Deep-sea animal transfer valve and method of use

Abstract

The application discloses a deep-sea animal transfer valve and particularly relates to the technical field of deep-sea equipment. The deep-sea animal transfer valve comprises a valve body, a valve side cover, an upper valve cover, a sealing assembly and a valve rod, wherein the sealing assembly comprises a valve plate arranged between left and right passages of the valve body, the left and right sides of the valve plate are respectively attached to a left valve sleeve and a right valve sleeve, one side of the valve plate close to the left valve sleeve is wedge-shaped, one side of the right valve sleeve is attached to the valve plate, and the other side of the right valve sleeve is attached to the valve side cover; one side of an elastic piece provided on the side of the left valve sleeve away from the valve plate is attached to the inner wall of the valve body, and the other side of the elastic piece is attached to the left valve sleeve and presses the left valve sleeve tightly on the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate; the left valve sleeve is pressed tightly on the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate by the elastic piece; when the pressure is too large, the sealing property between the left valve sleeve and the valve plate is higher; and due to the arrangement of the wedge-shaped surface, the right pressure can be converted into upward pressure, so that the valve can be more easily opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of deep-sea equipment technology, and in particular to a deep-sea animal transfer valve and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] The deep-sea trench region possesses a unique abyssal environment and life processes. Systematic research on the biological resources and biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems is of greater scientific significance for revealing the origin of life and the environmental adaptation mechanisms of deep-sea organisms.

[0003] Full-ocean-depth samplers can successfully capture biological samples from depths exceeding 2000 meters and maintain in-situ pressure. However, after acquiring biological samples, they need to be transferred to larger culture devices while maintaining pressure. There are two major challenges during the transfer process: first, maintaining an ultra-high pressure of up to 110 MPa is crucial. Since the sampler has already maintained in-situ pressure, it is necessary to ensure the sealing of the docking culture device and the sampler valves during the transfer process; second, large organisms require large valve diameters to ensure smooth passage. However, large valve diameters make opening and closing the valves more difficult. Therefore, a reasonable design is needed to make valve opening and closing simpler and less strenuous.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a deep-sea animal transfer valve that can be sealed under ultra-high pressure of 110MPa and is easier to open and close, as well as a method of use. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the issue of sealing under ultra-high pressure in valves, this invention proposes a deep-sea animal transfer valve and its usage method.

[0006] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] This invention proposes a deep-sea animal transfer valve comprising a valve body, a valve side cover, an upper valve cover, a sealing assembly, and a valve stem, wherein:

[0008] One side of the valve body is fixedly connected to the valve side cover, the top of the valve body is fixedly connected to the upper valve cover, the valve stem is disposed on the top of the valve plate, the bottom of the valve stem is movably connected to the valve plate, and the top of the valve stem passes through the upper valve cover;

[0009] The sealing assembly includes a valve plate disposed between the left and right side channels of the valve body. The left and right sides of the valve plate are respectively fitted with a left valve sleeve and a right valve sleeve. The side of the valve plate near the left valve sleeve is wedge-shaped. One side of the right valve sleeve is fitted with the valve plate, and the other side is fitted with the valve side cover. The left valve sleeve is provided with an elastic element on the side away from the valve plate. One side of the elastic element is fitted with the inner wall of the valve body, and the other side is fitted with the left valve sleeve, pressing the left valve sleeve against the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the sealing assembly also includes a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring. The two first sealing rings are respectively disposed on the side of the left valve sleeve near the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate and the side of the right valve sleeve near the valve side cover. The two second sealing rings are respectively disposed on the outer wall of the left valve sleeve and the outer wall of the right valve sleeve and are in contact with the inner wall of the valve body.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a valve opening assembly, which includes a screw sleeve fixed to the top of the upper valve cover, a screw inside the screw sleeve, the bottom of the screw being fixedly connected to the valve stem, the top of the screw being rotatably connected to a nut, and a valve disc being fixed to the top of the nut.

[0012] Furthermore, the nut is provided with a pressure cap and a thrust bearing at the top. The thrust bearing is fixed to the stepped surface at the bottom of the outer side of the nut. The pressure cap is fixed to the top of the screw sleeve. The pressure cap restricts the lower part of the nut to the screw sleeve and allows the nut to only rotate. The upper part of the nut passes through the pressure cap and is fixedly connected to the valve disc.

