Adjustable flow limiter and underwater chemical agent metering device

Abstract

The invention discloses an adjustable flow limiter and an underwater chemical agent metering device.The flow limiter comprises a flow limiting base with a center through hole, a cylindrical component and an adjusting column capable of moving axially are fixedly installed in the center through hole, a spiral groove is formed in the outer wall of the adjusting column, one end of the spiral groove extends to form a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet is formed in the side portion of the cylindrical component, and the liquid outlet is communicated with the cylindrical component. The communication volume between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet can be changed through axial movement of the adjusting column, accurate flow adjustment is achieved, the underwater chemical agent metering device comprises the flow limiter, a chemical agent inlet channel and a chemical agent outlet channel which are isolated from each other are arranged in the device shell, the chemical agent inlet channel is communicated with the liquid inlet of the flow limiter, and the chemical agent outlet channel is communicated with the liquid outlet. A first pressure transmitter and a second pressure transmitter are arranged in the device and used for monitoring the pressure of the medicine inlet channel and the pressure of the medicine outlet channel respectively, and the medicine flow is indirectly measured through pressure difference detection. The method has the beneficial effects that high-flow and high-precision adjustment is considered, the dynamic response is fast, and the reliability is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of underwater chemical agent injection equipment, and in particular to an adjustable flow restrictor and an underwater chemical agent metering device. Background Art

[0002] Subsea production systems are critical facilities for the development of deepwater oil and gas fields and marginal oilfields. Precise chemical injection plays a vital role in ensuring efficient operation of production equipment, preventing corrosion and scaling of wellhead pipelines, and extending equipment life. Currently, subsea chemical injection metering valves primarily rely on flow control and regulation, requiring precise chemical metering capabilities.

[0003] Traditional solutions often rely on centralized metering on surface platforms. While this allows for chemical metering, it cannot directly adjust the underwater injection volume, requiring the addition of a regulating valve, resulting in low platform space utilization and complex systems. Existing chemical injection metering equipment integrates metering and flow control, with the flow restrictor integrated within the metering device. However, most systems are complex, with the flow restrictor occupying a large space. For high-flow chemical injection, low regulation accuracy and slow dynamic response are common problems. This makes the equipment unable to simultaneously meet high flow rates and precise regulation, and therefore cannot satisfy the precise control requirements for chemical injection in deepwater environments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an adjustable current limiter with simple structure, high adjustment accuracy and fast dynamic response.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] An adjustable flow limiter comprises a flow limiter seat with a central through hole, a cylindrical component fixedly installed in the central through hole, and an adjusting column capable of axially moving along the central through hole, the cylindrical component having a mounting through hole, the adjusting column capable of moving in the mounting through hole, the side wall of the mounting through hole being provided with an annular groove, an annular chamber being formed between the adjusting column and the annular groove, a spiral groove being circumferentially provided on the outer wall of the adjusting column, one end of the spiral groove extending from the inner end face of the adjusting column to form a liquid inlet, and a liquid outlet being provided on the side of the cylindrical component; the flow cross-section of the spiral groove gradually increases or decreases along its spiral direction, and the adjusting column moves axially along the flow limiter seat, thereby being able to change the communicating volume between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet to achieve flow regulation.

[0007] With this structure, the agent enters the spiral groove from the liquid inlet on the end face of the regulating column, flows along the spiral groove with a gradually changing cross-section to the annular chamber, and is ultimately discharged through the liquid outlet of the cylindrical component. Axial movement of the regulating column changes the volumetric connection between the spiral groove and the liquid outlet. When the regulating column is advanced, the effective flow path length increases while the flow cross-section decreases, increasing flow resistance and reducing flow rate. Conversely, retracting the regulating column shortens the flow path, expanding the flow cross-section, reducing flow resistance and increasing flow rate. This enables high-precision, wide-range linear flow regulation with fast dynamic response.

[0008] Preferably, the adjusting column is connected to a driving assembly for driving it to move within the flow limiting seat, and when the adjusting column moves axially, the volume of the annular chamber changes. With the above structure, the adjusting column is driven to achieve precise control of the annular chamber volume.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the central through hole is a stepped hole, and the cylindrical component is fixedly supported on the step. The above structure is convenient for installation.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the depth and width of the spiral grooves vary linearly. The above structure is convenient for adjustment.

[0011] Preferably, the drive assembly includes a motor, a reducer fixed to the motor output shaft, and a threaded rod connected to the reducer. The adjustment column has a threaded hole axially centered thereon that matches the threaded rod, and the adjustment column is sleeved onto the threaded rod through the threaded hole. This structure provides high adjustment accuracy.

