Patent Publication Number: US-2023146471-A1

Title: Sealing device and underwater machinery equipment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present disclosure claims the priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the Chinese Patent Office on Nov. 9, 2021 with the filing No. 202122727006.7 and entitled “Sealing Device and Underwater Machinery Equipment”, all the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure pertains to the technical field of underwater sealing devices, and particularly to a sealing device and to underwater machinery equipment. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, with the scientific and technological advancements, various kinds of underwater machinery equipment are used more and more frequently in the detection and development of underwater resources. When the underwater machinery equipment completes underwater operations, it is usually required to use cables to connect the sealed cabin of the underwater machinery equipment with other functional equipment. At present, the commonly used sealing method for cables and sealed cabins includes: welding one end of each cable and sealing the male joint of a watertight joint with glue, fixedly providing the female joint of a corresponding watertight joint on the cabin body and sealing the same with glue, and then docking the male joint and the female joint. However, because watertight joints are expensive and complex in structure, making one set of watertight joints for each cable is not only expensive in cost, but also enables a relatively large space occupied in the sealed cabin, which is disadvantageous for arranging multiple cables in the case of limited space in the sealed cabin. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a sealing device and a piece of underwater machinery equipment, so as to at least overcome deficiencies in the prior art. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a sealing device is provided, which can comprise a sealing plug (end cap) and a fixing assembly, wherein the sealing plug may be in fixed connection with multiple cables, and the fixing assembly may be constructed to fix the sealing plug on a sealed cabin in an abutting manner, such that the sealing plug is occluded in the sealed cabin. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the sealed cabin may be provided with a sealing hole, and the fixing assembly may fix the sealing plug in the sealing hole in an abutting manner. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the sealing plug may be in interference fit with the sealing hole; alternatively, the sealing plug and the multiple cables may be formed as an integrated structure by way of integrated injection molding. 
     In a possible implementation form of the sealing device, the sealing plug may include a connecting portion and a sealing portion, wherein the connecting portion is connected to the side of the sealing portion away from the sealed cabin, and the sealing portion is in interference fit with the sealing hole through the fixing assembly. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the connecting portion and the sealing portion may be in fixed connection with each other by way of integrated molding. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the diameter of the connecting portion may be greater than that of the sealing portion, and the diameter of the sealing portion decreases gradually along a direction away from the connecting portion. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the sealing hole may include a big hole and a small hole, and the big hole may cooperate with the connecting portion, while the small hole may cooperate with the sealing portion. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the diameter of the big hole may be greater than that of the small hole, and the diameter of the small hole may decrease gradually along a direction away from the big hole. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the thickness of the sealing plug may be greater than the depth of the sealing hole. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the fixing assembly may include a fixing block and a fixing piece, wherein the fixing block may be arranged on the side of the sealing plug away from the sealed cabin, and the fixing piece may be constructed to fix the fixing block on the sealed cabin, such that the fixing block compresses the sealing plug. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the sealed cabin may be composed of a cabin cover and a cabin body, wherein the cabin cover may be covered on the cabin body, the side of the cabin cover away from the cabin body is provided with the sealing hole, the sealing plug is occluded in the sealing hole, and when the multiple cables connect components inside the sealed cabin, the multiple cables and the sealed cabin are sealed in a waterproofing manner by means of the sealing device. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the fixing block may be provided with a first fixing hole, the cabin cover may be provided with a corresponding second fixing hole, and the fixing piece successively penetrates the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole and is arranged inside the cabin cover, so as to fix the sealing plug on the cabin cover and compress the same tightly. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, a sealing ring may be sleeved over the cabin cover, and the sealing ring may be constructed to seal the junction between the cabin cover and the cabin body. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the fixing block may be composed of a first fixing block and a second fixing block, and the junction between the first fixing block and the second fixing block may be provided with at least one through hole, in which the cable may be arranged. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the diameter of the at least one through hole may be greater than the diameter of the cable. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the first fixing block and the second fixing block may be distributed symmetrically with respect to the junction between the first fixing block and the second fixing block serving as an axis. 
     In some possible implementation forms of the sealing device, the first fixing block and the second fixing block may be respectively provided with a first fixing hole, and the first fixing holes are symmetrically distributed on the first fixing block and the second fixing block with respect to the junction between the first fixing block and the second fixing block serving as an axis. 
