An unmanned ship bilge water monitoring management system
By combining the liquid level detection module and the emergency drainage module, the problem of unmanned vessels being unable to simultaneously handle large-volume emergency drainage and low-cost daily drainage of bilge liquid was solved, achieving efficient and safe liquid management.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YIHANG NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (JIANGSU) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing bilge drainage systems for unmanned vessels cannot simultaneously address the issues of large emergency drainage volumes and low-cost routine drainage.
The system employs a combination of a liquid level detection module, a main drainage module, an emergency drainage module, and a drainage decision module. It utilizes a liquid level detection device to monitor the liquid level in real time, achieves low-cost daily drainage through a shared drainage pump, and switches to the main seawater pump to provide high-flow drainage in emergencies.
It enables efficient and low-cost daily drainage of bilge fluid from unmanned vessels, as well as rapid and safe high-volume drainage in emergencies, ensuring vessel stability and safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN122186332A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned vessel technology, and in particular to a monitoring and management system for liquid accumulation in the bilge of unmanned vessels. Background Technology
[0002] Watertight bulkheads divide a ship's hull into independent watertight spaces. If one section floods due to damage, the other sections can remain sealed, preventing the entire ship from sinking and improving its survivability and navigational safety. Furthermore, different sections serve different functions, and watertight bulkheads prevent interference between sections caused by oil, water vapor, and noise. For example, if an unmanned vessel's main hull is divided into six sections by watertight bulkheads, from stern to bow, these would be the steering gear compartment, propulsion motor compartment, main generator compartment, sound source compartment, bow equipment compartment, and bow tip compartment.
[0003] Unmanned vessels are prone to water accumulation in the hull due to various factors such as leakage caused by mechanical equipment or pipeline sealing failure, seawater infiltration, and temperature difference condensation. If the accumulated water is not drained in time, it may corrode the hull structure, affect the stability of the vessel, and even cause safety hazards.
[0004] To ensure rapid drainage in emergencies such as hull breaches, existing bilge drainage systems for unmanned vessels require high-flow-rate pumps, resulting in high costs and energy consumption for routine bilge drainage. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a monitoring and management system for bilge liquid accumulation on unmanned vessels, so as to solve the problem that the existing bilge liquid discharge system for unmanned vessels cannot simultaneously handle large emergency drainage flow and low-cost daily liquid discharge.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a monitoring and management system for liquid accumulation in the bilge of an unmanned vessel, comprising: The liquid level detection module includes several liquid level detection devices. One liquid level detection device is installed in each compartment of the unmanned vessel. The liquid level detection device is used to detect the liquid level height in a single compartment in real time. The main drainage module includes a drainage pump, a drainage main pipe and a drainage branch pipe. The inlet of the drainage pump is connected to the drainage main pipe. A first solenoid valve is installed on the drainage main pipe. A water collection trap is installed at the bottom of the compartment. One end of the drainage branch pipe is connected to the water collection trap and the other end is connected to the drainage main pipe. The emergency drainage module includes a main seawater pump, an emergency pipeline, and a connecting pipeline. The flow rate of the main seawater pump is greater than that of the drainage pump. The inlet pipeline of the main seawater pump is connected to the seabed gate, and a second solenoid valve is installed on the inlet pipeline. The outlet of the main seawater pump is connected to the cooling circuit of the seawater cooling system. One end of the emergency pipeline is connected to the emergency suction port of a compartment, and the other end is connected to the inlet pipeline. A third solenoid valve is installed on the emergency pipeline. One end of the connecting pipeline is connected to the emergency pipeline, and the other end is connected to the main drainage pipe. A fourth solenoid valve is installed on the connecting pipeline. The drainage decision module is used to generate drainage instructions based on the liquid accumulation detection results of the liquid level detection module, and control the main drainage module and the emergency drainage module to execute the drainage instructions.
[0007] As a further description of the above technical solution: The liquid level detection device includes a liquid level sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a viscosity sensor. The liquid level sensor is installed in a bottom-suspended manner, and the distance between the probe of the liquid level sensor and the bottom surface of the water collection trap does not exceed 30mm. The installation positions of the conductivity sensor and the viscosity sensor are both located above the liquid level sensor.
