Subsea Pump Pressure Compensators for Hydrostatic Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea fluid pumping systems face challenges due to dynamic pressure changes with depth, temperature, and salinity, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed, leading to operational complications and equipment protection issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid pump apparatus with dynamic pressure compensation systems, including suction and housing compensators, that utilize ambient fluid bladders and springs to maintain pressure differentials, allowing for adaptive pressure management across the pump and motor components, even in extreme subsea environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If subsea pump equipment is lowered to great depth, then the pump can access deeper fluid sources, but the hydrostatic pressure increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pressure compensators that act as counterbalancing mechanisms, introducing opposing pressure forces to counteract the increasing hydrostatic pressure at depth. The compensators maintain a pressure differential across the pump components, effectively creating a counterweight effect that balances the external water pressure and protects internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure compensators serve as intermediary devices between the external high-pressure environment and the internal pump components. These compensators mediate the pressure transmission, allowing the pump to operate at great depths while protecting sensitive internal components from direct exposure to full hydrostatic pressure through controlled pressure differential management.
2Reliability
If pressure compensation systems are added to protect pump components, then component protection improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates pressure compensators directly into the pump housing structure, merging the compensation function with the existing pump components rather than adding entirely separate systems. The compensators are positioned to work in conjunction with the pump's natural pressure zones, combining protection functionality with the operational structure to minimize overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure compensators are designed to serve multiple functions: they protect motor and pump components from excessive pressure differentials, maintain lubrication fluid pressure, and enable operation across varying depths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protection systems for each component, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while comprehensively addressing component protection needs.
3Reliability
If pressure differentials are maintained across pump components, then component reliability improves, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pump housing into distinct pressure zones separated by compensators, creating segmented chambers that maintain different pressure levels. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested at standard pressures independently, then assembled into the pressure-compensated configuration, thereby maintaining component reliability while managing manufacturing and assembly complexity through modular construction.
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 solution effectively equalizes pressure differentials, protecting subsea pumps from hydrostatic pressure and transient changes, enabling stable operation, deployment, and retrieval, while supporting subsea fluid systems like oil and gas production.
Implementation Method 1
a suction compensator and a housing compensator. Each compensator may include a compensating fluid, a separator, and a spring.
Implementation Method 2
Each compensator may include a compensating fluid, a separator, and a spring.
Implementation Method 3
Each compensator may include a compensating fluid, a separator, and a spring.
Implementation Method 4
Each compensator may include a compensating fluid, a separator, and a spring.
Implementation Method 5
Each compensator may include a compensating fluid, a separator, and a spring.
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to fluid pump apparatuses. A fluid pump apparatus may comprise a suction compensator, a housing compensator, and a pump. A suction compensator may comprise an ambient fluid compensator, an ambient fluid bladder, and a spring compensator, wherein the spring compensator comprises a first separator partitioning an internal volume of the spring compensator into a first suction fluid chamber and a compensation fluid chamber. A housing compensator may comprise a second separator partitioning an internal volume of the housing compensator into a second suction fluid chamber and a lubrication fluid chamber. The compensation fluid chamber may be in fluid communication with the suction compensator. The first suction fluid chamber may be in fluid communication with the second suction fluid chamber. A pump may comprise a housing defining a lubrication fluid compartment in fluid communication with the lubrication fluid chamber.