Buoyancy device and floating stable cylindrical structure

Abstract

The invention provides a buoyancy device and a floating stable cylindrical structure. The buoyancy device comprises a buoy, an axial limiting assembly and a radial supporting assembly. The buoy comprises a first cavity, a second cavity and an air inlet and outlet pipe. The first cavity is a closed cavity and is used for providing buoyancy for the buoy, so that the buoy can float on the water surface. In addition, the buoy also has redundant buoyancy to support the cylindrical member to float on the water surface together. The air inlet and outlet pipe is arranged at the top of the second cavity and used for feeding air into the second cavity or discharging air out of the second cavity so as to adjust the air pressure in the second cavity and the buoyancy of the buoy. The second cavity comprises a water inlet and a water outlet formed in the bottom; the water inlet and outlet is used for introducing external water into the second cavity, so that water enters the second cavity, the weight of the water in the second cavity is increased, and the stability of the buoy is improved. When the air inlet and outlet pipe is provided to pressurize and inflate the second cavity, water in the second cavity is discharged through the water inlet and outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of buoyancy devices, and more specifically, to a buoyancy device and a floating stable cylindrical structure. Background Art

[0002] As an important structure, cylindrical components are widely used in submarine pipeline laying, offshore platform infrastructure construction, underwater tunnel construction and other aspects. There are many challenges in transporting cylindrical components from the manufacturing site to the installation site. Since the volume and weight of cylindrical components are generally large, traditional transportation methods often rely on large lifting facilities for lifting operations. These facilities are not only expensive to rent and use, but also in some remote or deep-sea areas, the accessibility and operability of large floating cranes are limited, further increasing the complexity and cost of transportation. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a buoyancy device and a floating stable cylindrical structure to solve the technical problem of the difficulty in transporting cylindrical components existing in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in this application is:

[0005] A buoyancy device is provided, comprising:

[0006] A buoy, comprising a first cavity, a second cavity and an inlet and outlet pipe, wherein the first cavity is a closed cavity, and the first cavity is used to provide buoyancy for the buoy; the inlet and outlet pipe is arranged at the top of the second cavity, and is used to take air into the second cavity or exhaust air out of the second cavity; the second cavity comprises an inlet and outlet port arranged at the bottom;

[0007] An axial limit assembly is provided at one end of the buoyancy direction of the buoy, the axial limit assembly comprises a first driving member and a limit member, the first driving member is mounted on the buoy, the limit member is drivingly connected to the first driving member, the first driving member is used to drive the limit member to contact with the cylindrical member, so that the buoy is axially limited relative to the cylindrical member;

[0008] A radial support assembly is arranged at the other end of the buoyancy direction of the float, and the radial support assembly includes a second driving member and a support member. The second driving member is installed on the float, and the support member is drivingly connected to the second driving member. The second driving member is used to drive the support member to support the inner wall of the cylindrical component.

[0009] As a further improvement of the above technical solution:

[0010] Optionally, the axial limiting assembly is arranged at the lower end of the buoy, and the radial supporting assembly is arranged at the upper end of the buoy.

[0011] Optionally, the axial limiting assembly further includes a first guide member, the first guide member is connected to the buoy, the first guide member has a first guide groove extending along the radial direction of the buoy, and the limiting member is slidably connected in the first guide groove.

[0012] Optionally, there are multiple axial limit assemblies, and the axial limit assemblies are arranged at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction of the buoy.

[0013] The radial support assembly further comprises a second guide member connected to the buoy, the second guide member having a second guide groove extending in the radial direction of the buoy, and the support member is slidably connected in the second guide groove.

[0014] Optionally, there are multiple radial support assemblies, and the radial support assemblies are arranged at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction of the buoy.

[0015] Optionally, the inlet and outlet is an annular inlet and outlet, the inner ring side of the annular inlet and outlet is an inner ring sealing plate at the bottom end of the second cavity, and the outer ring side of the annular inlet and outlet is an outer ring sealing plate at the bottom end of the second cavity.

[0016] Optionally, the buoy further includes a plurality of partitions, each of which is disposed in the second cavity to divide the second cavity into a plurality of sub-second cavities arranged along a circumferential direction, and each of the sub-second cavities is connected to the annular inlet and outlet.

[0017] The present application also provides a floating stable cylindrical structure, comprising a hollow cylinder and the above-mentioned buoyancy device, wherein the buoyancy device is installed on the inner side of the hollow cylinder.

