Bottom-mounted measurement frame for muddy-coast soft-soil waters

Abstract

A bottom-mounted measurement frame for muddy-coast soft-soil waters. The frame is made of a stainless steel material. A main body of the frame is a tripod mount. A top portion of the tripod mount is provided with a mounting plate (4). The mounting plate (4) is supported by three support legs (6) uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction. Bottom portions of every two adjacent support legs (6) are connected by a cross brace (8). An anti-settling counterweight plate (7) is connected to every two adjacent cross braces (8), and the three anti-settling counterweight plates (7) are uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction.

Description

A bottom-mounted measurement support based on silty coastal soft soil waters Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a bottom-sitting observation support, and more particularly to a bottom-sitting measurement support based on silty coastal soft soil waters. Background Technology

[0002] [Revised according to Detailed Rule 26, 01.08.2025] Silt-laden coastlines are mainly located near major river estuaries and are found in many countries around the world. In my country, silt-laden coastlines account for a considerable proportion, approximately one-quarter of the coastline, including the Haihe River estuary, the Yangtze River estuary, and the Pearl River estuary, distributed from north to south. The characteristics of silt-laden coastlines are: straight shorelines, extremely gentle beach slopes, and wide intertidal zones between high and low tide levels. Silt-laden coastlines are mainly composed of extremely fine silt particles, also known as cohesive silt. These particles are easily suspended by dynamic factors such as waves and tides, often causing siltation in ports and channels, as well as changes in shoreline erosion and deposition. Furthermore, pollutants in seawater are particularly easily adsorbed onto cohesive fine silt particles, and the movement of these fine silt particles is often closely related to the transport of pollutants. Therefore, research on practical engineering issues such as the protection of silty coastlines, the maintenance of port and waterway depths, and estuary management, as well as coastal and estuarine environmental issues, requires a focus on the movement of cohesive fine-grained sediment.

[0003] The study of sediment movement in cohesive, fine-grained sediments primarily employs a combination of mathematical and physical sediment models, along with in-situ prototype observations. These techniques are currently quite mature. In typical silty coastal waters, a thin layer of silt covers the consolidated seabed, resulting in a relatively stable and firm bottom. However, in some areas, particularly those affected by wind, waves, and tides, a thicker layer of soft mud or even floating mud can easily form on the consolidated seabed, causing the bottom to become soft and even fluid. Research on sediment movement in these areas is more complex and demands higher technical standards for in-situ prototype observations. To better support specialized studies using mathematical or physical sediment models, in-situ prototype observations require advanced and reliable instruments, and the accompanying observation platforms must be suitable for silty coastal waters with soft muddy bottoms.

[0004] Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention provides a portable stainless steel bottom observation bracket suitable for use in muddy coastal and soft muddy sea areas, in order to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art is: a bottom-sitting measurement support based on silty coastal soft soil water area, made of stainless steel. The main body of the support is a tripod, and the top of the tripod is provided with a mounting plate. The mounting plate is supported by three legs evenly distributed around the circumference. The bottom of two adjacent legs are connected by a cross brace. Anti-settlement counterweight plates are connected to two adjacent cross braces. The three anti-settlement counterweight plates are evenly arranged around the circumference.

[0007] Both the support legs and the cross brace are made of stainless steel channel steel. The grooves of the support legs face inward, and the grooves of the cross brace face outward. The mounting plate is made of triangular stainless steel plate. The three corners of the triangular stainless steel plate are tapered, flattened, and bent downward, and are fixedly connected to the upper end of the support legs.

[0008] The mounting plate has a through hole in the center, and a leveling support structure adapted to the wave-current observation instrument is provided in the through hole. The leveling support structure includes an inner ring, a middle ring, and an outer ring arranged coaxially. The inner ring fits into the lower part of the head of the wave-current observation instrument. The inner ring is rotatably connected to the middle ring by two radially arranged pins I. The middle ring is rotatably connected to the outer ring by two radially arranged pins II. The pins I and II are perpendicular to each other. Three circumferentially distributed connecting lugs are provided on the outer side of the outer ring. A support platform corresponding to each connecting lug is provided on the outer side of the through hole. The connecting lugs are fixedly connected to the support platforms. A lifting ring is provided on the outer ring and rotatably connected thereto. The axis of rotation between the lifting ring and the outer ring extends radially along the outer ring.

[0009] A bottom flow observation device is provided on the side of the mounting plate.

[0010] A turbidimeter mounting device extending along the length direction is provided on the outer side of any of the legs.

[0011] The components of the bracket are fixed together by bolts.

