Quick sinking valve of underwater device and using method of quick sinking valve

By designing a purely mechanical rapid-sinking valve for underwater devices and using a manual rotary cover to drive the valve up and down, the problems of large size, bulkiness and air source dependence of pneumatic ball valves are solved, and convenient ballast water tank control and enhanced sealing are achieved. It is suitable for the sinking and buoyancy adjustment and pressure balance of underwater devices.

CN120777367APending Publication Date: 2025-10-14WUHAN WUCHUAN SPECIAL BOAT CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511020298.7
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-07-23
Publication Date
2025-10-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing pneumatic ball valves are large and bulky, and rely on air supply, which increases the construction and operating costs of ships. In addition, air source failure may affect the normal operation of ballast water tanks and even threaten the safety of underwater equipment.

Method used

A quick-sinking valve for underwater devices was designed. It adopts a purely mechanical structure. The valve is driven to rise and fall by manually rotating the cover, and the contact and separation of the sealing gasket and the wire cup are used to control the flow of the medium. It has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It is suitable for scenarios without additional energy supply.

Benefits of technology

It realizes rapid ventilation or sealing of ballast water tanks, is suitable for the buoyancy adjustment and pressure balance requirements of underwater devices, avoids the risk of failure of complex control systems, adapts to seawater environments, and its sealing performance increases with depth, eliminating the risk of deep-sea high-pressure water leakage.

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Abstract

The invention is suitable for the technical field of ventilation valves, and provides an underwater device rapid sinking valve and a using method thereof, and the underwater device rapid sinking valve comprises a cover, a nut and screw connecting piece, a valve, a sealing gasket, a pressing plate, a screw, a positioning screw, a threaded cup and a flange. The flange is fixed to a water ballast space top plate and used for being connected with an external pipeline. The wire cup is communicated with a top plate of the water ballast tank through a flange, and the valve is arranged in the wire cup and can ascend and descend in the axial direction. A connecting mechanism is arranged at the lower end of the cover; the quick sinking valve is mounted on an external underwater device through the connecting mechanism; the rapid sinking valve structure of the underwater device does not need to be externally connected with an air source and is suitable for scenes without extra energy supply. The limiting rod abuts against the side face of the protruding part under the action of the spring, and axial disengagement is prevented. When the underwater device sinks, the valve is opened, after the ballast water tank of the underwater device is communicated with the outside through the small hole in the cover, water enters the ballast water tank, and the underwater device sinks under the action of the gravity of the underwater device. The quick sinking valve is of a pure mechanical structure, and an additional sensor or control system is not needed.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of vent valves, and in particular relates to a quick-sinking valve for an underwater device and a method of using the same. Background Art

[0002] Ballast tanks play a crucial role in the design and operation of underwater devices. They control the buoyancy of the underwater device by controlling its displacement volume, thus affecting its buoyancy and submergence. As a key component of ballast tanks, vent valves are primarily responsible for connecting and isolating the ballast tanks from the outside world. During operations such as filling and draining the ballast tanks, they ensure that gases can be discharged smoothly or that outside air cannot enter, maintaining pressure balance within the tanks.

[0003] The company previously used pneumatic ball valves in similar product development. These valves consist primarily of a valve body, stem, gasket, bracket, connecting shaft, and actuator. They operate by using an external air supply, which drives the actuator using gas pressure. This in turn rotates the stem, opening and closing the valve, ultimately connecting or isolating the ballast water tank to the outside world.

[0004] However, this type of pneumatic ball valve has exposed many drawbacks in practical application. The first is the issue of size and weight. The pneumatic ball valve is large and relatively bulky. Within the limited space of a ship, this large and bulky device not only takes up valuable installation space and increases the overall weight of the ship, but also brings great inconvenience to the ship's layout design, as well as the installation, maintenance, and repair of the equipment.

