A moonpool with airbag deployment and a ship

Abstract

The application provides a moon pool with air bag deployment and a ship, which comprises an air bag storage device, a bottom cover, a top cover, a deployment winch, an equipment winch and a deployment tank. The air bag storage device is arranged at a corner of the moon pool, and the air bag can be opened or stored according to requirements; the deployment tank is a watertight storage device for accommodating deployed equipment; the deployment tank is connected to the deployment winch through a deployment cable, and the equipment is connected to the equipment winch through an equipment cable and a guide wheel; when the equipment is deployed, the deployment tank extrudes the air bag into or out of the area where the air bag is located through gravity; when the deployment tank is recovered, the deployment tank extrudes the air bag into or out of the area where the air bag is located under the pulling force of the deployment winch. The technical scheme of the application can play the effect of wave absorption and equipment protection through the air bag, and realize safe deployment and recovery of the moon pool system equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of ship design technology, and specifically relates to a moon pool and ship with airbag deployment. Background Technology

[0002] Research vessels equipped with a moon pool system can perform a variety of deep-sea scientific research missions, including equipment deployment and retrieval, underwater exploration and search and salvage, and targeted deployment and retrieval of manned submersibles. The moon pool runs through the hull structure and features an internal sliding rail system. Equipment is deployed downwards along the rails via brackets, and the rails limit the equipment's movement, preventing damage from collisions with the moon pool's bulkhead. Wave-damping walls are installed on the inner side of the moon pool to reduce wave energy, thus protecting both the moon pool bulkhead and the equipment.

[0003] When ships conduct scientific research operations, they are constantly rocking due to external environmental influences. When the moon pool is opened, the influx of waves impacts the pool's bulkheads. The equipment in the moon pool is lowered via cables, and its rocking is exacerbated by the ship's movement and the movement of waves within the pool. This could potentially cause the equipment to collide with and be damaged by the pool's bulkheads. Therefore, current technology uses a sliding rail system to secure the equipment before lowering it. Simultaneously, steel wave-damping walls are installed to protect the pool's bulkheads and reduce internal wave energy. The problems are that the sliding rails and wave-damping walls consume large amounts of steel, increasing the empty ship's weight, raising shipbuilding costs, and extending the ship's design cycle.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a moon pool and vessel equipped with airbags that can achieve wave damping and equipment protection through airbags, and realize the safe deployment and recovery of moon pool system equipment, has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a moon pool and vessel equipped with airbags for deployment. The airbags can achieve wave damping and equipment protection, enabling the safe deployment and retrieval of moon pool system equipment.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a moon pool with airbag deployment is provided, comprising: an airbag storage device, a bottom cover, a top cover, a deployment winch, an equipment winch, and a deployment tank.

[0007] The airbag storage device is located in the corner of the moon pool, and the airbag can be opened or stored as needed.

[0008] The deployment tank is a watertight storage device used to house the deployment equipment; the deployment tank is connected to the deployment winch via a deployment cable, and the equipment is connected to the equipment winch via an equipment cable and guide wheels.

[0009] When the equipment is deployed, the deployment tank is squeezed by gravity to enter and exit the area where the airbag is located; when the deployment tank is retrieved, the deployment tank is squeezed by the deployment winch to enter and exit the area where the airbag is located.

[0010] Furthermore, the lunar pool includes:

[0011] In the vertical direction, the airbag is located in the middle of the lunar pool, and when the airbag is deployed, the airbag does not interfere with the opened hatch;

[0012] In the horizontal direction, when the airbag is deployed, it can fill the interior of the lunar pool.

[0013] Furthermore, the deployment canister adopts a spindle-shaped or elliptical shape, and the outer surface of the deployment canister and the deployment cable are smooth to avoid scratching the airbag.

[0014] Furthermore, the lunar pool includes:

[0015] When the airbag is deployed, it displaces the seawater inside the lunar pool, thereby reducing the wave energy of the lunar pool; at the same time, the airbag limits the deployment tank and cables, protecting the equipment from impact with the lunar pool walls.

[0016] Furthermore, the lunar pool includes:

[0017] After the deployment tank is outside the moon pool area, it can be opened by filling it with water;

[0018] After the deployment tank is opened, the equipment continues to deploy via a winch, and the deployment tank is retrieved after the equipment leaves.

