Hydraulic Bore Selector Eliminates Rotary Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bore selection devices for sub-sea well systems are complex, expensive, and unreliable due to the need for internal rotary mechanisms or weak flapper valves, which require accurate alignment and rotation, and are time-consuming and costly to operate.
Innovation Solution
A bore selection device that can be remotely actuated to select between a production bore and an annulus bore using a hydraulic system with rams and a coupling mechanism that converts longitudinal movement into transverse movement, eliminating the need for rotation mechanisms and flapper valves, allowing for reliable and efficient bore selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a whipstock is used to select between bores, then bore selection can be achieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical whipstock system with a hydraulic actuation system. The bore selector means is actuated by hydraulic rams that can be remotely controlled, eliminating the need for time-consuming wire line operations and manual whipstock deployment. This substitution of mechanical systems with hydraulic systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining bore selection capability while dramatically reducing operation time and cost.
2Reliability
If an internal rotary mechanism is used for bore selection, then bore selection can be achieved, but the device becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex internal rotary mechanism from the bore selection device. Instead of using a rotary mechanism with multiple moving parts that require precise alignment, the invention uses a linear hydraulic actuation system that moves the bore selector means directly between positions. This extraction of the problematic rotary mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining bore selection functionality while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic actuation systems to replace complex mechanical rotary mechanisms. The bore selector means is moved between open and closed positions using hydraulic rams that can be remotely controlled. This use of hydraulics resolves the contradiction by providing a simpler, more reliable actuation method that eliminates the need for complex rotary mechanisms while maintaining effective bore selection capability.
3Ease of operation
If a flapper valve is used for bore selection, then bore selection can be achieved, but valve closure reliability becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the weak flapper valve mechanism with a robust hydraulic actuation system. The bore selector means is moved and held in position using hydraulic rams that provide sufficient force for reliable bore closure. This hydraulic substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of remote operation while dramatically improving valve closure reliability through the superior force capabilities of hydraulic actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation parameter from the weak mechanical force of a flapper valve to the strong controlled force of hydraulic pressure. By using hydraulic rams with adjustable pressure and force, the system achieves both ease of remote operation and reliable bore closure. This parameter change from mechanical to hydraulic force resolution resolves the contradiction between operational ease and closure reliability.
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 device provides a compact, reliable, and cost-effective solution for selecting between bores without the complexity and alignment issues of prior art, enabling efficient access and control between production and annulus bores using hydraulic actuation and rams to form a guide funnel.
Implementation Method 1
The bore selector means being coupled to actuation means by coupling means said actuation means and coupling means being disposed in said housing, said actuation means being movable substantially parallel to said production bore... said coupling means coupling said actuation means to said bore selector means to transform longitudinal movement of said actuation means to transverse movement of said bore selector means
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5a~7
AI summary
A bore selection device for use with a dual bore subsea system is disclosed. The bore selector (18) can be remotely actuated to provide selection between a production bore (12) and an annulus bore (16) without a rotating mechanism or flapper valve. Embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment a pair of rams (20) having a ram head (20a, 20b) defining parts of a guide funnel (30a, 30b) are hydraulically actuatable so that when the rams are actuated and closed the guide funnel (30) is formed which couples a part of the production bore (126) to the annulus bore (16a).