[0018] As a further improvement of the above technical solution:

[0019] Optionally, the hollow cylinder includes a slot provided on the inner wall and flanges provided on both sides of the slot, and the first driving member is used to drive the limiting member to extend into the slot so as to axially limit the float relative to the hollow cylinder.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the buoyancy device and the floating stable cylindrical structure provided by the present application are:

[0021] The buoyancy device of the present application includes a float, an axial limit assembly and a radial support assembly. The float includes a first cavity, a second cavity and an air inlet and outlet pipe. The first cavity is a closed cavity, and the first cavity is used to provide buoyancy for the float so that it can float on the water. In addition, the float also has redundant buoyancy to support the cylindrical component to float on the water. The air inlet and outlet pipes are arranged at the top of the second cavity, and are used to intake air into the second cavity or exhaust air out of the second cavity to adjust the air pressure in the second cavity and the buoyancy of the float. The second cavity includes an air inlet and outlet port arranged at the bottom; the air inlet and outlet port is used to introduce external water into the second cavity, so that the second cavity is filled with water, increase the weight of the water in the second cavity, and improve the stability of the float. When the air inlet and outlet pipes are provided to pressurize and inflate the second cavity, the water in the second cavity is discharged through the air inlet and outlet port. The axial limit assembly is arranged at one end of the buoyancy direction of the buoy, and the axial limit assembly includes a first driving member and a limit assembly, the first driving member is installed on the buoy, the limit assembly is connected to the first driving member, and the first driving member is used to drive the limit assembly to contact the cylindrical member so that the buoy is axially limited relative to the cylindrical member. The radial support assembly is arranged at the other end of the buoyancy direction of the buoy, and the radial support assembly includes a second driving member and a support member, the second driving member is installed on the buoy, the support member is connected to the second driving member, and the second driving member is used to drive the support member to support the inner wall of the cylindrical member.

[0022] The present application also provides a floating stable cylindrical structure. Since the floating stable cylindrical structure has the above-mentioned buoyancy device, it also has the advantages of the above-mentioned buoyancy device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a top view of the floating stable cylindrical structure provided in this application;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at CC in FIG.

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A local enlarged diagram of the structure Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A local enlarged diagram of the structure Figure 2 ;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the floating stable cylindrical structure provided in this application from an upward perspective.

[0029] Among them, the reference numerals in the figure are:

[0030] 1. Float; 11. First cavity; 12. Second cavity; 121. Inner ring sealing plate; 122. Outer ring sealing plate; 13. Inlet and exhaust pipes; 14. Inlet and outlet; 2. Axial limit assembly; 21. First drive member; 22. Limit member; 23. First guide member; 3. Radial support assembly; 31. Second drive member; 32. Support member; 33. Second guide member; 4. Partition; 5. Hollow cylinder; 51. Slot; 52. Flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0033] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0034] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0036] In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in the field can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] In the following description, suffixes such as "module", "component", "assembly" or "unit" are used only to facilitate the description of the present invention and have no specific meanings. Therefore, they can be used in combination.

[0038] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific implementation modes in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present application provides a buoyancy device, including a float 1, an axial limiting assembly 2 and a radial supporting assembly 3.

[0040] The buoy 1 includes a first cavity 11, a second cavity 12 and an air inlet and outlet pipe 13. The first cavity 11 is a closed cavity, and the first cavity 11 is used to provide buoyancy for the buoy 1 so that it can float on the water surface. In addition, the buoy 1 also has redundant buoyancy to support the cylindrical component to float on the water surface.

[0041] The air inlet and outlet pipe 13 is provided at the top of the second cavity 12, and is used to inlet air into the second cavity 12 or to exhaust air out of the second cavity 12, so as to adjust the air pressure in the second cavity 12 and the buoyancy of the float 1. The second cavity 12 includes an air inlet and outlet 14 provided at the bottom; the air inlet and outlet 14 is used to introduce water from the outside into the second cavity 12, so that the second cavity 12 is filled with water, and the weight of the water in the second cavity 12 is increased, thereby improving the stability of the float 1. When the air inlet and outlet pipe 13 is provided to pressurize and inflate the second cavity 12, the water in the second cavity 12 is discharged through the air inlet and outlet 14.

