A performance evaluation device for a submarine cable burying plough

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of submarine cable laying assessment technology, and in particular to a performance assessment device for a submarine cable laying plow, comprising an operating box with top-mounted translation devices symmetrically fixed to the upper ends of the inner walls on both sides of the operating box. This performance assessment device for a submarine cable laying plow operates using both top translation and bottom conveying methods, allowing for various control methods as needed, greatly improving the overall operability of the equipment. By employing automatic material return and automatic filling methods for handling gravel and sand, it not only allows for rapid backfilling of gravel, ensuring long-term operation of the equipment, but also improves resource recycling rates and reduces assessment costs. The top-mounted translation device is equipped with a combined sensor for detecting the operating status of the submarine cable laying plow, enabling real-time monitoring of the plow's operating data, resulting in more diverse and comprehensive detection values.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of submarine cable laying evaluation technology, and in particular to a performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow. Background Technology

[0002] The assessment of submarine cable burial is crucial for the construction design and protection methods of submarine cables. It requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as the constitutive model of the soil, vessels, equipment, and costs. In particular, the interaction analysis between the soil constitutive model and the burial plow plays a vital role in determining whether the submarine cable reaches the predetermined burial depth, the additional protection design for cables that cannot reach the desired depth, project planning, and costs.

[0003] Currently, the commonly used methods in the industry, such as CBRA and BPI, ignore the performance of the buried equipment for different soil and rock masses. Therefore, they cannot be called true BAS. They are more suitable for desktop research analysis and not for detailed design in the construction phase.

[0004] Furthermore, some designs for the performance of buried plows, such as drag force, burial depth, and wear, are only semi-quantitative assessments. Although they are supported by data such as CPT and geotechnical tests, the data is not fully utilized and cannot be completely quantitatively evaluated.

[0005] Moreover, the current detection method involves adjusting the submarine cable laying plow using a top-mounted translation mechanism. Due to structural and spatial limitations, it cannot realistically simulate long-term, long-stroke operation, resulting in very limited realism in the simulation process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that this invention aims to solve is that the current detection method adjusts the submarine cable laying plow by using a top-mounted translation mechanism. Due to structural and spatial limitations, it cannot realistically simulate long-term, long-stroke operation, resulting in very limited realism in the simulation process.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: a performance evaluation device for a submarine cable burial plow, including an operating box, on which top-mounted translation devices are symmetrically fixed at the upper ends of the inner walls on both sides of the operating box, and a bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism is movably assembled at the lower end of the operating box. A side-mounted return material mechanism for conveying gravel and sand is fixedly assembled on the inner wall of the right side of the operating box, and a lateral return material separation chamber is provided on the bottom surface of the operating box. A combined sensor for detecting the operating status of the submarine cable burial plow is installed on the top-mounted translation device.

[0008] The top-mounted translation device includes a top-side translation guide rail fixedly installed on the inner walls of both sides of the operating box, a horizontal assembly platform slidably installed on the top-side translation guide rail, an electrically controlled conveyor belt installed on the operating box, a longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail fixed at the lower end of the horizontal assembly platform, a horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail installed on the side wall of the longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail, an electrically controlled winch fixedly installed at the lower end of the horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail, and a synchronous detection seat slidably installed on the horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail.

[0009] The bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism includes a bottom-mounted conveyor belt installed inside the operating box, a drive roller movably installed at the left end inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt, a support roller installed inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt, and a driven roller movably installed at the right end inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt.

[0010] An inclined screen plate is fixedly installed inside the lateral return material separation chamber.

[0011] The side-mounted return mechanism includes an inner gravel feeding pipe fixedly installed on the inner wall of the right side of the operating box, an inner sand feeding pipe located to the left of the inner gravel feeding pipe, an outer gravel return pipe and an outer sand return pipe fixedly installed on the right side of the operating box, and an electrically controlled spiral feeding shaft movably installed inside the outer gravel return pipe and the outer sand return pipe.

[0012] An inclined material distribution plate is fixedly installed on the left side of the inner gravel feeding pipe and the inner sand feeding pipe.

[0013] The combined sensor includes a longitudinal distance sensor fixedly installed on the lower surface of the synchronous detection base, a transverse distance sensor fixedly installed on the right side of the synchronous detection base, and a tension sensor installed at the connection end of the electrically controlled winch.

[0014] The longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail includes a longitudinal guide rail fixed to the lower right side of the horizontal assembly platform, an internal longitudinal lead screw movably installed inside the longitudinal guide rail, and an internal thread lifting seat threaded onto the outside of the internal longitudinal lead screw. The horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail includes a horizontal guide rail fixed to the left side wall of the internal thread lifting seat and an internal horizontal lead screw movably installed inside the horizontal guide rail.

