Subsea node

Abstract

The invention provides a seabed node, the seabed node comprises a buoyancy device, a base device and a controller, the buoyancy device is installed at the top of the seabed node, and the buoyancy device comprises a water storage cavity; one end of the communicating vessel is communicated with the water storage cavity; the electromagnetic valve is communicated with the other end of the communicating vessel; the compression water pump is communicated with the electromagnetic valve; the base device is mounted at the bottom of the seabed node, comprises a waterproof electromagnetic device and is connected with the seabed node; the counterweight is electromagnetically coupled with the waterproof electromagnetic device; the controller is used for controlling the electromagnetic valve to be opened and controlling the compression water pump to inject water into the water storage cavity through the communicating vessel, so that the seabed node sinks; the controller further controls the electromagnetic valve to be opened, controls the compression water pump to enable the water storage cavity to drain water through the communicating vessel, and controls the waterproof electromagnetic device to enable the configuration and the waterproof electromagnetic device to be decoupled, so that the seabed node floats upwards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of oil and gas exploration and development, and in particular, to a seabed node. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as offshore oil exploration and exploitation have gradually moved to the deep sea, the demand for deploying seabed nodes to obtain information has gradually increased. At present, the deployment of seabed nodes in deep-water areas uses underwater robots to place each seabed node one by one at a designated location under the guidance of a positioning system, and the recovery process is similar.

[0003] The inventor of the present application found that the conventional operation method has low efficiency because the number of seabed nodes carried by the underwater robot each time is limited and the deployment and recovery require a long operation time. In addition, since the general underwater robot is large in size, it is difficult to correct the impact of ocean currents when the underwater robot operates in deep water areas.

[0004] The contents of the background technology section are merely the technologies known to the public and do not necessarily represent the existing technologies in the field. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a seafloor node, which solves the problem of low efficiency in deploying and recovering seafloor nodes and the impact of ocean currents when deploying and recovering seafloor nodes.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, a seabed node is proposed, comprising a buoyancy device installed on the top of the seabed node, the buoyancy device comprising: a water storage chamber; a communicating vessel, one end of which is connected to the water storage chamber; an electromagnetic valve, which is connected to the other end of the communicating vessel; a compression water pump, which is connected to the electromagnetic valve; a base device, which is installed at the bottom of the seabed node, comprising: a waterproof electromagnetic device, which is connected to the seabed node; a counterweight, which is electromagnetically coupled to the waterproof electromagnetic device; a controller, which controls the opening of the electromagnetic valve, and controls the compression water pump to inject water into the water storage chamber through the communicating vessel, so that the seabed node sinks; the controller also controls the opening of the electromagnetic valve, and controls the compression water pump to drain the water storage chamber through the communicating vessel, and controls the waterproof electromagnetic device to decouple the counterweight from the waterproof electromagnetic device, so that the seabed node floats.

[0007] According to some embodiments, a sealing ring is provided on the connecting end between the communicating vessel and the water storage chamber.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the water tank is formed from a pressure-resistant shell material.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the control device includes: a communication device for underwater acoustic communication, receiving external instructions or its own satellite positioning information, and sending its own position information; the controller controls the solenoid valve, the compression water pump and the waterproof electromagnetic device according to the instructions.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the communication device includes a satellite communication device, a radio communication device, and at least one hydroacoustic positioning transducer, wherein: the satellite communication device is used for the seabed node to obtain the satellite positioning information; the radio communication device is used for the seabed node to receive the external instructions and send its own location information; the hydroacoustic positioning transducer is used for the seabed node for hydroacoustic communication.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the seabed node further includes a power device, and the power device further includes at least one thruster and / or at least one rudder; the controller controls the power device to move in a set direction.

[0012] According to some example embodiments of the present application, the seabed node receives the deployment or recovery instruction information using the communication device of the controller, and uses the buoyancy device or the bottom device to float or sink. This facilitates the deployment and recovery of the seabed nodes, and is conducive to the batch deployment and recovery of the seabed nodes. Compared with the method of deploying or recovering the seabed nodes using underwater robots, the operation efficiency is higher and the operation cost is lower.

