Electro-Pneumatic Reel Control Console for Hazardous Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea drilling operations face limitations in remote control capabilities for reels due to the reliance on fully pneumatic systems, which are not easily adaptable for electronic control, especially in hazardous areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electro-pneumatic system that allows for electronic actuation of pneumatic controls via a remote console, using programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to convert electrical signals into pneumatic signals for controlling reels, enhancing remote control capabilities and safety in hazardous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fully pneumatic console is used for remote reel control, then control capability is provided, but adaptability to electronic control systems and integration with modern drilling operations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional fully pneumatic control console with an electro-pneumatic system that uses electrical signals to control pneumatic actuators. This substitution allows integration with modern electronic drilling control systems while maintaining the proven reliability of pneumatic actuation for reel control, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to electronic control and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electro-pneumatic conversion system that bridges electronic control signals and pneumatic actuation. Electrical control signals from the drilling control system are converted into pneumatic signals that actuate the reel control valves, enabling compatibility between electronic control architecture and pneumatic execution mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If local control at the reel is used, then direct control is achieved, but remote monitoring and control capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into multiple levels: local control at the reel, intermediate electro-pneumatic conversion units, and remote drilling control systems. This segmentation allows operators to control reels from remote locations while maintaining the option for local control, effectively resolving the contradiction between remote control capability and system complexity through hierarchical control architecture.
3Reliability
If traditional pneumatic control is used in hazardous areas, then safety is maintained, but electronic integration and remote control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electro-pneumatic conversion units as intermediaries that allow electronic control signals to be transmitted to pneumatic actuators in hazardous areas. The electrical components are located in non-hazardous zones, while only the inherently safe pneumatic actuators are present in hazardous areas, maintaining safety while enabling electronic integration and remote control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical control in hazardous areas with pneumatic actuation, eliminating the safety risks of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres. Electrical control is performed remotely, and only pneumatic components are present in hazardous zones, achieving both safety and electronic integration through this substitution approach.
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
This solution enables flexible and safe remote control of reels from multiple locations, expanding operational modes and improving the management of spooling movements of cables and feed lines, while ensuring compliance with hazardous area safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical control signals are for controlling pneumatic solenoids, in one aspect of this disclosure. The second control network is configured for providing pneumatic signals using at least the pneumatic solenoids.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is to systems and methods for actuating pneumatic controls of reels electronically via a remote console, thus expanding remote control capabilities in a combination of hazardous and undesignated areas for oil and gas technologies. The method includes receiving, at a second control network from a first control network, electrical control signals for controlling pneumatic solenoids of a second control network. The second control network provides pneumatic signals to pneumatic valves, based at least in part on the control of the pneumatic solenoids. A controlling feature of the present disclosure is based at least in part on the pneumatic signals, to control, via the pneumatic valves, spooling movement of one or more reels comprising cables or feed lines, thereby spooling the cable or the feed lines.