Subsea Solenoid Valve Overcurrent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea control systems for blowout preventers lack the ability to identify solenoid valve functionality before applying power, leading to uncertainties in handling overcurrent and undercurrent conditions, which can result in faulty operations or damage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising current sensors, processors, and control pods that measure input current to solenoids, de-energize and re-energize the solenoids multiple times to verify overcurrent or undercurrent conditions, and transmit signals to control units to manage these conditions effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is applied to activate the solenoid valve to determine functionality, then the solenoid valve operation can be tested, but overcurrent or undercurrent conditions may cause faulty operation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary current measurement and analysis before applying full power to the solenoid valve. By measuring current characteristics during a test activation and comparing against expected ranges, the system identifies overcurrent or undercurrent conditions before they can cause damage, allowing preventive action to be taken.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors current draw during solenoid valve operation and provides feedback to the control system. When abnormal current conditions are detected (overcurrent or undercurrent), the system responds by de-energizing the solenoid and alerting operators, preventing damage while allowing continued operation under normal conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the solenoid is de-energized and re-energized multiple times to verify overcurrent conditions, then false positives can be avoided, but the process takes more time
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic energization cycles where the solenoid is activated multiple times in sequence with brief intervals between activations. This periodic testing allows the system to distinguish between transient current spikes (which may normalize on subsequent cycles) and persistent overcurrent conditions (which remain abnormal across all cycles), improving diagnostic accuracy while managing time through automated rapid cycling.
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 allows for proper handling of overcurrent and undercurrent conditions, reducing the risk of damage and enhancing fault recovery, thereby increasing the mean time between failures and minimizing overheating in subsea control subsystem components.
Implementation Method 1
one or more current sensors operably connected to the one or more solenoid and configured to measure input current going into the one or more solenoids
Implementation Method 2
each of the one or more solenoid valves configured to close upon energization of a respective one or more solenoids associated with the one or more solenoid valves
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for handling overcurrent and undercurrent conditions in subsea control subsystem components include determining, by a current sensor operatively coupled to a solenoid valve, that an input current to the solenoid is greater or lower than a predetermined threshold value, de-energizing, by a processor operatively coupled to the current sensor, the solenoid for a first period of time, re-energizing the solenoid at least three times after the first period of time, determining, by the current sensor, that during each of the at least three times the input current to the solenoid is greater or lower than the predetermined threshold value, and de-energizing the solenoid and transmitting a control signal to a control unit.