Water area vertical column cleaning device based on layer difference circular rolling brush and application

Abstract

This invention discloses a water column cleaning device and its application based on a layered circular roller brush. The cleaning device includes a roller brush system, a flushing system, a crane system, a frame system, a clamping rolling system mounted on the frame system, and a central shaft. The roller brush system includes four rotating rollers, brushes fixedly mounted on the corresponding rotating rollers, a helical gear set, and a drive mechanism. The four rotating rollers form a frame structure, and the four sets of brushes form a hollow circle in the center of the frame structure. The frame system includes two half-frames, hinge shafts mounted between the two half-frames, and hinge hooks fixedly mounted on the corresponding half-frames. This invention has a simple and compact structure, is convenient and practical, and can efficiently clean and remove various types of attached fouling organisms from water columns of different types, reducing the invasion and damage of fouling organisms to the water columns and extending their service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine engineering equipment, specifically to a water column cleaning device based on a layered circular roller brush, and also to the application of the cleaning device. Background Technology

[0002] Fouling organisms generally refer to microorganisms, plants, and animals that attach to and grow on other objects in water, often causing various adverse consequences for the attached objects, such as disease proliferation, accelerated corrosion, and structural damage. In the ocean, fouling organisms include a wide variety of organisms such as seaweed, barnacles, mussels, oysters, and hydra. From a human perspective, the targets of fouling organism attacks are generally various man-made facilities and equipment, broadly categorized into nets, ships, and marine structures. Current countermeasures for fouling organisms vary greatly among different types of facilities and equipment, lacking a universally applicable technology. However, it is possible to establish relatively universal fouling organism control technologies based on the structural characteristics of man-made facilities and equipment. Among marine structures, column-type facilities and equipment are common, including wind turbine foundation legs, offshore platform legs, nearshore bridge piers, and various other fixed cylindrical objects, collectively referred to as marine columns in this paper.

[0003] The water level of aquatic pillars fluctuates significantly due to ocean tides. The area within and above / below this fluctuation is a breeding ground for fouling organisms, making these pillars most susceptible to corrosion, damage, and structural failure. Therefore, prevention and treatment of fouling organisms are generally necessary. Currently, however, there is a lack of universal, specialized technology and equipment for preventing fouling of aquatic pillars. Methods such as manual high-pressure water jet cavitation and manual removal by divers are commonly used. There is an urgent need for more efficient, automated prevention and control technologies and equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a water column cleaning device and its application based on a layered circular roller brush, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a water column cleaning device based on a layered circular roller brush, comprising:

[0006] The roller brush system includes four rotating rollers, brushes fixedly mounted on the corresponding rotating rollers, a helical gear set, and a drive mechanism; wherein, the four rotating rollers form a frame-shaped structure, and the four sets of brushes form a hollow circle in the center of the frame-shaped structure; the diameter of the hollow circle is the same as the diameter of the water column, and the water column is located in the hollow circle during cleaning;

[0007] A flushing system located above the roller brush system, which includes a water pump and a spray ring;

[0008] The frame system consists of two fixed-shape half-frames;

[0009] Overhead crane system, used to suspend frame system;

[0010] And the embracing rolling system, which is mounted on the frame system.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above scheme, each set of brushes consists of several layers of uneven rubber brushes. The rubber brushes have a rod-shaped structure, and the lengths of several rubber brushes are matched with each other, gradually shortening from both ends to the middle to form a set of 1 / 4 arcs.

[0012] As a further improvement to the above solution, the drive mechanism uses four rotary motors, which drive four rotating rollers respectively. The number of helical gear sets is four, and the helical gear sets are arranged between the corresponding rotating rollers and the rotary motors.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above solution, the overhead crane system includes a support frame and a winch fixedly installed on top of the support frame.

[0014] As a further improvement to the above solution, a suspension rope is installed between the winch and the frame system.

[0015] As a further improvement to the above solution, the frame system also includes hinge shafts installed between the two half-frames and James hooks fixedly installed on the corresponding half-frames.

[0016] As a further improvement to the above solution, the two half-frames are arranged symmetrically, and the James hook is located on the half-frames facing away from the hinge axis. The two half-frames are fixed together on the side that is close to each other by hinge axis, and the two half-frames are detachably connected on the side that is far from each other by James hook.

