Seabed drilling device and method for marine geological exploration
By designing a gas-liquid separation mechanism and a floating plate sealing mechanism, the problem of separating gas and seawater in seabed drilling was solved, achieving efficient gas collection and separation and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANDONG UNIV OF SCI & TECH
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
After seabed drilling, the gas mixed with seawater in the borehole is difficult to separate, affecting the accuracy of subsequent gas detection.
A gas-liquid separation mechanism is adopted, including a filter element, a circular plate, and a gas outlet mechanism. The reciprocating motion of the circular plate realizes the separation and collection of gas and seawater, and the floating plate mechanism and the sealing mechanism realize the effective separation of gas and liquid.
It improves gas collection efficiency and net extraction rate, reduces costs, avoids filter clogging, and achieves individual gas collection and efficient separation.
Smart Images
Figure CN122014114A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of geological exploration technology, and more particularly to a seabed drilling device and method for marine geological exploration. This application claims priority; the earlier application, application number 2025116758313, entitled "A Seabed Drilling Device and Method for Marine Geological Exploration," has a priority date of 2025-11-17. Background Technology
[0002] In marine geology, geological exploration requires the collection and testing of gases within the geological structure to facilitate analysis of its internal conditions.
[0003] In practice, after seabed drilling, seawater mixes with the borehole and the seabed mud. Therefore, gas samples will be mixed with seawater, which is inconvenient for subsequent testing. To address the above problems, we propose a seabed drilling device for marine geological exploration. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a marine geological exploration seabed drilling device that separates gas from seawater through a gas-liquid separation mechanism.
[0005] Technical Solution: A marine geological exploration seabed drilling device includes a drill cutterhead and a shield tunneling tube located at the upper end of the drill cutterhead. A liquid inlet channel is provided at the bottom end of the shield tunneling tube, and a gas-liquid separation mechanism communicating with the liquid inlet channel is provided inside the shield tunneling tube. The gas-liquid separation mechanism includes a filter element, a first circular plate, a second circular plate, a gas outlet mechanism, and a driving device. The filter element is located at the bottom end of the shield tunneling tube. The first circular plate is located above the filter element and fixed to the inner wall of the shield tunneling tube. The second circular plate is located above the first circular plate and is movably and sealed inside the shield tunneling tube. The driving device drives the second circular plate to reciprocate up and down. The gas outlet mechanism is fixed to the inner wall of the shield tunneling tube, and the gas outlet mechanism achieves two gas collections through one reciprocating motion of the second circular plate.
[0006] Furthermore, the air outlet mechanism includes an air outlet pipe, a float plate mechanism, and a sealing mechanism. The air outlet pipe is fixed to the inner wall of the shield tube by a bracket and passes through the second circular plate in a sealed manner. The float plate mechanism is floatingly disposed inside the air outlet pipe and extends to the bottom end of the air outlet pipe. The sealing mechanism is fixed to the upper end face of the second circular plate and extends to the upper end of the air outlet pipe in a sealed manner. The surface of the air outlet pipe is provided with an air inlet groove, an air outlet hole two, and an air outlet hole one in sequence from bottom to top. The air inlet groove is located below the second circular plate, and the air outlet hole one and the air outlet hole two are located above the second circular plate, and the two do not emit air at the same time.
[0007] Furthermore, the float mechanism includes a float plate, a vertical rod, and a lightweight blocking plate. The lightweight blocking plate is movably connected inside the air outlet pipe. The two ends of the vertical rod are respectively fixed to the lightweight blocking plate and the float plate. The float plate is located below the bottom end face of the air outlet pipe.
[0008] Furthermore, the sealing mechanism includes a tension spring telescopic rod, an vent sealing cylinder, and a top rod. The lower end of the tension spring telescopic rod is fixed to the upper end of the circular plate two, and the vent sealing cylinder is fixed to the upper end of the tension spring telescopic rod. The vent sealing cylinder is a hollow cylindrical body with an upper end that is sealed. Vent holes are opened on the surface of the vent sealing cylinder. The push rod is fixed to the vent sealing cylinder. The push rod contacts the lightweight blocking plate when the vent sealing cylinder moves down synchronously with the second circular plate. The vent holes are selectively connected to the first vent hole and the second vent hole, respectively.