[0008] As a further description of the above technical solution: The viscosity sensor is installed at a higher height than the conductivity sensor, and a first temperature sensor is installed on one side of the viscosity sensor.
[0009] As a further description of the above technical solution: The liquid level sensor can be a pressure-type liquid level sensor or a capacitive liquid level sensor.
[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution: A vibration sensor is installed at the location of the drainage pump to detect the vibration status of the drainage pump.
[0011] As a further description of the above technical solution: A second temperature sensor is installed at the location of the drain pump to detect the temperature of the drain pump.
[0012] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. In this invention, the liquid level in each compartment of the unmanned vessel is monitored in real time by a liquid level detection device. The water collection traps in each compartment are connected to the main drainage pipe via drainage branch pipes. By sharing a single drainage pump, efficient and low-cost daily drainage of water from each compartment is achieved. In emergency situations such as compartment breaches requiring rapid drainage, the main seawater pump can be temporarily switched to provide a large-flow drainage capacity, compensating for the insufficient flow of the daily bilge pump and ensuring the stability and safety of the vessel.
[0013] 2. In this invention, the emergency drainage module can not only quickly drain key compartments through emergency pipelines, but also switch between the emergency drainage module and the main drainage module by using connecting pipelines and valve control. The main seawater pump of the emergency drainage module can achieve high-flow drainage, thereby improving the ship's anti-sinking ability at the lowest cost. Attached Figure Description
[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the physical piping of a monitoring and management system for liquid accumulation in the bilge of an unmanned vessel.
[0016] 1. Unmanned vessel; 2. Drain pump; 3. Drain main pipe; 4. Main seawater pump; 5. Emergency pipeline; 6. Connecting pipeline. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.
[0018] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention. Example 1
[0019] Please see Figure 1 This invention provides a technical solution: a monitoring and management system for liquid accumulation in the bilge of an unmanned vessel, comprising: The liquid level detection module includes several liquid level detection devices. One liquid level detection device is installed in each compartment of the unmanned vessel 1. The liquid level detection device is used to detect the liquid level height in a single compartment in real time. The main drainage module includes a drainage pump 2, a drainage main pipe 3 and a drainage branch pipe. The inlet of the drainage pump 2 is connected to the drainage main pipe 3. A first solenoid valve is installed on the drainage main pipe 3. A water collection trap is installed at the bottom of the compartment. One end of the drainage branch pipe is connected to the water collection trap and the other end is connected to the drainage main pipe 3. The emergency drainage module includes a main seawater pump 4, an emergency pipeline 5, and a connecting pipeline 6. The flow rate of the main seawater pump 4 is greater than that of the drainage pump 2. The inlet pipeline of the main seawater pump 4 is connected to the seagate, and a second solenoid valve is installed on the inlet pipeline. The outlet of the main seawater pump 4 is connected to the cooling circuit of the seawater cooling system. The seawater cooling system is used to cool the generator set, main propulsion motor, frequency converter, and other equipment of the unmanned vessel. The seawater sucked in through the seagate enters the cooling circuit of the seawater cooling system, exchanges heat with the equipment, and is then discharged to the outside of the vessel. The seawater cooling system adopts the existing solution, which will not be elaborated further. One end of the emergency pipeline 5 is connected to the emergency suction port of a compartment, and the other end is connected to the inlet pipeline. A third solenoid valve is installed on the emergency pipeline 5. The emergency pipeline 5 is connected to the key compartments of the unmanned vessel 1 (such as the propulsion motor compartment and the main generator compartment). One end of the connecting pipeline 6 is connected to the emergency pipeline 5, and the other end is connected to the drainage main pipe 3. A fourth solenoid valve is installed on the connecting pipeline 6. The drainage decision module is used to generate drainage instructions based on the liquid accumulation detection results of the liquid level detection module, and control the main drainage module and the emergency drainage module to execute the drainage instructions.
