An active underwater flexible oil storage device

Abstract

This application relates to the field of underwater oil bladder technology, and particularly to an actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device. In this device, the oil bladder unit is controlled in the near-bottom area of ​​seawater through a constraint mechanism combining a base with counterweights and a flexible net, avoiding the influence of turbulence. This effectively limits the displacement and deformation of the flexible oil bladder unit, preventing damage due to excessive stretching or compression, thus improving the stability and positional controllability of the underwater system. It also reduces material fatigue damage, extends the device's service life, balances external loads and internal oil pressure, and reduces the risk of leakage caused by localized stress concentration. Furthermore, a buoyancy module is installed on the base to achieve excellent wave and current resistance and rapid ascent and recovery, ensuring long-term safe operation and reusability. Combined with an anomaly system, the device can autonomously ascend under abnormal operating conditions such as damage, instability, and leakage, further enhancing its safety level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of underwater oil bladder technology, and in particular to an active underwater flexible oil storage device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, underwater oil storage and transportation mainly rely on rigid steel tanks or fixed subsea manifold systems. These solutions have drawbacks such as complex structure, complex processes, high cost, long deployment cycle, lack of recovery capabilities, safety hazards, and poor on-site adaptability, making them difficult to promote, especially in deep water or emergency operation scenarios.

[0003] Flexible oil storage technology, as an emerging lightweight underwater oil storage method, uses flexible oil bladders as the main body, and is equipped with a restraint system, oil delivery unit, pressure regulation system, and protective devices. It has advantages such as saving land resources, low structural compressive strength requirements, low construction cost, good fire and explosion protection performance, low foundation load requirements, and convenient transportation and deployment. However, flexible oil bladder systems are subjected to complex environmental loads during long-term service in water, and are prone to angular deviation or even capsizing, posing a great challenge to safe operation. At the same time, the recovery of flexible oil bladders is relatively difficult, which greatly limits their reliability and long-term effectiveness in deep-sea or long-term operating conditions.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved technical solution that addresses the shortcomings of the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide an active underwater flexible oil storage device to solve or alleviate the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0007] An active underwater flexible oil recovery device, the device comprising:

[0008] The oil bladder unit has an oil receiving and dispensing interface at the top and multiple first detachable connectors evenly distributed in the middle of the oil bladder unit.

[0009] A flexible net partially wraps around the outer periphery of the upper half of the oil bladder unit. Multiple second detachable connectors are evenly distributed on the edge of the flexible net, and the first detachable connectors and the second detachable connectors are detachably connected to each other.

[0010] The base has counterweights evenly distributed on it. Multiple cables connect the base to the flexible net so that the base with counterweights can constrain the oil bladder unit through the cooperation of the cables and the flexible net.

[0011] A buoyancy module, which is mounted on the base, is used to adjust the buoyancy of the base and control its ascent and descent.

[0012] An abnormal system, comprising a monitoring module, a decision module, and a battery, wherein the battery is used to provide power;

[0013] The monitoring module is used to monitor the operating status of the device and transmit the monitoring signals to the decision module;

[0014] The decision module is used to calculate and analyze the received monitoring signals, and when it is determined that the device has entered an abnormal state, it sends a corresponding processing signal to the buoyancy module.

[0015] In the above-described actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device, preferably, the buoyancy module includes a first buoyancy airbag and an electric heater, with the first buoyancy airbag fixed on the base; the decision module includes a microcontroller and a signal receiver.

[0016] The electric heater is disposed inside the first buoyancy airbag, which is also filled with a low-boiling-point solution.

[0017] Both the electric heater and the signal receiver are electrically connected to the microcontroller. When the signal receiver receives the buoyancy signal, the microcontroller controls the electric heater to work. The electric heater heats the low-boiling-point solution, causing the low-boiling-point solution to vaporize.

[0018] In the above-described actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device, preferably, the buoyancy module includes a second buoyancy airbag, an electromagnetic pressure reducing valve, and a high-pressure gas cylinder; the decision module includes a microcontroller and a signal receiver; the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve and the signal receiver are both electrically connected to the microcontroller.

[0019] The high-pressure gas cylinder is connected to the second buoyancy airbag via an electromagnetic pressure reducing valve.

[0020] When the signal receiver receives the buoyancy signal, the microcontroller controls the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve to open, allowing the compressed gas in the high-pressure gas cylinder to fill the second buoyancy airbag.

[0021] Preferably, the underwater flexible oil storage device capable of active recovery, as described above, further includes an emergency buoy and a release mechanism, wherein the release mechanism is fixed to the flexible net and the emergency buoy is connected to the release mechanism;

[0022] The outer shell of the emergency buoy is made of pressure-resistant buoyant material. Inside the outer shell of the emergency buoy are a locator, an radio frequency transmitter, an acoustic transponder, and a battery. The locator is electrically connected to the radio frequency transmitter. The locator is used to locate the position coordinates of the device in real time, and the radio frequency transmitter periodically reports the position coordinates. The acoustic transponder is used to provide an acoustic response. The battery is used to power the locator, radio frequency transmitter, and acoustic transponder.

[0023] The release mechanism includes a pressure-resistant housing, a rotating wheel, an L-shaped locking tongue, a torsion spring, and an electromagnetic lock; the rotating wheel is rotatably disposed inside the pressure-resistant housing, a wire harness is wound on the rotating wheel, the end of the wire harness is connected to an emergency buoy, and a limit hole is provided on the side of the rotating wheel, and the protruding end of the L-shaped locking tongue is inserted into the limit hole of the rotating wheel.

