Emergency release mechanism for fluid handling equipment

Abstract

To provide an emergency removal mechanism of a fluid handling device capable of closing a flow path even when a diameter of a pipe increases.SOLUTION: An emergency removal mechanism is applied to a fluid handling device that transports fluid, and comprises: a pair of vacuum double-structured pipe parts in which a flow path for transporting fluid is formed and arranged with their open ends facing each other; a removable connection member that connects the pair of pipe parts; and a pair of shutoff valves that is provided respectively corresponding to the pair of pipe parts and shuts off the flow path. Each of the pair of pipe parts has a valve seat formed in the flow path. The shutoff valve has a valve body that is seated on the valve seat of the corresponding pipe part to close the flow path, and a direct-acting drive device that moves the valve body along the flow path to seat it on the valve seat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading / unloading device that transports a fluid. [Background technology]

[0002] Fluid loading equipment that transports fluids such as liquefied gas from onshore facilities to tanks on ships is in practical use. The fluid loading equipment is equipped with an emergency release mechanism for disconnecting a joint from a movable pipe in an emergency. One example of the emergency release mechanism is known from Patent Document 1. In the emergency release mechanism of Patent Document 1, a valve body is biased by a spring member. When the biased valve body is separated, it seats on a valve seat to close the flow path of the pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-128120 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Fluid loading equipment is required to transport a larger flow rate of fluid. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the diameter of the pipes that transport the fluid. On the other hand, in the emergency release mechanism of Patent Document 1, if the diameter of the pipes is increased, there is a possibility that a sufficient biasing force to close the flow path cannot be obtained from the spring member.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading / unloading device that is capable of closing a flow path even if the piping has a large diameter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading device of the present invention is an emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading device that transports a fluid, and comprises a pair of piping sections with a vacuum double structure in which a flow path for transporting the fluid is formed and which are arranged with their open ends butted together, a removable connecting member that connects the pair of piping sections, and a pair of shut-off valves that are provided corresponding to each of the pair of piping sections and shut off the flow path, each of the pair of piping sections having a valve seat formed in the flow path, and the shut-off valves have a valve body that seats on the valve seat of the corresponding piping section to close the flow path, and a linear drive device that moves the valve body along the flow path to seat it on the valve seat.

[0007] According to the present invention, the linear actuator can be used to move the valve with a large driving force. As a result, even if the pipe has a large diameter, the valve can be moved against the fluid to close the flow path of the pipe. That is, the valve can be closed even if the pipe has a large diameter. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the flow path can be closed even if the diameter of the pipe is large. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an emergency release mechanism of the fluid loading and unloading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a flow path is closed in the emergency detachment mechanism of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a pair of pipe sections are separated from each other in the emergency detachment mechanism of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The emergency release mechanism 2 of the fluid loading device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings mentioned above. The concept of direction used in the following description is used for convenience in the description and does not limit the orientation of the configuration of the invention to that direction. Furthermore, the fluid loading device 1 described below is merely one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and additions, deletions, and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0011] <Fluid loading equipment> The fluid loading device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device for transporting a fluid between a ship (e.g., a tanker) equipped with a tank and a land facility (e.g., a land-side tank). In this embodiment, the fluid to be transported is liquefied hydrogen. However, the fluid to be transported is not limited to liquefied hydrogen, and may be liquefied helium, LNG, or the like. The fluid is not limited to a liquid, and may be a gas such as hydrogen gas. The fluid loading device 1 has a movable pipe (not shown), an emergency release mechanism 2, and a joint (not shown). The movable pipe is connected to the land facility, and a fluid can be flowed therein. The joint is provided at the tip of the movable pipe via the emergency release mechanism 2. The joint can be connected to a tanker. The joint enables the transport of the fluid between the land facility and the tanker via the movable pipe by connecting to the tanker. The movable pipe has, for example, a support and an arm. The support is provided at the land facility. The arm has a joint at its tip via the emergency release mechanism 2. The arm can rotate around the support and tilt up and down. This allows the joint to be moved to various positions.