[0005] The second issue is air source dependence. The normal operation of pneumatic ball valves is heavily dependent on external air sources. This means that the ship needs to be equipped with an additional complete air supply system, including air compressors, air storage tanks, pipelines and other equipment, which undoubtedly increases the construction and operating costs of the ship. At the same time, the stability and reliability of the air supply system also directly affect the working performance of the pneumatic ball valve. Once the air supply fails, such as insufficient air pressure or air source interruption, the pneumatic ball valve will not be able to open or close normally, which will affect the normal operation of the ballast water tank and may even pose a threat to the safe operation of the underwater device. To solve the above problems, we propose a rapid sinking valve for underwater devices and a method for using it. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a quick-sinking valve for an underwater device and a use method thereof, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

[0007] The present invention is achieved in this way: a quick-sinking valve for an underwater device includes a cover, a nut and screw connector, a valve, a sealing gasket, a pressure plate, a screw, a positioning screw, a wire cup and a flange.

[0008] The flange is fixed to the top plate of the ballast water tank and is used to connect external pipelines; the wire cup is connected to the top plate of the ballast water tank through the flange, and a through hole is provided inside it for medium circulation; the valve is arranged inside the wire cup and can move up and down along the axial direction; the sealing gasket is fixed to the bottom of the valve and is used to form a seal with the upper end face of the wire cup; the pressure plate is fixed to the upper end of the valve by screws to fix the sealing gasket; the positioning screw passes through the cover and is fixed to the wire cup, and is used for relative rotation between the cover and the wire cup; the nut and screw connector connects the cover and the valve, so that the rotational movement of the cover is converted into the axial lifting movement of the valve; the top of the cover is provided with a hexagonal structure, which is used to cooperate with an external wrench, and the valve is driven to rise and fall by rotating the cover to realize the opening and closing of the quick sinking valve.

[0009] Preferably, when the valve rises, the sealing gasket separates from the upper end surface of the wire cup to form a gap, and the ballast water tank is connected to the outside world through the gap between the wire cup and the sealing gasket and the small holes on the side of the cover; when the valve descends, the sealing gasket is pressed against the upper end surface of the wire cup to block the flow of media inside and outside the ballast water tank.

[0010] Preferably, the hexagonal structure of the cover is in the form of an external hexagon or an internal hexagon, which is convenient for operation using a standard wrench.

[0011] Preferably, the wire cup is provided with a connection interface matching the flange and a channel for medium circulation, and its upper end surface cooperates with the cover, valve and sealing gasket to realize the switching function of the quick sinking valve.

[0012] Preferably, the sealing gasket is made of elastic and corrosion-resistant material to ensure that a reliable seal is formed with the upper end surface of the wire cup when the valve is closed.

[0013] Preferably, the nut and screw connector includes a threaded rod and a locking nut, one end of the threaded rod is fixedly connected to the cover, and the other end cooperates with the valve thread, and the valve is driven to rise and fall by rotating the cover. The pressure plate is an annular or disc-shaped structure, and is evenly fixed to the upper end of the valve by multiple screws to ensure that the sealing gasket is evenly stressed. A plurality of small holes are provided on the side of the cover to connect the ballast water tank with the outside atmosphere when the valve is opened. The flange adopts a standard flange or a customized flange, which is convenient for connection with the top plate of ballast water tanks of different specifications. A guide structure is provided between the valve and the wire cup to ensure that the valve does not deflect when moving axially. The quick-sinking valve is made of corrosion-resistant material as a whole.

[0014] Preferably, a connecting mechanism is provided at the lower end of the cover, and the quick sinking valve is installed on an external underwater device through the connecting mechanism.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting mechanism includes a plurality of protrusions and connecting sleeves distributed in a circular array, the connecting sleeve is fixed and connected to an external underwater device, the protrusions are fixedly installed at the lower end of the cover, the upper end surfaces of the protrusions are provided with inclined surfaces, a groove is provided on the connecting sleeve, the lower end of the cover and the protrusions are placed in the groove, and the connecting mechanism also includes a plurality of limiting components distributed in a circular array, the limiting components are used to limit the protrusions and apply downward pressure to the protrusions and the lower end of the cover.