[0024] The middle part of the L-shaped locking tongue is hinged to the pressure-resistant housing, and the torsion spring is connected between the upper part of the L-shaped locking tongue and the pressure-resistant housing; the electromagnetic lock is fixed to the pressure-resistant housing, and the position of the electromagnetic lock corresponds to the lower part of the L-shaped locking tongue; the electromagnetic lock is electrically connected to the fault system through a wire.

[0025] As described above, the actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device preferably has multiple compartment partitions inside the oil bladder unit, with some compartment partitions arranged horizontally and others arranged vertically.

[0026] Each compartment bulkhead has multiple through holes.

[0027] In the above-described actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device, preferably, the monitoring module includes an inertial measurement unit, which is located near the center of gravity of the device. The inertial measurement unit is used to monitor the angular velocity and acceleration of the device, thereby calculating the attitude of the device.

[0028] The monitoring module also includes a tension sensor, a tensile / compression sensor, and a strain sensor;

[0029] The tension sensor is installed on the cable to monitor the force applied to the cable.

[0030] The tension and compression sensor is installed at the connection point between the cable and the flexible net to monitor the connection status between the cable and the flexible net.

[0031] The strain sensor is implanted in the oil bladder unit to monitor the stress on the oil bladder unit.

[0032] In the above-described actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device, preferably, the monitoring module further includes a leakage sensor, which is arranged near the oil receiving and sending interface of the oil bladder unit to monitor oil leakage.

[0033] The monitoring module also includes a depth sensor, which is mounted on the base or oil bladder unit and is used to monitor the depth of the device in water.

[0034] In the above-described actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device, preferably, the decision module further includes a signal acquisition unit. The inertial measurement unit, tension sensor, tensile-compression sensor, strain sensor, leakage sensor, and depth sensor are all electrically connected to the signal acquisition unit to collect monitoring data from each sensor.

[0035] In the above-described actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device, preferably, the microcontroller has a built-in judgment algorithm for fusing and analyzing the monitoring data collected by the signal acquisition unit from various sensors to determine whether the device has entered an abnormal state; when the device is determined to be in an abnormal state, the microcontroller controls the buoyancy module to operate, so as to control the device to float or perform attitude correction.

[0036] As described above, the actively recoverable underwater flexible oil storage device preferably comprises, from the inside out, an inner layer, a middle layer, a reinforcing layer, and an outer layer; the inner layer is a seepage-proof layer made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) seepage-proof membrane; the middle layer is an adsorption layer made of activated carbon or other adsorption materials; the reinforcing layer is woven from aramid or Kevlar fiber materials; and the outer layer is made of dense fiber fabric.

[0037] Compared with the closest prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0038] In this device, the oil bladder unit is controlled in the near-bottom area of ​​seawater by a constraint method combining a base with a counterweight and a flexible net to avoid the influence of turbulence. At the same time, it effectively limits the displacement and deformation of the flexible oil bladder unit, avoiding damage to the oil bladder unit due to excessive stretching or compression, thereby improving the stability and position controllability of the underwater system; reducing material fatigue damage, extending the service life of the device, achieving a balance between external load and internal oil pressure, and reducing the risk of leakage caused by local stress concentration.

[0039] In addition, a buoyancy module is installed on the base to enable the device to have excellent wave and current resistance and rapid ascent and recovery, thereby ensuring long-term safe operation and reusability. Combined with an anomaly system, the device can autonomously ascend under abnormal operating conditions such as damage, instability, and leakage, further enhancing its safety level.

[0040] Furthermore, all components of the device are modularly designed, reducing operating costs, and some modules are reusable. It supports remote autonomous buoyancy adjustment, and the active recovery process is safe and fast; the material strength requirements are low, and the flexible oil bladder unit has high leakage resistance and corrosion resistance, meeting the needs of long-term deep-water operations. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. Wherein:

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an active underwater flexible oil storage device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an emergency buoy and release mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the emergency buoy deployment status according to an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a buoyancy module according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a buoyancy module according to another embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of an exception system trigger control according to an embodiment of this application.

[0048] In the diagram: 1. Oil bladder unit; 101. First detachable connector; 102. Oil receiving / discharging interface; 103. Compartment bulkhead;

[0049] 2. Flexible netting; 201. Second detachable joint; 3. Cable;

[0050] 4. Emergency buoy; 401. Locator; 402. Radio frequency transmitter; 403. Acoustic transponder; 404. Battery;

[0051] 5. Release mechanism; 501. L-shaped locking tongue; 502. Pressure-resistant housing; 503. Rotary wheel; 504. Wiring harness; 505. Torsion spring; 506. Electromagnetic lock;

[0052] 6. Base; 601. Counterweight; 602. Mooring hole;

[0053] 7. Abnormal systems; 701. Microcontrollers;

[0054] 801. First buoyancy airbag; 802. Electric heater;

[0055] 901. Second buoyancy airbag; 902. Electromagnetic pressure reducing valve; 903. High-pressure gas cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Various examples are provided by way of explanation and not by way of limitation. In fact, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations can be made to the present application without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For example, a feature shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, it is desirable that the present application encompass such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0057] In the following description, the terms "first / second / third" are used merely to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific order of objects. It is understood that "first / second / third" may be interchanged in a specific order or sequence where permitted, so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0058] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this disclosure only and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0059] In the description of this application, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," and "bottom," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and do not require that this application be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this application. The terms "connected," "linked," and "set up" used in this application should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections or detachable connections; direct connections or indirect connections through intermediate components; wired connections, radio connections, or wireless communication signal connections. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0060] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other.