[0013] Furthermore, the valve opening assembly also includes a screw, a guide groove is provided on one side of the screw sleeve, and one side of the screw extends laterally through the valve stem and the screw and into the guide groove, and the screw fixes the valve stem and the screw.

[0014] Furthermore, the elastic element is always in a compressed state, and one side of the valve plate is always in close contact with the left valve sleeve.

[0015] Furthermore, the method of using the deep-sea animal transfer valve includes the following steps:

[0016] S1. Connect the right side of one deep-sea animal transfer valve and the right side of another deep-sea animal transfer valve with clamps and connecting pipes to form a transfer device;

[0017] S2. Connect the sampler and animal culture device to both sides of the transfer device using clamps;

[0018] S3. Pressurize the connecting tube and animal culture device until they reach the same pressure as the sampler;

[0019] S4. Open the two valves of the transfer device. After the organism in the sampler has been transferred into the animal culture device, close the valve on the side closest to the animal culture device.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] The deep-sea animal transfer valve proposed in this invention utilizes an elastic element to compress the left valve sleeve, pressing it against the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate. The greater the pressure on one side of the left valve sleeve, the greater the force on the left valve sleeve, and the tighter the fit between the left valve sleeve and the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate, resulting in a higher degree of sealing. This enables ultra-high pressure sealing transfer up to 110MPa. Simultaneously, by utilizing the fit between the left valve sleeve and the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate, the pressure on one side of the left valve sleeve is converted into rightward and upward pressure on the valve plate. Since the valve plate does not directly contact the valve body, it is easier to open the valve plate. Furthermore, the small cross-sectional area of ​​the valve stem results in less force, making it easier to close. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the deep-sea animal transfer valve of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the deep-sea animal transfer valve of the present invention in use;

[0024] In the figure: 1. Valve body; 2. Elastic element; 3. Left valve sleeve; 4. Second sealing ring; 5. First sealing ring; 6. Valve plate; 7. Right valve sleeve; 8. Valve side cover; 9. Valve stem; 10. Upper valve cover; 11. Screw; 12. Screw sleeve; 13. Nut; 14. Thrust bearing; 15. Pressure cap; 16. Valve disc; 17. Connecting pipe; 18. Clamp; 19. Sampler; 20. Animal culture device; 21.

[0025] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To more clearly and completely illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1-2 This invention proposes a deep-sea animal transfer valve comprising a valve body 1, a valve side cover 8, an upper valve cover 10, a sealing assembly, and a valve stem 9, wherein:

[0028] One side of the valve body 1 is fixedly connected to the valve side cover 8, the top of the valve body 1 is fixedly connected to the upper valve cover 10, the valve stem 9 is set on the top of the valve plate 6, the bottom of the valve stem 9 is movably connected to the valve plate 6, and the top of the valve stem 9 passes through the upper valve cover 10.

[0029] The sealing assembly includes a valve plate 6, which is disposed between the left and right channels of the valve body 1. The left valve sleeve 3 and the right valve sleeve 7 are respectively attached to the left and right sides of the valve plate 6. The side of the valve plate 6 closest to the left valve sleeve 3 is wedge-shaped. One side of the right valve sleeve 7 is attached to the valve plate 6, and the other side is attached to the valve side cover 8. The left valve sleeve 3 is provided with an elastic element 2 on the side away from the valve plate 6. One side of the elastic element 2 is attached to the inner wall of the valve body 1, and the other side is attached to the left valve sleeve 3 and presses the left valve sleeve 3 against the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate 6.