     In some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a piece of underwater machinery equipment is further provided, which may comprise a sealing device as described above. 
     Compared with related technologies, the present disclosure at least has following beneficial effects. 
     As for the sealing device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, multiple cables are enabled to form an overall structure with the sealing plug by making the multiple cables simultaneously fixedly connected with the sealing plug, and the sealing plug is then fixed on the sealed cabin through the fixing assembly, hereby realizing the sealing between the multiple cables and the sealed cabin. Compared with the seal realized by means of a watertight joint, the sealing device according to the present disclosure is not only simple in structure, but also low in cost and relatively small in volume, thus is particularly suitable for use in circumstances in which the sealed cabin needs to connect multiplex functional equipment but has limited space. 
     In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure more evident and easier to understand, preferred embodiments will be specifically enumerated below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments will be simply presented below; and it shall be understood that the following drawings merely show certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus should not be deemed as limiting the scope thereof, and for a person ordinarily skilled in the art, further relevant drawings could be obtained according to these drawings without inventive efforts. 
         FIG.  1    shows a structural exploded view of a sealing device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    shows a structural schematic diagram of a sealing device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    shows a structural schematic diagram of cables and a plug according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    shows a sectional view of a sealing device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    shows a sectional view of a sealed cabin according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    shows a top view of a fixing block according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG.  7    shows a top view of a fixing block according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     EXPLANATION OF MAIN ELEMENT SIGNS 
       100 —cable;  200 —sealed cabin;  210 —cabin cover;  211 —sealing hole;  2111 —big hole;  2112 —small hole;  212 —second fixing hole;  220 —cabin body;  230 —sealing ring;  300 —sealing plug;  310 —connecting portion;  320 —sealing portion;  400 —fixing assembly;  410 —fixing block;  411 —first fixing block;  412 —second fixing block;  420 —fixing piece;  430 —first fixing hole;  440 —through hole. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure will be specifically described below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein same or similar reference signs represent same or similar elements or elements having same or similar functions throughout the context. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative, and merely serve to explain the present disclosure, thus should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, it shall be understood that orientation or position relationships indicated by terms, such as “central”, “longitudinal”, “transverse”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “clockwise”, “anticlockwise”, “axial”, “radial”, and “circumferential” are orientation or position relationships shown based on the accompanying drawings, merely intended to facilitate the description of the present disclosure and simplify the description, rather than indicating or implying that a specified device or element must have a specific orientation, and be constructed and operated in a certain orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the present disclosure. 
     In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used merely for purpose of description, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying to have importance in relativity, or implicitly suggesting the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with a term “first” or “second” may explicitly or implicitly comprise one or more feature. In the description of the present disclosure, the meaning of the term “multiple” indicates two or more, unless otherwise expressly and specifically defined. 
     In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and defined, terms such as “mount”, “connect”, “link”, and “fix” shall be construed in a broad sense. For example, it may be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrated connection; it may be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; or it may be direct connection, or indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or inner communication between two elements or interactive relationship between two elements. For a person ordinarily skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the present disclosure could be construed in accordance with specific circumstances. 
     In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and defined, the expression that a first feature is “on” or “under” a second feature could be construed in such a way that the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, or the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the expression that a first feature is “over”, “above”, or “on top of” a second feature could be construed in such a way that the first feature is right or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature is higher in horizontal height than the second feature. The expression that a first feature is “below”, “underneath”, or “beneath” a second feature could be construed in such a way that the first feature is right or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature is lower in horizontal height than the second feature. 
     Hereinafter, a sealing device provided according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  7   , in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a sealing device, which is constructed for performing sealing between multiple cables  100  and a sealed cabin  200  of underwater machinery equipment, so as to reduce the space of the sealed cabin  200  occupied when sealing the multiple cables  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the sealing device comprises a sealing plug  300  and a fixing assembly  400 . At least two of the cables  100  are respectively fixed on the sealing plug  300 , such that the multiple cables  100  and the sealing plug  300  are fixedly connected to form an overall structure. The sealed cabin  200  is provided with a sealing hole  211 , and the sealing plug  300  cooperates with the sealing hole  211 , such that the sealing plug  300  and the sealed cabin  200  are in sealed connection with each other. The fixing assembly  400  fixes the sealing plug  300  on the sealed cabin  200  and compresses the same tightly, such that the sealing plug  300  is in an interference fit with the sealing hole  211 . 