[0020] The unmanned vessel 1 uses liquid level detection devices to monitor the liquid level in each compartment in real time. The water collection traps in each compartment are connected to the main drainage pipe 3 via drainage branch pipes. By sharing a single drainage pump 2, efficient and low-cost daily drainage of water accumulated in each compartment is achieved. In emergency situations such as compartment breaches requiring rapid drainage, the main seawater pump can be temporarily switched to provide a large flow rate for drainage, compensating for the insufficient flow rate of the daily bilge pump and ensuring the stability and safety of the vessel.
[0021] The emergency drainage module can not only quickly drain key compartments through emergency pipeline 5, but also switch between the emergency drainage module and the main drainage module by using connecting pipeline 6 and valve control. The main seawater pump 4 of the emergency drainage module can achieve high-flow drainage, thereby improving the ship's anti-sinking ability at the lowest cost.
[0022] The liquid level detection device includes a liquid level sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a viscosity sensor. The liquid level sensor is installed in a bottom-suspended manner, and the distance between the probe of the liquid level sensor and the bottom surface of the water collection trap does not exceed 30mm. The installation positions of the conductivity sensor and the viscosity sensor are both located above the liquid level sensor.
[0023] The liquid level sensor is installed at a low height and uses a bottom-suspended installation, which effectively ensures that detection can be triggered even when there is only a small amount of liquid accumulation at the bottom of the compartment. At the same time, the conductivity sensor and viscosity sensor are installed above the liquid level sensor. The physical properties of the liquid are detected only when the liquid accumulation exceeds the probe of the liquid level sensor, so as to identify the type of liquid accumulation and realize the low power consumption operation of the liquid level detection device.
[0024] The first, second, third, and fourth solenoid valves are all shut-off check valves. As a composite valve that combines the functions of a shut-off valve and a check valve, the shut-off check valve facilitates the switching between the emergency drainage module and the main drainage module during the drainage process.
[0025] Working principle: The liquid level detection device in each compartment of the unmanned vessel 1 detects the liquid level in real time. When the liquid level rise rate is less than the set speed threshold and the liquid level reaches the set height threshold, the liquid discharge decision module generates a daily liquid discharge instruction, and the liquid in the compartment is discharged from the water collection trap in sequence through the liquid discharge branch pipe, the liquid discharge main pipe 3, and the liquid discharge pump 2. If the liquid level does not reach the set height threshold, no water is discharged. When the liquid level reaches a set height threshold and the liquid level rises at a rate greater than a set speed threshold, the drainage decision module generates an emergency drainage command. If it is a critical compartment connected to emergency pipeline 5, the main drainage module and the emergency drainage module are activated simultaneously. On one hand, the main drainage module drains the liquid in the compartment through the water collection trap. On the other hand, the second solenoid valve on the inlet pipe of the emergency drainage module interrupts the connection between the main seawater pump 4 and the seagate. At the same time, the third solenoid valve opens emergency pipeline 5, and the fourth solenoid valve blocks the connecting pipeline 6, so that the main drainage module and the emergency drainage module drain the liquid synchronously, maximizing drainage efficiency. If it is not a critical compartment connected to emergency pipeline 5, the first solenoid valve blocks the connection between the main drainage pipe 3 and the drainage pump 2. At the same time, the second solenoid valve on the inlet pipe of the emergency drainage module interrupts the connection between the main seawater pump 4 and the seagate. The third solenoid valve closes, and the fourth solenoid valve opens, so that the main seawater pump 4 drains the liquid in the compartment through the main drainage pipe 3, using the large flow rate of the main seawater pump 4 to improve drainage efficiency. Example 2
[0026] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment further improves upon the following technical solution: the installation height of the viscosity sensor is greater than that of the conductivity sensor, and a first temperature sensor is provided on one side of the viscosity sensor.