[0030] In this embodiment:

[0031] Valve plate 6 is used to separate the two sides of valve body 1;

[0032] The left valve sleeve 3 is used to seal the gap between the cavity a of the valve body 1 and the valve plate 6;

[0033] The right valve sleeve 7 is used to support the b cavity of the valve body 1;

[0034] The elastic element 2 is used to make the left valve sleeve 3 fit against the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate 6;

[0035] In a specific implementation, refer to Figure 1 The valve body 1 is provided with an elastic element 2, a left valve sleeve 3, a valve plate 6 and a right valve sleeve 7 arranged sequentially from left to right inside the valve body 1, and is constrained inside the valve body 1 by a valve side cover 8. The valve cover 10 is connected to the top of the valve body 1. The valve body 1 has a cavity C at the top. The valve stem 9 passes through the valve cover and the valve body 1 and is connected to the valve plate 6. The valve plate 6 does not directly contact the valve body 1. The valve side cover 8 presses the right valve sleeve 7 to one side of the plane of the valve plate 6. The right side of the left valve sleeve 3 and the left side of the valve plate 6 are wedge-shaped. The elastic element 2 presses the left valve sleeve 3 to one side of the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate 6, so that the left valve sleeve 3 seals the cavity a side and the right valve sleeve 7 supports the valve plate 6 side. Thus, the cavity a side of the valve body 1 is separated from the cavities b and c. The cavity b side and the cavity c side can be connected through the gap between the right valve sleeve 7 and the valve plate 6. When the valve plate moves upward, the liquid enters the cavity c and it is easier to open.

[0036] When the valve is closed, the pressure on the left side a of the valve body 1 acts on the valve plate 6 and the left valve sleeve 3. Since the left side of the valve plate 6 is a wedge-shaped surface, the force on side a (including liquid pressure and elastic force) can be decomposed into horizontal rightward and vertical upward components. The vertical upward component can reduce the force required to open the valve, while the horizontal rightward component is supported by the right valve sleeve 7 and the valve side cover 8.

[0037] When the valve is open, the pressure in the left, right and top chambers of the valve body 1 is balanced. Since only the top cross-section of the valve stem 9 is subjected to pressure, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the valve stem 9 is very small, the force is very small, making it easier to close the valve.

[0038] By utilizing the spring pressure and the clamping fit of the valve side cover 8, the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate 6 fits with the left valve sleeve 3, which can improve the sealing performance of the entire valve's a-cavity side, achieving an ultra-high pressure seal of 110MPa. At the same time, the higher the pressure, the stronger the sealing performance. The wedge-shaped surface decomposes the force into forces to the right and upward, making the valve easier to open. The small cross-sectional area of ​​the valve stem 9 results in less force, making it easier to close the valve.

[0039] Furthermore, the sealing assembly also includes a first sealing ring 5 and a second sealing ring 4. The two first sealing rings 5 ​​are respectively disposed on the side of the left valve sleeve 3 near the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate 6 and the side of the right valve sleeve 7 near the valve side cover 8. The two second sealing rings 4 are respectively disposed on the outer wall of the left valve sleeve 3 and the outer wall of the right valve sleeve 7 and are in contact with the inner wall of the valve body 1.

[0040] In this embodiment:

[0041] The first sealing ring 5 is used to seal the gap between the valve plate 6 and the left valve sleeve 3, and between the valve side cover 8 and the right valve sleeve 7.

[0042] The second sealing ring 4 is used to seal the gap between the left valve sleeve 3, the right valve sleeve 7 and the inner wall of the valve body 1;

[0043] In a specific embodiment, the first sealing ring 5 and the second sealing ring 4 on the left valve sleeve 3 are used to seal the pressure on one side of the cavity a, and the first sealing ring 5 and the second sealing ring 4 on the right valve sleeve 7 are used to seal the pressure on one side of the cavity b. Due to the pressure of cavity a and the action of the elastic element 2, the left valve sleeve 3 will always fit tightly against the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate 6 and press the first sealing ring 5 on the left valve sleeve 3. Meanwhile, the valve side cover 8 is fixed and squeezes the first sealing ring 5 on the right valve sleeve, thereby improving the sealing performance of the entire valve body 1 and making the sealing more reliable under high pressure.

[0044] Furthermore, the valve opening assembly includes a screw sleeve 13 fixed to the top of the upper valve cover 10, a screw 12 is provided inside the screw sleeve 13, the bottom of the screw 12 is fixedly connected to the valve stem 9, the top of the screw 12 is rotatably connected to the nut 14, and a valve disc 17 is fixed to the top of the nut 14.