     In some embodiments, the multiple cables  100  are respectively in sealed connection with the sealing plug  300  by means of an interference fit. However, without being limited thereto, it could be understood that in other embodiments, the sealing plug  300  and the multiple cables  100  are formed as an integrated structure by way of integrated injection molding, and such a forming way improves the integrity and the stability of the sealed connection between the sealing plug  300  and the cables  100  and reduces the overall volume of the multiple cables  100  and the sealing plug  300 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , in some embodiments, the sealing plug  300  includes a connecting portion  310  and a sealing portion  320 , wherein the connecting portion  310  is away from the sealed cabin  200 , the sealing portion  320  is closer to the sealed cabin  200 , and the connecting portion  310  is connected to the side of the sealing portion  320  away from the sealed cabin  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the connecting portion  310  and the sealing portion  320  are in fixed connection with each other by way of integrated molding. The connecting portion  310  and the sealing portion  320  are both made of an elastic material. When the connecting portion  310  is compressed, the pressure can be transferred to the sealing portion  320  through the connecting portion  310 , such that the sealing portion  320  is in an interference fit with the sealing hole  211 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  4   , the diameter of the connecting portion  310  is greater than that of the sealing portion  320 , and the diameter of the sealing portion  320  decreases gradually along a direction away from the connecting portion  310 . The shape of the sealing hole  211  matches the shape of the sealing plug  300 , such that the fixing assembly  400  can enable an interference fit between the sealing portion  320  and the sealing hole  211  by compressing the connecting portion  310  when the sealing plug  300  is arranged in the sealing hole  211 , and the sealing plug  300  is then occluded in the sealing hole  211 , hereby realizing the sealing. 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , in some embodiments, the sealing hole  211  is composed of two parts, i.e., a big hole  2111  and a small hole  2112 , wherein the diameter of the big hole  2111  is greater than that of the small hole  2112 , and the diameter of the small hole  2112  decreases gradually along a direction away from the big hole  2111 . When the sealing plug  300  is arranged in the sealing hole  211 , the sealing portion  320  cooperates with the small hole  2112 , while the connecting portion  310  cooperates with the big hole  2111 , and when the sealing portion  320  abuts against the hole wall of the small hole  2112 , the thickness of the sealing plug  300  in the axial direction of the sealing hole  211  is greater than the depth of the sealing hole  211 . When the fixing assembly  400  is fixed on the sealed cabin  200 , the connecting portion  310  is caused to be compressed and deformed accordingly, such that the sealing portion  320  is closely attached to the small hole  2112 , hereby realizing an interference fit, and enabling waterproofing sealing between the sealing plug  300  and the sealed cabin  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the sealed cabin  200  is a control cabin of underwater machinery equipment, the control cabin is in connection with multiplex functional equipment via the cables  100 , and the control cabin can realize signal transmission through the multiple cables  100 , so as to control the multiplex function equipment to achieve different functions. However, without being limited thereto, it could be understood that in other embodiments, the sealed cabin  200  may also be a pressure cabin or other cabin sealed by multiple penetrating cables  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the sealed cabin  200  is composed of a cabin cover  210  and a cabin body  220 , wherein the cabin cover  210  is covered on the cabin body  220 , the side of the cabin cover  210  away from the cabin body  220  is provided with the sealing hole  211 , the sealing plug  300  is occluded in the sealing hole  211 , and when the multiple cables  100  connect components inside the sealed cabin  200 , the multiple cables  100  and the sealed cabin  200  are sealed in a waterproofing manner by means of the sealing device. 
     In some embodiments, the sealing plug  300  is a rubber plug, but in other embodiments, the sealing plug  300  may also be a silicone plug or a fluororubber plug. The material of the surface of the cable  100  may be identical with the material of the sealing plug  300 , so as to facilitate the integrated injection molding of the cable  100  and the sealing plug  300 . 
