Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Ballast Tank Hatch Covers

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, specifically disclosing a ballast tank hatch cover for an FPSO system. The system includes an oil storage device comprising an outer protective hull, a ballast tank hull, and a ballast tank hatch cover. An inert gas injection pipe is installed on the upper surface of the ballast tank hatch cover. Adjustment mechanisms are installed on both sides of the inert gas injection pipe inside the ballast tank hatch cover. A limit slider is installed on the outer side of an extension plate, and a guide groove is formed on the outer side of the limit slider on the inner wall of a wave deflector. A telescopic mechanism is installed inside the adjustment mechanism inside the wave deflector, comprising a first bevel gear, a second bevel gear, a lead screw, and a gear rotating seat. By connecting the inert gas injection pipe to an external inert gas source, the air remaining inside the ballast tank hull is completely expelled using inert gas. Therefore, the ballast tank hull can be used as a temporary receiving mechanism, ensuring the efficiency and safety of oil transportation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, specifically to ballast tank hatch covers for FPSO units. Background Technology

[0002] Ballast water tanks are hulls that hold ballast water. They are used to adjust the ship's center of gravity, buoyancy, and stability. They address issues such as insufficient stability or inappropriate draft caused by fuel and water consumption and a raised center of gravity during navigation. "Ballast" refers to heavy loads used to increase stability; ballast water tanks are the containers that hold ballast water. In submarines or car ferries, ballast water tanks also play a role in balancing. During navigation, the ship's fuel, cargo, food, drinking water, etc., are stored in designated compartments. At the time of departure, the ship's draft and trim are in accordance with design requirements. While these items contribute to the stability of the ship, they are subject to change during operation. Some items decrease while others increase. For example, some fuel will gradually decrease due to the ship's operation, drinking water will also decrease, and some cargo holds will increase or decrease cargo. These changes will alter the ship's original draft or the load capacity at the bow and stern, thus affecting the ship's navigation performance. In floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, since shuttle tankers cannot transport the cargo oil from the cargo tanks in time, the excess cargo oil will have nowhere to be stored and needs to be stored in the ballast tanks.

[0003] However, if oil is directly filled into the ballast tank, the air inside the tank combined with the sloshing of the oil can easily cause an explosion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the existing problems, this invention provides a ballast tank hatch cover for a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. When used in conjunction with other devices, this invention can effectively solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A ballast tank hatch cover for a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit includes an oil storage device comprising: an outer protective tank, a ballast tank body, and a ballast tank cover. An inert gas injection pipe is installed on the upper surface of the ballast tank cover. Adjustment mechanisms are installed on both sides of the inert gas injection pipe inside the ballast tank cover. A wave deflector is installed below the adjustment mechanisms inside the ballast tank body. Extension plates are installed on the inner sides of both ends of the wave deflector. Limiting sliders are installed on the outer sides of the extension plates. Guide grooves are formed on the outer sides of the limiting sliders on the inner wall of the wave deflector. A telescopic mechanism is installed inside the adjustment mechanisms inside the wave deflector. The telescopic mechanism includes: a first bevel gear, a second bevel gear, a lead screw, and a gear rotating seat. An adjustment knob is installed on the upper surface of the first bevel gear, penetrating the interior of the adjustment mechanism.

[0007] As a further embodiment of the present invention: an oil injection pipe is provided on one side of the inert gas injection pipe inside the ballast tank cover, an inclined partition plate is installed inside the oil injection pipe, a valve core mounting pad is installed on one side of the inclined partition plate inside the oil injection pipe, a one-way valve core is provided above the valve core mounting pad, and a return spring is connected between the one-way valve core and the valve core mounting pad.

[0008] As a further embodiment of the present invention: a welding pad is provided on the upper surface of the outer protective cabin directly below the ballast tank cover, and a lifting lug is installed on the upper surface of the ballast tank cover.

[0009] As a further embodiment of the present invention: an airtight cap is installed above the oil injection pipe, and a sealing valve is installed above the inert gas injection pipe.

[0010] As a further embodiment of the present invention: a rotating bearing is connected between the second bevel gear and the gear rotating seat, and the first bevel gear and the second bevel gear are meshed and rotatably connected.

[0011] As a further embodiment of the present invention: the meshing screw is rotatably connected to the second bevel gear, and a storage spring is installed on one side of the limiting slider inside the guide groove.

[0012] As a further embodiment of the present invention: the extension plate is slidably connected to the guide groove through the limiting slider.

[0013] As a further embodiment of the present invention: the inclined partition plate is fixedly connected to the oil injection pipe, and the one-way valve core is fixedly connected to the valve core mounting pad through the reset spring.

