Gas-liquid separation device in shield tunneling machine pressure maintaining system
By combining the fluid introduction component, the core separation component, and the intelligent monitoring module, the stability and efficiency issues of the gas-liquid separation device under complex working conditions of the tunnel boring machine were solved, achieving efficient and stable gas-liquid separation and pressure regulation, and improving the operational reliability of the equipment.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YINGNUOWEI VALVE IND
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing gas-liquid separation devices struggle to achieve efficient, stable, and intelligent pressure regulation and gas-liquid separation under the complex working conditions of tunnel boring machines, leading to system instability and reduced separation efficiency.
It adopts a combined design of fluid introduction component, core separation component, pressure regulation component and intelligent monitoring module, including spiral guide vane, double-layer cylindrical structure, elastic diaphragm mechanism and sensor unit, to achieve initial fluid separation, dynamic pressure regulation and real-time monitoring.
It improves gas-liquid separation efficiency, extends equipment lifespan, enhances system operational stability and fault diagnosis convenience, and adapts to complex dynamic pressure changes.
Smart Images
Figure CN224252450U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of shield machine pressure holding system, specifically a gas-liquid separation device in the shield machine pressure holding system. Background Technology
[0002] In tunnel engineering, the performance of the pressure-holding system of a tunnel boring machine (TBM), a critical piece of equipment, directly affects the stability and safety of its operation. The gas-liquid separation device is one of the core components of the TBM's pressure-holding system, and its separation efficiency and adaptability have a significant impact on the overall system performance. However, existing gas-liquid separation devices still have many shortcomings under complex working conditions, making it difficult to meet the requirements for efficient and stable operation of TBMs.
[0003] A search revealed that patent CN105299981B discloses a U-shaped gas-liquid separation device. This device achieves effective separation of gas and liquid through a liquid storage component and has been successfully applied to a refrigeration cycle system. This design effectively reduces the internal pressure drop of the gas-liquid separator, improving energy efficiency and cooling capacity. However, its structural form is relatively fixed and lacks adaptability to dynamic pressure fluctuations. Especially in complex working environments like tunnel boring machines where pressure changes are frequent, this device cannot achieve automatic adjustment and pressure balance control, easily leading to decreased separation efficiency or even system instability.
[0004] Furthermore, the technical solution with patent number CN114293935B provides a three-phase separation device with an integrated pressure control system, suitable for scenarios such as geological drilling. This device, through a control system composed of a pressure regulating valve, a safety valve, and a pressure sensor, achieves simultaneous solid-phase sedimentation separation and liquid-phase recovery, and possesses a certain pressure regulation function. However, this device is primarily geared towards the geological drilling field and does not fully consider the impact of special working conditions such as high-speed flow and high gas content in tunnel boring machine (TBM) systems. Therefore, its response speed and separation accuracy still need improvement when dealing with the complex gas-liquid mixing state in the TBM pressure-holding system.
[0005] In summary, existing gas-liquid separation devices cannot adequately meet the requirements of tunnel boring machine (TBM) pressure-maintaining systems in terms of structural design, dynamic pressure adaptability, and separation efficiency. Especially under complex operating conditions, achieving efficient, stable, and intelligent pressure regulation and gas-liquid separation remains a pressing technical challenge. Therefore, developing a novel gas-liquid separation device to improve the overall safety and reliability of TBM operation has significant practical importance and application value. Utility Model Content
[0006] This invention provides a gas-liquid separation device for a tunnel boring machine (TBM) pressure-maintaining system, aiming to address the shortcomings of existing gas-liquid separation devices in terms of dynamic pressure adaptability, separation efficiency, and stability under complex working conditions. Through innovative structural design and functional optimization, this invention can meet the requirements of the TBM pressure-maintaining system for efficient, stable, and intelligent operation.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a gas-liquid separation device in a tunnel boring machine pressure-maintaining system, comprising a fluid introduction component, a core separation component, a pressure regulating component, and an intelligent monitoring module, wherein:
[0008] The fluid introduction assembly includes a flow guide shell and a spiral flow guide vane. The flow guide shell has a conical inner cavity, and the spiral flow guide vane is evenly distributed along the axial direction of the conical inner cavity and forms a specific angle with the inner cavity wall.
[0009] The core separation component includes a double-layer cylindrical structure, a porous mesh cylinder, an annular cavity, and an inclined bottom plate. The double-layer cylindrical structure consists of an outer closed cylinder and an inner porous mesh cylinder. The annular cavity is filled with high-density fiber material, and the inclined bottom plate is at a 15° angle to the horizontal plane.