[0042] The axial limit assembly 2 is arranged at one end of the buoyancy direction of the buoy 1, and the axial limit assembly 2 includes a first driving member 21 and a limit member 22. The first driving member 21 is installed on the buoy 1, and the limit member 22 is drivingly connected to the first driving member 21. The first driving member 21 is used to drive the limit member 22 to contact the cylindrical member so that the buoy 1 is axially limited relative to the cylindrical member. The first driving member 21 can be a hydraulic / pneumatic cylinder, an electric push rod, etc.

[0043] The radial support assembly 3 is arranged at the other end of the buoyancy direction of the buoy 1. The radial support assembly 3 includes a second driving member 31 and a supporting member 32. The second driving member 31 is installed on the buoy 1. The supporting member 32 is connected to the second driving member 31 by driving. The second driving member 31 is used to drive the supporting member 32 to support the inner wall of the cylindrical member. The radial support assembly 3 can limit the buoy 1 from shaking in the cylindrical member, thereby ensuring the structural safety of the buoyancy device and the cylindrical member. The second driving member 31 can be a hydraulic / pneumatic cylinder, an electric push rod, etc.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the axial limit assembly 2 is arranged at the lower end of the buoy 1, and the radial support assembly 3 is arranged at the upper end of the buoy 1. The axial limit assembly 2 and the radial support assembly 3 respectively constrain the two ends of the buoy 1, so that the buoy 1 is firmly connected to the cylindrical component.

[0045] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the axial limit assembly 2 further includes a first guide member 23. The first guide member 23 is connected to the buoy 1, and the first guide member 23 has a first guide groove extending in the radial direction of the buoy 1, and the first guide groove provides an accurate moving path for the limit member 22. The limit member 22 is slidably connected to the first guide groove to ensure the accuracy of the moving path of the limit member 22.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, there are multiple axial limit assemblies 2, and each axial limit assemblies 2 is arranged at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction of the buoy 1. Each axial limit assembly 2 bears a certain axial restraining force to limit the displacement of the buoy 1 in the axial direction. When the cylindrical component is subjected to external forces, such as water flow impact, wind and wave influence, etc., and relative displacement occurs with the axial direction of the buoy 1, these forces will be shared by multiple axial limit assemblies 2, thereby avoiding damage or failure of a single component due to excessive pressure, and effectively extending the service life of the axial limit assembly 2.

[0047] like Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the radial support assembly 3 further includes a second guide member 33, the second guide member 33 is connected to the buoy 1, and the second guide member 33 has a second guide groove extending in the radial direction of the buoy 1, and the second guide groove provides an accurate moving path for the support member 32. The support member 32 is slidably connected to the second guide groove to ensure the accuracy of the moving path of the support member 32.

[0048] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, there are multiple radial support assemblies 3, and each radial support assembly 3 is arranged at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction of the buoy 1. The radial support assembly 3 is used to bear radial restraining force to limit the displacement of the buoy 1 in the radial direction. When the cylindrical component is subjected to external forces, such as water flow impact, wind and wave influence, etc., and relative displacement occurs in the radial direction of the buoy 1, each radial support assembly 3 jointly bears the force of relative displacement, thereby avoiding damage or failure of a single component due to excessive pressure, and effectively extending the service life of the radial support assembly 3.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the inlet and outlet 14 is an annular inlet and outlet, the inner ring side of the annular inlet and outlet is the inner ring sealing plate 121 at the bottom end of the second cavity 12, and the outer ring side of the annular inlet and outlet is the outer ring sealing plate 122 at the bottom end of the second cavity 12.

[0050] When the buoyancy device is tilted, the annular inlet and outlet can minimize the leakage of gas in the second cavity 12, thereby ensuring the buoyancy stability of the buoyancy device in the tilted state. The space reserved in the second cavity 12 can meet the requirement of free movement of water, thereby reducing the water seal height requirement of the hollow cylinder 5, thereby reducing the overall height of the buoyancy device and reducing the amount of materials used.

[0051] like Figure 5 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the buoy 1 further includes a plurality of baffles 4. Each baffle 4 is disposed in the second cavity 12 to divide the second cavity 12 into a plurality of sub-second cavities arranged along the circumferential direction, so that the area of ​​the free water surface is greatly reduced, which helps to reduce the interference of the buoyancy device in the fluid due to fluctuations, thereby enhancing the overall stability, so that the buoyancy device can maintain a more stable working state in a complex and changeable water environment. Each sub-second cavity is connected to the annular inlet and outlet to ensure water circulation between each sub-second cavity and the outside.