[0027] The conductivity sensor measures the ionic conductivity of the solution in real time, which can distinguish between high-salinity seawater and low-conductivity condensate. However, it cannot accurately distinguish between insulating oil and low-conductivity condensate. Therefore, after the liquid level sensor probe is submerged and continues to rise, the conductivity sensor is used to quickly determine whether the liquid is seawater. If it is seawater, the drainage decision module immediately generates a drainage command and initiates emergency drainage. If it is not seawater, the module can wait for the liquid level to rise to the viscosity sensor. Combining the liquid temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and the liquid viscosity measured by the viscosity sensor, the module distinguishes between oil and condensate. The drainage decision module then generates the corresponding drainage command based on the type of liquid.
[0028] Specifically, the liquid level sensor is either a pressure-type liquid level sensor or a capacitive liquid level sensor, which measures the liquid level height and temperature changes to determine the liquid accumulation height. Example 3
[0029] This embodiment further improves upon the above embodiment by providing the following technical solution: A vibration sensor is installed at the installation location of the drainage pump 2 to detect the vibration state of the drainage pump 2. The drainage decision module continuously monitors the operating status of the drainage pump 2 through the vibration sensor at the key location of the pump. When the drainage pump 2 malfunctions, the generated daily drainage command switches the main seawater pump to perform drainage.
[0030] Similarly, a second temperature sensor is installed at the location of the drainage pump 2 to detect its temperature. The drainage decision module monitors the temperature of the drainage pump 2 in real time during operation. When the drainage pump 2 overheats, the generated daily drainage command switches the main seawater pump to perform drainage, effectively protecting the drainage pump 2.
[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A monitoring and management system for liquid accumulation in the bilge of an unmanned vessel, characterized in that, include: The liquid level detection module includes several liquid level detection devices. One of the liquid level detection devices is installed in a compartment of the unmanned vessel. The liquid level detection device is used to detect the liquid level height in a single compartment in real time. The main drainage module includes a drainage pump, a main drainage pipe and a branch drainage pipe. The inlet of the drainage pump is connected to the main drainage pipe. A first solenoid valve is installed on the main drainage pipe. A water collection trap is installed at the bottom of the compartment. One end of the branch drainage pipe is connected to the water collection trap and the other end is connected to the main drainage pipe. An emergency drainage module includes a main seawater pump, an emergency pipeline, and a connecting pipeline. The flow rate of the main seawater pump is greater than that of the drainage pump. The inlet pipeline of the main seawater pump is connected to a seagate, and a second solenoid valve is installed on the inlet pipeline. The outlet of the main seawater pump is connected to the cooling circuit of the seawater cooling system. One end of the emergency pipeline is connected to an emergency suction port of the compartment, and the other end is connected to the inlet pipeline. A third solenoid valve is installed on the emergency pipeline. One end of the connecting pipeline is connected to the emergency pipeline, and the other end is connected to the main drainage pipe. A fourth solenoid valve is installed on the connecting pipeline. The drainage decision module is used to generate drainage instructions based on the liquid accumulation detection results of the liquid level detection module, and control the main drainage module and the emergency drainage module to execute the drainage instructions.
2. The unmanned vessel bilge liquid monitoring and management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid level detection device includes a liquid level sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a viscosity sensor. The liquid level sensor is installed in a bottom-suspended manner, and the distance between the probe of the liquid level sensor and the bottom surface of the water collection trap is no more than 30 mm. The installation positions of the conductivity sensor and the viscosity sensor are both located above the liquid level sensor.
3. The unmanned vessel bilge liquid monitoring and management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The installation height of the viscosity sensor is greater than that of the conductivity sensor, and a first temperature sensor is provided on one side of the viscosity sensor.
4. The unmanned vessel bilge liquid monitoring and management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid level sensor is either a pressure-type liquid level sensor or a capacitive liquid level sensor.
5. The unmanned vessel bilge liquid monitoring and management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve, and the fourth solenoid valve are all shut-off check valves.
6. The unmanned vessel bilge liquid monitoring and management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A vibration sensor is installed at the installation location of the drainage pump, and the vibration sensor is used to detect the vibration state of the drainage pump.
7. The unmanned vessel bilge liquid monitoring and management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second temperature sensor is installed at the location of the drainage pump, and the second temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the drainage pump.