Valve Actuator Wireless Sensor Layout for Lighter Penetration Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical actuators for subsea hydrocarbon extraction valves face issues with structural weakness and increased weight due to sensor contact pins, and complex wire routing through a utility chamber with moving parts, leading to higher costs and difficulty in handling and assembly.
Innovation Solution
The actuator employs wireless communication between sensor units in the utility chamber and a control unit in the electronics chamber, eliminating the need for physical connections and utilizing energy harvesting for power, thereby reducing the penetration plate thickness and simplifying design, assembly, and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor contact pins are installed in the penetration plate to connect sensor units, then the structural integrity of the penetration plate is compromised, but increasing the plate thickness to compensate results in increased weight and handling difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes sensor contact pins and wire connections from the penetration plate entirely. Sensor units in the utility chamber communicate wirelessly with the control unit, eliminating the need for physical penetrations through the plate. This extraction of connection elements preserves the plate's structural integrity while avoiding weight increase from thickening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical wire connections and contact pins with wireless communication technology. Sensor units transmit data signals wirelessly across the penetration plate without physical contact, substituting the mechanical connection system with an electromagnetic field-based system that requires no penetration holes.
2Reliability
If power wires and data wires are routed through the utility chamber to connect sensor units, then complete electrical and data connectivity is achieved, but the complex routing through moving parts increases design and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts power wires and data wires from the utility chamber routing path. By providing power and data communication wirelessly through the penetration plate, the system eliminates the complex wire routing problem entirely, allowing sensor units to be placed in previously inaccessible areas without concern for wire management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical wire routing with wireless power and data transmission. The control unit transmits both power and data signals wirelessly through the penetration plate to sensor units, replacing the mechanical wire-based system with an electromagnetic field-based system that eliminates routing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns an electrical actuator for a valve and a method of controlling a valve, using the electrical actuator. The electrical actuator includes an electronics chamber, including a control unit and a utility chamber, including at least one sensor unit. Each sensor unit includes a sensor. A penetration plate separates the electronics chamber and the utility chamber. Each sensor unit in the utility chamber is configured to wirelessly communicate a data signal, obtained by the sensor, to the control unit.