A tunable LNG loading arm articulation

Abstract

The utility model relates to mechanical arm technical field, a kind of LNG loading and unloading arm movable joint of fine tuning, including pipe joint, pipeline and drive assembly, pipe joint includes right-angle two pass, first rotary joint and second rotary joint, first rotary joint and second rotary joint are respectively installed in one end of right-angle two pass, the one end of pipeline is communicated with right-angle two pass by second rotary joint, one of the axis of right-angle two pass is vertical, the axis direction of another side of right-angle two pass is front-back direction, the axis direction of pipeline is left-right direction, the left end of pipeline is communicated with right-angle two pass, the middle segment top of pipeline is fixedly installed with fixed plate, the top of fixed plate is symmetrically fixedly installed with support plate, the top of support plate movably installs with one end of same hydraulic telescopic rod, the other end of hydraulic telescopic rod movably installs with connecting plate, connecting plate is fixedly connected with right-angle two pass, make pipeline rotate by controlling the length of hydraulic telescopic rod, realize the angle adjustment of pipeline.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of robotic arm technology, and in particular to a finely adjustable LNG loading and unloading arm movable joint. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG) loading and unloading equipment technology, the movable joint, as a key component connecting pipelines and enabling direction and angle adjustment, directly affects the flexibility and operational accuracy of the loading and unloading arm. In existing technologies, the movable joints of LNG loading and unloading arms typically employ a structure combining a rotary joint and a pipeline, changing the pipeline's direction through relative rotation at the joint. These movable joints often consist of a right-angle two-way joint with a single rotating shaft, allowing for pipeline position adjustment within a limited angle. Some existing structures use manual or simple mechanical methods to adjust the pipeline's pitch angle, such as indirectly controlling the pipeline's attitude through mechanisms like screws or connecting rods. Furthermore, some existing technologies utilize ordinary hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic cylinders as drive elements, pushing or pulling the pipeline to achieve angle changes. However, these traditional drive methods generally suffer from limited adjustment accuracy, slow response speed, and insufficient load-bearing capacity. During long-term use, due to the lack of an effective fine-tuning mechanism and a stable support structure, the pipeline position is prone to shifting, making it difficult to maintain the intended working state, affecting docking accuracy and operational safety. Existing movable joints are prone to vibration or displacement when bearing the pipeline's own weight and the medium load, further reducing the accuracy and reliability of adjustment. Overall, existing movable joints are still relatively crude in terms of structural design and drive control, making it difficult to meet the requirements of high-precision and high-efficiency loading and unloading operations.

[0003] Currently, existing LNG loading / unloading boom joints have significant drawbacks, particularly in terms of pipeline angle adjustment precision and load-bearing capacity. Existing joints mostly use ordinary hydraulic cylinders or mechanical linkages as drive components, which have limited adjustment precision and make it difficult to achieve precise control of the pipeline position. During loading and unloading operations, the pipeline end needs to be precisely aligned with the tank truck interface; any slight deviation can lead to poor sealing, media leakage, or docking failure. Due to the lack of a high-precision control mechanism, existing drive mechanisms often require repeated adjustments, which not only prolongs operation time but also increases operational complexity. Furthermore, existing joints are prone to insufficient rigidity and unstable support when bearing the weight of the pipeline and the medium, causing pipeline displacement or vibration under load, further affecting positional accuracy. This deficiency directly contrasts with the beneficial effects of high-precision angle adjustment and strong load-bearing capacity achieved through hydraulic telescopic rods. Due to limitations in drive methods and structural design, existing technologies cannot simultaneously meet the dual requirements of high-precision adjustment and high load-bearing capacity, limiting their application in efficient and reliable loading and unloading scenarios. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a movable joint with precise drive and strong load-bearing capacity to overcome the shortcomings of insufficient adjustment accuracy and poor support stability in the existing technology. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a finely adjustable LNG loading / unloading arm joint to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] The above-mentioned technical objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] An adjustable LNG loading / unloading boom joint includes a pipe fitting, a pipe, and a drive assembly. The pipe fitting includes a right-angle tee, a first rotary joint, and a second rotary joint. The first and second rotary joints are respectively installed at one end of the right-angle tee. One end of the pipe is connected to the right-angle tee via the second rotary joint. One side of the right-angle tee has a vertical axis, and the other side has an axis in the front-back direction. The axis of the pipe is in the left-right direction. The left end of the pipe is connected to the right-angle tee. A fixing plate is fixedly installed at the top of the middle section of the pipe. Support plates are symmetrically fixedly installed at the top of the fixing plate. One end of a hydraulic telescopic rod is movably installed on the top of the support plate. A connecting plate is movably installed on the other end of the hydraulic telescopic rod. The connecting plate is fixedly connected to the right-angle tee.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the pipe can be rotated by controlling the length of the hydraulic telescopic rod, thereby achieving the angle adjustment of the pipe. The hydraulic telescopic rod has high adjustment accuracy and strong load-bearing capacity, enabling the pipe of this device to achieve high-precision position adjustment and load-bearing capacity.