[0019] Furthermore, the lunar pool includes:

[0020] During equipment recovery, the equipment is pulled to the outer edge of the moon pool using a winch, the deployment tank is placed in seawater, and after being filled with water, it is opened to enclose the equipment. Then, the equipment is recovered using the pulling force of the deployment winch.

[0021] Furthermore, the lunar pool adopts a planar rectangular bulkhead structure, with the bulkhead reinforcing ribs facing outwards to ensure a smooth and flat interior.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, a vessel is provided, the vessel comprising a moon pool with airbag deployment as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0024] As can be seen from the above scheme, the embodiments of the present invention provide a moon pool and vessel with airbag deployment, including: an airbag storage device, a bottom cover, a top cover, a deployment winch, an equipment winch, and a deployment tank. The airbag storage device is located in a corner of the moon pool, and the airbag can be opened or stored as needed; the deployment tank is a watertight storage device used to hold the deployed equipment; the deployment tank is connected to the deployment winch via a deployment cable, and the equipment is connected to the equipment winch via an equipment cable and guide wheels; during equipment deployment, the deployment tank compresses the airbag into and out of the airbag area by gravity; during deployment tank retrieval, the deployment tank compresses the airbag into and out of the airbag area under the pulling force of the deployment winch. The technical solution of the present invention can achieve the effects of wave damping and equipment protection through the airbag, realizing the safe deployment and retrieval of equipment in the moon pool system. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a moon pool with airbag deployment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram, 10 is the airbag storage device, 20 is the bottom cover, 30 is the top cover, 40 is the deployment winch, 50 is the equipment winch, and 60 is the deployment tank. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0028] In this embodiment of the invention, a moon pool system with airbags that has no sliding rails or wave-damping walls enables the equipment to be deployed safely while reducing design costs and shortening the design cycle.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a moon pool with airbags deployed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The figure shows a moon pool with airbag deployment, including: an airbag storage device 10, a bottom cover 20, a top cover 30, a deployment winch 40, an equipment winch 50, and a deployment tank 60.

[0031] The airbag storage device 10 is located in the corner of the moon pool, and the airbag can be opened or stored as needed;

[0032] The deployment tank 60 is a watertight storage device used to hold the deployment equipment; the deployment tank 60 is connected to the deployment winch 40 via a deployment cable, and the equipment is connected to the equipment winch 40 via an equipment cable and guide wheel.

[0033] When the equipment is deployed, the deployment tank 60 squeezes the airbag into and out of the area where the airbag is located by gravity; when the deployment tank 60 is retrieved, the deployment tank 60 squeezes the airbag into and out of the area where the airbag is located under the pulling force of the deployment winch 40.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the vertical direction, the airbag is disposed in the middle of the lunar pool, and when the airbag is opened, the airbag does not interfere with the opened hatch; in the horizontal direction, when the airbag is opened, the airbag can fill the interior of the lunar pool.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the deployment can adopts a spindle-shaped or elliptical shape, and the outer surface of the deployment can and the outer surface of the deployment cable are smooth to avoid scratching the airbag.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the airbag is deployed, the airbag displaces the seawater inside the moon pool, thereby reducing the wave energy of the moon pool; at the same time, the airbag limits the deployment tank and cable, protecting the equipment from impact with the moon pool wall.

[0037] After the deployment tank is outside the moon pool area, it can be opened by filling it with water;

[0038] After the deployment tank is opened, the equipment continues to deploy via a winch, and the deployment tank is retrieved after the equipment leaves.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the moon pool includes:

[0040] During equipment recovery, the equipment is pulled to the outer edge of the moon pool using a winch, the deployment tank is placed in seawater, and after being filled with water, it is opened to enclose the equipment. Then, the equipment is recovered using the pulling force of the deployment winch.

[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, no sliding rails or wave-damping walls are installed; instead, airbags achieve wave damping and equipment protection. The overall system is simple, low-cost, and easy to maintain, which is highly advantageous for the empty weight of the vessel. The safe deployment and retrieval of moon pool system equipment are achieved using a simple, low-cost airbag device.