[0045] In this embodiment:

[0046] Screw sleeve 13 is used to fix the limiting screw 12;

[0047] Screw 12 and nut 14 are used to convert rotation into up and down movement;

[0048] Valve disc 17 is used to control the opening and closing of valve plate 6;

[0049] In a specific embodiment, the screw 12 cooperates with the nut 14. When the valve disc 17 drives the nut 14 to rotate, it will further drive the screw 12, which cooperates with the nut 14, to move up and down. After the screw 12 moves up and down, it will drive the valve stem 9 and the valve plate 6 to move up and down to open and close the valve.

[0050] Furthermore, a pressure cap 16 and a thrust bearing 15 are provided on the top of the nut 14. The thrust bearing 15 is fixed on the stepped surface at the bottom of the outer side of the nut 14, and the pressure cap 16 is fixed on the top of the screw sleeve 13. The pressure cap 16 restricts the lower part of the nut 14 to the screw sleeve 13 and makes the nut 14 only able to rotate. The upper part of the nut 14 passes through the pressure cap 16 and is fixedly connected to the valve disc 17.

[0051] In this embodiment:

[0052] The gland 16 is used to retain the nut 14 on the screw sleeve 13;

[0053] The thrust bearing 15 is used to reduce the frictional resistance between the nut 14 and the screw sleeve 13;

[0054] In a specific embodiment, the nut 14 is set in the groove at the top of the screw sleeve 13. A thrust bearing 15 is provided on the nut 14 to reduce the friction between the nut 14 and the inner wall of the groove of the pressure cap 16, making rotation easier. The pressure cap 16 is fixed above the groove of the screw sleeve 13, so that the nut 14 is always located inside the groove and can only rotate.

[0055] Furthermore, the valve opening assembly also includes a screw 11, a guide groove is provided on one side of the screw sleeve 13, and one side of the screw 11 extends laterally through the valve stem 9 and the screw 12 and into the guide groove, and the screw 11 fixes the valve stem 9 and the screw 12.

[0056] In this embodiment:

[0057] Screw 11 is used to fix screw 12 and valve stem 9 while restricting the rotation of screw 12.

[0058] In a specific embodiment, there is a vertical guide groove on the left side of the valve sleeve, and through holes are provided at the bottom of the screw 12 and the top of the valve stem 9. The bottom of the screw sleeve 13 is fitted onto the top of the valve stem 9, and the screw 11 passes through the through hole from the right side to fix the valve stem 9 and the screw 12. Since the end of the screw 11 is in the guide groove, the screw 12 and the valve stem 9 can only move downwards. When the valve disc 17 rotates, it drives the valve stem 9 to move up and down to open and close the entire valve.

[0059] Furthermore, the elastic element 2 is always in a compressed state, and one side of the valve plate 6 is always in close contact with the left valve sleeve 3.

[0060] In a specific implementation, the elastic element 2 is always in a compressed state, so that the left valve sleeve 3 is tightly fitted to the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate 6. The greater the pressure in cavity a, the greater the force on the left valve sleeve 3, the tighter the fit between the left valve sleeve 3 and the valve plate 6, the greater the compression of the first sealing ring 5, and the stronger the sealing performance. Under the action of the valve side cover 8, the right valve sleeve 7 is tightly fitted to the plane of the valve plate 6. When the valve plate 6 moves upward, the left valve sleeve 3 will move to the right under the elastic force of the spring, so that the left valve sleeve 3 and the inner wall of the valve body 1 and the valve plate 6 are always sealed. When the valve plate 6 moves upward, the liquid will enter the cavity c from the cavity a, and at the same time, the liquid on the right valve sleeve 7 side will enter the cavity c through the gap between the right valve sleeve and the valve plate 6. Therefore, it is easier to open the valve plate 6.

[0061] Furthermore, the method of using the deep-sea animal transfer valve includes the following steps:

[0062] S1. Connect the right side of one deep-sea animal transfer valve and the right side of another deep-sea animal transfer valve through clamp 19 and connecting pipe 18 to form a transfer device;

[0063] S2. Connect the sampler 20 and the animal culture device 21 to both sides of the transfer device via clamps 19;

[0064] S3. Pressurize the connecting tube 18 and the animal culture device 21 until they reach the same pressure as the sampler 20;

[0065] S4. Open the two valve plates 6 of the transfer device. After the organism in the sampler 20 is transferred to the animal culture device 21, close the valve plate 6 on the side closest to the animal culture device 21.

