Bubble generating device

Abstract

This invention discloses a bubble generating device, comprising an air inlet pipe; a concave storage space on the outer hull plating; a bubble generating chamber within the storage space; the bubble generating chamber being enclosed by a chamber top plate, chamber side plates, and a chamber bottom plate; the storage space being enclosed by a storage space top plate and storage space side plates; a retractable spring-loaded member between the chamber top plate and the storage space top plate; a sleeve fixedly mounted on the chamber top plate; the air inlet pipe passing through the sleeve; and the rear end of the chamber bottom plate not being fixedly connected to the chamber side plates. When the air inlet pipe inflates the bubble generating chamber, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber protrudes from the outer hull plating, and a gas outlet is formed between the rear end of the chamber bottom plate and the chamber side plates. This invention can significantly reduce the area and number of openings in the hull, effectively reducing costs; when the bubble generating device is not in operation, it is flush with the outer hull plating, without increasing navigation resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine technology, and in particular to a bubble generating device. Background Technology

[0002] In April 2026, the China Classification Society (CCS) published the "Inspection Guidelines for Ship Air Lubrication Drag Reduction Systems," indicating that air lubrication technology is still in its developmental stage. One widely used air lubrication drag reduction technology is bubble lubrication drag reduction technology. Its core component is the bubble generator. Existing bubble generators mainly come in two types: concave and convex.

[0003] Patent application CN113825698A discloses an air release unit with divergent sidewalls. This device is a concave bubble generator. This solution has the following drawbacks: shipyards need to reserve space in the hull for the installation of air chambers during sectional construction, and sectional construction can only be completed after the manufacturer's products arrive. Due to the narrow construction space and difficulty in ensuring precision, the construction period is long, occupying valuable slipway time.

[0004] Patent application CN115123449A discloses an energy-saving and efficient bubble drag reduction device and method. This device is a concave bubble generator. It includes a gas production mechanism, a gas conduction mechanism, and a gas release mechanism. The gas production mechanism is located at the bow, and several sets of gas release mechanisms are evenly and symmetrically distributed on the port and starboard sides of the ship. The gas production mechanism and the gas conduction mechanism are located on the ship's centerline and are connected. The gas conduction mechanism is also connected to the gas release mechanism. The gas release mechanism includes a water inlet, a water inlet baffle, an air inlet duct, a gas-liquid outlet, a gas-air mixing chamber, a fixing plate, a gas-liquid outlet baffle, and a cofferdam frame.

[0005] Patent application CN117125188A discloses a telescopic seawater intake device suitable for bubble drag reduction vessels. The device is a convex bubble generator. It includes a seawater tank, a lifting cylinder, and a lifting assembly. The seawater tank is located between the hull bottom and the hull top, and has through holes. The lifting cylinder is located inside the seawater tank, with both ends passing through the through holes, and can slide within the tank. The lifting cylinder has multiple circular holes on its sidewall. The lifting assembly is located above the hull bottom and connected to the lifting cylinder. A bottom grille is located on the bottom of the lifting cylinder on the side of the hull top. A short seawater pipe is located on the sidewall of the seawater tank, extending out of the sidewall and connecting to a main seawater pipe.

[0006] The disadvantages of existing bubble generating devices are: (1) Existing bubble generators are welded to the outer plating of the ship's bottom. To ensure sufficient bubble area, a large number of bubble generators are required, resulting in a large number of openings on the outer plating and a large opening area. Article 15 of Part B2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) stipulates that the number of openings on the outer plating below the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships should be minimized to suit the ship's design and normal operation. Existing bubble generators contradict the principle of minimizing the number of openings advocated by the SOLAS Convention. In addition, openings on the outer plating of the ship's bottom require additional costs for opening reinforcement, leading to increased shipbuilding costs.

[0007] (2) The bubble generator has a curved surface structure. Welding complex structures in a narrow space requires high welding skills from workers to ensure weld tightness. If the welding is substandard, it is difficult to schedule spare parts production, which increases quality costs. The complex curved surface structure of the existing bubble generator itself has certain safety hazards in the water tightness of its welds. Combined with the corrosiveness of seawater to steel, the safety and reliability of the bubble generator is one of the key points of ship inspection, so it needs to be given special attention, which increases maintenance costs.

[0008] (3) The wave plate or cover plate of the bubble generating device has large openings, which makes it easy for marine organisms to attach, thus reducing the drag reduction effect of the bubble.

[0009] (4) When the bubble generator is not ventilated, both concave and convex bubble generators will affect the flow of the boundary layer at the bottom of the hull, resulting in increased resistance. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art, the present invention provides a bubble generating device.

