Conical trepanning device applied to deep-sea seabed penetration probe rod and using method

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a conical trepanning device applied to a deep-sea seabed penetration probe rod and a using method. The device comprises a drill rod, a sleeve, a conical trepanning device and a sensor unit structure, wherein the sleeve is connected to the conical trepanning device in parallel by means of a connecting plate; the diameter of the lower end of the drill rod is smaller than the diameter of the upper end of the drill rod, the connection between the upper end and the lower end is a variable-diameter position, and the drill rod detachably passes through the sleeve; the conical trepanning device is provided with a resistance support and a numerical control module located in the device; the numerical control module is in communication connection with a controller of an operator, and is in signal connection with the resistance support and controls the resistance support to extend or retract; and the sensor unit structure is mounted on the conical trepanning device. The device can meet the function of effectively separating a drill rod for penetration during seabed sediment monitoring from a sensor unit structure, avoiding the problem of being unable to perform long-term monitoring after a probe rod is recovered in a probe rod mode where the drill rod and a detection unit are integrated, and thus improving the utilization efficiency of the drill rod in a penetration device.

Description

A conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe and its use method

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the Patent Office of China on June 14, 2023, with application number 2023107055536 and application name “A conical hole opening device and use method for deep seabed penetration probe rod”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of seabed sediment monitoring equipment, and in particular to a conical hole-opening device for use in a deep-sea seabed penetration probe and a method for using the device. Background Art

[0003] Monitoring the physical properties of deep seabed surface sediments is an important task in marine engineering construction. The penetration methods and long-term monitoring methods for in-situ multi-parameter measurement sensors in seabed sediments mainly include: first, pre-drilling at designated locations and burying monitoring instruments in the pre-drilled holes. This requires large ships, drilling systems, and underwater placement equipment, which is difficult to operate, costly, time-consuming, and has a low cost-effectiveness ratio; second, using gravity-type penetration equipment, relying on the equipment's own gravity to penetrate to a certain depth of the formation, generally for point monitoring, and the penetration depth is uncertain depending on the geological conditions; third, using hydraulic transmission to penetrate the equipment's own monitoring sensors into the seabed. The entire set of monitoring equipment and the penetration device need to stay on the seabed for a long time, which brings difficulties to the subsequent recovery of the device.

[0004] Existing seabed sediment monitoring equipment uses a drill pipe and sensor connected in parallel to form a probe that can penetrate the seabed sediment. The probe is inserted into the seabed sediment using gravity or the hydraulic power structure of the penetration end, simultaneously driving the sensor into the sediment. However, a significant drawback of this method is that once the mechanical probe is recovered after penetration, it also removes the sensor from the sediment, making it impossible to ensure that the sensor unit can remain in place for long-term monitoring of the sediment.

[0005] Application Contents

[0006] The purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art and provide a conical hole opening device and method for use in deep seabed penetration probes.

[0007] The present application is realized through the following technical solutions: a conical hole-opening device for deep-sea seabed penetration probe, comprising a drill rod, a sleeve, a conical hole-opening device and a sensor unit structure; the sleeve is connected in parallel with the conical hole-opening device through a connecting plate; the diameter of the lower end of the drill rod is smaller than the diameter of its upper end, and the connection between the upper and lower ends is a diameter-changing position, and the drill rod is detachably inserted into the sleeve; the conical hole-opening device is provided with a resistance bracket and a numerical control module located inside the device, the numerical control module is communicated with the operator's controller, the numerical control module is connected to the resistance bracket signal and controls the extension or retraction of the resistance bracket; the sensor unit structure is installed on the conical hole-opening device; when the drill rod penetrates, the drill rod passes downward into the sleeve and is stuck in the sleeve at the diameter-changing position; after the penetration is completed, the operator operates the controller to send an instruction, and the numerical control module releases the resistance bracket after receiving the signal, and the drill rod is detached from the sleeve and recovered.

[0008] The conical hole-opening device enables the drill pipe and the sensor unit structure to be connected in parallel through mechanical structure coupling. The lower end of the drill pipe is thin and the upper end is thick. When the drill pipe is penetrated, it can automatically unidirectionally clamp the sleeve during the process of entering the sleeve; the drill pipe and the conical hole-opening device are penetrated synchronously, and at the same time, it can ensure that the drill pipe contacts the seabed mud surface before the sensor unit structure.

[0009] The bottom end of the drill rod is a conical structure, and the bottom end of the conical hole opening device is a conical structure. The bottom ends of the drill rod and the conical hole opening device both adopt a conical structure, which can effectively drill through the soft sediments on the seabed surface.

[0010] The conical opening device defines a mounting slot, into which the resistance bracket is mounted and rotatably extends outward to form an inverted umbrella-like structure. This inverted umbrella-like structure increases resistance to seabed sediments, preventing displacement of the sensor unit during drill pipe recovery.

