Joint and deep layer water pumping-up device

The present invention relates to a joint that connects members to each other and a deep sea water pumping device that uses this joint, and in particular, a joint that connects openings provided to each member to each other and a deep water pumping device that uses this joint. Regarding.

Conventionally, pipes that are slightly misaligned (displaced) with each other, for example, the extension directions of each pipe are slightly different, or the position of the central axis in the extension direction of each pipe is slightly different. As a pipe joint that connects pipes that are (with a deviation in the shearing direction) and pipes that vibrate (pipes whose relative positional relationship changes with the passage of time) to allow fluid to pass through. The above-mentioned pipe material is composed of a pipe joint using a metal bellows (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1) and a tubular film body composed of a PTFE film having elasticity and flexibility and an inorganic fiber cloth. There are known pipe joints formed to have a wall thickness almost the same as that of the above (see, for example, Patent Document 1) and pipe joints having a structure using a ball joint.<nplcit num="1"><text>"Homepage of Tokyo Spiral Tube Manufacturing Co., Ltd.", [Search Internet on February 18, 2004], &lt;URL: http://www.tf.technoholdings.co.jp/trs/sentei.html&gt;</text></nplcit><patcit num="1"><text>Registered Utility Model No. 3057697</text></patcit>

<p> By the way, the above-mentioned conventional pipe joints (joints) are mainly for connecting pipes installed on land, and when the amount of misalignment between them is small, for example, the extension direction of each pipe is Each pipe can be connected to each other when the deviation is only a few degrees or the deviation in the shear direction of each pipe is several tens of millimeters.</p><p> However, when the stretching directions of the pipes are different by a dozen degrees or more, or when the shearing direction of the pipes is deviated by several hundred millimeters, it is difficult to use the conventional pipe joints as they are. Such a large deviation is particularly likely to occur when each of the above pipes is installed in the ocean or the like.</p><p> Further, when each of the above pipes is installed in the ocean or the like, an external force due to waves or the like is applied to the above pipes, and the amount of displacement (large amount of misalignment) between the above pipes may change significantly periodically.</p><p> Therefore, it is conceivable to lengthen the conduit of the conventional pipe joint and connect the pipes that are largely displaced from each other. For example, in the case of using a metallic bellows or a PTFE film, the pipe joint is lengthened in the extending direction of each pipe to lengthen the pipe line of the joint, and in the case of using a ball joint, a plurality of balls are used. A method of connecting the joints in series in the extending direction of each pipe to lengthen the pipe line of the joint can be considered.</p><p> However, in the above-mentioned method of lengthening the pipe line of the pipe joint, the pipe joint becomes long and a long space is required to connect the pipes to each other. Further, as the diameter of the pipe becomes larger, the rigidity of the pipe joint becomes higher and the joint becomes less likely to bend. Therefore, in order to secure the flexibility of the pipe joint, it is necessary to increase the length of the pipe joint with a larger diameter. ..</p><p> Furthermore, in the case of using a ball joint, high-precision processing is required to manufacture this ball joint portion, and since a plurality of ball joints are connected in series, a plurality of ball joints are required. The manufacturing cost of pipe joints will increase.</p><p> Further, when the pipe joint becomes long, a disturbance (external force) is applied to the pipe joint, so that the pipe joint is greatly deformed and the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the pipe joint changes greatly, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the pipe joint becomes small. The flow path of the fluid flowing inside the fitting is narrowed, the pressure loss of the fluid inside the fitting is increased, the fluid is difficult to flow inside the fitting, and a large amount of energy is required to transfer the fluid. You will need it.</p><p> In order to suppress such large deformation of the pipe joint and maintain the shape of the pipe joint as much as possible, it is conceivable to separately install a reinforcing member (reinforcing link) or the like on the pipe joint. By doing so, the configuration of the pipe joint becomes complicated.</p><p> It should be noted that, as described above, large deformation of the pipe joint due to the application of an external force to the lengthened pipe joint occurs particularly remarkably when the pipes that need to be connected are installed in the ocean. That is, the relative positional relationship between the pipes changes greatly with the passage of time due to the waves on the sea surface and the flow of tides in the sea, and the pipes vibrate due to eddy excitation due to the flow of tides in the sea. This is because the pipe joint is deformed by this vibration.</p><p> The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a joint capable of easily realizing a connection with a high degree of freedom even with a short connection distance with a simple configuration, and deep sea water pumping using this joint. The purpose is to provide the device.</p>

