Subsea Control Valve Compact Modular Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea control valves are large and heavy, leading to increased installation time and costs, and there is a need for a reliable and compact solution to control hydraulic fluid supply to subsea fluid-actuated devices.
Innovation Solution
A subsea control valve design featuring a housing with input, output, and actuator fluid lines, a pivotable ball valve member with two positions, and biased ball seats, allowing fluid flow between these lines to control the actuation of subsea devices, utilizing a stepper motor and sensor system for precise operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional subsea control valves are used, then reliable hydraulic fluid control is achieved, but the size and weight of the equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into separate modular components including a first valve body portion, a second valve body portion, and a ball valve assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier installation and maintenance while reducing overall equipment weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball valve assembly with through-bore is nested within the valve body structure, with the ball valve member positioned inside the housing. This nested configuration reduces the overall external dimensions of the valve while maintaining all necessary internal fluid pathways and control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If traditional subsea control valves are used, then reliable hydraulic fluid control is achieved, but installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmented design allows components to be pre-assembled and tested separately, then quickly installed in sequence on the subsea platform. This reduces installation time and complexity while maintaining system reliability through proven modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design incorporates universal mounting interfaces and standardized connections that can be adapted to different subsea equipment configurations. The multi-functional valve body serves multiple purposes including fluid control, structural support, and integration with actuation systems, reducing the number of separate components needed.
3Weight of stationary object
If a compact valve design is used, then equipment size and weight are reduced, but device complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the ball valve member itself, which serves as both the flow control element and the positioning element. The through-bore design combines the sealing surface and fluid pathway into a single integrated structure, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional valve disc or plug that moves perpendicular to the flow, this design uses a ball valve member with a through-bore that rotates about its diameter. This inverted approach simplifies the sealing mechanism and reduces the complexity of the actuation system while achieving compact dimensions.
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 design reduces the size and weight of subsea control equipment, enhancing installation efficiency and reducing costs while ensuring reliable hydraulic fluid management for subsea actuated devices.
Implementation Method 1
a ball valve member with a through bore, pivotably connected within the housing between the input fluid line, the output fluid line and the actuator fluid line
Implementation Method 2
a spring (25) arranged to bias the ball valve member (20) to a default position
Implementation Method 3
a seal element (41) arranged to seal between the ball valve member (20) and the housing (11), wherein the seal element is biased by the spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a subsea control valve (10) for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to a subsea fluid-actuated device (4). The valve comprises a housing (11) with an input fluid line bore (16) connectable to a input fluid system (2), a return fluid line bore (17) connectable to a return fluid system (3) and an actuator fluid line bore (18) connectable to the fluid-actuated device (4). A ball valve member (20) with a through bore (21) is pivotably connected within the housing (11) between the input fluid line bore (16), the return fluid line bore (17) and the actuator fluid line bore (18), the ball valve member (20) having a first and a second position. The actuator fluid line bore (18) and the return fluid line bore (17) are connected to each other via the through bore (21) when the ball valve member (20) is in its first position, thereby allowing fluid to be returned from the fluid-actuated device (4) to the return fluid system (3). The input fluid line bore (16) and the actuator fluid line bore (18) are connected to each other via the through bore (21) when the ball valve member (20) is in its second position, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the input fluid system (2) to the fluid-actuated device (4).