[0016] Preferably, a sealing gasket is provided between the lower end of the cover and the connecting sleeve, and the limit assembly includes a support plate fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve, a limit rod passing through the support plate, a round plate fixedly mounted on the limit rod, a spring sleeved on the limit rod, and two ends of the spring are respectively fixedly connected to the round plate and the support plate, a cylinder is fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve, a piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder, one end of the limit rod penetrates into the cylinder and is fixedly connected to the piston, a bending portion is fixedly mounted on the piston, an annular ring is rotatably mounted on the connecting sleeve, a plurality of arc-shaped blocks distributed in a circular array are fixedly mounted on the annular ring, a protective plate is provided above the cylinder and the limit rod, and the protective plate is fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve.

[0017] A method for using a quick-sinking valve of an underwater device comprises the following steps:

[0018] Preparation steps: Install the quick-sinking valve on the top plate of the ballast water tank of the underwater device, make the flange fixed, and ensure that the cover, valve, sealing gasket, wire cup and various connecting parts are firmly assembled;

[0019] Closing steps: Use a special wrench to rotate the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover clockwise, and drive the valve downward through the nut and screw connector to press the sealing gasket against the upper end surface of the wire cup, thus blocking the flow of gas or liquid between the ballast water tank and the outside world;

[0020] Opening steps: Use a special wrench to rotate the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover counterclockwise, and drive the valve upward through the nut and screw connector. The sealing gasket and the upper end face of the wire cup are separated to form a gap. The medium in the ballast water tank is connected to the outside world through the wire cup channel and the small holes on the side of the cover.

[0021] Compared with related technologies, the underwater device rapid sinking valve and its use method provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0022] This rapid-sinking valve raises and lowers the valve by manually rotating the cover. The contact and separation between the sealing gasket and the wire cup controls the flow of the medium, achieving rapid ventilation or sealing of the ballast tank. Its simple structure and convenient operation make it suitable for the buoyancy control and pressure balance requirements of underwater equipment.

[0023] This underwater rapid-sinking valve requires no external air source. Its purely mechanical structure doesn't rely on pneumatic or electric actuation, making it suitable for applications without an additional energy source. Compared to traditional pneumatic ball valves, it is smaller and lighter, making it easier to install and maintain. Manual rotary actuation eliminates the risk of failure associated with complex control systems. Key components, such as the wire cup and valve, are made of stainless steel or corrosion-resistant alloys, making them suitable for seawater environments.

[0024] The spring forces the limit rod in the limit assembly to its initial position, with its end resting against the inclined surface of the raised portion, preventing it from falling out of the groove, thereby ensuring a secure connection between the cover and the connecting sleeve. A sealing gasket is positioned between the lower end of the cover and the connecting sleeve, creating an initial static seal through mechanical compression to prevent leakage in shallow water or when the device is not submerged.

[0025] As the underwater device sinks, external water pressure pushes the piston to slide, causing the limit rod to move along the inclined surface, converting axial force into downward pressure on the raised portion, further tightening the sealing gasket. This water pressure-adaptive seal increases with depth, creating a more reliable seal. The sealing pressure increases linearly with depth, creating an adaptive mechanism whereby "higher pressure results in a tighter seal," completely eliminating the risk of leakage under high pressure in the deep sea. Using water pressure as a power source eliminates the need for additional sensors or control systems, simplifying the structure and improving reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is a top view of the cover of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 is a flow chart of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 It is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the structure of the cover in the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 It is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the structure of the connecting mechanism in the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 It is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the annular ring in the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the connecting mechanism in the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 A is an enlarged schematic diagram.