[0017] As a further improvement to the above solution, the cleaning device also includes a central shaft for supporting the corresponding rotating rollers; the rotating rollers are sleeved on the central shaft through rolling bearings, the central shaft does not rotate, the four central shafts are connected to each other to form a support system, and the central shaft and the half frame are fixed together.

[0018] As a further improvement to the above solution, the rotating roller is rotatably mounted on the central shaft, and the central shaft and the half frame are fixed together.

[0019] As a further improvement to the above scheme, the embracing rolling system moves with the opening and closing motion of the frame system. The embracing rolling system consists of two embracing semicircular rings and rollers installed on the corresponding embracing semicircular rings. The embracing semicircular rings are located inside the spray rings, and the embracing semicircular rings are fixed to the semi-frame by support rods.

[0020] As a further improvement to the above solution, the spray ring is composed of two spray semi-circular rings, which move with the opening and closing motion of the frame system; one end of the two spray semi-circular rings is connected to the outlet of the water pump by a three-way connector; the other end of the two spray semi-circular rings is a blind end, which is fixedly installed on the two half-frames respectively.

[0021] Application of the cleaning device described above in the removal and maintenance of fouling organisms on the legs of oil drilling platforms.

[0022] Application of the cleaning device described above in the removal and maintenance of fouling organisms on the pile legs of a semi-submersible wind power foundation platform.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0024] 1. A novel process for removing fouling organisms from water column is proposed. The openable frame system hugs the water column and moves slowly up or down along it while a roller brush system removes fouling organisms from the column. The process is simple and efficient.

[0025] 2. The device is not limited by the water level line of the water column and can automatically remove dirt and organisms at any position above or below the water level line of the water column. In other words, the cleaning device of the present invention has the function of working at different depths above and below water and under different environmental conditions.

[0026] 3. Not limited by the form of the water column. There are many forms of water columns, including fixed-leg type, semi-submersible type, etc., and there are usually structures on top of them. The opening and closing frame system designed in this invention can adapt well to various forms of water columns. After closing and embracing the water column, the removal of fouling organisms can be carried out. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic of the water column cleaning device based on a layered circular roller brush provided by the present invention. In the diagram, A indicates the bottom of the water, B indicates the water surface, and C indicates the water column.

[0028] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the openable frame when the device is not in use.

[0029] Explanation of main component symbols

[0030] 1. Rotating roller; 2. Brush; 3. Helical gear set; 4. Drive mechanism; 6. Spray ring; 7. Hinge shaft; 8. James hook; 9. Central shaft; 10. Clamping semi-circular ring; 11. Roller; 13. Winch; 14. Suspension rope.

[0031] The above description of the main component symbols, together with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides a more detailed explanation of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. It should be understood that the following description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0033] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] Please see Figures 1-2 This embodiment provides a water column cleaning device based on a layered circular roller brush, which is used to remove fouling organisms from water columns. The cleaning device includes a roller brush system, a flushing system located above the roller brush system, a crane system, a frame system consisting of two fixed-shape half-frames, a clasping rolling system mounted on the frame system, and a central shaft 9 for supporting the corresponding rotating roller 1.

[0036] The roller brush system includes four rotating rollers 1, brushes 2 fixedly mounted on the corresponding rotating rollers 1, helical gear sets 3, and a drive mechanism 4. The four rotating rollers 1 form a frame-shaped structure, and the four sets of brushes 2 form a hollow circle in the center of the frame-shaped structure.

[0037] In this embodiment, in the center of the frame formed by the four rotating rollers 1, the four sets of brushes 2 form a virtual hollow circle. The diameter of the virtual hollow circle is the same as the diameter of the water column to be cleaned, thus allowing for rolling brushing of the water column. In actual design, a C-shaped mesh protective cover can be installed on the outside of the roller brush system, with the opening of the C-shaped mesh protective cover facing the virtual hollow circle inside the roller brush system. This leaves space for the water column to pass through in the center. The protective cover can prevent the splashing of brush debris and also prevent accidental injury to the operator from the roller brush system. The bottom of the protective cover is tilted at an angle of more than 20° to facilitate the sliding of brush debris, which will not be elaborated here.