[0010] The pressure regulating component includes an elastic diaphragm mechanism and a linkage valve assembly. One side of the elastic diaphragm mechanism is connected to the inside of the system, and the other side is in contact with the outside atmosphere. The linkage valve assembly adopts a multi-stage opening and closing design.
[0011] The intelligent monitoring module includes a sensor unit, a central processing unit, and a wireless communication module. The sensor unit detects gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and system pressure parameters.
[0012] Preferably, the inlet end of the fluid inlet assembly's guide housing is connected to an external pipeline, and the outlet end is connected to the front-end interface of the core separation assembly via a flange.
[0013] Preferably, the porous mesh cylinder of the core separation component has a precisely calculated aperture that allows liquid to pass through while intercepting gas. The high-density fiber material in the annular cavity captures tiny droplets and aggregates them into larger droplets before they flow back to the bottom liquid storage area.
[0014] Preferably, the elastic diaphragm mechanism of the pressure regulating component drives the linkage valve group to operate through mechanical transmission, and the valves of each level of the linkage valve group correspond to different pressure thresholds to achieve graded regulation function.
[0015] Preferably, the sensor unit of the intelligent monitoring module includes a gas flow sensor, a liquid flow sensor, and a pressure sensor, which are installed at different locations in the core separation component.
[0016] Preferably, the spiral guide vanes of the fluid inlet assembly guide the mixed fluid to generate rotational motion, causing the gas and liquid to initially separate into layers.
[0017] Preferably, the connection between the inclined base plate of the core separation component and the double-layer cylindrical structure is achieved by welding to ensure the strength and stability of the overall structure.
[0018] Preferably, the pressure regulating component and the core separation component are connected at the top by bolts, and a sealing gasket is provided at the mating surface to prevent gas leakage.
[0019] Preferably, the intelligent monitoring module is fixed to one side of the pressure regulating component by a bracket made of high-strength metal material.
[0020] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: First, the spiral guide vane design improves the flow characteristics of the fluid during entry, thereby increasing the separation efficiency; second, the double-layer cylindrical structure combined with the application of high-density fiber materials not only enhances the separation effect but also extends the service life of the equipment; third, the graded control function of the pressure regulating component enables the system to adapt to complex dynamic pressure changes, improving overall operational stability; finally, the introduction of the intelligent monitoring module enables comprehensive control over the equipment's operating status, facilitating fault diagnosis and maintenance. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the fluid introduction component;
[0023] Figure 3 A cross-sectional structural diagram of the core separation component;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure regulating component.
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the layout of the intelligent monitoring module;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the workflow of this utility model.
[0027] In the diagram: 1. Fluid introduction component; 2. Flow guide shell; 3. Spiral flow guide vane; 4. Core separation component; 5. Double-layer cylindrical structure; 6. Porous mesh cylinder; 7. Annular cavity; 8. Inclined bottom plate; 9. Pressure regulating component; 10. Elastic diaphragm mechanism; 11. Linkage valve group; 12. Intelligent monitoring module; 13. Sensor unit; 14. Central processing unit; 15. Wireless communication module; 16. Mechanical transmission. Detailed Implementation
[0028] This utility model provides a gas-liquid separation device in the pressure-maintaining system of a tunnel boring machine, and its specific implementation method is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention, showing the main components of the gas-liquid separation device and their connection relationships. The fluid inlet component 1 serves as the front-end interface of the core separation component 4, and the two are tightly connected by a flange to ensure no leakage during fluid transmission. The pressure regulating component 9 is bolted to the top of the core separation component 4, and a sealing gasket enhances the sealing effect at their mating surfaces. The intelligent monitoring module 12 is fixed to one side of the pressure regulating component 9 by a bracket, and its sensor unit 13 is directly inserted into a designated position in the core separation component 4 to obtain accurate measurement data.
[0029] The specific structure of fluid introduction component 1 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it mainly consists of a flow guide shell 2 and spiral guide vanes 3. The flow guide shell 2 is a structure with a conical inner cavity. The inlet end is connected to an external pipe, and the outlet end is fixed to the front end interface of the core separation component 4 via a flange. The spiral guide vanes 3 are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the conical inner cavity and form a specific angle with the inner cavity wall. The number and angle of the spiral guide vanes 3 are precisely calculated to ensure that the mixed fluid can generate rotational motion under the action of the guide vanes after entering the flow guide shell 2. This rotational motion causes the gas and liquid to initially separate, while reducing the impact force of the fluid on subsequent components. The outlet end of the flow guide shell 2 is connected to the front end interface of the core separation component 4 via a flange. The flange is equipped with multiple fastening bolts to ensure the connection is firm and airtight.
