Systems and methods to slowly reduce the pressure in a pressure chamber over time

A method of performing a stepwise depressurization of a main high-pressure chamber over a selected period of time, the method comprising:

• controllably opening a first valve to allow an amount of fluid from the main high-pressure chamber to pass through the first valve;
• receiving at least some of the amount of fluid that passed through the first valve into a second pressure chamber;
• closing the first valve when a desired pressure reduction is achieved in the main high-pressure chamber;
• and
• controllably opening a second valve to allow pressurized fluid in the second pressure chamber to pass through the second valve after the first valve is closed.

A system for performing a stepwise depressurization of a main high-pressure chamber over a selected period of time, the system comprising:

• first valve means for permitting a first amount of pressurized fluid to exit from the main high-pressure chamber when the first valve means is in an open position;
• receiving means for receiving the first amount of pressurized fluid that passes through the first valve means;
• second valve means for permitting a second amount of pressurized fluid to exit from the receiving means when the second valve means is in an open position;
• and
• control means for sequentially controlling the opening and closing of the first valve means and the second valve means to controllably depressurize the main high-pressure chamber over the selected period of time.