[0012] <Emergency Detachment Mechanism> The emergency release mechanism 2 enables the joint to be separated from the movable pipe. More specifically, the emergency release mechanism 2 includes a pair of pipe sections 11, 12, a connecting member 13, and a pair of shutoff valves 14, 15.

[0013] Piping Each of the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 is connected to an arm and a joint of the movable pipe. More specifically, one pipe section 11 is connected to the arm of the movable pipe, and the other pipe section 12 is connected to the joint. In addition, the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 have flow paths 11a, 12a for transporting a fluid formed therein. The flow paths 11a, 12a have opening ends 11b, 12b that open at one end of the pair of pipe sections 11, 12. The pair of pipe sections 11, 12 are arranged so that the opening ends 11b, 12b are butted against each other. As a result, the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 are connected to each other so as to connect the flow paths 11a, 12a. In addition, the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 can be separated from each other at the opening ends 11b, 12b.

[0014] Further, the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 are L-shaped elbow pipe joints, and each has an elbow portion 11c, 12c and a flange portion 11d, 12d. More specifically, in the pair of pipe sections 11, 12, the open end 11b, 12b side portion, i.e., the one end side portion, is formed linearly so as to extend along the axis L1. The elbow portions 11c, 12c are formed in the middle portion of the pipe sections 11, 12. In this embodiment, the elbow portions 11c, 12c are formed so as to be connected to the one end side portion described above. The pipe sections 11, 12 are bent at a predetermined angle by the elbow portions 11c, 12c. Note that the predetermined angle is 90 degrees in this embodiment, but may be 45 degrees or 180 degrees, and the angle is not limited.

[0015] The flange portions 11d, 12d are formed so as to protrude radially outward at the portions on the open ends 11b, 12b of the pipe portions 11, 12. In this embodiment, the flange portions 11d, 12d are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the pipe portions 11, 12 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The pair of pipe portions 11, 12 are arranged so that the flange portions 11d, 12d butt against each other. Furthermore, the pair of pipe portions 11, 12 are arranged as follows in the butted state in this embodiment. That is, the pair of pipe portions 11, 12 are arranged so that a portion of one pipe portion 11 on the arm side from the elbow portion 11c and a portion of the other pipe portion 12 on the joint side from the elbow portion 12c are parallel to the intersecting direction (in this embodiment, the perpendicular direction) of the axial direction in which the axis L1 extends.

[0016] Further, the pair of piping parts 11, 12 are piping members with a vacuum double structure. To explain in more detail, the pair of piping parts 11, 12 have inner cylinder parts 21a, 22a and outer cylinder parts 21b, 22b. In the inner cylinder parts 21a, 22a, inner holes which are the flow paths 11a, 12a are formed along the axis of the inner cylinder parts 21a, 22a. The outer cylinder parts 21b, 22b are covered with the inner cylinder parts 21a, 22a with a space between them in the radial direction. Then, both ends between the inner cylinder parts 21a, 22a and the outer cylinder parts 21b, 22b are blocked. As a result, vacuum layers 21c, 22c are formed between the inner cylinder parts 21a, 22a and the outer cylinder parts 21b, 22b. Then, the vacuum layers 21c, 22c suppress the heat input to the flow paths 11a, 12a in the piping parts 11, 12. That is, the temperature of the fluid flowing through the flow paths 11a and 12a can be maintained, and for example, the temperature of the liquid can be maintained at an extremely low temperature during transportation of the fluid.