[0012] Preferably, the adjustment column has an anti-rotation hole eccentrically defined in the axis, within which an anti-rotation rod slides. Seal seats are provided at both ends of the central through hole, each of which has a guide groove defined therein. The anti-rotation rod is secured at both ends within the guide grooves of the seal seat. This structure ensures the precise and reliable movement of the adjustment column, while the anti-rotation design prevents the adjustment column from rotating, enhancing stability.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, both ends of the threaded rod are rotatably connected to the sealing seat via bearings. The above structure is convenient for installation.

[0014] In view of this, the present invention also provides an underwater chemical metering device that takes into account both the metering and precise regulation of high-flow chemical agents.

[0015] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0016] An underwater chemical metering device comprises a housing, wherein a drug inlet channel and a drug outlet channel, which are isolated from each other, are provided inside the housing, and the above-mentioned adjustable flow restrictor is also provided inside the housing, wherein the drug inlet channel is connected to the liquid inlet, and the drug outlet channel is connected to the liquid outlet;

[0017] A first pressure transmitter for monitoring the inlet pressure is provided in the drug inlet channel, and a second pressure transmitter for monitoring the outlet pressure is provided in the drug outlet channel. The drug flow rate is indirectly measured by detecting the pressure difference between the first pressure transmitter and the second pressure transmitter.

[0018] With the above structure, the chemical agent enters the liquid inlet of the adjustable flow restrictor from the drug inlet channel, flows through the spiral groove and the annular chamber, and then enters the drug outlet channel from the liquid outlet; the first pressure transmitter detects the inlet pressure of the drug inlet channel in real time, and the second pressure transmitter synchronously detects the outlet pressure of the drug outlet channel. At the same time, the adjustable characteristics of the flow restrictor realize high-precision integrated control of high flow measurement and regulation.

[0019] Preferably, the bottom of the housing is integrated with an inlet hydraulic coupler, an outlet hydraulic coupler, and a wet electrical connector, wherein the inlet hydraulic coupler is connected to the medicine inlet channel, and the outlet hydraulic coupler is connected to the medicine outlet channel. The above structure facilitates underwater installation.

[0020] Preferably, a third pressure transmitter is further provided in the drug inlet channel, and is arranged in parallel with the first pressure transmitter. The drug inlet channel branches to form a first detection channel and a third detection channel, with the first pressure transmitter being provided at the end of the first detection channel and the third pressure transmitter being provided at the end of the third detection channel. The drug outlet channel branches to form a second detection channel, with the second pressure transmitter being provided at the end of the second detection channel. With this structure, multi-channel pressure detection improves measurement accuracy.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] 1. By combining the gradual spiral groove design with axial displacement adjustment, the unification of large flow and precise adjustment is achieved. The regulating column can change the flow area when moving axially, with fast dynamic response, large area variable range and high variable accuracy, which can meet the precise control requirements of drug injection in deep water environment.

[0023] 2. A redundant detection system consisting of the first pressure transmitter, the second pressure transmitter and the third pressure transmitter is adopted. The first pressure transmitter and the third pressure transmitter can verify each other, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of the detection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the external structure of the metering device;

[0025] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing the drug delivery channel 2;

[0026] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing the drug inlet channel 1;

[0027] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the flow restrictor;

[0028] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view showing the layout of the flow restrictor;

[0029] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the metering device;

[0030] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of the regulating column 4;

[0031] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of the cylindrical component 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0033] like Figure 4 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, an adjustable flow limiter includes a flow limiter seat 3 with a central through hole 3a, the central through hole 3a is a stepped hole, a cylindrical component 15 is fixedly installed at the lower end of the central through hole 3a, and an adjusting column 4 that can move axially along the central through hole 3a is installed at the upper end, the cylindrical component 15 is supported on the step, and a mounting through hole 15b is provided at the center thereof, the adjusting column 4 can move in the mounting through hole 15b, and an annular groove 15c is provided on the side wall of the mounting through hole 15b, an annular chamber 7 is formed between the adjusting column 4 and the annular groove 15c, and a spiral groove 4a is opened circumferentially on the outer wall of the adjusting column 4, and the groove depth and groove width of the spiral groove 4a both change linearly. The lower end of the spiral groove 4a extends from the inner end surface of the regulating column 4 to form a liquid inlet 4d. A liquid outlet 15a is opened on the side of the cylindrical component 15. The chemical agent enters the spiral groove 4a from the liquid inlet 4d on the end surface of the regulating column 4, flows along the spiral groove 4a with a gradually changing cross-section to the annular chamber 7, and is finally discharged through the liquid outlet 15a of the cylindrical component 15.