[0011] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution: A bubble generating device includes an air inlet pipe installed on a ship; a concave storage space provided on the outer hull plate; a bubble generating chamber provided within the storage space; the bubble generating chamber is enclosed by a chamber top plate, a chamber side plate, and a chamber bottom plate; the storage space is enclosed by a storage space top plate and a storage space side plate; a retractable spring-loaded member is provided between the chamber top plate and the storage space top plate; a sleeve is fixedly installed on the chamber top plate; the air inlet pipe passes through the sleeve; the rear end of the chamber bottom plate and the chamber side plate are not fixedly connected; when the air inlet pipe does not inflate the bubble generating chamber, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber does not protrude from the outer hull plate; when the air inlet pipe inflates the bubble generating chamber, the bubble generating chamber moves downward, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber protrudes from the outer hull plate, and a gas outlet is formed between the rear end of the chamber bottom plate and the chamber side plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the retractable and resilient component is a spring.

[0013] Furthermore, there is a gap between the bubble generating chamber and the side plate of the storage space.

[0014] Furthermore, the two ends of the chamber floor plate and the chamber side plate are elastically connected.

[0015] Furthermore, the air intake pipe passes through the top plate of the storage space; the air intake pipe and the top plate of the storage space are connected in a watertight manner.

[0016] Furthermore, the intake pipe and the sleeve are connected by a sliding connection.

[0017] Furthermore, the top of the storage space side panel is fixed to the storage space top panel; the bottom of the storage space side panel is fixed to the outer bottom panel of the ship; the storage space top panel and the storage space side panel, as well as the storage space side panel and the outer bottom panel of the ship, are all watertight connections.

[0018] Furthermore, both the chamber side panels and the storage space side panels are rectangular.

[0019] Furthermore, the intake pipe is a compressed air intake pipe.

[0020] Furthermore, the bubble generating chamber is integrally molded and is made of non-metallic composite material.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: In this invention, the main hull structure only serves as a storage space for the bubble generator and does not need to function as a bubble generating chamber; the bubble generator does not require the airtightness test of the hull, reducing dock usage time and production costs; the hull opening area can be significantly reduced, and the number of openings can be effectively lowered; the bubble generator has a retractable structure, effectively reducing the risk of marine organism attachment and reducing navigation resistance; the bubble generating chamber is connected to the main hull storage space by a spring, and installation can be performed by simply stretching the spring, eliminating the need for construction in confined spaces and welding, effectively reducing construction costs; the bubble generating chamber is an external non-metallic composite material, which facilitates one-piece molding and is suitable for modular production, effectively reducing product costs. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in its stored state.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 View A in the diagram.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in its unfolded state.

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 View B in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be described more clearly and completely below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

[0028] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a bubble generating device includes an air intake pipe 11 installed on a ship; the air intake pipe is a compressed air intake pipe; the outer plate 12 of the ship bottom is provided with a concave storage space 20; the storage space is provided with a bubble generating chamber 30.

[0029] The bubble generating chamber 30 is formed by a top plate 31, side plates 32, and a bottom plate 33. The top plate is fixed to the top of the side plates, and the bottom plate is located at the bottom of the side plates. The side plates form a rectangle. The bubble generating chamber is a hollow cuboid.

[0030] The storage space 20 is formed by the storage space top plate 21 and the storage space side plate 22; the storage space side plate forms a rectangle.

[0031] There is a gap between the bubble generating chamber 30 and the storage space side plate 22.

[0032] The top of the storage space side plate 22 is fixed to the storage space top plate 21; the bottom of the storage space side plate 22 is fixed to the outer bottom plate 12; the storage space top plate 21 and the storage space side plate 22, and the storage space side plate 22 and the outer bottom plate 12 are all watertight connections.

[0033] A retractable spring-loaded component is provided between the top plate 31 of the chamber and the top plate 21 of the storage space; the retractable spring-loaded component is a spring 23. When the force that causes the bubble generating chamber to move downwards disappears, the retractable spring-loaded component can pull the bubble generating chamber upwards.

[0034] A sleeve 34 is fixedly installed on the top plate 31 of the chamber; the air inlet pipe 11 passes through the sleeve 34.

[0035] The air intake pipe 11 passes through the top plate 21 of the storage space; the air intake pipe 11 and the top plate 21 of the storage space are watertight. The air intake pipe 11 and the sleeve 34 are slidably connected.

[0036] The rear end of the chamber floor plate 33 is not fixedly connected to the chamber side plate 32. The front end of the chamber floor plate is fixedly connected to the chamber side plate. The two sides of the chamber floor plate are elastically connected to the chamber side plate. Furthermore, the two sides of the chamber floor plate are elastically connected to the chamber side plate in a folding manner. This folding method is similar to a folding elastic component. From back to front, the number of folds decreases as it approaches the front end of the chamber floor plate. When the chamber floor plate is subjected to a downward force, the rear end of the chamber floor plate moves downward; when the downward force applied to the chamber floor plate disappears, the chamber floor plate springs back upward and abuts against the chamber side plate.

