Ballast measurement device for porosity and sound attenuation characteristics of submarine sediment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of seabed acoustic detection, and particularly discloses a seabed sediment porosity and sound attenuation characteristic ballast measuring device which comprises a pressurizing device, a testing device, an acoustic measuring device, a porosity change measuring device, a motor driving device and a PC (Personal Computer) upper computer, all the devices work cooperatively so as to measure the porosity and sound attenuation characteristics of the sediment sample under the action of pressure. The device provided by the utility model adopts a contact type multi-sensor for measurement, so that the disturbance to the internal structure and property of the sediment in the traditional sampling process is avoided, the primitiveness and authenticity of the measured data are ensured, and the natural state of the seabed sediment in a pressure environment is more accurately reflected; and the porosity, density and acoustic characteristic change of the sediment under pressure loading can be monitored in real time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of seabed acoustic detection technology, specifically a ballast measurement device for seabed sediment porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics. Background Technology

[0002] Seafloor sediments are water-saturated two-phase porous media widely distributed on the seabed. The acoustic-pressure characteristics of seafloor sediments play a crucial role in marine exploration, engineering construction, and resource development. At different depths on the seabed, their internal pore structure and density are affected by deep-water pressure, thus altering the propagation speed and attenuation characteristics of sound waves. This acoustic response is an important indicator for identifying seafloor sediment types, predicting changes in the mechanical properties of seafloor sediments, and assessing sediment stability, providing significant reference for the detection of seafloor stratigraphic structure and physical state.

[0003] In fields such as deep-sea oil and gas exploration and submarine tunnel construction, the acoustic-pressure characteristics of sediments are directly related to the accuracy of detection and the safety of engineering projects. However, traditional acoustic measurements are usually conducted only under normal pressure conditions or by sampling and testing after pressurization, resulting in data that cannot accurately reflect the acoustic characteristics in the high-pressure environment of the deep sea.

[0004] In the field of marine sediment characteristics research, traditional measurement techniques suffer from four major defects: environmental simulation distortion, blind spots in dynamic process monitoring, insufficient analysis of multi-field coupling, and limited measurement dimensions.

[0005] Traditional methods are mostly conducted in atmospheric pressure laboratory environments or by sampling and testing under pressure. This approach ignores the significant impact of deep-sea high pressure (typically tens of MPa) on the sedimentary framework structure. Experiments show that when the confining pressure exceeds 10 MPa, the arrangement of clay mineral particles undergoes irreversible changes, leading to a nonlinear shift in the sound wave propagation path.

[0006] Existing devices mostly employ a static "pressurization-holding-measurement" mode, which fails to capture the critical stage of dynamic adjustment of effective stress in particles during pore water discharge. According to statistics from the International Society for Sediment Research (ISSA), 82% of acoustic parameter variations occur within the first two hours of pressure loading.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments, which can capture the acoustic response of sediments in real time during the compression process, providing more realistic and dynamic acoustic-pressure characteristic data. This research will provide scientific support for marine engineering and exploration, improve the accuracy of seabed exploration, and lay a solid foundation for future marine resource development and engineering. Utility Model Content

[0008] This invention addresses the aforementioned problems in the prior art by providing a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments. This device can accurately reflect the natural state of seabed sediments under pressure and can monitor the changes in porosity, density, and acoustic properties of sediments under pressure loading in real time.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments, including a pressurization device, a testing device, an acoustic measurement device, a porosity change measurement device, a motor drive device, and a PC host computer. The devices work together to measure the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of sediment samples under pressure.

[0010] Preferably, the pressurizing device consists of three pressurizing units: confining pressure, counter-pressure, and axial pressure. Each pressurizing unit includes a motor, a pressurizing cylinder, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve, used to apply pressure to the sediment samples in the test chamber.

[0011] Preferably, the testing device includes a test chamber, a sample carrying module, an axial force sensor, a displacement sensor, an axial pressure loading cylinder, upper and lower end covers, and a support column. The test chamber is used to simulate the in-situ pressure environment of seabed sediments, and the sample carrying module is used to load and fix sediment samples.

[0012] Preferably, the acoustic measurement device consists of a sonic transducer, a transmitting transducer, a receiving hydrophone 1, and a receiving hydrophone 2. One transmitting transducer and two receiving hydrophones form a one-transmitter-two-receiver measurement system, which is used to measure the sound velocity and sound attenuation coefficient of sediment samples.