[0030] The specific structure of core separation component 4 is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, it mainly consists of a double-layer cylindrical structure 5, a porous mesh cylinder 6, an annular cavity 7, and an inclined bottom plate 8. The double-layer cylindrical structure 5 includes an outer closed cylinder and an inner porous mesh cylinder 6, forming an annular cavity 7 between them. The pore size of the porous mesh cylinder 6 is precisely designed to allow liquid to pass through smoothly while effectively intercepting gas. The annular cavity 7 is filled with a high-density fiber material, which has good adsorption properties and can capture tiny droplets and aggregate them into larger droplets before flowing back to the bottom storage area. The bottom of the double-layer cylindrical structure 5 is equipped with an inclined bottom plate 8, which forms a 15° angle with the horizontal plane to facilitate the rapid discharge of separated liquid. The connection between the inclined bottom plate 8 and the double-layer cylindrical structure 5 is achieved by welding to ensure the strength and stability of the overall structure. In addition, the top of the double-layer cylindrical structure 5 is connected to the pressure regulating component 9 by bolts, and a sealing gasket is installed at the joint surface to prevent gas leakage.
[0031] The specific structure of pressure regulating component 9 is as follows: Figure 4As shown, it mainly includes an elastic diaphragm mechanism 10 and a linkage valve assembly 11. The elastic diaphragm mechanism 10 is made of flexible material, with one side connected to the system interior and the other side in contact with the outside atmosphere. The elastic diaphragm mechanism 10 is installed in the middle of the pressure regulating assembly 9, and its upper and lower ends are connected to the linkage valve assembly 11 through fixed brackets. When the internal pressure of the system increases, the elastic diaphragm deforms and drives the linkage valve assembly 11 to actuate through the mechanical transmission 16, thereby releasing excess gas. Conversely, when the system pressure decreases, the elastic diaphragm returns to its original shape, and the linkage valve assembly 11 closes to maintain the system pressure balance. The linkage valve assembly 11 adopts a multi-stage opening and closing design, with each stage valve corresponding to a different pressure threshold. The graded control function is achieved through the cooperation of springs and pistons. The spacing between each stage valve and the elastic coefficient of the spring are precisely calculated to ensure that each stage valve can accurately open or close within the set pressure range.
[0032] The specific layout of the intelligent monitoring module 12 is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, it mainly consists of a sensor unit 13, a central processing unit 14, and a wireless communication module 15. The sensor unit 13 includes a gas flow sensor, a liquid flow sensor, and a pressure sensor, which are installed at different locations on the core separation component 4 to detect relevant parameters. The gas flow sensor is installed above the porous mesh cylinder 6 to detect the flow rate of the separated gas; the liquid flow sensor is installed at the end of the inclined base plate 8 to detect the liquid flow rate; and the pressure sensor is installed on the top of the double-layer cylindrical structure 5 to monitor the internal pressure of the system. The sensor unit 13 is connected to the central processing unit 14 via a signal cable. The central processing unit 14 analyzes the collected data in real time according to a preset algorithm and feeds the results back to the operating interface. The wireless communication module 15 is connected to the central processing unit 14 via a data interface, which can upload key data to a remote server so that technicians can monitor the equipment's operating status at any time. The intelligent monitoring module 12 is fixed to one side of the pressure regulating component 9 by a bracket made of high-strength metal material to ensure the module remains stable during operation.
[0033] The workflow of this utility model is as follows: Figure 6As shown, the mixed fluid first enters the fluid inlet component 1, where it rotates under the action of the spiral guide vane 3, causing the gas and liquid to initially separate. Subsequently, the fluid enters the core separation component 4, where the gas-liquid separation process is completed through the synergistic action of the porous mesh cylinder 6 and the high-density fiber material. The separated gas is discharged through the pressure regulating component 9, while the liquid flows into the bottom storage area along the inclined bottom plate 8. During this process, the intelligent monitoring module 12 continuously collects system operation data and analyzes it through the central processing unit 14 to ensure that the entire separation process is always in optimal condition. Specifically, after the mixed fluid enters from the inlet end of the guide shell 2, it rotates under the guidance of the spiral guide vane 3, and after the gas and liquid initially separate, it enters the core separation component 4. The porous mesh cylinder 6 intercepts the gas and allows the liquid to pass through, while the high-density fiber material in the annular cavity 7 captures tiny droplets and aggregates them into larger droplets before flowing back to the bottom storage area. The separated gas is discharged after pressure regulation by the elastic diaphragm mechanism 10 and the linkage valve group 11 of the pressure regulating component 9, while the liquid flows into the storage area along the inclined bottom plate 8. The sensor unit 13 of the intelligent monitoring module 12 detects parameters such as gas flow rate, liquid flow rate and system pressure in real time, and performs data analysis through the central processing unit 14, and finally feeds back the results to the operation interface or uploads them to the remote server.