[0013] To further understand the features and technical contents of the present application, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present application. However, this description and drawings are only used to illustrate the present application and do not impose any limitations on the scope of protection of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Here, the drawings constituting a part of the present disclosure are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure and their descriptions are used to explain the present disclosure and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a seabed node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the overall structure of another submarine node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0017] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a buoyancy device of a seafloor node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0018] Figure 4A schematic structural diagram of a bottom device of a seafloor node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be comprehensive and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar parts, and thus their repeated description will be omitted.

[0020] The described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a full understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solutions of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or other modes, components, materials, devices or the like may be adopted. In these cases, known structures, methods, devices, implementations, materials or operations will not be shown or described in detail.

[0021] The flowcharts shown in the accompanying drawings are only exemplary and do not necessarily include all the contents and operations / steps, nor must they be executed in the order described. For example, some operations / steps can be decomposed, and some operations / steps can be combined or partially combined, so the actual execution order may change according to actual conditions.

[0022] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0023] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a seabed node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the overall structure of another submarine node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a buoyancy device of a seafloor node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a bottom device of a seafloor node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the present application discloses a seafloor node, which includes a buoyancy device 101, a base device 103 and a controller.

[0026] The buoyancy device 101 is installed on the top of the seabed node. The buoyancy device 101 includes a water storage chamber 1017, a connecting vessel 1011, an electromagnetic valve 1013, and a compression water pump 1015. One end of the connecting vessel 1011 is connected to the water storage chamber 1017, and the other end is connected to the electromagnetic valve 1013. The compression water pump is connected to the electromagnetic valve 1013.

[0027] According to some embodiments, a sealing ring is provided on the communicating end between the communicating vessel 1011 and the water storage chamber 1017. According to some embodiments, the water storage chamber 1017 is formed of a pressure-resistant shell material.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the seafloor node includes a buoyancy device base 1019, in which a solenoid valve 1013 and a compression water pump 1015 are built. The water storage chamber 1017 and the buoyancy device base 1019 are detachably snap-connected.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present application, the base device 103 is installed at the bottom of the seabed node, and the base device 103 includes a waterproof electromagnetic device 1031 and a counterweight 1033. The waterproof electromagnetic device 1031 is connected to the seabed node. The counterweight 1033 and the waterproof electromagnetic device 1031 are electromagnetically coupled by the waterproof electromagnet.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present application, the controller controls the solenoid valve 1013 to open, and controls the compressed water pump 1015 to inject water into the water storage chamber 1017 through the connecting vessel 1011, so that the seabed node sinks.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present application, the controller controls the solenoid valve 1013 to open, and controls the compression water pump 1015 to drain the water storage chamber 1017 through the connecting vessel 1011, and controls the waterproof electromagnetic device 1031 to decouple the configuration 1033 from the waterproof electromagnetic device 1031, so that the seabed node floats.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the controller includes a communication device for hydroacoustic communication, receiving external instructions or its own satellite positioning information, and sending its own position information. The communication device includes a satellite communication device, a radio communication device 111, and at least one hydroacoustic positioning transducer 105. The satellite communication device is used for the seabed node to obtain satellite positioning information, and the radio communication device is used for the seabed node to receive external instructions and send its own position information. The hydroacoustic positioning transducer is used for hydroacoustic communication of the seabed node.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the seabed node includes a power device, and the controller controls the power device to move in a set direction. The power device includes at least one propeller 107 and / or at least one rudder plate 201.

[0034] According to some embodiments, when the seabed node moves toward deep water, the controller controls the solenoid valve 1013 to open, and seawater passes through the water pump inlet and outlet 109, and the controller controls the compression water pump 1015 to inject seawater into the water storage chamber 1017 through the connecting vessel 1011. When the water storage volume of the water storage chamber 1017 reaches the requirement, the controller controls the solenoid valve 1013 to close, and the seabed node automatically sinks.

[0035] According to some embodiments, the water inlet and outlet 109 of the water pump is provided with a filter.

[0036] According to some embodiments, when the seabed node moves toward the water surface, the controller controls the solenoid valve 1013 to open, and the controller controls the compression water pump 1015 to suck seawater out of the water storage chamber 1017 through the connecting vessel 1011, and discharges the seawater through the water pump inlet and outlet 109, so that the entire node floats up in the seawater with positive buoyancy.

