Seabed multifunctional freely-adjustable crawler belt

Through the design of multifunctional freely adjustable submarine crawlers and the use of articulated structures and hydraulic control systems, the problems of poor maneuverability and adaptability of traditional submarine equipment in complex submarine environments are solved, the operating efficiency and safety are improved, and the difficulty of transportation and lifting is reduced.

CN223314763UActive Publication Date: 2025-09-09DEEP SEA HOMO SAPIENS (GUANGZHOU) TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202422699620.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-11-05
Publication Date
2025-09-09
Estimated Expiration
2034-11-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Traditional submarine equipment has poor maneuverability and adaptability in complex submarine environments and is prone to losing balance, affecting operational quality and safety. It is also bulky and heavy during transportation and lifting, making it difficult to carry.

Method used

A multifunctional freely adjustable submarine crawler is designed, which adopts components such as main frame, telescopic cylinder, outer legs, inner legs, connecting rod and flip cylinder. Through the articulated structure and hydraulic control system, the crawler can be adjusted in multiple directions and change its posture to adapt to different terrains and obstacles.

Benefits of technology

It improves the operating efficiency and safety of equipment in complex submarine environments, ensures construction quality, reduces the time equipment is down due to terrain changes, and reduces the difficulty and cost of transportation and lifting.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model belongs to ocean engineering, and discloses a multifunctional seabed freely-adjustable crawler belt which comprises a main frame, at least one pair of telescopic oil cylinders, at least one pair of outer supporting legs, at least one pair of inner supporting legs, at least one connecting rod, at least one overturning oil cylinder and at least one overturning oil cylinder connecting weldment. Wherein the main frame is hinged with the telescopic oil cylinder, the outer supporting leg and the inner supporting leg through pin shafts; the connecting rod is provided with at least three reamed holes which are respectively connected with the crawler belt assembly, the outer supporting leg and the inner supporting leg through bolts; the overturning oil cylinder is mounted on the crawler beam through the overturning oil cylinder connecting weldment and is connected with the connecting rod through the bolt; according to the utility model, flexible adjustment of the crawler belt in multiple directions is realized. Particularly, due to the synergistic effect of the telescopic oil cylinder and the overturning oil cylinder, the width and height of the crawler belt can be adjusted under different terrain conditions, obstacles can be overcome through the rotating action, meanwhile, the equipment can better adapt to the complex and changeable seabed environment, and the operation efficiency and safety are improved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to marine engineering, in particular to a multifunctional free-adjustable seabed crawler. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing development of marine resources, the requirements for subsea equipment are becoming increasingly stringent. Especially in complex subsea environments, equipment must not only withstand extreme conditions such as high pressure, high salinity, and low temperatures, but also possess strong mobility and adaptability. Traditional subsea equipment is often limited by its fixed structure and single function, making it inadequate to cope with the changing seabed topography.

[0003] Deep-sea cable-laying equipment primarily uses crawler-type tracks. Due to the presence of slopes, high and low slopes, single V-shaped slopes, double V-shaped slopes, and rocky conditions on the seabed, submarine track shoes are primarily made of non-metallic materials. Compared to land-based steel track shoes, track shoes are less rigid, have lower strength, and are wider and longer in shape. Track shoes can break when passing through these sections. Most cables are already laid on the seabed, and their trajectories are difficult to change. When encountering these conditions, there is no way to avoid them and they must continue operating. Most domestic and foreign cable-laying equipment encounters small or steep slopes. Forcing through them not only damages the track shoes, but also increases costs and renders the entire machine unbalanced and unsafe. Furthermore, the jet blade cannot spray vertically downwards, but can only spray vertically on the slope, significantly compromising construction quality. When encountering high and low slopes, V-shaped slopes, single V-shaped slopes, and rocky conditions, they can only be evaded by hoisting from a mother ship, which is difficult to operate and makes construction impossible in these sections.

[0004] Currently, the foreign Osbit is the closest to this mechanism, but the Osbit four-link is located outside the crawler, making the equipment wider overall. This is extremely inconvenient for container transport, port transfers, and mother ship placement. It requires a specific large-tonnage mother ship to complete the operation, and its adaptability is poor. Most domestic and foreign cable-burying equipment will force its way onto small and steep slopes in most cases, which damages many track plates and is very costly. When encountering uneven slopes, V-shaped slopes, and rocky conditions, the only way to circumvent them is by lifting from a mother ship, which is difficult to operate and delays the project. This patent can effectively circumvent the above problems, has a strong ability to adapt to various working conditions, and by installing the four-link on the inside of the crawler, the width of the entire machine can be controlled, making it easier to transport containers, transfer ports, and place it on ordinary mother ships. This mechanism can effectively solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide a multifunctional freely adjustable submarine crawler, which aims to solve the technical problems that traditional submarine equipment has poor maneuverability and adaptability in complex submarine environments with large undulations or rock obstacles, and existing equipment is prone to lose balance in uneven terrain, affecting the quality and safety of operations. Submarine resource mining operations require high equipment precision, especially the water jet process needs to ensure that the water flows vertically downward, and large submarine equipment is bulky and heavy during transportation and lifting, making it difficult to carry.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the utility model, the first aspect of the utility model provides a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler, comprising a main frame, at least one pair of telescopic cylinders, at least one pair of outer legs, at least one pair of inner legs, at least one connecting rod, at least one tilting cylinder and at least one tilting cylinder connecting weldment, wherein the main frame is hinged to the telescopic cylinders, outer legs and inner legs through a pin;