[0009] Furthermore, an elastic telescopic rod is fixedly connected to the lower end face of the second circular plate, and a sealing plate is fixedly connected to the lower end of the elastic telescopic rod. The sealing plate is directly above the through hole opened on the first circular plate, and when the second circular plate moves down, the sealing plate blocks the through hole.
[0010] Furthermore, the driving device includes a reciprocating screw, a transmission mechanism, and a drive motor. The drive motor is connected to the reciprocating screw through the transmission mechanism. The reciprocating screw is threaded through the center of the second circular plate and is rotatably connected to the shield tube. Sealing covers are fixedly connected to the upper and lower walls of the second circular plate, respectively. The sealing covers are located outside the reciprocating screw. The upper end of the sealing cover on the upper wall of the second circular plate is fixedly connected to the top wall of the shield tube, and the lower end of the sealing cover on the lower wall of the second circular plate is fixedly connected to the upper wall of the first circular plate.
[0011] Furthermore, the filter element further includes a filter screen, and a support bracket is provided at the upper end of the filter screen. The support bracket is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shield tube.
[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. Natural gas and seawater in the formation enter the shield tunnel through an inlet channel at the bottom. After filtration, they enter between circular plates one and two. Once between circular plates one and two, the gas outlet mechanism separates the gas and seawater and collects the gas. The drive device drives circular plate two to move up and down reciprocally. The gas outlet mechanism achieves two gas collections through one up and down reciprocating motion of circular plate two, resulting in high collection efficiency and high net gas recovery rate.
[0013] Second, after collecting some gas, as the seawater level rises on the circular plate, a float mechanism is used to block or connect the outlet pipe. Under the buoyancy of the water, the float rises, driving the vertical rod and the lightweight blocking plate to rise as well. The lightweight blocking plate moves from one side of the air inlet slot to the upper end of the air inlet slot, blocking the outlet pipe and preventing liquid from entering the outlet pipe through the air inlet slot, thus separating the gas and liquid and collecting the gas separately. The float mechanism adjusts in real time according to the seawater level, with a clever structure that does not require external power, effectively reducing costs.
[0014] Third, the gas is light in weight, so it will float above the water surface. When the water level rises, it pushes the floating plate to a certain height. When the floating plate touches the induction switch, the drive motor of the drive device starts, which drives the reciprocating screw to rotate. This causes the circular plate 2, the tension spring telescopic rod, the gas outlet sealing cylinder, and the top rod to move down. The lower end of the top rod pushes the lightweight blocking plate down. The circular plate 2 and the lightweight blocking plate squeeze the seawater and natural gas downwards. The seawater moves down and backwashes the filter screen to prevent the filter screen from being blocked, which facilitates the continued collection of gas. Fourth, when the circular plate moves down, the floating plate contacts the upper surface of the first circular plate, and the sealing plate blocks the through hole to prevent gas from flowing back into the area below the first circular plate. The exhaust hole is connected to the second exhaust hole. As the second circular plate continues to move down, it compresses the natural gas between the second and first circular plates, allowing it to enter the exhaust pipe from the inlet slot. The gas then enters the area above the second circular plate through the exhaust hole and the second exhaust hole, achieving gas-liquid separation and further gas collection. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an internal structural diagram of the marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This invention provides a marine geological exploration seabed drilling device. Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the float plate mechanism and the sealing mechanism of the marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the float plate mechanism and the sealing mechanism of the marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] In the above figures: 1. Drill cutterhead; 2. Shield tube; 3. Circular plate one; 4. Circular plate two; 5. Air outlet mechanism; 6. Air outlet pipe; 7. Floating plate mechanism; 8. Sealing mechanism; 9. Floating plate; 10. Vertical rod; 11. Lightweight blocking plate; 12. Air inlet groove; 13. Tension spring telescopic rod; 14. Air outlet sealing cylinder; 15. Top rod; 16. Exhaust hole; 17. Air outlet one; 18. Air outlet two; 19. Elastic telescopic rod body; 20. Sealing plate; 21. Through hole; 22. Filter screen; 23. Sealing cover. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more complete description of this application will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Similarly, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention may be more thorough and complete.
[0018] It should be noted that the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "up," "down," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.
