An internal structure of a ballast tank

Abstract

A kind of ballast tank internal structure, including integral structure ballast tank, pressure liquid level meter is arranged inside, the bottom position of ballast tank interior is distributed with multiple flow guide fin assemblies, multiple damping plates are arranged above flow guide fin assembly, each damping plate is welded in the top surface of ballast tank interior, radar liquid level meter is installed in the middle position of ballast tank interior top surface;The structure of single damping plate is as follows: including damping plate body, uniformly distributed through-hole is opened in damping plate body, the outer surface of damping plate body is coated with hydrophobic coating.It makes up the deficiency of traditional ballast tank structure in liquid surface sloshing, liquid level measurement inaccuracy, structural fatigue damage and the like, is equipped with self-powered partition fusion liquid level measurement system, can improve liquid level measurement precision, improve the control accuracy and service life of ballast dynamic regulation system, reduce the influence of ballast tank liquid surface sloshing on the safety of ballast tank structure, reduce the dependence of liquid level measurement system on external power supply and reduce design complexity and cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of shipbuilding and marine engineering technology, and in particular to an internal structure of a ballast tank. Background Technology

[0002] Ballast dynamic control systems are crucial equipment for improving the stability and operational efficiency of offshore floating structures. For example, floating wind turbines in marine environments experience significant rolling, which can lead to structural fatigue damage, increased energy output fluctuations, and instability. Ballast dynamic control systems rapidly adjust the floating structure's attitude and respond to environmental changes by monitoring the liquid level distribution in several ballast tanks in real time and issuing ballast water allocation commands. Therefore, the accuracy of liquid level measurement is critical to the reliability of the ballast dynamic control system.

[0003] In existing technologies, the surface of ballast tanks experiences severe sloshing under marine conditions. On one hand, the splashing liquid caused by this sloshing interferes with level measurement, making level sensors more susceptible to noise and reducing measurement accuracy, thus affecting the reliability of the control system. On the other hand, the impact force of the sloshing liquid acts on the tank walls, exposing the ballast tank to structural fatigue and damage risks, threatening the safety of the floating structure. Furthermore, existing ballast dynamic adjustment systems use an external power source to power the internal level measurement devices; however, the internal wiring needs to penetrate the tank and be sealed, resulting in high operating and maintenance costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing production technologies, the applicant provides an internal structure for ballast tanks that facilitates dynamic ballast adjustment. This structure overcomes the deficiencies of traditional ballast tank structures in areas such as liquid surface sloshing, inaccurate level measurement, and structural fatigue damage. Equipped with a self-powered zoned fusion level measurement system, it improves level measurement accuracy, enhances the control accuracy and service life of the dynamic ballast adjustment system, reduces the impact of ballast tank surface sloshing on the structural safety of the ballast tank, reduces the dependence of the level measurement system on external power sources, and lowers design complexity and cost.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows:

[0006] An internal structure of a ballast tank includes an integral ballast tank. Multiple pressure level gauges are evenly spaced at the bottom of the inner wall of the ballast tank. Multiple flow-guiding fin assemblies are distributed at the bottom of the ballast tank interior. Multiple sloshing plates are arranged above the flow-guiding fin assemblies, and each sloshing plate is welded to the top surface of the ballast tank interior. A gap is left between the bottom of the sloshing plate and the top of the flow-guiding fin assembly. A radar level gauge is installed at the center of the top surface of the ballast tank interior.

[0007] The structure of a single oscillation plate is as follows: it includes an oscillation plate body, on which uniformly distributed through holes are opened, the diameter of the through holes decreasing from top to bottom, and the outer surface of the oscillation plate body is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene hydrophobic coating.

[0008] As a further improvement to the above technical solution:

[0009] The damping plate adopts an integrated structure.

[0010] The damping plate body has a cuboid structure.

[0011] The four damping plates are axially spaced at 90° intervals on the top surface of the ballast tank.