[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, the moon pool adopts a planar rectangular bulkhead structure, with the bulkhead reinforcing ribs facing outwards to ensure that the interior of the moon pool is smooth and flat.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, a lunar pool with airbag deployment is used in a lunar pool system deployment without the installation of pulleys and wave-damping systems. The lunar pool adopts a planar rectangular bulkhead structure with the bulkhead reinforcing ribs facing outwards to ensure that the interior of the lunar pool is smooth and flat.

[0044] The lunar pool is equipped with airbags, a bottom cover, a top cover, a deployment winch, an equipment winch, and a deployment tank. The airbag storage device is located in the corner of the lunar pool, allowing the airbags to be opened or retracted as needed. In terms of height, the airbags are located in the center of the lunar pool, and when opened, they do not interfere with the opened hatch. In terms of horizontal direction, when opened, the airbags can fill the interior of the lunar pool.

[0045] The deployment tank is connected to the deployment winch via deployment cables, and the equipment is connected to the equipment winch via equipment cables and guide wheels. The deployment tank has a spindle or elliptical shape, and the surface of the deployment tank and the cable must be smooth to avoid scratching the airbag.

[0046] The deployment tank is a watertight storage device that can hold the deployed equipment. During deployment, the deployment tank moves in and out of the airbag area by gravity. During retrieval, the deployment winch pulls the airbag in and out of the airbag area. When the airbag opens, it displaces the seawater inside the moon pool, thereby reducing the wave energy of the moon pool. At the same time, the airbag limits the deployment tank and cables, thereby protecting the equipment from impact with the moon pool walls.

[0047] After the deployment tank leaves the moon pool area, it can be filled with water and then opened; after the deployment tank is opened, the equipment continues to deploy via the equipment winch, and the deployment tank is retrieved after the equipment leaves.

[0048] During equipment recovery, the equipment is pulled to the outer edge of the moon pool using a winch. The deployment tank is then placed in seawater, filled with water, and opened to enclose the equipment. The equipment is then recovered using the pulling force of the deployment winch. After the equipment is recovered, the bottom cover is closed first to drain the seawater from the moon pool, then the airbag is stored, and finally the top cover is closed to complete the deployment.

[0049] In this embodiment of the invention, a simple and low-cost airbag device is used to achieve the safe deployment and retrieval of the moon pool system equipment.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, a vessel is provided, the vessel comprising a moon pool with airbag deployment as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0051] The above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A moon pool with an airbag deployment, characterized in that, The moon pool includes: an airbag storage device, a bottom cover, a top cover, a deployment winch, an equipment winch, and a deployment tank; The airbag storage device is located in the corner of the moon pool, and the airbag can be opened or stored as needed. When the airbag is opened, it displaces the seawater inside the moon pool, thereby reducing the wave energy of the moon pool. At the same time, the airbag limits the deployment tank and cable, protecting the equipment from impact with the moon pool wall. The deployment tank is a watertight storage device used to house the deployed equipment. The deployment tank is connected to the deployment winch via a deployment cable, and the equipment is connected to the equipment winch via an equipment cable and guide wheels. After the deployment tank leaves the moon pool area, it can be opened by filling it with water. When retrieving the equipment, the equipment is pulled to the outer opening of the moon pool by the equipment winch, the deployment tank is placed in seawater, filled with water, and then opened to enclose the equipment. The equipment is then retrieved by the pulling force of the deployment winch. After the deployment tank is opened, the equipment continues to deploy via the equipment winch, and the deployment tank is recovered after the equipment leaves. When the equipment is deployed, the deployment tank is squeezed by gravity to enter and exit the area where the airbag is located; when the deployment tank is retrieved, the deployment tank is squeezed by the deployment winch to enter and exit the area where the airbag is located.

2. A moon pool with airbag deployment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moon pool includes: In the vertical direction, the airbag is located in the middle of the lunar pool, and when the airbag is deployed, the airbag does not interfere with the opened hatch; In the horizontal direction, when the airbag is deployed, it can fill the interior of the lunar pool.

3. A moon pool with airbag deployment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deployment canister has a spindle-shaped or elliptical shape, and the outer surface of the deployment canister and the deployment cable are smooth to avoid scratching the airbag.

4. A moon pool with airbag deployment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moon pool includes: The moon pool adopts a planar rectangular bulkhead structure, with the reinforcing ribs of the bulkhead facing outwards to ensure a smooth and flat interior.

5. A ship, characterized in that, The vessel includes a moon pool with airbag deployment as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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