# US 12,006,785 B2 · Self-propelled valve actuator on a rail transport system for manifolds and subsea trees

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- Number: US 12,006,785 B2
- Document ID: US12006785B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/907,052
- Filed: 2021-03-17
- Published: 2023-04-13
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-27
- Assignees: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
- Applicants: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
- Inventors: Dawid Biernacik
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006785B2

## CPC

- E21B 34/04: in underwater well heads
- E21B 41/0007: {for underwater installations (E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence)}
- E21B 4/006: {Mechanical motion converting means, e.g. reduction gearings (E21B4/10 takes precedence)}
- E21B 33/0355: {Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads}
- E21B 34/02: in well heads
- E21B 41/04: Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads
- E21B 2200/03: Valves operated by gear mechanisms, e.g. rack and pinion mechanisms
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

The invention relates to a self-propelled valve actuator on a rail transport system for manifolds and Christmas trees. The valve actuator is moveable along a transport rail and may operate several valves. The valve actuator is driven by a gearwheel motor. The invention also relates to a rotatable valve head having diametrical slots with which the valve actuator may interact.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A valve actuator system for actuating at least two valves on a production structure having at least two valves, each valve comprising a rotatable valve head, the valve actuator system comprising:
a transport rail;
a valve actuator moveable along the transport rail, the valve actuator including at least:
a first gearwheel engaging a transport rail rack of the transport rail; and
a second gearwheel engaging the transport rail rack of the transport rail;
an actuator motor housing;
a rotatable drive element with a valve head engagement portion for engaging the valve head; and
at least one motor for driving at least one of the gearwheel and the rotatable drive element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the production structure is a manifold or a subsea tree.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the actuator motor housing is filled with a fluid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the valve head engagement portion includes a first end portion and a second end portion, each with chamfered corners.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the valve head includes either one single diametrical slot or 2n−1 diametrical slots where n=[2,3,4, . . . ] with an angle of 180°/2n−1 between each diametrical slot; and wherein an end surface of the valve head engagement portion is parallel to a base surface of the diametrical slots of the valve head.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The valve actuator system of claim 5, wherein each diametrical slot includes two inclined cut-away portions expanding the slot width towards the circumference of the cylindrical valve head at both ends of the slot.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the valve actuator includes a magnetic sensor, monitoring the position of the valve actuator along the transport rail.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the valve head engagement portion is a flat blade.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the transport rail is secured to the production structure.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, further comprising:
a second valve actuator identical to the valve actuator.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the valve actuator further comprises a support clamp aligning the valve actuator with the transport rail.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the valve actuator further comprises a support pin aligning the valve actuator with the transport rail.