An external security device for underwater equipment

Abstract

This utility model discloses an external security device for underwater equipment, relating to the field of underwater equipment protection technology. It aims to solve the problems of insufficient flexibility, unreliable sealing, poor structural stability, and difficulty in balancing sealing and ease of connection in existing devices. It includes a protective body and first and second connecting components. The protective body is a spiral corrugated pipe with a flexible hose sleeved on it, both of which can be bent at any angle. Both connecting components include an inner tube sleeved outside the protective body, a retaining ring, and a locking clamp. The first component also includes a sealing cap embedded in the retaining ring, and the second component contains a through-tube flexible hose. This device offers high flexibility, reliable sealing, and structural stability, balancing sealing with ease of connection to external equipment. It is suitable for protecting underwater equipment such as shallow-sea sensors and underwater robot interfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of underwater equipment protection technology, specifically to an external security device for underwater equipment such as underwater sensors, transmission cables, and interface connectors. Background Technology

[0002] External security devices for underwater equipment are a type of device used to physically protect core components such as underwater sensors, transmission cables, and interface connectors. Their main functions are to isolate seawater corrosion, prevent marine organisms from attaching, buffer water flow impacts and mechanical collisions, and prevent underwater equipment from failing due to external environmental erosion or external force damage, thereby ensuring the long-term stable operation of underwater detection, communication, and operation functions.

[0003] Existing external security devices for underwater equipment mostly use rigid tubular shells as the main protective structure. Their connections typically involve simple threads or snap-fit ​​structures, relying on a single annular rubber ring for sealing. Internal cables or tubing are usually fixed in place. However, this type of structure has significant shortcomings: the rigid shell cannot flexibly adapt to installation paths or water pressure, and in complex underwater environments, its limited deformation can lead to localized stress concentration and damage; the threads or snaps at the connection points have poor fit with the shell, easily loosening under water flow or biological impact, causing the sealing ring to shift and failing to reliably prevent seawater intrusion; simultaneously, existing devices struggle to balance sealing performance with ease of external connection—overly robust sealing hinders the connection between the internal tubing and external equipment, while simplifying the sealing structure for easier connection increases the risk of water ingress into the protective structure, failing to meet the comprehensive requirements of underwater equipment for protective flexibility, sealing reliability, and ease of connection. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of existing underwater equipment external security devices, such as insufficient flexibility, unreliable sealing, poor structural stability, and difficulty in balancing sealing and connection convenience, and to provide an underwater equipment external security device that is structurally stable, reliably sealed, flexible, and easy to connect to external equipment.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an external security device for underwater equipment, comprising a protective body, wherein a first connecting component and a second connecting component are respectively sealed and connected to both ends of the protective body; both the first connecting component and the second connecting component include an inner tube sleeved on the outside of the protective body, a retaining ring sleeved on the outside of the inner tube, and a locking clamp sleeved on the outside of the retaining ring; the first connecting component further includes a sealing cap embedded in the end of the retaining ring away from the protective body; the second connecting component has a flexible tube penetrating the inner tube and the protective body.

[0006] Furthermore, the protective body includes a spiral corrugated pipe sleeved on the outside of the hose. Both the corrugated pipe and the hose can be bent at any angle to adapt to the installation path of complex underwater environments and the deformation requirements under water flow impact.

[0007] Furthermore, both the inner tube and the retaining ring are conical hollow tubes with the larger opening facing the protective body; notches are provided on the same side wall of both the inner tube and the retaining ring to facilitate fitting with the protective body during assembly; the sealing cap is located inside the smaller opening of the retaining ring, and the sealing stability is enhanced by the fitting of the conical structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the hose includes an external extension connection end extending toward the second connection component away from the protective body, and a sealed mounting end flush with the end face of the protective body near the first connection component. The sealed mounting end and the protective body are sealed and fixed together, which not only ensures the sealing of the internal structure of the protective body, but also enables convenient docking with external equipment through the external extension connection end.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner sidewall of the retaining ring is provided with an inner groove that engages with the inner tube, and the outer wall is provided with an outer groove that corresponds to the locking clamp; the side of the inner groove away from the protective body is provided with an installation groove that is also placed on the inner sidewall of the retaining ring and corresponds to the sealing cap. By engaging the inner groove with the inner tube and cooperating with the outer groove and the locking clamp, the stability of the connection structure is improved. At the same time, the sealing cap is positioned by the installation groove, which enhances the sealing reliability.