[0008] In a further embodiment, a first linear guide rail is fixedly installed on the top of the support plate located at the rear side of the top of the fixed plate, and a linear drive motor is fixedly installed on the top of the support plate located at the front side of the top of the fixed plate. The moving part of the linear drive motor is movably connected to the hydraulic telescopic rod. The linear drive motor is used to control one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod to move along the length direction of the pipe, and the first linear guide rail is used to guide the movement.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the position of the end of the hydraulic telescopic rod connected to the pipeline is finely adjusted by a linear motor, thereby further meeting the requirements for docking accuracy.

[0010] In a further embodiment, a first rotating shaft with its axis pointing in the front-back direction is provided through the right end of the connecting plate, and a bearing is sleeved on the first rotating shaft. One end of the hydraulic telescopic rod is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the bearing.

[0011] The above technical solution is used to connect one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod to a right-angle two-way valve.

[0012] In a further embodiment, a second rotating shaft with its axis in the front-rear direction is fixedly installed on the moving part of the linear drive motor, and a triangular plate is fixedly installed on one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod. The triangular plate has a circular hole with its axis in the front-rear direction, and the triangular plate is rotatably mounted on the second rotating shaft through the circular hole.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod can be connected to the pipeline.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the top right side of the support plate on the front side and the support plate on the rear side of the top of the fixed plate are both provided with waist-shaped holes, and round rods are fixedly installed on both the front and rear sides of one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod, and the round rods are movably installed in the waist-shaped holes at the corresponding positions.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution to achieve a simple moving connection, this design omits the structure of the linear drive cylinder and reduces some of the movement precision control, but it is sufficient to meet the needs of tank trucks in some regions.

[0016] In a further embodiment, a threaded sleeve is fitted onto one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod that is movably connected to the right-angle two-way valve.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the threaded sleeve can control the overall length of the hydraulic telescopic rod, thereby achieving the limiting function of adjusting the position of the entire pipeline.

[0018] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. By controlling the length of the hydraulic telescopic rod, the pipeline can be rotated, thereby adjusting the angle of the pipeline. The hydraulic telescopic rod has high adjustment accuracy and strong load-bearing capacity, enabling the pipeline of this device to achieve high-precision position adjustment and load-bearing capacity. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection structure between the hydraulic telescopic rod and the pipeline in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection structure between the hydraulic telescopic rod and the pipeline in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram, 1 is a pipe fitting; 11 is a right-angle tee; 12 is the first rotary joint; 13 is the second rotary joint; 2 is a pipe; 4 is a fixing plate; 5 is a support plate; 6 is a hydraulic telescopic rod; 7 is a connecting plate; 8 is the first linear guide rail; and 9 is a linear drive motor. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Identical parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" used in the following description refer to the attached figures. Figure 1 In this specification, the terms "bottom surface" and "top surface," "inner" and "outer" refer to the direction toward or away from the geometry of a specific component. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this specification, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly and specifically defined by the direction of the center.

[0026] Example 1:

[0027] like Figures 1-2 As shown, an adjustable LNG loading / unloading arm joint includes a pipe connector 1, a pipe 2, and a drive assembly. The pipe connector 1 includes a right-angle two-way connector 11, a first rotary connector 12, and a second rotary connector 13. The first rotary connector 12 and the second rotary connector 13 are respectively installed at one end of the right-angle two-way connector 11. One end of the pipe 2 is connected to the right-angle two-way connector 11 through the second rotary connector 13. One side of the right-angle two-way connector 11 has a vertical axis, and the other side of the right-angle two-way connector 11 has a front-back axis. The axis of the pipe 2 is in the left-right direction. The left end of the pipe 2 is connected to the right-angle two-way connector 11. A fixing plate 4 is fixedly installed at the top of the middle section of the pipe 2. Support plates 5 are symmetrically fixedly installed at the top of the fixing plate 4. One end of a hydraulic telescopic rod 6 is movably installed on the top of the support plate 5. A connecting plate 7 is movably installed on the other end of the hydraulic telescopic rod 6. The connecting plate 7 is connected to the right-angle two-way connector 11. The pipe 11 is fixedly connected; a first linear guide rail 8 is fixedly installed on the top of the support plate 5 located on the rear side of the top of the fixed plate 4, and a linear drive motor 9 is fixedly installed on the top of the support plate 5 located on the front side of the top of the fixed plate 4. The moving part of the linear drive motor 9 is movably connected to the hydraulic telescopic rod 6. The linear drive motor 9 is used to control one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod 6 to move along the length direction of the pipe 2, and the first linear guide rail 8 is used to guide the movement; a first rotating shaft with the axis direction in the front-back direction is inserted through the right end of the connecting plate 7. A bearing is sleeved on the first rotating shaft, and one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod 6 is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the bearing; a second rotating shaft with the axis direction in the front-back direction is fixedly installed on the moving part of the linear drive motor 9, and a triangular plate is fixedly installed on one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod 6. A circular hole with the axis direction in the front-back direction is opened on the triangular plate, and the triangular plate is rotatably installed on the second rotating shaft through the circular hole.