<p> The invention according to claim 1 connects a main body portion provided with a suction hole for sucking a fluid and a tubular member having an upper end portion side located near the lower portion of the main body portion and the lower end portion extending downward. A fluid path for flowing a fluid between a suspension support member that suspends and supports the tubular member from the main body portion, an opening at the upper end of the tubular member, and a suction hole of the main body portion. It is a joint having a fluid path forming member configured to be deformable as well as forming the above.</p><p> The invention according to claim 2 is the joint according to claim 1, wherein the suspension support member is connected to the main body portion on the upper end side and is connected to the upper end portion of the tubular member or the lower end portion side in the vicinity of the upper end portion. A joint made up of chains, wires or bent rods.</p><p> According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the joint according to the first or second aspect, the fluid path forming member is formed of a sheet-like material in a tubular shape, and the upper end side is the main body portion. It is a joint fixed to the main body so as to surround the suction hole, and fixed to the tubular member so that the lower end side surrounds the opening at the upper end of the tubular member.</p><p> In the invention according to claim 4, in the joint according to claim 3, the fluid follows the fluid path formed inside the tubular fluid path forming member by sucking the fluid through the suction hole of the main body. The inner diameter of the most constricted portion in the state where the fluid path forming member is constricted inward is a joint having an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the suction hole or the inner diameter of the tubular member.</p><p> The invention according to claim 5 is for connecting a main body portion provided with a suction hole for sucking a fluid and a tubular member having an upper end portion located near the lower portion of the main body portion and having a lower end portion extending downward. In the joint of the above, a fluid path forming member configured to form a fluid path for flowing a fluid between the opening at the upper end of the tubular member and the suction hole of the main body and to be deformable is provided. The fluid path forming member is formed by forming a sheet-like material into a tubular shape, and the upper end side is fixed to the main body so as to surround the suction hole of the main body, and the lower end side is the tubular member. It is a joint fixed to the tubular member so as to surround the opening at the upper end.</p><p> The invention according to claim 6 is a first member having a first opening for sucking or discharging a fluid, and a position near the lower part of the first member away from the lower part of the first member. A suspension for suspending and supporting the second member from the first member in a joint for connecting to a second member having a second opening for sucking or discharging a fluid. A member having a support member and a fluid path forming member configured to form a fluid path for flowing a fluid between the first opening and the second opening and to be deformable. It is a joint.</p><p> The invention according to claim 7 is a deep sea water pumping device for pumping deep sea water in a state where the main body is floating on the sea, a suction hole provided in the main body for sucking deep water, and deep water. The upper end side is located near the lower part of the main body, and the lower end side extends downward to support the riser pipe and the riser pipe suspended from the main body. A deep layer having a suspension support member and a fluid path forming member configured to form a fluid path for flowing fluid from the opening at the upper end of the riser tube to the suction hole of the main body and to be deformable. It is a water pumping device.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a connection with a high degree of freedom even with a short connection distance with a simple configuration.</p>

[First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a seawater fertilizer device 3, which is a form of a deep sea water pumping device in which the joint 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of seawater. It is a plan view of the fertilizer apparatus 3, and is the figure which shows the view of arrow II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the seawater fertilizer device 3, and is a view showing arrow III in FIG.

The seawater fertilizer 3 is used by being installed in the ocean and includes a main body 5. The main body 5 has a regular octagonal shape with a predetermined thickness on the upper side in the vertical direction and a regular octagonal shape with a predetermined thickness on the lower side in the vertical direction, for example, smaller than the octagonal shape on the upper side. It is formed.

A pipe tower portion 7 having a predetermined height is erected on the upper side of the main body portion 5, and a deep water intake pipe (riser pipe) 9 having a lower end portion extending downward is located below the main body portion 5. Is attached via the joint 1, and the entire outer shape of the seawater fertilizer 3 is formed in a shape like a so-called coma (coma with a long lower mandrel).

The seawater fertilizer 3 is provided with a ballast tank (not shown). Then, by adjusting the buoyancy by pouring and draining the ballast tank, the seawater fertilizer 3 floats in the sea so that the upper surface of the main body 5 becomes a predetermined height above the seawater surface when the buoyancy is the largest. When the buoyancy is the smallest, the seawater fertilizer 3 floats in the sea so that the upper part of the pipe tower 7 is left and the other parts are submerged in the seawater.

Further, the seawater fertilizer 3 is used in a state where the buoyancy is the smallest in a normal operation state, and is set so as to have the maximum buoyancy in the case of maintenance and inspection.

A pump (not shown) is installed inside the main body 5, and the pump is operated in a normal operating state, and the surface water taken in through the pipe tower 7 and the riser pipe 9 are used. It mixes and adjusts the temperature with deep sea water containing the nutrients pumped up, and discharges and diffuses it to the side around the main body 5, forming an artificial upwelling stream and creating a new fishing ground there. Is.

Here, the above-mentioned joint 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the joint 1, and is an enlarged view of a portion IV in FIG. Further, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the V portion in FIG.

The joint 1 is a joint for connecting a main body 5 having a circular suction hole 11 for sucking deep sea water (deep sea water) and a riser pipe 9 which is an example of a tubular member to each other.

A flat portion 5A is provided on the lower side of the main body portion 5, and a cylindrical portion 5B is integrally provided in the central portion of the planar portion 5A. The suction hole 11 is formed inside. Further, the inner diameter D3 of the suction hole 11 and the inner diameter D5 of the riser tube 9 are substantially the same. Further, when the seawater fertilizer 3 is floated in a quiet liquid without waves and viewed from the vertical direction, the center CL1 of the suction hole 11 and the center CL3 of the riser tube 9 are substantially aligned with each other.

The upper end of the riser tube 9 is located near the lower part of the main body 5 away from the lower part of the main body 5, and the riser tube 9 has a large mass (for example, about 100 tons) rigidity. It is composed of a circular tube (cylindrical) -shaped member, and the lower end side extends downward (for example, vertically downward).