[0017] Further, each of the pair of pipe parts 11, 12 has a valve seat 11e, 12e. The valve seats 11e, 12e are formed in the flow paths 11a, 12a, respectively. To explain in more detail, the valve seats 11e, 12e are formed on the open ends 11b, 12b side in the flow paths 11a, 12a. Note that, although the valve seats 11e, 12e are formed so as to be connected to the open ends 11b, 12b in this embodiment, they may be formed away from the open ends 11b, 12b toward the inside in the axial direction of the pipe parts 11, 12. Moreover, the valve seats 11e, 12e are formed by protruding the inner cylinder parts 21a, 22a in the radial direction inward over the entire circumference. The valve seats 11e, 12e are formed to taper toward the open ends 11b, 12b (for example, tapered or stepped). In this embodiment, the valve seats 11e, 12e are formed to be tapered.

[0018] [Connecting parts] The connecting member 13 is a member that connects the pair of pipe sections 11, 12. More specifically, the connecting member 13 connects the flange sections 11d, 12d that are butted against each other. The connecting member 13 can be removed from the pair of pipe sections 11, 12. The pair of pipe sections 11, 12 can be separated from each other by removing the connecting member 13. In this embodiment, the connecting member 13 is a clamper. That is, the connecting member 13 connects the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 by clamping the flange sections 11d, 12d. The connecting member 13, which is a clamper, can be opened to release the clamping of the flange sections 11d, 12d and can be removed from the pair of pipe sections 11, 12. The connecting member 13 is not limited to a clamper, and may be a fastening member such as a bolt. That is, it is sufficient if the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 can be connected and removed.

[0019] [Shut-off valve] The pair of shutoff valves 14, 15 are provided in the corresponding piping sections 11, 12, respectively. Each of the pair of shutoff valves 14, 15 shuts off the flow paths 11a, 12a of the corresponding piping sections 11, 12. More specifically, each of the pair of shutoff valves 14, 15 has valve bodies 23, 24 and linear actuators 25, 26, respectively.

[0020] [Valve body] The valve bodies 23, 24 are seated on the valve seats 11e, 12e of the corresponding piping sections 11, 12. The valve bodies 23, 24 close the flow paths 11a, 12a by seating on the valve seats 11e, 12e. The valve bodies 23, 24 are also disposed in the flow paths 11a, 12a. The valve bodies 23, 24 move from a closed position to an open position along the flow paths 11a, 12a. The closed position is a position where the valve bodies 23, 24 are seated on the valve seats 11e, 12e, and the open position is a position where the valve bodies 23, 24 are separated from the valve seats 11e, 12e.

[0021] In this embodiment, the valve bodies 23, 24 are disposed at one end side portions (i.e., linear portions) of the pair of pipe sections 11, 12. At one end side portions of the pair of pipe sections 11, 12, the flow paths 11a, 12a extend in the axial direction. The valve bodies 23, 24 are configured to be movable along the axis L1 so as to follow the flow paths 11a, 12a. The valve bodies 23, 24 do not necessarily have to be configured to be movable along the axis L1. For example, the valve bodies 23, 24 may move along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., 30 degrees or less) with respect to the axis L1. This case is also synonymous with the valve bodies 23, 24 moving along the flow paths 11a, 12a.

[0022] More specifically, the valve bodies 23 and 24 are tapered (for example, truncated cone-shaped or stepped) toward the tip side, similar to the valve seats 11e and 12e. In this embodiment, the valve bodies 23 and 24 are tapered, similar to the valve seats 11e and 12e. The valve bodies 23 and 24 are seated on the valve seats 11e and 12e. Then, the flow paths 11a and 12a are closed. The outer diameter of the valve bodies 23 and 24 is smaller than that of the flow paths 11a and 12a. Therefore, when the valve bodies 23 and 24 are in the open position, a fluid flows between the flow path 11a of one piping section 11 and the flow path 12a of the other piping section 12.