[0034] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the adjusting column 4 is connected to a drive assembly 5 for driving it to move within the current limiting seat 3. The drive assembly 5 includes a motor 51, a reducer 52 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 51, and a threaded rod 53 in transmission connection with the reducer 52. A threaded hole 4b is provided in the axial center of the adjusting column 4 to match the threaded rod 53. The adjusting column 4 is sleeved on the threaded rod 53 through the threaded hole 4b. The adjusting column 4 also has an anti-rotation hole 4c axially eccentrically provided, and an anti-rotation rod 54 is slidably mounted in the anti-rotation hole 4c. Both ends of the central through hole 3a are sealed with a sealing seat 16, which has a guide groove 16a. The ends of the anti-rotation rod 54 are respectively fixed in the guide groove 16a of the sealing seat 16. The ends of the threaded rod 53 are rotatably connected to the sealing seat 16 via bearings 55.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the regulating column 4 moves axially along the flow limiting seat 3 under the driving action of the driving assembly 5 and the limiting action of the anti-rotation rod 54. When the regulating column 4 moves axially, the volume of the annular chamber 7 changes, and the communicating volume between the liquid inlet 4d and the liquid outlet 15a also changes. When the regulating column 4 is advanced, the effective flow channel length increases and the flow cross-section decreases, and the flow resistance increases, thereby reducing the flow rate. Conversely, retracting the regulating column 4 shortens the flow channel, expands the flow cross-section, reduces the flow resistance, and increases the flow rate, thereby achieving high-precision, wide-range linear flow regulation and fast dynamic response.

[0036] like Figure 1-4 As shown, an underwater chemical metering device includes a housing 6, which is provided with a mutually isolated drug inlet channel 1 and a drug outlet channel 2, as well as the above-mentioned adjustable flow restrictor. The drug inlet channel 1 is connected to the liquid inlet 4d, and the drug outlet channel 2 is connected to the liquid outlet 15a. The inlet hydraulic coupler 10 is installed in the drug inlet channel 1, and the outlet hydraulic coupler 11 is installed in the drug outlet channel 2. Figure 6 As shown, the inlet hydraulic coupler 10 and the outlet hydraulic coupler 11 are both integrated at the bottom of the shell 6. The inlet hydraulic coupler 10 is connected to the external drug supply pipeline, and the outlet hydraulic coupler 11 is connected to the target injection interface. A wet electrical connector 19 is also installed at the bottom of the shell 8 to provide stable power and signal transmission for the system.

[0037] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the drug inlet channel 1 branches into a first detection channel 1a and a third detection channel 1b, a first pressure transmitter 8 is provided at the end of the first detection channel 1a, and a third pressure transmitter 14 is provided at the end of the third detection channel 1b, the drug outlet channel 2 branches into a second detection channel 2a, a second pressure transmitter 9 is provided at the end of the second detection channel 2a, the second pressure transmitter 9 is used to detect the outlet pressure, and the third pressure transmitter 14 is provided in parallel with the first pressure transmitter 8, both of which are used to detect the inlet pressure. The pressure difference detection between the first pressure transmitter 8 or the third pressure transmitter 14 and the second pressure transmitter 9 can indirectly measure the drug flow rate, and the first pressure transmitter 8 and the third pressure transmitter 14 can verify each other to improve the accuracy and safety of the detection.

[0038] like Figure 2-4As shown, the process of high-precision flow limiting and metering of the metering device is as follows: the chemical agent enters the system from the drug inlet channel 1 through the inlet hydraulic coupler 10, first enters the spiral groove 4a through the liquid inlet 4d on the end face of the regulating column 4, flows along the spiral flow channel with a gradually changing cross-section to the annular chamber 7, and is then discharged from the liquid outlet 15a to the drug outlet channel 2; during this process, the first pressure transmitter 8 and the third pressure transmitter 14 detect the inlet pressure, and the second pressure transmitter 9 detects the outlet pressure; when the flow rate needs to be adjusted, the motor 51 of the drive assembly 5 drives the regulating column 4 to move axially through the reducer 52 and the threaded rod 53, and the anti-rotation rod 54 ensures that the regulating column 4 only moves in a straight line, and the flow resistance is adjusted by changing the effective flow length of the spiral groove 4a and the volume of the annular chamber 7.