[0007] The connecting rod has at least three hinged holes, which are respectively connected to the crawler assembly, the outer leg and the inner leg through latches;

[0008] The tilting oil cylinder is installed on the crawler beam through a tilting oil cylinder connecting weldment and is connected to the connecting rod through a latch.

[0009] Furthermore, the telescopic cylinder and the tilting cylinder can realize independent or coordinated action to adjust the track posture to adapt to different seabed terrain conditions;

[0010] Furthermore, the crawler assembly changes its posture by adjusting the positions of the telescopic cylinder and the tilting cylinder to ensure smooth operation on a slope or a V-shaped ramp;

[0011] Furthermore, the connecting rod has three hinged holes, which are used to form an articulated structure with the track assembly, the outer leg and the inner leg, respectively, to provide multi-directional movement freedom;

[0012] Furthermore, the tilting cylinder drives the crawler track assembly to rotate around the hinge point of the connecting rod to overcome obstacles and maintain the stability of the crawler track;

[0013] Furthermore, the main frame and the connected components are hingedly arranged, so that the mechanism can save space during transportation and lifting, and improve operational flexibility;

[0014] Furthermore, by adjusting the position of the telescopic oil cylinder on one side, the whole machine can be deflected left and right to ensure that the water jet is always vertically downward, thus ensuring the construction quality;

[0015] Furthermore, by adjusting the position of the tilting cylinder, the crawler assembly can be used to maintain balance on uneven ground and adapt to high and low slope working conditions;

[0016] Furthermore, while keeping the position of the tilting cylinder unchanged, the position of the telescopic cylinder is adjusted to make the crawler assembly adapt to the V-shaped ramp working condition;

[0017] Furthermore, one end of the connecting rod is provided with a hinge hole for connecting to the crawler assembly, and the hinge hole is connected to the crawler assembly via a reinforced pin shaft, and the reinforced pin shaft is used to enhance the connection strength and structural stability.

[0018] Beneficial effects:

[0019] The multifunctional free-adjustable submarine crawler of the present invention is deduced based on the content of exclusive right 1 to obtain beneficial effects.

[0020] 1. This utility model utilizes an articulated structure between the main frame, telescopic cylinders, outer legs, and inner legs to achieve flexible track adjustment in multiple directions. In particular, the synergistic effect of the telescopic cylinders and the tilting cylinders allows the tracks to not only adjust in width and height to varying terrain conditions but also to pivot to overcome obstacles. This structural arrangement enables the equipment to better adapt to complex and changing submarine environments, improving operational efficiency and safety.

[0021] 2. This utility model utilizes a high-strength alloy material for its main frame, outer legs, and inner legs, enhancing the overall compressive strength and corrosion resistance of the entire device while ensuring durability in high-pressure environments. Furthermore, by adjusting the position of a single telescopic cylinder, the entire device can be swiveld left and right, ensuring that the water jet remains vertically downward, thus guaranteeing construction quality. When the crawler tracks traverse uneven terrain, the hydraulic control system automatically adjusts the extension and retraction of the telescopic cylinder to maintain the overall horizontal position of the crawler tracks, further enhancing the stability of the device.

[0022] 3. When operating on slopes or V-shaped ramps, the utility model's multifunctional, freely adjustable submarine crawler tracks can be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the telescopic and tilting cylinders to change the track assembly's posture, ensuring smooth passage. This structural arrangement not only reduces the time the equipment is down due to terrain changes, but also significantly reduces potential risks caused by equipment instability.

[0023] 4. The utility model adopts an articulated structure, which allows the main frame and related components to be folded when necessary, reducing space occupation and improving operational flexibility. This is especially important for applications that require frequent movement of work locations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a side structural diagram of a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a structural state diagram of a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler passing through a slope in one embodiment of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a structural state diagram of a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler passing through a single V-shaped slope in one embodiment of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a structural state diagram of a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler passing through high and low slope working conditions in one embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a state diagram of a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler in one embodiment of the utility model, in which the crawler avoids the rock structure in front of the crawler.