[0038] Each brush component 2 consists of several layers of uneven rubber brushes. The rubber brushes have a rod-shaped structure, and the lengths of several rubber brushes are matched with each other, gradually shortening from both ends to the middle to form a 1 / 4 arc shape. In this embodiment, the brush component 2 is made of wear-resistant rubber material made of polyurethane or other polymer materials, which gives the brush component 2 high strength and toughness, and makes it resistant to cutting by marine fouling organisms such as oysters and barnacles attached to the water column.

[0039] The drive mechanism 4 uses four rotary motors, each driving one of the four rotating rollers 1. There are four helical gear sets 3, positioned between the corresponding rotating roller 1 and the rotary motor. In this embodiment, each helical gear set 3 is driven by a rotary motor, thereby rotating the brushes 2 mounted on the rotating roller 1. It should be noted that the direction of rotation of the rollers is different when the roller system moves upwards and downwards, as follows: From a top-down view, when the roller system brushes the water column from bottom to top, all four brushes 2 rotate from the outside to the inside of the roller. Simultaneously, the embracing rolling system, in conjunction with the overhead crane system, drives the entire device slowly upwards along the water column. Conversely, when the roller system brushes the water column from top to bottom, from a top-down view, all four brushes 2 rotate from the inside to the outside of the roller. Simultaneously, the embracing rolling system, in conjunction with the overhead crane system, drives the entire device slowly downwards along the water column.

[0040] The flushing system includes a water pump and a spray ring 6. In this embodiment, a submersible pump is used. The pump draws water from the same area as the water column and supplies it to the spray ring 6. It should be noted that the water pump in this embodiment is not shown in the figure. In actual design, the water pump can be installed on the working vessel, and a hose can be connected between the water pump and the spray ring 6 for water delivery. This will not be described in detail here.

[0041] The frame system also includes hinge shafts 7 installed between the two half-frames and Jan hooks 8 fixedly installed on the corresponding half-frames. The two half-frames are symmetrically arranged, with the Jan hooks 8 located on the half-frames facing away from the hinge shafts 7. The sides of the two half-frames that are close to each other are hinged and fixed by the hinge shafts 7, while the sides of the two half-frames that are far apart are detachably connected by the Jan hooks 8. In this embodiment, the frame system adopts an openable and closable structure design. When the frame system hugs the water column, it moves slowly up and down along the water column under the combined action of the crane system and the hugging and rolling system. At this time, the roller brush system removes fouling organisms from the water column.

[0042] The spray ring 6 consists of two spray semi-circular rings, which move with the opening and closing motion of the frame system. One end of each spray semi-circular ring is connected to the water pump outlet via a T-connector, while the other ends are blind ends, fixedly mounted on the two half-frames respectively. In this embodiment, the two spray semi-circular rings move with the opening and closing motion of the frame system; that is, when the frame system is open, the spray ring 6 separates into two spray semi-circular rings, and when the frame system is closed, the two spray semi-circular rings close to form a circular spray ring 6. While the roller brush system is rolling and scrubbing the water column, the rinsing system sprays and rinsing the contact area between the brush 2 and the water column, and also promotes the removal of brush debris. It should be noted that the diameter of the spray ring 6 formed by the two spray semi-circular rings when closed must be larger than the diameter of the water column, with a difference of no less than 10 cm, to ensure the smooth passage of the water column.

[0043] The rotating roller 1 is mounted on the central shaft 9 via rolling bearings. The central shaft 9 does not rotate. The four central shafts 9 are interconnected to form a support system. The central shafts 9 and the half-frame are fixed together. In this embodiment, two central shafts 9 are fixed on one half-frame, and the remaining two central shafts 9 are fixed on the other half-frame. They are interconnected to form a support body to support the roller brush system.

