Experimental device for deep-sea riser-seabed cabin coupling system

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of deep-sea mining equipment, in particular to an experimental device for a deep-sea riser-seabed cabin coupling system. The experimental device comprises a mining ship motion simulation device, a suspension device model, a spherical hinge, an energy storage buffer damping device, a rigid pipe model, an intermediate cabin model, a supporting leg model, a flexible pipe model, a buoyancy ball model, a mining vehicle motion simulation device, a mining area seabed simulation device, an experimental pool and an underwater observation device. The suspension device model comprises a cylinder and a piston, and the energy storage buffer damping device comprises a pipeline, a throttle valve and an energy accumulator. The mining vehicle motion simulation device comprises a tracked trolley, a measurement and control cable, a trolley measurement and control terminal and a distance measuring sensor. The mining area seabed simulation device is used for simulating complex seabed topography of a deep-sea polymetallic sulfide mining area. The experimental device for a deep-sea riser-seabed cabin coupling system provided in the present invention can enable the experimental device to truly reflect mechanical characteristics among all components of an intermediate cabin seabed-supported deep-sea mining system.

Description

An experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom coupling system Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of deep-sea mining equipment technology, and in particular to an experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom coupling system. Background Technology

[0002] The intermediate-tank bottom-mounted deep-sea mining system is a type of deep-sea mining system where the intermediate tank is placed on the seabed. Compared to conventional hoisting riser systems, hoisting riser systems have lower tension and dynamic loads, resulting in smoother mining vehicle movement. It shows great promise for the mining of large three-dimensional deposits such as deep-sea polymetallic sulfides. In this system, the mining vessel, suspension system, rigid pipe, intermediate tank, seabed, flexible hoses, and mining vehicle are interconnected. Solving for the mechanical properties under marine environmental loads is difficult, requiring experimental simulation or verification of simulation results.

[0003] To address this issue, an experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom coupling system was designed to provide a technical solution for the aforementioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system to address the aforementioned technical problems.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom coupling system includes a mining vessel motion simulation device, a suspension device model, a ball joint, an energy storage buffer damping device, a rigid pipe model, an intermediate cabin model, a support leg model, a flexible hose model, a buoyancy ball model, a mining vehicle motion simulation device, a mining area seabed simulation device, an experimental pool, and an underwater observation device;

