Subsea Intervention Valve Control With Electric Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea intervention systems relying on hydraulic actuators face challenges due to environmental conditions and lack precision and automation, requiring a more reliable and controlled mechanism for operating subsea valves.
Innovation Solution
The integration of electric actuators and controllers in intervention packages to control fluid flow, enabling precise and automated operation of valves, with real-time monitoring and emergency disconnect capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic actuators are used for operating subsea valves, then the system can provide sufficient force for valve operation, but the system becomes more complex and less reliable due to environmental sensitivity and requirement for hydraulic fluid sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic actuators with electric actuators to operate subsea valves. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid sources and reduces environmental sensitivity, thereby improving reliability while reducing system complexity. The electric actuator system requires only electrical power input and control signals, removing the complex hydraulic infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic fluid source and hydraulic infrastructure from the subsea intervention system. By taking out the hydraulic actuation system entirely and replacing it with electric actuators, the system eliminates the complexity and reliability issues associated with hydraulic fluid management in subsea environments.
2Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic actuators are used for valve operation, then the system can provide sufficient actuation force, but precision and automation control are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electric actuators for hydraulic actuators, enabling precise control through electrical signals. Electric actuators offer superior precision in position control and can be easily integrated with automated control systems and sensors, allowing for programmable operation sequences and real-time adjustments based on sensor feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that provide feedback to the control system, enabling closed-loop control of the electric actuators. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor valve position, detect anomalies, and automatically adjust actuator operation to achieve precise valve control and enable automated intervention sequences.
3Power
If hydraulic fluid sources are included in the system, then valve actuation can be achieved, but the system weight increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic fluid sources, accumulators, and hydraulic infrastructure from the subsea intervention system. This elimination significantly reduces system weight while improving efficiency, as electric actuators convert electrical energy directly to mechanical motion without the energy losses associated with hydraulic fluid compression, leakage, and flow resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic power transmission system with an electric actuation system. Electric actuators are more efficient in converting electrical energy to mechanical work, eliminating the inefficiencies of hydraulic systems including fluid compression losses, leakage, and the need for heavy accumulators and pressure vessels.
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
Enhances precision and automation of subsea valve operations, improving reliability and efficiency by reducing the need for hydraulic fluid sources and allowing for lighter, more efficient intervention systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric actuator coupled to a first valve along the fluid flow path
Data Source
AI summary
An intervention system is provided. The intervention system includes an intervention package. The intervention package is used to couple to a subsea tree and to perform hydraulic or mechanical operations on subsea wells or flowlines. The intervention package includes a first interface that is configured to couple to the subsea tree. The intervention package further includes a fluid flow path through the intervention package to the first interface. The intervention package further includes an electric actuator coupled to a valve along the fluid flow path. The intervention package further includes a controller coupled to the electric actuator. The controller is used to control the electric actuator to control the valve.