[0035] In the figure: 1. cover; 2. nut and screw connector; 3. valve; 4. sealing gasket; 5. pressure plate; 6. screw; 7. positioning screw; 8. wire cup; 9. flange; 10. connecting mechanism; 101. protrusion; 102. inclined surface; 103. connecting sleeve; 104. groove; 105. supporting plate; 106. limiting rod; 107. disc; 108. spring; 109. cylinder; 110. piston; 111. bending part; 112. annular ring; 113. arc block; 114. protective plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of the application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application or the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order.

[0037] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0038] The preferred embodiment of the underwater device quick sinking valve and the use method thereof provided by the present invention is as follows: Figures 1 to 9 As shown:

[0039] A quick-sinking valve for an underwater device includes a housing 1, a nut-screw connector 2, a valve 3, a sealing gasket 4, a pressure plate 5, a screw 6, a positioning screw 7, a threaded cup 8, and a flange 9. The flange 9 is fixed to the ballast tank roof for connecting to external pipelines. The threaded cup 8 is connected to the ballast tank roof via the flange 9 and has a through hole inside for medium circulation. The valve 3 is disposed inside the threaded cup 8 and can move up and down axially. The sealing gasket 4 is fixed to the bottom of the valve 3 and is used to form a seal with the upper end face of the threaded cup 8. The pressure plate 5 is fixed to the upper end of the valve 3 via screws 6 to fix the sealing gasket 4. The positioning screw 7 passes through the housing 1 and is fixed to the threaded cup 8, allowing the housing 1 and threaded cup 8 to rotate relative to each other. The nut-screw connector 2 connects the housing 1 and the valve 3, converting the rotational motion of the housing 1 into the axial lifting motion of the valve 3. The top of the housing 1 is provided with a hexagonal structure for cooperating with an external wrench to drive the valve 3 up and down by rotating the housing 1, thereby opening and closing the quick-sinking valve.

[0040] When valve 3 rises, gasket 4 separates from the upper end of wire cup 8, forming a gap. The ballast water tank communicates with the outside world through the gap between wire cup 8 and gasket 4, as well as through the small holes on the side of cover 1. When valve 3 descends, gasket 4 presses against the upper end of wire cup 8, blocking the flow of media inside and outside the ballast water tank. The hexagonal structure of cover 1 can be either an external hexagon or an internal hexagon, making it easy to operate with a standard wrench. The wire cup 8 is equipped with a connection interface that matches flange 9 and a channel for media circulation. Its upper end cooperates with cover 1, valve 3, and gasket 4 to realize the opening and closing function of the quick-sinking valve.

[0041] In this embodiment, the sealing gasket 4 is made of an elastic, corrosion-resistant material to ensure a reliable seal with the upper end face of the wire cup 8 when the valve 3 is closed. The sealing gasket 4 is made of an elastic, corrosion-resistant material to ensure a reliable seal with the upper end face of the wire cup 8 when the valve 3 is closed. The nut-screw connector 2 includes a threaded rod and a lock nut. One end of the threaded rod is fixedly connected to the cover 1, and the other end is threadedly engaged with the valve 3. The valve 3 is driven up and down by rotating the cover 1. The pressure plate 5 is an annular or disc-shaped structure and is evenly fixed to the upper end of the valve 3 by multiple screws 6 to ensure that the sealing gasket 4 is evenly stressed. The cover 1 is provided with multiple small holes on the side to connect the ballast water tank to the outside atmosphere when the valve 3 is opened. The flange 9 is a standard flange or a custom flange to facilitate connection to the ballast water tank roof of different specifications. A guide structure is provided between the valve 3 and the wire cup 8 to ensure that the valve 3 does not deflect during axial movement. The quick-sinking valve is made of corrosion-resistant material. The wire cup 8 is fixed to the ballast water tank roof via the flange 9 and serves as the main channel for medium circulation. Flange 9 ensures a secure connection between the valve and the hull and accommodates various piping specifications. Gasket 4, made of an elastic material such as rubber or polyurethane, ensures a reliable seal when closed. The lifting and lowering motion of valve 3 is precisely controlled by the nut and screw connector 2 to prevent sticking or deflection. Multiple small holes are provided on the side of cover 1 to facilitate gas / liquid circulation while preventing the ingress of external impurities. The hexagonal top structure facilitates operation with a standard wrench, making it suitable for underwater or confined space operations.

