Underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on controlled release of Tesla valve type structure

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of underwater optical window biofouling prevention, and particularly relates to an underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on controlled release of a Tesla valve type structure. The antifouling tablet is used for long-acting prevention and treatment of biological fouling of an underwater optical window. And a plurality of Tesla valve type choked flow state water flow channels for realizing slow-control release of antifouling active substances are arranged in the antifouling tablet in a penetrating manner. Each Tesla valve type choked flow state water flow channel comprises a plurality of J-shaped repeating units; the straight channel length of each J-shaped repeating unit is 2-3mm, the flow channel width is 1-2mm, and the turning radius is 1-2mm; and a shunting angle formed by two adjacent J-shaped repeating units is 10-60 degrees. According to the antifouling tablet provided by the utility model, a Tesla valve type choked flow state structure is constructed in the self-polishing antifouling resin, so that the slow release control of antifouling active substances of the antifouling resin is realized, and the long-acting antifouling effect on the surface of an underwater optical window is achieved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model belongs to the underwater optical window anti-biofouling technical field, concretely relates to underwater optical window anti-fouling tablet based on the controlled release of Tesla valve type structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] The marine in-situ optical monitoring instrument can obtain important marine scientific data such as turbidity, fluorescence, absorbance and chlorophyll, and is widely used in the field of marine observation and detection. Without anti-fouling, once the marine instrument enters the water, the adhesion of marine organisms will occur in a very short time, the fouling organisms will interfere with data measurement, causing data deviation, and even instrument failure. Humans have developed various marine anti-fouling technologies based on different anti-fouling principles, such as mechanical scraping, toxic coating, etc. However, the high light transmittance requirement makes the underwater window of the marine optical instrument not only extremely sensitive to marine biofouling, but also has many limitations in the use of existing anti-fouling technologies. For example, mechanical scraping, in-situ treatment consumes a lot of energy, and off-shore treatment is time-consuming and costly, and causes damage to the window material. For example, coating a toxic chemical anti-fouling coating, for optical windows, will largely reduce the light transmittance, thereby affecting the measurement. The prevention and removal of marine biofouling on underwater optical windows has been a technical problem that has been pending in the field of marine engineering. The development of new underwater optical window anti-fouling technology is urgent and important for marine observation and detection.

[0003] 3D printing (3DP) is a rapid prototyping technology that uses computer-aided modeling to convert digital model files into physical models, layer by layer printing, rapid prototyping, and flexible structure design. It can be designed according to specific requirements, with low design cost and low operation difficulty. In recent years, some scholars have tried to apply 3D printing technology to the field of anti-fouling, and have developed a variety of 3D printable anti-fouling functional materials, using 3D printing to prepare anti-fouling components, but currently 3D printing is less involved in the field of marine anti-fouling. This is largely due to the fact that in real sea applications, anti-fouling components that are not specially designed have a faster release rate of anti-fouling active substances, resulting in waste of anti-fouling agents, and as the anti-fouling agents are released quickly, the anti-fouling effect of the anti-fouling components is rapidly weakened, and the anti-fouling life is short. For light-cured 3D printing, traditional anti-fouling coating controlled release technologies such as molecular sieves and microcapsules are difficult to implement and are not easy to shape. Building an effective slow-release structure in a marine environment is an important breakthrough for the application of 3D printing technology in marine anti-fouling.

[0004] Patent CN116874684A discloses a kind of anti-fouling 3D printing photosensitive resin and its preparation method and application;In the early stage of release, the anti-fouling active substance release rate of anti-fouling tablet is faster, resulting in waste of anti-fouling agents, and the anti-fouling life is short. Traditional anti-fouling coating controlled release methods, such as molecular sieves and microcapsules, are difficult to implement and are not easy to shape for light-cured 3D printing. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0005] To address the above technical issues, the present invention provides an underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on a Tesla valve-type structure for controlled release. This tablet utilizes Tesla valve-type flow control technology to achieve a slow and controlled release of antifouling active substances, extending the antifouling life.

