A pump tower structure and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier

Abstract

The present application provides a pump tower structure and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, belonging to the technical field of shipbuilding. The pump tower structure provided by the present application includes a body and a buffer structure. The body includes a base and three masts. The three masts are vertically arranged on the base, and the three masts are arranged in a triangular layout. Reinforcing beams are provided between every two of the three masts. The buffer structure is arranged on the body, and the buffer structure can reduce the impact force caused by the sloshing of the LNG in the LNG carrier on the three masts. By arranging the buffer structure on the body, the present application can utilize the buffer structure to assist the body to reduce the impact force caused by the sloshing of the LNG on the three masts. Compared with the prior art, the present application does not need to develop high-strength materials to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure, but reduces the impact force generated by the sloshing of the LNG on the masts through physical means, thereby being able to reduce the R & D cost of the pump tower structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of shipbuilding, and particularly relates to a pump tower structure and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. Background Art

[0002] Liquefied natural gas needs to be transported by carriers. During transportation, due to the influence of natural factors such as sea waves and wind, the liquefied natural gas will slosh in the cargo hold. This sloshing will not only affect the transportation stability, but may also cause serious impacts on the equipment on the ship, especially the pump tower structure. As a key equipment on the LNG carrier, the stability and safety of the pump tower structure are crucial. Once the pump tower structure is damaged, it will not only affect the normal transportation of liquefied natural gas, but may also trigger safety accidents, causing incalculable losses.

[0003] In the prior art, it is often to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure to reduce the damage caused by the impact of liquefied natural gas on the pump tower. This requires investing more costs in researching high-strength materials, resulting in a relatively high R & D cost of the pump tower structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a pump tower structure and an LNG carrier to reduce the R & D cost of the pump tower structure.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a pump tower structure applied to an LNG carrier. The pump tower structure includes a body and a buffer structure. The body includes a base and three masts. The three masts are vertically arranged on the base, and the three masts are arranged in a triangular layout. Reinforcing beams are provided between every two of the three masts. The buffer structure is arranged on the body, and the buffer structure can reduce the impact force caused by the sloshing of the LNG in the LNG carrier on the three masts.

[0006] Through the above solution, this application sets a buffer structure on the body. When the LNG in the cargo hold sloshes, the buffer structure can assist the body to reduce the impact force caused by the sloshing of the LNG on the three masts. Compared with the prior art, after setting the buffer structure on the body in this application, there is no need to research high-strength materials to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure, but to reduce the impact force generated by the sloshing of the LNG on the masts through physical means, thereby reducing the R & D cost of the pump tower structure. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced.

[0007] In a possible design, the buffer structure is a swing damper. The three masts enclose a triangular area through the reinforcing beams. The swing damper is arranged at the center of the triangular area, and the swing damper is fixedly connected to the three masts through three springs respectively.

[0008] With the above solution, when the buffer structure is a swing damper, the LNG will impact the swing damper during sloshing. At this time, the spring connecting the swing damper and the mast will be compressed. After the spring is compressed and releases energy to reset, it will cause the swing damper to swing in the direction opposite to the LNG impact direction, thus reducing the amplitude of LNG sloshing. When the amplitude of LNG sloshing decreases, the impact force of the LNG on the three masts will decrease.

[0009] Since the three masts can be arranged in an equilateral triangle layout, when the swing damper is set at the center of the triangular area, the distances between the swing damper and the three masts are the same. The swing damper is fixedly connected to the three masts through three springs respectively. When the LNG sloshes, because the distances between the swing damper and the three masts are the same, no matter which mast the LNG impacts, the swing damper can respond quickly. Moreover, when the LNG impacts the swing damper, the swing damper will compress the spring while swinging, and the reverse force of the spring can prevent the swing damper from colliding with the three masts, thus reducing the probability of the problem of the swing damper colliding with the masts and causing damage to the masts.

[0010] In a possible design, there are multiple swing dampers. The multiple swing dampers are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the mast within the triangular area.