     The fixing assembly  400  includes a fixing block  410  and a fixing piece  420 . The fixing block  410  is arranged on the side of the connecting portion  310  away from the sealed cabin  200 , the fixing block  410  is provided with a first fixing hole  430 , the cabin cover  210  is provided with a corresponding second fixing hole  212 , and the fixing piece  420  successively penetrates the first fixing hole  430  and the second fixing hole  212  and is arranged inside the cabin cover  210 , so as to fix the sealing plug  300  on the cabin cover  210  and compress the same tightly. 
     In some embodiments, the fixing piece  420  is a screw, and the inner walls of the first fixing hole  430  and the second fixing hole  212  are respectively provided with screw threads, wherein the screw cooperates with the screw threads, such that the fixing block  410  and the cabin cover  210  are in fixed connection with each other. However, without being limited thereto, it could be understood that in other embodiments, the fixing piece  420  may also be a bolt, and a nut cooperating with the bolt is respectively provided in the first fixing hole  430  and in the second fixing hole  212 , which can also achieve the effect of fixed connection. 
     In some embodiments, the fixing block  410  is an integrated structure, and before the multiple cables  100  are fixedly connected to the sealing plug  300 , the multiple cables  100  are firstly simultaneously inserted in the fixing block  410 , and the sealing plug  300  is then fixedly connected with the cables  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , in other embodiments, the fixing block  410  may also be configured as a split type structure, and the fixing block  410  is composed of a first fixing block  411  and a second fixing block  412 . The first fixing block  411  and the second fixing block  412  are distributed symmetrically with respect to the junction therebetween serving as an axis, the junction between the first fixing block  411  and the second fixing block  412  is provided with a plurality of through holes  440 , and the through holes  440  are symmetrically arranged with respect to the junction therebetween serving as an axis; while the fixing block  410  is provided with the plurality of through holes  440 , and each of the through holes  440  is provided inside with a corresponding cable  100 . The diameter of the through hole  440  is greater than the diameter of the cable  100 , so as to facilitate the arrangement of the cable  100  in the through hole  440 . 
     The first fixing block  411  and the second fixing block  412  are each provided with the first fixing hole  430 , and the first fixing holes  430  are symmetrically distributed on the first fixing block  411  and the second fixing block  412  with respect to the junction between the first fixing block  411  and the second fixing block  412  serving as an axis. 
     When the sealing plug  300  is arranged in the sealing hole  211 , the first fixing block  411  is docked with the second fixing block  412 , the multiple cables  100  are respectively arranged in different through holes  440 , the fixing piece  420  successively penetrates the first fixing hole  430  and the second fixing hole  212 , and the fixing block  410  is fixed on the sealed cabin  200 , such that the first fixing block  411  and the second fixing block  412  apply compression on the connecting portion  310 . The split type design of the fixing block  410  not only facilitates the mounting and the disassembly of the fixing block  410  and the multiple cables  100 , but also reduces the usage costs, since only the damaged part needs to be replaced when the fixing block  410  is damaged. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , in some embodiments, the fixing block  410  may also be formed through the combination of three parts, wherein the cross section of each part in the radial direction of the through hole  440  is a sector of 120 degrees, and the fixing block  410  composed of the three parts has a circular cross section in the radial direction of the through hole  440 . The junction between every two parts is provided with at least one through hole  440 , and each part is at least provided with one first fixing hole  430 . Such a design of the fixing block  410  can improve the space utilization of the fixing block  410  by the cables  100 , which is advantageous for miniaturization configuration of the fixing block  410 . 
     In some embodiments, a sealing ring  230  is sleeved over the cabin cover  210 , wherein the sealing ring  230  is an O-shaped rubber sealing ring  230 , and the sealing ring  230  is constructed to seal the junction between the cabin cover  210  and the cabin body  220 . 
     In some embodiments, during use of the sealing device, the multiple cables  100  and the sealing plug  300  are firstly formed as an integrated structure by way of integrated injection molding, hereby realizing sealed connection between the sealing plug  300  and the multiple cables  100 . The sealing plug  300  is then occluded in the sealing hole  211 , and the fixing block  410  is fixed on the cabin cover  210  through the fixing piece  420 ; because the thickness of the sealing plug  300  is greater than the depth of the sealing hole  211 , the fixing block  410  compresses the connecting portion  310 , resulting in an interference fit between the sealing portion  320  and the sealing hole  211 , and waterproofing sealing between the multiple cables  100  and the sealed cabin  200  is finally achieved. 