[0012] The structure of the flow guide fin assembly is as follows: it includes a base fixed to the bottom surface of the ballast tank, a hollow base is installed on the base by bolts, a hollow central shaft is provided on the top surface of the base, and a spiral flow guide fin is provided on the outside of the central shaft. After the horizontally swaying liquid in the tank flows through the spiral flow guide fin, the liquid will flow along the spiral path to form a vertical vortex, which guides the direction of liquid flow and dissipates the horizontal kinetic energy of the liquid.

[0013] The spiral guide fin has a hollow structure and a piezoelectric film is arranged inside the spiral guide fin.

[0014] The spiral guide fins are made of aluminum alloy.

[0015] The piezoelectric film is made of PZT material and is attached to the inner surface of the spiral guide fin cavity.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] This invention features a compact and rational structure, and is easy to operate. Through the combination of anti-sloshing plates and spiral guides, it effectively reduces the amplitude of liquid surface sloshing within the ballast tank, thereby reducing measurement noise and providing high-precision liquid level measurement data for the ballast dynamic adjustment system. It significantly reduces the structural impact of liquid sloshing on the ballast tank, lowering the risk of structural fatigue and damage, and improving the safety of marine floating structures in complex environments. The spiral guide-piezoelectric energy harvesting self-powered design utilizes the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing to generate electrical energy, enabling the liquid level measurement sensor to be self-powered, reducing dependence on external energy sources, and lowering the design difficulty and economic cost of through-tank wiring. The zoned liquid level measurement system enhances the ability to stably output high-precision liquid level data under wave conditions, significantly improving the robustness and accuracy of the monitoring and sensing system. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model (external structure).

[0019] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the structure (internal structure) of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the damping plate of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the flow guide fin assembly of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the spiral guide fin of this utility model.

[0023] Among them: 100, ballast tank; 200, sloshing plate; 300, flow guide fin assembly; 400, radar level gauge; 500, pressure level gauge;

[0024] 201. Braking plate body; 202. Through hole; 203. Hydrophobic coating;

[0025] 301, central shaft; 302, spiral guide fins; 303, base; 304, bolt; 305, base; 306, piezoelectric film. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the internal structure of the ballast tank in this embodiment includes an integral ballast tank 100. Multiple pressure level gauges 500 are evenly spaced at the bottom of the inner wall of the ballast tank 100. Multiple flow guide fin assemblies 300 are distributed at the bottom of the ballast tank 100. Multiple sloshing plates 200 are arranged above the flow guide fin assemblies 300. Each sloshing plate 200 is welded to the top surface inside the ballast tank 100, and a gap is left between the bottom of the sloshing plate 200 and the top of the flow guide fin assembly 300. A radar level gauge 400 is installed in the middle of the top surface inside the ballast tank 100.

[0028] The structure of a single oscillation plate 200 is as follows: it includes an oscillation plate body 201, on which uniformly distributed through holes 202 are opened, the diameter of the through holes 202 decreasing from top to bottom, and the outer surface of the oscillation plate body 201 is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene hydrophobic coating 203.

[0029] The squeegee 200 adopts an integrated structure.

[0030] The main body of the damping plate 201 has a cuboid structure.

[0031] Four oscillation plates 200 are axially spaced at 90° intervals on the top surface of the ballast tank 100.

[0032] The structure of the flow guide fin assembly 300 is as follows: it includes a base 305 fixed to the bottom surface of the ballast tank 100, a hollow base 303 is installed on the base 305 by bolts 304, a hollow central shaft 301 is provided on the top surface of the base 303, and a spiral flow guide fin 302 is provided on the outside of the central shaft 301. After the horizontally swaying liquid in the tank flows through the spiral flow guide fin 302, the liquid will flow along the spiral path to form a vertical vortex, which guides the direction of liquid flow and dissipates the horizontal kinetic energy of the liquid.

[0033] The spiral guide fin 302 has a hollow structure, and a piezoelectric film 306 is arranged inside the spiral guide fin 302.

[0034] The spiral guide fin 302 is made of aluminum alloy.

[0035] The piezoelectric film 306 is made of PZT material and is attached to the inner surface of the cavity of the spiral guide fin 302.

[0036] The specific structure and function of the internal structure of the ballast tank described in this utility model are as follows:

[0037] It includes a ballast tank 100, inside which are four sloshing plates 200, five flow guide fin assemblies 300, and a zoned fusion liquid level measurement system consisting of a high-precision radar level gauge 400 and four pressure level gauges 500.