[0011] With the above solution, the multiple swing dampers can be arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the mast within the triangular area. In this way, the LNG in the cargo tank can be provided with swing dampers at different liquid depths. Because when the LNG sloshes, the impact forces caused by different liquid depths on the three masts are also different. The multiple swing dampers can reduce the impact force at the three masts within the current liquid depth according to the current liquid depth, thus more effectively reducing the impact force of the LNG on the whole body during sloshing.

[0012] In a possible design, the mast includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is arranged inside the outer tube, and there is a gap between the outer wall of the inner tube and the inner wall of the outer tube. The buffer structure is the buffer material filled in the gap.

[0013] With the above solution, when the LNG sloshes, part of the impact force of the LNG on the mast can be absorbed by the buffer material, thus reducing the impact force of the LNG on the three masts during sloshing. Compared with the prior art, using the buffer material to absorb the impact force of the LNG on the mast during sloshing eliminates the need to develop high-strength materials to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure, thereby reducing the R & D cost of the pump tower structure. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced.

[0014] In a possible design, the pipe wall of the mast is provided with a hollow interlayer. The buffer structure is the buffer material filled in the hollow interlayer.

[0015] Through the above solution, a hollow interlayer is provided in the pipe wall of the mast, and the buffer material is filled into the hollow interlayer. When the LNG sloshes, part of the impact force of the LNG on the mast can be absorbed by the buffer material, so that the impact force caused by the LNG during sloshing on the three masts can be reduced. Moreover, when a hollow interlayer is provided in the pipe wall of the mast, first a blind groove structure is opened on the pipe wall of the mast. After the buffer material is filled into the blind groove, the notch of the blind groove is sealed. In this way, except for the openings for the loading pipe or the unloading pipe to pass through, no other openings are provided at the first end and the second end of the mast, which can improve the integrity of the mast and enable the mast to better resist the impact force of the LNG during sloshing.

[0016] In a possible design, the buffer structure is a buffer ring. The three masts pass through the buffer ring and are respectively fixedly connected to the buffer ring.

[0017] Through the above solution, the three masts pass through the buffer ring and are respectively fixedly connected to the buffer ring, so that the three masts can be reinforced by using the buffer ring, and the arrangement of the three masts is more stable. When the arrangement of the three masts is more stable, the impact force of the LNG during sloshing can be better resisted. Because the three masts are arranged through the buffer ring, the buffer ring can be located outside the three masts. When the LNG sloshes, it will first impact the buffer ring and then impact the masts. In this way, the buffer ring can be used to reduce the impact force of the LNG on the three masts during sloshing. Compared with the prior art, in the present application, by setting the buffer ring on the body, there is no need to develop high-strength materials to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure, but the impact force generated by the LNG during sloshing is reduced by physical means, so that the R & D cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced.

[0018] In a possible design, through holes are opened at the parts of the buffer ring that are not connected to the masts.

[0019] Through the above solution, by opening through holes in the buffer ring, when the LNG sloshes, based on the dispersion effect of the fluid, the LNG will pass through these through holes, and part of the impact force of the LNG will be dispersed into the jet flow and the circumferential flow passing through the through holes, thereby reducing the direct impact area on the buffer ring. Moreover, according to Bernoulli's principle, the existence of the through holes can accelerate the passage of the local LNG, reduce the static pressure on the side of the buffer ring far from the mast, and thus reduce the total impact force. In this way, when part of the impact force of the LNG is dispersed, not only can the impact force of the LNG on the buffer ring be reduced, but also the impact force of the LNG on the mast can be reduced.

[0020] In a possible design, an R-shaped chamfer is provided on the side of the buffer ring away from the mast.

[0021] Through the above solution, the setting of the R-shaped chamfer can form an arc surface on the side of the buffer ring away from the mast. When an arc surface is formed on the side of the buffer ring away from the mast, the side of the buffer ring away from the mast can decompose the impact force of the LNG into a tangential component force and a normal component force, and the proportion of the tangential component force can reach 60%-70%. In this way, the direct impact force of the LNG on the buffer ring can be significantly reduced. Moreover, the arc surface can also avoid the occurrence of stress concentration when the LNG impacts the buffer ring, and thus can further reduce the direct impact force of the LNG on the buffer ring.

