JP2594481B2 - Cooler for deep-sea bottom sample collection containers - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooler used when a mud sampler for collecting a mud sample on the deep sea floor is pulled up to the ground.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to search and study microorganisms on the seabed, it is planned to use a submarine to collect and culture mud samples on the seabed. In this case, it is necessary to maintain the pressure and temperature of the sampling sea area until the mud sample collected in the sampler is carried into the cultivation apparatus on the ground. Of these, the pressure is maintained at a high pressure inside the mud collector to maintain the pressure in the sampling sea area. The temperature is usually kept in a cool box with the sampler. As a heat insulating material for forming a cool box, for example, a syntactic foam (trade name, which is a micro hollow glass ball solidified with a synthetic resin) has been developed as a material having a cool effect to withstand high pressure in the deep sea. However, since such pressure-resistant cold insulation material has a large specific gravity, the weight exceeds the mounting capacity of the submarine to obtain the required cold insulation capacity, and it has been difficult to design a practical cold insulation box. In addition, ice, a heat absorbing material utilizing a chemical reaction, and the like are also conceivable, but in any case, the overall weight is large due to the shortage of heat absorbing capacity per unit weight, which is not practical.

[0003]

At present, the loading capacity of a submersible is 50 kg in the air, and the design total weight of the mud extractor is limited to about 30 kg. Therefore, the design weight of the cool box must be kept within 20 kg, but the design weight using the above-mentioned syntactic foam is about 50 kg, which cannot satisfy the requirement. Therefore, the development of a cooler device having a lighter structure has been required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to meet the above-mentioned demands. A high-pressure air source is created by utilizing the water pressure of the seabed, and the compressed air is introduced into a cooling air bag to form a multi-layer air layer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cold storage device for a deep sea bottom sample collection container, which is reduced in weight by enclosing a sampler.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a cold storage device for a deep sea bottom sample collection container according to the present invention comprises an air source tank and a cooling air bag connected thereto. The air source tank is provided with a check valve for introducing and containing the water pressure of the seabed, thereby having the function of compressing and accumulating the air inside, and preferably having an air bag inside.
The air bag for cooling is connected to an air source tank via a pressure regulating valve, and has a multi-layer air layer formed of a thin film so as to cover the entire surface of the mud sampler.

The multilayer air layers of the cooling air bag are each connected to an air source tank via a pressure adjusting valve, and the opening pressure of each pressure adjusting valve is set so as to expand sequentially from the inside. This valve opening pressure is characterized in that it corresponds to the pressure reduction accompanying the floating of the submarine.

[0007] The air bag for keeping cool has a cylindrical shape of a mud sampler.
Alternatively, it is composed of a pair of opposed arrangements that wrap around in a spherical shape, or a configuration in which a bag is directly attached to each surface of the mud sampler.

[0008]

