A direct-drive floating roof with flexible device for use in oil tanks

Abstract

This invention discloses a direct-drive floating roof with a flexible device for use within oil tanks, relating to the field of floating roof technology for oil tanks. It employs a telescopic hydraulic cylinder to directly drive the floating roof's up-and-down movement, eliminating numerous transmission components. Simultaneously, a flexible device is installed on the floating roof. When the oil inflow rate from the storage tank exceeds the floating roof's ascent rate, the bladder in the flexible device inflates, absorbing some of the oil and reducing the pressure exerted on the floating roof. Similarly, when oil is discharged from the storage tank, if the floating roof's descent rate is less than the oil outflow rate, the bladder in the flexible device inflates downwards, absorbing some of the air above the floating roof and reducing the air pressure exerted on it, effectively protecting the floating roof structure and its related components. This invention eliminates the support pillars and numerous transmission structures found in traditional floating roofs, resulting in a compact structure and high energy efficiency. The flexible device of the floating roof provides excellent cushioning, reducing the pressure of oil on the floating roof and effectively protecting it and its related components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of floating roofs in oil tanks, and specifically relates to a direct-drive floating roof with a flexible device for use in oil tanks. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing global demand for energy, countries are accelerating the construction of national energy and strategic reserves. my country is also committed to related research. To meet my country's energy reserve needs, the development of technologies related to large oil storage tanks has become a top priority.

[0003] As a key component of oil storage tanks, floating roofs can reduce the evaporation of the stored medium inside the tank, further reducing its loss, saving energy, and also effectively protecting the environment. At the same time, by installing floating roofs and their related sealing devices, oil and air can be effectively isolated, reducing the risk of fire and explosion.

[0004] Existing floating roofs mainly consist of supports, anti-rotation devices, buoyancy units, peripheral sealing units, oil gauging devices, cover plates, and static electricity dissipation devices. Their disadvantages include: numerous structures, large space occupation, and low utilization of the oil storage tank space. Furthermore, since the floating plates mostly rely solely on liquid buoyancy to rise and fall with the liquid surface, when the floating roof sealing units encounter weld spatter, protrusions, or other obstacles during movement, resulting in significant friction, buoyancy alone is insufficient to ensure stable movement. When the oil pressure reaches a certain level, components within the floating roof are easily damaged. On the other hand, some lifting mechanisms that rely on motors to drive the floating roof's movement have complex structures, numerous transmission components, poor transmission efficiency, and low energy utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a direct-drive floating roof structure with a flexible device. The direct-drive structure reduces the transmission structure and improves energy utilization. The flexible device can buffer the impact of oil pressure on the floating roof through its own slight deformation, thus protecting the floating roof structure.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A direct-drive floating roof with a flexible device for use within an oil tank includes a telescopic hydraulic cylinder, a connecting flange, a floating roof, a floating roof sealing unit, and a flexible device. The upper end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the inner wall of the oil storage tank via four first hexagon socket head cap screws. The lower end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder is connected to the connecting flange, which is fixed to the floating roof via four second hexagon socket head cap screws to achieve linkage between the telescopic hydraulic cylinder and the floating roof. When the telescopic hydraulic cylinder is locked, the floating roof is fixed to the oil storage tank. The floating roof is connected to the floating roof sealing unit, which is in close contact with the inner wall of the oil storage tank to separate the oil below the floating roof from the air above it. The floating roof has multiple evenly distributed through holes, and a flexible device is installed above each through hole. The oil storage tank has an oil inlet and an oil outlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the telescopic hydraulic cylinder includes three stages of push rods. When the floating disc moves a short distance, only the first stage push rod extends; when the floating disc moves a longer distance, the second and third stage push rods extend in sequence; when all the push rods are extended, they push the floating disc to its lower limit position; there is a buffer distance between the lower limit position and the bottom of the oil storage tank; when the third, second, and first stage push rods of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder retract in sequence, they pull the floating disc upward.

[0009] Furthermore, the floating roof has four through holes; the four through holes are evenly distributed along the circumference of the floating roof, and the flexible device is connected to the through holes by threads; the flexible device can buffer the oil pressure; the side of the floating roof is provided with a T-shaped groove for installing the floating roof sealing unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the flexible device includes a mounting plate, a bladder, and eight third hexagon socket screws; the mounting plate has eight small holes, and the bladder also has eight small holes, through which the third hexagon socket screws can pass to connect to the floating roof; tightening the third hexagon socket screws can press the mounting plate and the bladder onto the floating roof to achieve a seal.