[0006] The utility model is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0007] An underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on a Tesla valve-type structure for controlled release, wherein the antifouling tablet is provided with a plurality of Tesla valve-type flow-blocking water flow channels for realizing the slow-controlled release of antifouling active substances; the antifouling tablet is used for the long-term prevention and treatment of biological fouling of underwater optical windows.

[0008] Furthermore, when the size of the anti-fouling tablet is within the range of 45-55 mm in length, 25-30 mm in width, and 18-25 mm in height, 1-5 layers of flow channel units are set in the anti-fouling tablet, and each layer of water flow channel unit includes 1-5 Tesla valve-type flow-blocking water flow channel structures; each of the Tesla valve-type structures includes 4-12 J-shaped repeating units.

[0009] Furthermore, in each layer of the water channel unit, the distance between the valve axes of two adjacent Tesla valve-type flow-blocking state water flow channels is 8-10 mm.

[0010] Furthermore, each of the Tesla valve-type flow-blocking water flow channels includes several J-shaped repeating units; the straight length of each J-shaped repeating unit is 2-3 mm, the flow channel width is 1-2 mm, and the turning radius is 1-2 mm; the diversion angle formed by two adjacent J-shaped repeating units is 10-60°.

[0011] Furthermore, during installation and use, one end of the outlet of the Tesla valve structure of the antifouling tablet is placed close to the underwater optical window, so that the water flow in the water flow channel is in a blocked state.

[0012] Furthermore, the antifouling active components in the antifouling tablet are zinc acrylate monomer and cuprous oxide.

[0013] Furthermore, the antifouling tablet is prepared using 3D printing technology.

[0014] Beneficial technical effects of the utility model:

[0015] The underwater optical window antifouling tablet provided by the utility model based on the Tesla valve type structure controlled release constructs a Tesla valve type flow-blocking special slow-release channel inside the antifouling tablet, changes the ion exchange rate of the self-polishing resin, realizes the slow release of the antifouling active component under flow control, achieves better antifouling effect on the surface of the underwater optical window, and prolongs the antifouling life of the optical measuring device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1a It is the three-dimensional structure schematic view of the anti-fouling tablet printed by 3D in the embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 1b It is the top view structure schematic view of the anti-fouling tablet printed by 3D in the embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 It is the partial enlarged view of the Tesla valve type flow resistance state water flow channel structure inside the anti-fouling tablet in the embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 3 It is the underwater optical window device structure schematic view of the anti-fouling 3D printing in the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] The reference signs: 1. window cover; 2. box-shaped shell; 3. anti-fouling tablet; 4. gasket; 5. optical glass; 6. Tesla valve type flow resistance state water flow channel structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application more clear, the present application is further described in detail below with the help of the drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are only used to explain the present application and not to limit the present application.

[0022] On the contrary, the present application covers any substitution, modification, equivalent method and scheme made on the essence and scope of the present application as defined by the claims. Further, in order to make the public have a better understanding of the present application, some specific details are described in detail in the following detailed description of the present application. The present application can also be completely understood without the description of these details for those skilled in the art.

[0023] The present embodiment provides a kind of underwater optical window anti-fouling tablet of 3D printing structure controlled release, as shown in Figure 1, several Tesla valve type flow resistance state water flow channel structures 1 for realizing the slow release of anti-fouling active substance are arranged inside the anti-fouling tablet;The anti-fouling tablet is used for long-acting prevention and treatment of underwater optical window biological fouling.

[0024] In the present embodiment, when the size of the anti-fouling tablet is 45-55mm long, 25-30mm wide and 18-25mm high, 1-5 layers of flow channel units are arranged in the anti-fouling tablet, and each layer of water flow channel unit includes 1-5 Tesla valve type flow resistance state water flow channel structures;Each of the Tesla valve type structures includes 4-12 J-shaped repeating units.