[0022] In a possible design, a C-shaped chamfer is provided on the side of the buffer ring away from the mast.

[0023] Through the above solution, the setting of the C-shaped chamfer can make the area of the side of the buffer ring away from the mast smaller and the thickness thinner. When the area of the side of the buffer ring away from the mast is smaller and the thickness is thinner, when the LNG impacts the buffer ring, the side of the buffer ring away from the mast can cut the LNG impacting the buffer ring. In this way, the impact force of the LNG can be dispersed, and thus the impact force of the LNG on the buffer ring can be reduced.

[0024] In a second aspect, the present application provides an LNG carrier, which includes a cargo tank and the pump tower structure mentioned in the first aspect above. The pump tower structure is installed in the cargo tank.

[0025] For the LNG carrier provided in the second aspect above, the beneficial effects can refer to the beneficial effects brought by the first aspect and each possible implementation manner of the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural view of a swing damper installed on the body provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of part A in

[0028] Figure 3 It is a top view of a swing damper installed on the body provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural view of a plurality of swing dampers installed on the body provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural view of an inner pipe and an outer pipe provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 6Cross-sectional view of the mast provided in the embodiment of the present application when a hollow sandwich is provided.

[0032] Figure 7 Schematic structural diagram of a buffer ring provided on the body in the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 8 Schematic structural diagram of a through hole provided in the buffer ring in the embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 9 Schematic structural diagram of an R-shaped chamfer provided in the buffer ring in the embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 10 Schematic structural diagram of a C-shaped chamfer provided in the buffer ring in the embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Description of reference numerals:

[0037] 100, mast; 110, reinforcing beam; 120, triangular area; 130, inner tube; 140, outer tube; 150, connecting piece; 160, first end; 170, second end;

[0038] 200, swing damping; 210, spring;

[0039] 300, gap;

[0040] 400, hollow sandwich;

[0041] 500, buffer ring; 510, through hole. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.

[0044] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the description and claims of this application and the accompanying drawings are intended to cover but not exclude other contents. The word "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of a plurality.

[0045] References to "embodiments" in this specification mean that specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase "embodiments" appearing in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they independent or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0046] As used herein, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the associated relationship between associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0047] All directional terms appearing in the following description are the directions shown in the figures and do not limit the specific structure of the present application. For example, in the description of the present application, terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. This is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0048] In addition, terms such as "first", "second", etc. in the description, claims, or the above-mentioned drawings of the present application are used to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order, and may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0049] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the "connection" or "coupling" of a mechanical structure can refer to a physical connection. For example, a physical connection can be a fixed connection, such as a fixed connection through a fixing member, such as a screw, bolt, or other fixing member; a physical connection can also be a detachable connection, such as a snap connection or a snap-fit connection; a physical connection can also be an integral connection, such as a connection by welding, bonding, or integrally forming a connection. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0050] LNG is the liquefied form of natural gas, and its main component is methane. LNG is recognized as the cleanest fossil energy on earth. Its manufacturing process is to first purify the natural gas produced in the gas field, and then after a series of ultra-low temperature liquefaction, it is transported by an LNG carrier.

[0051] The LNG carrier is equipped with a cargo tank for storing LNG, and a pump tower structure is usually provided in the cargo tank. The pump tower structure undertakes the functions of loading and unloading LNG. During the loading and unloading of LNG, the cargo pump in the pump tower structure can be used to pump LNG out of the cargo tank and transport it to the deck pipeline system, or, in the reverse operation, inject external LNG into the cargo tank. The setting of the pump tower structure can ensure the efficient and safe loading and unloading of LNG under ultra-low temperature (-163°C) conditions.

[0052] In the field of ship and ocean engineering, the problem of liquid sloshing in the cargo tank is a widespread practical problem. The sloshing of the liquid in the cargo tank is a fluctuation phenomenon of the liquid in a partially filled container under external excitation.