The riser tube 9 is suspended and supported from the main body 5 by a suspension support member 13.

Further, the joint 1 includes a fluid path forming member 15 that forms a fluid path for flowing a fluid from the opening at the upper end of the riser pipe 9 to the suction hole 11 of the main body 5 without leakage.

The suction hole 11 of the main body 5 is considered as a fluid discharge hole for discharging the fluid, and the fluid is not leaked from the fluid discharge hole to the opening at the upper end of the riser pipe 9 by using the fluid path forming member 15. You may let it flow.

That is, the fluid path forming member 15 may be used to allow the fluid to flow without leakage between the opening at the upper end of the riser pipe 9 and the suction hole 11 of the main body 5.

The fluid path forming member 15 is composed of a member separate from the suspension support member 13 so that it can be easily deformed, that is, easily deformed in any direction by applying a slight external force. It is configured in.

Here, the suspension support member 13 will be described in detail.

The suspension support member 13 is composed of, for example, a chain 17, the upper end side of the chain 17 is connected to the main body 5, and the lower end side is connected to the upper end of the riser tube 9 or the vicinity of the upper end thereof. Has been done.

More specifically, the first upper chain support member 19 is provided so as to project from the flat portion 5A away from the suction hole 11 of the main body 5. The first upper chain support member 19 is provided with a through hole 19A, and the upper end portion of the first chain 17 is supported by engaging with the through hole 19A.

A first lower chain support member 21 is provided on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the riser tube 9 so as to project. The first lower chain support member 21 is provided with a through hole 21A, and the lower end portion of the first chain 17 is supported by engaging with the through hole 21A.

Further, with respect to the openings 11 and the centers of the riser tubes 9 (central axes extending in the vertical direction) CL1 and CL3, the first chain 17, the first upper chain support member 19, and the first first chain. Similar to the first chain 17, the first upper chain support member 19, and the first lower chain support member 21 on the side opposite to the side where the lower chain support member 21 is provided. The second chain 23, the second upper chain support member 25, and the second lower chain support member 27 are provided.

That is, the central axes CL1 and CL3 in the extension direction of the opening 11 and the riser tube 9, the chains 17 and 23, the upper chain support members 19 and 25, and the lower chain support members 21 and 27. Means that they exist on substantially the same plane (plane extended in the vertical direction; the paper surface in FIG. 4), and moreover, with respect to the central axes CL1 and CL3 in the extending direction of the opening 11 and the riser tube 9. The first chain 17 and the second chain 23 are line-symmetrical, and the first chain 17 and the second chain 23 form a "V" -shaped suspension support member. 13 are formed.

As described above, the riser tube 9 is supported so as not to fall by being suspended by the chains 17 and 23, and the shaft that passes near the upper end of the riser tube 9 and extends in the horizontal direction. (For example, the straight line connecting the first lower chain support member 21 and the second lower chain support member 27) is used as the swing center so that the riser tube 9 can swing with respect to the main body 5. It has become.

On the other hand, since the riser tube 9 has a large mass, it is difficult for the riser tube 9 to rotate around the central axis CL3 of the riser tube 9 extending in the vertical direction with respect to the main body 5.

Although the suspension support member 13 is composed of two chains 17 and 23, the riser tube 9 may be suspended by using a plurality of chains of three or more, and the chains are used. Alternatively, a wire, a bent rod, or the like may be adopted.

Here, the center-folding rod will be described.

In the center-folded rod, one end of a long extending first rod-shaped member has one end of a second rod-shaped member extending in substantially the same direction as the first rod-shaped member, via a spherical bearing or the like. And swingably engaged. The other end side of the second rod-shaped member extends in a direction away from the first rod-shaped member, and the middle-folded rod as a whole is formed long in a rod shape and is formed in the longitudinal direction. It is designed to bend in the middle part.

Then, the upper end portion of the center-folding rod (the other end of the first member) swingably engages with the flat portion 5A of the main body portion 5, and the lower end portion of the center-folding rod (the first). The other end of the member 2) is swingably engaged with the upper end of the riser tube 9 or the vicinity of the upper end. In this way, the riser tube 9 can be supported in a form substantially similar to the case where the riser tube 9 is suspended by a chain or the like. Although the center-folding rod is composed of two members, it may be composed of three or more members.

Next, the fluid path forming member 15 will be described in detail.

The fluid path forming member 15 is composed of a flexible member 29 formed in a tubular shape with a thin sheet-like material that does not allow a fluid such as seawater to pass through, and the upper end side of the flexible member 29 is the above-mentioned main body portion 5. It is fixed to the main body 5 so as to surround the suction hole 11, and is fixed to the riser tube 9 so that the lower end side surrounds the opening of the upper end of the riser tube 9.

The sheet-like material has, for example, a wet tensile strength (tensile strength when moistened with seawater, which is formed to a thickness of 1 mm and a width of 10 mm, but has a tensile strength of about 3900 N (Newton)) and has a thickness of about 3900 N (Newton). It is formed by vinyl chloride laminated polyarate fiber of about 1 mm so as not to allow liquids such as seawater to pass through.