[0011] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0012] 1. This invention utilizes a hydraulic cylinder to directly drive the floating table, enabling the floating table to move up and down. This structure eliminates a large number of transmission components and improves the overall energy utilization efficiency of the equipment.

[0013] 2. This invention utilizes a flexible device to buffer the pressure impact of oil pressure on the floating roof. When the oil pressure below the floating roof is high, the bladder of the flexible device inflates to absorb some of the oil and reduce the pressure of the oil on the floating roof. When the air pressure above the floating roof is high, the flexible device absorbs some of the gas to reduce the pressure above the floating roof, thereby achieving the purpose of protecting the floating roof.

[0014] 3. Compared with other hydraulic cylinders, the telescopic hydraulic cylinder in this invention has a smaller volume and greater thrust under the same stroke, which can greatly increase the oil storage space of the oil storage tank.

[0015] 4. The telescopic hydraulic cylinder in this invention can be locked at any position, which allows the floating roof to be fixed at any position in the oil storage tank, greatly improving the flexibility of the floating roof. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is an installation diagram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stroke of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder in this invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder with the three push rods extended in this invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an internal schematic diagram of the retracted three push rods of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting flange in this invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the floating roof structure in this invention;

[0023] Figure 8 This is an installation diagram of the flexible device in this invention;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible device bulging upwards when the oil storage tank is filled with oil in this invention;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible device bulging downwards when the oil storage tank dispenses oil in this invention;

[0026] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the three push rods of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder in this invention.

[0027] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Telescopic hydraulic cylinder; 11. First-stage push rod; 12. Second-stage push rod; 13. Third-stage push rod; 2. Connecting flange; 3. Floating disc; 4. Floating disc sealing unit; 5. Flexible device; 51. Mounting pressure plate; 52. Leather bladder; 53. Third hex socket head cap screw; 6. First hex socket head cap screw; 7. Oil reservoir; 8. Second hex socket head cap screw; 9. Oil inlet; 10. Oil outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 A direct-drive floating roof with a flexible device for use in oil tanks comprises five parts: a telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1, a connecting flange 2, a floating roof 3, a floating roof sealing unit 4, and a flexible device 5. The upper end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 is fixed to the inner wall of the oil storage tank 7 by four evenly distributed first hexagonal screws 6, thus securing the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 inside the oil storage tank 7. The lower end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 is fixed to the connecting flange 2, which is fixed to the floating roof 3 by four evenly distributed second hexagonal screws 8, enabling linkage between the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 and the floating roof 3. The floating roof 3 is connected to the floating roof sealing unit 4, which is in close contact with the inner wall of the oil storage tank 7, achieving separation of the oil below the floating roof 3 from the air above it. Four through holes are evenly distributed on the floating roof 3, and a flexible device 5 is installed above each through hole. The oil storage tank 7 has an oil inlet 9 and an oil outlet 10.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 When the push rod of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 extends, the push rod pushes the floating plate 3 downward. When the push rod retracts, the push rod pulls the floating plate 3 upward. At the same time, the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 can be locked at any position, so that the floating plate 3 can be fixed at any position of the oil storage tank 7.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 includes three push rods: a primary push rod 11, a secondary push rod 12, and a tertiary push rod 13. During a shorter stroke, only the primary push rod 11 extends; during a longer stroke, the secondary push rod 12 and the tertiary push rod 13 extend sequentially. When all three push rods are extended, they push the floating roof 3 to its lowest position. When the floating roof 3 moves upward, the tertiary push rod 13, the secondary push rod 12, and the primary push rod 11 retract sequentially, pulling the floating roof 3 upward.

[0033] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 The floating roof 3 has four through holes evenly distributed around its circumference. These through holes are fixed to the flexible device 5 via threaded holes around the through holes, thus buffering the oil pressure. The side of the floating roof 3 has a T-shaped groove for installing the floating roof sealing unit 4. The floating roof sealing unit 4 can separate the oil below the floating roof 3 from the air above the floating roof 3.

[0034] Reference Figure 8The flexible device 5 includes a mounting plate 51, a bladder 52, and eight third hexagon socket screws 53. The mounting plate 51 and the bladder 52 each have eight small holes. The screws 53 can pass through the holes in the mounting plate 51 and the bladder 52 to connect to the floating roof 3. Tightening the third hexagon socket screws 53 presses the mounting plate 51 and the bladder 52 firmly onto the floating roof 3, thus achieving a sealing effect.