[0019] 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 invention pertains; the terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention; the term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0020] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this invention proposes a seabed drilling device for marine geological exploration, including a drill bit 1 and a shield tunneling cylinder 2 located at the upper end of the drill bit 1. The drill bit 1 is provided with a water inlet for external fluid to enter the shield tunneling cylinder 2, and a filter screen 22 is provided at the upper end of the water inlet. The fluid includes gas and seawater mixed with soil, and the filter screen 22 can filter out most of the soil impurities. A gas-liquid separation mechanism is provided inside the shield tunneling cylinder 2 to separate the gas.
[0021] The gas-liquid separation mechanism includes a first circular plate 3 and a second circular plate 4. The first circular plate 3 is fixed to the inner wall of the shield tube 2. The second circular plate 4 is movably and sealed inside the shield tube 2, located above the first circular plate 3. An elastic telescopic rod 19 is fixed to the lower end face of the second circular plate 4. The elastic telescopic rod 19 is in an extended state when not under stress, and is compressed axially when subjected to external force. A sealing plate 20 is fixed to the lower end of the elastic telescopic rod 19. The sealing plate 20 is an elastic element, such as rubber. The first circular plate 3 has a through hole 21, and the sealing plate 20 is directly above the through hole 21. When the second circular plate 4 moves down, the elastic telescopic rod 19 moves down synchronously, and the sealing plate 20 blocks the through hole 21. The space between the first circular plate 3 and the filter screen contains a mixture of seawater and gas. The mixture enters the space between the first circular plate 3 and the second circular plate 4 through the through hole 21. When the sealing plate 20 blocks the through hole 21, it prevents the mixture at the bottom from entering the space between the first circular plate 3 and the second circular plate 4.
[0022] The gas-liquid separation mechanism also includes an exhaust mechanism 5, which is connected to the inner wall of the shield tube 2 and movably passes through the circular plate 4. Specifically, the exhaust mechanism 5 includes an exhaust pipe 6, which is fixed to the inner wall of the shield tube 2 by two supports and movably passes through the circular plate 4. The surface of the exhaust pipe 6 has an exhaust hole 17 and an exhaust hole 18, which are distributed vertically and are both located above the circular plate 4.
[0023] The gas outlet mechanism 5 also includes a float mechanism 7, which is floatingly disposed within the gas outlet pipe 6 and extends to the bottom end of the gas outlet pipe 6. Specifically, the float mechanism 7 includes a float plate 9, a vertical rod 10, and a lightweight blocking plate 11. The lightweight blocking plate 11 is movably disposed within the gas outlet pipe 6, the vertical rod 10 is fixedly connected to the lower end face of the lightweight blocking plate 11, and the float plate 9 is disposed below the bottom end face of the gas outlet pipe 6 and fixedly connected to the lower end face of the vertical rod 10. An air inlet groove 12 is provided on the gas outlet pipe 6, which is located below the circular plate 4 and is used to collect gas into the gas outlet pipe 6. Initially, seawater has not entered between circular plate 3 and circular plate 4. Lightweight blocking plate 11 is located at air inlet 12, and floating plate 9 rests on circular plate 3. As seawater enters, floating plate 9 rises with the seawater level, and lightweight blocking plate 11 rises synchronously. Lightweight blocking plate 11 is located at the upper part of air inlet 12, and floating plate 9 abuts against the bottom of air outlet pipe 6 and stops rising. When lightweight blocking plate 11 moves down, floating plate 9 moves down synchronously, seawater is discharged, lightweight blocking plate 11 returns to air inlet 12, and floating plate 9 rests on circular plate 3 and stops moving down.
[0024] The venting mechanism 5 also includes a sealing mechanism 8, which is connected to the circular plate 4 and extends movably into the upper end of the venting pipe 6. Specifically, the sealing mechanism 8 includes a tension spring telescopic rod 13, a venting sealing cylinder 14, and a push rod 15. The lower end of the tension spring telescopic rod 13 is fixed to the upper end face of the circular plate 4, and the venting sealing cylinder 14 is fixed to the upper end of the tension spring telescopic rod 13. The venting sealing cylinder 14 is a hollow cylindrical body with an upper end that is sealed. The venting sealing cylinder 14 is located inside the venting pipe 6, and an exhaust hole 16 is opened on the side surface of the venting sealing cylinder 14. The exhaust hole 16 communicates with the first venting hole 17 and the second venting hole 18 at intervals. The push rod 15 is fixed to the venting sealing cylinder 14. The push rod 15 contacts the lightweight blocking plate 11 when the venting sealing cylinder 14 moves downward.
