902. Since the cross-sectional area of ​​chambers A and B is very small and their axial speeds are the same, the volume of water flowing out of chamber A and flowing into chamber B is almost the same within any small time Δt. Therefore, the high-pressure water pressure inside the culture chamber can remain stable.

[0082] The end face seals and radial seals inside the circulating pump can be made of high-pressure and high-temperature resistant seals, and the circulating pump can withstand high-temperature and high-pressure seawater.

[0083] The above description is an explanation of the present invention and not a limitation thereof. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. Within the scope of protection of the present invention, any form of modification may be made.

Claims

1. An external, non-destructive stirring device for a culture environment, characterized in that: The system includes a first pump body (3) and a second pump body (11) with chambers separated from each other. A first piston (5) and a second piston (14) are respectively installed in the first pump body (3) and the second pump body (11). The first piston (5) and the second piston (14) are fastened to each other and move synchronously. The first piston (5) divides the internal structure of the first pump body (3) into a first air chamber (4) and a first liquid chamber (6); the second piston (14) divides the internal structure of the second pump body (11) into a second air chamber (12) and a second liquid chamber (10); the first liquid chamber (6) and the second liquid chamber (10) are respectively provided with a first water inlet (7) and a second water inlet (9), the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (9) are connected to the bottom of the external culture chamber through an inlet distribution valve, and are connected to the top of the culture chamber through an outlet distribution valve. The first air chamber (4) and the second air chamber (12) are respectively provided with a first air port (2) and a second air port (13), which are directly connected to the atmosphere. The piston body and piston rod of the first piston (5) and the second piston (14) are connected end to end. One of the piston rods extends out of the pump body and is connected to the drive pump body (16). The drive pump body (16) is divided into two drive chambers, and each drive chamber has a drive port. The drive pump body (16) and the external power fluid drive the first piston (5) and the second piston (14) to reciprocate. The stirring device contains two annular cavities, which move at the same axial speed. During the stirring process, the volume of water flowing out of the culture chamber and the volume of water flowing into the culture chamber are the same per unit time. High-temperature and high-pressure seawater circulates within the culture chamber.

2. The external non-destructive stirring device for the culture environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A partition (8) is provided between the first pump body (3) and the second pump body (11) for sealing. The piston rod of the first piston (5) passes through the partition (8) and is threadedly fastened to the piston body of the second piston (14).

3. The external non-destructive stirring device for the culture environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first pump body (3) is sealed with a first base plate (1) on the side opposite to the second pump body (11). The second pump body (11) has an end cap (15) sealed on the side opposite to the first pump body (3), and the drive pump body (16) is connected to the end cap (15); the piston rod of the second piston (14) passes through the end cap (15) and extends into the drive pump body (16), dividing the internal space of the drive pump body (16) into two drive chambers.

4. The external non-destructive stirring device for the culture environment as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The drive pump body (16) is sealed with a second base plate (20) on the side opposite to the second pump body (11).

5. The external non-destructive stirring device for the culture environment as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The two drive chambers inside the drive pump body (16) are respectively equipped with a first drive port (1601) and a second drive port (1602), and the two drive ports are located on the side wall of the drive pump body (16) and the second base plate (20).

6. The external non-destructive stirring device for the culture environment as described in claim 4, characterized in that: A tie rod (17) is connected between the first base plate (1) and the second base plate (20). The first base plate (1), the second base plate (20), and the tie rod (17) are axially tightened to limit the first pump body (3), the second pump body (11), and the drive pump body (16).

7. The external non-destructive stirring device for culture environment as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The pull rod (17) is arranged in a ring around the circumference of the assembly of the first pump body (3), the second pump body (11) and the drive pump body (16).

8. The external non-destructive stirring device for culture environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The flow rates of the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (9) are the same per unit time.

9. A stirring method using the external non-destructive stirring device for culture environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Assembly stage: The first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (9) are connected to the bottom of the external culture chamber through an inlet distribution valve and to the top of the culture chamber through an outlet distribution valve. The first drive port (1601) and the second drive port (1602) are connected to an external hydraulic pump station or compressed air. The first air inlet (2) and the second air inlet (13) are directly connected to the atmosphere. Mixing stage: The power fluid is input into the first drive port (1601), and the first piston (5) and the second piston (14) are pushed by the high pressure fluid to move towards the second bottom plate (20). At this time, the first piston (5) and the second piston (14) move at the same speed. The second liquid chamber (10) draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the water inlet distribution valve, while the first liquid chamber (6) presses water into the top of the culture chamber through the water outlet distribution valve. The power fluid flows into the second drive port (1602), and the first piston (5) and the second piston (14) are pushed by the high pressure fluid and move towards the first bottom plate (1). At this time, the first piston (5) and the second piston (14) move at the same speed. The first liquid chamber (6) draws water from the bottom of the culture chamber through the water inlet distribution valve, while the second liquid chamber (10) presses water into the top of the culture chamber through the water outlet distribution valve. The inflow and outflow of water are the same at any given time, and the high-pressure water pressure inside the culture chamber remains stable.

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