Subsea unit
By incorporating aluminum components and threaded connections into the subsea unit design, along with sealing elements and lubricant, the sealing and durability issues of subsea units in corrosive marine environments have been resolved, resulting in lightweight, durable, and easy-to-maintain subsea units.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FMC KONGSBERG SUBSEA AS
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Submarine units are susceptible to damage in corrosive and high-pressure marine environments, leading to component deterioration. Furthermore, existing technologies are insufficient to effectively prevent water from entering the interior, resulting in system failures and high-cost maintenance.
The subsea unit design employs aluminum components and threaded connections, utilizing sealing elements and multiple sealing components to form a double barrier. The fasteners engage with the second component via the threaded portion, and grease is used to protect the fasteners from corrosion, thus achieving a seal on the internal chamber.
It provides a lightweight and durable package that protects against seawater corrosion, reduces the risk of system failure, simplifies the maintenance process, and lowers production and maintenance costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN122139082A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to subsea units. More specifically, this disclosure relates to subsea units used, for example, in subsea control modules, particularly in the oil and gas industry. Background Technology
[0002] Subsea units can include chambers with an atmosphere different from the surrounding environment. Such chambers are used in subsea electronic solutions, such as control modules used in the oil and gas industry. Another alternative could be electronic chambers within electro-actuators or similar devices. Subsea control modules include control systems with electronics that can operate at one atmosphere and / or need to be protected from the surrounding seawater. Different types of subsea control systems and their associated auxiliary equipment reside on the seabed under challenging marine conditions and provide hydraulic, chemical, fiber optic, and / or electrical operation and control for subsea systems, such as X-mast trees for wellheads. Over time, the corrosive and deep-pressure conditions of the subsea environment can cause component degradation. Any degree of degradation over time can lead to costly system failures and production downtime.
[0003] Preventing degradation (such as seawater corrosion) is the overall problem. Another technical issue is preventing water from entering the interior of the subsea unit. Any solution must also meet technical and legal requirements and be easy to use in practice.
[0004] Another technical challenge is that any part of the sealing components must operate with minimal probability of failure over extended periods and be easy to use. Considering the subsea environment, manufacturing the subsea unit from different materials presents another challenge. Any solution should be simple, inexpensive to produce, and reliable. Avoiding bulky, expensive-to-manufacture or assemble structures is also a technical issue. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a subsea unit capable of being sealed relative to an environment such as seawater. This object can be achieved by the features defined in the independent claims. Further improvements are characterized by the dependent claims. This invention is defined by the claims.
[0006] According to one embodiment, a subsea unit is disclosed, comprising a first component 110 and a second component 120. The first component 110 and the second component 120 are two separate components that, when joined, form an internal cavity 300 between them. The subsea unit also includes a fastener 200 for holding and joining the first component 110 and the second component 120 together. The fastener 200 includes a head 210 and a cylindrical body 230, wherein the cylindrical body 230 is connected to the head 210 at an axial end of the body 230. The body 230 includes a threaded portion. This threaded portion can be configured to engage with the second component 120, while the body 230 can extend through an opening in a portion of the first component 110. A sealing element 220 engages directly with the first component 110 and the head 210, and the sealing element 220 surrounds the body 230. In one embodiment, the sealing element 220 may be positioned between the head 210 and the first member 110 such that the head 210 and the first member 110 do not directly contact each other, but only through the sealing element 220. The subsea unit also includes a sealing member 130 disposed between the first member 110 and the second member 120 to seal the body 230 relative to the surrounding environment together with the sealing element 220. The head 210 of the fastener may abut against the first member 110 through the sealing element 220 disposed between the head and the first member. The body 230 of the fastener 200 may extend through a through-hole in the first member 110, and the threaded portion of the fastener 200 may interact with the second member 120. Therefore, when the fastener is rotated, the first member 110 and the second member 120 will be forced together and held against each other.
[0007] According to one embodiment, the first component 110 and the second component 120 of the subsea unit can be made of aluminum, thereby providing a lightweight and durable enclosure for the internal chamber 300. An improved connection is provided between the first component 110 and the second component 120 forming the internal chamber 300 by providing a fastener 200 with a threaded portion arranged in an area sealed relative to the surrounding environment and thus protected from seawater.
[0008] According to one embodiment, the sealing element 220 of the subsea unit can be configured such that the sealing element 220 is in a compressed state when the fastener 200 holds the first member 110 and the second member 120 together. The sealing element 130 can also be in a compressed state when the fastener 200 holds the first member 110 and the second member 120 together.