[0044] The embracing rolling system moves in tandem with the opening and closing motion of the frame system. The embracing rolling system consists of two embracing semi-circular rings 10 and rollers 11 mounted on the corresponding embracing semi-circular rings 10. The embracing semi-circular rings 10 are located inside the spray ring 6 and are fixed to the half-frame by support rods. In this embodiment, when the frame system is open, the two embracing semi-circular rings 10 separate; when the frame system is closed, the two embracing semi-circular rings 10 close to form a ring. It should be noted that the diameter of the ring formed by the two embracing semi-circular rings 10 is slightly larger than the diameter of the water column; the difference is equal to the radius of the rollers 11 mounted on the embracing semi-circular rings 10. When the two half-frames embrace the water column to form a single frame, the two embracing semi-circular rings 10 also close to form a ring that embraces the water column. When the roller brush system rolls and washes the water column, the rollers 11 roll freely up and down along the water column.

[0045] The overhead crane system includes a support frame and a winch 13 fixedly mounted on top of the support frame. A suspension rope 14 is installed between the winch 13 and the frame system. In this embodiment, the overhead crane system adopts a mature crane system installed on the production vessel. The lifting position of the lifting point can be precisely controlled in three dimensions by adjusting the suspension rope 14, and it works in conjunction with the control system to perform lifting, clamping, and releasing operations, enabling the cleaning device to clamp onto and release the water column. The entire device is powered by the operating vessel via an umbilical cable. The control system in this embodiment uses a general-purpose industrial automatic control device based on a microprocessor, integrating computer technology, automatic control technology, and communication technology. It can control the operation of the entire device from the operating vessel, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0046] The cleaning device in this embodiment is assembled from a roller brush system, a rinsing system, a frame system, and a clasping rolling system, forming an integral openable cubic frame structure. The center of the spray ring 6 and the center of the clasping semi-circular ring 10 coincide, and are located on the same vertical virtual straight line as the center of the virtual hollow circle in the center of the roller brush system. When the device as a whole clasps the water column for cleaning, this virtual straight line theoretically coincides with the central axis of the water column.

[0047] The cleaning device in this embodiment is transported by the production vessel to the vicinity of the water column. The overhead crane system hoists the open frame system to a suitable height on the water column. Combined with the control system, the frame system hugs the water column, thereby removing fouling organisms from the water column. It has the following advantages: it is not affected by the shape or working state of the water column. By hugging the water column as a whole, it can efficiently remove a large area of ​​attached fouling organisms above and below the water level. It is simple and efficient, greatly reducing the invasion and damage of fouling organisms to the water column and extending its service life.

[0048] Example 2

[0049] This embodiment provides a method for removing fouling organisms from a water column using a cleaning device as described in Embodiment 1, which includes the following steps:

[0050] S1 determines the diameter of the water column according to production needs, and manufactures the cleaning device based on the diameter data of the water column, and tests and verifies the performance of its various subsystems.

[0051] S2 uses a suitable production vessel to hoist the entire unit, so that the frame system can hug the water column where the fouling organism removal operation is to be carried out.

[0052] S3 activates the flushing system, causing the two semi-circular spray rollers to spray and flush the contact points between the water column and the water spray.

[0053] S4 initiates the removal of fouling organisms from the water column. Depending on the position of the water column embraced by the overall unit and the condition of the fouling organisms, the removal operation method is adopted from top to bottom or from bottom to top. At this time, the overall unit embraces the water column, and the overhead crane system, in conjunction with the control system and the embracing rolling system, controls the overall unit to slowly descend or ascend, so that the roller brush system has enough time to scrub and remove the fouling organisms growing around the water column at a certain height.

[0054] It is important to note that the direction of rotation of the roller brush system differs when it is moving upwards and downwards, as follows: Viewed from above, when the roller brush system is brushing the water column from bottom to top, all four sets of brushes 2 rotate from the outside to the inside of the roller, not in the opposite direction. Simultaneously, the embracing rolling system, in conjunction with the overhead crane system, slowly moves the entire device upwards along the water column. Conversely, when the roller brush system is brushing the water column from top to bottom, again viewed from above, all four sets of brushes 2 rotate from the inside to the outside of the roller, not in the opposite direction. Simultaneously, the embracing rolling system, in conjunction with the overhead crane system, slowly moves the entire device downwards along the water column.

[0055] S5 Repeat step S4 until the fouling organisms on the water column are removed to a satisfactory degree;

[0056] After S6 completes the exit operation, the overhead crane system and control system work together to stop the spraying of the flushing system, release the entire device from the water column after the operation is completed, and store it for use in the next operation.

