Subsea Control Module Adapter for Legacy Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing subsea hydrocarbon production well control modules (SCMs) face challenges due to obsolescence, as older designs are incompatible with modern ones, leading to high replacement costs and impracticality, especially when different manufacturers have varying base plate interfaces and locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The use of adapters, both passive and active, to interface modern subsea control modules with older designs, enabling compatibility and facilitating the integration of modern SCMs with older systems by matching base plates, locking mechanisms, and providing necessary hydraulic and electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If modern SCMs are used to replace older designs, then reliability and performance are improved, but compatibility with older mounting arrangements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSCM reliabilityVSAvoidMounting compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the modern SCM and the older mounting arrangement. The adapter includes a base plate that interfaces with the older mounting structure and connectors that interface with the modern SCM, thereby mediating the compatibility issue and allowing the modern SCM to be mounted on older systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting interface is segmented into two separate parts: the adapter base plate that interfaces with the older mounting structure, and the SCM connectors that interface with the modern SCM. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific interface requirement, resolving the compatibility conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If custom-designed replacement SCMs are manufactured to match older mounting arrangements, then compatibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMounting compatibilityVSAvoidManufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed as a universal interface component that can accommodate multiple older SCM designs with different mounting arrangements. By creating a single adapter platform that can interface with various older designs, the need for custom-designed replacement SCMs is eliminated, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adapters are introduced to interface modern SCMs with older systems, then compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMounting compatibilityVSAvoidMounting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as a self-contained intermediary unit that encapsulates all the complexity of interfacing with older systems. The modern SCM itself remains simple and unchanged, while the adapter handles all compatibility requirements, thereby isolating the complexity to a single replaceable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2180135B1Mounting a module on an underwater structure

Publication Date: 2018.07.18 BAKER HUGHES ENERGY TECHNOLOGY UK LTD

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AI summary

A method of mounting a subsea control module (1) on a mounting plate (10) of an underwater tree of a subsea hydrocarbon well comprises lowering the module to the plate and attaching the module to the plate with an adapter (6) between it and the plate and with portions of the module being coupled with portions of the mounting plate.