Underwater coating equipment and underwater coating method thereof

Abstract

According to the underwater coating equipment and the underwater coating method thereof, a coating isolation box is moved, pressed and attached to a to-be-repaired position through a thruster and a propeller, and air is introduced into the coating isolation box through an air compressor; a water-free coating space can be manufactured around the to-be-repaired position by discharging water in the coating isolation box through gas, then coating construction and coating film curing are conducted in the water-free coating space through a coating system, the construction difficulty of underwater coating is lowered, the coating quality is improved, and the construction efficiency is improved. The problems that underwater coating construction is difficult and the construction quality is difficult to guarantee in the prior art are effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater maintenance technology, and in particular to an underwater coating equipment and an underwater coating method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] During long-term use, marine steel structures, ships, and hydraulic facilities are susceptible to damage to their surface coatings due to harsh environmental factors such as seawater erosion and tidal changes, leading to rust and corrosion. Traditional underwater coating applications face numerous difficulties because the presence of water significantly impacts coating application and curing processes. While existing underwater coatings can address some of the challenges, they are still limited by factors such as water flow and pressure, making it difficult to guarantee application quality and efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides an underwater coating equipment and an underwater coating method thereof. By using the underwater coating equipment to create a waterless space in the area where the repair is to be performed, the coating is applied and the coating film is cured in the waterless space, which effectively solves the problems of difficult underwater coating construction and difficulty in ensuring construction quality in the prior art.

[0004] An underwater coating device includes a coating isolation box, an air compressor, a coating system, and a controller. The coating isolation box has a bottom opening structure. Multiple propellers are symmetrically arranged around the coating isolation box to move the coating isolation box and adjust its position in the water. A propeller is provided on the top surface of the coating isolation box to press the coating isolation box onto the position to be repaired. The air compressor is connected to the coating isolation box via an air pipe to supply compressed air into the coating isolation box to discharge water inside the box; The coating system is connected to nozzles installed on a coating isolation box via a spray pipe; The thruster, propeller, air compressor, and coating system are all connected to the controller via cables.

[0005] Preferably, the device also includes an endoscope and an endoscope display screen, wherein the endoscope is disposed inside the coating isolation box and is connected to the endoscope display screen via a cable.

[0006] Preferably, the coating isolation box is a transparent box, or the coating isolation box is provided with a transparent observation window.

[0007] Preferably, the coating isolation box is also equipped with a heating device, which is connected to a controller.

[0008] Preferably, the air compressor is further provided with a pressure gauge for monitoring the compressed air pressure inside the coating isolation box.

[0009] Preferably, the top surface of the coating isolation box is provided with a sealed joint for passing through a spray pipe connected to the nozzle, an air pipe of an air compressor, or a cable of an endoscope.

[0010] Preferably, two propellers are symmetrically arranged on the top surface of the coating isolation box.

[0011] A method for underwater coating using the aforementioned underwater coating equipment specifically includes the following steps: S1, the coating isolation box is put into the water, and at the same time the controller controls the start of each thruster to move the coating isolation box to the repair position and make the opening of the coating isolation box face the repair position. S2, the controller controls the start of the propeller, and the water flow thrust generated by the rotating propeller presses the paint isolation box onto the position to be repaired; S3, the controller starts the air compressor, which introduces compressed air into the coating isolation box to completely remove the water inside. When the pressure gauge detects that the pressure in the waterless space inside the coating isolation box is stable, the controller starts the coating system to evenly spray the coating onto the surface to be repaired through the nozzle. S4. After the coating is completed, shut down the coating system. After the coating has cured, shut down the air compressor and use the thruster and propeller to move the coating isolation box to the water surface and salvage it ashore.

[0012] Preferably, the pressure of the compressed air discharged by the air compressor is greater than the water pressure, and the pressure of the paint sprayed from the nozzle is greater than the pressure of the compressed air discharged by the air compressor.

[0013] Preferably, the pressure of the paint sprayed from the nozzle is 30-40 times the pressure of the compressed air discharged from the air compressor.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This invention utilizes a thruster and propeller to move and press a coating isolation box onto the repair location. An air compressor is used to ventilate the coating isolation box, and the gas is used to expel the water inside the box, creating a waterless coating space around the repair location. The coating system then applies the paint and cures the coating film within this waterless space. This not only reduces the difficulty of underwater coating but also improves the coating quality, effectively solving the problems of difficult underwater coating construction and unreliable construction quality in existing technologies.

[0015] 2. During underwater coating operations, this invention allows for the observation of coating quality using transparent viewing windows and endoscopes on the coating isolation box, ensuring controllability of the construction process and enabling timely adjustments to the construction process based on changes in the coating's state during construction, thereby ensuring coating quality.

