Development of seawater hydraulic pump tester in deep-sea simulated environment

Abstract

Reliability test of seawater hydraulic pumps in deep-sea environment is a prerequisite for its application in deep-sea equipment such as underwater robot and hydraulic buoyancy adjusting system. It is essential to explore the deep-sea test method and device for seawater hydraulic pumps. Based on the previous studies, a deep-sea simulated experiment devices is developed to test seawater hydraulic pumps, which is composed of high pressure cabin, pressure loading system, water circulating and cooling system and etc. Especially, the cabin uses a quick-opening & clamping structure, which is easy to putting in and out the test equipment. Water pressure inside the cabin can be automatically loaded and replenished, and its maximum value can reach to 45 MPa. Working condition of the tested pump is simulated through throttle damping, which is located in water circulating and cooling pipes outside the cabin. The parameters such as water temperature and pressure, loading, and flow rate can be synchronously transmitted to the data acquisition system during the test process. The tester can successfully complete seawater hydraulic pump testing work in seawater environmental depth of 4500 m. The research above can provide guidance for testing and application of seawater hydraulic pump in deep-sea environment.