[0025] Specifically, the size of the anti-fouling tablet is adjusted according to the size of the underwater optical window;When in use, a circle of anti-fouling tablets is arranged around the underwater optical window.

[0026] In this embodiment, in each layer of the water channel unit, the distance between the valve axes of two adjacent Tesla valve-type flow-blocking state water flow channels is 8-10 mm.

[0027] In this embodiment, each of the Tesla valve-type flow-blocking water flow channels includes a plurality of J-shaped repeating units; the J-shaped repeating units are periodically and staggered up and down along the axial direction of the valve; the straight length of each J-shaped repeating unit is 2-3 mm, the flow channel width is 1-2 mm, and the turning radius is 1-2 mm; the diversion angle formed by two adjacent J-shaped repeating units is 10-60°.

[0028] In this embodiment, during installation and use, one end of the outlet of the Tesla valve structure of the antifouling tablet is placed close to the underwater optical window, so that the water flow in the water flow channel is in a blocked state.

[0029] In this embodiment, the antifouling active components in the antifouling tablet are zinc acrylate monomer and cuprous oxide.

[0030] In this embodiment, the antifouling tablet is prepared using 3D printing technology. The preparation method specifically includes:

[0031] Preparing an antifouling ink, wherein zinc acrylate monomer and cuprous oxide are added to the antifouling ink;

[0032] The antifouling ink comprises, in parts by weight, 10-30 parts of a prepolymer, 10-30 parts of a diluent, 0.5-1.5 parts of a photoinitiator, 5-15 parts of a zinc acrylate monomer, and 0.5-1.5 parts of an antifouling agent.

[0033] Preferably, the prepolymer includes at least one of aliphatic polyurethane acrylate resin, polyester acrylate resin, and epoxy acrylate resin.

[0034] Preferably, the diluent includes at least one of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, and polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate.

[0035] Preferably, the photoinitiator includes at least one of diphenyl (2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide and phenyl bis (2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide.

[0036] Preferably, the antifouling agent is at least one of cuprous oxide, zinc oxide, copper acrylate, copper pyrithione, and zinc pyrithione.

[0037] Specifically, the antifouling ink used in this embodiment includes 10-30 parts of bisphenol A epoxy acrylate, 10-30 parts of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (n=about 14) (containing a stabilizer MEHQ), 0.5-1.5 parts of phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide photoinitiator, 5-15 parts of zinc acrylate monomer, and 0.5-1.5 parts of cuprous oxide. The components are stirred evenly, then ultrasonically vibrated for 60 minutes in the dark, and after the system is fully dispersed and free of bubbles, stored at low temperature in the dark to obtain the antifouling ink.

[0038] Printing was performed using a 3D printer. The antifouling ink was poured into the resin tank of the printer. The printing conditions were set as follows: a printing thickness of 0.02-0.08 mm, an exposure time of 1-5 seconds per layer, a bottom exposure of 30-90 seconds, and 4-10 bottom printing layers.

[0039] No internal supports are required during printing. The bottom surface of the anti-fouling tablet is placed on the printing platform. The printing parameters are set as follows: anti-aliasing level 10-20, grayscale 0-8, image blur 0-4, basic control type, Z-axis lift height 5-10mm, Z-axis lift speed 5-10mm / s, and Z-axis retraction speed 5-10mm / s.

[0040] After printing, remove the printed part, use anhydrous ethanol to ultrasonically clean it for 3-5 minutes, use a hair dryer to dry it, and place it in a UV curing box for curing for 15-30 minutes to complete the reaction of the remaining unreacted photocurable groups on the printed part.