[0009] According to one embodiment, the sealing member 130 located between the first member 110 and the second member 120 may include a plurality of sealing members 130, 132, and 134. These sealing members 130, 132, and 134 may be of different types.
[0010] According to one embodiment, a plurality of sealing members 130, 132, and 134 can be arranged to seal the body 230 relative to the surrounding environment and also to seal the body 230 relative to the internal cavity 300 formed between the first member 110 and the second member 120. The sealing members 130, 132, and 134 can face different environments, with one sealing member facing the surrounding environment of the seabed unit (i.e., facing seawater when positioned on the seabed), and another sealing member facing the internal cavity 300 formed between the first member 110 and the second member 120.
[0011] According to one embodiment, at least one sealing member 130 of the plurality of sealing members may be arranged on the side of the fastener 200 facing the surrounding environment of the seabed unit, while at least two sealing members 132, 134 of the plurality of sealing members may be arranged on the side of the fastener 200 facing the internal cavity 300 formed within the seabed unit. Thus, barriers are formed between the surrounding environment and the body, and a double barrier is formed towards and around the internal cavity 300 formed by the first member 110 and the second member 120.
[0012] According to one embodiment, a plurality of sealing members 130, 132, 134 may be arranged to seal a plurality of bodies 230.
[0013] According to one embodiment, a plurality of sealing members 130, 132 may be arranged to seal a region 140 between a first member 110 and a second member 120, wherein a plurality of bodies 230 may pass perpendicularly through the region 140. According to one embodiment, a groove 136 may be formed in one of the two members 110, 120 such that the groove 136 is coplanar with and between the two sealing members 132, 134. The groove 136 may be used to guide compensating fluid.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the subsea unit may include grease surrounding at least a portion of the body 230. This grease may be added when assembling the first component 110 and the second component 120 and when attaching the first component 110 and the second component 120 together by fasteners 200.
[0015] At least one embodiment provides a solution that connects two aluminum components with a threaded connection and protects the threaded connection from corrosion by preventing seawater from entering the area surrounding it. At least one of the above embodiments provides one or more solutions to the problems and disadvantages of the prior art. Other technical advantages of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Only a portion of the advantages set forth are obtained from the various embodiments of this application. No single advantage is critically important to any embodiment. Any disclosed embodiment may be combined with one or more other disclosed embodiments. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate current exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure by way of example.
[0017] Figure 1 These are illustrative and schematic views of a seabed unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 2 It is along the seafloor unit according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1 The diagrammatic and schematic view of the section line AA in the figure. Detailed Implementation
[0018] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is an illustrative and schematic view of a seabed unit according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1 In the figure, the internal chamber 300 is shown only as a box indicated by the reference numeral 300. Figure 2 It shows along such Figure 1 The seabed unit indicated by the section line AA in the middle. Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows an internal cavity 300 through which the section line AA passes, wherein sealing members 130, 132, 134 surround the internal cavity 300, and fasteners 230 are positioned relative to the sealing members.
[0019] Go to Figure 1The diagram illustrates a subsea unit comprising a first component 110 and a second component 120. The first component 110 and the second component 120 are two separate components, and when they are joined, an internal cavity 300 is formed between them. When the two components 110 and 120 are clamped together, they can form multiple internal cavities 300. Each internal cavity 300 is a chamber formed between the two components when they are joined, providing a volume suitable for control equipment. The internal cavity 300 can, for example, house electronics and a control system for the subsea unit. The subsea unit can, for example, be a subsea control module. Figure 2 Provided along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view along line AA, wherein the internal chamber 300 or more chambers are schematically indicated as the central region by reference numeral 300.
[0020] The subsea unit also includes a fastener 200 that holds the first component 110 and the second component 120 together. The fastener 200 includes a head 210 and a cylindrical body 230, wherein the cylindrical body 230 of the fastener 200 is connected to the head 210 at an axial end of the body 230. Figure 1 As shown, a fastener 200 is inserted through the first member 110 and threadedly connected to the second member 120, thereby securing the two members 110 and 120 together via a head 210 at one end and a threaded connection at the other end. The body 230 of the fastener 200 includes a threaded portion. The threaded portion may be configured to engage with the second member 120, while the body 230 extends through a through-hole in the first member 110. More specifically, the threaded portion engages with the second member 120. A subsea unit may include multiple fasteners 200.
