A magnetostrictive liquid level meter dedicated to LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement

Abstract

The application discloses a magnetostrictive liquid level meter specially used for LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement, which comprises an electronic unit, a probe component electrically connected with the electronic unit through a cable, a protection tube component comprising a head tube, a tail tube and a plurality of connecting tubes which are detachably connected between the head tube and the tail tube in sequence, the probe component being inserted into the protection tube component, a fixing piece arranged on the head tube and used for fixing the protection tube component to the spherical tank, and a magnetic float sleeved on the outer wall of one of the connecting tubes and used for determining the liquid surface position in the spherical tank by cooperating with the probe component to induce a magnetic field. The magnetostrictive liquid level meter can solve the problems that the existing magnetostrictive liquid level meter probe for LNG spherical tank is laborious to fix to the spherical tank, and when a fault occurs and needs to be repaired and replaced, the natural gas in the tank needs to be transferred, which leads to huge consumption.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of measurement, in particular to a magnetostrictive liquid level meter specially used for LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement. BACKGROUND

[0002] The LNG spherical tank is a low-temperature spherical pressure container specially used for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG), with a working temperature of -162℃. It adopts a double-layer vacuum insulation structure design. The inner tank is made of austenitic stainless steel or 9% nickel steel to resist the deep cold environment. The outer layer is a carbon steel protective layer filled with insulating materials such as pearlite sand and is vacuumed to a vacuum degree of ≤0.08Pa to ensure an ultra-low evaporation rate. Its typical capacity can reach 2500 cubic meters, the design temperature range is -196℃ to +50℃, the design pressure is 0.8MPa, and the safety valve starts at an overpressure of 0.7bar.

[0003] The LNG spherical tank has the characteristics of high pressure and low temperature, and the temperature cannot be raised. In general, it is not allowed to stop production and maintenance. Moreover, the tank body is very high, and when the internal liquid level needs to be measured, a magnetostrictive liquid level meter needs to be used for monitoring. In order to cope with the monitoring of the LNG spherical tank, a probe as long as ten meters needs to be installed, and auxiliary facilities such as a hoisting machine are needed for installation, which is very costly. After the probe is stretched into the spherical tank by the hoisting machine, it can be fixed to the spherical tank. At the same time, when transporting the ten-meter-long probe, it is also more troublesome due to its excessive length. In addition, if the probe fails and needs to be repaired, the natural gas in the LNG spherical tank needs to be transferred away to replace and repair the probe, which will inevitably cause greater consumption loss, and there is also a certain risk in the process of transferring the natural gas.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a magnetostrictive liquid level meter specially used for LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement, which is convenient to install on the LNG spherical tank and convenient to transport, and can realize the repair or replacement of the probe without transferring the natural gas when the probe fails. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetostrictive liquid level meter specially used for LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement, which solves the problem that the existing magnetostrictive liquid level meter probe for LNG spherical tank is difficult to fix to the spherical tank, and needs to transfer the natural gas in the tank for repair and replacement when it fails, resulting in huge consumption.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the first aspect of the present disclosure provides a magnetostrictive liquid level meter specially used for LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement, comprising:

[0007] an electronic unit;

[0008] A probe component is electrically connected to the electronic unit through a cable;

[0009] A protection pipe component includes a head pipe, a tail pipe, and a plurality of connecting pipes sequentially detachably connected between the head pipe and the tail pipe, and the probe component extends into the protection pipe component;

[0010] A fixing component is arranged on the head pipe to fix the protection pipe component to the spherical tank;

[0011] A magnetic float is arranged on the outer wall of one of the connecting pipes to determine the liquid level in the spherical tank by cooperating with the probe component to induce a magnetic field.

[0012] In some embodiments, one end of the connecting pipe is formed with an internally threaded pipe portion, and the other end is formed with a necked pipe portion provided with external threads, and the necked pipe portion of one of the connecting pipes is inserted into the internally threaded pipe portion of the other connecting pipe;

[0013] The wall of the end of the head pipe connected to the connecting pipe is provided with internal threads, and the necked pipe portion of the connecting pipe is threadedly connected to the head pipe;

[0014] The end of the tail pipe connected to the connecting pipe is provided with external threads, and the tail pipe is threadedly connected to the internal threads of the connecting pipe.