[0061] According to specific embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1-6 As shown, this application provides an active underwater flexible oil storage device, the device comprising:

[0062] The oil bladder unit 1 has an oil receiving and dispensing interface 102 at its top and multiple first detachable connectors 101 evenly distributed in the middle of the oil bladder unit 1.

[0063] A flexible net 2 partially wraps around the upper part of the oil bladder unit 1. Multiple second detachable connectors 201 are evenly distributed along the edge of the flexible net 2. The first detachable connector 101 and the second detachable connectors 201 are detachably connected to each other. In this embodiment, the flexible net 2 partially wraps around the outside of the oil bladder. The flexible net 2 is woven from multi-strand aramid or polyester high-strength fibers, is reusable, and possesses flexibility and cushioning properties. The edge of the flexible protective net is provided with second detachable connectors 201, and the number of cables 3 corresponds to the number of second detachable connectors 201. One end of each cable 3 is connected to or near a second detachable connector 201, allowing the flexible net 2 to convert the constraint force provided by the counterweight into a uniformly distributed force, reducing the risk of leakage due to stress concentration damage to the oil bladder unit 1, and dispersing external impact forces and fluid disturbances.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first detachable connector 101 and the second detachable connector 201 can use a high-strength webbing binding structure + industrial buckle combination (such as titanium alloy pins / quick release buckles, industrial-grade Velcro and other detachable structures) to connect the oil bladder unit 1 and the flexible net 2 at multiple points; when disassembly is required, it can be loosened and disassembled with simple tools, and the detachable connection structure does not need to be replaced after the oil bladder unit 1 is released and can be reused; it is used to realize the quick connection and unlocking between the oil bladder unit 1 and the flexible net 2, which facilitates the replacement and maintenance of the oil bladder unit 1.

[0065] A base 6 is provided, on which counterweights 601 are evenly distributed. Multiple cables 3 connect the base 6 to the flexible net 2, allowing the base 6 with counterweights 601 to constrain the oil bladder unit 1 through the cooperation of the cables 3 and the flexible net 2. In this embodiment, the base 6 can be a steel truss structure, and the counterweights 601 are concrete counterweights 601, which are set inside the steel truss. Multiple mooring holes 602 are provided around the base 6, and the other end of the cables 3 is connected to the mooring holes 602. The base 6 can adapt to load distribution under different water depth conditions, ensuring the overall stability of the device. Furthermore, the oil bladder unit 1 maintains a certain distance from the base 6 during operation to reduce the impact of bottom turbulence on the oil bladder unit 1.

[0066] The buoyancy module is installed on the base 6 and is used to adjust the buoyancy of the base 6, thereby controlling the rise and fall of the base 6.

[0067] Anomaly system 7 includes a monitoring module, a decision module, and a battery 404. The battery 404 is used to provide power. In this embodiment, the battery 404 provides power to the electronic components in the device, including the monitoring module, the decision module, and the buoyancy module.

[0068] The monitoring module is used to monitor the operating status of the device and transmit the monitoring signals to the decision module.

[0069] The decision module is used to calculate and analyze the received monitoring signals, and when the analysis shows that the device has entered an abnormal state, it sends a corresponding processing signal to the buoyancy module.

[0070] In this device, the oil bladder unit 1 is controlled in the near-bottom area of ​​seawater by the constraint of the base 6 with counterweight 601 combined with the flexible net 2 to avoid the influence of turbulence. At the same time, it effectively limits the displacement and deformation of the flexible oil bladder unit 1, avoiding damage to the oil bladder unit 1 due to excessive stretching or compression, thereby improving the stability and position controllability of the underwater system of the device; reducing material fatigue damage, extending the service life of the device, achieving a balance between external load and internal oil pressure, and reducing the risk of leakage caused by local stress concentration.

[0071] In addition, a buoyancy module is installed on the base 6 to enable the device to have excellent anti-wave and current performance and rapid ascent and recovery, thereby ensuring the long-term safe operation of the device and enabling reusability. Combined with the anomaly system 7, the device can autonomously ascend under abnormal operating conditions such as damage, instability, and leakage, improving the device's safety level.

[0072] Furthermore, all components of the device are modularly designed, reducing operating costs, and some modules are reusable. It supports remote autonomous buoyancy adjustment, and the active recovery process is safe and fast; the material strength requirements are low, and the flexible oil bladder unit 1 has high leakage resistance and corrosion resistance, meeting the needs of long-term deep-water operations.

[0073] The buoyancy module includes a first buoyancy airbag 801 and an electric heater 802. The first buoyancy airbag 801 is fixed on the base 6. The decision module includes a microcontroller 701 and a signal receiver. The electric heater 802 is located inside the first buoyancy airbag 801, which is also filled with a low-boiling-point solution. Both the electric heater 802 and the signal receiver are electrically connected to the microcontroller 701 (i.e., MCU). When the signal receiver receives a buoyancy signal, the microcontroller 701 controls the electric heater 802 to work, and the electric heater 802 heats the low-boiling-point solution to vaporize it.

