Modular Asset Control Units for Well Valve Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well systems face complications during setup, take-down, and maintenance due to the extensive use of hundreds of feet of hydraulic hoses, grease lines, and electrical cables, making it difficult to track and manage connections effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of modular asset control units (ACUs) that connect to well equipment units via standardized umbilicals, which bundle hydraulic, lubricant, and sensor lines, allowing for streamlined control and monitoring of valves, and connecting these ACUs in series with a distribution center to distribute functionality across the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized hydraulic system with multiple hoses is used to control valves, then hydraulic pressure can be supplied to all valves, but the system becomes complex and difficult to manage during setup and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized hydraulic system into modular hydraulic control units, each independently supplying hydraulic pressure to specific valves. This segmentation reduces the complexity of managing numerous hoses by organizing them into discrete, manageable modules that can be independently configured and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular hydraulic control units are designed with universal interfaces that can connect to different valve configurations. Each unit serves multiple functions including hydraulic pressure supply, positioning control, and integration with both manual and automated control systems, reducing the need for specialized connection components.
2Reliability
If multiple separate systems (hydraulic, lubrication, electrical) are used to control well equipment, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall system becomes difficult to track and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hydraulic control, lubrication systems, and electrical control components into integrated modular units. Each module houses multiple subsystems that work together to control specific valve functions, making it easier to manage by reducing the number of separate systems while maintaining functional independence through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular control units serve as intermediary components between the central control system and the well equipment valves. These units consolidate multiple connection types (hydraulic, lubrication, electrical) into standardized interfaces, simplifying system management by providing a uniform communication and control layer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hundreds of feet of hoses and cables are used to connect equipment, then all components can be connected, but setup and maintenance become time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extensive hose and cable connections into discrete modular units, each with pre-assembled connections. This eliminates the need to manage hundreds of individual connections during setup, as modules can be quickly connected in sequence, significantly reducing setup and maintenance time while maintaining full system connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit includes a hydraulic fluid system, a lubricant system, at least one sensor cable, an electronics module in communication with the at least one sensor cable, the hydraulic fluid system, and the lubricant system. A housing of the control unit contains the hydraulic fluid system, the lubricant system, the sensor cable(s), and the electronics module.