[0015] In some embodiments, the end of the head pipe is fixedly provided with a mounting pipe component;

[0016] The probe component is externally covered with a bellows provided with a sleeve, and after the probe component extends into the protection pipe component, the sleeve is cooperatively connected into the mounting pipe component.

[0017] In some embodiments, the tail pipe is provided with a weight.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fixing component includes a fixing flange fixedly connected to the head pipe.

[0019] In some embodiments, the magnetostrictive liquid level meter dedicated to LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement further includes:

[0020] A base in which the electronic unit is arranged;

[0021] A joint pipe detachably connected to one end of the base and connected to the other end of the probe component;

[0022] The cable of the probe component is electrically connected to the electronic unit through the joint pipe.

[0023] In some embodiments, a mounting head is arranged on the probe component, and an external thread is arranged on the mounting head;

[0024] An internal thread is arranged on an inner wall of the joint pipe, the mounting head is screwed into the joint pipe, and an end of the probe component extends into the joint pipe.

[0025] In some embodiments, a fastening screw is arranged on an outer wall of the joint pipe, and the fastening screw penetrates the joint pipe and abuts against the mounting head.

[0026] In some embodiments, the magnetostrictive liquid level meter specially used for LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement further comprises a cover which is detachably fixed to the base to enclose the electronic unit in the base.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution, by dividing the protective pipe component into a head pipe, a connecting pipe and a tail pipe, when installing the liquid level meter, the head pipe can be first installed on the spherical tank, and then the connecting pipe and the tail pipe are gradually installed one by one, so that a sealed protective pipe component is formed in the spherical tank, and then the probe component is extended into the protective pipe component to complete the installation, so that when installing, a crane and too many auxiliary equipment do not need to be used, only the workers need to install the head pipe, and then gradually install each connecting pipe and tail pipe, which is relatively convenient and simple to install, saves a lot of installation time, and greatly reduces the installation cost. In addition, since the connecting pipe is one by one, only ordinary vehicles can be used to transport the liquid level meter, which saves a lot of transportation cost.

[0028] In addition, when the probe component and other structures are damaged, the probe component can be disassembled outside the spherical tank for treatment, which does not cause leakage of the LNG spherical tank, so that the gas in the LNG spherical tank does not need to be transferred, the consumption of transferring the gas in the tank can be avoided, and dangerous accidents caused by transferring the natural gas can also be avoided.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification, and together with the following specific embodiments, serve to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the magnetostrictive liquid level meter provided by the present application.

[0033] Figure 2 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of the magnetostrictive liquid level meter provided by the present application.

[0034] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the probe component and other structures of the magnetostrictive level gauge provided by the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 This is an exploded structural diagram of the protective tube component of the magnetostrictive level gauge provided by the present invention.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] 1. Top cover; 2. Electronic unit; 3. Base; 4. Connector tube; 5. Fastening screw; 6. Compression sleeve; 7. Probe assembly; 71. Bellows; 72. Mounting head; 8. Protective tube assembly; 81. Head tube; 82. Connecting tube; 821. Internally threaded tube section; 822. Narrowed tube section; 83. Tail tube; 84. Mounting fitting; 9. Magnetic float; 10. Counterweight; 11. Coarse thread nut; 12. Fixing flange. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0039] This disclosure provides a magnetostrictive level gauge specifically for measuring the liquid level in LNG spherical tanks, such as... Figures 1-4 As shown, this magnetostrictive level gauge specifically designed for LNG tank level measurement includes an electronic unit 2, a probe component 7, a protective tube component 8, a fixing element, and a magnetic float 9. The probe component 7 is electrically connected to the electronic unit 2 via a cable to transmit the sensed signal to the electronic unit 2, which then outputs the signal. The protective tube component 8 includes a head tube 81, a tail tube 83, and multiple connecting tubes 82 detachably connected between the head tube 81 and the tail tube 83. The probe component 7 can extend into the protective tube component 8. The fixing element is mounted on the head tube 81 to secure the protective tube component 8 to the tank. The magnetic float 9 is fitted onto the outer wall of one of the connecting tubes 82 to cooperate with the probe component 7 in sensing the magnetic field and determining the liquid level position inside the tank.