Further, instead of the sheet-shaped material, another sheet-shaped material (material composed of another material) having substantially the same strength as the sheet-shaped material may be adopted.

More specifically, a through hole having the same inner diameter as the suction hole 11 (to allow seawater to pass through) is provided on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 5B provided on the lower side of the main body 5 and forming the suction hole 11. A hollow disk-shaped flange portion 5C having a circular through hole) is formed.

On the lower side of the flange portion 5C, a first connecting member 31 provided with a flange portion 31A having the same shape as the flange portion 5C on the upper side is provided with a fastening member such as a bolt via the flange portion 31A. It is provided integrally.

A cylindrical portion 31B having a predetermined length and having substantially the same inner and outer diameters as the cylindrical portion 5B is formed in the lower portion of the flange portion 31A of the first connecting member 31. Therefore, it can be said that the suction hole 11 is extended downward by the first connecting member 31.

A hollow disk-shaped flange portion 31C having a through hole (a circular through hole for passing seawater) having the same inner diameter as the suction hole 11 is formed in the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 31B. The outer diameter of the flange portion 31C is larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion 31A.

Further, a short cylindrical portion 31D is formed on the outer periphery of the flange portion 31C. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 31D is the same as the outer diameter of the flange portion 31C, and the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 31D is located above the upper surface of the flange portion 31C by a predetermined distance. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 31D is located below the lower surface of the flange portion 31C by a predetermined distance.

Further, the length of the inner circumference of the tubular flexible member 29 is substantially the same as or slightly longer than the length of the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 31D, and the inner circumference of the upper end portion of the flexible member 29. The flexible member 29 is fixed to the first connecting member 31 in a state where the entire circumference of the cylinder portion 31D is in contact with the entire circumference of the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 31D. Therefore, it can be said that the upper end side of the flexible member 29 is fixed to the main body 5 so as to surround the suction hole 11 of the main body 5.

Here, the attachment of the upper end portion of the flexible member 29 to the cylindrical portion 31D of the first connecting member 31 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end portion of the flexible member 29 formed in a tubular shape has a predetermined length downward (slightly longer than the length of the cylindrical portion 31D of the first connecting member 31). Only the length) is formed by folding back the material of the flexible member 29. Further, a ring-shaped reinforcing member 33 is provided on the inside 30 of the upper end portion of the folded portion.

Then, the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 31D of the first connecting member 31 is covered by the folded portion of the flexible member 29, and the outer circumference of the folded portion of the flexible member 29 is covered with a cylindrical cover member. (A cover member having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer circumference of the folded portion of the flexible member 29 covering the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 31D) 34 is a connecting member such as a bolt, and the flexible member The 29 and the cover member 34 are integrally fixed to the cylindrical portion 31D. That is, the folded portion of the flexible member 29 is sandwiched and fixed between the cylindrical portion 31D and the cover member 34.

In order to prevent seawater from leaking between the cylindrical portion 31D of the first connecting member 31 and the folded portion of the flexible member 29, the cylindrical portion 31D and the flexible member 29 A sealing agent is provided between the folded portion and between the folded portion of the flexible member 29 and the cover member 34.

Further, on the lower side of the flexible member 29, a second connecting member 35 configured in the same manner as the first connecting member 31 is provided. The second connecting member 35 has a flange portion 35A (a portion corresponding to the flange portion 31A), a cylindrical portion 35B (a portion corresponding to the cylindrical portion 31B), and a flange portion, similarly to the first connecting member 31. It has a 35C (a part corresponding to the flange part 31C) and a cylindrical part 35D (a part corresponding to the cylindrical part 31D). It should be noted that the first connecting member 31 is installed so as to be upside down.

Then, the lower side of the flexible member 29 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 35D in the same manner as the upper side of the flexible member 29.

A flange portion 9A formed in the same shape as the flange portion 35A of the second connecting member 35 is formed at the upper end portion of the riser pipe 9.

Then, the second connecting member 35 and the riser pipe 9 are connected to each other by joining the flange portion 35A and the flange portion 9A to each other using a fastening member such as a bolt. With this configuration, the opening at the upper end of the riser tube 9 is extended upward, and the lower end side of the flexible member 29 surrounds the opening at the upper end of the riser tube 9. It can be said that it is fixed to.

When seawater is not flowing through the fluid path formed inside the flexible member 29 by supporting the riser tube 9 with the chains 17 and 23, the fluid path and the outside of the fluid path (fluid path formation). When the pressure of seawater with (outside the member) is approximately equal, the flexible member 29 is loose.

That is, it is more tubular than the distance between the cylindrical portion 31D of the first connecting member 31 and the cylindrical portion 35D of the second connecting member 35 when suspended by chains 17 and 23. The length of the member 29 is formed to be long, and the flexible member 29 is loosened.

On the other hand, when seawater is flowing through the fluid path formed inside the flexible member 29 by sucking seawater through the suction hole 11 of the main body 5, the pressure in the fluid path is the pressure in this fluid path. The flexible member 29, which is lower than the pressure on the outside of the body and is composed of a flexible member, receives an inward pressure over the entire inner surface. Then, it narrows inward and forms a drum-shaped tension surface shape.

