A piston compensator

Abstract

This application belongs to the field of compensator technology, specifically relating to a piston-type compensator. The piston-type compensator includes multiple compensator units and a manifold that is sealed and connected to each of the compensator units. The manifold is equipped with an oil tank interface and a pressure chamber interface. The multiple compensator units in this application form a sealed connection with the manifold through their respective connection ports, ensuring that the compensation medium flows between the units and the manifold without leakage. Through the coordinated operation of multiple units, the overall compensation capacity can be significantly improved, effectively solving the problem of insufficient compensation capacity of traditional single compensators. The manifold, as a core connection and diversion component, has an oil tank interface for connecting to an external oil tank to store and replenish the compensation medium, while the pressure chamber interface is used to connect to the pressure chamber of underwater equipment, enabling the compensator and the underwater equipment to form a complete pressure regulation loop.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of compensator technology, specifically relating to a piston compensator. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as marine engineering, underwater exploration, and deep-sea resource development, underwater equipment needs to operate for extended periods in high-pressure, complex underwater environments. The normal operation of its internal components depends on a stable pressure environment. To prevent excessive external water pressure from causing deformation of the equipment casing, seal failure, or damage to internal precision components, compensators are typically used to dynamically regulate the internal pressure of the equipment, balancing the pressure difference between the inside and outside, and ensuring the safe operation and service life of the equipment.

[0003] Piston compensators, as a common pressure compensation device, are widely used in various underwater equipment due to their simple structure, rapid response, and high reliability. Their working principle mainly involves the reciprocating motion of a piston within a cylinder. Utilizing the transmission effect of a medium (such as hydraulic oil or seawater), changes in external water pressure are converted into piston displacement, thereby adjusting the internal pressure of the equipment and achieving a dynamic balance between internal and external pressures. This effectively improves the pressure resistance of underwater equipment, meeting its operational requirements within a certain water depth range.

[0004] However, existing piston compensators typically operate as a single, independent unit, meaning each underwater device is equipped with only one piston compensator. This single-compensator design is limited by factors such as the effective stroke of the piston, cylinder volume, and structural dimensions, resulting in a significant limitation on the amount of compensation it can achieve (i.e., the range of pressure or volume changes it can balance). When underwater equipment faces significant changes in water depth (such as rapid descent from shallow to deep water, or extensive depth adjustments in the deep sea), or when large volume fluctuations occur inside the equipment due to temperature changes, medium evaporation, or other factors, the compensation capacity of a single piston compensator often falls short of actual requirements. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a piston compensator that does not require changes to the connection interface with the device and has strong compensation capability.

[0006] The embodiments of this application can be implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A piston-type compensator includes multiple compensator units and a manifold that is sealed and connected to each of the compensator units. The manifold is provided with an oil tank interface and a pressure tank interface.

[0008] Furthermore, the compensator unit includes a cylinder, a piston connected to the cylinder and capable of reciprocating along the axial direction of the cylinder, and a water-permeable end cap and a sealing assembly connected to both ends of the cylinder in the axial direction. The manifold has a second mounting hole corresponding to the number of compensator units, and the compensator unit is sealed to the second mounting hole of the manifold through the sealing assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the compensator unit further includes a filter screen and a filter membrane. The permeable end cap is provided with a first mounting hole on the side facing away from the cylinder. The filter screen and the filter membrane are connected in the first mounting hole along the axial direction of the cylinder, and the filter screen is located on the outside.

[0010] Preferably, the filter membrane is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material.

[0011] Preferably, the compensator unit further includes an elastic element that moves between the piston and the permeable end cap.

[0012] Furthermore, the sealing assembly includes a sealing limiting flange, a third sealing element, a fourth sealing element, and a fifth sealing element. The sealing limiting flange includes a limiting portion, and a first extension portion and a second extension portion connected to both sides of the limiting portion in the axial direction.

[0013] The third sealing element is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first extension and is press-fitted with the inner wall of the cylinder through the third sealing element; the fourth sealing element is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second extension and is press-fitted with the second mounting hole through the fourth sealing element; the shape of the second mounting hole matches the shape of the limiting part and the second extension, the bottom end of the limiting part abuts against the second mounting hole, and a fifth limiting groove is formed on the side facing the busbar, the fifth sealing element is accommodated in the fifth limiting groove and is press-fitted with the top end of the second mounting hole.