The cold storage device of the present invention is mounted on the outer wall of a submersible, and when the submarine reaches a predetermined seabed, the check valve opens at the seawater pressure, and the seawater on the seabed flows into the air source tank. I do. After the sampling, if the submersible rises to some extent, the pressure of the surrounding seawater will be reduced, which closes the check valve and seals the high seawater pressure at the bottom of the sea in the air source tank. Of compressed air. This compressed air is caused to flow into the cooling air bag via the pressure regulating valve, and the multi-layer air layer wraps the mud collector to keep it cool. Also, at this time, by setting the set pressure of the pressure regulating valve so that the air layer expands in order from the inside, and further setting it in accordance with the decompression accompanying the floating of the submarine, each air layer is set at the seawater depth. The corresponding thickness becomes approximately uniform. Therefore, unlike the single-layer air bag, the air pool is not biased, and the cooling effect is improved.
In addition, since the natural circulation in the air bag can be performed independently for each layer, the cooling effect is improved. Since the air source tank, the air bag for cooling and the like can be made of plastic, the present cooling device is light in weight.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an air source tank, inside which an air bag 2 is provided.
On the outer surface, a check valve 3, a vent valve 4 and a drain valve 5 are provided. Bladder 2 is connected by a pipe 6, the other end stop valve 7, the pressure regulating valve _81, 82, via a ... 8 _n respectively connected to a pair of cold air bag 9. The cooling air bag 9 is folded opposite to both sides of the support frame 11, and expands in a cylindrical shape during the cooling to expand the support frame 1.
1 to surround the mud extractor 10 mounted thereon. Each cooling air bag 9 is composed of a cylindrical portion 91 and a disk portion 92, and each portion 91, 92 is partitioned by a thin film so as to form a multilayer air layer. The pressure regulating valve ₈₁ as from inside the respective air layers delivering air in order, 8 _2, ... (and this will be described later) that 8 _n is attached. The pressure regulating valve _{8 1, 8 2, ... 8} n
In FIG. 1, for simplicity, the one attached to the disk portion 92 is shown, and the one for the cylindrical portion 91 is omitted. This cooling device comprising the air source tank 1, the cooling air bag 9 and the like is mounted on the outer wall of the submersible.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state before dive of the cool storage device. That is, the air source tank 1 is filled with the air in the air bag 2, and the cool air bag 9 is opened on both sides. FIG. 3 is a state diagram when the water reaches a predetermined deep sea. At this time, the check valve 3 is opened by the pressure of the seawater, the seawater flows into the air source tank 1, and the air bag 2 is compressed by the pressure. The air bladder 2 has a volume inversely proportional to the diving depth, and high-pressure compressed air is obtained. In addition, a seabed mud sample is collected in the mud collector 10 using a manipulator mounted on the submersible, and is maintained at a high pressure.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the submersible starts to ascend after sampling and reaches a certain depth on the way. At this time, the pressure of the surrounding seawater decreases, but since the check valve 3 is closed, the inflowing seawater cannot flow out, and the pressure is confined in the air source tank 1. As a result, the air in the air bag 2 cannot be expanded and the air pressure due to the pressure of the sealed seawater is accumulated in the air source tank 1. This air pressure is applied to the stop valve 7 of the pipe 6.
Opening a, to first pressure control valve 8 of the _first air layer 9 ₁ of cold air bag 9 causes a differential pressure between the ambient seawater pressure. Then, upon reaching the predetermined pressure difference, the valve membrane is torn open the pressure regulating valve _81, the pressure of the surrounding sea water flows compressed air in the air bag 2 to the first air layer 9 ₁ of cold air bag 9 Inflate this until balanced. As a result, the folded cylindrical portions 91 of the air bag 9 for cold storage extend in the opposite direction to each other, the open ends abut, and the mud sampler 10 is wrapped therein.

[0012] Further reached shallower depths, the first air layer 9 ₁ of cold air bag 9, as shown in FIG. 5 reaches the expansion limit, exceeds the setting pressure is the air pressure at that time, as above the second pressure regulating valve ₈₂ of the valve membrane of an air layer 9 ₂ torn,
Opens the pressure regulating valve _82, to inflate it to balance the pressure of the surrounding sea water flows air into _two second air layer 9. Thereafter, similarly, as the submarine rises, the pressure regulating valves 8 ₃ , 8 ₄ ,... Open one after another, and air flows in the order of the third air layer 9 ₃ , the fourth air layer 9 ₄ ,. Inflates. Then, and it expands the last of the air layer 9 _n as shown in Figure 6 until submersible floats on the sea surface,
Bottom sampler 10 is completely air layer 9 ₁ of the multi-layer, 9 _2, is cold wrapped with ... 9 _n.

The reason why the air layer is multi-layered is as follows. (1) This is for forming an air layer having a substantially uniform thickness corresponding to the depth for each layer. This is because, in the case of a single-layer air bag, the air pool is biased until the amount of air reaches the capacity of the bag, and the cooling effect is reduced. (2) Since the natural circulation in the air bag is performed independently for each layer, the cooling effect is improved.

Next, FIGS. 7 and 8 show a method of connecting each air layer to the pressure regulating valve. FIG. 7 shows an example of a series connection method.
Each control valve _81, 82, since there is a connection pipe resistance ... 8 _n, opening the differential pressure [Delta] P ₁ of each control valve, [Delta] P _2, ... a [Delta] P _n equally take the air layer 9 _1, 9 _2, ... 9 _n expands sequentially from the inside. Figure 8 is an example of parallel connection type, each of the air layer 9 _1, 9 _2, ... 9 each control valve 8 ₁ to _n from the inner inflate sequentially, 8 _2, the valve opening differential pressure ... 8 _n delta
P ₁ <ΔP ₂ <... <must be set sequentially larger as the go [Delta] P _n and the outside.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the seawater depth (pressure) and the thickness of the air layer when the cooling air bag is assumed to be spherical. The actual measured seawater temperature is also entered. The inner diameter of the air layer was 1 m, and the amount of enclosed air was 1 Nm ³ .
The seawater temperature θ is substantially constant at 1 to 2 ° C. up to about 1000 m, but as it becomes shallower the temperature rises and shows a tendency similar to a change in the thickness T (mm) of the air layer. Therefore, the pressure regulating valve _81, 82 also in this embodiment, ... 8 _n corresponding to the seawater depth thickness of the air layer as shown in FIG. 9 varies with, increases cold effect.

