Modular Safety Device for Linearly Actuated Process Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for linearly actuated process valves in deep-sea oil or natural gas extraction systems are heavy due to integrated safety components, making them difficult to replace using an underwater vehicle (ROV).
Innovation Solution
A compact and simple safety device with purely mechanical properties, featuring a housing, piston rod, and spring mechanism, which can be connected to a linear actuator and process valve via standard mechanical interfaces. This design allows for easy detachment and replacement without requiring electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety components (spring systems, hydraulic components) are integrated into the linear actuator, then the safety function is improved, but the weight increases making replacement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the safety device from the linear actuator, creating two independent modules. The safety device contains the spring system and hydraulic components as a standalone unit with its own piston rod, while the linear actuator remains a separate drive unit. This segmentation allows the heavy safety components to be isolated in a replaceable module that can be handled independently by ROVs.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety-relevant components (spring, piston, hydraulic elements) are extracted from the linear actuator and placed into a separate safety device. This extraction removes the weight burden from the actuator itself, allowing the actuator to be lighter and easier to handle, while the safety function resides in a dedicated module that can be replaced as a unit.
2Ease of repair
If a compact safety device is used, then ease of replacement is improved, but the mechanical interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical interface between the safety device and linear actuator is designed as a standardized, multi-functional connection that handles both mechanical force transmission and positioning. This universal interface design allows the same connection mechanism to serve multiple purposes, simplifying the overall complexity despite the modular approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod of the safety device is designed to nest within or align with the piston rod of the linear actuator, creating a compact integrated assembly when connected. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall footprint and simplifies the mechanical interface by having the components fit together naturally rather than requiring separate mounting structures.
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 safety device provides a lightweight, fail-safe mechanism that automatically moves the process valve to a predefined position in case of actuator failure, simplifying maintenance and installation, especially at great depths.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring (6) which is clamped between the piston (4) and an end face (1b) of the housing (1), by means of which the piston rod (3) with the piston (4) is held in a predetermined position (end position)
Implementation Method 2
at least one spring (6) which is clamped between the piston (4) and an end face (1b) of the housing (1)
Data Source
AI summary
A safety device for a linearly actuated process valve and a system including the safety device are disclosed. The safety device includes a housing, a piston rod which is mounted in the housing so as to be linearly displaceable and connectable to the process valve, and a piston which is connected to the piston rod. Furthermore, at least one spring is arranged in the housing of the safety device. The spring is clamped between the piston and an end face of the housing. The safety device also has a first mechanical interface by way of which the safety device can be detachably connected to a linear actuator.