[0030] in:

[0031] 1-Main frame; 2-Telescopic cylinder; 3-Outer legs; 4-Inner legs; 5-Connecting rod; 6-Tilting cylinder; 7-Tilting cylinder connecting weldment; 8-Track assembly.

[0032] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like, indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operate in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the said features. In the description of the present invention, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may refer to mechanical connections, direct connections, or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; they may refer to internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0036] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0037] Reference Figures 1-6 The present invention provides a submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler in an embodiment, comprising:

[0038] Main frame 1 supports all other components. It is articulated with telescopic cylinders 2, outer legs 3, and inner legs 4 via pins, enabling flexible multi-directional adjustment. Main frame 1 is constructed from high-strength alloy, ensuring durability and corrosion resistance in complex submarine environments.

[0039] Telescopic cylinder 2 is used to adjust the width and height of the crawler tracks, achieving telescopic movement through hydraulic power. It utilizes a high-performance hydraulic system, capable of stable operation under high-pressure conditions. Articulated to the main frame 1, its length can be adjusted as needed to accommodate varying seabed topography.

[0040] The outer legs 3 are mounted on the outside of the main frame 1 to expand the support surface of the crawler track and improve stability. The outer legs 3 are also made of high-strength alloy materials to enhance their compressive strength and corrosion resistance. The inner legs 4 are mounted on the inside of the main frame 1 and work together with the outer legs 3 to support the crawler track structure. The connecting rod 5 has at least three hinged holes, which are connected to the crawler track assembly 8, the outer legs 3, and the inner legs 4 by pins to form an articulated structure, providing multi-directional freedom of movement. The connecting rod 5 is made of high-strength steel to ensure its structural strength and durability in complex environments.

[0041] The tilting cylinder 6 is used to drive the track assembly 8 to rotate around the hinge point of the connecting rod 5 to overcome obstacles and maintain the stability of the track. The tilting cylinder 6 also uses a high-performance hydraulic system and can work stably under high-pressure environments.

[0042] The tilting cylinder connection weldment 7 is used to fix the tilting cylinder 6 on the crawler beam and connect it to the connecting rod 5 through a pin to achieve the tilting action. The tilting cylinder connection weldment 7 is welded to ensure the stability and reliability of the connection.

[0043] The main frame 1 is hinged to the telescopic cylinder 2 via a pin, allowing it to extend and retract as needed, thereby adjusting the height and width of the track. The outer and inner legs 3 and 4 are also hinged to the main frame 1 via pins, allowing them to be extended or retracted outward or inward as needed to adapt to different working conditions.

[0044] One end of the connecting rod 5 is provided with a hinge hole, which is connected to the crawler assembly 8 through a reinforced pin shaft to enhance the connection strength and structural stability.

[0045] The turning oil cylinder 6 is installed on the crawler beam through the turning oil cylinder connecting weldment 7, and is connected to the connecting rod 5 through a pin to realize the turning action.

[0046] This embodiment achieves coordinated operation of the telescopic cylinder 2 and the tilting cylinder 6. By controlling the extension and tilting of the telescopic cylinder 2 and the tilting cylinder 6, the track position can be adjusted to adapt to different terrains. For example, on a slope or V-shaped ramp, adjusting the position of the telescopic cylinder 2 can change the position of the track assembly 8, ensuring smooth operation of the track.

[0047] This embodiment achieves position adjustment of the crawler track assembly 8. By adjusting the positions of the telescopic cylinder 2 and the tilting cylinder 6, the crawler track assembly 8 changes its position, ensuring smooth operation on slopes or V-shaped ramps. The tilting cylinder 6 drives the crawler track assembly 8 to rotate about the hinge point of the connecting rod 5, overcoming obstacles and maintaining the stability of the crawler track.

[0048] Optionally, the main frame 1 and the connected components are hinged, so that the mechanism can save space during transportation and lifting and improve operational flexibility.

[0049] Optionally, by adjusting the position of the single-sided telescopic cylinder 2, the entire machine can be deflected left and right to ensure that the jet water flow is always vertically downward, thereby ensuring construction quality.

[0050] Optionally, by adjusting the position of the tilt cylinder 6, the track assembly 8 can be balanced on uneven surfaces, adapting to both high and low slopes. V-shaped ramp handling: While maintaining the position of the tilt cylinder 6, the track assembly 8 can be adapted to V-shaped ramps by adjusting the position of the telescopic cylinder 2.