[0010] One or more technical solutions provided in this application embodiment have at least the following technical effects or advantages compared with the prior art:

[0011] A. High flexibility: The main body of the protection adopts a spiral corrugated pipe, and the internal hose can be bent at any angle, which can adapt to the installation path of complex underwater environment and the deformation under the impact of water flow, avoiding damage to rigid structures caused by stress concentration;

[0012] B. Reliable sealing: The first connecting assembly positions the sealing cap through the mounting groove of the retaining ring, and the conical fitting structure of the inner tube and the retaining ring enhances the end sealing performance; the sealing installation end of the hose in the second connecting assembly is sealed and fixed to the protective body, effectively preventing seawater from entering the interior of the protective body;

[0013] C. Structural Stability: The inner tube and the retaining ring engage via an inner groove, while the retaining ring and the locking clamp cooperate via an outer groove. Furthermore, the conical structure of the inner tube and the retaining ring, along with the side wall notches, enhance the fit with the protective body, resisting water flow impact and biological contact.

[0014] The risk of loosening due to the impact;

[0015] D. Convenient connection: The second connection component connects to external devices through the external extension connection end of the hose without damaging the sealing structure of the protective body, thus balancing sealing performance and connection convenience.

[0016] Other advantages, objectives and features of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examination or study, or may be taught from the practice of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is an assembly diagram of an external security device for underwater equipment according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an external security device for underwater equipment according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the first connecting component of an external security device for underwater equipment according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the first connecting component of an external security device for underwater equipment according to the present invention.

[0021] As shown in the figure:

[0022] 1. Protective body; 2. First connecting component; 3. Second connecting component; 4. Inner tube; 5. Snap ring; 6. Locking clamp; 7. Sealing cap; 8. Flexible hose; 9. Corrugated pipe; 10. External expansion connection end; 11. Sealed installation end; 12. Inner groove; 13. Outer groove; 14. Installation groove. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "up," "down," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains; the terminology used herein in the description of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention; the term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0026] like Figure 1-4 As shown, an external security device for underwater equipment includes a protective body 1. The protective body 1 is made of a spiral corrugated pipe 9 made of 304 stainless steel. The pitch of the corrugated pipe 9 is 10mm and the height of the crest is 5mm. It can be bent at any angle from 0 to 90°. A flexible hose 8 made of polytetrafluoroethylene is installed inside it. The flexible hose 8 can also be bent synchronously with the corrugated pipe 9.

[0027] The two ends of the protective body 1 are respectively connected to the first connecting component 2 and the second connecting component 3:

[0028] The first connecting assembly 2 includes an inner tube 4, a retaining ring 5, a locking clamp 6, and a sealing cap 7. The inner tube 4 is a conical hollow copper tube with a diameter at the larger end matching the outer diameter of the corrugated pipe 9 (20mm) and a diameter at the smaller end of the opening of 15mm. A 5mm wide notch is provided on the side wall. The retaining ring 5 is a conical engineering plastic part that is fitted onto the outside of the inner tube 4. The inner groove 12 of its inner side wall engages with the outer wall of the inner tube 4, and the outer groove 13 of its outer side wall is used to fit the locking clamp 6. The larger end of the retaining ring 5 faces the protective body 1, and the side wall has the same notch as the inner tube 4 at the corresponding position. The sealing cap 7 is made of nitrile rubber and is embedded in the mounting groove 14 at the smaller end of the retaining ring 5, tightly fitting with the end of the inner tube 4 to achieve a seal. The locking clamp 6 is a semi-circular clamp made of stainless steel, which is tightened and fixed in the outer groove 13 of the retaining ring 5 by bolts to enhance the fit between the inner tube 4 and the retaining ring 5.