[0015] A top support rod is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the horizontal guide rail.

[0016] Pressure sensor modules are installed on the lower right side of each of the inclined material distribution plates.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0018] (1) The performance evaluation device for submarine cable laying plow of the present invention is operated by two methods: top translation and bottom conveying. It can be controlled in various forms as needed, which greatly improves the operability of the whole device.

[0019] (2) By using automatic return and automatic filling methods to operate gravel and sand, not only can the gravel be quickly backfilled, ensuring the long-term operation of the equipment, improving the resource recycling rate, and reducing the assessment cost;

[0020] (3) A combined sensor for detecting the operating status of the submarine cable burying plow is installed on the top-mounted translation device. It can monitor the operating data of the submarine cable burying plow in real time, and the detection values ​​are more diverse and the detection is more comprehensive.

[0021] (4) By adopting height and level adjustment mechanisms, it can be adapted to submarine cable laying plows of different specifications and sizes, making it more widely applicable;

[0022] (5) A side return material separation chamber is provided on the bottom surface of the operating box, and an inclined screen plate is provided inside it. This not only ensures the internal material guiding effect, but also allows for simultaneous separation and screening, thereby improving the classification and return material effect.

[0023] (6) A side-mounted return material mechanism for conveying gravel and sand is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the right side of the operating box, which is convenient for installation and control;

[0024] (7) By adopting upper and lower dual-layer drive, the adjustable range of drive speed is wider;

[0025] (8) By adopting the design of inclined material leveling blades, the recycled material can be quickly leveled to ensure the consistency of the test environment. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the side-mounted material return mechanism in this invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the top-mounted translation device and the combined sensor in the assembled state of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The device shown is a performance evaluation device for a submarine cable burial plow, including an operating box 1. Top-mounted translation devices 2 are symmetrically fixed on the upper ends of the inner walls on both sides of the operating box 1. Bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3 is movably assembled inside the lower end of the operating box 1. Side-hanging return material mechanism 4 for conveying gravel and sand is fixedly assembled on the inner wall of the right side of the operating box 1. A lateral return material separation chamber 5 is provided on the bottom surface of the operating box 1. A combined sensor 6 for detecting the operating status of the submarine cable burial plow is installed on the top-mounted translation device 2.

[0033] Working process: The submarine cable laying plow is installed on the top-mounted translation device 2, which can move at different speeds and be buried in a sand bed. A layer of gravel is placed on top of the sand bed to simulate a real seabed environment.

[0034] During the movement and burying process, the burying plow records the acceleration information of its movement through acceleration sensors installed on the top-mounted translation device 2 and the bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3.

[0035] By installing a tension sensor 63 at the connection end, the submarine cable laying plow can help assess its laying capability under different resistance conditions by observing the stress conditions it experiences.

[0036] The longitudinal distance sensor 61 and the lateral distance sensor 62 are used to accurately record the displacement of the burying plow relative to its initial position throughout the experiment, helping to determine its trajectory and burial depth.

[0037] During the experiment, the cable-laying plow was installed on the top-mounted translation device 2, ensuring all sensors on the device were functioning properly. The translation mechanism on the top-mounted translation device 2 or the bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3 was activated, causing the plow to advance on the sand bed and simultaneously bury the plow into the sand layer. Sensors recorded acceleration, force, and positional changes during the burial process. Parameters such as sand bed density and conveyor belt speed could be varied during the experiment to simulate different working conditions and evaluate the plow's performance under varying conditions. Data analysis: By analyzing data from the accelerometer, load sensor, and position sensor, key performance indicators such as the plow's burial efficiency, soil resistance, and plow body movement stability could be evaluated.

[0038] To facilitate top translation and lifting adjustments, the top translation device 2 includes a top side translation guide rail 21 fixedly installed on the inner walls of both sides of the operating box 1, a horizontal assembly platform 22 slidably installed on the top side translation guide rail 21, an electrically controlled conveyor belt 23 installed on the operating box 1, a longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail 24 fixedly installed at the lower end of the horizontal assembly platform 22, a horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail 25 installed on the side wall of the longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail 24, an electrically controlled winch 26 fixedly installed at the lower end of the horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail 25, and a synchronous detection seat 27 slidably installed on the horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail 25.

[0039] The electrically controlled conveyor belt 23 drives the top translation seat 24 to move and adjust along the top side translation guide rail 21 through conveying. The longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail 24 drives the transverse electrically controlled translation guide rail 25 to move and adjust along the longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail 24. The transverse electrically controlled translation guide rail 25 moves and adjusts along the synchronous detection seat 27.