[0066] In a specific implementation, refer to Figure 2 Since the pressures in the sampler 20 and the animal culture device 21 may be different, two valves are needed to form a transfer device for transfer. Before the transfer, the connecting pipe 18 and the animal culture device 21 need to be pressurized to make the pressures of the entire transfer device, the animal culture device 21 and the sampler 20 the same before the transfer is carried out. This allows the organism to continue to be cultured in situ under pressure in the animal culture device 21. By connecting the two valves to form the transfer device, the organism can be transferred and cultured under ultra-high pressure sealing of 110MPa.

[0067] Of course, the present invention may have many other embodiments. Based on this embodiment, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A deep-sea animal transfer valve, characterized in that, Includes valve body, valve side cover, upper valve cover, sealing assembly, and valve stem, wherein: The sealing assembly includes a valve plate, one side of the valve body is fixedly connected to the valve side cover, the top of the valve body is fixedly connected to the upper valve cover, the valve stem is disposed on the top of the valve plate, the bottom of the valve stem is movably connected to the valve plate, and the top of the valve stem passes through the upper valve cover; The valve plate is disposed between the left and right side channels of the valve body. The left and right sides of the valve plate are respectively attached to the left and right valve sleeves. The side of the valve plate near the left valve sleeve is wedge-shaped. One side of the right valve sleeve is attached to the valve plate, and the other side is attached to the valve side cover. The left valve sleeve has an elastic element on the side away from the valve plate. One side of the elastic element is attached to the inner wall of the valve body, and the other side is attached to the left valve sleeve, pressing the left valve sleeve tightly against the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate. The valve plate does not directly contact the valve body. The elastic element is always in a compressed state, and one side of the valve plate is always tightly attached to the left valve sleeve. The valve plate divides the lower part of the valve body into cavity a and cavity b, and the top of the valve body is provided with cavity c. The right valve sleeve supports one side of the valve plate, thereby separating cavity a from cavity b and cavity c of the valve body. Cavity b and cavity c can be connected through the gap between the right valve sleeve and the valve plate. When the valve plate moves upward, liquid enters into cavity c, making the valve plate easier to open.

2. The deep-sea animal transfer valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing assembly further includes a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring. The two first sealing rings are respectively disposed on the side of the left valve sleeve near the wedge-shaped surface of the valve plate and the side of the right valve sleeve near the valve side cover. The two second sealing rings are respectively disposed on the outer wall of the left valve sleeve and the outer wall of the right valve sleeve and are in contact with the inner wall of the valve body.

3. The deep-sea animal transfer valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a valve opening assembly, which includes a screw sleeve fixed to the top of the upper valve cover. The screw sleeve has a screw inside, the bottom of the screw is fixedly connected to the valve stem, and the top of the screw is rotatably connected to a nut. A valve disc is fixed to the top of the nut.

4. The deep-sea animal transfer valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The nut is provided with a pressure cap and a thrust bearing at the top. The thrust bearing is fixed to the stepped surface at the bottom of the outer side of the nut. The pressure cap is fixed to the top of the screw sleeve. The pressure cap restricts the lower part of the nut to the screw sleeve and allows the nut to only rotate. The upper part of the nut passes through the pressure cap and is fixedly connected to the valve disc.

5. The deep-sea animal transfer valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The valve opening assembly also includes a screw, a guide groove is provided on one side of the screw sleeve, and one side of the screw extends laterally through the valve stem and the screw and into the guide groove, and the screw fixes the valve stem and the screw.

6. A method of using the deep-sea animal transfer valve as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Connect the right side of one deep-sea animal transfer valve and the right side of another deep-sea animal transfer valve with clamps and connecting pipes to form a transfer device; S2. Connect the sampler and animal culture device to both sides of the transfer device using clamps; S3. Pressurize the connecting tube and animal culture device until they reach the same pressure as the sampler; S4. Open the two valves of the transfer device. After the organism in the sampler has been transferred into the animal culture device, close the valve on the side closest to the animal culture device.

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