[0051] In practical applications, consider a crawler track in a complex seabed environment with rugged terrain and obstacles such as rocks. In this case, adjusting the positions of the telescopic cylinder 2 and the tilting cylinder 6 can change the width and center of gravity of the crawler track, allowing it to avoid obstacles while maintaining stability and maneuverability. For example, when the crawler track encounters a slope, the telescopic cylinder 2 can be used to adjust the height of the crawler track assembly 8, while the tilting cylinder 6 can be used to adjust its angle, ensuring smooth navigation.

[0052] Description: When the crawler tracks travel over uneven terrain, the telescopic cylinder 2 is extended or retracted via the hydraulic control system. When one side of the crawler track encounters higher terrain, the telescopic cylinder 2 on that side is retracted, while the other side's telescopic cylinder 2 is extended to maintain the overall levelness of the crawler track. When the crawler track encounters an obstacle, such as a rock, the tilting cylinder 6 rotates the track assembly 8 around the hinge point of the connecting rod 5, allowing the track to traverse the obstacle. The action of the tilting cylinder 6 not only helps the crawler track overcome the obstacle but also maintains its stability on slopes or V-shaped ramps. When the crawler track enters a slope or V-shaped ramp, the position of the track assembly 8 can be changed by adjusting the positions of the telescopic cylinder 2 and the tilting cylinder 6. For example, on a slope, the height of the track assembly 8 is adjusted using the telescopic cylinder 2, while the angle is adjusted using the tilting cylinder 6 to ensure smooth operation.

[0053] In certain situations, to ensure the water jet is always directed vertically downward to maintain construction quality, the entire machine can be steered left or right by adjusting the position of one telescopic cylinder (2). For example, when the terrain is higher on one side, the telescopic cylinder (2) on that side can be shortened while the other telescopic cylinder (2) can be extended, thereby achieving left or right steerage. When the track needs to maintain balance on uneven ground, the tilt angle of the track assembly (8) can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the tilt cylinder (6). This allows the track to maintain stability even on uneven terrain, adapting to both high and low slopes. For V-shaped ramps, the position of the telescopic cylinder (2) can be adjusted while the tilt cylinder (6) remains unchanged, allowing the track assembly (8) to adapt to the V-shaped slope. The telescopic cylinder (2)'s retraction and extension adjusts the height of the track assembly (8), ensuring smooth operation on the V-shaped ramp.

[0054] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made by using the contents of the description and drawings of the present invention, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler, characterized in that: The invention comprises a main frame (1), at least one pair of telescopic oil cylinders (2), at least one pair of outer legs (3), at least one pair of inner legs (4), at least one connecting rod (5), at least one tilting oil cylinder (6) and at least one tilting oil cylinder connecting weldment (7), wherein the main frame (1) is hingedly connected to the telescopic oil cylinder (2), the outer legs (3) and the inner legs (4) via a pin shaft; The connecting rod (5) has at least three reaming holes, which are respectively connected to the crawler assembly (8), the outer leg (3), and the inner leg (4) through latches; The tilting oil cylinder (6) is installed on the crawler beam via a tilting oil cylinder connecting weldment (7) and is connected to the connecting rod (5) via a latch.

2. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic oil cylinder (2) and the tilting oil cylinder (6) can realize independent or coordinated actions, and are used for adjusting the crawler posture to adapt to different seabed terrain conditions.

3. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The crawler assembly (8) changes its own posture by adjusting the positions of the telescopic oil cylinder (2) and the tilting oil cylinder (6), and is used for smooth operation on a slope or a V-shaped ramp.

4. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting rod (5) has three hinged holes, which are respectively used to form an articulated structure with the crawler assembly (8), the outer leg (3) and the inner leg (4), so as to provide multi-directional freedom of movement.

5. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tilting oil cylinder (6) drives the crawler track assembly (8) to rotate around the hinge point of the connecting rod (5) to overcome obstacles and maintain the stability of the crawler track.

6. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main frame (1) and the connected components are hingedly arranged, so that the mechanism can save space during transportation and hoisting.

7. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: By adjusting the position of the telescopic oil cylinder (2) on one side, the left and right deflection of the entire machine can be achieved, thereby ensuring that the spray water flow is always directed vertically downward.

8. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: By adjusting the position of the tilting oil cylinder (6), the crawler assembly (8) can be kept balanced on uneven ground and adapt to high and low slope working conditions.

9. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: While keeping the position of the tilting oil cylinder (6) unchanged, the position of the telescopic oil cylinder (2) is adjusted to make the crawler assembly (8) adapt to the V-shaped ramp working condition.

10. The submarine multifunctional freely adjustable crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the connecting rod (5) is provided with a hinge hole for connecting to the crawler assembly (8), and the hinge hole is connected to the crawler assembly (8) via a reinforced pin shaft.