[0040] To facilitate bottom-controlled translation adjustment, the bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3 includes a bottom-mounted conveyor belt 31 installed inside the operating box 1, an active roller 32 movably installed at the left end inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt 31, a support roller 33 installed inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt 31, and a driven roller 34 movably installed at the right end inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt 31.

[0041] The drive roller 32 rotates to drive the bottom conveyor belt 31 to run, while the support roller 33 and the driven roller 34 work together with the drive roller 32 to drive the bottom conveyor belt to run stably and improve the top support effect.

[0042] To improve the uniformity of the returned material, an inclined screen plate 7 is fixedly installed inside the lateral returned material separation chamber 5.

[0043] To facilitate electrically controlled material feeding, the side-mounted return mechanism 4 includes an inner gravel feeding pipe 41 fixedly installed on the inner wall of the right side of the operating box 1, an inner sand feeding pipe 42 located to the left of the inner gravel feeding pipe 41, an outer gravel return pipe 43 and an outer sand return pipe 44 fixedly installed on the right side of the operating box 1, and an electrically controlled spiral feeding shaft 45 movably installed inside the outer gravel return pipe 43 and the outer sand return pipe 44.

[0044] The outer gravel return pipe 43 and the outer sand return pipe 44 are fixed with bottom inclined return pipes that communicate with the interior of the lateral return separation chamber 5. The outer gravel return pipe 43 and the outer sand return pipe 44 are fixed with top inclined feed pipes that communicate with the interior of the inner gravel feed pipe 41 and the inner sand feed pipe 42 respectively.

[0045] Gravel or sand inside the lateral return material separation chamber 5 is introduced into the outer gravel return material pipe 43 or the outer sand return material pipe 44 through the bottom inclined return material pipe. Then, it is lifted upward by the electrically controlled screw feeder shaft 45 and introduced into the inner gravel feeder pipe 41 and the inner sand feeder pipe 42 through the top inclined feeder pipe. Then, it is guided downward back to the bottom conveyor belt 31 through the inner gravel feeder pipe 41 and the inner sand feeder pipe 42. Then, while the bottom conveyor belt 31 drives the return material to move horizontally, the inclined screen plate 7 spreads the accumulated return material on the bottom conveyor belt 31.

[0046] In order to facilitate the inclined feeding of gravel and sand, inclined material distribution plates 8 are fixedly installed on the left side of the inner gravel feeding pipe 41 and the inner sand feeding pipe 42.

[0047] The inclined material feeding plate 8 is fixed to the left side of the inner gravel feeding pipe 41 and the inner sand feeding pipe 42 respectively by external brackets.

[0048] To facilitate monitoring, the combined sensor 6 includes a longitudinal distance sensor 61 fixedly installed on the lower surface of the synchronous detection base 27, a lateral distance sensor 62 fixedly installed on the right side of the synchronous detection base 27, and a tension sensor 63 installed at the connection end of the electric winch 26.

[0049] The longitudinal distance sensor 61 is used to detect the distance between itself and the submarine cable laying plow, while the lateral distance sensor 62 is used to detect the lateral position of the synchronous detection seat 27. After the electric winch 26 lays the cable, the submarine cable laying plow will descend when it digs. At this time, a pulling force will be generated at the connection end between the submarine cable laying plow and the electric winch 26. The tension sensor 63 will automatically record the pulling force and detect the resistance.

[0050] Speed ​​sensors are installed on the electrically controlled conveyor belt 23 and the bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3 to monitor the running speed of the submarine cable laying plow.

[0051] To facilitate longitudinal lifting and transverse translation adjustment, the longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail 24 includes a longitudinal guide rail 251 fixed to the lower right side of the transverse assembly platform 22, an internal longitudinal lead screw 252 movably installed inside the longitudinal guide rail 251, and an internal thread lifting seat 253 threadedly connected to the outside of the internal longitudinal lead screw 252. The transverse electrically controlled translation guide rail 25 includes a transverse guide rail 261 fixed to the left side wall of the internal thread lifting seat 253 and an internal transverse lead screw 262 movably installed inside the transverse guide rail 261.

[0052] The rotation of the internal longitudinal lead screw 252 controls the internal thread lifting seat 253 to rise and fall along the longitudinal guide rail 251, thereby adjusting the height of the transverse guide rail 261 to accommodate cable laying plows of different heights. The rotation of the internal transverse lead screw 262 controls the synchronous detection seat 27 to move and adjust along the transverse guide rail 261. This movement controls the longitudinal distance sensor 61 to select the detection point on the upper surface of the cable laying plow. By adjusting the spacing of the cable laying plows, the digging depth of the cable laying plow can be determined.