Next, FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the cooling air bag 9 is made of an extremely thin soft film. In this embodiment, since the cool air bag 9 can be folded while lying down, the workability at the time of sampling is improved. In this case, an air layer 9 _first root pass, as shown in FIG. 11 is formed on the guide ring so as not from hooking on bottom sampler 10, to cover the bottom sampler 10 in the next layer after (see FIG. 12 ).

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which a cooling air bag 9 is opened and closed from a lateral direction of a mud sampler 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows the state when folded, and FIG.
Indicates a state at the time of completion of cold storage. In this embodiment, the cooling air bag 9 is formed of a spherical shell-shaped bag whose both ends are pivotally supported by a common bearing 14, and is inflated by injecting air to rotate and close from the side. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the cooling air bag 9 may be constantly urged in the closing direction by a spring (not shown) built in the bearing 14. This is effective immediately after sampling, that is, when you want to keep cool from the deep sea. In this case, the bow-shaped skeleton member 1
5 are put in a plurality of air bags 9 for keeping cool,
5, locked by the lever 16 as shown in FIG.
17 is a spring of the lever 16. When the lock of the lever 16 is released, the cooling air bag 9 is immediately closed by a torsion spring built in the bearing 14 (see FIG. 17), and then the air is sent into the cooling air bag 9.

FIG. 18 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which a cooling air bag 9 is directly attached to each surface of a mud sampler 10. FIG. 19 shows a state where cooling is completed.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, an air source is created by confining the seawater pressure at the bottom of the sea in a tank, and this high-pressure compressed air is sent to a cooling air bag to collect mud in a multilayer air layer. Since the container is automatically wrapped and kept cool, the cooling device can be made extremely lightweight. In addition, cold air bags are sequentially expanded from the inside in response to the seawater depth, yet water
It expands in shallow seas where the pressure is small and the temperature is high, so it is kept cool
It is highly effective .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state before diving in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram at the time of reaching the sea floor in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state when the first air layer is inflated in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a state diagram when the second air layer is inflated in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a pressure holding completion state of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a series connection system of pressure adjustment valves of each air layer.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a parallel connection system of pressure adjustment valves of each air layer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the depth of seawater and the thickness of an air layer.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the state of the embodiment of FIG. 19 when the first air layer is inflated.

FIG. 12 is a state diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 19 when the next layer is expanded.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a pressure holding completion state of the embodiment of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of the lock device of the embodiment in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a pressure holding completion state of the embodiment of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a pressure holding completion state of the embodiment of FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 air source tank 2 bladder 3 the check valve 6 pipe 7 valve _{8 1, 8 2, ... 8} n pressure regulating valve 9 coercive pressure bladder 9 _1, 9 _2, ... 9 _n air layer 10 bottom sampler

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideaki Yuki 1-1-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Kokan Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeru Nagai 1-1-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Kokan Incorporated (72) Inventor Shigetoshi Ishibashi 1-2-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Kokan Co., Ltd. (56) References Japanese Utility Model Sho-63-109635 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Sho-57-124751 (JP) , U)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An air source tank for compressing and accumulating air therein by a non-return valve for introducing and confining water pressure on the seabed; and a mud collector connected to the air source tank via a pressure regulating valve. And a cooling air bag having a multilayer air layer formed of a thin film so as to cover the entire surface of the container. 2. The cold storage device for a deep sea bottom sample collection container according to claim 1, wherein the air source tank has a built-in air bag connected to the air bag for cooling. 3. The pressure regulating valve is provided for each air layer of the cooling air bag, and the opening pressure of each pressure regulating valve is set so as to inflate the air layer sequentially from the inside. The cold storage device for a deep sea bottom sample collection container according to claim 1. 4. The cold storage device for a deep sea bottom sample collection container according to claim 3, wherein the valve opening pressure of the pressure regulating valve corresponds to the pressure reduction accompanying the floating of the submersible.