[0013] Preferably, the porosity change measuring device mainly consists of a pressure sensor, an axial force sensor, a displacement sensor, and a flow meter, used to measure confining pressure, back pressure, pore pressure, axial pressure, axial force, sample displacement, and pore water drainage volume parameters during the experiment; the pressure sensors of the porosity change measuring device are respectively installed on the confining pressure, back pressure, and axial pressure systems of the test chamber, the axial force sensor is located at the top of the test chamber, the displacement sensor is located at the bottom of the axial pressure loading cylinder, and the flow meter is installed between the pressurization device and the pressure sensor.

[0014] Preferably, the motor drive device is used to drive the motor of the pressurizing device to achieve pressure loading and regulation.

[0015] Preferably, the PC host computer includes a control center and a data processing unit for controlling and receiving parameters from various sensors, acoustic instruments and motor drive devices, and for calculating and analyzing the porosity, density, sound velocity and sound attenuation of sediment samples.

[0016] Preferably, the pressurization device is connected to the test chamber through the upper and lower end covers of the test chamber, and the axial pressure loading cylinder extends directly into the test chamber through the piston rod and is connected to the sample carrying module to apply axial pressure to the sediment sample.

[0017] Preferably, the sample carrying module includes an upper and a lower transducer assembly, a latex membrane, and a sediment sample placement chamber. The upper transducer assembly includes a transducer base, a pore pressure measuring hole, a transducer cap, and an acoustic transducer. The transducer base and the transducer cap are connected by bolts. The acoustic transducer is held by the transducer cap and the transducer base. An L-shaped transducer wiring hole is embedded inside the transducer assembly. The bottom of the transducer wiring hole is in contact with the acoustic transducer. Annular permeable stones are installed on the left and right outer sides of the acoustic transducer. The pore pressure measuring hole is connected to the annular permeable stone on the left side of the acoustic transducer. The lower transducer assembly includes a transducer base, a back pressure pressurization hole, a transducer cap, and an acoustic transducer. The back pressure pressurization hole is connected to the annular permeable stone on the left side of the acoustic transducer.

[0018] Preferably, the latex film encloses the transducer assembly and the sediment sample placement chamber, and a hydrophone receiver 1 and a hydrophone receiver 2 are placed below the sediment sample. The hydrophone receiver 1 and the hydrophone receiver 2 are located on top of the acoustic transducer of the lower transducer assembly.

[0019] Therefore, this utility model proposes a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments, the beneficial effects of which are as follows:

[0020] (1) This utility model adopts contact multi-sensor measurement, which avoids the disturbance to the internal structure and properties of sediments during the traditional sampling process, ensures the originality and authenticity of the measurement data, and more accurately reflects the natural state of seabed sediments under pressure environment.

[0021] (2) This utility model simulates the deep-sea pressure environment through a three-dimensional pressurization system. The acoustic measurement device emits sound waves of a specific frequency that penetrate the sample, and the receiving end captures the sound wave signal. The porosity monitoring system records the pressure changes and water displacement in real time, and the host computer calculates the porosity changes and sound wave attenuation coefficient by integrating all the data.

[0022] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall scheme of a ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the pressurization unit of a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to this utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sample load-bearing module structure of a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to this utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a two-dimensional orthographic projection of the test device for a ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to this utility model.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a two-dimensional left-view projection of the test device for a ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to this utility model.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of an acoustic measurement device for measuring the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments, according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure Labels

