Aerodynamic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves and working method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides an aerodynamic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves and a working method of the aerodynamic sound source device, and belongs to the field of seabed resource exploration equipment. The problems that an existing pneumatic sound source device for exploration cannot generate low-frequency seismic waves and is low in capacity are solved. The device comprises an exhaust port, an upper cylinder body, a valve body part, a cylinder cover and a lower cylinder body, the upper cylinder body is connected with the lower cylinder body through the cylinder cover, the valve body part is installed in the upper cylinder body, the exhaust port is formed in the end of the upper cylinder body, a main air chamber is arranged in the lower cylinder body, and an air chamber defined by the valve body part, the upper cylinder body and the cylinder cover is an excitation air chamber. The valve body component comprises a piston assembly, the piston assembly is installed in the upper cylinder body, an excitation air chamber is formed by the piston assembly, the upper cylinder body and the cylinder cover, the valve body component further comprises an electromagnetic valve, the electromagnetic valve is installed in the upper cylinder body, and an end cover is installed at the end of the lower cylinder body. The device is mainly used for seabed resource exploration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of subsea resource exploration equipment, and particularly relates to a pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves and a working method thereof. Background Art

[0002] From coal, oil, rare earths to combustible ice and natural gas, how to reasonably search for and exploit the minerals hidden beneath the land is no longer a difficult problem today with the rapid development of science and technology. However, when it comes to discovering and exploiting the mineral resources buried thousands of meters deep under the seabed, in the initial stage of the development of the subsea resource exploration field, scientific researchers chose to draw on the technology of seismic exploration and make full use of the characteristic that the seismic waves attenuate slowly underwater, and artificially emit seismic waves underwater. Since the seismic wave signals reflected by different strata are different, scientific researchers can achieve the purpose of mineral resource exploration by analyzing the information of these reflected waves. The earliest subsea resource exploration seismic sources were also the same as the seismic exploration technology, using explosives as the seismic source to generate seismic waves. However, in the process of using explosives, it is very difficult to ensure safety. At the same time, a large amount of toxic and harmful products will also be generated during the excitation of explosives, which will cause environmental pollution problems in subsea resource exploration work. The pneumatic sound source device has stable seismic source performance, low cost and no pollution, and works by the rapid release of high-pressure air inside. Underwater, the highly compressed air causes the surrounding flow field to oscillate elastically and forms bubbles that continuously generate low-frequency seismic waves outward. Gradually, the excitation source of the pneumatic sound source device has gradually replaced the explosive excitation source with its safe and environmentally friendly characteristics and become the main tool for subsea resource exploration. However, the existing pneumatic sound source devices for exploration cannot generate low-frequency seismic waves and have low capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves and a working method thereof, so as to solve the problem that the existing pneumatic sound source devices for exploration cannot generate low-frequency seismic waves and have low capacity.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves includes an exhaust port, an upper cylinder body, a valve body component, a cylinder head and a lower cylinder body. The upper cylinder body is connected to the lower cylinder body through the cylinder head. A valve body component is installed inside the upper cylinder body. An exhaust port is provided at the end of the upper cylinder body. The main air chamber is inside the lower cylinder body. The air chamber formed by the valve body component, the upper cylinder body and the cylinder head is the excitation air chamber.

[0006] Furthermore, the valve body component includes a piston assembly. The piston assembly is installed inside the upper cylinder body and forms the excitation air chamber with the upper cylinder body and the cylinder head.

[0007] Further, the valve body component further includes a solenoid valve, which is installed in the upper cylinder body.

[0008] Further, an end cover is installed at the end of the lower cylinder body.

[0009] Further, the valve body component and the upper cylinder body are connected by screws, washers and seals in cooperation.

[0010] Further, the lower cylinder body and the end cover are connected by screws and nuts.

[0011] Further, a limiting component for the piston assembly is installed in the upper cylinder body.

[0012] A working method of a pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves includes the following steps:

[0013] Step 1: Before the pneumatic sound source device is excited, it is inflated.

[0014] Step 2: During the inflation process, the high-pressure gas passes through pressure regulation and shunt, and fills the main air chamber and the excitation air chamber respectively. The high-pressure gas in the excitation air chamber presses the piston assembly, thereby sealing the exhaust port.

[0015] Step 3: When the pneumatic sound source device is excited, the solenoid valve is first excited, and the high-pressure gas in the excitation air chamber is released. The pressure difference causes the piston assembly to slide quickly until it abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder head.

