Linear Throttling Hydraulic Valve for Heave Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine drilling rig assemblies face damage from excessive tensile or compressive forces due to wave-induced heaving motion, and existing hydraulic valves require external drain tanks and complex filtration systems, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased failure modes.
Innovation Solution
A linear adjustable hydraulic valve with a motor-driven shaft and spring-actuated gate that automatically adjusts tension forces by displacing between open and closed positions in response to pressure differentials, incorporating a roller screw shaft and solenoids for precise control, eliminating the need for external drain tanks and reducing component complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional isolation type valves are used, then fluid flow can be controlled, but external drain tanks and complex filtration systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the drain tank function and filtration system into the valve body itself. The valve housing contains an internal drain tank that collects leaked fluid, and a filter element is incorporated within the valve structure to filter contaminants. This merging eliminates the need for separate external drain tanks and filtration systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a piston with a poppet assembly - that mediates between the inlet and outlet ports. This piston assembly automatically responds to pressure differentials and fluid flow conditions, opening or closing the valve as needed. The intermediary piston also activates the drain function when leakage is detected, eliminating the need for complex external control systems while ensuring reliable operation.
2Reliability
If external drain tanks are used, then fluid leakage can be managed, but system complexity and failure modes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drain tank is merged with the valve housing, forming an integrated structure. The housing contains an internal cavity that serves as the drain tank, eliminating the need for a separate external drain tank. This integration reduces the number of components and potential failure points while maintaining the ability to manage fluid leakage effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system performs self-service through the piston-poppet assembly that automatically detects fluid leakage and activates the drain function. When leakage occurs, the pressure differential moves the piston, which opens a passage to the internal drain tank. The system self-regulates without requiring external control mechanisms, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable leakage management.
3Reliability
If complex filtration systems are used, then fluid cleanliness can be maintained, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtration function from a complex external filtration system and incorporates a simplified filter element directly into the valve structure. The filter element is positioned within the valve body to intercept contaminants in the fluid flow path. This extraction maintains fluid cleanliness while eliminating the need for complex external filtration systems, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element operates passively within the valve structure, automatically filtering contaminants as fluid flows through the valve. The filter is integrated into the flow path, requiring no external power source or complex control mechanisms. This self-service filtration maintains fluid cleanliness while minimizing impact on operational efficiency.
4Speed
If spring-actuated gates are used, then automatic response to pressure differentials is achieved, but precise flow control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic system where the piston can operate in multiple states: fully open, partially open (throttling position), and fully closed. The piston's position is dynamically adjusted based on pressure differentials and fluid flow conditions. In normal operation, the spring maintains the piston in a fully open state for rapid response. When flow control is needed, the piston transitions to intermediate positions, providing precise throttling control while maintaining the capability for rapid automatic response to pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston-poppet assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a rapid-response automatic valve for pressure differential protection, a precise throttling control mechanism for flow regulation, and an activator for the drain function. This multi-functionality allows the same component to achieve both rapid automatic response and precise flow control, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function.
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 valve effectively compensates for heaving motion, preventing damage to the riser and drill string while reducing system complexity and fluid calibration issues, enhancing operational reliability and efficiency by automatically adjusting tension forces and controlling fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
the valve is kept open via a spring acting on a piston and poppet assembly communicating with a cylinder outlet
Implementation Method 2
The motor operates in a further throttling mode to linearly and incrementally displace the gate between the open and closed positions said outlet
Implementation Method 3
a pair of upper and lower valve solenoids are closed and in order to slave a roller screw shaft to a valve motor driven shaft
Implementation Method 4
Upon the occurrence of a pressure differential resulting from a fluid flow through the inlet exceeding a biasing force of the spring, the gate is caused to displace against a valve seat
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic valve having a body defining an inlet and an outlet. A motor is supported by the body and operates a shaft extending through an interior of the body, the shaft terminating in a gate. A spring is supported within the housing and influences the gate in an open position to permit fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. Upon the occurrence of a pressure differential resulting from a fluid flow through the inlet exceeding a biasing force of the spring, the gate is caused to displace against a valve seat communicating the inlet with the outlet in order to interrupt fluid flow in a standby mode and to define a closed position. The motor operates in a further throttling mode to linearly and incrementally displace the gate between the open and closed positions said outlet and in order to adjust flow through the outlet.