More specifically, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4, the diameter of the circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flexible member 29 (the extending direction of the central axis CL3 of the riser tube 9) is the flexible member. It gradually decreases from the upper end of 29 toward the bottom, becomes almost the minimum at the central portion in the longitudinal direction, and gradually increases from the central portion toward the downward direction.

As described above, even in a state where seawater is flowing through the fluid path formed inside the flexible member 29, the riser pipe 9 is not suspended by the flexible member 29, so that the flexible member 29 is not suspended. Only the force due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the flexible member 29 is applied to 29.

Therefore, the flexible member 29 may have enough strength to withstand the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the flexible member 29. When the strength of the sheet-shaped material constituting the flexible member 29 is weak, the sheet-shaped member may be formed in a double tubular shape to form the flexible member 29.

As already understood, the distance between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9 (distance between the cylindrical portion 31D of the first connecting member 31 and the cylindrical portion 35D of the second connecting member 35). ) Does not change regardless of whether seawater is flowing or not in the fluid path formed inside the flexible member 29, and is substantially constant.

Further, the distance between the main body 5 and the riser pipe 9 (the distance between the cylindrical portion 31D of the first connecting member 31 and the cylindrical portion 35D of the second connecting member 35) is set to an appropriate distance. As a result, the maximum displacement amount (displacement amount) of the riser pipe 9 with respect to the main body portion 5 can be absorbed by using the flexible member 29, and the distance between the main body portion 5 and the riser pipe 9 can be reduced. It can be made shorter than when a conventional joint is used.

Next, a case where the seawater fertilizer 3 with the riser pipe 9 installed by using the joint 1 is transported at sea will be described.

First, the riser pipe 9 of the seawater fertilizer 3 (seawater fertilizer 3 in which the riser pipe 9 is installed using the joint 1) assembled on the ground is shown in the above joint 1 as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. Float in a shallow sea area (harbor, etc.) so that the riser pipe 9 extends almost horizontally.

It is assumed that floats (not shown) are provided at a plurality of positions in the middle of the horizontally extending riser tube 9 in the extending direction to support the riser tube 9.

Further, if the stretching direction of the riser tube 9 stretched in the horizontal direction is set to a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane in which the chains 17 and 13 exist, the chains 17 and 13 and the flexible member 29 can be formed. The riser tube 9 can be stretched in the horizontal direction without applying an excessive force.

With the riser pipe 9 extended in the horizontal direction, tow the seawater fertilizer 3 to a deep sea area (the sea area where the seawater fertilizer 3 is installed), and after arriving at the installation sea area, remove the above float and riser. The tube 9 is stretched downward.

Next, a state in which seawater (deep sea water) is sucked through the suction hole 11 of the main body 5 through the riser pipe 9 during the operation of the seawater fertilizing device 3 will be described.

When seawater is sucked from the suction hole 11 using the pump (not shown) provided in the main body 5, the seawater flows through the fluid path formed inside the flexible member 29, and the flexible member 29 is formed. The pressure of the seawater inside the member 29 becomes lower than the pressure of the seawater outside the flexible member 29, and the flexible member 29 is narrowed inward to form a drum-shaped inner surface as described above.

Then, the inner diameter D1 of the most narrowed portion in the state where the flexible member 29 is narrowed inward is substantially the same as the inner diameter D3 of the suction hole 11 and the inner diameter D5 of the riser tube 9. The dimensions of the flexible member 29 are determined.

Next, a case where the relative positional relationship between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9 changes due to waves on the ocean or tidal currents in the sea will be described.

Even if the main body 5 of the seawater fertilizer 3 swings due to ocean waves after the installation of the seawater fertilizer 3, that is, the flat plate shape of the first connecting member 31 provided below the main body 5. Even if the main body 5 swings so that the extension direction of the flange 31C intersects the horizontal direction, the riser tube 9 which is not easily affected by waves due to its large mass and presence in the sea does not swing. , Stretches almost vertically. Therefore, a relative intersection angle displacement that changes with the passage of time occurs between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9.

For example, the crossing angle of the flange portion 31C in the extending direction with respect to the horizontal direction is about 20 ° at maximum in stormy weather such as a typhoon.

On the other hand, since the riser tube 9 exists in the sea, it is hardly affected by waves. A relative displacement that changes rapidly with the passage of time occurs between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9.

Therefore, the relative displacement between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9 generated by the wave or the vortex excitation is absorbed by the respective chains 17 and 23 and the flexible member 29, and the main body 5 and the above are described. The relative positional relationship with the riser tube 9 changes with a large degree of freedom.

According to the joint 1, the flexible member 29 forming a fluid path for flowing seawater from the opening at the upper end of the riser pipe 9 to the suction hole 11 of the main body 5 is configured to be easily deformable. Therefore, even if the connection distance between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9 is short, it is possible to make a connection with a high degree of freedom. Further, even if the diameter of the riser tube 9 is large, it is possible to make a connection with a high degree of freedom.