[0030] 1. Testing device; 2. Pressurizing device; 3. Motor drive device; 4. PC host computer; 5. Acoustic wave instrument; 6. Axial force sensor; 7. Pore pressure sensor; 8. Confining pressure sensor; 9. Back pressure sensor; 10. Axial pressure sensor; 11. Displacement sensor; 12. Flow meter; 13. Confining pressure pressurizing unit; 14. Back pressure pressurizing unit; 15. Axial pressure pressurizing unit; 16. Axial pressure loading cylinder; 17. Drain pipe; 18. Test chamber; 19. Acoustic transducer; 20. Water outlet valve; 21. Water inlet valve 22. Motor; 23. Pressurizing cylinder; 24. Transducer assembly; 25. Transducer base; 26. Pore pressure measuring hole; 27. Transducer cap; 28. Sediment sample; 29. ​​Hydrophone receiver 1; 30. Hydrophone receiver 2; 31. Latex membrane; 32. Transducer wiring hole; 33. Back pressure pressurizing hole; 34. Annular permeable stone; 35. Upper end cap; 36. Support column; 37. Lower end cap; 38. Drain hole; 39. Pressurizing hole; 40. Sample carrying module; 41. Transmitting transducer. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the technical solution, advantages, and objectives of this utility model clearer, the technical solution of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below. The described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the described embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0033] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the present invention provides a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments, including a pressurization device 2, a testing device 1, an acoustic measurement device, a porosity change measurement device, a motor drive device 3, and a PC host computer 4. The devices work together to measure the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of sediment samples under pressure.

[0034] The pressurization device 2 consists of three pressurization units: confining pressure 13, counter pressure 14, and axial pressure 15. Each pressurization unit includes a motor 22, a pressurization cylinder 23, an inlet valve 21, and an outlet valve 20, which are used to apply pressure to the sediment sample 28 in the test chamber 18.

[0035] The pressurization device 2 is connected to the test chamber 18 through the upper end cover 35 and the lower end cover 36. The axial pressure loading cylinder 16 extends directly into the test chamber 18 through the piston rod and is connected to the sample carrying module 40 to apply axial pressure to the sediment sample 28.

[0036] The testing device 1 includes a testing chamber 18, a sample carrying module 40, an axial force sensor 6, a displacement sensor 11, an axial pressure loading cylinder 16, an upper end cover 35, a lower end cover 37, and a support column 36. The testing chamber 18 is used to simulate the in-situ pressure environment of seabed sediments, and the sample carrying module 40 is used to load and fix the sediment sample 28.

[0037] The acoustic measurement device consists of a sonic transducer 5, a transmitting transducer 41, a receiving hydrophone 1 29, and a receiving hydrophone 2 30. One transmitting transducer and two receiving hydrophones form a one-transmitter-two-receiver measurement system, which is used to measure the sound velocity and sound attenuation coefficient of sediment sample 28.

[0038] The sample carrier module 40 includes an upper and lower transducer assembly 24, a latex membrane 31, and a sediment sample 28 placement chamber.

[0039] The upper transducer assembly 24 includes a transducer base 25, a pressure measurement port 26, a transducer cover 27, and an acoustic transducer 19. The transducer base 25 and the transducer cover 27 are connected by bolts. The acoustic transducer 19 is held by the transducer cover 27 and the transducer base 25. An L-shaped transducer wiring hole 32 is embedded inside the transducer assembly 24. The bottom of the transducer wiring hole 32 is in contact with the acoustic transducer 19.

[0040] Annular permeable stones 34 are installed on the left and right outer sides of the acoustic transducer 19, and the pore pressure measuring hole 26 is connected to the annular permeable stone 34 on the left side of the acoustic transducer 19.

[0041] The lower transducer assembly 24 includes a transducer base 25, a pressure relief hole 33, a transducer cap 27, and an acoustic transducer 19. The pressure relief hole 33 is connected to the annular permeable stone 34 on the left side of the acoustic transducer 19.

[0042] The latex membrane 31 encloses the transducer assembly 24 and the sediment sample 28 placement chamber. Below the sediment sample 28, the hydrophone receiver 1 (29) and the hydrophone receiver 2 (30) are placed. The hydrophone receiver 1 (29) and the hydrophone receiver 2 (30) are located on top of the acoustic transducer 19 of the lower transducer assembly 24.

[0043] The porosity change measurement device mainly consists of a pressure sensor, an axial force sensor 6, a displacement sensor 11, and a flow meter 12. It is used to measure confining pressure, back pressure, pore pressure, axial pressure, axial force, sample displacement, and pore water drainage volume parameters during the experiment.

[0044] The pressure sensors of the porosity change measuring device are respectively installed on the confining pressure, back pressure and axial pressure systems of the test chamber 18. The axial force sensor 6 is located at the top of the test chamber 18, the displacement sensor 11 is located at the lower part of the axial pressure loading cylinder 16, and the flow meter 12 is installed between the pressurizing device 2 and the pressure sensor.