[0057] Example 3

[0058] This embodiment provides the application of the cleaning device as described in Embodiment 1 in the removal and maintenance of fouling organisms on the legs of a bottom-mounted oil drilling platform. After determining the diameter of the drilling platform legs, the cleaning device as described in Embodiment 1 is manufactured. Using the operating steps based on Embodiment 2, the fouling organisms on the drilling platform legs are periodically removed one by one, reducing the growth and spread of fouling organisms, minimizing their corrosive damage, and extending their service life. If necessary, multiple cleaning devices can be used simultaneously to remove fouling organisms from multiple drilling platform legs, improving operational efficiency.

[0059] Example 4

[0060] This embodiment provides the application of the cleaning device as described in Embodiment 1 in the removal and maintenance of fouling organisms on the legs of a semi-submersible wind turbine foundation platform. After determining the diameter of the wind turbine foundation platform legs, the cleaning device as described in Embodiment 1 is manufactured. Using the operating steps based on Embodiment 2, fouling organisms are periodically removed from each leg of the wind turbine foundation platform, reducing the growth and spread of fouling organisms, minimizing their corrosive damage, and extending their service life. If necessary, multiple cleaning devices can be used simultaneously to remove fouling organisms from multiple wind turbine foundation platform legs in the water, improving operational efficiency.

[0061] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. Any simple modifications, alterations, and substitutions made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water column cleaning device based on a layered circular roller brush, characterized in that, include: The roller brush system includes four rotating rollers (1), brushes (2) fixedly mounted on the corresponding rotating rollers (1), a helical gear set (3), and a drive mechanism (4); wherein, the four rotating rollers (1) form a frame structure, and the four sets of brushes (2) form a hollow circle in the center of the frame structure; the diameter of the hollow circle is the same as the diameter of the water column, and the water column is located in the hollow circle during cleaning; A flushing system located above the roller brush system includes a water pump and a spray ring (6). The frame system consists of two fixed-shape half-frames; The overhead crane system is used to suspend the frame system; and the clasp rolling system is mounted on the frame system.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each set of brushes (2) consists of several layers of uneven rubber brushes. The rubber brushes are rod-shaped, and the lengths of several rubber brushes are matched with each other, gradually shortening from both ends to the middle to form a set of 1 / 4 arcs.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive mechanism (4) uses four rotary motors, which drive four rotating rollers (1) respectively. The number of helical gear sets (3) is four, and the helical gear sets (3) are set between the corresponding rotating rollers (1) and the rotary motors.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The overhead crane system includes a support frame and a winch (13) fixedly installed on the top of the support frame. A suspension rope (14) is installed between the winch (13) and the frame system.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame system also includes hinge pins (7) installed between the two half-frames and James hooks (8) fixedly installed on the corresponding half-frames.

6. The cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two half-frames are arranged symmetrically. The James hook (8) is located on the half-frame facing away from the hinge shaft (7). The two half-frames are fixed together on the side that is close to each other by the hinge shaft (7), and the two half-frames are detachably connected on the side that is far from each other by the James hook (8).

7. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cleaning device also includes a central shaft (9) for supporting the corresponding rotating roller (1). The rotating roller (1) is sleeved on the central shaft (9) through a rolling bearing. The central shaft (9) does not rotate. The four central shafts (9) are connected to each other to form a support system. The central shaft (9) and the half frame are fixed together.

8. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that: The embracing rolling system moves with the opening and closing motion of the frame system. The embracing rolling system consists of two embracing semicircular rings (10) and rollers (11) installed on the corresponding embracing semicircular rings (10). The embracing semicircular rings (10) are located inside the spray ring (6). The embracing semicircular rings (10) are fixed to the semi-frame by support rods. The spray ring (6) is composed of two spray semi-circular rings, which move with the opening and closing motion of the frame system; one end of the two spray semi-circular rings is connected to the outlet of the water pump by a three-way connector; the other end of the two spray semi-circular rings is a blind end, which is fixedly installed on the two half-frames respectively.

9. The application of a cleaning device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 in the removal and maintenance of fouling organisms on the legs of an oil drilling platform.

10. The application of a cleaning device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 in the removal and maintenance of fouling organisms on the legs of a semi-submersible wind power foundation platform.

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