[0014] As a further embodiment of the present invention: the ballast tank cover and the welding pad are fixedly connected by bolts, and the lifting lug is fixedly connected to the ballast tank cover.

[0015] As a further embodiment of the present invention: the inert gas injection pipe is connected through the ballast tank cover, and the gas-tight sealing cover is engaged and fixedly connected with the oil injection pipe.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] 1. After connecting the inert gas injection pipe to an external inert gas source, inert gas is continuously injected into the ballast tank through the inert gas injection pipe. The inert gas is used to expel the air remaining inside the ballast tank. The oil stored inside the ballast tank can ensure safety. Therefore, the ballast tank can be used as a temporary receiving mechanism to ensure the efficiency of oil transportation.

[0018] 2. By inserting the entire oil injection pipe into the oil injection position, the oil body is injected into the ballast tank under the action of the inclined partition plate. The oil body will then compress the inert gas inside. The compressed gas will push the one-way valve core upward through the other side of the inclined partition plate. The one-way valve core will pull the return spring and deform, ensuring that the internal gas can be discharged normally. This can achieve the filling of oil body into the ballast tank, while also preventing air from continuing to mix into the ballast tank during the filling process.

[0019] 3. The control knob drives the first bevel gear to rotate inside the gear rotating seat. The rotating second bevel gear will drive the internally installed meshing screw to mesh outward and rotate. The reset spring connected between the limit slider and the guide groove is stretched. As a result, multiple anti-wave plates and extension plates are pushed to contact the inner wall of the ballast tank to separate the interior of the ballast tank and prevent the oil storage tank from shaking too much and causing danger.

[0020] 4. When the extension plate is completely housed inside the baffle plate, the length between the baffle plate and the extension plate will be less than the inner diameter of the opening of the ballast tank body. Therefore, it is convenient to install the ballast tank cover upwards onto the ballast tank body.

[0021] 5. The outer edge shape of the extension plate is the same as the inner edge shape of the ballast tank body. When they are fitted together, the extension plate, together with the multiple baffles, can divide the interior of the ballast tank body into multiple oil storage cavities. When oil is stored in the multiple cavities, the baffles and extension plates play a good blocking role, separating the internal liquid into multiple containers. In this way, the fluctuation of liquid in each tank can be reduced, thereby mitigating the impact of oil sloshing waves on the tank body, ensuring the stability of the tanker truck, and reducing the pressure on the inner wall of the ballast tank body. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the hatch cover for the ballast tank of a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

[0023] Figure 2 Exploded view of the oil storage device in the hatch cover of the ballast tank of a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

[0024] Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of the wave shield in the hatch cover of the ballast tank of a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

[0025] Figure 4 A frontal sectional view of the oil storage device in the hatch cover of the ballast tank of a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

