Automatic inspection method for nested sail boosting device

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic inspection method of a nested sail boosting device, the nested sail device is composed of two or more sections, the overall lifting of the sail device is realized by driving the outer sail surface by a mast, the hydraulic cylinder is used as a driving power source in the lifting state, the second section mast is lifted from the first section mast, the second section sail blade is lifted relative to the first section sail blade, a nested space is formed between the inner wall of the first section mast and the outer wall of the second section mast during the lifting of the sail, a permanent hanger is arranged at the bottom of the second section mast and the top of the first section sail blade and is used for mounting a camera device, the camera device is fixed on a movable support through an elastic band, the movable support is mounted at the permanent hanger through bolts, a storage card is taken out from the camera device, the storage card is watched through a computer, remote camera technology is used to replace the inspection personnel to record, the structure surface paint damage condition, corrosion condition and the like are more safely and accurately inspected and recorded, and a large amount of labor and outfitting cost are saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a nested airfoil propulsion device, and more specifically, to an automatic inspection method for a nested airfoil propulsion device. Background Technology

[0002] The nested airfoil-shaped sail booster can raise the sail while the sail is in operation, increasing the sail's windward area and thus further improving boosting efficiency. For sail systems that operate in marine environments for extended periods, it is necessary to inspect and maintain their key structures and equipment to extend their service life and ensure stable and reliable operation.

[0003] Taking a three-section nested sail system as an example, the nested overlapping area includes the inner wall of the first mast, the inner and outer walls of the second mast, and the outer wall of the third mast. When the sails are lowered, this area overlaps with each other, and the space is limited, making it impossible to inspect by conventional methods. When the sails are raised, each section of the mast is visible and can be used for maintenance and inspection, but a large number of outfitting and climbing devices need to be set up, which is particularly detrimental to the safety of workers, especially for ship types with explosion-proof requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides an automated inspection method for nested sail booster devices. By employing remote video technology to replace human inspectors in inspection and recording, the method enables safer and more accurate inspection and recording of surface paint damage, corrosion, and other conditions. This saves significant labor and outfitting costs, provides optimization space for mast design, and resolves safety hazards caused by the inability to inspect nested areas using conventional methods.

[0005] This invention provides an automatic inspection method for a nested sail booster device, the nested sail booster device including a nested mast, a first camera device, a second camera device, a permanent hanger, a movable support, a rubber ring, and an elastic band;

[0006] The nested sail device consists of two or more mast sections, and the masts drive the outer sail to achieve the overall raising and lowering of the sail device.

[0007] The mast sections, from the outside in, are the first mast section and the second mast section. In the raised sail state, a hydraulic cylinder serves as the driving power source to drive the second mast section to rise from inside the first mast section, thereby causing the second sail section to rise relative to the first sail section.

[0008] A nested space is formed between the inner wall of the first mast section and the outer wall of the second mast section during the raising and lowering of the sail;

[0009] A permanent hanger is installed at the bottom of the second mast section for mounting the first camera equipment;

[0010] A permanent hanger is installed at the top of the first section of the sail for the installation of the second camera device.

[0011] The two sets of camera equipment are fixed to the movable bracket by elastic bands, and the movable bracket is installed on the permanent bracket by bolts;

[0012] The automatic inspection process for nested sail-assisted propulsion devices is as follows:

[0013] 1) Confirm sail status before automatic inspection:

[0014] a) The sails are in the lowered position;

[0015] b) The sail system shuts down;

[0016] 2) Installation and commissioning of automatic inspection device:

[0017] a) Install the two sets of the aforementioned camera equipment on the movable bracket and secure them with elastic bands. After installation, the camera captures a complete image.

[0018] b) Install a portable telescopic ladder inside the sail base;

[0019] c) Install the movable support on the permanent hanger using a portable telescopic ladder, and install elastic rubber rings at the joint surfaces of the support;

[0020] d) Turn on the camera positioning lights of both sets of camera equipment, adjust the alignment center to align with the center of the mast, and turn on the recording function to record;

[0021] e) Retrieve the portable telescopic ladder and leave the area;

[0022] 3) Automatic inspection:

[0023] a) Activate the sail operation button, run the raise sail command, and the sail device will raise the sail to the top; run the lower sail command, and the sail will lower to the bottom.