[0035] The specific working principle of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 in this invention is as follows:

[0036] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 11 When the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 extends, the push rod 11 has the largest contact area and the greatest pressure, so it extends first. When the push rod 11 reaches the end of its stroke, the push rod 12 has a large pressure and begins to extend outward. When the push rod 12 moves to the end of its stroke, the push rod 13 begins to extend. When the push rod 13 moves to the end of its stroke, all the push rods of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 are extended.

[0037] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 11 When the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 retracts, the push rod 13 retracts first because it has a larger contact area and the least resistance. After the push rod 13 is fully retracted, the push rod 12 begins to retract. After the push rod 12 moves to the end of the return stroke, the push rod 13 begins to retract. When the push rod 13 is fully retracted, all the push rods of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 are retracted.

[0038] The working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0039] refer to Figure 9 When oil begins to enter through the inlet 9 of the oil storage tank 7, the push rod of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 retracts, pulling the floating roof 3 upwards slowly. When the oil inlet speed exceeds the upward speed of the floating roof 3, the pressure of the oil on the floating roof 3 increases. This increased oil pressure causes the bladder 52 to fill with oil, reducing the pressure of the oil on the floating roof 3 and thus effectively protecting the components of the floating roof 3. Similarly, refer to... Figure 10 When oil starts to flow from the outlet 10 of the oil storage tank 7, the push rod of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 1 will extend and push the floating plate 3 downward. When the downward speed of the floating plate 3 is less than the oil flow speed of the outlet 10 of the oil storage tank 7, the bladder 52 will bulge downward to absorb the air above the floating plate 3, reduce the pressure of the air above the floating plate 3 on the floating plate 3, and effectively protect the relevant components of the floating plate 3.

Claims

1. A direct-drive floating roof with a flexible device for use in oil tanks, characterized in that: The system includes a telescopic hydraulic cylinder (1), a connecting flange (2), a floating roof (3), a floating roof sealing unit (4), and a flexible device (5). The upper end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder (1) is fixed to the inner wall of the oil storage tank (7) by four first hexagon socket screws (6). The lower end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder (1) is connected to the connecting flange (2), and the connecting flange (2) is fixed to the floating roof (3) by four second hexagon socket screws (8) to achieve the connection between the telescopic hydraulic cylinder (1) and the floating roof (3). When the telescopic hydraulic cylinder (1) is locked, the floating plate (3) is fixed on the oil storage tank (7); the floating plate (3) is connected to the floating plate sealing unit (4), and the floating plate sealing unit (4) is close to the inner wall of the oil storage tank (7) to separate the oil below the floating plate (3) from the air above the floating plate (3); the floating plate (3) is provided with multiple evenly distributed through holes, and a flexible device (5) is installed above each through hole; the oil storage tank (7) is provided with an oil inlet (9) and an oil outlet (10). The number of through holes on the floating disk (3) is four; the four through holes are evenly distributed along the circumference of the floating disk (3), and the flexible device (5) is connected to the through holes by a thread; the flexible device (5) can buffer the oil pressure; the side of the floating disk (3) is provided with a T-shaped groove for installing the floating disk sealing unit (4); The flexible device (5) includes a mounting plate (51), a bladder (52), and eight third hexagon socket screws (53). The mounting plate (51) has eight small holes, and the bladder (52) also has eight small holes. The third hexagon socket screws (53) can pass through the small holes of the mounting plate (51) and the small holes of the bladder (52) to connect with the floating plate (3). Tightening the third hexagon socket screws (53) can press the mounting plate (51) and the bladder (52) onto the floating plate (3) to achieve a seal.

2. The direct-drive floating roof with flexible device inside the oil tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic hydraulic cylinder (1) includes three-stage push rods. When the floating disc (3) moves for a short stroke, only the first-stage push rod (11) extends. When the floating disc (3) moves for a longer stroke, the second-stage push rod (12) and the third-stage push rod (13) extend in sequence. When all the push rods (11) are extended, they will push the floating disc (3) to the lower limit position. The lower limit position has a buffer distance between it and the bottom of the oil storage tank (7). When the third-stage push rod (13), the second-stage push rod (12) and the first-stage push rod (11) of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder (1) retract in sequence, they will pull the floating disc (3) upward.

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