[0026] Figure 5 A side sectional view of the oil storage device in the hatch cover of the ballast tank of a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the oil injection pipe in the hatch cover of the ballast tank of a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Oil storage device; 2. Ballast tank cover; 3. Inert gas injection pipe; 4. Sealing valve; 5. Oil injection pipe; 6. Gas-tight sealing cover; 7. Adjustment mechanism; 8. Lifting lug; 9. Outer protective hull; 10. Welded pad; 11. Ballast tank hull; 501. Slanted partition plate; 502. Valve core mounting pad; 503. One-way valve core; 504. Return spring; 701. Baffle plate; 702. Extension plate; 703. Limiting slider; 704. Guide groove; 705. Adjustment knob; 706. First bevel gear; 707. Second bevel gear; 708. Engaging screw; 709. Gear rotating seat. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific inventions. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "this embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example, and the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0031] like Figure 1-6As shown, this embodiment provides a ballast tank hatch cover for a floating production oil storage device, including an oil storage device 1. The oil storage device 1 includes: an outer protective tank 9, a ballast tank body 11, and a ballast tank cover 2. An inert gas injection pipe 3 is installed on the upper surface of the ballast tank cover 2. Adjustment mechanisms 7 are installed on both sides of the inert gas injection pipe 3 inside the ballast tank cover 2. Below the adjustment mechanisms 7, inside the ballast tank body 11, a wave deflector 701 is provided. Extension plates 702 are installed on the inner sides of both ends of the wave deflector 701. Perforations can be made at different heights inside the multiple wave deflectors 701 and extension plates 702 as needed. These perforations can be used to allow the internal oil to flow and can also prevent excessive kinetic energy caused by excessively fast oil flow. A limiting slider 703 is installed on the outer side of the extension plate 702. A guide groove 704 is formed on the outer side of the limiting slider 703 on the inner wall of the baffle plate 701. The extension plate 702 is slidably connected to the guide groove 704 via the limiting slider 703. A retracting spring is installed on one side of the limiting slider 703 inside the guide groove 704. When the extension plate 702 is retracted into the baffle plate 701, the retracting spring facilitates the overall retraction of the extension plate 702 into the baffle plate 701, thus enabling the installation and removal of the ballast tank cover 2. Simultaneously, the extension plate 702 is fixedly installed in the guide groove 704 inside the baffle plate 701 via the limiting slider 703, preventing it from falling off during extension and retraction. The interior of the structure 7, located inside the baffle 701, houses a telescopic mechanism. This mechanism includes a first bevel gear 706, a second bevel gear 707, a lead screw 708, and a gear rotating seat 709. A rotating bearing connects the second bevel gear 707 and the gear rotating seat 709. The first bevel gear 706 and the second bevel gear 707 are meshed and rotatably connected. The lead screw 708 is also meshed and rotatably connected to the second bevel gear 707. An adjustment knob 705 is installed inside the adjustment mechanism 7, extending from the upper surface of the first bevel gear 706. When the extension plate 702 is fully retracted inside the baffle 701, the length between the baffle 701 and the extension plate 702 is less than the inner diameter of the opening of the ballast tank 11. Therefore, the ballast tank cover 2 can be easily installed above the ballast tank body 11. The outer edge shape of the extension plate 702 is the same as the inner edge shape of the ballast tank body 11. When they are fitted together, the multiple baffles 701 and the extension plate 702 can divide the interior of the ballast tank body 11 into multiple oil storage cavities. When oil is stored in the multiple cavities, the multiple baffles 701 and the extension plate 702 can effectively block the internal liquid into multiple containers. In this way, the fluctuation of the liquid in each tank can be reduced, thereby mitigating the impact of the oil sloshing waves on the tank body, ensuring the stability of the tanker truck, and reducing the pressure on the inner wall of the ballast tank body 11.

[0032] like Figure 2-4 As shown, in this embodiment, an oil injection pipe 5 is provided on one side of the inert gas injection pipe 3 inside the ballast tank cover 2. The inert gas injection pipe 3 is connected to the ballast tank cover 2. An inclined partition plate 501 is installed inside the oil injection pipe 5. The inclined partition plate 501 is fixedly connected to the oil injection pipe 5. A valve core mounting pad 502 is installed on one side of the inclined partition plate 501 inside the oil injection pipe 5. A one-way valve core 503 is provided above the valve core mounting pad 502. A return spring 504 is connected between the one-way valve core 503 and the valve core mounting pad 502. The one-way valve core 503 is fixedly connected to the valve core mounting pad 502 through the return spring 504. A welding pad 10 is provided on the upper surface of the outer protective tank 9 directly below the ballast tank cover 2. The ballast tank cover 2 and the welding pad 10 are fixedly connected by bolts. The upper surface of the cover 2 is equipped with lifting lugs 8. The multiple adjustment mechanisms 7 inside the ballast tank cover 2 have a large self-weight. The lifting lugs 8 can be used to lift and disassemble the ballast tank cover 2 as a whole. The extension plate 702 can be controlled to retract using the telescopic mechanism. When oil is stored inside the ballast tank body 11, the oil can lubricate the first bevel gear 706, the second bevel gear 707, the meshing screw 708, the gear rotating seat 709, and other structures. When no oil is stored inside the ballast tank body 11, the ballast tank cover 2 can be completely removed to prevent rust. The lifting lugs 8 are fixedly connected to the ballast tank cover 2. An airtight cover 6 is installed above the oil injection pipe 5. The airtight cover 6 is meshed and fixedly connected to the oil injection pipe 5. A shut-off valve 4 is installed above the inert gas injection pipe 3.