[0021] exist Figure 1In this fastener 200, a sealing element 220 is present, disposed between the head 210 of the fastener 200 and the first member 110. The sealing element 220 directly engages the first member 110 and the head 210. More preferably, when the fastener clamps the two members 110, 120 together, both the head 210 and the sealing element 220 can directly engage with the first member 110. The sealing element 220 surrounds the body 230 of the fastener 200. The sealing element 220, for example, is a washer located directly below the head 210 of the fastener. More specifically, the sealing element 220 can be positioned between the head 210 and the first member 110 such that the head 210 and the first member 110 do not contact directly, but only through the sealing element 220. The sealing element 220 can be a flat plate having a central opening for the fastener 200. The sealing element 220 can be pre-clamped onto the fastener 200. This results in a simple and secure installation. The sealing element 220 prevents the corner of the fastener head 210 from penetrating into the surface of the first member 110 against which the head 210 rests. The sealing element 220 prevents any substance from entering between the first member 110 and the second member 120. This prevents erosion, such as corrosion, of the fastener 200 and the two members 110, 120, especially preventing... Figure 1 Erosion, for example, of fasteners 200 and the two components 110, 120 in the volume section 150 shown.
[0022] like Figure 1As shown, in addition to the sealing element 220, at least one sealing member 130 is arranged between the first member 110 and the second member 120 to seal the body 230 of the fastener 200 together with the sealing element 220, that is, to seal the body 230 of the fastener 200 relative to the surrounding environment. In other words, at least one sealing member 130 is different from the sealing element 220. The head 210 of the fastener 200 can abut against the first member 110 through the sealing element 220 arranged between the head 210 and the first member 110. The body 230 of the fastener 200 extends through the through-hole opening of the first member 110, while the threaded portion of the fastener 200 interacts with the second member 120. Therefore, when the fastener 200 is rotated, the first member 110 and the second member 120 are forced together and held against each other. The sealing element 220 and at least one sealing member 130 are designed to prevent any leakage from the external environment, such as preventing any leakage from seawater when at seabed. This also seals the internal chamber 300 relative to the external environment. The first component 110 and the second component 120 of the subsea unit can be made of aluminum, thereby providing a lightweight and durable enclosure for the internal chamber 300. An improved connection is provided between the first component 110 and the second component 120 forming the internal chamber 300 by providing a fastener 200 with a threaded portion arranged in an area sealed relative to the surrounding environment and thus protected from seawater.
[0023] The sealing element 220, together with at least one sealing member 130, prevents any substance from entering the location of the fastener between the first member 110 and the second member 120. This prevents erosion, such as corrosion, of the fastener and the two members 110, 120, especially in situations where... Figure 1 The volumetric portion 150 shown prevents corrosion, for example, from damaging the fasteners and the two components 110 and 120. It also... Figure 2 As shown, and in region 140 discussed further in this paper, erosion is prevented.
[0024] The sealing element 220 can be configured such that when the fastener 200 holds the first member 110 and the second member 120 together, the sealing element 220 is in a compressed state. Figure 1Specifically, fastener 200 is shown, wherein sealing element 220 is compressed and holds members 110, 120 together, and sealing element 220 directly abuts against first member 110. Furthermore, sealing element 130 can be configured such that sealing element 130 is in a compressed state when fastener 200 holds first member 110 and second member 120 together. Sealing element 220 in a relaxed state can have a thickness greater than the thickness of the groove for sealing element 220 in fastener 200. This allows sealing element 220 to be compressed when head 210 engages with first member 110.
[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the seabed unit may include a plurality of sealing members 130 disposed between the first member 110 and the second member 120. The sealing member 130 between the first member 110 and the second member 120 may further include, for example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows multiple sealing members 130, 132, and 134. These sealing members 130, 132, and 134 can be of different types. The diameters of the sealing members 132 and 134 can vary among them. The sealing members 130, 132, and 134 can differ in shape, cross-sectional shape, material, and length to provide an optimized seal and prevent any substance from entering between the first member 110 and the second member 120.
[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a plurality of sealing members 130, 132, and 134 can be arranged to seal the body 230 of the fastener 200 relative to the surrounding environment and also to seal the internal cavity 300. The plurality of sealing members 130, 132, and 134 may face different environments and be constructed in different ways, wherein one sealing member 130 faces the surrounding environment of the seabed unit, i.e., is constructed for seawater, while another sealing member 134 may face the internal cavity 300 formed between the first member 110 and the second member 120. Sealing members 130, 132, and 134 may be formed between the first member 110 and the second member 120. The sealing element 220 and the plurality of sealing members 130, 132, and 134 can be arranged to seal the fastener 200 (especially the volume 150 surrounding the fastener) relative to the surrounding environment, such as seawater. Furthermore, multiple sealing members 130, 132, 134 can be arranged to seal the internal chamber 300 formed between the first member 110 and the second member 120 relative to the surrounding environment, such as seawater. A groove 136 can be formed in one of the two members 110, 120 such that the groove 136 is coplanar with and between the two sealing members 132, 134. The groove 136 can be used to guide compensation fluid for the internal chamber 300. The sealing members 132, 134 can be configured to seal the compensation fluid.