[0007] Underwater observation devices are fixed at both ends of the experimental pool, with different heights and viewing angles. These devices are used to observe the state of the intermediate cabin model and the hose model. The seabed simulation device is located at the bottom of the experimental pool. The intermediate cabin model sits on the seabed simulation device. The outrigger models are symmetrically distributed on the outside of the intermediate cabin model. One end of the hose model is connected to the top of one end of the intermediate cabin model. The buoyancy ball model is located on the outside of the hose model. The mining vehicle motion simulation device is located at the end of the hose model away from the intermediate cabin model. The rigid pipe model is located at the top of the intermediate cabin model. The ball joint is located at the top of the rigid pipe model. The suspension device model is located at the top of the ball joint. The mining vessel motion simulation device is located at the top of the suspension device model. The energy storage buffer damping device is connected to one end of the suspension device model.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system experimental device provided by the present invention, the underwater observation device is an underwater camera.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system provided by the present invention, the buoyancy ball model is a low-density resin ball with a central hole, which is strung on a flexible tube model through the central hole. The number and position of the buoyancy ball model on the flexible tube model can be adjusted.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system experimental device provided by the present invention, the suspension device model includes a cylinder and a piston. The cylinder is a cylindrical structure with a cavity. The top of the cylinder is fixed to the mining vessel motion simulation device. The piston is installed inside the cylinder. The bottom of the piston is connected to an energy storage buffer damping device.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system experimental device provided by the present invention, the piston divides the internal cavity of the cylinder into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, wherein the upper chamber is a low-pressure chamber that communicates with the outside, and the lower chamber is a high-pressure chamber that is filled with high-pressure gas.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system experimental device provided by the present invention, the energy storage buffer damping device includes a pipeline, a throttle valve and an accumulator. The accumulator is connected to the bottom of the cylinder through the pipeline, and the throttle valve is connected in series with the pipeline.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the deep-sea riser-bottom-tank coupling system experimental device provided by the present invention, the intermediate tank model includes a frame, a hopper, an intermediate tank telemetry and control terminal, a force gauge at the rigid pipe connection, a force gauge at the flexible hose connection, a force gauge at the outrigger connection, an inclination measuring device, a hopper gravity sensor, and an underwater communication cable. A hopper is located at the bottom of the frame for filling with simulated mineral material. The gravity sensor is fixed between the bottom of the hopper and the frame to measure the underwater weight of the mineral material in the hopper. A rigid pipe connection force gauge is fixed at the top of the frame, corresponding to the rigid pipe model. A flexible hose connection force gauge is fixed at one end of the frame, corresponding to the flexible hose model. Force gauges at the bottom of both ends of the frame, corresponding to the outrigger models, are fixed at the leg connection force gauges. An inclination measuring device is fixed at one end of the top of the frame. An underwater communication cable is also connected to the top of the frame, and a telemetry and control terminal is fixed at one end of the underwater communication cable for remotely adjusting the extension angle of the outrigger model via the telemetry and control terminal.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the deep-sea riser-bottom coupling system experimental device provided by the present invention, the mining vehicle motion simulation device includes a tracked trolley, a control cable, a trolley control terminal, and a distance sensor. The tracked trolley is fixed to the hose model, a distance sensor is fixed to the top of the tracked trolley, a control cable is connected to the top of the tracked trolley, and a trolley control terminal is connected to the top of the control cable.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system experimental device provided by the present invention, the mining area seabed simulation device is used to simulate the complex seabed topography of deep-sea polymetallic sulfide mining areas. The mining area seabed simulation device consists of a concrete structure, hinges, and hydraulic cylinders. The concrete structure is used to simulate seabed topography. One end of the bottom of the concrete structure is connected to the experimental water tank through a hinge, and the other end of the bottom of the concrete structure is connected to the experimental water tank through a hydraulic cylinder, which is used to adjust the tilt angle of the concrete structure by working the hydraulic cylinder.

[0016] It is clear without a doubt that the technical solution described above in this application can solve the technical problem that this application aims to address.

[0017] Meanwhile, through the above technical solutions, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The present invention provides an experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat-tank coupling system, which can realistically reflect the mechanical characteristics between the components of the intermediate-tank bottom-seat deep-sea mining system. Furthermore, by measuring the mechanical characteristics of the experimental system, the mechanical characteristics of the actual system can be calculated, and the results are more intuitive and reliable than simulation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the experimental system composition of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the suspension device and energy storage buffer damping device of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the intermediate cabin model, the seabed simulation device for mining areas, and the mining vehicle motion simulation device of the present invention.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Mining vessel motion simulation device; 2. Suspension device model; 3. Ball joint; 4. Energy storage buffer damping device; 5. Rigid pipe model; 6. Intermediate compartment model; 7. Outrigger model; 8. Flexible hose model; 9. Buoyancy ball model; 10. Mining vehicle motion simulation device; 11. Seabed simulation device for mining area; 12. Experimental water tank; 13. Underwater observation device;

[0024] 2a. Cylinder; 2b. Piston;

[0025] 4a. Pipeline; 4b. Throttling valve; 4c. Accumulator;

[0026] 6a. Frame; 6b. Hopper; 6c. Intermediate compartment monitoring and control terminal; 6d. Force gauge at rigid pipe connection; 6e. Force gauge at flexible hose connection; 6f. Force gauge at outrigger connection; 6g. Inclination measuring device; 6h. Hopper gravity sensor; 6i. Underwater communication cable;

[0027] 10a. Tracked trolley; 10b. Measurement and control cable; 10c. Trolley measurement and control terminal; 10d. Distance sensor;

[0028] 11a. Concrete structure; 11b. Hinge; 11c. Hydraulic cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0030] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features and technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0032] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0033] Referring to Figures 1-3, an experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom-cabin coupling system includes a mining vessel motion simulation device 1, a suspension device model 2, a ball joint 3, an energy storage buffer damping device 4, a rigid pipe model 5, an intermediate cabin model 6, a support leg model 7, a flexible hose model 8, a buoyancy ball model 9, a mining vehicle motion simulation device 10, a mining area seabed simulation device 11, an experimental pool 12, and an underwater observation device 13.