[0023] In addition, the valve bodies 23, 24 are separated from each other in the axial direction when seated on the valve seats 11e, 12e as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, the valve bodies 23, 24 are separated from the opening ends 11b, 12b toward the inside of the piping parts 11, 12. In this embodiment, the end faces of the valve bodies 23, 24 on the opening ends 11b, 12b sides are separated from the opening ends 11b, 12b toward the inside of the piping parts 11, 12 by a predetermined distance A1, A2. This prevents the valve bodies 23, 24 from hitting each other when the pair of piping parts 11, 12 are connected. Therefore, the valve bodies 23, 24 can be seated on the valve seats 11e, 12e when the pair of piping parts 11, 12 are connected. That is, the valve bodies 23, 24 can close the flow paths 11a, 12a before the pair of piping parts 11, 12 are pulled apart. On the other hand, by positioning the valve bodies 23, 24 inside the piping parts 11, 12, a sealed space 31 is formed between the valve bodies 23, 24 in a seated state. Therefore, the predetermined distances A1, A2 are set so that the volume of the sealed space 31 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined volume. In this embodiment, the predetermined volume is equal to or smaller than 50 liters, and preferably equal to or smaller than 20 liters. However, the predetermined volume is not limited to the volume described above.

[0024] [Linear drive unit] The linear actuators 25, 26 move the corresponding valve elements 23, 24 along the flow paths 11a, 12a to seat them on the valve seats 11e, 12e. More specifically, the linear actuators 25, 26 move the valve elements 23, 24 linearly along the flow paths 11a, 12a between a closed position and an open position. More specifically, each of the linear actuators 25, 26 has a valve shaft 27, 28 and a driver 29, 30, respectively.

[0025] [Valve shaft] The valve shafts 27, 28 are connected to the valve bodies 23, 24. The valve shafts 27, 28 extend in a predetermined direction. More specifically, the valve shafts 27, 28 are long rod-shaped members extending in a predetermined direction. The valve bodies 23, 24 are integrally provided at one end of the valve shafts 27, 28 in the predetermined direction. The valve shafts 27, 28 are provided on the valve bodies 23, 24 so that their axes coincide with each other. The valve shafts 27, 28 are arranged along the axis L1 along which the one end side portions of the piping sections 11, 12 extend in this embodiment. That is, the predetermined direction coincides with the axial direction in this embodiment. The predetermined direction does not necessarily have to coincide with the axial direction.

[0026] The valve shafts 27, 28 penetrate the corresponding pipe sections 11, 12 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. More specifically, the valve shafts 27, 28 penetrate the corresponding elbow sections 11c, 12c of the pipe sections 11, 12. The valve shafts 27, 28 are provided in the elbow sections 11c, 12c of the pipe sections 11, 12 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. More specifically, the valve shafts 27, 28 extend from the valve bodies 23, 24 along the axis L1 to the opposite side of the opening ends 11b, 12b. Therefore, the valve shafts 27, 28 penetrate the outer parts of the elbow sections 11c, 12c that have a large radius of curvature, along the extension line of the axis L1. The valve shafts 27, 28 slide axially through the elbow sections 11c, 12c to move the valve bodies 23, 24 between the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the valve shafts 27 and 28 slidably pass through the elbow portions 11c and 12c in a sealed state.

[0027] [Drive unit] The driving units 29, 30 move the corresponding valve bodies 23, 24 in the axial direction via the valve shafts 27, 28. More specifically, the driving units 29, 30 move the corresponding valve bodies 23, 24 between the open position and the closed position via the valve shafts 27, 28. More specifically, the driving units 29, 30 are connected to the other end portions in a predetermined direction (the other end portions in the axial direction in this embodiment) of the corresponding valve shafts 27, 28. The driving units 29, 30 linearly move the valve shafts 27, 28 in the axial direction. That is, the driving units 29, 30 reciprocate the valve shafts 27, 28 along the axial direction. In this embodiment, the driving units 29, 30 include a hydraulic cylinder. The driving units 29, 30 including the hydraulic cylinder are connected to a hydraulic circuit (not shown). The hydraulic circuit is controlled by a control device (not shown), and supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the driving units 29, 30 in response to a control signal from the control device. The actuators 29, 30 move the valve shafts 27, 28 in the axial direction by supplying and discharging hydraulic oil through the hydraulic circuit, thereby moving the valve bodies 23, 24 between the open position and the closed position.