[0024] b) Personnel used a telescopic ladder to disassemble the movable support frame and the first camera equipment;

[0025] c) Remove the memory card from the camera equipment, view the footage on a computer, and complete the shooting inspection.

[0026] Preferably, the number and arrangement of the permanent hangers at the bottom of the second mast section need to meet the requirements for full-angle inspection of the inner wall of the first mast section.

[0027] Preferably, the number and arrangement of the permanent hangers at the top of the first section of the sail must meet the requirements for full-angle inspection of the outer wall of the second section of the mast.

[0028] Preferably, both sets of the camera equipment are portable, with a wide angle >170°, a battery capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of use, a storage capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of recording, an autofocus function, support for nighttime infrared night vision shooting, and electronic image stabilization shooting; when used in an explosion-proof space, they have explosion-proof function.

[0029] Preferably, an elastic rubber ring is provided at the mounting point of the movable bracket.

[0030] Preferably, the movable bracket is detachably connected to the two sets of camera equipment.

[0031] Preferably, the number of cameras in a single group is not less than one.

[0032] Based on the characteristics of nested sail device arrangement and the structural inspection requirements within the nested area, this invention provides an automatic inspection method. By using remote camera technology to replace inspectors for inspection and recording, it can more safely and accurately inspect and record the paint damage, corrosion, and other conditions on the structural surface. This saves a significant amount of labor and outfitting costs, provides optimization space for mast design, and solves the safety hazards caused by the inability to inspect nested areas using conventional methods. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the sail system in fully lowered position;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sail system during the raising of the sails.

[0035] Figure 3 Side view showing the layout of the inspection equipment on the inner wall of the first mast section;

[0036] Figure 4 Detailed installation diagram for camera equipment;

[0037] Figure 5 Top view AA showing the layout of the inspection equipment on the inner wall of the first mast section;

[0038] Figure 6 Top view BB showing the layout of the inspection equipment on the outer wall of the second mast;

[0039] Figure 7 Detailed installation diagram for camera equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention provides an automatic inspection method for a nested sail booster device, the nested sail booster device comprising a nested mast, a first camera device 5, a second camera device 10, a permanent hanger 11, a movable support 13, a rubber ring 12, and an elastic band 15;

[0041] The nested sail device consists of two or more mast sections, and the masts drive the outer sail to achieve the overall raising and lowering of the sail device.

[0042] The mast sections, from the outside in, are the first mast section 2 and the second mast section 8. In the raised sail state, the hydraulic cylinder 3 serves as the driving power source, driving the second mast section 8 to rise from inside the first mast section 2, thereby causing the second sail section 9 to rise relative to the first sail section 1.

[0043] During the raising and lowering of the sail, a nested space 4 is formed between the inner wall of the first mast section 2 and the outer wall of the second mast section 8.

[0044] At the bottom of the second mast section 8, a permanent hanger 11 is installed for the installation of the first camera device 5;

[0045] A permanent hanger 11 is provided at the top of the first section of the sail 1 for the installation of the second camera device 10;

[0046] The two sets of camera equipment are fixed to the movable bracket 13 by elastic band 15, and the movable bracket 13 is installed at the permanent bracket 11 by bolts;

[0047] The automatic inspection process for nested sail-assisted propulsion devices is as follows:

[0048] 1) Confirm sail status before automatic inspection:

[0049] a) The sails are in the lowered position;

[0050] b) The sail system shuts down;

[0051] 2) Installation and commissioning of automatic inspection device:

[0052] a) Install the two sets of the camera equipment on the movable bracket 13 and fasten them with elastic bands 15. After installation, the camera captures a complete image.

[0053] b) Install a portable telescopic ladder inside the sail base 6;

[0054] c) Install the movable bracket 13 onto the permanent hanger 11 using a portable telescopic ladder, and install the elastic rubber ring 12 at the bracket mating surface;

[0055] d) Turn on the camera positioning lights of both sets of camera equipment, adjust the alignment center to align with the center of the mast, and turn on the recording function to record;

[0056] e) Retrieve the portable telescopic ladder and leave the area;

[0057] 3) Automatic inspection:

[0058] a) Activate the sail operation button, run the raise sail command, and the sail device will raise the sail to the top; run the lower sail command, and the sail will lower to the bottom.