[0053] When the LNG carrier makes reciprocating motions under its own power and wave excitation, causing the cargo tank to undergo forced vibration, the liquid in the cargo tank will slosh. This sloshing will not only affect the stability of the LNG carrier during the transportation of LNG, but may also cause serious impacts on the equipment on the ship, especially the pump tower structure.

[0054] In the prior art, it is often to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure to reduce the damage caused by the impact of LNG on the pump tower structure. This requires investing more costs in researching high-strength materials, resulting in a relatively high R & D cost for the pump tower structure.

[0055] To solve the above problems, the present application provides a pump tower structure and an LNG carrier. To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a swing damping structure installed on the body provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 For Figure 1 The enlarged view of part A in Figure 3 Top view of a swing damping structure installed on the body provided in the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1As shown in the figure, the present application provides a pump tower structure, which is applied to an LNG carrier. The pump tower structure includes a main body and a buffer structure. The main body includes a base and three masts 100. The three masts 100 are vertically arranged on the base, and the three masts 100 are arranged in a triangular layout. Reinforcing beams 110 are provided between every two of the three masts 100. The buffer structure is arranged on the main body, and the buffer structure can reduce the impact force caused by the sloshing of LNG in the LNG carrier on the three masts 100.

[0057] The main body may include a top seat and a base, and both the top seat and the base may be connecting members in the pump tower structure. The top seat and the base may be arranged opposite to each other. The top seat is arranged close to the top of the cargo tank, and the base is arranged close to the bottom of the cargo tank.

[0058] The mast 100 may be cylindrical, and the mast 100 may include a first end 160 and a second end 170 which are opposite in position. One side of the top seat may be connected to the top of the cargo tank, and the other side of the top seat may be connected to the first end 160 of the mast 100. One side of the base may be connected to the bottom of the cargo tank, and the other side of the base may be connected to the second end 170 of the mast 100.

[0059] There may be three masts 100. The interiors of the three masts 100 are hollow, and openings are provided at both the first end 160 and the second end 170 of the three masts 100, so that the loading pipe and the unloading pipe can respectively extend into the interior of the mast 100 from the first end 160 of different masts 100, and then respectively extend out from the second end 170 of the corresponding mast 100 to the bottom of the cargo tank.

[0060] Through the above settings, when LNG is injected into the cargo tank, it can first contact the bottom of the cargo tank, and then slowly rise in the cargo tank. In this way, the cabin wall of the cargo tank can be gradually cooled, reducing the risk of deformation of the cabin wall of the cargo tank caused by the temperature difference. And injecting LNG from the bottom of the cargo tank can also reduce the contact area between LNG and the residual gas in the cargo tank, thereby reducing the probability of the problem of LNG evaporation due to heat absorption. When LNG is pumped out from the cargo tank and transported to the deck pipeline system, pumping out LNG from the bottom of the cargo tank can pump out as much LNG as possible from the cargo tank, thereby reducing the loss of LNG.

[0061] The base is fixedly connected to the inner bottom surface of the cargo tank, and the top seat is fixedly connected to the inner top surface of the cargo tank. When the three masts 100 are arranged on the base, the three masts 100 can be respectively perpendicular to the base. Correspondingly, the three masts 100 can also be respectively perpendicular to the top seat. In this way, when the pump tower structure is installed in the cargo tank, the main body can be vertically arranged in the cargo tank. Compared with the situation where the main body is inclined in the cargo tank, the vertically arranged main body can better resist the impact force caused by the sloshing of LNG.

[0062] The three masts 100 can be arranged in a triangular layout, and the distances between any two of the three masts 100 can be the same, so that the three masts 100 can be arranged in an equilateral triangle layout, and moreover, the three masts 100 can be respectively located at the three vertices of the equilateral triangle. When the three masts 100 are respectively located at the three vertices of the equilateral triangle, the setting stability of the three masts 100 is better, so that the impact of LNG sloshing on the three masts 100 can be better resisted.

