Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of marine survey and marine engineering equipment, and more particularly to a submarine survey platform and method for using the same.
Description of the Related Art
Typical marine survey platforms are of a floating type and are subject to the wind and waves. In recent years, several submarine survey platforms have been developed. However, conventional submarine survey platforms are bulky, costly, complex, and relatively expensive to maintain.
In view of the above-described problems, it is one objective of the invention to provide a submarine survey platform that is safe, reliable, efficient, and easy to operate and maintain.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a method for using the same.
To achieve the above objective, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a submarine survey platform, comprising: a gasbag; a gas tube; a floater; an upper longitudinal plate; a lower longitudinal plate; diaphragm plates, the diaphragm plates comprising upper openings, lower openings, and trapezoid openings disposed between the upper openings and the lower openings; and diagonal braces. The upper longitudinal plate comprises a flat plate adapting to support measuring instrument, and a flanged plate; the lower longitudinal plate is a rectangular plate; the upper longitudinal plate pass through the upper openings, and the lower longitudinal plate pass through the lower openings; the diagonal braces and longitudinal stiffeners are disposed between every two adjacent diaphragm plates; two diaphragm plates respectively disposed at two ends of the flat plate are provided with a lifting lug; the diagonal braces are symmetrically disposed, and comprise outward braces and inward braces which are crossed with each other; cross points of the upper/lower longitudinal plate with the diaphragm plates are support points of the upper/lower longitudinal plate; the gasbag is disposed in and passes through each of the trapezoid openings; one end of the gasbag is connected to the gas tube; another end of the gas tube is provided with an air valve, and the air valve is attached to the floater.
The diaphragm plates are a trapezoidal frame, four edges of the diaphragm plates comprise first flanged plates, and the trapezoid openings are surrounded by second flanged plates.
The diagonal braces employ trough type members, cross points of the outward braces and the inward braces are reinforced using bolt and nuts.
The longitudinal stiffeners are symmetrically disposed at a bottom of the lower longitudinal plate, and are a right-angle structure connected to the lower longitudinal plate and the diaphragm plates.
In another aspect, the disclosure also provides a method for using the submarine survey platform, the method comprising:
(a) descending the submarine survey platform, which comprises:
(b) withdrawing the submarine survey platform, which comprises:
Advantages of the submarine survey platform and method for using the same according to embodiments of the invention are summarized as follows. The submarine survey platform comprises a gasbag; a gas tube; an air valve; a floater; an upper longitudinal plate; a lower longitudinal plate; diaphragm plates; and diagonal braces. The upper longitudinal plate comprises a flat plate adapting to support measuring instrument, and a flanged plate; the lower longitudinal plate is a rectangular plate; the upper longitudinal plate pass through the upper openings, and the lower longitudinal plate pass through the lower openings; the diagonal braces and longitudinal stiffeners are disposed between every two adjacent diaphragm plates; two diaphragm plates respectively disposed at two ends of the flat plate are provided with a lifting lug; the diagonal braces are symmetrically disposed, and comprise outward braces and inward braces which are crossed with each other; cross points of the upper/lower longitudinal plate with the diaphragm plates are support points of the upper/lower longitudinal plate; the gasbag is disposed in and passes through each of the trapezoid openings; one end of the gasbag is connected to the gas tube; another end of the gas tube is provided with an air valve, and the air valve is attached to the floater. The submarine survey platform takes full account of the practical application requirements, as well as the comprehensive balance between technology and economy efficiency. The submarine survey platform is made of glass fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), which is light, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture.
2. The longitudinal plates are an integrated structure, contain little connection joints, and are easy to construct, which not only reduces the construction cost, but also improves the overall strength and safety of the survey platform.
3. The design of the submarine survey platform takes full account of the lifting operation requirements, uses the inflated air bag to float up the platform, and provides the floating platform to assist the sink operation, ensuring the controllability and safety of the sinking process.
4. The submarine survey platform is novel, easy to manufacture and operate, exhibits good magnetic resistance and strong anti-corrosion ability. It is a reliable, efficient and economical platform for measuring the ocean bottom.
In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: 1. Upper longitudinal plate; 1a. Flat plate; 1b. Flanged plate; 2. Lower longitudinal plate; 2a. Longitudinal stiffener; 3. Diaphragm plate; 3a. First flanged plate; 3b. Trapezoid opening; 3c. Second flanged plate; 3d. Upper openings, 3e. Lower opening; 4. Diagonal brace; 4a. Outward brace; 4b. Inward brace; 4c. Bolt; 4d. Nut; 5. Gasbag; 6. Gas tube; 6a. Air valve; 7. Lifting lug; 8. Floating transport platform; 8a. Winch; 8b. Cable; 9. Floater.
For further illustrating the invention, experiments detailing a submarine survey platform and method for using the same are described below. It should be noted that the following examples are intended to describe and not to limit the invention.
As shown in
(a) descending the submarine survey platform, which comprises:
(b) withdrawing the submarine survey platform, which comprises:
Unless otherwise indicated, the numerical ranges involved in the invention include the end values. While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016 1 0063818 | Jan 2016 | CN | national |
This application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2016/094046 with an international filing date of Aug. 9, 2016, designating the United States, now pending, and further claims foreign priority benefits to Chinese Patent Application No. 201610063818.7 filed Jan. 31, 2016. The contents of all of the aforementioned applications, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. Inquiries from the public to applicants or assignees concerning this document or the related applications should be directed to: Matthias Scholl P. C., Attn.: Dr. Matthias Scholl Esq., 245 First Street, 18th Floor, Cambridge, Mass. 02142.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180222557 A1 | Aug 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2016/094046 | Aug 2016 | US |
Child | 15942409 | US |