[0038] This embodiment uses a cylindrical ballast tank 100 as an example for illustration, but the shape of the ballast tank 100 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. It can also adopt the shape of a ballast tank 100 with a square cross-section, a square cross-section with rounded corners, a hexagonal cross-section, etc.

[0039] Four oscillation plates 200 are evenly distributed at 90° intervals along the circumference of the ballast tank 100.

[0040] Each sway-damping plate 200 includes a sway-damping plate body 201, which is made of aluminum alloy. Its advantages include light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and suitability for marine environments. The plate body is welded and fixed to the interior of the ballast tank 100 on its adjacent sides, with the height of the plate body perpendicular to the static liquid level inside the tank. The plate height is 2 / 3 of the height of the ballast tank 100.

[0041] The damping plate body 201 has through holes 202, wherein the diameter of the holes is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, and the diameter decreases from top to bottom. This gradual change in hole diameter serves to suppress wave formation and splashing of the upper liquid and dissipate the horizontal kinetic energy of the lower liquid. The shape of the holes includes, but is not limited to, those shown below. Figure 2The shapes shown are circular, as well as square, rectangular, and rhomboid. The surface of the plate is coated with a hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene coating 203, which has the advantages of being resistant to dirt adhesion and having good chemical stability. It can effectively slow down structural corrosion caused by moisture and salt, reduce marine organism adhesion, and thus further extend the service life of the swaying plate 200 and ensure performance reliability.

[0042] Five flow-guiding fin assemblies 300 are provided in total. One is located at the center of the bottom surface of the compartment, and the other four are evenly distributed around the outer ring of the central module at 90° intervals along the circumference of the ballast tank 100. The height of each flow-guiding fin assembly 300 is 1 / 4 of the height of the ballast tank 100, so that its highest point does not exceed the lowest point of the sloshing plate 200. Each flow-guiding fin assembly 300 consists of a central shaft 301, a spiral flow-guiding fin 302, a piezoelectric film 306, and a base 303. The spiral flow-guiding fin 302 adopts an optimized spiral shape with a rotation angle of 45°. When the horizontally sloshing liquid in the compartment flows through the spiral flow-guiding fin 302, the liquid will flow along the spiral path to form a vertical vortex, effectively guiding the direction of liquid flow and dissipating the horizontal kinetic energy of the liquid. The spiral flow-guiding fin 302 is a hollow structure made of aluminum alloy, which has good mechanical properties and seawater corrosion resistance. Its root is welded to the central shaft 301 of the same material. The piezoelectric film 306, made of PZT material, is adhered to the inner surface of the cavity of the spiral guide fin 302. Under the action of the periodic oscillating pressure of the vertical eddy current, it deforms and vibrates, thereby converting the eddy current kinetic energy into electrical energy using the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric film 306 transmits the electrical energy to the base 303, which has a rectification and energy storage function, through a waterproof cable and a hollow central shaft 301.

[0043] The base 303 is a hollow shell, internally integrating a rectifier circuit and an energy storage capacitor to process and collect the electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric film 306, ensuring a stable power supply for the liquid level measurement system. The hollow structure of the spiral guide fins 302, the central shaft 301, and the base 303 provides a stable external environment for energy capture and transmission of the piezoelectric film 306.

[0044] The zoned fusion measurement system consists of one high-precision radar level gauge 400 and four pressure level gauges 500. The radar level gauge 400 is installed at the center of the inner ceiling of the ballast tank 100, accurately measuring the liquid level data in the central stable flow zone within the ballast tank 100. The pressure level gauges 500 are evenly distributed at 90° intervals along the circumference of the ballast tank 100, installed at the bottom of the tank to reduce the impact of liquid splashing, and are used to collect liquid level data from multiple edge areas. The zoned data is fused and output as true liquid level data, which is used by the ballast dynamic adjustment system to calculate and generate ballast water allocation commands.

[0045] In actual operation, the installation process for each component includes the following steps:

[0046] Step 1: Pre-treatment of ballast tank 100.