[0074] In this embodiment, the low-boiling-point solution is propane, pentane, etc., and the electric heater 802 is an insulated electric heating coil. When the signal receiver receives the buoyancy signal, it transmits the signal to the microcontroller 701. The microcontroller 701 controls the electric heating coil to start heating, which heats the low-boiling-point solution to vaporize it. The first buoyancy bladder 801 expands, increasing its volume to enhance its buoyancy, causing the entire device to float. When it is necessary to control the device to sink, the microcontroller 701 controls the electric heater 802 to turn off. At this time, the low-boiling-point solution cools down and the gas naturally liquefies, reducing the volume of the first buoyancy bladder 801 and causing the entire device to sink. This achieves reversible control of the device's buoyancy and sinking.

[0075] In this embodiment, the buoyancy module adopts a liquid-gas phase change mode. Specifically, the buoyancy module includes four unfolded volumes, each 6m³, evenly distributed around the 6 circumferences of the base. 3 The first buoyancy airbag 801 is made of composite insulation material. Initially, the airbag is folded up according to preset creases. After heating with the variable working fluid, a liquid-gas phase change occurs, causing it to expand slowly. The electric heating coils are controlled by a microcontroller 701. When the signal receiver receives a buoyancy signal or the microcontroller 701's analysis device malfunctions, the microcontroller 701 activates all electric heating coils to achieve the liquid-gas phase change. The vaporization of the low-boiling-point solution causes the first buoyancy airbag 801 to expand, unfolding along the predetermined creases, increasing in size by a maximum of 24m within a preset time period. 3 Additional volume buoyancy is used to maintain the temperature by reducing the power of the electric heating coil once the set depth threshold is reached or the deployment is complete.

[0076] In other words, the buoyancy module increases the overall remaining buoyancy of the device to exceed its own weight, thus enabling it to float. After floating to the surface, heating is stopped, and the device is towed and recovered by a workboat. The oil stored inside can be used, or it can be transferred to a port by a towing vessel.

[0077] If the microcontroller 701 determines that the device attitude has pitch or roll deviation, it can also control 1-2 first buoyancy airbags 801 in the corresponding direction range to make buoyancy fine adjustment, generate opposite buoyancy to suppress the device attitude deviation.

[0078] In addition, when the device needs to be inspected and maintained, the battery 404 in the device can be charged or replaced, and the battery 404 can be tested for sealing and electrical insulation to ensure that the connection is normal before it can be put back into use.

[0079] The feasibility of liquid-gas phase change in the buoyancy module is calculated using specific data examples:

[0080] Low-boiling-point solutions can be selected from low-boiling-point hydrocarbons (propane), refrigerants (R134a, HFO-1234yf), and other variable working media. Taking propane as an example, the approximate saturation temperature at a water depth of about 60m (pressure of about 7bar) is 288K (about 15 degrees Celsius).

[0081] Calculate each 6m 3 The low-boiling-point solution required to be stored in the first buoyancy airbag 801:

[0082] Gas constant R = 188.7 J / (kg•K), saturated vapor specific volume V g ≈RTsat / p≈0.0788m 3 / kg, required working fluid mass m in each airbag V = (V bags ) / Vg =6 / 0.0788≈76 kg, corresponding to the volume of the liquid working medium (propane liquid density is taken as 500 kg / m³). 3 V=(m) V ) / ρ≈0.61m 3 .

[0083] Under the target deployment volume in this embodiment, a single buoyancy airbag needs to store approximately 76 kg of liquid propane. Initial displacement buoyancy ≈ 200,000 kgf; oil weight + base 6 counterweight ≈ 210,300 kgf; buoyancy airbag provides upward buoyancy ≈ 24,000 kgf; net upward buoyancy of the system ≈ 13,700 kgf; where 1 kgf is equal to the force exerted by a 1 kg object under the influence of Earth's gravity; 1 kgf ≈ 9.81 Newtons (N).

[0084] During actual deployment, the initial drainage buoyancy is offset by counterweights and mooring. During the active ascent phase, the buoyancy airbags compensate for the "base 6 counterweights + oil gravity + hydrodynamic additional resistance". The 24 m³ extra volume buoyancy is sufficient to provide additional buoyancy at 60m to achieve system ascent (estimated based on density difference and effective volume of airbags), which is consistent with the implementation example.

[0085] In other embodiments, the buoyancy module includes a second buoyancy airbag 901, an electromagnetic pressure reducing valve 902, and a high-pressure gas cylinder 903; the decision module includes a microcontroller 701 and a signal receiver; the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve 902 and the signal receiver are both electrically connected to the microcontroller 701; the high-pressure gas cylinder 903 is connected to the second buoyancy airbag 901 through the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve 902; when the signal receiver receives an upward buoyancy signal, the microcontroller 701 controls the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve 902 to open, so that the compressed gas in the high-pressure gas cylinder 903 fills the second buoyancy airbag 901.

[0086] The compressed gas in the high-pressure cylinder 903 can be nitrogen, air, or other inert gas. In this mode, the buoyancy module uses compressed gas. Specifically, the buoyancy module has four sets of high-pressure cylinders 903, each set equipped with six 100L high-pressure cylinders 903 with a pressure of 20 MPa, and one cylinder with a rated volume of 8m³ after deployment. 3 The second buoyancy airbag 901 is initially folded along preset creases, and slowly expands after being filled with gas. The high-pressure gas cylinder 903 is controlled by an electromagnetic pressure reducing valve 902. Upon receiving a buoyancy signal, the signal receiver opens the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve 902 via the microcontroller 701 to release compressed gas. The gas is then injected evenly and slowly into the second buoyancy airbag 901, causing it to expand along the predetermined creases. The overall remaining buoyancy of the device increases to exceed its own weight, thus achieving the buoyancy function. After buoyancy, the airbag is towed and recovered by a workboat for storing oil, or transported to a port by a tugboat.