[0063] After the three masts 100 are set on the base, reinforcing beams 110 can be arranged between any two of the three masts 100. The number of the reinforcing beams 110 can be multiple, and a triangular space can be enclosed between every two reinforcing beams 110 and one of the masts 100, that is to say, a part of every two reinforcing beams 110 and one of the masts 100 can be the three sides of a triangle. Because a triangle has stability, through the above setting, the stability during the installation of the main body can be further improved, so that the main body can better resist the impact force brought by LNG sloshing.

[0064] The buffer structure can be a structure provided on the main body that can assist the three masts 100 to resist the impact force brought by LNG sloshing, and the buffer structure can be fixedly connected to the main body. Moreover, the buffer structure can be manufactured using the same material as the main body to reduce the probability of damage to the buffer structure under ultra-low temperature (-163 °C) conditions, thereby improving the use reliability of the buffer structure.

[0065] In summary, in the present application, a buffer structure is provided on the main body. When the LNG in the liquid cargo tank sloshes, the buffer structure can be used to assist the main body to reduce the impact force of the LNG sloshing on the three masts 100. Compared with the prior art, after the buffer structure is provided on the main body in the present application, there is no need to develop high-strength materials to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure, but the impact force of the LNG sloshing on the mast 100 is reduced by physical means, so that the R & D cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced.

[0066] There can be various forms of setting the buffer structure. Several forms of setting will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] The first form of setting is as Figures 1 to 3 shown. The buffer structure is a swing damper 200, and the three masts 100 enclose a triangular area 120 through the reinforcing beams 110. The swing damper 200 is arranged in the triangular area 120. The swing damper 200 is arranged at the center of the triangular area 120, and the swing damper 200 is fixedly connected to the three masts 100 respectively through three springs 210.

[0068] The swing damper 200 can be a block structure, and the swing damper 200 can be made of the same material as the body. Since the swing damper 200 needs to offset part of the impact force caused by the LNG sloshing through swinging, the weight of the swing damper 200 needs to be relatively large. When the swing damper 200 is made of the same material as the body, in order to increase the weight of the swing damper 200, the volume of the swing damper 200 needs to be increased.

[0069] In order to increase the amount of LNG stored in the cargo tank, the volume of the pump tower system is usually not very large, which makes the triangular area 120 surrounded by the three masts 100 through the reinforcing beams 110 relatively small. In order to facilitate the installation of the swing damper 200, while ensuring the weight of the swing damper 200, the volume of the swing damper 200 needs to be reduced. At this time, an alloy with a relatively high density and capable of withstanding ultra-low temperatures can be selected to make the swing damper 200. For example, a tungsten-nickel-iron alloy can be selected to make the swing damper 200. Moreover, when the volume of the swing damper 200 is reduced, the distance between the swing damper 200 and the three masts 100 will increase. In this way, the swing amplitude of the swing damper 200 can also increase, so as to better offset the impact force caused by the LNG sloshing.

[0070] The swing damper 200 can be arranged at a position close to the first end 160 of the mast 100. Since the first end 160 of the mast 100 is connected to the top seat, and the top seat is connected to the top of the cargo tank. When the swing damper 200 is arranged at a position close to the first end 160 of the mast 100, the swing damper 200 can be closer to the liquid level of the LNG. Since when the liquid sloshes, the sloshing amplitude of the liquid level is greater than that of the liquid bottom, arranging the swing damper 200 at a position close to the first end 160 of the mast 100 can more effectively reduce the sloshing amplitude of the LNG, thereby reducing the impact force generated by the LNG on the mast 100 during sloshing.

[0071] To sum up, when the buffer structure is the swing damper 200, the LNG will impact the swing damper 200 during sloshing. At this time, the spring 210 connecting the swing damper 200 and the mast 100 will be compressed. After the spring 210 is compressed and releases energy to reset, it will cause the swing damper 200 to swing in the direction opposite to the LNG impact direction, so that the sloshing amplitude of the LNG can be reduced. When the sloshing amplitude of the LNG is reduced, the impact force of the LNG on the three masts 100 will be reduced.