[0059] b) Personnel used a telescopic ladder to disassemble the movable support 13 and the first camera device 5;

[0060] c) Remove the memory card from the camera equipment, view the footage on a computer, and complete the shooting inspection.

[0061] The number and arrangement of the permanent hangers 11 at the bottom of the second mast section 8 must meet the requirements for full-angle inspection of the inner wall of the first mast section 2.

[0062] The number and arrangement of the 11 permanent hangers at the top of the first section of the sail 1 must meet the requirements for full-angle inspection of the outer wall of the second section of the mast 8.

[0063] Both sets of the aforementioned camera equipment are portable, with a wide-angle lens of >=170°, a battery capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of use, a storage capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of recording, an autofocus function, support for nighttime infrared night vision shooting, and electronic image stabilization; when used in explosion-proof spaces, they have explosion-proof functionality.

[0064] An elastic rubber ring 12 is installed at the mounting point of the movable bracket 13.

[0065] The movable bracket 13 is detachably connected to the two sets of camera equipment.

[0066] The number of cameras in a single group is not less than one.

[0067] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in this embodiment, the nested sail device consists of two sections and is installed on a large ocean-going oil tanker. The mast sections are the first mast section and the second mast section from the outside to the inside, and the space inside the mast is a danger zone.

[0068] Figure 1 In the diagram, A represents the first sail section, B represents the second sail section, 1 represents the first sail section, 2 represents the first mast section, 3 represents the hydraulic cylinder, 4 represents the nesting space, 5 represents the camera equipment at the bottom of the second mast section, 6 represents the sail base, 7 represents the hull structure, 8 represents the second mast section, 9 represents the second sail section, and 10 represents the camera equipment at the top of the first sail section.

[0069] Figure 2 In the diagram, C is a thumbnail of the side view of the inspection equipment arrangement on the inner wall of the first mast section; 1 is the first sail section; 2 is the first mast section; 3 is the hydraulic cylinder; 4 is the nested overlapping area; 5 is the camera equipment at the bottom of the second mast section; 6 is the sail base; 7 is the hull structure; 8 is the second mast section; 9 is the second sail section; and 10 is the camera equipment at the top of the first sail section.

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown, during the raising and lowering of the sail, a hydraulic cylinder serves as the driving power source, driving the second mast section to rise from inside the first mast section, thereby causing the second sail section to rise relative to the first sail section; a nested space is formed between the inner wall of the first mast section and the outer wall of the second mast section during the raising and lowering of the sail.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, a permanent hanger is installed at the bottom of the second mast section for mounting camera equipment. Figure 3 In the diagram, D is a thumbnail of the camera equipment installation details; 2 is the first mast section; 3 is the hydraulic cylinder; 8 is the second mast section; and 501 is camera equipment 1 at the bottom of the second mast section. 501 also represents… Figure 4 The image shows a thumbnail detail of the camera equipment installation; 502 represents camera equipment 2 at the bottom of the second mast section.

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, hydraulic systems are arranged inside the first and second mast sections as the driving power source. If a single camera is installed, a blind spot will be created due to the obstruction of the hydraulic cylinder. Even if the camera is placed close to the second mast section wall, a 15° blind spot will still be formed. To achieve full-angle inspection of the inner wall of the first mast section, this embodiment requires the placement of two camera systems. The optimized arrangement is carried out based on the mast structure characteristics, and the optimized arrangement scheme is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, this allows for full-angle inspection of the inner wall of the first mast section.

[0073] Figure 5 In the diagram, 8 represents the second mast section, 2 represents the first mast section, 502 represents the second mast section bottom camera device 2, g represents the field of view of the second mast section bottom camera device 2, h represents the blind zone of the second mast section bottom camera device 2, 501 represents the second mast section bottom camera device 1, i represents the field of view of the second mast section bottom camera device 2, and j represents the blind zone of the second mast section bottom camera device 2.