[0016] Step 4: At this time, the exhaust port is opened, and the high-pressure gas in the main air chamber is quickly discharged, forming an initial bubble and generating low-frequency seismic waves.

[0017] Step 5: As the high-pressure gas is discharged, the force acting on the piston assembly rapidly weakens. After another pressure regulation and inflation process, the piston assembly returns to its original position, and the solenoid valve automatically closes. At this time, the pneumatic sound source device re-enters the inflation stage, waiting for the next excitation.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: When the pneumatic sound source device of the present invention is excited, the solenoid valve in the valve body component is first excited, and the high-pressure gas in the excitation chamber is first released. The pressure difference causes the piston assembly in the valve body component to slide rapidly until it abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder head. At this time, the main air chamber exhaust port is opened, and the high-pressure gas inside the main air chamber quickly discharges through the exhaust port on the upper cylinder block, forming initial bubbles and generating low-frequency seismic waves, which can generate stronger sound waves. These sound waves can penetrate deeper seabed strata, thereby improving the exploration efficiency and coverage. The sound waves generated by the pneumatic sound source device have greater energy, and the signal attenuates slowly during the propagation process in the seabed, resulting in a higher received signal intensity, which helps to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the data. The powerful sound waves can better penetrate different geological layers, providing a clearer image of the underground structure, which helps to more accurately identify and evaluate seabed resources. Due to the improvement of exploration efficiency, the time and equipment used for exploration can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall exploration cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings forming a part of the present invention are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the upper cylinder block according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the lower cylinder block according to the present invention.

[0023] 1 - Exhaust port, 2 - Upper cylinder block, 3 - Piston assembly, 4 - Solenoid valve, 5 - Excitation chamber, 6 - Cylinder head, 7 - Main air chamber, 8 - Lower cylinder block, 9 - End cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The following will clearly and completely elaborate on the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other. The described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0025] Detailed Embodiment 1: Refer to Figures 1-3Description of this embodiment: A pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves includes an exhaust port 1, an upper cylinder body 2, a valve body component, a cylinder head 6, and a lower cylinder body 8. The upper cylinder body 2 and the lower cylinder body 8 are connected by the cylinder head 6. A valve body component is installed inside the upper cylinder body 2. An exhaust port 1 is provided at the end of the upper cylinder body 2. The main air chamber 7 is inside the lower cylinder body 8. The air chamber formed by the valve body component, the upper cylinder body 2, and the cylinder head 6 is the excitation air chamber 5. The valve body component includes a piston assembly 3. The piston assembly 3 is installed inside the upper cylinder body 2 and forms the excitation air chamber 5 with the upper cylinder body 2 and the cylinder head 6. The valve body component also includes a solenoid valve 4. The solenoid valve 4 is installed inside the upper cylinder body 2.

[0026] During use, before the pneumatic sound source device is excited, the pneumatic sound source device is inflated. During the inflation process, the high-pressure gas is regulated and shunted, and the main air chamber 7 and the excitation air chamber 5 are respectively filled. The high-pressure gas in the excitation air chamber 5 presses the piston assembly 3, thereby sealing the exhaust port 1. When the pneumatic sound source device is excited, the solenoid valve 4 is first excited, and the high-pressure gas in the excitation air chamber 5 is released. The pressure difference causes the piston assembly 3 to slide quickly until it abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder head 6. At this time, the exhaust port 1 is opened, and the high-pressure gas in the main air chamber 7 is quickly discharged, forming an initial bubble and generating low-frequency seismic waves. As the high-pressure gas is quickly discharged through the exhaust port 1 of the upper cylinder body 2, the force acting on the piston assembly 3 quickly weakens. After another pressure regulation and inflation process, the piston assembly 3 returns to its original position, and the solenoid valve 4 automatically closes. At this time, the pneumatic sound source device re-enters the inflation stage, waiting for the next excitation.

[0027] This pneumatic sound source device can generate stronger sound waves, which can penetrate deeper seabed strata, thereby improving the exploration efficiency and coverage. The sound waves generated by the high-pressure pneumatic sound source device have greater energy, and the signal attenuates slowly during the propagation process in the seabed, making the received signal intensity higher, which helps to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the data. The powerful sound waves can better penetrate different geological layers, providing a clearer image of the underground structure, which helps to more accurately identify and evaluate seabed resources. Due to the improvement of exploration efficiency, the time and equipment used for exploration can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall exploration cost.

