Underwater Robotic Actuator for BOP Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) used for subsea operations, such as controlling blowout preventers (BOPs), are expensive, require skilled operators, and have high power demands, necessitating heavy umbilical conductors, and lack efficient fluid control systems for unmanned remote functions and well pressure control.

Innovation Solution

A robotic system with a frame configured for underwater deployment, featuring a control panel with dual actuators for front and backside operation, a fluid reservoir, and a method for remotely controlling fluid distribution using guide rails, movable rails, and an actuator module, allowing for autonomous or remote operation of subsea equipment without pressurized accumulators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional ROVs are used for subsea operations, then control functions can be performed, but the system requires high power demand and heavy umbilical conductors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidpower demand

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control actuation function from the ROV and places it directly on the BOP stack through robotic actuators. This eliminates the need for the ROV to provide continuous high power during operations, as the actuators are self-contained on the subsea equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic actuators on the BOP stack are designed to be self-contained units that can autonomously perform control functions without requiring continuous power or control signals from the ROV. The actuators include integrated motors, sensors, and control logic that enable independent operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional ROVs with skilled operators are used, then complex subsea equipment can be controlled, but the system becomes expensive and requires skilled operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with automated robotic actuators that use electrical motors and electronic control systems. This substitution eliminates the need for skilled operators to manually manipulate controls while maintaining full control capability over complex subsea equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic actuators serve as intermediaries between the control system and the BOP equipment. They include integrated sensors and control logic that automatically interpret control signals and execute appropriate actions, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If pressurized accumulators are used for hydraulic fluid storage, then sufficient fluid pressure is available, but the system weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic fluid pressureVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydraulic actuators that draw fluid from reservoirs at ambient pressure. The hydraulic system is designed to operate without pre-pressurized accumulators, using the ambient water pressure and the actuator's own mechanical advantage to generate the required closing forces on the BOP rams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter from pre-stored high pressure in accumulators to ambient pressure in open reservoirs. The hydraulic actuators are designed to generate required pressures through mechanical leverage and controlled fluid delivery, eliminating the need for heavy pressurized storage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If pressurized accumulators are used for fluid storage, then fluid is readily available, but maintenance and troubleshooting become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid availabilityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic system is segmented into modular components with separate reservoirs, actuators, and fluid pathways. This segmentation allows individual components to be independently accessed, removed, and maintained without affecting the entire system, greatly simplifying troubleshooting and repair operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the hydraulic fluid storage from pressurized accumulators and places it in open, accessible reservoirs that can be easily monitored and serviced. The fluid delivery system is designed with isolated pathways that allow maintenance personnel to service individual actuators without draining the entire hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11821290B2Remote underwater robotic actuator

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 KINETIC PRESSURE CONTROL LTD

AI summary

An underwater robotic system includes a frame for deployment in a body of water and having a control panel with multiple controls. A first actuator on the frame selectively actuates a control from a front side of the panel. A second actuator on the frame selectively actuates a control from a back side of the panel. One or more controls on the panel is configured to regulate distribution of a fluid. The frame is configured to couple to a blowout preventer. A method for robotic fluid distribution in an underwater environment.