[0012] The advantages and positive effects of this invention are as follows: A specially designed anti-settlement counterweight plate addresses the soft bottom of silty coastlines, reducing natural settlement by increasing the bottom area of ​​the frame; simultaneously, the frame's light weight also serves as a counterweight to maintain its balance and stability. Constructed of 316L stainless steel, it is resistant to seawater corrosion. The frame weighs approximately 40 kg in air, and its main body is made of stainless steel channel steel, making it lightweight and easy to transport, deploy, and retrieve. All connections are bolted, allowing for disassembly, easy transport and movement, simple deployment, easy storage, and recyclability. Using this integrated frame, equipped with wave and current observers, turbidity meters, and bottom current observers, wave, current, bottom sediment content, and current data can be collected at fixed points. Other instruments and equipment can be added as needed to achieve more hydrological data collection capabilities. In summary, this invention is lightweight and durable, easily disassembled for transport, supports appropriate functional expansion, and is reusable. The support system has been tested in several field engineering projects and has achieved good observation results. It has obtained complete and high-quality wave, tidal, and sediment data, which strongly supports the special research on related sediment mathematical models (or physical models) and has been unanimously recognized by the research units. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0014] In the diagram: 1. Lifting ring; 2.1. Inner ring; 2.2. Middle ring; 2.3. Outer ring; 3. Bolt; 4. Mounting plate; 5. Bottom flow observation instrument mounting device; 6. Support leg; 7. Anti-settlement counterweight plate; 8. Cross brace; 9. Turbidity meter mounting device. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To further understand the invention's content, features, and effects, the following embodiments are provided, and detailed descriptions are given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0016] Please refer to Figure 1. A bottom-sitting measurement support based on silty coastal soft soil water is made of stainless steel. The main body of the support is a tripod, and the top of the tripod is equipped with a mounting plate 4. The mounting plate 4 is supported by three legs 6 evenly distributed around the circumference. The bottom of two adjacent legs 6 are connected by a cross brace 8. Anti-settlement counterweight plates 7 are connected to two adjacent cross braces 8. The three anti-settlement counterweight plates 7 are evenly arranged around the circumference.

[0017] In response to the soft seabed characteristics of silty coastlines, anti-settlement counterweights are installed to reduce natural settlement by increasing the bottom area of ​​the frame. At the same time, given the relatively light weight of the frame, it can also serve as a counterweight to maintain the balance and stability of the frame, making the bottom-sitting observation support suitable for silty coastal areas with soft muddy bottoms.

[0018] The more preferred solution in this embodiment is as follows:

[0019] Both the support leg 6 and the cross brace 8 are made of stainless steel channel steel. The groove of the support leg 6 faces inward, and the groove of the cross brace 8 faces outward. The mounting plate 4 is made of triangular stainless steel plate, and the three corners of the triangular stainless steel plate are tapered, flattened, and bent downward, and are fixedly connected to the upper end of the support leg 6. The above structure is lightweight and sturdy.

[0020] The mounting plate 4 has a through hole in its center. A leveling support structure adapted to the wave-current observation instrument is installed within this through hole. The leveling support structure includes an inner ring 2.1, a middle ring 2.2, and an outer ring 2.3 arranged coaxially. The inner ring 2.1 fits into the lower part of the head of the wave-current observation instrument. The inner ring 2.1 is rotatably connected to the middle ring 2.2 by two radially arranged pins I. The middle ring 2.2 is rotatably connected to the outer ring 2.3 by two radially arranged pins II. The pins I and II are perpendicular. Three circumferentially distributed connecting lugs are provided on the outer side of the outer ring 2.3. A support platform corresponding to each connecting lug is provided on the outer side of the through hole. The connecting lugs are fixedly connected to the support platform by bolts 3. For the above leveling support structure, please refer to the utility model patent with patent number ZL202021652081.0 and utility model name "A Portable Stainless Steel Seat Wave-current Observation Platform". The aforementioned leveling support structure ensures that the wave and current observation instrument remains in a vertical position, meeting the attitude requirements for the instrument to observe wave and current data.

[0021] A lifting ring 1 is provided on the outer ring 2.3 and is rotatably connected thereto. The axis of rotational connection between the lifting ring 1 and the outer ring 2.3 extends radially along the outer ring 2.3. The rotatable mounting structure of the lifting ring 1 can prevent the lifting ring 1 from adversely affecting the instrument observation.

[0022] An underflow observation instrument mounting device 5 is provided on the side of the mounting plate 4. The underflow observation instrument mounting device 5 includes an "H"-shaped bracket and two semi-circular retaining rings connected to it. The "H"-shaped bracket is vertically fixed to the mounting plate.