[0087] If redeployment is required, the high-pressure gas cylinder 903 in the buoyancy module can be replaced, or an air compressor can be used to fill the original gas cylinder with compressed gas. After filling, a static pressure test should be performed to ensure there are no leaks before putting it back into use.

[0088] Feasibility analysis of the compressed gas mode for the buoyancy module using specific data examples:

[0089] 8m each 3 The buoyancy airbag is equipped with six 100L compressed air cylinders with a pressure of 20 MPa (200 bar). At a water depth of approximately 60m (pressure approximately 7 bar), the buoyancy airbag is inflated by the compressed air cylinders: the equivalent volume of the air source (1 bar) = 4 × 6 × 100L × 200 ≈ 480,000L = 480m³. Converted to 7 bar: the usable volume ≈ 480 / 7 ≈ 68.6m³, significantly greater than the required 32m³, leaving a redundancy.

[0090] If the volume of oil bladder unit 1 is 200 m³, the density of seawater is 1000 kg / m³, and the density of crude oil is 850 kg / m³:

[0091] Initial buoyancy of drainage ≈ 200,000 kgf; weight of oil + counterweight of base 6 ≈ 220,000 kgf; buoyancy airbag provides buoyancy ≈ 30,000 kgf; net buoyancy of the system ≈ 10,000 kgf.

[0092] During actual deployment, the initial drainage buoyancy is offset by the counterweight 601 set on the base 6 and the mooring. During the active floating phase, the first buoyancy airbag 801 compensates for the "base 6 counterweight + oil weight + hydrodynamic additional resistance". The 32m³ extra volume buoyancy is sufficient to provide additional buoyancy at 60m to achieve the system floating (estimated based on density difference and effective volume of airbag), which is consistent with the setting of the embodiment.

[0093] The oil bladder unit 1 is provided with multiple compartmentalized bulkheads 103. Some of the compartmentalized bulkheads 103 are arranged in a horizontal direction, and the other part of the compartmentalized bulkheads 103 are arranged in a vertical direction. Each compartmentalized bulkhead 103 is provided with multiple through holes. The through holes are used to dissipate and increase the equivalent damping, suppress the swaying of the oil bladder unit 1, and at the same time, the through holes can make the two sides of the compartmentalized bulkheads 103 interconnected.

[0094] In this embodiment, two compartmentalized bulkheads 103 are provided. One compartmentalized bulkhead 103 is arranged in the horizontal direction, and the other compartmentalized bulkhead 103 is arranged in the vertical direction. The compartmentalized bulkhead 103 arranged in the vertical direction is staggered from the oil receiving and dispatching interface 102. At this time, the two compartmentalized bulkheads 103 divide the interior of the oil bladder unit 1 into four compartments, and any two adjacent compartments are interconnected.

[0095] In other embodiments, multiple compartmentalized partitions 103 may be provided, with multiple compartmentalized partitions 103 extending in different directions dividing the oil bladder unit 1 into a greater number of compartments.

[0096] In this embodiment, the compartment partition 103 is woven from aramid or Kevlar fiber material and can be fixed inside the oil bladder unit 1 by sewing. Because the flexible oil bladder unit 1 experiences inertial coupling and attitude deviation due to liquid sloshing under wave excitation, by setting the compartment partition 103 in the oil bladder unit 1, the equivalent sloshing degrees of freedom can be clustered from n=1 to a multimodal system with n>1, and the equivalent damping is increased by dissipation through the through-hole, weakening the amplitude of the free liquid surface at the top and the center of gravity migration, thereby reducing oil migration and liquid surface impact in the oil bladder unit 1 and effectively improving the attitude stability of the oil bladder unit 1.

[0097] The monitoring module includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) positioned near the device's center of gravity. The IMU monitors the device's angular velocity and acceleration to calculate its attitude. In this embodiment, the IMU monitors changes in the device's angular velocity, acceleration, and attitude angle, and calculates whether the device's current attitude is abnormal based on the monitoring data.

[0098] The monitoring module also includes a tension sensor, a tensile-compression sensor, and a strain sensor. The tension sensor is mounted on the cable 3 to monitor the stress on the cable 3. The tensile-compression sensor is located at the connection point between the cable 3 and the flexible net 2 to monitor the connection status between the cable 3 and the flexible net 2. The strain sensor is mounted / embedded interlayer within the outer layer of the oil bladder unit 1 to avoid damaging the impermeable layer and is used to monitor the stress on the oil bladder unit 1. In this embodiment, the stress on the cable 3 is monitored by the tension sensor, the stress at the connection point between the cable 3 and the flexible net 2 is monitored by the tensile-compression sensor, and the stress on the oil bladder unit 1 is monitored by the strain sensor. This allows for timely detection of any abnormal stress conditions and timely transmission of the monitoring signal to the anomaly system 7 for processing.

[0099] Among them, the strain sensor can be a fiber optic strain sensor.

[0100] The monitoring module also includes a leak sensor, which is located near the oil inlet / outlet interface 102 of the oil bladder unit 1 to monitor oil leaks. In this embodiment, the leak sensor can be a fiber optic sensor or an inductive sensor, etc. When the leak sensor detects an oil leak, it promptly transmits the monitoring signal to the anomaly system 7 for processing.