For example, the main body 5 is tilted up to 20 ° with respect to the horizontal plane due to the wave, and the deviation in the shear direction (horizontal direction) between the main body 5 and the riser pipe 9 becomes, for some reason, several hundred millimeters. Even if a large displacement occurs between the main body 5 and the riser pipe 9 due to vortex excitation by the current in the sea, the flexible member 29 is not lengthened (the opening at the upper end of the riser pipe 9 and the main body 5). The opening at the upper end of the riser tube 9 and the suction hole 11 of the main body 5 can be easily connected without increasing the distance between the suction hole 11 and the fluid inside the flexible member 29. Can be shed.

Further, even if the relative displacement between the main body 5 and the riser pipe 9 becomes large, the large displacement can be absorbed by the joint 1 to prevent the joint 1 itself from being damaged. be able to.

Further, by installing the main body 5 at sea and installing the riser tube 9 in the sea, the relative positional relationship between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9 constantly changes with the passage of time. However, since the flexible member 29 is easily deformed, there is less possibility that the flexible member 29 will be destroyed by the repeated changes.

Further, since the length of the flexible member 29 is shorter than that of the conventional pipe joint, the flexible member 29 is not significantly deformed by an external force, and the inside of the flexible member 29 can be used without using a reinforcing member. It is possible to prevent the flow path formed in the water from becoming narrow. Therefore, the pressure loss in the flexible member 29 can be reduced by a simple configuration in which the reinforcing member is not provided.

Further, according to the joint 1, since the suspension support member 13 that suspends and supports the riser pipe 9 from the main body 5 is provided, it is necessary to support the weight of the riser pipe 9 by the flexible member 29. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the flexible member 29 firmly so as to withstand the weight of the riser pipe 9, and therefore, the flexible member 29 and thus the joint 1 can be reduced in weight, and the joint 1 can be made the above joint 1. The flexible member 29 can be easily deformed while being easily handled when installed on the main body 5 and the riser tube 9.

Further, since the flexible member 29 is easily deformable, the flexible member 29 can be easily deformed when the main body 5 and the riser pipe 9 are attached, and seawater fertilization can be achieved. When manufacturing the device 3 or maintaining and inspecting the seawater fertilizer device 3, the work such as handling, maintenance, and replacement of the flexible member 29 and the joint 1 becomes easy.

Further, since the flexible member 29 is easily deformed and therefore the outer shape of the flexible member 29 is not formed in the shape of a cylindrical side surface, the Karman vortex is generated by the tidal current flowing around the flexible member 29. Therefore, it can be expected that the occurrence of vortex excitation in the flexible member 29 is suppressed.

Further, since the riser tube 9 is supported by the suspension support member 13, the diameter of the riser tube 9 becomes large, and the length of the riser tube 9 becomes long, so that the weight of the riser tube 9 becomes large. However, it is easy to support this riser tube 9.

Further, according to the joint 1, the suspension support member 13 has a chain, a wire, and a middle chain, a wire, and a chain, a wire, and an upper end portion connected to the main body portion 5 and a lower end portion side connected to the upper end portion of the riser pipe 9 or the vicinity of the upper end portion thereof. Since it is composed of a bent rod or the like, the weight of the riser tube 9 can be supported by a member having a simple structure.

As described above, since the upper end of the riser pipe 9 is suspended by the two chains 17 and 23 arranged on substantially the same plane, the riser pipe 9 is installed in the main body 5 via the joint 1. When the seawater fertilizer 3 is transported at sea in this state, the riser pipe 9 is bent so as to extend in the horizontal direction (the direction substantially orthogonal to the plane where the above two chains 17 and 23 exist). It becomes easy.

Further, since the flexible member 29 is formed by forming a sheet-like material into a tubular shape, the flexible member 29 can be configured with an inexpensive material that is easily available, and the configuration of the joint 1 is simple. At the same time, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, since the flexible member 29 is formed by forming a sheet-like material into a tubular shape, even a large-diameter one can be easily manufactured.

Further, according to the joint 1, the fluid flows through the fluid path formed inside the tubular flexible member 29 by sucking seawater through the suction hole 11 of the main body 5, and the flexible member 29 is inside. Since the inner diameter D1 of the most constricted portion in the constricted state is configured to be substantially the same as the inner diameter D3 of the suction hole 11 and the inner diameter D5 of the riser tube 9, the flexible member 29 The seawater flow path is not narrower than the inner diameter D5 of the riser pipe 9, and the pressure loss of the fluid in the flexible member 29 can be suppressed as much as possible.

[Second Embodiment]

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a joint 1a according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The joint 1a according to the second embodiment is different from the joint 1 according to the first embodiment in that the suspension support member 13 and the fluid path forming member 15 are different from the joint 1 according to the first embodiment. It is configured in much the same way as joint 1 and has almost the same effect.

In the joint 1a, a plurality of wires 37 extending in the vertical direction are adopted as the suspension support member 13.

The flange portion 5C provided at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 5B provided at the lower part of the main body 5 and the flange portion provided at the upper end of the riser pipe 9 (separated downward from the flange portion 5C). A plurality of wires 37 are provided between the flange portion 9A and the riser pipe 9 is suspended and supported by the main body portion 5 using each of the wires 37.