[0040] By the arrangement of the structure, when the liquid level meter is installed on the LNG spherical tank, the first pipe 81 is first installed on the spherical tank through the fixing member, then the connecting pipes 82 are installed on the first pipe 81 step by step according to the requirement, until the connecting pipe 82 of the predetermined length is installed, then the tail pipe 83 is connected to the last connecting pipe 82, so as to form a pipeline of the predetermined length and airtight in the spherical tank, thus the sealed pipe protection component 8 is formed in the spherical tank, so that the probe component 7 of the liquid level meter can be inserted into the pipe protection component 8, and the magnetic float 9 is sleeved on the connecting pipe 82, finally the electronic unit 2 and the probe component 7 are electrically connected to complete the installation, so that the magnetostrictive liquid level meter is installed on the spherical tank. In the installation process, a crane and too many auxiliary equipment are not needed, only the first pipe 81 is installed by the staff, then the connecting pipes 82 are installed step by step, which is convenient to install, and the length of the pipe protection component 8 can be determined according to the required length, a lot of installation time is saved, and the installation cost is greatly reduced. In addition, since the connecting pipes 82 are installed step by step, the length of each connecting pipe is short, when the liquid level meter is transported, only a common vehicle can be used to transport the liquid level meter, without using the special vehicle for transporting the original liquid level meter of more than ten meters long, so a lot of transportation cost is saved.

[0041] Further, since the first pipe 81 of the pipe protection component 8 is fixed to the spherical tank through the fixing member, at least part of the first pipe 81 is located outside the spherical tank after the first pipe 81 is fixed by the fixing member, so that when the probe component 7 is inserted into the pipe protection component 8, the installation can be realized outside the spherical tank, so when the probe component 7 and other structures are damaged and need to be repaired or replaced, the probe component 7 can be disassembled outside the spherical tank, in this process, the LNG spherical tank is not leaked, so the gas in the LNG spherical tank does not need to be transferred, the probe component 7 can be directly disassembled and repaired, so that the transfer of the natural gas in the tank can be avoided, and the risk accident caused by the transfer of the natural gas can also be avoided.

[0042] It should be noted that the magnetic float 9 is slidably sleeved on the connecting pipe 82, so that the magnetic float 9 can slide on the first pipe 81, the connecting pipe 82 and the tail pipe 83, so as to determine the liquid level of the liquefied natural gas in the spherical tank according to the position of the magnetic float 9.

[0043] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the connecting pipe 82 is formed with an internally threaded pipe portion 821 at one end and a necked pipe portion 822 at the other end, the necked pipe portion 822 is provided with external threads, the necked pipe portion 822 of one of the two adjacent connecting pipes 82 is screwed into the internally threaded pipe portion 821 of the other connecting pipe 82, so that the connecting pipes 82 are connected to each other. In addition, the first pipe 81 is provided with internal threads at the pipe wall of the end connected to the connecting pipe 82, the necked pipe portion 822 of the connecting pipe 82 can be screwed into the first pipe 81, the tail pipe 83 is provided with external threads at the end connected to the connecting pipe 82, and the tail pipe 83 is screwed into the connecting pipe 82.

[0044] With such a structure, when the connecting pipe 82 and the tail pipe 83 are installed, only the connecting pipe 82 or the tail pipe 83 needs to be screwed to complete the threaded connection, so that the splicing of the protective pipe assembly 8 can be realized, making the installation more convenient, and such a connection method can make the sealing between the first pipe 81, the connecting pipe 82 and the tail pipe 83 better, reducing the possibility of liquefied natural gas leaking into the protective pipe assembly 8.

