Subsea Choke Insert Locking Apparatus Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea choke connections face issues with seawater exposure, debris ingress, and vibration-induced unintended separation due to lack of protection for locking dogs and actuation mechanisms, leading to insecure locking and potential inadvertent release.
Innovation Solution
The design isolates locking dogs and the actuation system from seawater, incorporating a backup hydraulic actuation system and position lock feature to prevent axial movement caused by vibration, ensuring secure locking and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If locking dogs and actuation mechanisms are exposed to seawater for simple connection design, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to corrosion, debris ingress, and vibration-induced unintended separation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional zones: a sealed actuation chamber containing the actuation mechanism and locking dogs, and an external seawater environment. The sealed chamber isolates critical components from seawater while maintaining operational functionality, resolving the contradiction between design simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed chamber acts as an intermediary barrier between the locking dogs/actuation mechanism and the seawater environment. This intermediary protects the mechanical components from corrosion and debris while allowing the locking function to operate reliably, without requiring complex external protection systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If locking dogs are exposed to seawater for easier manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability worsens due to corrosion and debris affecting locking security
Solution Approach 1:
The locking dogs are manufactured as simple, robust components within the sealed chamber, maintaining ease of manufacture. The segmentation isolates these simple components from seawater, allowing them to be made from standard materials without complex corrosion-resistant coatings or treatments, while still achieving high reliability.
3Device complexity
If actuation mechanism is exposed to seawater for simpler design, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to seawater exposure undermining effective operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed chamber serves as an intermediary protective environment for the actuation mechanism. It allows the use of simple, reliable mechanical components (threaded rod, nut, spring) without requiring complex seals or corrosion-resistant materials, while the chamber itself protects against seawater ingress, maintaining actuation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed chamber provides beforehand protection against seawater exposure to the actuation mechanism. By preventing seawater ingress in advance, the system ensures that the actuation components remain free from corrosion and debris, maintaining their operational effectiveness throughout the service life.
4Ease of operation
If locking dogs are exposed to seawater for simpler connection design, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to debris preventing secure locking
Solution Approach 1:
The connection operation is segmented into two parts: the simple external connection action (bringing components together) and the protected internal locking action (within the sealed chamber). This segmentation allows ease of operation for the external connection while ensuring reliable locking within the protected environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection for sub-sea use employs locking dogs that are isolated from seawater and a backup system for operating the backup sleeve to the dogs. The normal actuation system for the backup sleeve is also isolated from seawater exposure. The set position of the backup sleeve is positively retained against the prospect of axial movement that could be triggered by transmitted vibration into the connection.