Each of the wires 37 extends in the vertical direction. Further, each upper end portion of each of the wires 37 is fixed to the flange portion 5C at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the disk-shaped flange portion 5C. Further, each lower end portion of each of the wires 37 is also fixed to the flange portion 9A of the riser tube 9 in the same manner as each upper end portion.

The envelope surface formed by each of the wires 37 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical side surface.

Further, the tubular flexible member 29a configured in the same manner as the flexible member 29 according to the first embodiment includes the flange portion 5C of the main body portion 5, the flange portion 9A of the riser tube 9, and the wires 37. It is provided so as to surround the space surrounded by.

That is, the upper end portion of the flexible member 29a is integrally installed in the flange portion 5C so as to surround the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the flange portion 5C of the main body portion 5, and the lower end portion of the flexible member 29a. Is integrally installed on the flange portion 9A of the riser tube 9 as well as the upper end portion.

The length of the flexible member 29a is set to the flange portion 5C of the main body portion 5 and the riser so that the displacement can be absorbed even if the main body portion 5 and the riser tube 9 are relatively displaced. The flexible member 29a is loosened when it is formed longer than the distance between the pipe 9 and the flange portion 9A and is installed on the flange portions 5C and 9A.

With the above-described configuration, it is possible to absorb a relatively large displacement between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9, and to suck seawater through the suction hole 11 so as not to leak to the outside.

[Third Embodiment]

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a joint 1b according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The joint 1b according to the third embodiment is different from the joint 1a according to the second embodiment in the form of the suspension support member 13, and is substantially the same as the joint 1a according to the second embodiment in other points. It is composed and has almost the same effect.

That is, in the joint 1b according to the third embodiment, the number of wires 37 is reduced, and for example, the wires 37 are provided at places where the circumferences of the flange portion 5C and the flange portion 9A are multiplied by, for example, 4 times, and the diameter is the flange portion. A plurality of ring-shaped members 39 substantially equal to 5C and 9A are provided at intervals in the vertical direction, and these ring-shaped members 39 and the wires 37 are joined to each other, according to the second embodiment. Different from fitting 1a.

A flexible member 29a similar to the flexible member according to the second embodiment is provided so as to surround the envelope surface formed by the wire 37 and the ring-shaped member 39.

Further, when it is difficult to suspend the riser tube 9 due to the reduction in the number of wires 37, a chain or the like for suspending the riser tube 9 is separately provided as in the case of the first embodiment. You may. Further, the ring-shaped member 39 may be provided without reducing the number of wires 37.

[Fourth Embodiment]

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a joint 1c according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The joint 1c according to the fourth embodiment is different from the joint 1a according to the first embodiment in the form of the suspension support member 13, and is substantially the same as the joint 1a according to the second embodiment in other points. It is composed and has almost the same effect.

That is, in the joint 1b according to the fourth embodiment, the riser pipe 9 is suspended by using a support member 41 formed in a spiral shape (coil spring shape) instead of the wire 37. The outer diameter of the support member is almost the same as that of the flange portions 5C and 9A.

Further, a flexible member 29a similar to the flexible member according to the second embodiment is provided so as to surround the envelope surface of the support member 41.

When it is difficult to suspend the riser tube 9 by the support member 41, a chain or the like for suspending the riser tube 9 may be separately provided as in the case of the first embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment]

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the joint 1d according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The joint 1d according to the fifth embodiment is different from the joint 1 according to the first embodiment in the form of the fluid path forming member 15 and the like, and is substantially the same as the joint 1 according to the first embodiment in other points. It is composed of and has almost the same effect.

That is, on the lower side of the tubular portion 5B and the flange portion 5C of the main body portion 5 which are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the connecting member which is configured in substantially the same manner as the connecting member 31 in the first embodiment. A 42 (however, the cylindrical portion 31D is not provided) is integrally provided, and a riser tube 9 is installed on the lower side of the connecting member 42 away from the connecting member 42. On the upper end side of the pipe 9, a portion 9B that is gradually narrowed from the vicinity of the upper end toward the upper end is formed, and the inner wall of the portion 9B is formed in the shape of a truncated cone side surface. The upper end of the riser tube 9 is located at substantially the same height as the lower end of the connecting member 42 in the vertical direction.

Further, the upper end portion of the flexible member 29b, which is configured in the same manner as the flexible member 29 of the first embodiment, surrounds the entire circumference of the connecting member 42 at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction and is integrated with the connecting member 42. The lower end of the flexible member 29b is slightly below the portion where the riser tube 9 starts to constrict, and surrounds the entire circumference of the riser tube 9 and surrounds the riser tube 9. It is provided integrally with.

The flexible member 29b has a flange portion 42C (connecting) of the connecting member 42 formed with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portion 5B and the riser pipe 9 in the intermediate portion in the vertical direction (length direction). A flange portion formed at the lower end portion of the member 42) is wrapped inside. Therefore, the intermediate portion of the flexible member 29b in the vertical direction (length direction) has a larger diameter than the upper end and the lower end of the flexible member 29b.

