Acoustic Subsea Blowout Preventer Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea blowout preventer control systems require expensive remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and skilled personnel for operation, which is time-consuming and not suitable for emergency situations, as they necessitate deployment and alignment of hydraulic torque wrenches for actuating controls.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic control system using an acoustic signal generator and electrically-powered torque wrenches with induction charging, allowing for remote and ROV-less operation by transmitting acoustic signals to transponders connected to actuators on the blowout preventer, eliminating the need for hydraulic accumulators and complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic torque wrenches are used for actuating blowout preventer controls, then reliable actuation is achieved, but deployment and alignment require expensive ROVs and skilled personnel, increasing operational complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic torque wrench system with an electrically-powered torque wrench that uses acoustic signals for actuation. The electrical system eliminates complex hydraulic accumulators, hoses, and pressure regulation mechanisms, while the acoustic signaling system replaces the need for ROV deployment and manual alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary communication medium between the surface control system and the subsea torque wrench. This allows remote actuation without requiring physical presence of ROVs or skilled personnel at the subsea location, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliable actuation.
2Measurement precision
If ROVs are deployed for controlling subsea blowout preventer functions, then precise alignment and actuation are achieved, but the process is time-consuming and unsuitable for emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically-powered torque wrench is pre-positioned on the blowout preventer controls during installation, with the acoustic transponder already integrated into the system. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for ROV deployment and alignment operations during emergency situations, enabling immediate actuation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the ROV-based mechanical alignment and actuation system with an acoustic signaling system that can trigger the pre-positioned electrical torque wrench instantly. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming ROV deployment and alignment process while maintaining precise actuation capability.
3Reliability
If hydraulic accumulators and complex mechanisms are used in the control system, then reliable hydraulic power supply is ensured, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the entire hydraulic power supply system (accumulators, hoses, pressure regulators) with an electrically-powered torque wrench system that draws power from the subsea structure's electrical infrastructure. This substitution eliminates complex hydraulic components while ensuring reliable operation through the existing electrical power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic accumulators and associated complex mechanisms from the control system, retaining only the essential actuation function through the electrically-powered torque wrench. This simplification reduces system complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining operational reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables direct, efficient, and cost-effective control of subsea blowout preventer functions without the need for ROVs, reducing operational complexity and time, while ensuring reliable actuation of controls through battery-powered torque wrenches that can be easily recharged.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic signal generator suitable for passing a signal to the transponder so as to drive the actuator
Implementation Method 2
An induction generator is connected to the tubing associated with the blowout preventer so as to transmit an electromagnetic wave along the tubing to the blowout preventer so as to effectively recharge the batteries of the torque wrench
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling functions of a subsea structure, such as a blowout preventer, has a plurality of actuators respectively affixed to a plurality of controls of the subsea structure, and an acoustic signal generator positioned remotely from the plurality of actuators. Each of the plurality of actuators has a transponder connected thereto. The acoustic signal generator produces an acoustic signal so as to actuate at least one of the plurality of actuators. Each of the actuators is an electrically-powered torque wrench having a battery affixed there to so as to supply power thereto. An induction generator can transmit an electromagnetic wave along the tubing associated with the blowout preventer so as to recharge the batteries of the torque wrenches.