[0016] 3. The underwater coating equipment of the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It is suitable for various underwater coating construction scenarios, and the construction process is simple and efficient, which greatly reduces the construction period and cost and improves the efficiency of underwater coating construction. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of underwater coating equipment.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a front view of the painted isolation box.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a left view of the painted isolation box.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a top view of the painted isolation box.

[0022] The meanings of the labels in the diagram are as follows: 1 is a painted isolation box. 2 is an air compressor. 3 is a pressure gauge. 4 represents the coating system. 5 represents the nozzle. 6 represents an endoscope. 7 is the endoscope display screen. 8 represents the propeller. 9 is a sealing joint. 10 represents the top surface of the painted isolation box. 11 is the thruster. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention is described below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0024] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0026] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise specified and limited, it should be noted that the terms "installation", "connection" and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to mechanical or electrical connections, or internal connections between two components. They can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] To better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The present invention provides an underwater coating equipment, including a coating isolation box 1, an air compressor 2, a coating system 4 and a controller. In use, the coating isolation box 1 is submerged in water, while the air compressor 2, the coating system 4 and the controller are all located on the shore.

[0029] The coating isolation box 1 has a bottom opening structure. Multiple propellers 11 are symmetrically arranged around the coating isolation box 1 to move the coating isolation box 1 and adjust its position in the water. A propeller 8 is provided on the top surface of the coating isolation box 1 to press the coating isolation box 1 onto the position to be repaired. The air compressor 2 is connected to the coating isolation box 1 via an air pipe to introduce compressed air into the coating isolation box 1 to expel water from the box, thereby creating a waterless coating space around the area to be repaired. The air compressor 2 is also equipped with a pressure gauge 3 to monitor the compressed air pressure in the coating isolation box 1, so as to adjust the output pressure of the air compressor 2 in a timely manner to ensure stable air pressure in the waterless coating space and the coating construction effect.

[0030] The coating system 4 is connected to the nozzle 5 installed on the coating isolation box 1 via a spray pipe; The thruster 11, propeller 8, air compressor 2, and coating system 4 are all connected to the controller via cables.

[0031] Specifically, the coating isolation box 1 is a cubic box with an open bottom. A thruster 11 is fixed to each of its four sides (front, rear, left, and right), and two propellers 8 are fixed to its top surface. The thrusters 11 are thrusters with adjustable propulsion direction, such as vector thrusters. Using the four thrusters 11, the coating isolation box 1 can move in the front, rear, left, and right directions and can yaw and rotate to move to the repair location of equipment such as marine steel structures, ships, and water conservancy facilities, ensuring its opening faces the repair location. The propellers 8 generate thrust to press the coating isolation box 1 onto the repair location. The propellers 8 can also cooperate with the thrusters 11 to adjust the yaw angle of the coating isolation box 1.

[0032] The top surface of the coating isolation box 1 is provided with a sealing joint 9 for the spray pipe connected to the nozzle 5, the air pipe of the air compressor 2, or the cable of the endoscope 6 to pass through. The coating isolation box 1 may be provided with one or more sealing joints. If only one sealing joint is provided, the spray pipe connected to the nozzle 5, the air pipe of the air compressor 2, and the cable of the endoscope 6 all pass through this sealing joint. If multiple sealing joints are provided, the spray pipe connected to the nozzle 5, the air pipe of the air compressor 2, and the cable of the endoscope 6 can pass through the nearest sealing joint.

[0033] At least one nozzle 5 is provided inside the coating isolation box 1.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, in order to facilitate the observation of the coating situation in the formed waterless coating space and the changes in the coating during the construction process, so that the construction personnel can adjust the construction process in a timely manner and ensure the coating quality, the coating isolation box 1 is a transparent box, or the coating isolation box 1 is provided with a transparent observation window.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the coating isolation box 1 is further equipped with a heating device connected to a controller. The heating device can provide a suitable ambient temperature in the waterless coating space to promote rapid curing of the coating and improve the performance of the coating film. The heating device can be configured as a heating wire, heating plate, etc., selected according to specific construction requirements.

[0036] The present invention also provides a method for underwater coating using the underwater coating equipment described above, specifically including the following steps: S1, the coating isolation box 1 is put into the water, and at the same time the controller controls the start of each thruster 11, using the thrusters 11 to move the coating isolation box 1 to the position to be repaired, and make the opening of the coating isolation box 1 face the position to be repaired.

[0037] S2, the controller controls the start of propeller 8, and under the thrust of the water flow generated by the rotation of propeller 8, the coating isolation box 1 is pressed onto the position to be repaired.

[0038] S3, the controller starts the air compressor 2, which introduces compressed air into the coating isolation box 1 to completely remove the water inside the box (at this time, the thruster 11 and propeller 8 are still in operation and not turned off). When the pressure gauge 3 detects that the pressure of the waterless coating space in the coating isolation box 1 is stable, the controller starts the paint system 4 to spray the paint evenly onto the surface to be repaired through the nozzle 5.