[0042] When the valve is closed and the seal is blocked, use a special wrench to rotate the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover 1 clockwise. The rotational motion of the cover 1 is converted into the downward linear motion of the valve 3 through the nut and screw connector 2. When sealing, the valve 3 drives the sealing gasket 4 to press down, so that it fits tightly against the upper end face of the wire cup 8 to form a seal. At this time, the compressed gas in the ballast water tank cannot flow out through the internal channel of the wire cup 8, thereby isolating the cabin from the external environment. The ballast water tank is pressurized and the water is discharged from the drain port at the bottom of the bilge, allowing the underwater device to float.

[0043] When the valve is in the open state for ventilation / drainage, the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover 1 is rotated counterclockwise. The rotation of the cover 1 drives the valve 3 to rise, and the sealing gasket 4 is separated from the upper end surface of the wire cup 8, forming a gap. The compressed gas in the ballast water tank flows upward through the internal channel of the wire cup 8. The gas passes through the gap between the sealing gasket 4 and the wire cup 8, enters the inside of the cover 1, and is finally discharged to the outside environment through the small holes on the side of the cover 1. The ballast tank is connected to the outside environment, seawater enters the tank, and the underwater device can dive quickly under the action of its own structural gravity.

[0044] If the underwater device needs to dive, open the quick-sinking valve, the gas is discharged through the quick-sinking valve, and seawater enters the tank. If the underwater device needs to float or remain on the surface, close the quick-sinking valve to isolate the ballast water tank from the outside world.

[0045] This rapid-sinking valve raises and lowers valve 3 by manually rotating a cover 1. The contact and separation between seal 4 and wire cup 8 controls the flow of media, enabling rapid ventilation or sealing of ballast tanks. Its simple structure and convenient operation make it suitable for submersible and buoyant regulation and pressure balancing requirements of underwater devices.

[0046] This underwater rapid-sinking valve structure requires no external air source and is a purely mechanical structure, independent of pneumatic or electric drive. It is suitable for scenarios without an additional energy source, particularly for underwater surfacing and diving training, as well as for rescue and salvage training. Compared to traditional pneumatic ball valves, it is smaller and lighter, making it easier to install and maintain. Manual rotary actuation eliminates the risk of failure in complex control systems. Key components, such as the wire cup and valve, are made of stainless steel or corrosion-resistant alloys to adapt to seawater environments.

[0047] Preferably, a connecting mechanism 10 is provided at the lower end of the cover 1, and the quick-sinking valve is mounted on an external underwater device via the connecting mechanism 10. The connecting mechanism 10 includes a plurality of raised portions 101 distributed in a circumferential array and a connecting sleeve 103. The connecting sleeve 103 is fixed to and connected to the external underwater device. The raised portions 101 are fixedly mounted on the lower end of the cover 1. The upper end surfaces of the raised portions 101 are each provided with an inclined surface 102. The connecting sleeve 103 is provided with a groove 104. The lower end of the cover 1 and the raised portion 101 are placed in the groove 104. The connecting mechanism 10 also includes a plurality of limiting components distributed in a circumferential array. The limiting components are used to limit the raised portion 101 and apply downward pressure to the raised portion 101 and the lower end of the cover 1.

