Check Valve Manifold Regulator for Mixed-Pressure Subsea Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control circuits for subsea gate valves may not be suitable for all implementations, particularly those with mixed operating pressures or legacy systems where additional lines cannot be added.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit comprising a directional control valve and a regulator, where the directional control valve has inputs for hydraulic fluid supply, vent, and pilot supply, and the regulator has a seal arrangement to reduce hydraulic pressure and a check valve to bypass pressure, allowing the circuit to operate effectively in subsea environments with varying pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a regulator with seal arrangement is used to reduce hydraulic pressure, then pressure regulation is achieved, but pressure bypass capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the supply and outlet of the regulator. This check valve allows pressure to bypass the seal arrangement when outlet pressure exceeds supply pressure, while the seal arrangement continues to function normally for pressure reduction. The check valve acts as a mediator that enables pressure bypass without compromising the seal arrangement's integrity or function.
2Reliability
If a directional control valve with vent circuit is used, then valve closing is enabled, but mixed operating pressures cannot be handled
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can reduce hydraulic pressure through its seal arrangement, and it can also allow pressure bypass through the check valve when needed. This multi-functional design enables the system to handle mixed operating pressures while maintaining the valve closing function through the directional control valve's vent circuit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional lines are added to handle mixed pressures, then pressure adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is integrated into the existing regulator structure, merging the pressure bypass function with the pressure reduction function. This integration allows the system to handle mixed operating pressures without adding separate lines or independent components, thereby maintaining circuit simplicity while achieving pressure adaptability.
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 proposed control circuit enables efficient operation of subsea gate valves by regulating hydraulic pressure and allowing pressure bypass, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems in handling mixed operating pressures and legacy systems.
Implementation Method 1
The seal arrangement is configured to reduce hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid supply communicated from the supply to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
The check valve is configured to permit at least a portion of the hydraulic pressure at the outlet to bypass the seal arrangement from the outlet to the supply of the regulator
Data Source
AI summary
A regulator valve has a check valve manifold for use in subsea control circuits. For example, the regulator valve having the check valve manifold can be used in a circuit between a directional control valve and an actuator for a gate valve. The check valve manifold can have a flange that attaches to the regulator valve to communicate with the supply-side and outlet-side of the regulator valve. Internal communication inside the manifold includes a check valve. If the pressure in the circuit downstream of the regulator valve needs to be vented, the check valve can open to allow the pressure to bleed from the outlet-side back to the supply-side without needing to pass through the internal pressure control valve of the regulator.