[0039] like Figure 2-4 As shown, in this embodiment, the coordinated design of the gradually changing spiral groove 4a and axial displacement adjustment achieves the unification of high flow rate and precise regulation. The spiral groove 4a of the regulating column 4 adopts a dual gradual structure of groove depth and groove width, which can change the flow area during axial movement. This area can be varied over a wide range and with high precision. At the same time, combined with the redundant detection and closed-loop control of three pressure transmitters, it can simultaneously meet the requirements of high flow rate and precise regulation, with fast dynamic response and achieving linear and precise flow control. The entire system forms an intelligent injection device that integrates metering and regulation.

[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Under the guidance of the present invention, ordinary technicians in this field can make various similar expressions without violating the purpose and claims of the present invention. Such changes fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable current limiter, characterized in that: The invention comprises a flow limiting seat (3) having a central through hole (3a), a cylindrical component (15) fixedly mounted in the central through hole (3a), and an adjusting column (4) capable of axially moving along the central through hole (3a), the cylindrical component (15) having a mounting through hole (15b), the adjusting column (4) being capable of moving in the mounting through hole (15b), a side wall of the mounting through hole (15b) being provided with an annular groove (15c), an annular chamber (7) being formed between the adjusting column (4) and the annular groove (15c), a spiral groove (4a) being circumferentially formed on the outer wall of the adjusting column (4), one end of the spiral groove (4a) extending from the inner end surface of the adjusting column (4) to form a liquid inlet (4d), and a liquid outlet (15a) being provided on the side of the cylindrical component (15); The flow cross section of the spiral groove (4a) gradually increases or decreases along its spiral direction, and the regulating column (4) moves axially along the flow limiting seat (3), thereby changing the communication volume between the liquid inlet (4d) and the liquid outlet (15a) to achieve flow regulation.

2. The adjustable current limiter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The regulating column (4) is connected to a driving assembly (5) for driving it to move in the flow limiting seat (3); when the regulating column (4) moves axially, the volume of the annular chamber (7) changes.

3. The adjustable current limiter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central through hole (3a) is a stepped hole, and the cylindrical component (15) is fixedly supported on the step.

4. The adjustable current limiter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove depth and groove width of the spiral groove (4a) both change linearly.

5. The adjustable current limiter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving assembly (5) comprises a motor (51), a reducer (52) fixed on the output shaft of the motor (51), and a threaded rod (53) in transmission connection with the reducer (52); a threaded hole (4b) matching the threaded rod (53) is provided at the axial center of the adjusting column (4); and the adjusting column (4) is sleeved on the threaded rod (53) through the threaded hole (4b).

6. The adjustable current limiter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adjusting column (4) is provided with an anti-rotation hole (4c) eccentrically in the axial direction, an anti-rotation rod (54) is slidably mounted in the anti-rotation hole (4c), both ends of the central through hole (3a) are sealed with sealing seats (16), a guide groove (16a) is provided on the sealing seat (16), and both ends of the anti-rotation rod (54) are respectively fixed in the guide groove (16a) of the sealing seat (16).

7. The adjustable current limiter according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both ends of the threaded rod (53) are rotatably connected to the sealing seat (16) through bearings (55).

8. An underwater chemical metering device, characterized by: The invention comprises a housing (6), wherein a drug inlet channel (1) and a drug outlet channel (2) isolated from each other are provided inside the housing (6), and an adjustable flow restrictor according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is further provided inside the housing (6), wherein the drug inlet channel (1) is connected to the liquid inlet (4d), and the drug outlet channel (2) is connected to the liquid outlet (15a); The medicine inlet channel (1) is provided with a first pressure transmitter (8) for monitoring the inlet pressure, and the medicine outlet channel (2) is provided with a second pressure transmitter (9) for monitoring the outlet pressure. The medicine flow rate is indirectly measured by detecting the pressure difference between the first pressure transmitter (8) and the second pressure transmitter (9).

9. The underwater chemical metering device according to claim 8, characterized in that: An inlet hydraulic coupler (10), an outlet hydraulic coupler (11) and a wet electrical connector (12) are integrated at the bottom of the shell (6); the inlet hydraulic coupler (10) is connected to the medicine inlet channel (1), and the outlet hydraulic coupler (11) is connected to the medicine outlet channel (2).

10. The underwater chemical metering device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A third pressure transmitter (14) is further provided in the drug inlet channel (1), and the third pressure transmitter (14) is arranged in parallel with the first pressure transmitter (8). The drug inlet channel (1) branches to form a first detection channel (1a) and a third detection channel (1b). The first pressure transmitter (8) is arranged at the end of the first detection channel (1a), and the third pressure transmitter (14) is arranged at the end of the third detection channel (1b). The drug outlet channel (2) branches to form a second detection channel (2a), and the second pressure transmitter (9) is arranged at the end of the second detection channel (2a).

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