[0037] When the air intake pipe is not filling the bubble generating chamber, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber does not protrude beyond the outer hull plate, and the bottom plate of the chamber is flush with the outer hull plate. When the air intake pipe fills the bubble generating chamber, the bubble generating chamber moves downward, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber protrudes beyond the outer hull plate, the rear end of the chamber bottom plate moves downward, and a gas outlet is formed between the rear end of the chamber bottom plate and the chamber side plate.

[0038] The gas outlet in the bubble generating chamber is located only between the rear end of the chamber floor plate and the chamber side plate.

[0039] When the inlet pipe fills the bubble-generating chamber with gas, the rear end of the chamber floor plate moves downward under the impact force of the gas, and the gap between the rear end of the chamber floor plate and the chamber side plate forms a gas outlet. When the gas impact force in the bubble-generating chamber disappears, the rear end of the chamber floor plate rebounds upward.

[0040] The bubble generating chamber is integrally molded and is made of non-metallic composite material.

[0041] This device has two states: a stowed state and an unfolded state.

[0042] Storage status: such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the air intake pipe does not fill the bubble generating chamber with air, and the bubble generating chamber is housed within the storage space under the action of the spring. The bottom of the bubble generating chamber does not protrude from the outer hull plate, and the bottom plate of the chamber is flush with the outer hull plate, so as not to affect the boundary layer flow of the outer hull plate.

[0043] Expanded state: such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the air inlet pipe injects a large amount of gas into the bubble generating chamber, causing the entire chamber to move downwards. The outer wall of the sleeve-type air inlet pipe slides downwards, and the chamber bottom plate rotates downwards under the action of high-speed gas. A gap appears between the rear end of the chamber bottom plate and the chamber side plate, forming a gas outlet. Air is released outwards from the gas outlet and mixes with the external water flow on the surface of the ship's bottom, generating a large number of bubbles 13. The appearance of a large number of bubbles below the ship's bottom can achieve the purpose of drag reduction.

[0044] In this device, the bubble generating chamber and the storage space adopt a retractable structure; when in the stored state, the bubble generating chamber is stored within the storage space; when in the deployed state, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber protrudes from the outer plating of the hull and ejects air towards the stern of the ship. This device features "silent storage and deployment when needed".

[0045] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: (1) The main hull structure serves only as a storage space for the bubble generating device and does not need to serve as a bubble generating chamber.

[0046] (2) The bubble generating device does not require the airtightness test of the hull, which reduces the time spent in the dock and lowers the production cost.

[0047] (3) The area of ​​the hull openings can be greatly reduced, and the number of openings can be effectively reduced.

[0048] (4) The bubble generator has a retractable structure, which effectively reduces the risk of marine organism attachment. When the bubble lubrication system is closed, the bubble generator is flush with the hull plate and does not increase navigation resistance.

[0049] (5) The bubble generating chamber is connected to the main hull storage space by a spring. During installation, the spring can be stretched to install it. There is no need to construct in a narrow space or weld, which effectively reduces the construction cost.

[0050] (6) The bubble generating chamber is an external non-metallic composite material, which is convenient for integral molding, suitable for modular production, and effectively reduces product costs.

[0051] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bubble generating apparatus comprising an air intake pipe provided on a ship; characterized in that, The outer hull plating has a concave storage space; the storage space contains a bubble generating chamber; the bubble generating chamber is enclosed by a chamber top plate, chamber side plates, and chamber bottom plate; the storage space is enclosed by a storage space top plate and storage space side plates; a retractable spring-loaded component is provided between the chamber top plate and the storage space top plate; a sleeve is fixedly installed on the chamber top plate; an air inlet pipe passes through the sleeve; the rear end of the chamber bottom plate and the chamber side plates are not fixedly connected; when the air inlet pipe does not fill the bubble generating chamber, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber does not protrude from the outer hull plating; when the air inlet pipe fills the bubble generating chamber, the bubble generating chamber moves downward, the bottom of the bubble generating chamber protrudes from the outer hull plating, and a gas outlet is formed between the rear end of the chamber bottom plate and the chamber side plates.

2. The bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein The retractable and rebounding component is a spring.

3. The bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein There is a gap between the bubble generating chamber and the side plate of the storage space.

4. The bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein The two ends of the chamber floor plate and the chamber side plate are elastically connected.

5. The bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein The air intake pipe passes through the top plate of the storage space; the air intake pipe and the top plate of the storage space are connected in a watertight manner.

6. The bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein The intake pipe and the sleeve are connected by a sliding connection.

7. The bubble generating apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the storage space side panel is fixed to the storage space top panel; the bottom of the storage space side panel is fixed to the outer bottom panel of the ship; the storage space top panel and the storage space side panel, as well as the storage space side panel and the outer bottom panel of the ship, are watertight connections.

8. The bubble generating device of claim 1, wherein Both the chamber side panels and the storage space side panels are rectangular.

9. The bubble generating device of claim 1, wherein The air intake pipe is a compressed air intake pipe.

10. The bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein The bubble generating chamber is integrally molded and is made of non-metallic composite material.

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