[0011] The resistance bracket is a plurality of blades, and the blades are hinged in the mounting slot. The numerical control module controls the blades to rotate and stretch out or retract and store in the mounting slot.

[0012] The blades are provided with three, and the mounting grooves are provided with three corresponding ones. The three mounting grooves are evenly distributed around the outer periphery of the tapered hole device. The blades and mounting grooves are evenly distributed, so that the force is evenly distributed, which is conducive to increasing the friction with the sediment.

[0013] The resistance bracket is a rigid structure.

[0014] The sensor unit structure is a flexible sensor chain, the lower end of which is mounted on the tapered opening device and the upper end is connected to a float. The flexible sensor chain prevents the tapered opening device and the sensor unit structure from disappearing together. This, combined with the float, facilitates subsequent data recovery, thereby achieving the goal of recovering data.

[0015] A method for using a tapered hole opening device for a deep-sea seabed penetration probe comprises the following steps:

[0016] Step 1: Insert the drill pipe into the sleeve. The diameter change part of the drill pipe is stuck in the sleeve. Release the sensor unit structure and the drill pipe penetrates the seabed.

[0017] Step 2: Under the action of the conical opening device, the drill pipe and the sensor unit structure are simultaneously penetrated into the seabed sediment, and the drill pipe contacts the seabed mud surface before the sensor unit structure;

[0018] Step 3: The operator sends a command via the controller. The CNC module receives the signal and releases the resistance brackets, which are arranged in an umbrella shape. The drill pipe is released from the sleeve and recovered to the survey vessel, while the sensor unit structure and the tapered opening device remain on the seabed.

[0019] Step 4: Release the sensor unit structure to put it in a relaxed and powerless state. The survey vessel starts the monitoring mode and the CNC module performs long-term data collection and storage operations.

[0020] Step 5: The recovered drill pipe can be used to continue other drilling operations;

[0021] Step 6: An underwater grabber or float is installed on the top of the sensor unit structure. After completing the monitoring cycle, the operator remotely controls the unmanned submersible to grab the underwater grabber or float to recover the sensor unit structure and the conical opening device.

[0022] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of this application are: this device solves the key technology of effectively separating the sensor unit from the mechanical drill rod during the drill rod recovery stage after the seabed sediment penetration operation is completed; this technology will greatly improve the working efficiency of the seabed shallow stratum penetration monitoring work means, and realize the working mode of matching one set of drill rods with multiple sets of sensor units. The technology of automatic separation of the drill rod and the sensor unit structure also improves the utilization rate of the penetration section equipment and drill rod; this device can meet the function of effectively separating the drill rod used for penetration from the sensor unit structure during the seabed sediment monitoring process, avoiding the problem of inability to perform long-term monitoring after the probe rod is recovered in the existing probe rod mode in which the drill rod and the detection unit are integrated, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the drill rod in the penetration device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0024] FIG1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present application in a penetration state;

[0025] FIG2 is a top view of the embodiment of the present application in a penetration state;

[0026] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG2 ;

[0027] FIG4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present application in a penetration state;

[0028] FIG5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present application in the other side of the penetration state;

[0029] FIG6 is a front view of the drill pipe in the recovered state according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG7 is a top view of the drill rod in a recovered state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG7 ;

[0032] FIG9 is a side view of the drill pipe in the recovered state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG10 is a perspective view of the drill rod in a recovered state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG11 is a three-dimensional view of the drill rod in the other side of the embodiment of the present application in a recovered state.

[0035] Description of reference numerals:

[0036] 1-drill rod; 2-sleeve; 3-conical opening device; 4-sensor unit structure; 5-connecting plate; 6-resistance bracket; 7-mounting slot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more clear, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] The following describes a conical hole-opening device and a method of use for a deep-sea seabed penetration probe provided by the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] 1 to 11 , a conical hole-opening device for deep-sea seabed penetration probes is shown, comprising a drill rod 1, a sleeve 2, a conical hole-opening device 3 and a sensor unit structure 4; the sleeve 2 is connected in parallel with the conical hole-opening device 3 through a connecting plate 5; the diameter of the lower end of the drill rod 1 is smaller than the diameter of its upper end, and the connection between the upper and lower ends is a diameter-reducing position, and the drill rod 1 is detachably inserted into the sleeve 2; the conical hole-opening device 3 is provided with a resistance bracket 6 and a numerical control module located inside the device, the numerical control module is communicated with the operator's controller, the numerical control module is connected to the resistance bracket 6 signal and controls the extension or retraction of the resistance bracket 6; the sensor unit structure 4 is installed on the conical hole-opening device 3; when the drill rod 1 penetrates, the drill rod 1 passes downward through the sleeve 2 and is stuck in the sleeve 2 at the diameter-reducing position; after the penetration is completed, the operator operates the controller to send an instruction, and the numerical control module releases the resistance bracket 6 after receiving the signal, and the drill rod 1 is separated from the sleeve 2 and recovered.

