BOP Component Redesign Using Conduit-Pool FEA Simulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Designing blowout preventers (BOPs) is time and resource intensive, with extensive laboratory testing being both expensive and time-consuming, and traditional computer-aided engineering (CAE) methods requiring specialized skills and training, leading to inefficiencies in the design process.

Innovation Solution

A CAE toolkit is developed to automate and streamline the simulation of pressure-control component designs, enabling designers with minimal FEA expertise to simulate and iteratively redesign BOP components using a conduit pool, generating simulated shear and deformation data to optimize the design efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional laboratory testing is used to test BOP designs, then testing reliability is improved, but development time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting reliabilityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of physical test specimens through computer-aided engineering (CAE) models and finite element analysis (FEA). These digital twins allow repeated testing of the same design without physical manufacturing, enabling rapid iteration and validation while maintaining testing reliability through accurate simulation of mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical laboratory mechanical testing systems with computational simulation systems. Instead of building and physically testing prototype BOP components, the system uses CAE tools to simulate and analyze the mechanical performance of designs virtually, eliminating the time-consuming physical testing cycle while maintaining engineering validity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional CAE methods are used for design simulation, then design optimization capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to specialized skill requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign optimization capabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the CAE system automatically performs simulation setup, model generation, and analysis without requiring user expertise in complex CAE operations. The system includes automated workflows that guide users through the design optimization process, eliminating the need for specialized training while maintaining full optimization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary software layer that bridges the gap between simple design inputs and complex CAE analysis. This intermediate system automatically handles the complex computations and data processing, presenting results in user-friendly formats while hiding the complexity of the underlying CAE tools from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If extensive laboratory testing is performed, then design reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of physical test specimens through computer-aided engineering (CAE) models and finite element analysis (FEA). These digital twins allow repeated testing of the same design without physical manufacturing, enabling rapid iteration and validation while maintaining testing reliability through accurate simulation of mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical laboratory mechanical testing systems with computational simulation systems. Instead of building and physically testing prototype BOP components, the system uses CAE tools to simulate and analyze the mechanical performance of designs virtually, eliminating the time-consuming physical testing cycle while maintaining engineering validity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The CAE toolkit reduces development time and costs by allowing non-experts to perform FEA simulations quickly, identifying design failures, and optimizing BOP components through automated redesign, thereby improving the design process efficiency and reducing laboratory testing needs.

Implementation Method 1

generating a first finite element analysis model based on the one or more properties of the first conduit and the first ram design; simulating an operation of the first ram design using the first finite element analysis model to generate a first simulated maximum shear pressure and a first simulated deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFinite element analysis:

Data Source

PatentUS20250356075A1Iterative redesign of pressure-control component designs based on a conduit pool

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method of designing pressure-control components including inputting a first design into a simulation program. Inputting a conduit pool into the simulation program. Automatically testing the first design with respect to the conduit pool using the simulation program. Identifying one or more points of failure of the first design based on the test. Modifying the design based on the one or more points of failure and testing the modified design with respect to the conduit pool.