[0039] The pressure of the compressed air discharged by the air compressor 2 is greater than the water pressure, and the pressure of the paint sprayed from the nozzle 5 is greater than the pressure of the compressed air discharged by the air compressor 2. Preferably, the pressure of the paint sprayed from the nozzle 5 is 30-40 times the pressure of the compressed air discharged by the air compressor 2.

[0040] During the coating process, the coating status is observed through the transparent observation window on the coating isolation box 1, and the construction process is adjusted in a timely manner.

[0041] S4. After coating is completed, shut down the coating system 4 and wait for the coating to cure. If necessary, the heating device can be turned on to promote rapid curing of the coating. After the coating has cured, turn off the air compressor 2, use the thruster 11 and propeller 8 to move the coating isolation box 1 to the water surface and retrieve it ashore, and check the coating quality.

[0042] In this application, the aforementioned underwater coating equipment can repair marine steel structures, ship hulls, ship anti-roll fins, and other structures.

[0043] Example 2: The underwater coating equipment in this example is basically the same as that in Example 1, except that the underwater coating equipment also includes an endoscope 6 and an endoscope display screen 7.

[0044] The endoscope 6 is installed inside the coating isolation box 1. The endoscope 6 is connected to the endoscope display screen 7 via a cable. The endoscope display screen 7 can be installed on the shore.

[0045] The endoscope 6, in conjunction with the endoscope display screen 7, helps construction personnel observe the coating process within the waterless coating area and the changes in the paint's condition during application. During spraying, personnel can use the endoscope to adjust the application process in a timely manner, ensuring coating quality.

[0046] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underwater coating equipment, characterized in that, Includes a coating isolation box (1), an air compressor (2), a coating system (4), and a controller. The coating isolation box (1) has a bottom opening structure. Multiple propellers (11) are symmetrically arranged around the coating isolation box (1) to move the coating isolation box (1) and adjust its position in the water. A propeller (8) is provided on the top surface of the coating isolation box (1) to press the coating isolation box (1) onto the position to be repaired. The air compressor (2) is connected to the coating isolation box (1) through an air pipe to introduce compressed air into the coating isolation box to discharge the water inside the box; The coating system (4) is connected to the nozzle (5) installed on the coating isolation box (1) via a spray pipe; The thruster (11), propeller (8), air compressor (2) and coating system (4) are all connected to the controller via cables.

2. The underwater coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an endoscope (6) and an endoscope display screen (7), the endoscope (6) being disposed inside the coating isolation box (1), and the endoscope (6) being connected to the endoscope display screen (7) via a cable.

3. The underwater coating equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The coating isolation box (1) is a transparent box, or the coating isolation box (1) is provided with a transparent observation window.

4. The underwater coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coating isolation box (1) is also equipped with a heating device, which is connected to the controller.

5. The underwater coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air compressor (2) is also equipped with a pressure gauge (3) for monitoring the compressed air pressure inside the coating isolation box (1).

6. The underwater coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the coating isolation box (1) is provided with a sealed joint (9) for passing through the spray pipe connected to the nozzle (5), the air pipe of the air compressor (2), or the cable of the endoscope (6).

7. The underwater coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two propellers (8) are symmetrically arranged on the top surface of the coating isolation box (1).

8. A method for underwater coating using the underwater coating equipment according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Specifically, the following steps are included: S1, the coating isolation box (1) is put into the water, and at the same time the controller controls the start of each thruster (11) to move the coating isolation box (1) to the repair position using the thrusters (11) and make the opening of the coating isolation box (1) face the repair position. S2, the controller controls the start propeller (8), and under the water flow thrust generated by the rotation of the propeller (8), the coating isolation box (1) is pressed onto the position to be repaired; S3, the controller controls the start of the air compressor (2), the air compressor (2) introduces compressed air into the coating isolation box (1) to completely drain the water in the box. When the pressure gauge (3) detects that the pressure of the waterless space in the coating isolation box (1) is stable, the controller controls the start of the coating system (4) to spray the coating evenly onto the surface of the position to be repaired through the nozzle (5). S4. After the coating is completed, shut down the coating system (4). After the coating has cured, shut down the air compressor (2). Use the thruster (11) and propeller (8) to move the coating isolation box (1) to the water surface and salvage it ashore.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The pressure of the compressed air discharged by the air compressor (2) is greater than the water pressure, and the pressure of the paint sprayed by the nozzle (5) is greater than the pressure of the compressed air discharged by the air compressor (2).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The pressure of the paint sprayed from the nozzle (5) is 30-40 times the pressure of the compressed air discharged from the air compressor (2).

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