[0034] This invention achieves a highly efficient gas-liquid separation process through the close connection and coordinated operation of the aforementioned components. The fluid inlet assembly 1 improves the flow characteristics of the fluid upon entry through the design of the spiral guide vanes 3; the core separation assembly 4 enhances the separation effect through the application of a double-layer cylindrical structure 5 and high-density fiber materials; the pressure regulating assembly 9's graded control function improves the system's operational stability; and the introduction of the intelligent monitoring module 12 enables comprehensive control over the equipment's operating status. The precise design of the connections and positions between the various components ensures the efficient operation and long-term stability of the entire device.
[0035] To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and implement this utility model, the following supplementary explanation of the specific implementation principle of this utility model is provided in conjunction with a specific application scenario.
[0036] In the actual operating environment of a tunnel boring machine's pressure-maintaining system, a gas-liquid separator is installed between the machine's hydraulic system and gas circulation system to separate the gas and liquid components in the mixed fluid. The mixed fluid typically consists of hydraulic oil and compressed air, with significant pressure and flow fluctuations, and operates in a complex and variable environment. The following outlines the specific operating steps and implementation principle of this device in practical applications.
[0037] First, the mixed fluid enters the fluid inlet assembly 1 through an external pipe, at which point the spiral guide vanes 3 inside the guide housing 2 begin to function. As the mixed fluid flows in from the inlet, the spiral guide vanes 3, evenly distributed along the axial direction of the conical inner cavity and forming a specific angle with the inner cavity wall, cause the fluid to rotate under the action of the guide vanes. This rotational motion causes the denser liquid to move outwards due to centrifugal force, while the less dense gas concentrates in the inner region, thus achieving initial stratification. This process not only improves subsequent separation efficiency but also effectively reduces the impact force of the fluid on the core separation assembly 4, extending the equipment's service life. The fastening bolts on the flange ensure a tight seal between the fluid inlet assembly 1 and the core separation assembly 4, preventing fluid leakage.
[0038] Subsequently, the pre-stratified mixed fluid enters the core separation component 4. The porous mesh cylinder 6 within the double-layered cylindrical structure 5 plays a crucial role at this stage. The pore size of the porous mesh cylinder 6 is precisely designed to allow liquid to pass through smoothly while effectively intercepting gas. Simultaneously, the high-density fiber material filling the annular cavity 7 further enhances the separation effect. As the mixed fluid passes through the porous mesh cylinder 6, gas is trapped in the outer closed cylinder, while the liquid passes through the mesh cylinder and enters the annular cavity 7. During this process, the high-density fiber material captures tiny droplets and, through adsorption, aggregates them into larger droplets before flowing back to the bottom storage area. The inclined bottom plate 8 facilitates the rapid discharge of the separated liquid; its 15° angle with the horizontal plane ensures smooth liquid flow under gravity, preventing liquid stagnation.
[0039] Meanwhile, the pressure regulating component 9 monitors the internal pressure status of the system in real time. One side of the elastic diaphragm mechanism 10 is connected to the system interior, while the other side is in contact with the external atmosphere. When the internal pressure of the system increases, the elastic diaphragm deforms and drives the linkage valve assembly 11 through mechanical transmission, releasing excess gas to maintain system pressure balance. Conversely, when the system pressure decreases, the elastic diaphragm returns to its original shape, and the linkage valve assembly 11 closes to prevent gas backflow. The linkage valve assembly 11 adopts a multi-stage opening and closing design, with each stage valve corresponding to a different pressure threshold. The graded control function is achieved through the cooperation of springs and pistons. The spacing between each stage valve and the spring elastic coefficient are precisely calculated to ensure that each stage valve can accurately open or close within the set pressure range. This design enables the device to adapt to complex dynamic pressure changes, significantly improving the operational stability of the system.
