An emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of communication buoy technology and discloses an emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform. The buoy includes a base fixed to the observation platform and a buoy assembly detachably connected to the base. The buoy assembly has a positioning module. The base has a first connecting part, and the buoy assembly has a second connecting part. The first and second connecting parts are detachably connected. The base also has a pushing component for pushing the second connecting part to separate it from the first connecting part. After the second connecting part separates from the first connecting part, the buoy assembly floats to the surface. This invention connects the buoy assembly to the base via the connection of the first and second connecting parts. When the buoy assembly needs to float, the pushing component separates the second connecting part from the first connecting part, causing the buoy assembly to detach from the base and float to the surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication buoy technology, specifically to an emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of marine observation, acquiring long-term environmental data for a specific sea area typically requires the deployment of observation equipment on the seabed for extended periods to continuously collect data. However, during operation, seabed observation equipment may encounter emergencies due to complex marine environments or equipment malfunctions, such as damage from deep-sea pressure, data storage exceeding limits, or inability to communicate in real time. In such situations, timely transmission of valid data collected by the observation equipment to ground workstations is crucial to ensuring data integrity and subsequent research.

[0003] In the prior art, utility model patent (CN219134434U) discloses a marine observation and survey device, specifically a lightweight deep-sea ARGO buoy for marine environmental observation. It includes a single-section buoy and a buoyancy adjustment device, a fixed energy unit, and an electronic control unit sequentially arranged within the single-section buoy. The bow of the single-section buoy is equipped with a jettisoning anti-bottom-slip device, and the stern of the single-section buoy is equipped with a marine information detection unit and an antenna. The single-section buoy includes a main pressure-resistant hull and a bow spherical shell and a stern spherical shell sealed and connected to both ends of the main pressure-resistant hull. The main pressure-resistant hull has a cylindrical structure. The buoyancy adjustment device is located on the bow spherical shell, and the electronic control unit is located on the stern spherical shell. The buoy adjusts its depth in the ocean using the buoyancy adjustment device.

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved in this case is: how to release the buoy in a detached manner. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform. This buoy can be connected to the base via a first connecting part and a second connecting part. When the buoy needs to rise, a pushing component can lift the second connecting part, thereby separating the second connecting part from the first connecting part, and thus separating the buoy assembly from the base. The buoy assembly rises to the water surface under its own buoyancy, and can be recovered through a positioning module to obtain the communication information and data inside the buoy assembly. This separation method facilitates the recovery of the buoy assembly by personnel.

[0006] The technical solution of this invention is:

[0007] An emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform includes a base fixed to the observation platform and a buoy assembly detachably connected to the base. The buoy assembly is provided with a positioning module. The base is provided with a first connecting part and the buoy assembly is provided with a second connecting part. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are detachably connected. The base is also provided with a pushing component for pushing the second connecting part to separate the second connecting part from the first connecting part. After the second connecting part is separated from the first connecting part, the buoy assembly floats to the water surface.

[0008] Preferably, the base is provided with a cable, which is electrically connected to the first connecting part and to the observation platform;

[0009] When the first connecting part is inserted into the second connecting part, the cable is energized and electrically connected to the second connecting part through the first connecting part; when the first connecting part is separated from the second connecting part, the cable is de-energized.

[0010] Preferably, the pushing assembly includes a drive motor, a fixed column connected to the power output section of the drive motor, and a movable block threadedly connected to the fixed column. The bottom of the buoy assembly is provided with a column body, and the column body is provided with a receiving cavity for accommodating the movable block. The top of the fixed column and the bottom of the receiving cavity are in contact. The drive motor is connected in the base and is used to drive the fixed column to rotate. The movable block moves along the length direction of the fixed column and pushes the column body to separate the second connecting part from the first connecting part.

[0011] Preferably, the buoy assembly is provided with a solenoid valve, which is located above the second connection portion, and the solenoid valve is used to balance the internal and external pressures of the buoy assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the buoy assembly has a first housing, and a power supply and a communication unit are provided inside the first housing. The power supply and the communication unit are electrically connected, and the communication unit is electrically connected to the positioning module. The second connection part is located inside the first housing.

[0013] More preferably, the base is provided with a second housing, the first connecting part is located on the second housing, the pushing component is located inside the second housing, and the second housing is connected to the first housing through the first connecting part and the second connecting part.

[0014] More preferably, the second housing contains a control unit for receiving external signals to activate the actuating component.

[0015] Preferably, the bottom of the base is provided with flange bolts for fixing the base to the observation platform.

[0016] One of the above-described technical solutions of the present invention has at least one of the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0017] The present invention can connect the buoy assembly to the base by connecting the first connecting part and the second connecting part. When the buoy assembly needs to float, the pushing component can lift the second connecting part, thereby separating the second connecting part from the first connecting part, and then separating the buoy assembly from the base. The buoy assembly floats to the water surface under its own buoyancy, and the buoy assembly can be retrieved through the positioning module, and the communication information and data inside the buoy assembly can be obtained. This separation method can facilitate the retrieval of the buoy assembly by the staff. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an assembly diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the buoy assembly of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the base of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the driving component of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the driving component of the present invention.