[0014] Preferably, the busbar is further provided with a cascading interface, which is connected to the pressure chamber interface of the adjacent piston compensator via a connector.

[0015] Furthermore, the connector includes a connector body and at least two first sealing elements. The connector body is a cylindrical structure, and its outer periphery is provided with first limiting grooves that correspond one-to-one with the first sealing elements.

[0016] The first sealing element is housed within the first limiting groove and simultaneously has an interference fit with the cascade interface of the current piston compensator and the pressure chamber interface of the adjacent piston compensator. Furthermore, the cascade interface of the current piston compensator and the pressure chamber interface of the adjacent piston compensator each have an interference fit with at least one of the first sealing elements.

[0017] Furthermore, a sealing plug is sealed to the cascade interface of the end piston compensator, which is far from the pressure chamber.

[0018] Furthermore, the sealing head includes a third extension and a mating part. The third extension extends into the cascade interface and is interference-fitted with the cascade interface through a second sealing element. The mating part is connected to the end of the third extension, and the end of the mating part facing the third extension abuts against the outer wall of the busbar at the end of the cascade interface.

[0019] The piston compensator provided in the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The multiple compensator units in this application form a sealed connection with the manifold through their respective connection ports, ensuring that the compensation medium flows between each unit and the manifold without leakage. The overall compensation capacity can be significantly improved through the coordinated operation of multiple units, effectively solving the problem of insufficient compensation capacity of traditional single compensators. The manifold, as the core connection and diversion component, has an oil tank interface for connecting to an external oil tank to realize the storage and replenishment of the compensation medium, while the pressure tank interface is used to connect to the pressure tank of the underwater equipment, so that the compensator and the underwater equipment form a complete pressure regulation loop.

[0021] The combined structure of the filter screen and filter membrane in this application forms a dual filtration mechanism: the filter screen first filters large impurities in the water, preventing them from directly impacting or adhering to the filter membrane surface, effectively protecting the filter membrane and reducing the probability of damage caused by the impact of large impurities; while the filter membrane can further filter fine silt, plankton remains, and other microparticles in the water, significantly improving the purity of the water entering the cylinder. This dual filtration not only more comprehensively avoids wear on the piston caused by impurities, further extending the piston's service life, but also reduces problems such as decreased sealing performance of the inner wall of the cylinder and leakage of the compensator medium (i.e., oil leakage) caused by microparticles entering the cylinder, thereby improving the overall reliability of the compensator unit.

[0022] The busbar in this application is also equipped with a cascading interface, which is connected to the pressure chamber interface of the adjacent compensator via connectors. This configuration not only simplifies the overall structure's manufacturing process—reducing the need for customized processing and lowering production complexity through standardized interfaces and connectors—but also flexibly adapts to different water depth operating scenarios. When the operating water depth increases, multiple compensators can be cascaded to enhance pressure compensation capabilities without redesigning the overall structure, significantly improving the equipment's versatility and adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the piston compensator in this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is an overall structural diagram of the piston compensator in this application from another angle.

[0025] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the piston compensator in this application;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the piston compensator in this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This is an overall structural diagram of the sealing and limiting flange in this application;

[0028] Figure 6 This is an overall structural diagram of the sealing and limiting flange in this application from another angle;

[0029] Figure 7 This is an overall structural diagram of the connector in this application;

[0030] Figure 8 This is an overall structural diagram of the plugging head in this application.

[0031] Reference numerals: 1. Compensator unit; 11. Cylinder; 12. Piston; 13. Water-permeable end cap; 131. First mounting hole; 141. Sealing and limiting flange; 1411. Limiting part; 1412. First extension; 1413. Second extension; 1414. Fifth limiting groove; 142. Third seal; 143. Fourth seal; 144. Fifth seal; 15. Filter screen; 16. Filter membrane; 17. Elastic element.

[0032] 2. Manifold; 21. Oil tank interface; 22. Pressure tank interface; 23. Second mounting hole; 24. Cascade interface; 25. Connector; 251. Connector body; 252. First seal; 253. First limiting groove; 26. Sealing head; 261. Third extension; 262. Fitting part; 263. Second seal. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present application will now be further described based on preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] The vocabulary used in this specification is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application.