     As for the sealing device according to the present embodiment, multiple cables  100  and the sealing plug  300  are enabled to form an overall structure by making the multiple cables  100  simultaneously fixedly connected with the sealing plug  300 , and the sealing plug  300  is then fixed on the sealed cabin  200  through the fixing assembly  400 , hereby realizing the sealing between the multiple cables  100  and the sealed cabin  200 . Compared with the sealing realized by means of a watertight joint, the sealing device according to the present disclosure is not only simple in structure, but also lower in cost and relatively small in volume, thus is particularly suitable for use in circumstances in which the sealed cabin needs to connect multiplex functional equipment but has limited space. 
     In some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a piece of underwater machinery equipment is further provided, which may comprise a sealing device provided according to preceding embodiments of the present disclosure. The sealing device is configured for waterproofing sealing respectively between both ends of each of multiple cables  100  and the underwater machinery equipment and functional equipment when the underwater machinery equipment is connected to the functional equipment through the multiple cables  100 . 
     The underwater machinery equipment may be an underwater robot, an underwater detector, or any other equipment capable of working under water. The functional equipment may be a camera instrument, a mechanical arm, a detector or the like. 
     The underwater machinery equipment can control the working of various pieces of functional equipment under water, and the sealed cabin  200  of the underwater machinery equipment is respectively in connection with the respective pieces of functional equipment through the multiple cables  100 . In some embodiments, when the multiple cables  100  are in sealed connection with the sealed cabin  200 , one ends of the multiple cables  100  and the sealing plug  300  are formed as an integrated structure by way of integrated injection molding, hereby realizing the waterproofing sealing between the multiple cables  100  and the sealing plug  300 . The sealing plug  300  is then occluded in the sealing hole  211  of the sealed cabin  200 , the sealing plug  300  is fixed on the sealed cabin  200  through the fixing assembly  400  and compressed tightly, and the sealing plug  300  cooperates with the sealing hole  211 , achieving the cooperation between the sealing plug  300  and the sealing hole  211 , and completing the waterproofing sealing of the multiple cables  100  and the sealed cabin  200 . 
     The fixing block  410  of the fixing assembly  400  may be configured as a split type structure, that is to say, the fixing block  410  may be formed by combining multiple parts, and compared with an overall structure, as for the split type fixing block  410 , it is unnecessary to mount the fixing block  410  before fixed connection between the multiple cables  100  and the sealing plug  300 , which facilitates the mounting and the disassembly of the fixing block  410 , while the usage costs are reduced, since only the damaged part needs to be replaced when the fixing block  410  is damaged. 
     In the description of the present specification, description referring to terms such as “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “example”, “specific example” or “some examples” means that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described with reference to this embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In the present specification, schematic expressions of the above-mentioned terms are not necessarily targeted at same embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable way. In addition, without causing any contradictory, a person skilled in the art could incorporate and combine different embodiments or examples described in the present specification and features of different embodiments or examples with each other. 
     Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described above, it could be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure; and a person ordinarily skilled in the art could make modifications, amendments, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present disclosure provides a sealing device and a piece of underwater machinery equipment, relating to the technical field of underwater sealing devices. The sealing device comprises a sealing plug and a fixing assembly, wherein the sealing plug is in fixed connection with multiple cables, and the fixing assembly is constructed to fix the sealing plug on a sealed cabin in an abutting manner, such that the sealing plug is occluded in the sealed cabin. The underwater machinery equipment comprises the sealing device as described above. Compared with the seal realized by means of a watertight joint, the sealing device according to the present disclosure is not only simple in structure, but also low in cost and relatively small in volume, thus is particularly suitable for use in circumstances in which the sealed cabin needs to connect multiplex functional equipment but has limited space. 
     In addition, it could be understood that the sealing device and the underwater machinery equipment according to the present disclosure are reproducible, and can be used in various industrial applications. For example, the sealing device and the underwater machinery equipment according to the present disclosure can be used in any field requiring underwater seal.