[0072] Since the three masts 100 can be arranged in an equilateral triangle layout, when the swing damper 200 is arranged at the center of the triangular area 120, the distances between the swing damper 200 and the three masts 100 are the same. The swing damper 200 is fixedly connected to the three masts 100 through three springs 210 respectively. When the LNG sloshes, because the distances between the swing damper 200 and the three masts 100 are the same, no matter which mast 100 the LNG impacts, the swing damper 200 can respond quickly. Moreover, when the LNG impacts the swing damper 200, the swing damper 200 will compress the spring 210 while swinging, and the reaction force of the spring 210 can prevent the swing damper 200 from colliding with the three masts 100, so as to reduce the probability of the problem that the swing damper 200 collides with the mast 100 and causes damage to the mast 100.

[0073] Figure 4 For the structure of installing multiple swing dampers on the body provided in the embodiment of the present application, the sizes, shapes, weights, and materials of the multiple swing dampers 200 can be the same. Or, at different liquid depths, according to the different sloshing amplitudes of the LNG, the parameters of the swing damper 200 can be adjusted adaptively.

[0074] In summary, multiple swing dampers 200 can be arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the mast 100 within the triangular area 120. In this way, swing dampers 200 can be provided for the LNG in the liquid cargo tank at different liquid depths. Because when the LNG sloshes, the impact forces caused by different liquid depths on the three masts 100 are also different, and the multiple swing dampers 200 can reduce the impact forces at the three masts 100 within the current liquid depth according to the current liquid depth, so as to more effectively reduce the impact force on the whole body caused by the sloshing of the LNG.

[0075] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the inner pipe and the outer pipe provided in the embodiment of the present application. The second setting form is as Figure 5 shown, the mast 100 includes an inner pipe 130 and an outer pipe 140. The inner pipe 130 is arranged inside the outer pipe 140, and there is a gap 300 between the outer wall of the inner pipe 130 and the inner wall of the outer pipe 140. The buffer structure is the buffer material filled in the gap 300.

[0076] The inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 can be made of the same material. Both the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 can be tubular structures with openings at both ends and a hollow interior. The diameter of the outer tube 140 can be larger than that of the inner tube 130, such that the inner tube 130 can be located inside the outer tube 140. When the inner tube 130 is disposed inside the outer tube 140, there is a gap 300 between the outer wall of the inner tube 130 and the inner wall of the outer tube 140, and a buffer material can be added into this gap 300 to improve the impact resistance of the mast 100.

[0077] When the second setting form is selected, since the mast 100 is composed of the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140, in order to improve the use stability of the mast 100 and reduce the probability of separation between the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 during the use of the pump tower structure. First, the inner tube 130 can be fixed to the base, then the outer tube 140 can be sleeved on the inner tube 130, and the outer tube 140 can be fixed to the base. Then, a buffer material can be filled into the gap 300, and finally, the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 can be simultaneously fixed to the top seat. In this way, the manufacturing of the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 is relatively simple, and the time cost during the manufacturing of the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 can be saved.

[0078] Alternatively, the outer tube 140 can be sleeved on the inner tube 130 first, the outer wall of the inner tube 130 and the inner wall of the outer tube 140 can be connected through a connecting member 150, then the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 can be simultaneously fixed to the base, then a buffer material can be filled into the gap 300, and finally, the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 can be simultaneously fixed to the top seat. In this way, the time cost during the installation of the inner tube 130 and the outer tube 140 can be saved.

[0079] The buffer material can be a material with stable chemical properties and capable of withstanding ultra-low temperatures. For example, the buffer material can be foam glass.

[0080] In summary, when the LNG sloshes, a part of the impact force of the LNG on the mast 100 can be absorbed by the buffer material, so that the impact force caused by the LNG sloshing on the three masts 100 can be reduced. Compared with the prior art, using the buffer material to absorb the impact force of the LNG sloshing on the mast 100 does not require further research and development of high-strength materials to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure, thereby being able to reduce the research and development cost of the pump tower structure. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced.