[0034] Underwater observation devices 13 are fixed at both ends inside the experimental pool 12. The underwater observation devices 13 are underwater cameras, and the two underwater observation devices 13 have different heights and angles. They are used to observe the state of the intermediate cabin model 6 and the hose model 8 through the underwater observation devices 13, so as to observe the situation inside the experimental pool 12. The seabed simulation device 11 is located at the bottom inside the experimental pool 12. The intermediate cabin model 6 sits on the seabed simulation device 11. The support leg models 7 are symmetrically distributed on the outside of the intermediate cabin model 6. The bottom of the support leg models 7 is in contact with the seabed simulation device 11 to make the intermediate cabin model 6 more stable. One end of the hose model 8 is connected to the top of one end of the intermediate cabin model 6. The buoyancy ball model 9 is located on the outside of the hose model 8 to support the underwater weight of the hose model 8, so that the hose model 8 presents a specific arched configuration.

[0035] Preferably, the outrigger models 7 are symmetrically distributed on the outside of the frame 6a to adjust the balance of the intermediate cabin model.

[0036] Preferably, the buoyancy ball model 9 is a low-density resin ball with a central hole, which is strung on the hose model 8 through the central hole. The number and position of the buoyancy ball model 9 on the hose model 8 can be adjusted.

[0037] The mining vehicle motion simulation device 10 is located at the end of the hose model 8 away from the intermediate cabin model 6, the rigid pipe model 5 is located at the top of the intermediate cabin model 6, the ball joint 3 is located at the top of the rigid pipe model 5, the suspension device model 2 is located at the top of the ball joint 3, the mining ship motion simulation device 1 is located at the top of the suspension device model 2, and the energy storage buffer damping device 4 is connected to one end of the suspension device model 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the mining vessel motion simulation device 1 is a six-degree-of-freedom motion simulation device, which can generate six degrees of freedom of motion under the control of a computer.

[0039] Referring to Figure 2, the suspension device model 2 includes a cylinder 2a and a piston 2b. The cylinder 2a is a cylindrical structure with a cavity. The top of the cylinder 2a is fixed to the mining vessel motion simulation device 1. The piston 2b is installed inside the bottom of the cylinder 2a. The volume of the cylinder 2a cavity is adjusted by the movement of the piston 2b. The piston 2b divides the internal cavity of the cylinder 2a into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber is a low-pressure chamber that communicates with the outside, and the lower chamber is a high-pressure chamber filled with high-pressure gas. The bottom of the piston 2b is connected to the energy storage buffer damping device 4.

[0040] The energy storage buffer damping device 4 includes a pipeline 4a, a throttle valve 4b, and an accumulator 4c. The accumulator 4c is connected to the bottom of the cylinder 2a via the pipeline 4a, allowing the lower chamber inside the cylinder 2a to be connected through the pipeline 4a. The throttle valve 4b is connected in series with the pipeline 4a, thereby regulating the flow rate inside the pipeline 4a to adjust the damping of the gas flow. This system is used to simulate the tension and damping conditions of the upper part of a deep-sea mining system. The accumulator 4c has a charging / discharging port on its outer side for regulating the internal pressure.

[0041] Referring to Figure 3, the intermediate cabin model 6 includes a frame 6a, a hopper 6b, a force gauge 6d at the rigid pipe connection, a force gauge 6e at the flexible hose connection, a force gauge 6f at the outrigger connection, an inclination measuring device 6g, a hopper gravity sensor 6h, an underwater communication cable 6i, and an intermediate cabin monitoring and control terminal 6c.

[0042] A hopper 6b is provided at the bottom of the frame 6a to fill simulated ore. The amount of simulated ore can be adjusted as needed to simulate the change in the weight of the buffered ore in the hopper during operation. A gravity sensor 6h is fixed between the bottom of the hopper 6b and the frame 6a to measure the underwater weight of the ore in the hopper. A force gauge 6d is fixed at the top of the frame 6a and at the position corresponding to the rigid pipe model 5 to detect the force at the connection point between the frame 6a and the rigid pipe model 5.