[0028] Further, the valve body component also includes a solenoid valve 4. The solenoid valve 4 is installed inside the upper cylinder body 2.

[0029] Further, an end cover 9 is installed at the end of the lower cylinder body 8.

[0030] Further, the valve body component and the upper cylinder body 2 are connected by screws, washers, and seals in cooperation.

[0031] Further, the lower cylinder body 8 and the end cover 9 are connected by screws and nuts.

[0032] Specific Embodiment 2: Based on the pneumatic sound source device in Embodiment 1, the implemented working method includes the following steps:

[0033] Step 1: Before activating the pneumatic sound source device, inflate the pneumatic sound source device.

[0034] Step 2: During the inflation process, the high-pressure gas passes through pressure regulation and flow splitting, and fills the main air chamber 7 and the excitation air chamber 5 respectively. The high-pressure gas in the excitation air chamber 5 presses against the piston assembly 3, thereby sealing the exhaust port 1.

[0035] Step 3: When activating the pneumatic sound source device, the solenoid valve 4 is first activated, and the high-pressure gas in the excitation air chamber 5 is released. The pressure difference causes the piston assembly 3 to slide quickly until it abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder head 6.

[0036] Step 4: At this time, the exhaust port 1 is opened, and the high-pressure gas in the main air chamber 7 is quickly discharged, forming an initial bubble and generating low-frequency seismic waves.

[0037] Step 5: As the high-pressure gas is discharged, the force acting on the piston assembly 3 quickly weakens. After another pressure regulation and inflation process, the piston assembly 3 returns to its original position, and the solenoid valve 4 automatically closes. At this time, the pneumatic sound source device re-enters the inflation stage, waiting for the next activation.

[0038] The embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are only used to help illustrate the present invention. The embodiments do not describe all the details in detail, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. According to the content of this specification, many modifications and changes can be made. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification to better explain the principle and practical application of the present invention, so that those skilled in the art can understand and utilize the present invention well.

Claims

1. A pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves, characterized in that: The invention comprises an exhaust port (1), an upper cylinder body (2), a valve body component, a cylinder head (6) and a lower cylinder body (8), wherein the upper cylinder body (2) and the lower cylinder body (8) are connected via the cylinder head (6), a valve body component is installed in the upper cylinder body (2), an exhaust port (1) is provided at the end of the upper cylinder body (2), a main air chamber (7) is located in the lower cylinder body (8), and an air chamber enclosed by the valve body component, the upper cylinder body (2) and the cylinder head (6) is an excitation air chamber (5).

2. The pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve body component comprises a piston assembly (3), wherein the piston assembly (3) is installed in the upper cylinder body (2) and forms an excitation air chamber (5) with the upper cylinder body (2) and the cylinder cover (6).

3. The pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve body component also includes a solenoid valve (4), and the solenoid valve (4) is installed in the upper cylinder body (2).

4. The pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to claim 1, characterized in that: An end cover (9) is installed at the end of the lower cylinder body (8).

5. The pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve body component is connected to the upper cylinder body (2) by means of screws, washers and sealing members.

6. The pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower cylinder body (8) and the end cover (9) are connected via screws and nuts.

7. The pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to claim 2, characterized in that: A limiting component for the piston assembly (3) is installed in the upper cylinder body (2).

8. A method for operating the pneumatic sound source device for generating low-frequency underwater pressure waves according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: Step 1: Before exciting the pneumatic sound source device, inflate the pneumatic sound source device; Step 2: During the inflation process, the high-pressure gas is regulated and divided to fill the main gas chamber (7) and the exciting gas chamber (5) respectively. The high-pressure gas in the exciting gas chamber (5) presses the piston assembly (3), thereby sealing the exhaust port (1); Step 3: When the pneumatic sound source device is excited, the solenoid valve (4) is excited first, and the high-pressure gas in the exciting air chamber (5) is released, and the pressure difference causes the piston assembly (3) to slide quickly until it abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder cover (6); Step 4: At this time, the exhaust port (1) is opened, and the high-pressure gas in the main air chamber (7) is quickly discharged to form initial bubbles and generate low-frequency seismic waves; Step 5: As the high-pressure gas is discharged, the force acting on the piston assembly (3) rapidly decreases. After another pressure-adjusting and inflation process, the piston assembly (3) returns to its original position, and the solenoid valve (4) automatically closes. At this time, the pneumatic sound source device re-enters the inflation stage and waits for the next excitation.

Images