[0081] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the mast provided by the embodiment of the present application when a hollow sandwich is provided. The third setting form is as Figure 6 shown, and a hollow sandwich 400 can also be provided on the tube wall of the mast 100. The buffer structure is the buffer material filled in the hollow sandwich 400.

[0082] The hollow sandwich layer 400 can be a blind groove structure formed by opening a groove along the direction from the first end 160 to the second end 170 on the pipe wall of the mast 100. After the blind groove structure is formed, a buffer material can be filled into the hollow sandwich layer 400. After the hollow sandwich layer 400 is filled with the buffer material, the notch of the blind groove at the first end 160 can be sealed.

[0083] In summary, a hollow sandwich layer 400 is provided on the pipe wall of the mast 100, and a buffer material is filled into the hollow sandwich layer 400. When the LNG sloshes, a part of the impact force of the LNG on the mast 100 can be absorbed by the buffer material, which can reduce the impact force caused by the LNG sloshing on the three masts 100. Moreover, when the hollow sandwich layer 400 is provided on the pipe wall of the mast 100, first a blind groove structure is formed on the pipe wall of the mast 100, and after the buffer material is filled into the blind groove, the notch of the blind groove is sealed. In this way, except for the openings for the loading pipe or the unloading pipe to pass through, no other openings are provided at the first end 160 and the second end 170 of the mast 100, which can improve the integrity of the mast 100 and enable the mast 100 to better resist the impact force of the LNG during sloshing.

[0084] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of the buffer ring provided on the body in the embodiment of the present application. The fourth setting form is as Figure 7 shown, and the buffer structure is a buffer ring 500. The three masts 100 pass through the buffer ring 500 and are respectively fixedly connected to the buffer ring 500.

[0085] The buffer ring 500 can be an annular structure provided on the body. The buffer ring 500 can include an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall of the buffer ring 500 can be the side wall of the buffer ring 500 close to the mast 100, and the outer wall of the buffer ring 500 can be the side wall of the buffer ring 500 far from the mast 100.

[0086] The buffer ring 500 can be manufactured using the same material as the body. The three masts 100 can be arranged in an equilateral triangle layout, so that the triangular area 120 formed by the three masts 100 and the reinforcing beam 110 is equilateral triangular. The center of the buffer ring 500 can coincide with the center of the triangular area 120. In this way, after the three masts 100 pass through the buffer ring 500, the pipe walls of the three masts 100 can be fixedly connected to the inner wall of the buffer ring 500.

[0087] In summary, the three masts 100 pass through the buffer ring 500 and are fixedly connected to the buffer ring 500 respectively. The buffer ring 500 can be used to reinforce the three masts 100, making the arrangement of the three masts 100 more stable. When the arrangement of the three masts 100 is more stable, it can better resist the impact force of LNG during sloshing. Since the three masts 100 are arranged through the buffer ring 500, the buffer ring 500 can be located outside the three masts 100. When LNG sloshes, it will first impact the buffer ring 500 and then impact the mast 100. In this way, the buffer ring 500 can be used to reduce the impact force caused by LNG sloshing on the three masts 100. Compared with the prior art, in this application, a buffer ring 500 is provided on the body, and there is no need to develop high-strength materials to increase the self-strength of the pump tower structure. Instead, physical means are used to reduce the impact force generated by LNG sloshing, thereby reducing the R & D cost of the pump tower structure. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the pump tower structure can be reduced.

[0088] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the buffer ring provided with through holes in the embodiment of the present application. Further, as Figure 8 shown, through holes 510 can be opened in the part of the buffer ring 500 that is not connected to the mast 100.

[0089] The through holes 510 can be hole-shaped structures opened along the diameter direction of the buffer ring 500 on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100. The through holes 510 can be circular holes or square holes, etc. The through holes 510 can be arranged on the side wall of the buffer ring 500 between the two masts 100. The number of the through holes 510 can be one, or there can be multiple through holes 510. When the number of the through holes 510 is multiple, the multiple through holes 510 can be arranged at equal intervals. The through holes 510 can be integrally formed with the buffer ring 500 when the buffer ring 500 is set, or the through holes 510 can also be arranged on the buffer ring 500 by means of engraving or grooving after the buffer ring 500 is formed.