[0029] The second connecting component 3 includes an inner tube 4, a retaining ring 5, and a locking clamp 6, the structure of which is the same as that of the inner tube 4, retaining ring 5, and locking clamp 6 of the first connecting component 2; the flexible hose 8 passes through the inner tube 4 and the protective body 1, and its external extension connection end 10 extends 100mm outward to the second connecting component 3 for docking with external equipment interfaces. The sealing installation end 11 is flush with the end face of the protective body 1 near the first connecting component 2, and is fixed to the inner wall of the corrugated pipe 9 by epoxy resin sealant to achieve sealing inside the protective body 1.

[0030] During assembly, first insert the hose 8 into the bellows 9, making the sealing installation end 11 flush with one end of the bellows 9 and sealing it in place; then, install the inner tube 4 on both ends of the bellows 9, and put the retaining ring 5 on the outside of the inner tube 4 and make the inner groove 12 engage with the inner tube 4; in the first connecting assembly 2, embed the sealing cap 7 in the mounting groove 14 of the retaining ring 5; in the second connecting assembly 3, make the outer extension connection end 10 of the hose 8 pass through the inner tube 4 and the retaining ring 5; finally, tighten the retaining ring 5 by locking the clamp 6 to complete the overall assembly.

[0031] Based on the above implementation scheme, this utility model needs to be adjusted according to the specific implementation situation, as follows:

[0032] Scenario 1: Shallow sea sensor protection scenario (compatible with existing shallow sea temperature, salinity, and depth sensors)

[0033] In existing technologies, shallow sea temperature, salinity, and depth sensors often suffer from cable wear due to ocean current impacts and biofouling affecting detection accuracy. Furthermore, the connection between the sensor and the transmission cable is prone to water ingress and short circuits. When using this device, the sensor body is first fixed to the seabed support. The sensor's transmission cable is then threaded into the flexible hose 8 of the device, and the external extension connection end 10 of the hose is screwed tightly onto the sensor's signal output interface via an M16 threaded connector. The spiral corrugated pipe 9 of the protective body 1 extends along the seabed topography, wrapping around the transmission cable to the surface buoy. The spiral structure of the corrugated pipe 9 buffers the impact of ocean currents and reduces the area covered by algae. In the first connecting assembly 2, the sealing cap 7 is fitted into the mounting groove 14 of the retaining ring 5, and fits tightly against the end of the inner tube 4. The retaining ring 5 is tightened by the locking clamp 6, sealing the inner tube 4 with the port of the bellows 9. In the second connecting assembly 3, the inner tube 4 is fixed to the flange of the sensor housing by bolts. The inner groove 12 of the retaining ring 5 engages with the inner tube 4, and the outer groove 13 is reinforced by the locking clamp 6 to prevent the joint from loosening due to ocean current vibration. At this time, the bellows 9 deforms slightly with the ocean current, and the hose 8 bends synchronously with the cable, which not only protects the cable from being scratched by reefs, but also prevents seawater from entering the joint through the double sealing structure.

[0034] Scenario 2: Underwater robot interface protection scenario (adapting to existing ROV external equipment connection ports)

[0035] The external equipment interfaces of existing underwater robots (ROVs) (such as sampler and lighting interfaces) are easily blocked by mud and sand or damaged by mechanical collisions during operation, and the connecting cables between the interfaces and the equipment lack protection. When using this device, the end cap of the ROV's interface is removed, the inner tube 4 of the second connecting component 3 is fixed to the annular groove of the interface by a buckle, the external extension connection end 10 of the hose 8 is inserted into the interface and welded to the pin connector inside the interface; the corrugated pipe 9 of the protective body 1 bends with the movement trajectory of the ROV's robotic arm, wrapping the connecting cable of the connected equipment (such as the sampler) within it, and the elastic deformation of the corrugated pipe 9 can adapt to the 0-90° rotation of the robotic arm. The sealing cap 7 of the first connecting component 2 seals the end of the bellows 9 furthest from the connection port. The sealing cap 7 is positioned by the mounting groove 14 of the retaining ring 5. After the locking clamp 6 is tightened, the inner tube 4 and the bellows 9 form a radial compression seal. The conical structure and side wall notch design of the retaining ring 5 and the inner tube 4 ensure a tight fit with the arc-shaped surface of the robotic arm, preventing the device from shifting due to water flow resistance during operation. At this time, the hose 8 fixes the cable position to prevent it from getting tangled in the robotic arm, while the bellows 9 blocks sediment from entering the connection port and buffers the impact of vibration during sampler operation on the interface.