[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, at least one sealing member 130 of the plurality of sealing members may be arranged on the side of the fastener 200 facing the surrounding environment of the seabed unit, while at least two sealing members 132, 134 of the plurality of sealing members may be arranged on the side of the fastener 200 facing the internal cavity 300 formed within the seabed unit. For example, sealing member 130 may be held by a first member 110. For example, at least two sealing members 132, 134 may be held by a second member 120. This thereby forms a barrier between the surrounding environment and the body 230, and a double barrier towards and around the internal cavity 300 formed by the first member 110 and the second member 120.
[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of sealing members 130, 132, and 134 can be arranged to seal a plurality of bodies 230. The plurality of sealing members 130 and 132 can be arranged to seal a region 140 between a first member 110 and a second member 120, wherein the bodies 230 of a plurality of fasteners 200 pass perpendicularly through the region 140. Figure 2Multiple fasteners 200 are shown, wherein the bodies 230 of the fasteners 200 perpendicularly pass through a region 140. The region 140 is formed as a contact area between a first member and a second member, and is defined in the radial direction by a plurality of sealing members 130, 132. Figure 2 In this configuration, region 140 is an annular element, and fastener 200 and its body 230 pass perpendicularly through this annular element. Region 140 is sealed relative to the environment and also seals the internal cavity. This prevents erosion, such as corrosion, of the fastener and the two components 110 and 120, especially in environments such as... Figure 1 The volume 150 and region 140 shown are protected against erosion, such as corrosion, of the fasteners and the two components 110 and 120. The sealing element 220 and the sealing member 130 between the first and second components prevent seawater from entering not only the internal cavity 300 formed between the components 110 and 120, but also the volume 150. The sealing element 220 around the fastener 200 and the single sealing member 130 can be used to prevent seawater from entering the volume 150, while multiple sealing members 132 and 134 of different types and / or shapes can prevent seawater from entering the internal cavity 300 formed between the components 110 and 120. In this way, the seal for the volume 150 and the internal cavity 300 can be effectively and optimized in different ways.
[0029] According to one embodiment, a groove 136 may be formed in one of the two components 110 and 120 such that the groove 136 is coplanar with and between the two sealing components 132 and 134. The groove 136 can be used to guide compensation fluid.
[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the subsea unit may also include grease surrounding at least a portion of the body 230. This grease may be added when assembling the first component 110 and the second component 120 and attaching them together by fasteners 200. Lubricants such as grease can prevent corrosion of the body 230, at least affecting the fasteners 200. Grease can also help resist any leakage from the subsea unit and also makes the fasteners 200 easier to screw in or out. Grease may be present in region 150 and sealed by sealing elements 220 and sealing members 130, 132. The subsea unit may also include grease surrounding region 140 between the first component 110 and the second component 120. This also prevents erosion, such as corrosion, of the fasteners 200 and the two components 110, 120, especially as... Figure 1 The volume portion 150 shown prevents erosion, such as corrosion, of the fastener 200 and the two components 110, 120.
[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the sealing element 220 can be made of a non-metallic material. Preferably, the sealing element 220 can be made of a polymer, thermoplastic, or rubber, or a mixture of these materials. For example, materials such as polyurethane, latex, or elastomers (e.g., fluoroelastomers, natural or synthetic rubbers such as neoprene or chlorosulfonated polyethylene) are examples. The materials of the plurality of sealing members 130, 132, 134 can vary to provide an optimized seal and prevent any substance from entering between the first member 110 and the second member 120. Typically, the materials of the plurality of sealing members 130, 132, 134 can be polymers, thermoplastics, or rubber, or mixtures of these materials.
[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at least one of the first component 110 and the second component 120 may include one or more anodized outer layers. The anodized outer layer may be one or more side surfaces of the first component 110 and the second component 120. The anodized outer layer may at least cover region 140. The anodized outer layer may cover, or additionally cover, the region between the sealing element 220 and the first component 110. Anodizing the outer layers of the first component 110 and the second component 120 is to protect the metal components from the harsh seabed environment. The anodized outer layer improves corrosion resistance and enhances the durability of the side surfaces of components 110 and 120.
[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, fastener 200 can be a bolt. The threaded portion of fastener 200 may not be anodized. Fastener 200 may be made of steel, and only the head may be treated with anti-corrosion coating. Sealing element 220 and sealing members 130, 132, 134 can effectively prevent corrosion in the subsea unit because the fastener 200, which holds the first member 110 and the second member 120 together, is typically located in the area where corrosion first begins and the effects of corrosion may be most severe.