[0037] According to some embodiments, when the seabed node moves toward the water surface, the counterweight 1033 is separated from the waterproof electromagnetic device 1031, thereby reducing the influence of the gravity of the counterweight 1033 on the buoyancy of the seabed node.

[0038] When the seabed node moves toward deep water or toward the water surface, due to various factors such as ocean currents, it will deviate from the deployment position or the recovery position in a two-dimensional horizontal direction. According to some embodiments, the seabed node receives deployment and recovery instruction information using a communication device of a controller, the communication device of the controller calculates the position deviation from the deployment position or the recovery position using an underwater acoustic communication device, and the controller controls the power device to move in a two-dimensional horizontal direction to below the recovery position or above the deployment position.

[0039] According to some embodiments, during deployment, after the seabed node moves to the seabed, if there is a position deviation from the deployment position, the controller is also required to control the power device to move to the deployment position in a two-dimensional horizontal direction.

[0040] According to some embodiments, during recovery, after the seabed node moves to the water surface, if there is a position deviation from the recovery position, the controller is also required to control the power device to move to the recovery position in a two-dimensional horizontal direction.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the power device includes at least one propeller 107 and / or at least one rudder plate 201. At least one propeller 107 and / or at least one rudder plate 201 vectorially synthesizes a thrust on a two-dimensional horizontal plane and can move in any direction on the two-dimensional horizontal plane. Figure 1 As shown, it is a seabed node including three thrusters 107, and the three thrusters 107 are evenly distributed at an angle of 120° around the bottom of the buoyancy device 101. Figure 2 As shown, a seabed node includes a plurality of rudder plates 201. For example, four rudder plates are included.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the seabed node power device may also include a thruster and a rudder.

[0043] According to some embodiments, after the seabed node reaches the recovery position, it uses the radio communication device of the controller to send its current position information to the control device and waits for recovery.

[0044] According to some example embodiments of the present application, the seabed node uses the communication device of the controller to receive the deployment or recovery instruction information, and uses the buoyancy device or the bottom device to float or sink. At the same time, the controller controls the power device to realize the position correction in the two-dimensional horizontal direction, so that the seabed node automatically moves to the deployment or recovery position, which is convenient for the batch deployment and recovery of the seabed nodes. Compared with the method of using underwater robots to deploy or recover seabed nodes, the operation efficiency is higher and the operation cost is lower.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only an example embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or replace some of the technical features therein by equivalents. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A submarine node, characterized in that: include: A buoyancy device is installed on the top of the seabed node, and the buoyancy device includes: water storage chamber; A communicating vessel, one end of which is connected to the water storage chamber; A solenoid valve is connected to the other end of the communicating vessel; A compression water pump, connected to the solenoid valve; The bottom device is installed at the bottom of the seabed node, including: A waterproof electromagnetic device connected to the seabed node; a counterweight, electromagnetically coupled to the waterproof electromagnetic device; A controller controls the electromagnetic valve to open, and controls the compressed water pump to inject water into the water storage chamber through the communicating vessel, so that the seabed node sinks; The controller also controls the solenoid valve to open, controls the compressed water pump to drain the water storage chamber through the communicating vessel, and controls the waterproof electromagnetic device to decouple the counterweight from the waterproof electromagnetic device, so that the seabed node floats.

2. The submarine node according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring is arranged on the communicating end between the communicating vessel and the water storage chamber.

3. The submarine node according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water tank is formed of a pressure-resistant shell material.

4. The submarine node according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control device comprises: Communication device, used for underwater acoustic communication, receiving external commands or its own satellite positioning information, and sending its own position information; The controller controls the solenoid valve, the compression water pump and the waterproof solenoid device according to the instruction.

5. The submarine node according to claim 4, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: satellite communication means, radio communication means, and at least one hydroacoustic positioning transducer, in, The satellite communication device is used for the seabed node to obtain the satellite positioning information; The radio communication device is used for the seabed node to receive the external command and send its own location information; The hydroacoustic positioning transducer is used for hydroacoustic communication of the seabed node.

6. The submarine node according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seafloor node also includes: Powerplant, The power device further comprises at least one propeller and / or at least one rudder; The controller controls the power device to move in a set direction.

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