[0033] The working principle of this invention is as follows: During use, after pre-drilling holes on the upper surface of the ballast tank cover 2 for the installation of the inert gas injection pipe 3 and the oil injection pipe 5, the inert gas injection pipe 3 and the oil injection pipe 5 are fixed by full penetration welding. The ballast tank cover 2 is then placed above the outer protective tank 9, and the ballast tank cover 2 is fixed to the welding pad 10 with bolts to ensure the watertightness of the tank. After the control valve 4 is turned open, the inert gas injection pipe 3 is connected to an external inert gas source, and inert gas is continuously injected into the interior of the ballast tank 11 through the inert gas injection pipe 3. After the gas is released, the air remaining inside the ballast tank 11 is completely purged using inert gas. Then, the passage between the inert gas injection pipe 3 and the ballast tank 11 is closed by rotating the sealing valve 4. Next, the oil injection pipe is inserted into the oil injection pipe 5. Under the action of the inclined partition plate 501, the oil is injected into the ballast tank 11. The oil then compresses the inert gas inside. The compressed gas pushes the one-way valve core 503 upwards on the other side of the inclined partition plate 501. The one-way valve core 503 then pulls the return spring 504. The deformation ensures that the internal gas can be discharged normally, thus enabling the filling of oil into the ballast tank 11. It also prevents air from mixing into the ballast tank 11 during filling. After the oil is filled to a certain level, the airtight cover 6 is completely sealed outside the oil injection pipe 5 to isolate the ballast tank 11 from external moisture. Then, torque is applied to the adjusting knob 705 above the adjusting mechanism 7, controlling the adjusting knob 705 to drive the first bevel gear 706 to rotate inside the gear rotating seat 709. The rotating first bevel gear... After the second bevel gear 706 and the second bevel gear 707 mesh and rotate, the rotating second bevel gear 707 will drive the internally installed meshing screw 708 to mesh and rotate outward. The meshing screw 708 will then push the extension plate 702 to move inside the baffle plate 701. The reset spring connected between the limit slider 703 and the guide groove 704 will be stretched. Therefore, the multiple baffle plates 701 and the extension plate 702 will be pushed to contact the inner wall of the ballast tank 11 to separate the interior of the ballast tank 11, which can prevent the oil storage tank from shaking too much and causing danger.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] The above description is merely 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. A ballast tank hatch cover for a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit, comprising an FPSO unit (1), characterized in that, The oil storage device (1) includes: an outer protective compartment (9), a ballast tank compartment (11), and a ballast tank cover (2). An inert gas injection pipe (3) is installed on the upper surface of the ballast tank cover (2). Adjustment mechanisms (7) are installed on both sides of the inert gas injection pipe (3) inside the ballast tank cover (2). A wave deflector (701) is installed below the adjustment mechanism (7) inside the ballast tank compartment (11). Extension plates (702) are installed on the inner sides of both ends of the wave deflector (701). A limiting slider (703) is installed on the side. The outer side of the limiting slider (703) is provided with a guide groove (704) on the inner side wall of the wave deflector (701). The adjustment mechanism (7) is installed with a telescopic mechanism inside the wave deflector (701). The telescopic mechanism includes: a first bevel gear (706), a second bevel gear (707), a meshing screw (708), and a gear rotating seat (709). The upper surface of the first bevel gear (706) penetrates the interior of the adjustment mechanism (7) and is equipped with an adjustment knob (705). A rotating bearing is connected between the second bevel gear (707) and the gear rotating seat (709), and the first bevel gear (706) is meshed and rotatably connected with the second bevel gear (707); The engagement screw (708) is meshed and rotatably connected to the second bevel gear (707), and a storage spring is installed on one side of the limiting slider (703) inside the guide groove (704); The extension plate (702) is slidably connected to the guide groove (704) via the limiting slider (703); The engagement screw (708) pushes the extension plate (702) to move inside the wave deflector (701).

2. The ballast tank hatch cover of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, An oil injection pipe (5) is provided on one side of the inert gas injection pipe (3) inside the ballast tank cover (2). An inclined partition plate (501) is installed inside the oil injection pipe (5). A valve core mounting pad (502) is installed on one side of the inclined partition plate (501) inside the oil injection pipe (5). A one-way valve core (503) is provided above the valve core mounting pad (502). A return spring (504) is connected between the one-way valve core (503) and the valve core mounting pad (502).

3. The ballast tank hatch cover of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the outer protective cabin (9) is provided with a welding pad (10) located directly below the ballast tank cover (2), and the upper surface of the ballast tank cover (2) is equipped with lifting lugs (8).

4. The ballast tank hatch cover of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, An airtight cap (6) is installed above the oil injection pipe (5), and a sealing valve (4) is installed above the inert gas injection pipe (3).

5. The ballast tank hatch cover of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inclined partition plate (501) is fixedly connected to the oil injection pipe (5), and the one-way valve core (503) is fixedly connected to the valve core mounting pad (502) through the reset spring (504).

6. The ballast tank hatch cover of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ballast tank cover (2) and the welding pad (10) are fixedly connected by bolts, and the lifting lug (8) is fixedly connected to the ballast tank cover (2).

7. The ballast tank hatch cover of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inert gas injection pipe (3) is connected to the ballast tank cover (2), and the gas-tight sealing cover (6) is engaged and fixedly connected to the oil injection pipe (5).

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