[0025] A reciprocating screw is threaded through the center of circular plate 2 4, and is rotatably connected to shield cylinder 2. Compressible sealing covers 23 are fixed to the upper and lower walls of circular plate 2 4, respectively, and are located outside the reciprocating screw. The upper end of the sealing cover 23 on the upper wall of circular plate 2 4 is fixedly connected to the top wall of shield cylinder 2, and the lower end of the sealing cover 23 on the lower wall of circular plate 2 4 is fixedly connected to the upper wall of circular plate 1 3. The sealing cover 23 is specifically a compressible bellows. A drive motor (not shown in the figure) is installed on shield cylinder 2, and is connected to the reciprocating screw through a transmission mechanism, driving the reciprocating screw to rotate. An inductive switch (not shown in the figure) is also installed inside shield cylinder 2. The inductive switch is located on the path of the floating plate 9. When the inductive switch detects the floating plate 9, it sends a signal back to the drive motor, which drives the reciprocating screw to rotate, synchronously causing circular plate 2 4 to reciprocate up and down.
[0026] Work process: The shield tube 2 is connected to an external rotating and lowering device. The external rotating and lowering device causes the shield tube 2 and the drill cutterhead 1 to rotate and move downward. The drill cutterhead 1, through its rotating and lowering operation, drills into the seabed geology. The drill cutterhead 1 and the shield tube 2 enter the geology. Natural gas and seawater in the geological environment enter the shield tube 2 through the water inlet at the bottom of the shield tube 2 and the lower end of the first circular plate 3. Then, they enter the upper part of the first circular plate 3 and the lower part of the second circular plate 4 through the through hole 21. The gas enters the gas outlet pipe 6 and the gas outlet sealing cylinder 14 through the gas inlet groove 12. It enters the upper part of the second circular plate 4 through the exhaust hole 16 and the first exhaust hole 17. The upper end of the shield tube 2 is connected to a one-way valve to discharge the natural gas and collect it. As more water enters between circular plates 3 and 4, the float plate 9 rises due to buoyancy, causing the vertical rod 10 and the lightweight blocking plate 11 to rise as well. The lightweight blocking plate 11 moves from one side of the air inlet slot 12 to the upper end of the air inlet slot 12, blocking the air outlet pipe 6. At this point, the gas no longer escapes. Because the gas is lightweight, it remains above the water surface. When the water level pushes the float plate 9 to a certain height (e.g., the float plate 9 is close to the bottom of the air outlet pipe 6), the float plate 9 touches the inductive switch, starting the drive motor and rotating the reciprocating screw. This causes circular plate 4 to move downwards, which in turn causes the tension spring telescopic rod 13 to move downwards, thus... The gas outlet sealing cylinder 14 moves down, simultaneously driving the push rod 15 down. The lower end of the push rod 15 pushes the lightweight blocking plate 11 down. The circular plate 2 4 and the lightweight blocking plate 11 squeeze seawater and natural gas downward. Seawater enters below the circular plate 3 through the through hole 21 between the circular plate 1 3 and the circular plate 2 4, and backwashes the filter screen 22 to prevent the filter screen 22 from being blocked. When the floating plate 9 contacts the upper surface of the circular plate 1 3, the gas outlet sealing cylinder 14 has descended to its limit position and no longer moves downward. The exhaust port 16 is connected to the second exhaust port 18. The lightweight blocking plate 11 is at the air inlet groove 12. Under the restriction of the circular plate 1 3, the lightweight blocking plate 11 no longer moves downward. As the second circular plate 4 continues to move downward, the tension spring extension rod 13 is stretched. At this time, the sealing plate 20 blocks the through hole 21 to prevent gas from flowing back into the area below the first circular plate 3. The second circular plate 4 continues to move downward, squeezing the natural gas between the second circular plate 4 and the first circular plate 3 into the outlet pipe 6 through the inlet slot 12. The gas then enters the area above the second circular plate 4 through the exhaust hole 16 and the second outlet hole 18, achieving gas-liquid separation and secondary gas collection. The upper end of the shield tube 2 is connected to a pipeline to output the stored gas to the terminal. The drive device moves the circular plate 4 upwards to reset.