[0023] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows: 1. Base; 2. Buoy assembly; 11. First connecting part; 12. Pushing assembly; 13. Cable; 14. Second housing; 15. Control unit; 16. Flange bolt; 21. Positioning module; 22. Second connecting part; 23. Solenoid valve; 24. First housing; 25. Power supply; 26. Communication unit; 27. Column; 121. Drive motor; 122. Fixed column; 123. Movable block; 271. Receiving cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] Please see Figure 1-5An emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform includes a base 1 fixed on the observation platform and a buoy assembly 2 detachably connected to the base 1. The buoy assembly 2 is provided with a positioning module 21. The base 1 is provided with a first connecting part 11 and the buoy assembly 2 is provided with a second connecting part 22. The first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22 are detachably connected. The base 1 is also provided with a pushing component 12 for pushing the second connecting part 22 to separate the second connecting part 22 from the first connecting part 11. After the second connecting part 22 separates from the first connecting part 11, the buoy assembly 2 floats to the water surface.

[0027] In practical applications, the buoy assembly 2 is connected to the base 1 via the second connecting part 22 and the first connecting part 11, and the base 1 is fixed to the observation platform. It should be noted that the observation platform mentioned here is located underwater, specifically in a deep-sea area at a depth exceeding 2000 meters. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22 are fitted with an interference fit; that is, the top of the first connecting part 11 has a mounting part, and the bottom of the second connecting part 22 has a mounting groove, allowing the mounting part to be inserted into the base 1. The buoy assembly 2 is connected to the base 1 by interference fit between the mounting part and the mounting slot. When the buoy assembly 2 needs to be separated from the base 1, the second connecting part 22 is lifted by pushing the component 12, so that the second connecting part 22 is separated from the first connecting part 11, and the buoy assembly 2 floats to the surface. The staff can use the positioning module 21 to search for and retrieve the buoy assembly 2, and then obtain the communication information and data on the buoy assembly 2. On the other hand, in this way, the buoy assembly 2 and the base 1 can be reconnected.

[0028] Preferably, the base 1 is provided with a cable 13, which is electrically connected to the first connecting part 11 and the observation platform; when the first connecting part 11 is inserted into the second connecting part 22, the cable 13 is energized and electrically connected to the second connecting part 22 through the first connecting part 11; when the first connecting part 11 is separated from the second connecting part 22, the cable 13 is de-energized.

[0029] In the above design, the observation platform, base 1, and buoy assembly 2 transmit electrical signals and power through cable 13. Specifically, the base 1 can communicate and supply power to the observation platform via RS485 through cable 13. When the buoy assembly 2 is connected to the base 1, the cable 13 is electrically connected to the buoy assembly 2 through the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22. Specifically, the interior of the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22 is made of conductive material, while the outer shell is made of insulating material. Therefore, the cable 13 can be connected through the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22 to be electrically connected to the buoy assembly 2. When the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22 are separated, the cable 13 is de-energized to avoid affecting the surrounding ecology.

[0030] Preferably, the pushing assembly 12 includes a drive motor 121, a fixed column 122 connected to the power output part of the drive motor 121, and a movable block 123 threadedly connected to the fixed column 122. The bottom of the buoy assembly 2 is provided with a column 27, and the column 27 is provided with a receiving cavity 271 for accommodating the movable block 123. The drive motor 121 is connected in the base 1 and is used to drive the fixed column 122 to rotate. When the fixed column 122 rotates, the movable block 123 moves along the length direction of the fixed column 122 and pushes the column 27 to separate the second connecting part 22 from the first connecting part 11.

[0031] In this embodiment, the drive motor 121 can drive the fixed column 122 to rotate. Specifically, in this embodiment, the fixed column 122 and the power output part of the drive motor 121 are connected by a key connection. When the drive motor 121 rotates, the fixed column 122 will also rotate synchronously with the drive motor 121. At this time, the movable block 123 can move along the length direction of the fixed column 122 as the fixed column 122 rotates. Specifically, when the fixed column 122 is driven by the drive motor 121, the movable block 123 can move along the length direction of the fixed column 122 through the thread and push the column 27, thereby lifting the second connecting part 22, so that the second connecting part 22 is separated from the first connecting part 11, thereby releasing the buoy. In particular, the contact between the top of the fixed column 122 and the bottom of the receiving cavity 271 can ensure that the movable block 123 can push the column 27, and is conducive to increasing the stroke of the movable block 123 pushing the column 27, so as to separate the interference fit first connecting part 11 and second connecting part 22.

[0032] More preferably, the buoy assembly 2 is provided with a solenoid valve 23, which is located above the second connection part 22, and the solenoid valve 23 is used to balance the internal and external pressure of the buoy assembly 2.