[0035] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, various components on the drawings have been enlarged or reduced for ease of understanding, but this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] Figures 1-4 The overall structural diagram, exploded view, and cross-sectional view of the piston compensator (hereinafter referred to as "compensator") in this application are shown from different angles, as well as respectively. Figures 1-4 As shown, the compensator includes multiple compensator units 1 and a manifold 2 that is sealed and connected to each compensator unit 1. The manifold 2 is equipped with an oil tank interface 21 and a pressure chamber interface 22. The multiple compensator units 1 form a sealed connection with the manifold 2 through their respective connection ports, ensuring that the compensation medium flows between the units and the manifold 2 without leakage. The coordinated operation of multiple units can significantly improve the overall compensation capacity, effectively solving the problem of insufficient compensation capacity of traditional single compensators. The manifold 2, as the core connection and diversion component, has an oil tank interface 21 for connecting to an external oil tank to store and replenish the compensation medium, while the pressure chamber interface 22 is used to connect to the pressure chamber of underwater equipment, forming a complete pressure regulation loop between the compensator and the underwater equipment.

[0037] When the underwater environmental pressure changes, each compensator unit 1 responds synchronously, transmitting the pressure regulation effect to the pressure chamber through the manifold 2. At the same time, the dynamic replenishment and circulation of the medium are achieved through the oil tank interface 21. This ensures compensation efficiency, and because the pressure chamber interface 22 can be adapted to the original connection specifications of the equipment, the installation can be completed without modifying or adding equipment interfaces, which greatly improves the adaptability of the equipment.

[0038] It is conceivable that, in actual use, the number of compensator units 1 can be flexibly set according to actual needs, and the length of the manifold 2 can be adjusted according to the adaptability of the number of compensator units 1, so as to ensure that each compensator unit 1 and the manifold 2 are stably and sealedly connected, while meeting the differentiated needs of different underwater equipment for compensation.

[0039] Furthermore, the compensator unit 1 includes a cylinder 11, a piston 12 connected inside the cylinder 11 and capable of reciprocating along the axial direction of the cylinder 11, and a permeable end cap 13 and a sealing assembly connected to both axial ends of the cylinder 11. The manifold 2 has second mounting holes 23 corresponding to the number of compensator units 1. The compensator unit 1 is sealed to the second mounting holes 23 of the manifold 2 through the sealing assembly. The piston 12 can flexibly reciprocate along the axial direction of the cylinder 11; this displacement characteristic is crucial for achieving pressure compensation. The permeable end cap 13 allows external water to enter the cylinder 11 and form pressure contact with one side of the piston 12. The sealing assembly ensures that the compensation medium on the other side of the cylinder 11 does not leak. Additionally, the compensator unit 1 achieves a tight sealing connection with the second mounting holes 23 of the manifold 2 through the sealing assembly. This connection method not only ensures a reliable closed channel between each compensator unit 1 and the manifold 2, allowing the compensation medium to flow smoothly, but also effectively prevents external water from seeping in, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the entire compensation system.

[0040] Furthermore, the compensator unit 1 also includes a filter screen 15. A first mounting hole 131 is provided on the side of the permeable end cap 13 facing away from the cylinder 11, and the filter screen 15 is connected to the first mounting hole 131. During the process of external water entering the cylinder 11 through the permeable end cap 13, the filter screen 15 can effectively intercept larger impurities such as sand and aquatic plants in the water, preventing these impurities from entering the cylinder 11 with the water and contacting the piston 12. This filtration effect reduces wear on the piston 12 surface caused by impurities and prevents impurities from getting stuck between the piston 12 and the inner wall of the cylinder 11, affecting the reciprocating movement of the piston 12. This ensures the purity of the water between the permeable end cap 13 and the piston 12, providing a relatively clean working environment for the piston 12 and helping to extend its service life.

[0041] In some preferred embodiments of this application, the compensator unit 1 further includes a filter membrane 16. The filter membrane 16 and the filter screen 15 are connected in the first mounting hole 131 along the axial direction of the cylinder 11, and the filter screen 15 is located on the outer side near the external water body. This combination structure of the filter screen 15 and the filter membrane 16 forms a dual filtration mechanism: the filter screen 15 first filters large impurities in the water body, preventing them from directly impacting or adhering to the surface of the filter membrane 16, thus effectively protecting the filter membrane 16 and reducing the probability of the filter membrane 16 being damaged by the impact of large impurities; while the filter membrane 16 can further filter fine silt, plankton remains and other micro-particles in the water body, significantly improving the purity of the water entering the cylinder 11. This dual filtration can not only more comprehensively prevent impurities from wearing the piston 12, further extending the service life of the piston 12, but also reduce problems such as decreased sealing performance of the inner wall of the cylinder 11 and leakage of the compensation medium (i.e., oil leakage) caused by the entry of micro-particles into the cylinder 11, thereby improving the overall reliability of the compensator unit 1.