[0043] A force gauge 6e is fixed at one end of the frame 6a and at the position corresponding to the hose model 8 to detect the force at the connection position between the frame 6a and the hose model 8. Force gauges 6f are fixed at the bottom of both ends of the frame 6a and at the positions corresponding to the support leg model 7 to detect the force at the connection position between the frame 6a and the support leg model 7. An inclination measuring device 6g is fixed at one end of the top of the frame 6a to detect the tilt angle of the frame 6a. An underwater communication cable 6i is also connected to the top of the frame 6a. A measurement and control terminal 6c is fixed at one end of the underwater communication cable 6i. The measurement and control terminal 6c is located at the top of the experimental water tank 12 and is used to acquire measurement data through the measurement and control terminal 6c and remotely adjust the extension angle of the support leg model 7.

[0044] Preferably, the force gauge 6d at the rigid pipe connection, the force gauge 6e at the flexible hose connection, the force gauge 6f at the outrigger connection, the tilt measuring device 6g, and the silo gravity sensor 6h are all connected to the measurement and control terminal 6c via an underwater communication cable 6i.

[0045] The mining vehicle motion simulation device 10 includes a tracked vehicle 10a (simulating mining vehicle motion), a control cable 10b, a vehicle control terminal 10c, and a distance sensor 10d. The tracked vehicle 10a is fixed to the hose model 8. The distance sensor 10d is fixed to the top of the tracked vehicle 10a, and the distance sensor 10d is used to detect the distance to the pool wall to obtain the position of the tracked vehicle 10a. The control cable 10b is also connected to the top of the tracked vehicle 10a, and the vehicle control terminal 10c is connected to the top of the control cable 10b. The vehicle control terminal 10c is located on the top of the experimental pool 12, allowing the user to obtain data from the distance sensor and control the forward, backward, left, and right movement of the tracked vehicle 10a through the vehicle control terminal 10c.

[0046] The seabed simulation device 11 is used to simulate the complex seabed topography of deep-sea polymetallic sulfide mining areas. The seabed simulation device 11 consists of a concrete structure 11a, a hinge 11b, and a hydraulic cylinder 11c. The concrete structure 11a is used to simulate the seabed topography. One end of the bottom of the concrete structure 11a is connected to the experimental water tank 12 through the hinge 11b, and the other end of the bottom of the concrete structure 11a is connected to the experimental water tank 12 through the hydraulic cylinder 11c. The hydraulic cylinder 11c is used to adjust the tilt angle of the concrete structure 11a to adjust the slope of the seabed topography. At the same time, the top of the hydraulic cylinder 11c is rotatably connected to the other end of the bottom of the concrete structure 11a, and the bottom of the hydraulic cylinder 11c is rotatably connected to the experimental water tank 12.

[0047] In this embodiment, the dimensions, weight, elastic modulus, and other parameters of the experimental device for the deep-sea riser-bottom coupling system of the present invention are all calculated based on actual parameters using a certain similarity ratio.

[0048] The preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are merely illustrative of the invention. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention. The invention is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. An experimental device for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system, characterized in that, The system includes a mining vessel motion simulation device (1), a suspension device model (2), a ball joint (3), an energy storage buffer damping device (4), a rigid pipe model (5), an intermediate cabin model (6), a support leg model (7), a flexible hose model (8), a buoyancy ball model (9), a mining vehicle motion simulation device (10), a mining area seabed simulation device (11), an experimental water tank (12), and an underwater observation device (13). Both ends of the experimental pool (12) are fixed with underwater observation devices (13), and the two underwater observation devices (13) have different heights and viewing angles. They are used to observe the state of the intermediate cabin model (6) and the hose model (8) through the underwater observation devices (13). The seabed simulation device (11) is located at the bottom of the experimental pool (12). The intermediate cabin model (6) sits on the seabed simulation device (11). The support leg models (7) are symmetrically distributed on the outside of the intermediate cabin model (6). One end of the hose model (8) is connected to the intermediate cabin model. The top of one end of the model (6), the buoyancy ball model (9) is located outside the hose model (8), the mining vehicle motion simulation device (10) is located at the end of the hose model (8) away from the intermediate cabin model (6), the rigid tube model (5) is located at the top of the intermediate cabin model (6), the ball joint (3) is located at the top of the rigid tube model (5), the suspension device model (2) is located at the top of the ball joint (3), the mining ship motion simulation device (1) is located at the top of the suspension device model (2), and the energy storage buffer damping device (4) is connected to one end of the suspension device model (2).

2. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The underwater observation device (13) is an underwater camera.

3. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buoyancy ball model (9) is a low-density resin ball with a central hole, which is strung on the hose model (8) through the central hole. The number and position of the buoyancy ball model (8) can be adjusted.

4. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suspension device model (2) includes a cylinder (2a) and a piston (2b). The cylinder (2a) is a cylindrical structure with a cavity. The top of the cylinder (2a) is fixed to the mining ship motion simulation device (1). The piston (2b) is installed inside the cylinder (2a). The bottom of the piston (2b) is connected to the energy storage buffer damping device (4).

5. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The piston (2b) divides the internal cavity of the cylinder (2a) into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber is a low-pressure chamber that communicates with the outside, and the lower chamber is a high-pressure chamber that is filled with high-pressure gas.

6. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The energy storage buffer damping device (4) includes a pipeline (4a), a throttle valve (4b) and an accumulator (4c). The accumulator (4c) is connected to the bottom of the cylinder (2a) through the pipeline (4a), and the throttle valve (4b) is connected in series with the pipeline (4a).

7. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate cabin model (6) includes a frame (6a), a hopper (6b), an intermediate cabin control terminal (6c), a force gauge at the rigid pipe connection (6d), a force gauge at the flexible hose connection (6e), a force gauge at the outrigger connection (6f), an inclination measuring device (6g), a hopper gravity sensor (6h), and an underwater communication cable (6i). The bottom of the frame (6a) has a hopper (6b) for filling with simulated ore. The gravity sensor (6h) is fixed between the bottom of the hopper (6b) and the frame (6a) to measure the underwater weight of the ore in the hopper. The top of the frame (6a) is aligned with the rigid pipe model (5). A rigid pipe connection force gauge (6d) is fixed at the corresponding position. A hose connection force gauge (6e) is fixed at one end of the frame (6a) and at the position corresponding to the hose model (8). A leg connection force gauge (6f) is fixed at the bottom of both ends of the frame (6a) and at the position corresponding to the outrigger model (7). An inclination measuring device (6g) is fixed at one end of the top of the frame (6a). An underwater communication cable (6i) is also connected to the top of the frame (6a). One end of the underwater communication cable (6i) is connected to a telemetry and control terminal (6c) for remotely adjusting the extension angle of the outrigger model (7) through the telemetry and control terminal (6c).

8. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mining vehicle motion simulation device (10) includes a tracked vehicle (10a), a control cable (10b), a vehicle control terminal (10c), and a distance sensor (10d). The tracked vehicle (10a) is fixed to the hose model (8). The distance sensor (10d) is fixed to the top of the tracked vehicle (10a). The control cable (10b) is also connected to the top of the tracked vehicle (10a). The vehicle control terminal (10c) is connected to the top of the control cable (10b).

9. The experimental apparatus for a deep-sea riser-bottom-seat coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seabed simulation device (11) is used to simulate the complex seabed topography of deep-sea polymetallic sulfide mining areas. The seabed simulation device (11) consists of a concrete structure (11a), a hinge (11b), and a hydraulic cylinder (11c). The concrete structure (11a) is used to simulate the seabed topography. One end of the bottom of the concrete structure (11a) is connected to the experimental water tank (12) through the hinge (11b), and the other end of the bottom of the concrete structure (11a) is connected to the experimental water tank (12) through the hydraulic cylinder (11c). The hydraulic cylinder (11c) is used to adjust the tilt angle of the concrete structure (11a) by working.

Images