[0101] The monitoring module also includes a depth sensor, which is mounted on the base 6 or the oil bladder unit 1, to monitor the depth of the device in the water.

[0102] The decision-making module also includes a signal acquisition unit. The inertial measurement unit, tension sensor, tensile and compressive sensor, strain sensor, leakage sensor, and depth sensor are all electrically connected to the signal acquisition unit to collect monitoring data from each sensor.

[0103] The microcontroller 701 has a built-in judgment algorithm to perform fusion analysis on the monitoring data collected by the signal acquisition unit from various sensors to determine whether the device has entered an abnormal state. When the device is determined to be in an abnormal state, the microcontroller 701 controls the buoyancy module to operate, so as to control the device to float or perform attitude correction.

[0104] In this embodiment, the exception handling logic of system 7 is as follows:

[0105] Sampling and Preprocessing: The monitoring module samples at a frequency of 20-30Hz. The acquisition unit preprocesses the monitoring data to obtain the acceleration RMS, attitude change (angular displacement) Δθ, and angular velocity step Δω. The mechanical sensor samples at 10-20Hz and performs sliding mean + median filtering on loads such as tension and strain. The leakage detection unit samples at 1-10Hz and performs continuous counting t on signals greater than the leakage threshold.

[0106] Criteria and Thresholds: The primary trigger thresholds include, but are not limited to: structural acceleration RMS exceeding 2.5g; sudden roll / pitch angle change Δθ greater than ±20°; local tension / tension exceeding 50% of the system's own weight W; and continuous counting of oil leak signals t exceeding 5s. Each criterion must satisfy a duration greater than 2s. The secondary threshold is 0.7 times the primary threshold, and a single signal can trigger it.

[0107] State Machine and Arbitration: The states are in sequence: NORMAL → WATCH → ALERT → LIFT.

[0108] NORMAL: This begins immediately after the device is set up, at which point the sampling frequency of each sensor is at its lowest.

[0109] WATCH: If any criterion exceeds the secondary threshold, the microcontroller 701 controls the corresponding sensor sampling frequency to be increased.

[0110] ALERT: Any criterion exceeds the first-level threshold for more than 2 seconds, or two different criteria simultaneously exceed the second-level threshold within 5 seconds.

[0111] LIFT: One of the following conditions must be met: the leakage signal is continuously counted for ≥30s and either the tension or attitude criterion exceeds the secondary threshold; the tension is ≥50%W or Δθ is ≥20° for more than 30s; the signal acquisition unit receives a manual "active buoyancy" command (two-factor password, consistent twice).

[0112] Control Trigger: After the microcontroller 701 confirms that LIFT is established, it triggers the buoyancy module to run, and the control device floats autonomously. When equipped with a buoyancy module in liquid-gas phase change mode, after the microcontroller 701 enters the ALERT state, if the attitude criteria such as roll / pitch angle change exceeds the first threshold for more than 30 seconds but does not exceed the second threshold, the sampling frequency is increased to the maximum, and 1-2 buoyancy airbags in the corresponding direction range of the change are triggered to perform buoyancy fine adjustment, generating opposite buoyancy to suppress attitude deviation. After the attitude criteria return to normal, heating stops, and the working fluid condenses naturally.

[0113] The device also includes an emergency buoy 4 and a release mechanism 5. The release mechanism 5 is fixed to the flexible net 2, and the emergency buoy 4 is connected to the release mechanism 5. The release mechanism is used to limit the position of the emergency buoy 4. The emergency buoy 4 is used to automatically rise and transmit the position coordinate signal of the device after the failure of the abnormal system 7, so that the workboat can recover the device.

[0114] The outer shell of the emergency buoy 4 is made of pressure-resistant buoy material. Inside the outer shell of the emergency buoy 4, there is a locator 401, an radio frequency transmitter 402, an acoustic transponder 403, and a battery 404. The locator 401 and the radio frequency transmitter 402 are electrically connected. The locator 401 is used to locate the position coordinates of the device in real time, and the radio frequency transmitter 402 periodically reports the position coordinates. The acoustic transponder 403 is used to make an acoustic response to the interrogation signal to realize underwater ranging and direction finding. The battery 404 is used to power the locator 401, the radio frequency transmitter 402, and the acoustic transponder 403.

[0115] The release mechanism 5 includes a pressure-resistant housing 502, a rotating wheel 503, an L-shaped locking tongue 501, a torsion spring 505, and an electromagnetic lock 506. The rotating wheel 503 is rotatably mounted inside the pressure-resistant housing 502. A wire harness 504 is wound around the rotating wheel 503, and the end of the wire harness 504 is connected to the emergency buoy 4. A limit hole is provided on the side of the rotating wheel 503, and the protruding end of the L-shaped locking tongue 501 is inserted into the limit hole of the rotating wheel 503. The middle part of the L-shaped locking tongue 501 is hinged to the pressure-resistant housing 502, and the torsion spring 505 is connected between the upper part of the L-shaped locking tongue 501 and the pressure-resistant housing 502. The electromagnetic lock 506 is fixed to the pressure-resistant housing 502, and the position of the electromagnetic lock 506 corresponds to the lower part of the L-shaped locking tongue 501. The electromagnetic lock 506 is electrically connected to the abnormal system 7 through a wire.