[0042] In some preferred embodiments of this application, the filter membrane 16 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The filter membrane 16 made of this material has advantages such as chemical resistance, heat resistance, cold resistance, abrasion resistance, and oil resistance. It also has a uniform pore size distribution and high porosity, effectively removing tiny particles and bacteria from the water. Furthermore, it has a long service life, a smooth surface that does not easily adsorb impurities, and is easy to clean.

[0043] In some preferred embodiments of this application, the compensator unit 1 further includes an elastic element 17, which is movably disposed between the piston 12 and the water-permeable end cap 13. Inside the cylinder 11, the space between the piston 12 and the water-permeable end cap 13 forms a water chamber, while the space between the piston 12 and the sealing assembly forms an oil chamber. The addition of the elastic element 17 ensures that the pressure in the oil chamber is always slightly higher than the pressure in the water chamber, and this pressure difference significantly enhances the reliability of the compensator. Specifically, even if the underwater equipment dives to its maximum design depth, the elastic element 17, due to its elastic deformation capability, still provides a certain adjustment margin for the compensation action, preventing the compensator from failing due to reaching its limit. At the same time, the buffering effect of the elastic element 17 makes the entire compensation process smoother and gentler, reducing the impact of sudden pressure changes on components such as the piston 12 and the cylinder 11, further extending the service life of the compensator.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the sealing assembly includes a sealing limiting flange 141, a third seal 142, a fourth seal 143, and a fifth seal 144. The sealing limiting flange 141 includes a limiting part 1411, and a first extension 1412 and a second extension 1413 connected to both sides of the limiting part 1411 along its axial direction. The third seal 142 is fitted around the outer periphery of the first extension 1412, and the third seal 142 is press-fitted with the inner wall of the cylinder 11, thereby achieving a reliable seal between the sealing assembly and the cylinder 11. The fourth seal 143 is fitted around the outer periphery of the second extension 1413, and the fourth seal 143 is press-fitted with the second mounting hole 23. The shape of the second mounting hole 23 matches the shapes of the limiting part 1411 and the second extension 1413, ensuring the tightness and stability of the connection between the sealing assembly and the second mounting hole 23 of the manifold 2. In addition, the bottom end of the limiting part 1411 is in limiting contact with the second mounting hole 23, which plays a good positioning role. Furthermore, a fifth limiting groove 1414 is provided on the side facing the manifold 2. The fifth sealing member 144 is housed in the fifth limiting groove 1414 and is interference-fitted with the top end of the second mounting hole 23, which further enhances the sealing performance between the sealing assembly and the manifold 2, effectively preventing leakage of the compensation medium and infiltration of external water.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments of this application, the busbar 2 is further provided with a cascading interface 24, which is connected to the pressure chamber interface 22 of the adjacent compensator via a connector 25. This arrangement not only simplifies the overall structure's manufacturing process—reducing the need for customized processing and lowering production complexity through standardized interfaces and connectors—but also flexibly adapts to different water depth operating scenarios. When the operating water depth increases, multiple compensators can be cascaded to enhance pressure compensation capabilities without redesigning the overall structure, significantly improving the equipment's versatility and adaptability.

[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 As shown, the connector 25 includes a connector body 251 and at least two first sealing elements 252. The connector body 251 has a cylindrical structure, and its outer periphery has first limiting grooves 253 corresponding to the first sealing elements 252. The first sealing elements 252 are housed within the first limiting grooves 253 to achieve stable positioning of the first sealing elements 252. Furthermore, the first sealing elements 252 are simultaneously interference-fitted with the cascade interface 24 of the current piston compensator and the pressure chamber interface 22 of the adjacent piston compensator to ensure sealing reliability. The cascade interface 24 of the current piston compensator and the pressure chamber interface 22 of the adjacent piston compensator are each interference-fitted with at least one of the first sealing elements 252.