[0040] The conical hole-opening device 3 enables the drill rod 1 and the sensor unit structure 4 to be connected in parallel through mechanical structure coupling. The drill rod 1 is thin at the lower end and thick at the upper end. When the drill rod 1 is penetrated, it can automatically unidirectionally clamp the sleeve 2 during the process of entering the sleeve 2; the drill rod 1 and the conical hole-opening device 3 are penetrated synchronously, and at the same time, it can be ensured that the drill rod 1 contacts the seabed mud surface before the sensor unit structure 4.

[0041] The bottom end of the drill pipe 1 is a conical structure, and the bottom end of the conical hole opening device 3 is a conical structure. The conical structure of the bottom ends of the drill pipe 1 and the conical hole opening device 3 can effectively drill through the soft sediments on the seabed surface, which is conducive to reducing the resistance during the penetration process of the entire equipment.

[0042] The conical opening device 3 defines a mounting slot 7, into which a resistance bracket 6 is mounted and rotatably extends outward, forming an inverted umbrella-like structure. When penetration is complete, the survey vessel operator issues a command from the deck end to retrieve the drill pipe 1. The conical opening device 3 releases the resistance bracket 6. The inverted umbrella-like structure increases resistance to the seafloor sediment, preventing displacement of the sensor unit structure 4 during upward retraction of the drill pipe 1.

[0043] The resistance bracket 6 is a plurality of blades, which are hinged in the mounting slot 7 . The numerical control module controls the rotation of the blades to extend and open or to retract and store them in the mounting slot 7 .

[0044] There are three blades, and three corresponding mounting grooves 7 are arranged. The three mounting grooves 7 are evenly distributed around the outer periphery of the tapered hole device 3. The blades and mounting grooves 7 are evenly distributed, so that the force is evenly distributed, which is conducive to increasing the friction with the sediment.

[0045] The resistance bracket 6 is a rigid structure.

[0046] The sensor unit structure 4 is a flexible sensor chain, the lower end of which is mounted on the conical opening device 3, and the upper end of which is connected to an underwater gripper or float. The sensor unit structure 4 uses a flexible sensor chain to prevent the conical opening device 3 and the sensor unit structure 4 from disappearing together. The use of the flexible sensor chain in conjunction with the float facilitates later recovery work, thereby achieving the purpose of recovering data. The underwater gripper or float is not shown in the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the sensor unit structure 4 can use the following sensors: a soil strength sensor, a temperature sensor, a sediment pore pressure sensor, a resistivity sensor, and a tilt sensor. The sensor unit structure 4 can be an independent individual or a collection of multiple sensors.

[0047] A method for using a tapered hole opening device 3 for a deep-sea seabed penetration probe comprises the following steps:

[0048] Step 1: Insert the drill pipe 1 into the sleeve 2. The diameter-changing portion of the drill pipe 1 is stuck in the sleeve 2. Release the sensor unit structure 4 and the drill pipe 1 to penetrate the seabed.

[0049] Step 2: Under the action of the conical hole-opening device 3, the drill rod 1 and the sensor unit structure 4 are simultaneously penetrated into the seabed sediment, and the drill rod 1 contacts the seabed mud surface before the sensor unit structure 4;

[0050] Step 3: The operator operates the controller to send a command. After receiving the signal, the numerical control module releases the resistance bracket 6. The resistance bracket 6 is arranged in an umbrella shape. The drill pipe 1 is separated from the sleeve 2 and recovered to the survey vessel. The sensor unit structure 4 and the tapered hole opening device 3 remain on the seabed.

[0051] Step 4: Release the sensor unit structure 4 to put it in a relaxed and powerless state, the survey vessel starts the monitoring mode, and the numerical control module performs long-term data collection and storage operations;

[0052] Step 5: The recovered drill rod 1 can be used to continue other drilling operations;

[0053] Step 6: An underwater grabber or float is installed on the top of the sensor unit structure 4. After completing the monitoring cycle, the operator remotely controls the unmanned submersible to grab the underwater grabber or float to recover the sensor unit structure 4 and the conical opening device 3.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the entire drill pipe 1 reaches the target depth in the sediment, the numerical control module releases a command, causing the tapered opening device 3 to open the previously closed resistance bracket 6. The rigid structure of the resistance bracket 6, when open or closed, increases the friction between the device and the soil, preventing the sensor unit structure 4, which carries the tapered opening device 3, from being carried back during the recovery process of the entire drill pipe 1. Due to its thick upper end and thin lower end, the drill pipe 1 can pass directly through the casing during the recovery process. The recovery of the drill pipe 1 does not affect the position of the tapered opening device 3 and its attached sensor unit structure 4 in the sediment, effectively ensuring that the sensor unit structure 4 can carry out long-term in-situ monitoring. After the recovery of the drill pipe 1, other drilling operations can be resumed. During the recovery of the drill pipe 1, it may cause the casing to move slightly upward, but the resistance provided by the resistance bracket 6 compensates for the error in the casing movement, thus ensuring that the position of the sensor unit structure 4 does not change.