[0048] A sealing gasket is provided between the lower end of the cover 1 and the connecting sleeve 103. The limiting assembly includes a support piece 105 fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve 103. A limiting rod 106 passes through the support piece 105. A circular piece 107 is fixedly mounted on the limiting rod 106. A spring 108 is sleeved on the limiting rod 106. Both ends of the spring 108 are respectively fixedly connected to the circular piece 107 and the support piece 105. A cylinder 109 is fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve 103. A piston 110 is slidably mounted in the cylinder 109. One end of the limiting rod 106 penetrates into the cylinder 109 and is fixedly connected to the piston 110. A bending portion 111 is fixedly mounted on the piston 110. An annular ring 112 is rotatably mounted on the connecting sleeve 103. A plurality of arc-shaped blocks 113 distributed in a circular array are fixedly mounted on the annular ring 112. A protective plate 114 is provided above the cylinder 109 and the limiting rod 106. The protective plate 114 is fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve 103.

[0049] Under normal circumstances, the limiting rod 106 will limit the protrusion 101 to prevent the connecting sleeve 103 from separating from the cover 1. When the underwater device sinks into the water, the water pressure acts on the piston 110. The piston 110 is affected by the water pressure and slides along the cylinder 109. The piston 110 and the limiting rod 106 move at the same time. There is pressure between one end of the limiting rod 106 and the inclined surface 102 on the protrusion 101. The protrusion 101 is subjected to downward pressure, so that the lower end of the cover 1 and the connecting sleeve 103 are closely attached. When the sinking depth of the underwater device increases, the water pressure increases, and therefore the degree of fit between the two increases with the increase of the sinking depth.

[0050] The limiting rod 106 in the limiting assembly is in its initial position under the action of the spring 108, with its end abutting against the inclined surface 102 of the protrusion 101, preventing the protrusion 101 from falling out of the groove 104, thereby ensuring the reliability of the connection between the cover 1 and the connecting sleeve 103. A sealing gasket is provided between the lower end of the cover 1 and the connecting sleeve 103, achieving an initial static seal through mechanical compression to prevent water leakage in shallow water areas or when the cover is not sinking.

[0051] When the underwater device sinks, the external water pressure acts on the piston 110 of the cylinder 109. Since the piston is installed in a sealed sliding manner in the cylinder, the water pressure pushes the piston to slide inward. The piston 110 drives the disc 107 to compress the spring 108 through the limit rod 106, and at the same time, the end of the limit rod slides along the inclined surface 102 of the protrusion 101. The inclined surface design converts the axial movement of the limit rod into a downward force on the protrusion. As the sinking depth of the device increases, the external water pressure increases, the thrust exerted on the piston 110 increases, and the downward force of the limit rod on the protrusion also increases. This pressure is transmitted to the lower end of the cover 1 through the protrusion, further compressing the sealing gasket to form a water pressure adaptive seal: the deeper the water depth, the more reliable the seal.

[0052] Annular ring 112 can be manually rotated, and its curved block 113 pushes on bent portion 111, driving piston 110 to move. This manually compresses spring 108 and moves stopper rod 106. One end of stopper rod 106 separates from inclined surface 102 of raised portion 101, separating cover 1 from connecting sleeve 103, such as for maintenance or emergencies. A protective plate 114 covers the cylinder and the stopper rod to prevent foreign matter from entering or mechanical damage, ensuring the reliability of the stopper assembly in underwater environments.

[0053] The protrusion 101 inserts into the groove 104 of the connecting sleeve 103, forming a radial limit. The limit rod 106, under the action of the spring 108, presses against the side of the protrusion to prevent axial disengagement. This dual limit mechanism ensures that the cover 1 and the connecting sleeve 103 will not accidentally separate under static or dynamic conditions, making it particularly suitable for deep-sea high-pressure environments.

[0054] As the underwater device sinks, external water pressure pushes piston 110 to slide, causing stopper rod 106 to move along inclined surface 102, converting axial force into downward pressure on the raised portion, further tightening the sealing gasket. This water pressure-adaptive seal increases reliability with increasing depth, as sealing pressure increases linearly. This creates an adaptive "higher pressure, tighter seal" mechanism, completely eliminating the risk of leakage under high pressure in the deep sea. Using water pressure as a power source eliminates the need for additional sensors or control systems, simplifying the structure and improving reliability.

