Subsea Bore Selector With Actuated Connector Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bore selectors for coupling monobore risers to dual bore subsea installations lack efficient sealing mechanisms, requiring additional sealing capacity at contact surfaces which can interfere with the displaceability of components.
Innovation Solution
A bore selector with a movable upper selector part and a connector sleeve that forms a barrier between interconnected through bores, utilizing a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston to efficiently seal the channel without direct contact surface sealing, allowing selective connection to either bore of the dual bore subsea installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sealing capacity is arranged at the interface between selector part and base part, then sealing reliability is improved, but displaceability between components is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connector sleeve acts as an intermediary element that forms a barrier between the interconnected through bores. This sleeve can be displaced independently to seal the channel without requiring sealing capacity at the interface between the selector part and base part, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and displaceability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented from the interface between selector part and base part. Instead of sealing at the contact surface between these two components, the connector sleeve creates a separate sealing barrier within the channel, allowing the selector part to move freely while maintaining reliable sealing
2Reliability
If connector sleeve is made movable between raised and lowered positions, then sealing efficiency is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston is used to move the connector sleeve between raised and lowered positions. This actuation mechanism provides reliable sealing through automated movement while keeping the overall device complexity manageable by using standard hydraulic/pneumatic components rather than complex mechanical linkages
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 efficient sealing of the channel between the selector and base parts without additional sealing capacity at their interface, ensuring reliable and displacement-friendly operation by using a connector sleeve that can be easily moved between positions using a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston fixed to the outer surface of the connector sleeve
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston fixed to the outer surface of the connector sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A bore selector for coupling a monobore riser to a dual bore subsea installation, the bore selector comprising a lower base part comprising a first and a second through bores connected to the respective bore of the dual bore subsea installation, an upper selector part comprising a through bore connected to a bore of the monobore riser, the upper selector part is movable relating to the lower base part to and fro between a first and a second positions, an actuator configured to move the upper selector part relating to the lower base part between the first and the second positions, and a connector sleeve slidably mounted in the through bore, wherein the connector sleeve is configured to selectively engage with the first and the second through bores, and is movable in the axial direction of the through bore to and fro between a raised and a lowered position.