[0052] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the present application also provides a floating stable cylindrical structure, comprising a hollow cylinder 5 and the above-mentioned buoyancy device, wherein the buoyancy device is installed inside the hollow cylinder 5. Since the floating stable cylindrical structure has the above-mentioned buoyancy device, it also has the advantages of the above-mentioned buoyancy device.

[0053] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the hollow cylinder 5 includes a slot 51 provided on the inner wall and flanges 52 provided on the upper and lower sides of the slot 51. The first driving member 21 is used to drive the limiting member 22 to extend into the slot 51, and the axial limiting of the buoy 1 relative to the hollow cylinder 5 is achieved through the cooperation between the flange 52 and the limiting member 22. At the same time, the buoyancy of the buoyancy device is also transmitted to the hollow cylinder 5 through the limiting member 22 and the flange 52.

[0054] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A buoyancy device, characterized in that: include: A buoy (1) comprises a first cavity (11), a second cavity (12) and an air inlet and outlet pipe (13); the first cavity (11) is a closed cavity, and the first cavity (11) is used to provide buoyancy for the buoy (1); the air inlet and outlet pipe (13) is arranged at the top of the second cavity (12) and is used to take air into the second cavity (12) or exhaust air out of the second cavity (12); the second cavity (12) comprises an air inlet and outlet port (14) arranged at the bottom; An axial limiting assembly (2) is arranged at one end of the buoyancy direction of the buoy (1), and the axial limiting assembly (2) comprises a first driving member (21) and a limiting member (22), wherein the first driving member (21) is mounted on the buoy (1), and the limiting member (22) is drivingly connected to the first driving member (21), and the first driving member (21) is used to drive the limiting member (22) to contact the cylindrical member, so that the buoy (1) is axially limited relative to the cylindrical member; A radial support assembly (3) is arranged at the other end of the buoyancy direction of the buoy (1), and the radial support assembly (3) comprises a second driving member (31) and a support member (32). The second driving member (31) is installed on the buoy (1), and the support member (32) is drivingly connected to the second driving member (31). The second driving member (31) is used to drive the support member (32) to support the inner wall of the cylindrical component.

2. The buoyancy device according to claim 1, characterized in that The axial limiting assembly (2) is arranged at the lower end of the buoy (1), and the radial supporting assembly (3) is arranged at the upper end of the buoy (1).

3. The buoyancy device according to claim 2, characterized in that The axial limiting assembly (2) further comprises a first guide member (23), wherein the first guide member (23) is connected to the buoy (1), and the first guide member (23) has a first guide groove extending in a radial direction of the buoy (1), and the limiting member (22) is slidably connected in the first guide groove.

4. The buoyancy device according to claim 3, characterized in that The number of the axial limit assemblies (2) is multiple, and the axial limit assemblies (2) are arranged at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction of the buoy (1).

5. The buoyancy device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The radial support assembly (3) also includes a second guide member (33), which is connected to the buoy (1). The second guide member (33) has a second guide groove extending in the radial direction of the buoy (1), and the support member (32) is slidably connected to the second guide groove.

6. The buoyancy device according to claim 5, characterized in that The radial support assemblies (3) are multiple in number, and the radial support assemblies (3) are arranged at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction of the buoy (1).

7. The buoyancy device of claim 2, wherein: The inlet and outlet (14) is an annular inlet and outlet, the inner ring side of the annular inlet and outlet is an inner ring sealing plate (121) at the bottom end of the second cavity (12), and the outer ring side of the annular inlet and outlet is an outer ring sealing plate (122) at the bottom end of the second cavity (12).

8. The buoyancy device according to claim 7, characterized in that The buoy (1) further comprises a plurality of partitions (4), each of which is arranged in the second cavity (12) to divide the second cavity (12) into a plurality of sub-second cavities arranged along a circumferential direction, and each of the sub-second cavities is connected to the annular inlet and outlet.

9. A floating stable cylindrical structure, characterized in that: It comprises a hollow cylinder (5) and a buoyancy device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the buoyancy device is installed on the inner side of the hollow cylinder (5).

10. The floating stable cylindrical structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The hollow cylinder (5) comprises a slot (51) provided on the inner wall and flanges (52) provided on both sides of the slot (51), and the first driving member (21) is used to drive the limiting member (22) to extend into the slot (51) so as to axially limit the buoy (1) relative to the hollow cylinder (5).

Images