[0023] A turbidimeter mounting device 9 extending along the length direction is provided on the outer side of any one of the legs 6. The turbidimeter mounting device includes a semi-circular retaining plate and two semi-circular retaining rings connected to it. The semi-circular retaining plate is arranged along the length direction of the leg 6 and is fixedly connected to the leg 6.

[0024] The components of the aforementioned base observation bracket are fixed together by bolts, making disassembly convenient.

[0025] Before deploying the entire integrated support system, the turbidity meter, wave and current meter, and bottom current meter are mounted and secured on their respective devices. Then, ropes are used to lower the system to the seabed. Divers descend to ensure the entire support system is balanced and stable before releasing the ropes, allowing the system to sit securely on the seabed. If site conditions permit, experienced field personnel can also manually deploy the system during periods of low wind, waves, and current by threading ropes through the lifting ring 1. After observation, the integrated support system is retrieved and recovered. After removing the turbidity meter, wave and current meter, and bottom current meter, the system is disassembled, washed with fresh water, and dried for reuse.

[0026] This invention addresses the characteristics of soft and even fluid seabeds in the field. After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of existing observation supports (platforms), it creatively proposes a portable integrated observation support for soft muddy seabeds in silty coastal areas, combining bottom support, wave movement, and sand flow. Specifically designed to address the softness of the silty coastal seabed, an anti-settlement counterweight plate 7 is incorporated, which reduces natural settlement by increasing the bottom area of ​​the support structure. Simultaneously, given the relatively light weight of the support structure, it also serves as a counterweight to maintain its balance and stability. The size and weight of the anti-settlement counterweight plate 7 can be adjusted according to the hardness of the seabed and the strength of the bottom current. The support system has undergone practical testing in several major engineering projects, including the "Lianyungang Port 300,000-tonnage waterway phase II project Lianyungang to Guanhekou seabed and shore stability monitoring research project", the "Yulong Island Refining and Chemical Integration Project (Phase I) wharf and waterway hydrological survey", the "Zhoushan to Shanghai cross-sea channel strategic planning research hydrological survey (dry and flood seasons) special topic", and the "China Resources Power (Wenzhou) Co., Ltd. waterway and port basin siltation reduction measures feasibility study". It has achieved good observation results, obtained complete and high-quality wave, tidal, and sediment data, and strongly supported the special research on related sediment mathematical models (or physical models), and has been unanimously recognized by the research units.

[0027] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other modifications under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these modifications are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bottom-sitting measuring support based on a soft soil water area of a muddy coast, using stainless steel material, characterized in that, The main body of the support is a tripod, the top of the tripod is provided with a mounting disc, the mounting disc is supported by three circumferentially distributed legs, the bottoms of two adjacent legs are connected by a cross support, two adjacent cross supports are connected with an anti-settling counterweight plate, and three anti-settling counterweight plates are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction.

2. The bottom-sitting survey support based on a soft soil area of a muddy coast according to claim 1, characterized by, The legs and the cross supports are made of stainless steel channel steel, the notch of the leg faces inward, the notch of the cross support faces outward, the mounting disc is made of a triangular stainless steel plate, the three corner ends of the triangular stainless steel plate are provided with a structure of being tapered, flattened and downward bent, and are fixedly connected with the upper ends of the legs.

3. The bottom-sitting survey support based on a soft soil water area of a muddy coast according to claim 1, characterized by, The central part of the mounting disc is provided with a through hole, a leveling support structure matched with the wave flow observation instrument is arranged in the through hole, the leveling support structure comprises an inner ring, a middle ring and an outer ring arranged coaxially, the inner ring is matched with the lower part of the head of the wave flow observation instrument, the inner ring is rotatably connected with the middle ring through two pin shafts I arranged in the radial direction of the inner ring, the middle ring is rotatably connected with the outer ring through two pin shafts II arranged in the radial direction of the middle ring, the pin shaft I is perpendicular to the pin shaft II, three connecting ear plates are arranged on the outer side of the outer ring in the circumferential direction, support tables corresponding to the connecting ear plates are arranged on the outer side of the through hole, and the connecting ear plates and the support tables are fixedly connected; a lifting ring rotatably connected with the outer ring is arranged on the outer ring, and the rotation connection axis of the lifting ring and the outer ring extends in the radial direction of the outer ring.

4. The bottom-sitting survey support based on a soft soil area of a muddy coast according to claim 1, characterized by, A bottom flow observation instrument arrangement device is arranged on the side of the mounting disc.

5. The bottom-sitting survey support based on a soft soil area of a muddy coast according to claim 1, characterized by, A turbidity meter arrangement device extending in the length direction of the leg is arranged on the outer side of any one of the legs.

6. The bottom-sitting survey support based on a soft soil water area of a muddy coast according to claim 1, characterized by, The components of the support are fixed by bolt connection.

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