[0045] The motor drive device 3 is used to drive the motor 22 of the pressurizing device 2 to achieve pressure loading and regulation.

[0046] The PC host computer 4 includes a control center and a data processing unit, which is used for the control and parameter reception of various sensors, acoustic instruments and motor drive devices, and realizes the calculation and analysis of sediment sample porosity, density, sound velocity and sound attenuation.

[0047] Therefore, this utility model provides a ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments. It adopts contact multi-sensor measurement, which avoids the disturbance to the internal structure and properties of sediments during the traditional sampling process, ensures the originality and authenticity of the measurement data, and more accurately reflects the natural state of seabed sediments under pressure. It can monitor the changes in porosity, density and acoustic characteristics of sediments under pressure loading in real time.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solution of this utility model, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solution to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model.

Claims

1. A ballast measurement device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments, characterized in that, It includes a pressurization device, a testing device, an acoustic measurement device, a porosity change measurement device, a motor drive device, and a PC host computer. All devices work together to measure the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of sediment samples under pressure.

2. The ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressurization device consists of three pressurization units: confining pressure, counter-pressure, and axial pressure. Each pressurization unit includes a motor, a pressurization cylinder, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve, which are used to apply pressure to the sediment samples in the test chamber.

3. The ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The testing device includes a test chamber, a sample carrying module, an axial force sensor, a displacement sensor, an axial pressure loading cylinder, upper and lower end covers, and a support column. The test chamber is used to simulate the in-situ pressure environment of seabed sediments, and the sample carrying module is used to load and fix sediment samples.

4. The ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The acoustic measurement device consists of a sonic transducer, a transmitting transducer, a receiving hydrophone 1, and a receiving hydrophone 2. One transmitting transducer and two receiving hydrophones form a one-transmitter-two-receiver measurement system, which is used to measure the sound velocity and sound attenuation coefficient of sediment samples.

5. The ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The porosity change measurement device mainly consists of a pressure sensor, an axial force sensor, a displacement sensor, and a flow meter. It is used to measure confining pressure, back pressure, pore pressure, axial pressure, axial force, sample displacement, and pore water drainage volume parameters during the experiment. The pressure sensors of the porosity change measurement device are respectively installed on the confining pressure, back pressure, and axial pressure systems of the test chamber. The axial force sensor is located at the top of the test chamber, the displacement sensor is located at the bottom of the axial pressure loading cylinder, and the flow meter is installed between the pressurization device and the pressure sensor.

6. The ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor drive device is used to drive the motor of the pressurizing device to achieve pressure loading and regulation.

7. The ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The PC host computer includes a control center and a data processing unit, which is used for the control and parameter reception of various sensors, acoustic instruments and motor drive devices, and realizes the calculation and analysis of the porosity, density, sound velocity and sound attenuation of sediment samples.

8. The ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressurization device is connected to the test chamber through the upper and lower end covers of the test chamber. The axial pressure loading cylinder extends directly into the test chamber through the piston rod and is connected to the sample carrying module to apply axial pressure to the sediment sample.

9. A ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sample carrying module includes an upper and a lower transducer assembly, a latex membrane, and a sediment sample placement chamber. The upper transducer assembly includes a transducer base, a pore pressure measuring hole, a transducer cap, and an acoustic transducer. The transducer base and the transducer cap are connected by bolts. The acoustic transducer is held between the transducer cap and the transducer base. An L-shaped transducer wiring hole is embedded inside the transducer assembly. The bottom of the transducer wiring hole is in contact with the acoustic transducer. Annular permeable stones are installed on the left and right outer sides of the acoustic transducer. The pore pressure measuring hole is connected to the annular permeable stone on the left side of the acoustic transducer. The lower transducer assembly includes a transducer base, a back pressure pressurization hole, a transducer cap, and an acoustic transducer. The back pressure pressurization hole is connected to the annular permeable stone on the left side of the acoustic transducer.

10. A ballast measuring device for the porosity and acoustic attenuation characteristics of seabed sediments according to claim 9, characterized in that, The latex film encloses the transducer assembly and the sediment sample placement chamber. Hydrophone 1 and hydrophone 2 are placed below the sediment sample. Hydrophone 1 and hydrophone 2 are located on top of the acoustic transducer of the lower transducer assembly.

Images