[0041] The Tesla valve structure controlled release underwater optical window antifouling tablet is used for long-term prevention of biofouling of optical windows of marine in-situ optical monitoring instruments. The prepared antifouling tablet has been verified to have an inhibitory effect on microorganisms in actual marine environments through real-sea antifouling tests:

[0042] First, a 3D printed underwater optical window antifouling test device was designed. The device includes: a window cover 1, a box-shaped shell 2, an antifouling tablet 3, a gasket 4, and an optical glass 5. For details, see Figure 3. Using Anycubic Photon M3 Max 3D printer (Shenzhen Zongwei Cube Technology Co., Ltd.), commercial transparent ABS resin was poured into the printer resin tank, and the structure and size of the components were designed and optimized using UG (NX) 10.0 software (SIEMENS, Germany), fully considering the swelling effect of the antifouling tablet 3 under water and reserving swelling space. The 3D model was imported into the printer in STL file format, digitally sliced ​​into a series of 2D layers for controlling UV projection, and the liquid photosensitive resin was cured layer by layer by ultraviolet laser to construct auxiliary parts other than the antifouling tablet. Among them, the ultraviolet laser wavelength is 405nm, the printing thickness is 0.05mm, the exposure time for each layer is 3s, the bottom exposure is 60s, and the number of bottom printing layers is 6.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, a Tesla valve type anti-fouling tablet with a special flow channel structure is designed to control the release of anti-fouling active substances and achieve sustained release control of the anti-fouling tablet. The Tesla valve type flow channel anti-fouling tablet is designed as follows: In order to improve the reverse flow blocking effect of the Tesla valve, different numbers of repeating units are used to achieve the expected working effect. The repeating units are periodically arranged along the axial direction of the valve and staggered up and down. In this embodiment, the diversion angle α formed by two adjacent J-shaped repeating units is 50°, the straight length L is 2.6mm, the turning radius R is 1.2mm, the flow channel width W is 1.3mm, the repeating unit is 6 levels, and the repeating unit is arranged in a linear array, see Figure 2 .

[0044] As a preferred embodiment, the preparation method of 3D printed Tesla valve controlled-release antifouling tablets is as follows: Based on the above structural design, the 3D model is imported into the printer in STL file format, and the above self-made antifouling ink is poured into the resin tank of the AnycubicPhoton Mono 4K 3D printer (Shenzhen Zongwei Cube Technology Co., Ltd.). The printing thickness is set to 0.05mm, the exposure time of each layer is 2s, the bottom exposure is 80s, and the number of bottom printing layers is 8. The anti-aliasing level is 10-20, the grayscale is 0-8, the image blur is 0-4, the basic control type is adopted, the Z-axis lift height is 5-10mm, the Z-axis lift speed is 5-10mm / s, and the Z-axis retraction speed is 5-10mm / s. The bottom surface of the antifouling tablet is placed on the printing platform. After printing, the printed part is removed and ultrasonically cleaned with anhydrous ethanol until all uncured printing ink remaining in the flow channel is removed to ensure the fluidity of all flow channels.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, the photocuring treatment of the printed part is as follows: after printing is completed, the printed window cover 1, box-shaped shell 2, antifouling tablet 3 and gasket 4 are ultrasonically cleaned in anhydrous ethanol for 1 minute, dried with a hair dryer, and then placed in the Anycubic Wash UV curing box for curing for 15-30 minutes. After the residual unreacted photocurable groups in the printed part are completely reacted, the part is taken out and set aside.

[0046] As a preferred embodiment, the optical glass 5 substrate is made of organic glass or inorganic glass and is cut into a predetermined size of 20 mm×20 mm for use.