[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 3As shown, for the end piston compensator located at the end of the cascade structure and far from the pressure chamber, a sealing head 26 is sealed to its cascade interface 24, which can effectively seal the end interface, prevent external fluid intrusion or internal medium leakage, and ensure the sealing performance and safety of the entire cascade system under different operating environments.

[0048] Furthermore, such as Figure 8 As shown, the sealing head 26 includes a third extension 261 and a mating part 262. The third extension 261 extends into the cascade interface 24 and is interference-fitted with the cascade interface 24 via a second sealing element 263. The mating part 262 is connected to the end of the third extension 261, and the end of the mating part 262 facing the third extension 261 abuts against the outer wall of the manifold 2 of the cascade interface 24. This structural design ensures the sealing performance at the cascade interface 24 through the interference fit and achieves stable positioning of the sealing head 26 through the end abutment, effectively enhancing the reliability of the end sealing.

[0049] Furthermore, the third extension 261 is provided with a second limiting groove for accommodating the second seal 263, so as to achieve stable positioning of the second seal 263.

[0050] In some preferred embodiments of this application, in order to further improve the stability of the connection between the sealing head 26 and the cascade interface 24, the third extension 261 is also provided with an external thread, and the cascade interface 24 is provided with an internal thread that matches the external thread. The threaded connection can achieve a tight connection between the two, which is convenient for installation and disassembly operations, and can add a mechanical fixing guarantee on the basis of interference seal, further preventing the sealing head 26 from loosening or falling off under pressure.

[0051] The specific embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. For those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this application without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A piston-type compensator, characterized in that: It includes multiple compensator units and a manifold that is sealed and connected to each of the compensator units, and the manifold is provided with an oil tank interface and a pressure tank interface; The compensator unit includes a cylinder, a piston connected to the cylinder and movable back and forth along the axial direction of the cylinder, and a water-permeable end cap and a sealing assembly connected to both ends of the cylinder in the axial direction. The manifold has a second mounting hole corresponding to the number of compensator units. The compensator unit is sealed to the second mounting hole of the manifold through the sealing assembly.

2. A piston-type compensator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compensator unit further includes a filter screen and a filter membrane. The permeable end cap has a first mounting hole on the side facing away from the cylinder. The filter screen and the filter membrane are connected in the first mounting hole along the axial direction of the cylinder, and the filter screen is located on the outside.

3. A piston-type compensator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The filter membrane is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material.

4. A piston-type compensator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compensator unit also includes an elastic element that moves between the piston and the permeable end cap.

5. A piston compensator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing assembly includes a sealing limiting flange, a third sealing element, a fourth sealing element, and a fifth sealing element. The sealing limiting flange includes a limiting portion, and a first extension portion and a second extension portion connected to both sides of the limiting portion in the axial direction. The third sealing element is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first extension and is press-fitted with the inner wall of the cylinder through the third sealing element; the fourth sealing element is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second extension and is press-fitted with the second mounting hole through the fourth sealing element; the shape of the second mounting hole matches the shape of the limiting part and the second extension, the bottom end of the limiting part abuts against the second mounting hole, and a fifth limiting groove is formed on the side facing the busbar, the fifth sealing element is accommodated in the fifth limiting groove and is press-fitted with the top end of the second mounting hole.

6. A piston compensator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The busbar is also provided with a cascading interface, which is connected to the pressure chamber interface of the adjacent piston compensator via a connector.

7. A piston-type compensator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The connector includes a connector body and at least two first sealing elements. The connector body is a cylindrical structure with a first limiting groove on its outer periphery that corresponds one-to-one with the first sealing elements. The first sealing element is housed within the first limiting groove and simultaneously has an interference fit with the cascade interface of the current piston compensator and the pressure chamber interface of the adjacent piston compensator. Furthermore, the cascade interface of the current piston compensator and the pressure chamber interface of the adjacent piston compensator each have an interference fit with at least one of the first sealing elements.

8. A piston compensator according to claim 6, characterized in that: A sealing plug is connected to the cascade interface of the piston compensator at the end away from the pressure chamber.

9. A piston compensator according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sealing head includes a third extension and a mating part. The third extension extends into the cascade interface and is interference-fitted with the cascade interface through a second sealing element. The mating part is connected to the end of the third extension, and the end of the mating part facing the third extension abuts against the outer wall of the busbar at the end of the cascade interface.

Images