Electric Actuators for Wireline Pressure Control Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireline pressure control equipment (PCE) systems are inefficient and costly due to the use of hydraulic actuators and require manual operator input, leading to slow actuation times and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electronic control system that uses electric actuators controlled by sensors, such as position, pressure, and leak sensors, to automate the operation of the wireline PCE stack, eliminating the need for hydraulic actuators and enabling faster, more precise adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic actuators are used in wireline PCE systems, then reliable pressure control is achieved, but actuation time increases and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure control reliabilityVSAvoidactuation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic actuators with electric actuators in the wireline PCE system. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid and associated complexity while achieving faster actuation times and reduced maintenance requirements, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and actuation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual operator input with an electronic control system that automatically actuates components based on sensor feedback. This automation reduces actuation time and eliminates human response delays while maintaining reliable pressure control through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If hydraulic actuators are used in wireline PCE systems, then pressure control function is maintained, but maintenance needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure control functionVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes hydraulic actuators with electric actuators, which have fewer moving parts, no hydraulic fluid leaks, and simpler maintenance requirements. This maintains the pressure control function while significantly reducing maintenance needs and improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system with automated sensors and actuators reduces the need for manual intervention and maintenance. The system monitors its own operation and automatically adjusts parameters, reducing maintenance frequency and complexity compared to hydraulic systems that require regular fluid checks and leak repairs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual operator input is used to control PCE components, then system operation is achieved, but actuation speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control operationVSAvoidactuation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automated sensors to detect well conditions and electronically controls actuators to adjust PCE components without manual operator input. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation through automated decision-making while dramatically increasing actuation speed by eliminating human response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring pressure, temperature, and other well parameters. This feedback loop enables rapid automated adjustments of PCE components, achieving both ease of operation and high actuation speed by responding immediately to changing conditions without human intervention delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If hydraulic actuators and manual operation are used, then PCE system functionality is achieved, but system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePCE system functionalityVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic actuators with electric actuators and manual operation with electronic control, creating a more efficient system. This substitution reduces energy consumption, eliminates hydraulic fluid handling, and enables faster response times, all of which improve overall system efficiency while maintaining full PCE functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated electronic control system with sensors continuously monitors well conditions and automatically adjusts PCE components to optimize performance. This self-service capability improves system efficiency by eliminating human response delays, reducing energy consumption, and maintaining optimal operating parameters without manual intervention, while preserving complete system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11078758B2Pressure control equipment systems and methods

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A system includes one or more processors configured to provide one or more control signals to cause supply of electric power from a power supply to one or more electric actuators. The one or more electric actuators are configured to adjust one or more components of a cable pressure control equipment (PCE) stack.