[0090] In summary, by opening the through holes 510 in the buffer ring 500, when LNG sloshes, based on the dispersion effect of the fluid, LNG will pass through these through holes 510, and part of the impact force of LNG will be dispersed into the jet flow and the circumferential flow passing through the through holes 510, thereby reducing the direct impact area on the buffer ring 500. And, according to Bernoulli's principle, the existence of the through holes 510 can accelerate the local passage of LNG, reducing the static pressure on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100, thereby reducing the total impact force. In this way, when part of the impact force of LNG is dispersed, not only can the impact force of LNG on the buffer ring 500 be reduced, but also the impact force of LNG on the mast 100 can be reduced.

[0091] Figure 9Schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer ring provided by the embodiment of the present application with an R-shaped chamfer. Further, as Figure 9 shown, an R-shaped chamfer can be provided on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100.

[0092] The R-shaped chamfer is a process of machining the edge or corner of a material into an arc shape, also known as fillet machining or R-corner machining. By providing an R-shaped chamfer on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100, an arc surface can be formed on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100.

[0093] Through the above setting, the setting of the R-shaped chamfer can form an arc surface on the side of the buffer ring away from the mast. When an arc surface is formed on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100, the impact force of LNG on the buffer ring 500 can be decomposed into a tangential component force and a normal component force on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100, and the proportion of the tangential component force can reach 60%-70%. In this way, the direct impact force of LNG on the buffer ring 500 can be significantly reduced. Moreover, the arc surface can also avoid the occurrence of stress concentration when LNG impacts the buffer ring 500, and further reduce the direct impact force of LNG on the buffer ring 500.

[0094] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer ring provided by the embodiment of the present application with a C-shaped chamfer. Further, as Figure 10 shown, a C-shaped chamfer can be provided on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100.

[0095] The C-shaped chamfer is a common chamfer type in machining. The C-shaped chamfer refers to the process of cutting the edge of a material into a 45° inclined plane. The setting of the C-shaped chamfer can make the area on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100 smaller, so that the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100 can be thinner.

[0096] Through the above setting, the setting of the C-shaped chamfer can make the area on the side of the buffer ring away from the mast smaller and the thickness thinner. When the area on the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100 is smaller and the thickness is thinner, when LNG impacts the buffer ring 500, the side of the buffer ring 500 away from the mast 100 can cut open the LNG impacting the buffer ring 500. In this way, the impact force of LNG can be dispersed, and thus the impact force of LNG on the buffer ring 500 can be reduced.

Claims

1. A pump tower structure is applied to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, characterized in that, Comprising: A body, including a base and three masts. The three masts are vertically arranged on the base, and the three masts are arranged in a triangular layout. Reinforcing beams are provided between every two of the three masts. A buffer structure, arranged on the body, which can reduce the impact force caused by the sloshing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the LNG carrier on the three masts. The buffer structure is a swing damper. There are multiple swing dampers. The three masts enclose a triangular area through the reinforcing beams. The multiple swing dampers are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the masts at the center of the triangular area. Each swing damper is fixedly connected to the three masts respectively through three springs.

2. The pump tower structure according to claim 1, wherein, The mast includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe. The inner pipe is arranged inside the outer pipe, and there is a gap between the outer wall of the inner pipe and the inner wall of the outer pipe. The buffer structure is replaced by buffer material filled in the gap.

3. The pump tower structure according to claim 1, wherein The buffer structure is replaced by a buffer ring. The three masts pass through the buffer ring and are respectively fixedly connected to the buffer ring. Through holes are formed in the buffer ring. The number of the through holes is multiple, and the multiple through holes are arranged at equal intervals on the side wall of the buffer ring between two masts. When LNG sloshes, the through holes can accelerate the passage of local LNG to reduce the static pressure on the side of the buffer ring away from the masts.

4. A liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, characterized in that, Including a cargo tank and a pump tower structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The pump tower structure is installed in the cargo tank.

Images