[0116] In this embodiment, the locator 401 is a GPS / GNSS locator 401. The locator 401 can transmit the location coordinates of the device to the radio frequency transmitter 402, which will periodically report the location coordinates so that the workboat can recover the device.

[0117] The outer shell of the emergency buoy 4 can be made of microsphere composite foam or other pressure-resistant materials with a certain buoyancy to ensure that the emergency buoy 4 maintains a certain buoyancy at the working water depth; so that the emergency buoy 4 can automatically float after the release mechanism 5 removes the limiting effect on the emergency buoy 4.

[0118] In addition, the acoustic transponder 403 serves as an emergency search mechanism in case the locator 401 and radio frequency transmitter 402 are damaged, improving the success rate of device recovery. Specifically, the acoustic transponder 403 is an underwater communication device triggered by sound wave signals. When it receives sound waves of a specific frequency, it emits a predetermined echo to confirm its location or communicate with other devices. Its advantage lies in its suitability for long-distance underwater communication and its applicability to various applications such as underwater target location and recovery. In underwater phases where radio frequency signals cannot reach (from the unlocking of emergency buoy 4 to its surfacing, or when the cable harness 504 is accidentally blocked), the acoustic transponder 403 provides coded acoustic responses to interrogation pulses from the shipborne array (USBL / SSBL / LBL), enabling the workboat to perform ranging and direction finding, and quickly establish the target's bearing and distance.

[0119] When the abnormal system 7 is de-energized, the electromagnetic lock 506 connected to the abnormal system 7 via a wire is de-energized. The electromagnetic lock 506 loses its magnetic attraction to the L-shaped locking tongue 501. The L-shaped locking tongue 501 is twisted under the elastic force of the torsion spring 505, causing the protruding end of the L-shaped locking tongue 501 to exit from the limiting hole of the rotating wheel 503. At this time, the emergency buoy 4 rises under its own buoyancy. The rotating wheel 503 rotates to lengthen the wire harness 504, causing the emergency buoy 4 to rise to the water surface so that the radio frequency transmitter 402 can better transmit the position coordinate signal.

[0120] The oil bladder unit 1 comprises, from the inside out, an inner layer, a middle layer, a reinforcing layer, and an outer layer. The inner layer is a waterproof layer made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane. The middle layer is an adsorption layer made of activated carbon or other adsorption materials. The reinforcing layer is woven from aramid or Kevlar fibers, and the outer layer is made of dense fiber fabric. In this embodiment, the inner layer, made of PTFE membrane, prevents oil leakage. The middle layer, made of activated carbon or other adsorption materials, prevents leakage from the inner layer and adsorbs oil. The reinforcing layer, woven from aramid or Kevlar fibers, provides high puncture resistance and fatigue resistance. The outer layer is made of abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant marine engineering membrane or other dense fiber fabric, providing UV resistance and seawater corrosion resistance. This multi-layered composite structure gives the oil bladder unit 1 waterproof, adsorbent, puncture-resistant, and corrosion-resistant properties.

[0121] In addition, the shape of the oil bladder unit 1 can be ellipsoidal, spherical, or pillow-shaped; the preferred shape of the flexible oil bladder is ellipsoidal.

[0122] In other embodiments of this application, the top of the oil bladder unit 1 may be provided with two crude oil / seawater corrosion resistant oil receiving / discharging ports 102, one for oil injection and the other for oil output; and each oil receiving / discharging port 102 is provided with a solenoid valve with a check valve function to effectively prevent backflow. A leakage sensor is located near the oil receiving / discharging port 102. When an abnormal oil leakage signal is detected, a monitoring signal is sent through the anomaly system 7, so that the anomaly system 7 can promptly control the solenoid valve to close and control the buoyancy module to float.

[0123] The oil receiving / discharging interface 102 can be connected to the bottom of the oil bladder unit 1 via a hose. When oil is injected into the oil bladder unit 1, the ship base / platform pump station is connected to the oil receiving / discharging interface 102 for oil injection and injects the oil into the oil bladder unit 1. When the oil bladder unit 1 needs to transfer oil outward, the platform or auxiliary pump is connected to the oil receiving / discharging interface 102 for oil transfer and draws back the oil through a hose that extends to the bottom of the oil bladder unit 1.

[0124] In other embodiments, the oil receiving and sending interface 102 at the top of the oil bladder unit 1 can also be connected to the underwater oil delivery module. The oil delivery pipeline of the underwater oil delivery module delivers oil to the inside of the oil bladder unit 1 through the oil delivery device or delivers stored oil from the inside of the oil bladder unit 1 to the outside. Furthermore, the oil delivery pipeline can deliver gas to the inside of the oil bladder unit 1 during the oil bladder unit 1 recovery process.

