Double-Barrier Pressure Compensator for Shock-Protected Subsea Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea pressure compensators are fragile and prone to lateral shocks, and require additional compensators for volume variations, posing risks of jamming and deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A double barrier pressure compensator with a housing containing first and second bellows, separated by a moving separation element, forming sealed compartments to protect against seawater and maintain constant volume, eliminating the need for additional compensators and providing lateral protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two bellows are arranged one inside the other to provide a double barrier, then protection against seawater is improved, but the device becomes fragile and prone to lateral shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one bellows inside another bellows structure, creating a double barrier system where the inner bellows contains the medium and the outer bellows provides additional protection. This nested configuration maintains the double barrier protection while the outer bellows structure absorbs and distributes lateral shock forces, preventing damage to the inner bellows.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid tank is used to contain the medium, then structural stability is improved, but volume variations cause deterioration of the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from a rigid tank structure to a flexible bellows structure. The bellows can dynamically change their volume and shape in response to pressure and temperature variations, allowing the enclosure to adapt to volume changes of the medium without causing stress concentrations or deterioration that would occur in a rigid tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible bellows instead of rigid tanks to contain the medium. The bellows are made of flexible materials that can expand and contract to accommodate volume variations of the medium caused by temperature and pressure changes, while maintaining structural integrity and preventing deterioration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional compensators are used for volume variations, then compensation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the nested bellows structure to simultaneously provide multiple functions: the inner bellows contains the medium and compensates for its volume variations, while the outer bellows provides both structural support and compensation for volume changes of the barrier medium. This eliminates the need for separate additional compensators, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive compensation capability.
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 solution provides a compact, robust pressure compensator with a double barrier that prevents seawater ingress and protects bellows from lateral shocks, ensuring reliable operation and preventing jamming, while maintaining optimal operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Water temperature variations, hydrostatic pressure and heat produced by the subsea installation while operating also result in volume variations of the medium inside the subsea installation
Implementation Method 2
Water temperature variations, hydrostatic pressure and heat produced by the subsea installation while operating also result in volume variations of the medium inside the subsea installation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention proposes a double barrier pressure compensator for performing a pressure compensation between seawater surrounding a subsea installation and a medium filling a volume of the subsea installation. Said pressure compensator comprises: —a housing (20) having a first opening (202b) and a second opening (30); —a first bellows (4) and a second bellows (5) arranged one above the other within the housing (20) and each sealingly fixed to the housing (20) at their distal ends (43, 53); —a moving separation element (6) adapted to move inside the housing (20) and sealingly fixed to each of the proximal ends (44, 54) of the first and second bellows (4, 5) so as to separate a first compartment (21) from a second compartment (22) of the housing (20) sealed with respect to each other. Said pressure compensator (2) further comprising a third compartment (23) formed by a space between the housing (20) and the first and second bellows (4, 5), the first compartment (21) being arranged to be fluidly connected to the subsea installation (1) through the second opening (30), the second compartment (22) being arranged to be in communication with sea water through the first opening (202b), and said third compartment (23) being filled with a barrier medium.