[0045] Further, sealing ring structures are provided between the two adjacent connecting pipes 82, and between the first pipe 81, the tail pipe 83 and the connecting pipe 82, which can further improve the sealing between the first pipe 81, the connecting pipe 82 and the tail pipe 83, and greatly avoid the leakage of liquefied natural gas.

[0046] It should be noted that the bottom of the tail pipe 83 is a closed structure, i.e. the end of the tail pipe 83 away from the connecting pipe 82 is a closed structure, so that after the tail pipe 83 is installed on the connecting pipe 82, the liquefied natural gas in the spherical tank will not enter the tail pipe 83.

[0047] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the end of the first pipe 81 is fixedly provided with a mounting pipe 84, the probe assembly 7 is wrapped with a bellows 71, and the bellows 71 is fixedly connected with a sleeve 6, after the probe assembly 7 is inserted into the protective pipe assembly 8, the sleeve 6 can be connected into the mounting pipe 84.

[0048] With the provision of the bellows 71, the probe assembly 7 can be well protected, and by the cooperation of the sleeve 6 and the mounting pipe 84, the probe assembly 7 can be stably arranged in the protective pipe assembly 8, avoiding interference of the probe assembly 7 by other conditions.

[0049] The form of the cooperation connection between the sleeve 6 and the installation pipe 84 can be various, such as buckle connection, threaded connection, etc. In the present disclosure, threads are arranged on the sleeve 6 and the installation pipe 84 respectively, and when installed, the sleeve 6 is screwed into the installation pipe 84, thus ensuring the connection between the sleeve 6 and the installation pipe 84.

[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4 A heavy weight 10 is arranged on the tail pipe 83.

[0051] With the arrangement of the heavy weight 10, the heavy pipe component 8 can be provided with a certain gravity, so as to maintain the verticality of the whole heavy pipe component 8.

[0052] It should be noted that the heavy weight 10 can be directly fixed to the tail pipe 83, or can be detachably installed on the tail pipe 83 through an installation structure. For example, a hole is arranged on the heavy weight 10, a coarse thread nut 11 is fixedly arranged in the hole, and a threaded rod is fixedly arranged at the tail end of the tail pipe 83, so that the threaded rod is connected to the coarse thread nut 11 of the heavy weight 10, thereby connecting the heavy weight 10 to the tail pipe 83, thereby providing the heavy pipe component 8 with a vertical downward gravity to ensure its verticality.

[0053] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 The fixing member includes a fixing flange 12 fixedly connected to the head pipe 81.

[0054] Since the LNG spherical tank is currently provided with a flange structure for installing a liquid level meter, after the fixing flange 12 is arranged on the head pipe 81, the fixing flange 12 can be fixed to the flange structure reserved on the spherical tank by using a bolt during subsequent installation, that is, it is easy to install, and the connection stability can be effectively ensured.

[0055] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 The magnetostrictive liquid level meter specially used for LNG spherical tank liquid level measurement further includes a base 3 and a joint pipe 4. The electronic unit 2 is fixedly arranged in the base 3, and the joint pipe 4 is detachably connected to the base 3 at one end and connected to the probe component 7 at the other end. The cable of the probe component 7 is electrically connected to the electronic unit 2 through the joint pipe 4.

[0056] With the arrangement of the joint pipe 4 and the base 3, the probe component 7 and the electronic unit 2 can be better connected, and the electronic unit 2 and the connected cable can be protected, so that the signal monitored by the probe component 7 can be better transmitted to the electronic unit 2. In addition, after a fault occurs, the joint pipe 4 and other structures can be easily detached for maintenance.

[0057] Furthermore, a mounting head 72 is fixedly provided on the probe component 7. The mounting head 72 is provided with an external thread. In addition, an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the connector tube 4. The mounting head 72 can be threaded into the connector tube 4, and the end of the probe component 7 extends into the connector tube 4.

[0058] This makes it easy to install the probe component 7 into the connector tube 4, and also makes disassembly and assembly relatively convenient.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, a fastening screw 5 is provided on the outer wall of the connector tube 4. The fastening screw 5 passes through the connector tube 4 and abuts against the mounting head 72.