[0028] The driving units 29, 30 are not necessarily limited to hydraulic cylinders, and may be configured to include, for example, an electric motor and a linear motion mechanism (such as a ball screw mechanism or a rack and pinion mechanism), as long as they can linearly drive the valve shafts 27, 28. When the driving units 29, 30 are configured with an electric motor, the driving units 29, 30 move the valve shafts 27, 28 in one axial direction or the other in response to a drive signal from a control device.

[0029] The driving parts 29, 30 are provided on the elbow parts 11c, 12c of the corresponding pipe parts 11, 12. That is, the driving parts 29, 30 are provided on the outside of the pipe parts 11, 12. To explain in more detail, the mounting parts 11f, 12f are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the elbow parts 11c, 12c. The driving parts 29, 30 are attached to the elbow parts 11c, 12c through the mounting parts 11f, 12f. In this embodiment, the valve shafts 27, 28 penetrate the elbow parts 11c, 12c, and the other axial end of the valve shafts 27, 28 reaches the mounting parts 11f, 12f. The driving parts 29, 30 are connected to the other end of the valve shafts 27, 28 at the mounting parts 11f, 12f.

[0030] <About emergency release mechanism> In the emergency release mechanism 2, the valve bodies 23, 24 are separated from the valve seats 11e, 12e (see FIG. 1) except in an emergency in which the onshore facility and the ship may be separated by a set distance or more. This allows the transportation of fluid between the onshore facility and the tanker via the fluid loading and unloading device 1.

[0031] On the other hand, in the emergency detachment mechanism 2, in an emergency, the other piping section 12 is detached from the one piping section 11, thereby detaching the tanker from the onshore facility. To explain in more detail, in the emergency detachment mechanism 2, for example, a control signal is output from a control device to a hydraulic circuit in an emergency. Then, hydraulic oil is supplied to and discharged from the drive units 29, 30. As a result, the drive units 29, 30 move the valve bodies 23, 24 to the closed position via the valve shafts 27, 28. Then, the flow paths 11a, 12a are closed (see FIG. 2). Then, the connecting member 13 is removed from the flanges 11d, 12d, so that the other piping section 12 can be detached from the one piping section 11 (see FIG. 3). That is, the other piping section 12 can be detached from the one piping section 11 with the two flow paths 11a, 12a closed. As a result, in an emergency, the tanker can be detached from the onshore facility while suppressing the flow rate of the leaking fluid.

[0032] In the emergency release mechanism 2 of this embodiment, the valve elements 23, 24 can be moved with a large driving force by using the linear actuators 25, 26. As a result, even if the pipe sections 11, 12 have a large diameter, the valve elements 23, 24 can be moved against the fluid to close the flow paths 11a, 12a of the pipe sections 11, 12. That is, the pipes can be made large in diameter to close the valve elements 23, 24.

[0033] In addition, in the emergency release mechanism 2, the valve bodies 23, 24 can be seated on the valve seats 11e, 12e in a state where they are separated from each other, so that the flow paths 11a, 12a can be closed even in a state where the opening ends 11b, 12b are butted against each other. Therefore, the flow paths 11a, 12a can be closed before the connecting member 13 is removed from the pair of pipe sections 11, 12. This makes it possible to suppress the flow rate of the fluid leaking from the flow paths 11a, 12a when the pair of pipe sections 11, 12 are pulled away from each other. More specifically, the flow rate of the fluid leaking from the flow paths 11a, 12a can be suppressed to the volume of the sealed space 31. The volume of the sealed space 31 can also be set by the predetermined distances A1, A2, so that it is possible to suppress the fluid from leaking at an undesirable flow rate.