[0053] To improve the overall structural stability of the horizontal guide rail 261, a top support rod 9 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the horizontal guide rail 261.

[0054] The top support rod 9 adopts a detachable structure design. Different lengths of top support rod 9 are selected according to the height of the horizontal guide rail 261 to ensure the structural strength of the horizontal guide rail 261.

[0055] To facilitate lateral pressure monitoring, pressure sensor modules 10 are installed on the lower right side of each inclined material distribution plate 8.

[0056] The rotating electrically controlled screw feed shaft 45 transports the sand and gravel from the bottom of the inner gravel feed pipe 41 and the inner sand feed pipe 42 upwards. Then, the sand and gravel are guided back to the upper surface of the bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3 through the outer gravel return pipe 43 and the outer sand return pipe 44. The bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3 then drives the return material to be transported and moved horizontally from right to left. During the horizontal movement, the material that has been piled up is blocked and guided by the inclined material leveling plate 8, so that it is evenly spread on the upper surface of the bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism 3. The gravel and sand can be laid in layers as needed, and the required laying thickness can be set by using the installation height of the inclined material leveling plate 8.

[0057] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the inventive concept. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow, comprising an operating box (1), characterized in that: The upper ends of the inner walls on both sides of the operating box (1) are symmetrically fixed with top-mounted translation devices (2), the lower end of the operating box (1) is movably equipped with a bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism (3), the inner wall of the right side of the operating box (1) is fixedly equipped with a side-hanging return material mechanism (4) for conveying gravel and sand, the bottom surface of the operating box (1) is provided with a side return material separation chamber (5), and the top-mounted translation device (2) is equipped with a combined sensor (6) for detecting the running status of the submarine cable laying plow. The top-mounted translation device (2) includes a top-side translation guide rail (21) fixedly installed on the inner walls of both sides of the operating box (1), a horizontal assembly platform (22) slidably installed on the top-side translation guide rail (21), an electrically controlled conveyor belt (23) installed on the operating box (1), a longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail (24) fixedly installed at the lower end of the horizontal assembly platform (22), a horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail (25) installed on the side wall of the longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail (24), an electrically controlled winch (26) fixedly installed at the lower end of the horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail (25), and a synchronous detection seat (27) slidably installed on the horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail (25). The submarine cable laying plow is installed on the top-mounted translation device (2); The combined sensor (6) includes a longitudinal distance sensor (61) fixedly installed on the lower surface of the synchronous detection seat (27), a transverse distance sensor (62) fixedly installed on the right side of the synchronous detection seat (27), and a tension sensor (63) installed at the connection end of the electric winch (26).

2. The performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom-mounted conveyor belt mechanism (3) includes a bottom-mounted conveyor belt (31) installed inside the operating box (1), an active roller (32) movably installed at the left end inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt (31), a support roller (33) installed inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt (31), and a driven roller (34) movably installed at the right end inside the bottom-mounted conveyor belt (31).

3. The performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inclined screen plate (7) is fixedly installed inside the lateral return material separation chamber (5).

4. The performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side-mounted return material mechanism (4) includes an inner gravel feeding pipe (41) fixedly installed on the inner wall of the right side of the operating box (1), an inner sand feeding pipe (42) located on the left side of the inner gravel feeding pipe (41), an outer gravel return material pipe (43) and an outer sand return material pipe (44) fixedly installed on the right side of the operating box (1), and an electrically controlled spiral feeding shaft (45) movably installed inside the outer gravel return material pipe (43) and the outer sand return material pipe (44).

5. The performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow according to claim 4, characterized in that: An inclined material distribution plate (8) is fixedly installed on the left side of the inner gravel feeding pipe (41) and the inner sand feeding pipe (42).

6. The performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow according to claim 2, characterized in that: The longitudinal electrically controlled lifting guide rail (24) includes a longitudinal guide rail (251) fixed to the lower right side of the horizontal assembly platform (22), an internal longitudinal lead screw (252) movably installed inside the longitudinal guide rail (251), and an internal thread lifting seat (253) threaded onto the outside of the internal longitudinal lead screw (252). The horizontal electrically controlled translation guide rail (25) includes a horizontal guide rail (261) fixed to the left side wall of the internal thread lifting seat (253) and an internal horizontal lead screw (262) movably installed inside the horizontal guide rail (261).

7. The performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow according to claim 6, characterized in that: A top support rod (9) is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the horizontal guide rail (261).

8. The performance evaluation device for a submarine cable laying plow according to claim 5, characterized in that: Pressure sensor modules (10) are installed on the lower right side of each of the inclined material distribution plates (8).

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