[0047] Clean the interior of ballast tank 100 to ensure there are no welding residues, oil stains and other impurities;

[0048] According to the design drawings, the installation positions of the following components are precisely marked inside the cabin, including: the welding points of the oscillation plate 200, the fixing points of the flow guide fin assembly 300, and the installation positions of the radar level gauge 400 and the pressure level gauge 500.

[0049] The second step is the installation of the damping plate 200.

[0050] One side of each oscillation plate body 201 is welded to a predetermined position on the top surface of the compartment, and the other side is welded to the corresponding position on the inner side of the compartment wall to ensure that it is perpendicular to the static liquid surface.

[0051] Step 3: Installation of the flow guide fin assembly 300.

[0052] For the flow guide fin assembly 300:

[0053] The base 303 is fastened to the target mounting point on the bottom surface of the cabin by bolts 304 and base 305.

[0054] The prefabricated upper structure (including spiral guide fins 302 and central shaft 301) is connected to the base 303 via the central shaft 301 to complete the mechanical connection and electrical interface sealing.

[0055] Step 4: Installation of the zoned integrated liquid level measurement system.

[0056] Make an opening in the center of the top surface of the cabin, fix the probe of the radar level gauge 400, and adjust the transmitting surface to make it parallel to the liquid surface;

[0057] A pressure-type liquid level gauge 500 is installed at a pre-set interface near the bottom of the inner bulkhead.

[0058] Step 5: Overall inspection and anti-corrosion treatment.

[0059] Confirm that all components are securely installed and there is no risk of loosening or leakage.

[0060] All welded joints should be treated with anti-corrosion measures.

[0061] The installation can be easily completed by following the steps above, resulting in high work efficiency.

[0062] The above description is an explanation of the present utility model and not a limitation thereof. The scope of the present utility model is defined by the claims. Within the protection scope of the present utility model, any form of modification may be made.

Claims

1. An internal structure of a ballast tank, characterized in that: The ballast tank (100) is an integral structure. Multiple pressure level gauges (500) are evenly spaced at the bottom of the inner wall of the ballast tank (100). Multiple flow-guiding fin assemblies (300) are distributed at the bottom of the interior of the ballast tank (100). Multiple sloshing plates (200) are arranged above the flow-guiding fin assemblies (300). Each sloshing plate (200) is welded to the top surface inside the ballast tank (100), and a gap is left between the bottom of the sloshing plate (200) and the top of the flow-guiding fin assembly (300). A radar level gauge (400) is installed in the middle of the top surface inside the ballast tank (100). The structure of a single oscillation plate (200) is as follows: it includes an oscillation plate body (201), on which uniformly distributed through holes (202) are opened, the diameter of the through holes (202) decreasing from top to bottom, and the outer surface of the oscillation plate body (201) is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene hydrophobic coating (203).

2. The internal structure of a ballast tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The damping plate (200) adopts an integrated structure.

3. The internal structure of a ballast tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The damping plate body (201) has a cuboid structure.

4. The internal structure of a ballast tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Four oscillation plates (200) are axially spaced at 90° intervals on the top surface of the ballast tank (100).

5. The internal structure of a ballast tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the flow guide fin assembly (300) is as follows: it includes a base (305) fixed to the bottom surface of the ballast tank (100), a hollow base (303) is installed on the base (305) by bolts (304), a hollow central shaft (301) is provided on the top surface of the base (303), and a spiral flow guide fin (302) is provided on the outside of the central shaft (301). After the horizontally swaying liquid in the tank flows through the spiral flow guide fin (302), the liquid will flow along the spiral path to form a vertical vortex, which guides the direction of liquid flow and dissipates the horizontal kinetic energy of the liquid.

6. The internal structure of a ballast tank as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The spiral guide fin (302) has a hollow structure and a piezoelectric film (306) is arranged inside the spiral guide fin (302).

7. The internal structure of a ballast tank as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The spiral guide fins (302) are made of aluminum alloy.

8. The internal structure of a ballast tank as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The piezoelectric film (306) is made of PZT material and is attached to the inner surface of the cavity of the spiral guide fin (302).

Images