Closed-loop solenoid system
AssigneeCameron International Corporation
InventorsJohannes van Wijk, Edward C. Gaude
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for controlling hydraulically actuatable components of a blowout preventer stack assembly and a system for same. The apparatus comprises a blowout preventer stack including hydraulically actuatable components and a lower marine riser package coupled to the blowout preventer stack and including additional hydraulic components. The lower marine riser package includes a solenoid valve configured to control at least some of the components. The solenoid valve receives hydraulic fluid from a dedicated accumulator or accumulator bank configured to supply hydraulic fluid exclusively for use with the solenoid valve. A closed-loop hydraulic circuit is formed between the accumulator or accumulator bank and the solenoid valve.
Claims20
A system for controlling hydraulically actuatable components disposed on a subsea blowout preventer assembly, the system comprising:
- a solenoid valve configured to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to adjust at least one of the hydraulically actuatable components;
- a dedicated accumulator configured to supply the hydraulic fluid exclusively for use with the solenoid valve;
- and
- a reservoir transfer vessel comprising a first chamber configured to receive and store a portion of the hydraulic fluid and a second chamber configured to receive a second fluid to cause the portion of the hydraulic fluid in the first chamber to flow to the accumulator to re-pressurize the accumulator in the event of a pressure loss;
- wherein a flow path of the hydraulic fluid flowing between the solenoid valve, the reservoir transfer vessel and the accumulator forms a closed loop.
A subsea blowout preventer system comprising:
- a subsea blowout preventer stack including hydraulically actuatable components;
- and
- a lower marine riser package coupleable to the subsea blowout preventer stack and comprising additional components, the lower marine riser package also comprising:
- a solenoid valve configured to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to adjust at least one of the hydraulically actuatable components of the subsea blowout preventer stack and the additional components of the lower marine riser package;
- an accumulator configured to supply the hydraulic fluid for use with the solenoid valve;
- and
- a reservoir transfer vessel comprising a first chamber configured to receive and store a portion of the hydraulic fluid and a second chamber configured to receive a second fluid to cause the portion of the hydraulic fluid in the first chamber to flow to the accumulator to re-pressurize the accumulator in the event of a pressure loss;
- wherein a flow path of the hydraulic fluid flowing between the solenoid valve, the reservoir transfer vessel and the accumulator forms a closed loop.
A subsea blowout preventer assembly comprising:
- a blowout preventer stack;
- and
- a control pod comprising a solenoid valve configured to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to control hydraulic functions of the blowout preventer assembly, wherein the solenoid valve receives the hydraulic fluid from a dedicated accumulator, wherein a reservoir transfer vessel comprises a first chamber configured to receive and store a portion of the hydraulic fluid and a second chamber configured to receive a second fluid to cause the portion of the hydraulic fluid in the first chamber to flow to the accumulator to re-pressurize the accumulator in the event of a pressure loss, and wherein a flow path of the hydraulic fluid flowing between the solenoid valve, the reservoir transfer vessel and the accumulator forms a closed loop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.