[0125] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An actively retrievable underwater flexible storage device, characterized in that, The device comprises: An oil capsule unit, a transceiving oil interface is arranged on the top of the oil capsule unit, and a plurality of first detachable joints are uniformly arranged on the middle of the oil capsule unit; A flexible net, the flexible net is semi-wrapped on the periphery of the upper half of the oil capsule unit, a plurality of second detachable joints are uniformly arranged on the edge of the flexible net, and the first detachable joints and the second detachable joints are detachably connected with each other; A base, a plurality of counterweights are uniformly arranged on the base, and a plurality of cables are arranged between the base and the flexible net, so that the base with the counterweights is constrained by the cooperation of the cables and the flexible net; A buoyancy module, the buoyancy module is arranged on the base, and is used for adjusting the buoyancy of the base and controlling the floating and sinking of the base; An abnormal system, the abnormal system comprises a monitoring module, a decision module and a storage battery, and the storage battery is used for providing power supply; The monitoring module is used for monitoring the running state of the device and transmitting a monitoring signal to the decision module; The decision module is used for calculating and analyzing the received monitoring signal, and sending a corresponding processing signal to the buoyancy module when the device enters an abnormal state; The device further comprises an emergency buoy, a locator, a radio frequency transmitter, an acoustic transponder and a battery are arranged in the shell of the emergency buoy; A plurality of compartment partitions are arranged in the oil capsule unit, a part of the compartment partitions are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the other part of the compartment partitions are arranged in the vertical direction; A plurality of through holes are arranged on each compartment partition; The monitoring module comprises an inertial measurement unit, the inertial measurement unit is arranged near the center of gravity of the device, and is used for monitoring the angular velocity and acceleration of the device to calculate the attitude of the device; The monitoring module further comprises a tension sensor, a tension and pressure sensor and a strain sensor; The tension sensor is arranged on the cable, and is used for monitoring the stress of the cable; The tension and pressure sensor is arranged at the connection position of the cable and the flexible net, and is used for monitoring the connection state of the cable and the flexible net; The strain sensor is implanted in the oil capsule unit, and is used for monitoring the stress of the oil capsule unit.

2. The actively retrievable underwater flexible storage device of claim 1, wherein, The buoyancy module comprises a first buoyancy gas bag and an electric heater, the first buoyancy gas bag is fixed on the base, and the decision module comprises a microcontroller and a signal receiver; The electric heater is arranged in the first buoyancy gas bag, and the first buoyancy gas bag is filled with a low-boiling-point solution; The electric heater and the signal receiver are electrically connected with the microcontroller, when the signal receiver receives a floating signal, the microcontroller controls the electric heater to work, and the electric heater heats the low-boiling-point solution to make the low-boiling-point solution gasify.

3. The actively retrievable underwater flexible storage device of claim 1, wherein, The buoyancy module comprises a second buoyancy gas bag, an electromagnetic pressure reducing valve and a high-pressure gas cylinder, the decision module comprises a microcontroller and a signal receiver, and the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve and the signal receiver are electrically connected with the microcontroller; The high-pressure gas cylinder is communicated with the second buoyancy gas bag through the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve; When the signal receiver receives a floating signal, the microcontroller controls the electromagnetic pressure reducing valve to open, so that the compressed gas in the high-pressure gas cylinder is filled into the second buoyancy gas bag.

4. The actively recoverable underwater flexible storage device of claim 2 or 3, wherein, The device further comprises a release mechanism, the release mechanism is fixed on the flexible net, and the emergency buoy is connected with the release mechanism. The shell of the emergency buoy is a pressure-resistant floating material, The locator is electrically connected with the radio frequency transmitter, and is used for real-time positioning of the position coordinates of the device; the acoustic transponder is used for acoustic reply; and the battery is used for power supply of the locator, the radio frequency transmitter and the acoustic transponder. The release mechanism comprises a pressure-resistant shell, a rotating wheel, an L-shaped lock tongue, a torsional spring and an electromagnetic lock; the rotating wheel is rotationally arranged in the pressure-resistant shell, a wire harness is wound on the rotating wheel, the end of the wire harness is connected with the emergency buoy, and a limiting hole is arranged on the side of the rotating wheel, and the extending end of the L-shaped lock tongue is inserted into the limiting hole of the rotating wheel. The middle part of the L-shaped lock tongue is hingedly connected to the pressure-resistant shell, the torsional spring is connected between the upper part of the L-shaped lock tongue and the pressure-resistant shell; the electromagnetic lock is fixed to the pressure-resistant shell, and the position of the electromagnetic lock corresponds to the lower part of the L-shaped lock tongue, and the electromagnetic lock is electrically connected with the abnormal system through a wire.

5. The actively retrievable underwater flexible storage device of claim 4, wherein, The monitoring module further comprises a leakage sensor arranged near the oil receiving and discharging interface of the oil bladder unit, and used for monitoring oil leakage. The monitoring module further comprises a depth sensor arranged on the base or the oil bladder unit, and used for monitoring the depth of the device in the water area.

6. The actively recoverable underwater flexible storage device of claim 5, wherein, The decision module further comprises a signal acquisition unit, and the inertial measurement unit, the tension sensor, the tension and pressure sensor, the strain sensor, the leakage sensor and the depth sensor are electrically connected with the signal acquisition unit, and used for collecting monitoring data of the sensors.

7. The actively retrievable underwater flexible storage device of claim 6, wherein, The microcontroller is internally provided with a judgment algorithm, and is used for fusion analysis of the monitoring data of the sensors collected by the signal acquisition unit, and determination of whether the device enters an abnormal state. When the device is determined to be in an abnormal state, the microcontroller controls the buoyancy module to operate, so as to control the device to float up or to correct the posture.

8. The actively retrievable underwater flexible storage device of claim 1, wherein, The oil bladder unit comprises, from inside to outside, an inner layer, a middle layer, a reinforcing layer and an outer layer; the inner layer is a permeation prevention layer, and is made of a polytetrafluoroethylene permeation prevention film; the middle layer is an adsorption layer, and is made of activated carbon; the reinforcing layer is woven by aramid fiber or Kevlar fiber material; and the outer layer is made of dense fiber fabric.

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