[0055] After the device completes its penetration, the flexible sensor chain is subsequently released into the seabed sediment. After the drill pipe 1 is retrieved, the flexible sensor chain is released, leaving it in a relaxed, tension-free state. After the drill pipe 1 is retrieved, the flexible sensor chain remains on the seabed, in monitoring mode, for long-term data collection and storage. After the monitoring cycle is complete, a remotely controlled unmanned submersible retrieves the conical opening device 3, the flexible sensor chain, and the float. A data acquisition and storage unit can be installed within the float, allowing for emergency recovery of the float even if the flexible sensor chain fails, thereby achieving data recovery.

[0056] In this embodiment, the numerical control module uses a processor, which can be a central processing unit (CPU), other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The processor is the control center of the device and connects various parts using various interfaces and lines.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe, Features: It includes a drill rod, a sleeve, a conical hole opening device and a sensor unit structure; the sleeve is connected in parallel with the conical hole opening device through a connecting plate; the diameter of the lower end of the drill rod is smaller than the diameter of the upper end thereof, and the connection between the upper end and the lower end is a diameter-changing position, and the drill rod is detachably inserted into the sleeve; the conical hole opening device is provided with a resistance bracket and a numerical control module located inside the device, and the numerical control module is communicatively connected with the operator's controller, and the numerical control module is signal-connected with the resistance bracket and controls the extension or retraction of the resistance bracket; the sensor unit structure is installed on the conical hole opening device; when the drill rod is penetrated, the drill rod passes downward into the sleeve and is stuck in the sleeve at the diameter-changing position; after the penetration is completed, the operator operates the controller to send an instruction, and the numerical control module releases the resistance bracket after receiving the signal, and the drill rod is separated from the sleeve and recovered.

2. The conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe according to claim 1, Features: The bottom end of the drill rod is a conical structure, and the bottom end of the conical hole opening device is a conical structure.

3. The conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe according to claim 1, Features: The conical opening device is provided with a mounting groove, and the resistance bracket is installed in the mounting groove and can be rotatably extended outward to form an inverted umbrella-shaped structure.

4. The conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe according to claim 3, Features: The resistance bracket is a plurality of paddle blades, and the paddle blades are hinged in the mounting grooves. The numerical control module controls the paddle blades to rotate and stretch and open or to be retracted and stored in the mounting grooves.

5. The conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe according to claim 4, Features: The paddles are provided with three pieces, and the mounting grooves are correspondingly provided with three pieces, and the three mounting grooves are evenly distributed on the periphery of the conical opening device in the circumferential direction.

6. The conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe according to claim 1, Features: The resistance bracket is a rigid structure.

7. The conical hole opening device for deep seabed penetration probe according to claim 1, Features: The sensor unit structure is a flexible sensor chain, the lower end of which is mounted on the conical opening device, and the upper end of which is connected to an underwater gripper or a floating ball.

8. A method for using a conical hole opening device for a deep seabed penetration probe, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Step 1: Insert the drill pipe into the sleeve, the variable diameter position of the drill pipe is stuck in the sleeve, and the sensor unit structure and the drill pipe are released to penetrate the seabed; Step 2: Under the action of the conical hole opening device, the drill pipe and the sensor unit structure are synchronously penetrated into the seabed sediment, and the drill pipe contacts the seabed mud surface before the sensor unit structure; Step 3: The operator operates the controller to send a command, and the numerical control module releases the resistance bracket after receiving the signal. The resistance bracket is distributed in an umbrella shape, and the drill pipe is separated from the sleeve and recovered to the survey ship. The sensor unit structure and the conical opening device remain on the seabed; Step 4: Release the sensor unit structure to make it in a relaxed and powerless state, the survey ship starts the monitoring mode, and the CNC module performs long-term data collection and storage operations; Step 5: The recovered drill pipe can be used to continue other drilling operations; Step 6: An underwater grabber or float is installed on the top of the sensor unit structure. After completing the monitoring cycle, the operator remotely controls the unmanned submersible to grab the underwater grabber or float to recover the sensor unit structure and the conical opening device.

Images