[0034] Furthermore, in the emergency release mechanism 2, the valve shafts 27, 28 pass through the elbow portions 11c, 12c, and the actuators 29, 30 are provided in the elbow portions 11c, 12c. Therefore, the shorter valve shafts 27, 28 can be protruded from the piping portions 11, 12, so that the length of the valve shafts 27, 28 can be reduced. This allows the weight of the valve shafts 27, 28 to be reduced, so that the actuators 29, 30 can be made smaller. Furthermore, by reducing the length of the valve shafts 27, 28, the axial misalignment of the valve shafts 27, 28 can be reduced.

[0035] In addition, in the emergency release mechanism 2, hydraulic cylinders are used for the drive units 29, 30, so that the emergency release mechanism 2 can be used more safely. Furthermore, since the drive units 29, 30 are exposed to the outside air, when transporting an extremely low temperature fluid such as liquefied hydrogen, it is possible to suppress a drop in the temperature of the hydraulic oil that is used to operate the drive units 29, 30. This makes it possible to ensure the viscosity of the hydraulic oil.

[0036] <Other embodiments> In the emergency release mechanism 2 of this embodiment, the pipes 11, 12 are formed in an L-shape, but may be, for example, a straight shape, and the shape is not limited. In the case of a straight shape, the valve shafts 27, 28 extend in a cross direction (inclination with respect to the axis is 30 degrees or less) that crosses the axis of the pipes, and move the valve bodies 23, 24 in the cross direction. At this time, the valve seats are also formed so as to be inclined in the cross direction with respect to the axis of the pipes.

[0037] In the emergency release mechanism 2, both valve bodies 23, 24 are separated from the open ends 11b, 12b in the axial direction of the piping parts 11, 12 in a seated state, but may be configured as follows. That is, only one of the two valve bodies 23, 24 may be separated from the open ends 11b, 12b in the axial direction of the piping parts 11, 12 in a seated state, and the two valve bodies 23, 24 may be arranged in any manner as long as they are separated from each other in a seated state. In the emergency release mechanism 2, a signal does not necessarily need to be output from the control device to the hydraulic circuit in an emergency. For example, the emergency release mechanism 2 may be configured so that the valve bodies 23, 24 move by manually operating the hydraulic circuit. In the present embodiment, the fluid loading device 1 transports fluid between a land facility and a ship, but the object of the transport is not limited to between a land facility and a tanker. For example, the fluid loading device 1 may transport fluid between ships or between a land facility and a vehicle, and the object of the transport of the fluid is not limited. Furthermore, the ship is not limited to a tanker, but may be a fuel ship that runs on a fluid as fuel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Fluid loading equipment 2 Emergency release mechanism 11,12 Piping section 11a, 12a Flow path 11b,12b Open end 11c,11c Elbow part 11e,11e valve seat 13 Connecting members 14,15 Shut-off valve 23,24 Valve body 25,26 Linear drive unit 27,28 Valve stem 29,30 Drive unit

Claims

1. An emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading and unloading device for transporting a fluid, comprising: A pair of piping sections having a vacuum double structure in which a flow path for transporting a fluid is formed and which are arranged with their open ends facing each other; A detachable connecting member that connects the pair of pipe sections; a pair of shutoff valves provided corresponding to each of the pair of piping sections and shutting off the flow path; Each of the pair of pipe sections has a valve seat formed in the flow path, The shutoff valve includes a valve body that is seated on the valve seat of the corresponding pipe section to close the flow path, and a linear actuator that moves the valve body along the flow path to seat it on the valve seat, An emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading and unloading device, wherein the valve bodies are positioned apart from each other while seated on the valve seats.

2. The piping section has an elbow section formed in an intermediate portion thereof and is bent by the elbow section, the linear motion drive device includes a valve stem connected to the valve body and extending in a predetermined direction, and a drive unit that moves the valve body in the predetermined direction via the valve stem, The drive portion is provided in the elbow portion, 2. The emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading and unloading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve shaft passes through the elbow portion so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction.

3. 3. The emergency release mechanism for a fluid loading and unloading device according to claim 2, wherein the drive section includes a hydraulic cylinder and is provided outside the piping section.

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