[0028] Specific implementation process: By controlling the length of the hydraulic telescopic rod, the pipeline is rotated, thereby adjusting the angle of the pipeline. The hydraulic telescopic rod has high adjustment accuracy and strong load-bearing capacity, enabling the pipeline of this device to achieve high-precision position adjustment and load-bearing capacity.

[0029] Example 2:

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, a finely adjustable LNG loading and unloading arm movable joint has a waist-shaped hole on the top right side of the support plate 5 on the front side and the support plate 5 on the rear side of the top of the fixed plate 4. A round rod is fixedly installed on both the front and rear sides of one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod, and the round rod is movably installed in the waist-shaped hole at the corresponding position. A threaded sleeve is fitted on the end of the hydraulic telescopic rod that is movably connected to the right angle two-way 11.

[0031] Specific implementation process: This design is used to achieve simple active connection. It omits the structure of linear drive cylinders, which reduces some of the movement precision control, but it is sufficient to meet the needs of tank trucks in some regions.

[0032] In the embodiments disclosed in this utility model, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; "linking" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments disclosed in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present utility model, they are protected by patent law.

Claims

1. A fine tunable LNG loading arm articulation, characterized by: The assembly includes a pipe fitting (1), a pipe (2), and a drive assembly. The pipe fitting (1) includes a right-angle tee (11), a first rotary joint (12), and a second rotary joint (13). The first rotary joint (12) and the second rotary joint (13) are respectively installed at one end of the right-angle tee (11). One end of the pipe (2) is connected to the right-angle tee (11) through the second rotary joint (13). One side of the right-angle tee (11) has a vertical axis, and the other side of the right-angle tee (11) has a vertical axis. The pipe (2) is in the front-to-back direction, and the axis of the pipe (2) is in the left-to-right direction. The left end of the pipe (2) is connected to the right-angle tee (11). A fixing plate (4) is fixedly installed on the top of the middle section of the pipe (2). A support plate (5) is fixedly installed symmetrically on the top of the fixing plate (4). One end of the same hydraulic telescopic rod (6) is movably installed on the top of the support plate (5). A connecting plate (7) is movably installed on the other end of the hydraulic telescopic rod (6). The connecting plate (7) is fixedly connected to the right-angle tee (11).

2. A finely tunable LNG loading arm articulation joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first linear guide rail (8) is fixedly installed on the top of the support plate (5) located on the rear side of the top of the fixed plate (4). A linear drive motor (9) is fixedly installed on the top of the support plate (5) located on the front side of the top of the fixed plate (4). The moving part of the linear drive motor (9) is movably connected to the hydraulic telescopic rod (6). The linear drive motor (9) is used to control one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod (6) to move along the length direction of the pipe (2). The first linear guide rail (8) is used to guide the movement.

3. A finely tunable LNG loading arm articulation according to claim 1, wherein: The right end of the connecting plate (7) is provided with a first rotating shaft whose axis is in the front-back direction. A bearing is sleeved on the first rotating shaft, and one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod (6) is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the bearing.

4. A fine-adjustable LNG loading arm articulation according to claim 2, characterised in that: A second rotating shaft with its axis in the front-to-back direction is fixedly installed on the moving part of the linear drive motor (9). A triangular plate is fixedly installed on one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod (6). A circular hole with its axis in the front-to-back direction is opened on the triangular plate. The triangular plate is rotatably mounted on the second rotating shaft through the circular hole.

5. A finely tunable LNG loading arm articulation according to claim 1, wherein: The top right side of the support plate (5) on the front side and the support plate (5) on the rear side of the top of the fixed plate (4) are provided with waist-shaped holes. A round rod is fixedly installed on both the front and rear sides of one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod, and the round rod is movably installed in the waist-shaped hole at the corresponding position.

6. A finely tunable LNG loading arm articulation according to claim 1, wherein: A threaded sleeve is fitted onto one end of the hydraulic telescopic rod that is movably connected to the right-angle two-way valve (11).

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