[0074] like Figure 6 As shown, a permanent hanger is installed at the top of the first sail section for the installation of camera equipment. In this embodiment, the mast is designed as a single-axis symmetrical polygon, and the inspectable angle formed by a single camera is limited. In order to achieve full-angle inspection of the outer wall of the second mast section, a hexagonal star arrangement scheme is provided, that is, six permanent hangers are installed at the top of the first sail section, arranged symmetrically about the axis of symmetry of the mast section.

[0075] Figure 6In the diagram, X, Z, and Y represent positions. 101 represents camera 1 at the top of the first sail section at position X, a represents the field of view of camera 1 at the top of the first sail section at position X, 102 represents camera 1 at the top of the first sail section at position Y, b represents the field of view of camera 1 at the top of the first sail section at position Y, 103 represents camera 1 at the top of the first sail section at position Z, c represents the field of view of camera 1 at the top of the first sail section at position Z, 104 represents camera 2 at the top of the first sail section at position X, d represents the field of view of camera 2 at the top of the first sail section at position X, 105 represents camera 2 at the top of the first sail section at position Y, e represents the field of view of camera 2 at the top of the first sail section at position Y, 106 represents camera 2 at the top of the first sail section at position Z, and f represents the field of view of camera 2 at the top of the first sail section at position Z.

[0076] The camera device must be portable, with a wide-angle lens of 170° or more, a battery capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of use, and a storage capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of recording. Figure 7 As shown, the installation method is as follows: 9 is the second sail section, 10 is the camera equipment at the top of the first sail section, 11 is the permanent hanger, 12 is the rubber ring, 13 is the movable bracket, and 15 is the elastic band.

[0077] The camera device must have autofocus, support infrared night vision shooting, and electronic image stabilization.

[0078] In this embodiment, the camera device is used in a hazardous area and is equipped with explosion-proof features.

[0079] This embodiment is equipped with two sets of camera equipment, movable supports, elastic bands, rubber rings, etc., and can complete the inspection of two fixed positions in one sail raising and lowering process. The camera equipment is directly fixed to the movable support by elastic bands, and the movable support is installed on the permanent hanger by bolts. This can protect the camera equipment and avoid damage caused by directly connecting the camera equipment to the permanent hanger.

[0080] To prevent structural vibrations from affecting shooting accuracy during the raising and lowering of the sail, an elastic rubber ring is installed at the mounting point of the movable support.

[0081] The movable support and camera equipment are stored indoors when the sail mast structure is not being inspected.

[0082] In this embodiment, the process of automatically inspecting the nested area between masts using the method of the present invention is as follows:

[0083] 1) Automatic inspection before sail status confirmation: The sails are fully lowered and the sail system is shut down;

[0084] 2) Installation of automatic inspection device:

[0085] a) Install the two camera devices on the movable brackets respectively, and secure them with elastic bands. After installation, the cameras should not be obstructed.

[0086] b) Install a portable telescopic ladder inside the sail base;

[0087] 3) Automatic inspection of the inner wall of the first mast section:

[0088] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, two movable supports are installed on the permanent hanger at the bottom of the first mast section using a portable telescopic ladder. Elastic rubber rings are installed at the joint surfaces of the supports to further stabilize the image and ensure the shooting effect. Figure 4 In the middle, 11 is the permanent hanger, 12 is the rubber ring, 13 is the movable support, 14 is the felt pad leveling, 15 is the elastic band, and 501 is the camera equipment 1 at the bottom of the second mast section.

[0089] a) Turn on the camera positioning light of the camera equipment, adjust the alignment center to align with the hydraulic cylinder, and turn on the recording function to record;

[0090] b) Retrieve the portable telescopic ladder and leave the area;

[0091] c) Activate the sail operation button, execute the raise sail command, and the sail device raises the sail to the top; execute the lower sail command, and the sail lowers to the bottom; the sail system stops.