[0060] The mounting head 72 can be further secured by the fastening screw 5 to prevent the mounting head 72 from rotating and causing the probe component 7 to detach.

[0061] In addition, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, an external thread is provided on the outer wall of the connector tube 4, and an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the end of the base 3 that is connected to the connector tube 4, so that the connector tube 4 can be threaded into the base 3.

[0062] In this way, the connector tube 4 and the base 3 can be detached, and installation and disassembly are also relatively convenient.

[0063] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the magnetostrictive level gauge specifically designed for LNG tank level measurement also includes an upper cover 1, which is detachably fixed to the base 3 to enclose the electronic unit 2 within the base 3.

[0064] By using the top cover 1, the base 3 can be completely sealed, thereby completely enclosing the electronic unit 2 and providing good protection for components such as the electronic unit 2.

[0065] The upper cover 1 has an internal thread on its inner side wall and an external thread on its outer side wall. The upper cover 1 is threadedly connected to the base 3, thereby achieving the closed installation of the upper cover 1.

[0066] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of this disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0067] It should be further noted that various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner, and the disclosure will not be repeated here for various possible combinations.

[0068] In addition, various different embodiments of the disclosure can also be combined with each other as long as they do not contradict the idea of the disclosure, and they should also be considered as disclosed by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A magnetostrictive level gauge dedicated to LNG sphere level measurement, characterized in that, include: Electronic unit; The probe component is electrically connected to the electronic unit via a cable; The tube protector includes a head tube, a tail tube, and a plurality of connecting tubes that are detachably connected in sequence between the head tube and the tail tube, and the probe component extends into the tube protector. A fastener is provided on the head tube to secure the protective tube component to the spherical tank; A magnetic float is fitted onto the outer wall of one of the connecting pipes to cooperate with the probe component to sense the magnetic field and determine the position of the liquid level inside the spherical tank; One end of the connecting pipe has an internally threaded tube section, and the other end has a constricted tube section. The constricted tube section is provided with an external thread. In two adjacent connecting pipes, the constricted tube section of one connecting pipe is inserted into the internally threaded tube section of the other connecting pipe. The end of the first pipe that connects to the connecting pipe is provided with an internal thread, and the constricted part of the connecting pipe is threaded into the first pipe. The tail tube is provided with an external thread at one end where it connects to the connecting tube, and the tail tube is threaded to the internal thread of the connecting tube. An installation fitting is fixedly installed at the end of the first pipe; The probe component is covered by a corrugated tube, and a retainer is provided on the corrugated tube. After the probe component is inserted into the protective tube component, the retainer is engaged and connected to the mounting pipe.

2. The magnetostrictive level gauge dedicated to LNG sphere level measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that, A counterweight is installed on the tailpipe.

3. The magnetostrictive liquid level meter dedicated to LNG sphere liquid level measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastener includes a fixing flange, which is fixedly connected to the head pipe.

4. The magnetostrictive liquid level meter dedicated to LNG sphere liquid level measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetostrictive level gauge specifically designed for LNG tank level measurement also includes: The electronic unit is disposed within the base; The connector tube has one end detachably connected to the base and the other end connected to the probe component; The probe component's cable passes through the connector tube and is electrically connected to the electronic unit.

5. The magnetostrictive liquid level meter dedicated to LNG sphere liquid level measurement according to claim 4, characterized in that, The probe component is provided with a mounting head, and the mounting head is provided with external threads; The inner wall of the connector tube is provided with an internal thread, the mounting head is threaded into the connector tube, and the end of the probe component extends into the connector tube.

6. The magnetostrictive liquid level meter dedicated to LNG sphere liquid level measurement according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer wall of the connector tube is provided with a fastening screw, which passes through the connector tube and abuts against the mounting head.

7. The magnetostrictive liquid level meter dedicated to LNG sphere liquid level measurement according to claim 4, characterized in that, The magnetostrictive level gauge specifically designed for LNG tank level measurement also includes a top cover, which is detachably fixed to the base to enclose the electronic unit within the base.

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