Further, although FIG. 9 shows a state in which the flexible member 29b is slightly loosened, the length of the flexible member 29b is made longer than the state shown in FIG. 9, and the flexible member 29b is made longer than the state shown in FIG. The diameter of the intermediate portion of the 29b in the vertical direction may be made larger than that shown in FIG. 9, and the flexible member 29b may be attached to the main body portion 5 or the riser tube 9 in a further loosened state.

With the configuration as described above, it is possible to absorb a relatively large displacement between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9, and to suck seawater through the suction hole 11 so as not to leak to the outside.

[Sixth Embodiment]

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the joint 1e according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The joint 1e according to the sixth embodiment is different from the joint 1 according to the first embodiment in the form of the fluid path forming member 15 and the like, and is substantially the same as the joint 1 according to the first embodiment in other points. It is composed of and has almost the same effect.

That is, the connecting member 43 is provided on the lower side of the flange portion 5C provided on the lower side of the tubular portion 5B of the main body portion 5, which is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The upper side of the connecting member 43 is configured in substantially the same manner as the connecting member 31 of the first embodiment, and the lower side of the connecting member 43 is downward from the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the connecting member 43. Site 43A is formed, which gradually spreads as it grows. The inner wall of the portion 43A is formed in the shape of a truncated cone side surface.

Further, a portion 9C is formed at the upper end portion of the riser tube 9 so as to gradually expand from the vicinity of the upper end portion toward the upper end portion. However, the length of the above-mentioned part 9C in the vertical direction is small. Further, the upper end surface of the riser tube 9 is located above the lower surface of the portion 43A whose inner wall is formed in the shape of a truncated cone side surface by a predetermined distance.

Therefore, in the vertical direction, the upper end of the riser tube 9 and the upper end of the riser tube 9 and the upper end of the riser tube 9 on the main body 5 side overlap each other, and the inner wall of the truncated cone side surface of the portion 43A and the upper end of the riser tube 9 are overlapped with each other. A ring-shaped space SP1 is formed between the outer wall and the outer wall having a cylindrical side surface shape near the portion.

A member that is formed in an O-ring shape and can be easily deformed by an external force is provided in the ring-shaped space to prevent seawater from leaking to the outside from between the portion 5D of the main body 5 and the riser pipe 9. , It is designed to absorb a large relative displacement between the main body 5 and the riser tube 9.

[7th Embodiment]

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the joint 1f according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The joint 1f according to the seventh embodiment is provided with a ring-shaped member 45 in the vertical intermediate portion of the flexible member 29 according to the first embodiment. Unlike the joint 1, the other points are substantially the same as those of the joint 1 according to the first embodiment, and have almost the same effect.

That is, in the joint 1f, a plurality of ring-shaped members 45 are provided on the flexible member 29 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction.

The outer wall of the ring-shaped member 45 and the inner wall of the tubular flexible member 29 are in contact with each other, and the ring-shaped member 45 is integrally provided with the flexible member 29. Further, the ring-shaped member 45 and the flexible member 29 are fixed in the same manner as in the case where the upper end portion of the flexible member 29 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 35D of the second connecting member 35 in the first embodiment. It is done in.

With the above configuration, the flexible member 29 is supported by the ring-shaped member 45, so that even if the flexible member 29 is narrowed inward due to the flow of seawater inside the flexible member 29. , The narrowed inner diameter of the flexible member 29 is not smaller than that in the first embodiment. Therefore, even if the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 5D on the main body 5 side and the cylindrical portion 35D of the riser pipe 9 and the inner diameter of the flexible member 29 are smaller than those according to the first embodiment, they are sufficiently large. A flow path can be secured.

By the way, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case of connecting the riser tube 9 and the main body portion 5 has been described, but each of the above-described embodiments can also be applied to the case of connecting members such as the riser tube to each other.

That is, the joint according to each of the above embodiments is separated from the first member having the first opening for sucking or discharging the fluid and the lower part of the first member and near the lower part of the first member. It is a joint for connecting to a second member having a second opening for sucking or discharging a fluid, and the second member is suspended from the first member. A fluid path for flowing a fluid is formed between the hanging support member to be supported and the first opening and the second opening, and a fluid path is formed so as to be easily deformed. It can be a joint having a member.

<figref num="1">It is a front view which shows the schematic structure of the seawater fertilizer which uses the joint which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a plan view of the seawater fertilizer, and is the figure which shows the II arrow view in FIG.</figref><figref num="3">It is a side view of the seawater fertilizer, and is the figure which shows the arrow III view in FIG.</figref><figref num="4">It is sectional drawing which shows the schematic structure of the joint, and is the enlarged figure of the IV part in FIG.</figref><figref num="5">It is an enlarged view of the V part in FIG.</figref><figref num="6">It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the joint which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="7">It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the joint which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="8">It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the joint which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="9">It is sectional drawing which shows the schematic structure of the joint which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="10">It is sectional drawing which shows the schematic structure of the joint which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="11">It is sectional drawing which shows the schematic structure of the joint which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention.</figref>

Code description

1 Joint 3 Seawater fertilizer 5 Main body 9 Riser pipe 11 Suction hole 13 Support member 15 Fluid path forming member 17, 23 Chain 29 Flexible member D1 Inner diameter of the most constricted part of the flexible member D3 Inner diameter of the suction hole Inner diameter of D5 riser tube