[0040] Throughout the separation process, the intelligent monitoring module 12 continuously collects system operation data. The gas flow sensor in the sensor unit 13 is installed above the porous mesh cylinder 6 to detect the gas flow rate after separation; the liquid flow sensor is installed at the end of the inclined base plate 8 to detect the liquid flow rate; and the pressure sensor is installed at the top of the double-layer cylindrical structure 5 to monitor the internal pressure of the system. These sensors transmit data to the central processing unit 14 via signal cables. The central processing unit 14 analyzes the collected data in real time according to a preset algorithm and feeds the results back to the operating interface. The wireless communication module 15 is connected to the central processing unit 14 via a data interface, enabling the uploading of key data to a remote server so that technicians can monitor the equipment's operating status at any time. The introduction of the intelligent monitoring module 12 achieves comprehensive control over the equipment's operating status, facilitating fault diagnosis and maintenance.
[0041] In summary, this invention successfully achieves a highly efficient gas-liquid separation process through the close connection and coordinated operation of the aforementioned components. The design of the spiral guide vane 3 improves the flow characteristics upon fluid entry, the application of the double-layer cylindrical structure 5 and high-density fiber material enhances the separation effect, the graded control function of the pressure regulating component 9 improves the system's operational stability, and the introduction of the intelligent monitoring module 12 enables comprehensive control over the equipment's operating status. The precise design of the connection and positional relationships between the various components ensures the efficient operation and long-term stability of the entire device.
Claims
1. A gas-liquid separation device in a tunnel boring machine pressure-maintaining system, characterized in that: It includes a fluid introduction component (1), a core separation component (4), a pressure regulation component (9), and an intelligent monitoring module (12), wherein: The fluid introduction assembly (1) includes a flow guide shell (2) and a spiral flow guide vane (3). The flow guide shell (2) has a conical inner cavity, and the spiral flow guide vane (3) is evenly distributed along the axial direction of the conical inner cavity and forms a specific angle with the inner cavity wall. The core separation component (4) includes a double-layer cylindrical structure (5), a porous mesh cylinder (6), an annular cavity (7), and an inclined bottom plate (8). The double-layer cylindrical structure (5) consists of an outer closed cylinder and an inner porous mesh cylinder (6). The annular cavity (7) is filled with high-density fiber material. The inclined bottom plate (8) is at a 15° angle to the horizontal plane. The pressure regulating component (9) includes an elastic diaphragm mechanism (10) and a linkage valve group (11). One side of the elastic diaphragm mechanism (10) is connected to the inside of the system, and the other side is in contact with the outside atmosphere. The linkage valve group (11) adopts a multi-stage opening and closing design. The intelligent monitoring module (12) includes a sensor unit (13), a central processing unit (14) and a wireless communication module (15). The sensor unit (13) detects gas flow rate, liquid flow rate and system pressure parameters.
2. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inlet end of the flow guide housing (2) of the fluid introduction component (1) is connected to an external pipeline, and the outlet end is connected to the front end interface of the core separation component (4) through a flange.
3. The gas-liquid separation device in the pressure-maintaining system of a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The porous mesh cylinder (6) of the core separation component (4) has a precisely calculated pore size that allows liquid to pass through and intercepts gas. The high-density fiber material in the annular cavity (7) captures tiny droplets and gathers them into larger droplets before returning them to the bottom liquid storage area.
4. The gas-liquid separation device in the pressure-maintaining system of a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic diaphragm mechanism (10) of the pressure regulating component (9) drives the linkage valve group (11) to move through mechanical transmission. Each level of the linkage valve group (11) corresponds to a different pressure threshold to achieve graded regulation function.
5. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor unit (13) of the intelligent monitoring module (12) includes a gas flow sensor, a liquid flow sensor and a pressure sensor, which are installed at different locations in the core separation component (4).
6. The gas-liquid separation device in the pressure-maintaining system of a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral guide vane (3) of the fluid inlet component (1) guides the mixed fluid to generate rotational motion, so that the gas and liquid are initially separated.
7. The gas-liquid separation device in the pressure-maintaining system of a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inclined base plate (8) of the core separation component (4) is connected to the double-layer cylindrical structure (5) by welding process to ensure the strength and stability of the overall structure.
8. The gas-liquid separation device in the pressure-maintaining system of a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure regulating assembly (9) is bolted to the top of the core separation assembly (4), and a sealing gasket is provided at the mating surface to prevent gas leakage.
9. The gas-liquid separation device in the pressure-maintaining system of a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent monitoring module (12) is fixed to one side of the pressure regulating component (9) by a bracket made of high-strength metal material.