[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, one or both of the first component 110 and the second component 120 can be made of aluminum. This is advantageous because aluminum does not change much with temperature variations, thus providing a good seal with the sealing element 220 and the sealing components 130, 132, 134.
[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the first component 110 may include a through hole for the body 230 of the fastener 200. The second component 120 may include a threaded opening for a threaded portion of the body 230 of the fastener 200. This threaded opening may not be a through hole, i.e., it may be a blind hole. Using a blind hole improves the seal.
[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the body 230 may include a bolt shank between the head 210 and the threaded portion of the fastener 200. This bolt shank can be used for a through hole in the first component 110. The threaded portion can be used for a blind hole in the second component 120. The subsea unit may also include grease within a volume 150 located between the first component 110 and the second component 120, in which the bolt shank and threaded portion of the fastener 200 are located. This also prevents erosion, such as corrosion, of the fastener and the two components 110 and 120, especially in situations such as… Figure 1 The volumetric portion 150 shown prevents erosion, such as corrosion, of the fasteners and the two components 110 and 120.
[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the sealing element 220 may be a tapered elastic element having a central opening. The tapered elastic element may be a tapered elastic element or a conical elastic element. This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using the cap. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, but includes other examples that would occur to a person skilled in the art. These other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.
[0038] Component list 110 First Component 120 Second component 130 Sealing Components 132 Sealing components 134 Sealing Components 136 grooves Area 140 150 volume section 200 Fasteners 210 head 220 sealing element 230 body 300 internal chambers.
Claims
1. A seabed unit, the seabed unit comprising: The first component (110) and the second component (120) are separate components, and when the first component (110) and the second component (120) are combined, an internal cavity (300) is formed between the first component (110) and the second component (120). as well as Fastener (200) holding the first member (110) and the second member (120) together, the fastener (200) including a head (210) and a cylindrical body (230) connected to the head (210) at an axial end of the body (230), the body (230) including a threaded portion; The feature is that a sealing element (220) is arranged between the head (210) and the first member (110), wherein the sealing element (220) directly engages both the first member (110) and the head (210), and the sealing element (220) surrounds the body (230). At least one sealing member (130) is arranged between the first member (110) and the second member (120) to seal the body (230) relative to the surrounding environment of the seabed unit together with the sealing element (220).
2. The seabed unit according to claim 1, wherein, The sealing element (220) is configured such that when the fastener (200) holds the first member (110) and the second member (120) together, the sealing element (220) is in a compressed state.
3. The seabed unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sealing member (130) between the first member (110) and the second member (120) includes a plurality of sealing members (130, 132, 134).
4. The seabed unit according to claim 3, wherein, The plurality of sealing members (130, 132, 134) are arranged to seal the body (230) relative to the surrounding environment and also to seal the body (230) relative to the internal cavity (300) formed between the first member (110) and the second member (120).
5. The seabed unit according to claim 3, wherein, At least one of the plurality of sealing members (130) is arranged on the side of the fastener (200) facing the surrounding environment of the seabed unit, while at least two of the plurality of sealing members (132, 134) are arranged on the side of the fastener (200) facing the internal cavity (300) formed in the seabed unit.
6. The seabed unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, The plurality of sealing members (130, 132, 134) are arranged to seal the plurality of bodies (230).
7. The seabed unit according to claim 6, wherein, The plurality of sealing members (130, 132, 134) are arranged to seal the region (140) between the first member (110) and the second member (120), and wherein the plurality of bodies (230) pass perpendicularly through the region (140).
8. The subsea unit according to any one of the preceding claims, the subsea unit further comprising at least a portion of grease surrounding the body (230).
9. The seafloor unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sealing element (220) is made of a non-metallic material; preferably, the sealing element (220) is made of a polymer, thermoplastic or rubber or a mixture of these materials.
10. The seafloor unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the first component (110) and the second component (120) includes one or more anodized outer layers.
11. The seafloor unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fastener (200) is a bolt, and the threaded portion of the fastener (200) is not anodized.
12. The seafloor unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, One or both of the first component (110) and the second component (120) are made of aluminum.
13. The seafloor unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first component (110) includes a through hole for the body (230) of the fastener (200); and the second component (120) includes a threaded opening for the threaded portion of the body (230) of the fastener (200).
14. The seafloor unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The body (230) includes a bolt shank for the first member (110) located between the head (210) and the threaded portion.
15. The seafloor unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sealing element (220) is a tapered elastic element with an opening in the center.