[0047] The printed components were assembled, and the optical glass 5, gasket 4, and antifouling tablet 3 were placed sequentially inside the box-shaped housing 2. The window cover 1 and the box-shaped housing 2 were fastened and bonded together using snaps. After assembly, the reserved space and the mobility of the internal components were inspected. The assembled antifouling 3D-printed underwater optical window device was then subjected to a one-month field antifouling test to verify its microbial inhibition in the marine environment. The sea trials demonstrated that the device effectively prevented marine microorganisms from attaching to the glass surface. After a month of field testing, the untreated glass surface showed significant adhesion of marine microorganisms, resulting in significant fouling. Treatment with the structureless antifouling tablet (compared to the antifouling tablet with a built-in Tesla valve flow-blocking structure, the structureless antifouling tablet lacked the Tesla valve-type flow-blocking channel, and the preparation method and raw materials were identical) significantly reduced the attachment of marine microorganisms to the glass surface. The antifouling tablet with a built-in Tesla valve flow-blocking structure demonstrated even greater antifouling efficacy, with only minimal fouling observed on the treated glass surface, demonstrating significantly superior antifouling effectiveness compared to the structureless antifouling tablet. This shows that the flow-controlled antifouling tablets provided by this patent can achieve slow-controlled release of antifouling active substances while maintaining good antifouling efficacy.

[0048] Fluid flow testing of the Tesla valve-type flow channel antifouling tablet: Using the liquid's own gravity, 10ml of liquid took 6 seconds to pass through the Tesla valve-type forward flow channel, while it took 8 seconds to pass through the Tesla valve-type counter-flow channel, demonstrating that the Tesla valve-type counter-flow channel has an obstructive effect on the flowing fluid. Furthermore, the fluid flow at the outlet shows that the forward flow channel's outlet is significantly more continuous than the counter-flow channel's outlet, further demonstrating that the Tesla valve-type controlled-release antifouling tablet for underwater optical windows can achieve a controlled-release effect when applied to the long-term prevention of biofouling on underwater optical windows.

[0049] The Tesla valve structure is adopted in the present invention for controlled release. The Tesla valve is a one-way valve based on the principle of centrifugal force movement. It is composed of a series of narrow channels or gaps. When the medium passes through the Tesla valve, the medium will enter along the flow channel of the valve body. During the further transmission process, the fluid will be divided into two parts in different directions. This diversion causes the medium to produce a vortex flow under the action of centrifugal force. Since the vortex fluid has a large angular momentum, the fluid closer to the valve core will be subjected to a greater pressure, causing the valve core to close automatically. The Tesla valve has no moving parts and relies only on fluid dynamics, allowing the fluid (in the marine environment, the fluid refers to water) to flow in one direction while preventing it from flowing in the opposite direction. Based on the design principle of the Tesla valve, the present invention constructs a Tesla valve-type flow-blocking water channel with a special slow-release channel inside the anti-fouling tablet, which can effectively prevent and control biological fouling of underwater optical windows. It is a new structure for anti-fouling treatment of underwater optical windows.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on a Tesla valve-type structure controlled release, characterized in that: The antifouling tablet is provided with a plurality of Tesla valve-type flow-blocking water flow channels for realizing the slow-controlled release of the antifouling active substance; the antifouling tablet is used for the long-term prevention and treatment of biological fouling of underwater optical windows.

2. The underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on the Tesla valve structure controlled release according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the size of the antifouling tablet is within the range of 45-55 mm in length, 25-30 mm in width, and 18-25 mm in height, 1-5 layers of flow channel units are set in the antifouling tablet, and each layer of water flow channel unit includes 1-5 Tesla valve-type flow-blocking water flow channel structures; each of the Tesla valve-type structures includes 4-12 J-shaped repeating units.

3. The underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on Tesla valve structure controlled release according to claim 2, characterized in that: In each layer of water channel units, the distance between the valve axes of two adjacent Tesla valve-type flow-blocking channels is 8-10 mm.

4. The underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on Tesla valve structure controlled release according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the Tesla valve-type choked flow channels includes several J-shaped repeating units; the straight length of each J-shaped repeating unit is 2-3 mm, the flow channel width is 1-2 mm, and the turning radius is 1-2 mm; the diversion angle formed by two adjacent J-shaped repeating units is 10-60°.

5. The underwater optical window antifouling tablet based on Tesla valve structure controlled release according to claim 1, characterized in that: During installation and use, place one end of the outlet of the Tesla valve structure of the antifouling tablet close to the underwater optical window, so that the water flow in the water flow channel is in a blocked state.

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