[0036] Scenario 3: Protection of deep-sea cable connections (adapted to existing deep-sea optoelectronic composite cable connection nodes)

[0037] Existing deep-sea optoelectronic composite cable junctions (such as branch nodes of seabed observation networks) are prone to sealing failure due to high pressure in the deep sea, and the cable bending radius at the junction is too small, making them prone to breakage. In use, this device inserts the metal casing of the junction into the corrugated pipe 9 of the protective body 1, aligning the two cable interfaces of the junction with the first and second connecting components of the device. A flexible hose 8 passes through the corrugated pipe 9, and its sealed installation end 11 is fixed to one end of the junction interface using epoxy resin sealant. The external extension connection end 10 is welded to the connector of the other cable, forming a sealed channel of "cable-flexor-junction". The sealing cap 7 of the first connecting component 2 is pressed against the end cap of the transition node by the mounting groove 14 of the retaining ring 5. The locking clamp 6 applies axial pressure to the retaining ring 5 through the outer groove 13, causing the sealing ring between the sealing cap 7 and the end cap to compress and deform, thus achieving a high-pressure seal. The inner tube 4 of the second connecting component 3 is fixed to the armor layer of the cable by a clamp. The inner groove 12 of the retaining ring 5 engages with the inner tube 4 to prevent uneven stress at the transition point caused by the cable being dragged by deep-sea currents. At this time, the spiral structure of the corrugated pipe 9 can withstand the pressure of a water depth of 1000 meters, while allowing the cable to bend within a range of ±30°, avoiding breakage of the transition node due to rigid constraints. The flexible hose 8 isolates seawater from the cable joint to prevent electrochemical corrosion.

[0038] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An external security device for underwater equipment, comprising a protective body (1), characterized in that: The protective body (1) is sealed at both ends with a first connecting component (2) and a second connecting component (3); The first connecting component (2) and the second connecting component (3) both include an inner tube (4) sleeved outside the protective body (1), a retaining ring (5) sleeved outside the inner tube (4), and a locking clamp (6) sleeved outside the retaining ring (5); The first connecting component (2) also includes a sealing cap (7) embedded inside the end of the retaining ring (5) away from the protective body (1); The second connecting component (3) has a flexible tube (8) that passes through the inner tube (4) and the protective body (1).

2. An external security device for underwater equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective body (1) includes a spiral corrugated pipe (9) sleeved on the outside of the hose (8), and both the corrugated pipe (9) and the hose (8) can be bent at any angle.

3. An external security device for underwater equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner tube (4) and the retaining ring (5) are both conical hollow tubes with the larger opening facing the protective body (1); the inner tube (4) and the retaining ring (5) are both provided with notches on the same side wall; the sealing cap (7) is located inside the smaller opening of the retaining ring (5).

4. An external security device for underwater equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hose (8) includes an external extension connection end (10) extending toward the second connection assembly (3) away from the protective body (1) and a sealed mounting end (11) flush with the end face of the protective body (1) near the first connection assembly (2), wherein the sealed mounting end (11) and the protective body (1) are sealed and fixedly connected.

5. An external security device for underwater equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner sidewall of the retaining ring (5) is provided with an inner groove (12) that engages with the inner tube (4), and the outer sidewall is provided with an outer groove (13) that corresponds to the locking clamp (6); the inner groove (12) away from the protective body (1) is provided with an installation groove (14) that is also placed on the inner sidewall of the retaining ring (5) and corresponds to the sealing cover (7).

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