[0027] The embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A marine geological exploration seabed drilling device, comprising a drill cutterhead (1) and a shield tube (2) disposed at the upper end of the drill cutterhead (1), characterized in that: The bottom end of the shield tube (2) is provided with a liquid inlet channel, and the shield tube (2) is provided with a gas-liquid separation mechanism that communicates with the liquid inlet channel. The gas-liquid separation mechanism includes a filter element, a circular plate one (3), a circular plate two (4), an air outlet mechanism (5), and a driving device. The filter element is located at the bottom end of the shield tube (2). The circular plate one (3) is located above the filter element and is fixed to the inner wall of the shield tube (2). The circular plate two (4) is located above the circular plate one (3) and is sealed and movable inside the shield tube (2). The driving device drives the circular plate two (4) to move up and down reciprocally. The air outlet mechanism (5) is fixed to the inner wall of the shield tube (2). The air outlet mechanism (5) achieves two gas collections through one up and down reciprocating motion of the circular plate two (4).
2. The marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air outlet mechanism (5) includes an air outlet pipe (6), a floating plate mechanism (7) and a sealing mechanism (8). The air outlet pipe (6) is fixed to the inner wall of the shield tube (2) by a bracket and passes through the circular plate two (4) in a sealed manner. The floating plate mechanism (7) is floatingly located inside the air outlet pipe (6) and extends to the bottom end of the air outlet pipe (6). The sealing mechanism (8) is fixed to the upper end face of the circular plate two (4) and extends to the upper end of the air outlet pipe (6) in a sealed manner. The surface of the air outlet pipe (6) is provided with an air inlet groove (12), an air outlet two (18) and an air outlet one (17) in sequence from bottom to top. The air inlet groove (12) is located below the circular plate two (4), and the air outlet one (17) and the air outlet two (18) are located above the circular plate two (4) and do not vent air at the same time.
3. The marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The float mechanism (7) includes a float plate (9), a vertical rod (10) and a lightweight blocking plate (11). The lightweight blocking plate (11) is movably connected inside the air outlet pipe (6). The two ends of the vertical rod (10) are respectively fixed to the lightweight blocking plate (11) and the float plate (9). The float plate (9) is located below the bottom surface of the air outlet pipe (6).
4. The marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing mechanism (8) includes a tension spring telescopic rod (13), an air outlet sealing cylinder (14) and a top rod (15). The lower end of the tension spring telescopic rod (13) is fixed to the upper end of the circular plate (4), and the air outlet sealing cylinder (14) is fixed to the upper end of the tension spring telescopic rod (13). The vent plugging cylinder (14) is a hollow cylindrical body with an upper end that is sealed. Vent holes (16) are opened on the surface of the vent plugging cylinder (14). The push rod (15) is fixed to the vent plugging cylinder (14). The push rod (15) contacts the lightweight plugging plate (11) when the vent plugging cylinder (14) moves down synchronously with the circular plate (4). The vent holes (16) are selectively connected to the first vent hole (17) and the second vent hole (18) respectively.
5. The marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, An elastic telescopic rod (19) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the circular plate 2 (4). A sealing plate (20) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the elastic telescopic rod (19). The sealing plate (20) is directly above the through hole (21) opened on the circular plate 1 (3). When the circular plate 2 (4) moves down, the sealing plate (20) blocks the through hole (21).
6. The marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving device includes a reciprocating screw, a transmission mechanism, and a drive motor. The drive motor is connected to the reciprocating screw through the transmission mechanism. The reciprocating screw is threaded through the center of the second circular plate (4). The reciprocating screw is rotatably connected to the shield tube (2). The upper and lower walls of the second circular plate (4) are respectively fixed with sealing covers (23). The sealing covers (23) are located outside the reciprocating screw. The upper end of the sealing cover (23) on the upper wall of the second circular plate (4) is fixedly connected to the top wall of the shield tube (2). The lower end of the sealing cover (23) on the lower wall of the second circular plate (4) is fixedly connected to the upper wall of the first circular plate (3).
7. The marine geological exploration seabed drilling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The filter element further includes a filter screen, and a support bracket is provided at the upper end of the filter screen. The support bracket is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shield tube (2).