[0092] d) Personnel used a telescopic ladder to disassemble the movable support frame and camera equipment;

[0093] 4) Automatic inspection of the outer wall of the second mast:

[0094] a) Personnel pass through the sail maintenance passage, install the camera equipment at the permanent hanger at point Y on the top of the first sail section, adjust the alignment center to align with the center of the mast, and turn on the recording function to record video;

[0095] b) Evacuation of personnel;

[0096] c) Operate the sail system to complete the raising and lowering operation; after the sails are fully lowered, the sail machine stops.

[0097] d) Personnel adjust the camera equipment to position X, operate the sail raising and lowering operation, and stop the sail machine after the sail is fully lowered;

[0098] e) Personnel adjust the camera equipment to position Z, operate the sail raising and lowering operation, and stop the sail machine after the sail is fully lowered;

[0099] 5) Data processing:

[0100] Remove the memory card from the camera equipment, view the footage on a computer, and complete the shooting inspection; store the mobile stand and camera equipment indoors.

[0101] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic inspection method for a nested sail-assisted propulsion device, characterized in that, The nested sail booster device includes a nested mast, a first camera device (5), a second camera device (10), a permanent gantry (11), a movable support (13), a rubber ring (12), and an elastic band (15); The nested sail booster consists of two or more mast sections, and the masts drive the outer sail to achieve the overall raising and lowering of the sail device. The mast sections are, from the outside in, the first mast section (2) and the second mast section (8); in the raised sail state, the hydraulic cylinder (3) serves as the driving power source to drive the second mast section (8) to rise from inside the first mast section, thereby driving the second sail section (9) to rise relative to the first sail section (1); During the raising and lowering of the sail, a nested space (4) is formed between the inner wall of the first mast section (2) and the outer wall of the second mast section (8); A permanent hanger (11) is installed at the bottom of the second mast section (8) for the installation of the first camera device (5); A permanent hanger (11) is provided at the top of the first section of the sail (1) for the installation of the second camera device (10); The two sets of camera equipment are fixed to the movable bracket (13) by elastic bands (15), and the movable bracket (13) is installed at the permanent bracket (11) by bolts; The automatic inspection process for nested sail-assisted propulsion devices is as follows: 1) Confirm sail status before automatic inspection: a) The sails are in the lowered position; b) The sail system shuts down; 2) Installation and commissioning of automatic inspection device: a) Install the two sets of camera equipment on the movable bracket (13) and fasten them with elastic bands (15). After installation, the camera captures a complete image. b) Install a portable telescopic ladder inside the sail base (6); c) Install the movable bracket (13) onto the permanent hanger (11) using a portable telescopic ladder, and install a rubber ring (12) at the joint surface of the bracket; d) Turn on the camera positioning lights of both sets of camera equipment, adjust the alignment center to align with the center of the mast, and turn on the recording function to record; e) Retrieve the portable telescopic ladder and leave the area; 3) Automatic inspection: a) Activate the sail operation button, run the raise sail command, and the sail device will raise the sail to the top; run the lower sail command, and the sail will lower to the bottom. b) Personnel used a telescopic ladder to disassemble the movable support (13) and the first camera equipment (5); c) Remove the memory card from the camera equipment, view the footage on a computer, and complete the shooting inspection.

2. The automatic inspection method for the nested sail booster device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number and arrangement of the permanent hangers (11) at the bottom of the second mast section (8) must meet the requirements of full-angle inspection of the inner wall of the first mast section (2).

3. The automatic inspection method for the nested sail booster device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number and arrangement of the permanent hangers (11) at the top of the first section of the sail (1) must meet the requirements for full-angle inspection of the outer wall of the second section of the mast (8).

4. The automatic inspection method for the nested sail booster device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both sets of camera equipment are portable, with a wide-angle lens >170°, a battery capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of use, a storage capacity sufficient for 2 hours or more of recording, an autofocus function, support for nighttime infrared night vision shooting, and electronic image stabilization; when used in explosion-proof spaces, they have explosion-proof functionality.

5. The automatic inspection method for the nested sail booster device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A rubber ring (12) is installed at the mounting point of the movable bracket (13).

6. The automatic inspection method for the nested sail booster device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable bracket (13) is detachably connected to the two sets of the first camera equipment (5) and the second camera equipment (10).

7. The automatic inspection method for the nested sail booster device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of cameras is not less than one.

Images