Docking Damper With Fixed Orifice and Adjustable Relief Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dampers for subsea structure landing lack predictability and adjustability for varying structure weights, leading to unpredictable damping behavior and limited scalability.
Innovation Solution
A damper design featuring a cylinder with a piston, a check valve for inflow, an adjustable pressure relief valve, and an orifice for controlled flow, allowing for calibration of valve opening pressure and orifice size to optimize damping performance across a range of structure weights, using standardized components for cost-efficiency and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a damper uses a geometrical flow path with decreasing outflow area to control water flow and pressure, then the damping force is generated, but the damping behavior becomes unpredictable and cannot be adjusted for different structure weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from variable geometry (decreasing outflow area) to fixed geometry (constant orifice area) combined with adjustable valve opening pressure. This allows the damping behavior to be predictable due to the fixed orifice geometry while simultaneously adjustable for different structure weights by modifying the valve opening pressure parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamically adjustable pressure relief valve that can be tuned to different opening pressures. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the damper to adapt to different structure weights while maintaining predictable damping behavior through the fixed orifice design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a damper uses decreasing outflow area over stroke length to control pressure, then shock absorption is achieved, but the design becomes complex and difficult to scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the geometry by using a constant orifice area instead of a complex decreasing outflow area profile. This reduction in geometrical complexity makes the design easier to manufacture and scale to different sizes while maintaining the shock absorption function through adjustable valve parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the shock absorption function into two distinct components: a fixed orifice for flow control and an adjustable pressure relief valve for pressure management. This segmentation simplifies the overall geometry while providing the necessary functionality and scalability.
3Reliability
If a damper is designed with custom geometry for specific applications, then optimal performance for that application is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and standardization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal damper design using a standard constant orifice and adjustable pressure relief valve combination that can be applied to multiple different structure weights and applications. This universal design maintains optimal performance through parameter adjustment rather than custom geometry, reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the need for specialized facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manufacturing custom geometries for different applications, the patent achieves application-specific optimization by adjusting the valve opening pressure parameter. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness while delivering optimized performance for each specific use case.
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 damper provides predictable and adaptable damping behavior, ensuring smooth transition from shock absorption to soft landing with minimal pressure steps, achieving consistent performance across different structure weights and applications.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure relief valve in the cap end of the barrel or cylinder adjustable to open upon exceeding of a predetermined internal pressure in the cylinder cap volume, in open state permitting restricted flow from the cylinder cap volume
Implementation Method 2
an orifice of static size in the cap end of the cylinder, wherein under constant load from the piston during a terminal stroke length of the damper in compression, the orifice provides a restricted flow from the cylinder cap volume generating a constant pressure in the cylinder cap volume below the opening pressure of the pressure relief valve
Implementation Method 3
a check valve arranged in the cap end of the cylinder, the check valve in open state permitting flow into the cylinder cap volume as the piston is extended
Data Source
AI summary
A damper for absorbing impact shock generated upon docking of a moving structure with a stationary structure or foundation is shown, the damper comprising a cylinder (1) connectable to the docking structure, the cylinder arranged with a cap end and a head end and having a piston (2) arranged movable in the cylinder and separating a cylinder cap volume (13) from a cylinder head volume (10). A check valve (14), a pressure relief valve (15) with adjustable opening pressure and an orifice (16; 23) of static size are respectively arranged in the cap end of the cylinder, wherein under constant load from the piston during a terminal stroke length of the damper in compression, the orifice provides a restricted flow from cylinder cap volume generating a constant pressure in the cylinder cap volume below the opening pressure of the pressure relief valve.