[0033] Through the above design, the solenoid valve 23 can control the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the buoy assembly 2. Specifically, when the buoy assembly 2 is connected to the base 1, the solenoid valve 23 is in the closed state, and the pressure of the buoy assembly 2 is atmospheric pressure. When it is necessary to balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the buoy assembly 2, the solenoid valve 23 is changed to the open state, so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the buoy assembly 2 is close to 0, thereby reducing the resistance to the separation of the buoy assembly 2 from the base 1. In other words, when the buoy assembly 2 does not need to be separated, the solenoid valve 23 can be closed to further enhance the connection strength between the buoy assembly 2 and the base 1; when the buoy assembly 2 needs to be separated, the solenoid valve 23 can be opened to reduce the force required to separate the buoy assembly 2, and it is easier to push the second connecting part 22 up by pushing the component 12, so that the buoy assembly 2 separates from the base 1 and floats to the surface of the water.

[0034] More preferably, the buoy assembly 2 is provided with a first housing 24, and a power supply 25 and a communication unit 26 are provided inside the first housing 24. The power supply 25 is electrically connected to the communication unit 26, and the communication unit 26 is electrically connected to the positioning module 21. The second connection part 22 is located inside the first housing 24.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first shell 24 is made of pressure-resistant material, which is beneficial for the buoy assembly 2 to operate stably under the pressure of deep sea at depths of over 2000 meters and to prevent damage to the buoy assembly 2 due to the high pressure environment of deep sea. On the other hand, the power supply 25 provides operating energy for the communication unit 26 and the positioning module 21. Specifically, in this embodiment, the positioning module 21 refers to positioning via Beidou satellite. More specifically, the positioning module 21 is located on top of the buoy assembly 2, which allows the positioning module 21 to be above the water surface when the buoy assembly 2 rises to the surface, thereby facilitating the acquisition of positioning information. The communication unit 26 plays the role of communication, data collection, and command issuance.

[0036] More preferably, the base 1 is provided with a second housing 14, the first connecting part 11 is located on the second housing 14, the pushing component 12 is located inside the second housing 14, and the second housing 14 is connected to the first housing 24 through the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22.

[0037] In this embodiment, the material of the second shell 14 is a pressure-resistant material, which is beneficial for the base 1 to be more stable under the pressure of the deep sea at a depth of more than 2000 meters. On the other hand, the first shell 24 and the second shell 14 are connected by the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22. When the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 22 are separated, the first shell 24 and the second shell 14 will also separate, so that the second shell 14 carries the buoy assembly 2 to the surface of the water.

[0038] More preferably, the second housing 14 is provided with a control unit 15, which is used to receive external signals to activate the push assembly 12.

[0039] Through the above design, the control unit 15 can receive external information, mainly information to separate the buoy assembly 2 and the base 1, and drive the push assembly 12 to separate the buoy assembly 2 and the base 1, and the buoy assembly 2 floats to the water surface to facilitate the staff to retrieve and read the internal information and data.

[0040] More preferably, the bottom of the base 1 is provided with flange bolts 16 for fixing the base 1 to the observation platform.

[0041] In this embodiment, the base 1 can be fixed to the observation platform by flange bolts 16, which can prevent the base 1 from falling off or dropping on the observation platform.

[0042] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform, comprising a base fixed to the observation platform and a buoy assembly detachably connected to the base, wherein the buoy assembly is equipped with a positioning module, characterized in that, The base is provided with a first connecting part, and the buoy assembly is provided with a second connecting part. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are detachably connected. The base is also provided with a pushing component for pushing the second connecting part so that the second connecting part is separated from the first connecting part. After the second connecting part is separated from the first connecting part, the buoy assembly floats to the water surface. The pushing assembly includes a drive motor, a fixed column connected to the power output section of the drive motor, and a movable block threadedly connected to the fixed column. The bottom of the buoy assembly is provided with a column body, and the column body is provided with a receiving cavity for accommodating the movable block. The top of the fixed column and the bottom of the receiving cavity are in contact. The drive motor is connected in the base and is used to drive the fixed column to rotate. The movable block moves along the length direction of the fixed column and pushes the column body to separate the second connecting part from the first connecting part. The buoy assembly is equipped with a solenoid valve, which is located above the second connection part. The solenoid valve is used to balance the internal and external pressure of the buoy assembly. The buoy assembly has a first housing, inside which a power supply and a communication unit are provided. The power supply and the communication unit are electrically connected, and the communication unit is electrically connected to the positioning module. The second connection part is located inside the first housing.

2. The emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is equipped with a cable, which is electrically connected to the first connecting part and to the observation platform; When the first connecting part is inserted into the second connecting part, the cable is energized and electrically connected to the second connecting part through the first connecting part; when the first connecting part is separated from the second connecting part, the cable is de-energized.

3. The emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is provided with a second housing, the first connecting part is located on the second housing, the pushing component is located inside the second housing, and the second housing is connected to the first housing through the first connecting part and the second connecting part.

4. The emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second housing contains a control unit, which is used to receive external signals to activate the actuating component.

5. The emergency communication buoy for a deep-sea observation platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is provided with flange bolts at its bottom for fixing the base to the observation platform.

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