AUV Emergency BOP Control via Inductive Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current underwater blowout preventer (BOP) systems face challenges in emergency situations where surface control systems lose communication and/or electrical connections, requiring external intervention that is not always feasible, especially since tethered ROVs cannot transfer power and close proximity acoustics are insufficient for power transfer.
Innovation Solution
An emergency BOP control system that includes autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and control docking stations, allowing for autonomous navigation and docking, with inductive power and communication capabilities, enabling the AUVs to autonomously operate and control BOPs even in power and communication loss scenarios, and can be retrofitted to existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tethered ROV is used for emergency BOP control, then the BOP can be controlled externally, but the system cannot transfer power and requires all ancillary equipment to run the ROV
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tether connection of ROVs with wireless communication technology for control signals and inductive power transfer for energy delivery. This allows the AUV to operate autonomously without physical connections, eliminating the limitation of tethered ROVs that cannot transfer power through the tether.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary inductive power transfer system between the surface and the AUV. This intermediary mechanism enables power transfer without direct electrical connection, solving the problem of how to supply power to the autonomous vehicle while maintaining operational independence.
2Loss of information
If close proximity acoustics are used for communication, then communication is available, but power cannot be transferred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication and power transfer technologies into a single integrated system. Wireless communication (acoustics, radio frequency, or optical) handles information transfer while inductive power transfer handles energy delivery, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The AUV system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both communication and power transfer through the water interface. The system can switch between different communication modes (acoustic, RF, optical) and simultaneously or alternatively perform power transfer, making it universally applicable to various operational scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If surface control systems are used, then BOP control is available, but communication and electrical connections can be lost in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-programming the AUV with control algorithms and emergency response procedures before deployment. The AUV is pre-configured with the ability to autonomously execute BOP control functions, so when surface communication is lost, the vehicle can continue operating based on pre-loaded instructions and real-time sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The AUV system is designed to be self-sufficient with onboard navigation, control decision-making, and execution capabilities. The vehicle can autonomously navigate to the BOP, establish communication, and execute control commands without continuous surface intervention, making the system self-service capable and independent of surface communication 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 reliable and autonomous emergency control of BOPs by allowing AUVs to navigate, dock, and execute control commands independently, providing a redundant and efficient solution for maintaining BOP operation during extreme conditions without relying on surface power or communication.
Implementation Method 1
with inductive power and communication capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) may be programmed and launched to interface with an emergency blowout preventer which has been fitted, either when new or retrofitted, with an emergency BOP control system (EBOP). The EBOP is a “black box” drop-in solution for projects such as emergency well control that can be retrofitted to existing BOP systems or added to new BOP systems and comprises one or more control docking stations, each adapted to receive autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV); one or more interface units connected to the control docking station and used to provide an interface between the control docking station and a BOP; and the AUV which is dimensioned and configured to autonomously mate with the control docking station and effect controls of the BOP.