Hydraulic Connector Seal Ring Retention for Remote Subsea Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea blowout preventer stacks face challenges with seal retention and replacement, particularly at high pressures, where existing remote retention methods are complex, heavy, and require separate hydraulic functions, making them difficult to manage and maintain.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a ring-shaped piston and latch plate mechanism that allows for remote replacement of seal rings without additional hydraulic functions, using a four-input shuttle valve for redundant control and eliminating the need for separate stab plates, enabling automatic locking and unlocking of the seal ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote retention methods are used for seal rings in high-pressure blowout preventer stacks, then seal retention is achieved, but the system becomes complex and requires separate hydraulic functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seal retention function with the existing hydraulic connector structure by integrating a retention groove directly into the seal ring and using the existing hydraulic pressure system to actuate the latch plate, eliminating the need for separate retention mechanisms and hydraulic functions
Solution Approach 2:
The latch plate mechanism serves multiple functions: it retains the seal ring during normal operation, releases the seal ring when hydraulic pressure is applied, and can be actuated through the existing hydraulic connector ports, making the system multi-functional without adding complexity
2Reliability
If traditional seal ring retention mechanisms are used, then seal retention is provided, but the size and weight of the blowout preventer stack increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention groove is nested directly into the seal ring structure itself, and the latch plate is integrated into the existing hydraulic connector body, allowing the retention mechanism to be embedded within existing components rather than adding external structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the retention function from separate mechanical retention mechanisms and implements it through the seal ring's own structural features (the groove) combined with the existing hydraulic actuation system, removing unnecessary components
3Ease of operation
If separate hydraulic functions are added for seal ring retention, then remote retention control is achieved, but the number of hydraulic ports and control systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing hydraulic connector ports and pressure system are used to actuate the latch plate for seal ring retention and release, making the hydraulic system multi-functional without requiring separate ports or control circuits dedicated solely to retention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing hydraulic pressure and control infrastructure to perform the retention and release functions, rather than requiring external or separate hydraulic systems, allowing the system to service itself
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 approach reduces the size, weight, and complexity of subsea blowout preventer stacks, allowing for efficient remote replacement of seal rings, enhancing maintenance capabilities and reducing stress on the equipment and seafloor formations.
Implementation Method 1
The ring-shaped piston is movable along a bore axis between a first axial position in which an inner surface of the ring-shaped piston engages a outer surface of the latch plate to retain the seal ring and a second axial position in which the latch plate is disengaged from the ring-shaped piston to release the seal ring
Data Source
AI summary
In a hydraulic connector for connecting a portion of the hydraulic connector to a mandrel and having a seal ring with an external groove to seal between the hydraulic connector and the mandrel the method of providing a locking segments having an inner position and a radially outward second position, providing when the latches are in a first latch position a portion is engaged with the locking segments in the radially inward position and a second latch portion is disengaged from the external groove of the seal ring to release the seal ring, and providing when the one or more latches are in a second latch position the first latch portion is engaged with one or more of the locking segments in the radially outward position the second latch portion is engaged with the external groove of the seal ring to retain the seal ring.