[0055] A method for using a quick-sinking valve of an underwater device comprises the following steps:

[0056] Preparation steps: Install the quick-sinking valve on the top plate of the ballast water tank of the underwater device, make the flange 9 fixedly connected, and ensure that the cover 1, valve 3, sealing gasket 4, wire cup 8 and various connecting parts are firmly assembled;

[0057] Closing steps: Use a special wrench to rotate the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover 1 clockwise, and drive the valve 3 downward through the nut and screw connector 2, so that the sealing gasket 4 is pressed tightly against the upper end surface of the wire cup 8, thereby blocking the flow of gas or liquid between the ballast water tank and the outside world;

[0058] Opening steps: Use a special wrench to rotate the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover 1 counterclockwise, and drive the valve 3 to move upward through the nut and screw connector 2. The sealing gasket 4 is separated from the upper end surface of the wire cup 8 to form a gap. The medium in the ballast water tank is connected to the outside world through the wire cup 8 channel and the small hole on the side of the cover 1.

[0059] In several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus can be implemented in other manners. For example, the division of the above-described apparatus embodiments is merely illustrative, and the division of the units can be changed according to actual conditions, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the display or discussion of the coupling or communication connection between the units is merely logical, and the actual coupling or communication connection between the units can be indirect, and electrical or other forms.

[0060] The above embodiments are merely used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on these embodiments, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art can still make modifications to the features of the embodiments of the present application without departing from the concept of the present application, and the modifications are also within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A quick-sinking valve for underwater devices, characterized in that: It includes a cover (1), a nut and screw connector (2), a valve (3), a sealing gasket (4), a pressure plate (5), a screw (6), a positioning screw (7), a wire cup (8) and a flange (9); The flange (9) is fixed to the top plate of the ballast water tank and is used to connect external pipelines; the wire cup (8) is connected to the top plate of the ballast water tank through the flange (9), and is provided with a through hole inside for medium circulation; the valve (3) is arranged inside the wire cup (8) and can move up and down along the axial direction; the sealing gasket (4) is fixed to the bottom of the valve (3) and is used to form a seal with the upper end surface of the wire cup (8); the pressure plate (5) is fixed to the upper end of the valve (3) by a screw (6) and is used to fix the sealing gasket (4); the positioning screw (7) passes through the cover (1) and is fixed to the wire cup (8) and is used for the cover (1) and the wire cup (8) to rotate relative to each other; the nut and screw connector (2) connects the cover (1) and the valve (3) so that the rotational movement of the cover (1) is converted into the axial lifting movement of the valve (3); the top of the cover (1) is provided with a hexagonal structure for cooperating with an external wrench to drive the valve (3) to move up and down by rotating the cover (1) to realize the opening and closing of the quick sinking valve.

2. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the valve (3) rises, the sealing gasket (4) separates from the upper end surface of the wire cup (8) to form a gap, and the ballast water tank is connected to the outside through the gap between the wire cup (8) and the sealing gasket (4) and the small hole on the side of the cover (1); when the valve (3) falls, the sealing gasket (4) is pressed against the upper end surface of the wire cup (8), blocking the flow of media inside and outside the ballast water tank.

3. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hexagonal structure of the cover (1) is in the form of an external hexagon or an internal hexagon, which is convenient for operation using a standard wrench.

4. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire cup (8) is provided with a connection interface matching the flange (9) and a channel for medium circulation, and its upper end surface cooperates with the cover 1, the valve (3) and the sealing gasket (4) to realize the switching function of the quick sinking valve.

5. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing gasket (4) is made of elastic and corrosion-resistant material to ensure that a reliable seal is formed with the upper end surface of the wire cup (8) when the valve (3) is closed.

6. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nut screw connector (2) includes a threaded rod and a locking nut. One end of the threaded rod is fixedly connected to the cover (1), and the other end is threadedly matched with the valve (3). The valve (3) is driven to rise and fall by rotating the cover (1). The pressure plate (5) is an annular or disc-shaped structure and is evenly fixed to the upper end of the valve (3) by multiple screws (6) to ensure that the sealing gasket (4) is evenly stressed. A plurality of small holes are provided on the side of the cover (1) for connecting the ballast water tank with the outside atmosphere when the valve (3) is opened. The flange (9) adopts a standard flange or a customized flange to facilitate connection with the top plate of the ballast water tank of different specifications. A guide structure is provided between the valve (3) and the wire cup (8) to ensure that the valve (3) does not deflect when moving along the axial direction. The quick-sinking valve is made of corrosion-resistant material as a whole.

7. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting mechanism (10) is provided at the lower end of the cover (1), and the quick-sinking valve is installed on an external underwater device via the connecting mechanism (10).

8. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting mechanism (10) comprises a plurality of protrusions (101) and a connecting sleeve (103) distributed in a circumferential array. The connecting sleeve (103) is fixed to and connected to an external underwater device. The protrusions (101) are fixedly mounted on the lower end of the cover (1). The upper end surfaces of the protrusions (101) are provided with inclined surfaces (102). The connecting sleeve (103) is provided with a groove (104). The lower end of the cover (1) and the protrusions (101) are placed in the groove (104). The connecting mechanism (10) further comprises a plurality of limiting assemblies distributed in a circumferential array. The limiting assemblies are used to limit the protrusions (101) and apply downward pressure to the protrusions (101) and the lower end of the cover (1).

9. The underwater device rapid sinking valve according to claim 8, characterized in that: A sealing gasket is provided between the lower end of the cover (1) and the connecting sleeve (103); the limiting assembly comprises a supporting piece (105) fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve (103); a limiting rod (106) passes through the supporting piece (105); a circular piece (107) is fixedly mounted on the limiting rod (106); a spring (108) is sleeved on the limiting rod (106); two ends of the spring (108) are respectively fixedly connected to the circular piece (107) and the supporting piece (105); a cylinder (109) is fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve (103); the cylinder (109) is fixedly mounted on the connecting sleeve (103); 9), a piston (110) is slidably installed in the cylinder (109), one end of the limiting rod (106) penetrates into the cylinder (109) and is fixedly connected to the piston (110), a bending portion (111) is fixedly installed on the piston (110), an annular ring (112) is rotatably installed on the connecting sleeve (103), and a plurality of arc blocks (113) distributed in a circumferential array are fixedly installed on the annular ring (112), and a protective plate (114) is provided above the cylinder (109) and the limiting rod (106), and the protective plate (114) is fixedly installed on the connecting sleeve (103).

10. A method for using a quick-sinking valve for an underwater device, using the quick-sinking valve for an underwater device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Preparation steps: Install the quick-sinking valve on the top plate of the ballast tank of the underwater device, make the flange (9) fixedly connected, and ensure that the cover (1), valve (3), sealing gasket (4), wire cup (8) and various connecting parts are firmly assembled; Closing steps: Use a special wrench to rotate the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover (1) clockwise, and drive the valve (3) downward through the nut and screw connector (2), so that the sealing gasket (4) is pressed against the upper end surface of the wire cup (8), blocking the flow of gas or liquid between the ballast water tank and the outside world; Opening steps: Use a special wrench to rotate the hexagonal structure on the top of the cover (1) counterclockwise, and drive the valve (3) to move upward through the nut and screw connector (2). The sealing gasket (4) and the upper end surface of the wire cup (8) are separated to form a gap. The medium in the ballast water tank is connected to the outside world through the wire cup (8) channel and the small hole on the side of the cover (1).