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US 9,810,336 B2Granted
Subsea BOP control system with dual-action check valve
AssigneeNational Coupling Company, Inc.
InventorsRobert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
Claims16
A dual-action check valve comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end;
- a first blind bore in the first end of the body, the bore having a first section open to the first end of the body at an opening in the first end of the body and a first internal diameter (i.d.), a second section having a second i.d. that is less than the first i.d., and a first inclined shoulder between the first section and the second section;
- a first spring-loaded poppet valve in the first blind bore sized and configured to seal against the first inclined shoulder;
- a second blind bore in the second end of the body substantially parallel to the first blind bore, the second blind bore having a first section open to the second end of the body at an opening in the second end of the body and a first internal diameter (i.d.), a second section having a second i.d. that is less than the first i.d., and a second inclined shoulder between the first section and the second section;
- a second spring-loaded poppet valve in the second blind bore sized and configured to seal against the second inclined shoulder;
- a first cross bore at an acute angle to the first blind bore, the first cross bore having cylindrical walls, a first end open to the second section of the first blind bore, and a second, opposing end open to the first section of the second blind bore;
- a second cross bore at an acute angle to the second blind bore, the second cross bore having cylindrical walls, a first end open to the second section of the second blind bore, and a second, opposing end open to the first section of the first blind bore;
- wherein the first cross bore is sized and positioned such that an extension of the cylindrical walls of the first cross bore would clear the opening in the second end of the body made by the second blind bore, and
- wherein the second cross bore is sized and positioned such that an extension of the cylindrical walls of the second cross bore would clear the opening in the first end of the body made by the first blind bore.
6 more elements
A subsea hydraulic system comprising:
- a hydraulically actuated subsea device;
- a first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid in fluid communication with the hydraulically actuated subsea device;
- a disconnectable, second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid in fluid communication with the hydraulically actuated subsea device;
- a shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, the second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, and the hydraulically actuated subsea device;
- a subsea port configured for fluid connection to the second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and in fluid communication with the hydraulically actuated subsea device;
- and,
- a dual-action check valve in fluid communication with the subsea port, the dual-action check valve comprising
- a body having a first blind bore in a first end thereof and a second blind bore in a second, opposing end of the body, the second blind bore being substantially parallel to said first blind bore;
- a first spring-loaded poppet valve in said first blind bore;
- a second spring loaded poppet valve in said second blind bore;
- a first cross bore interconnecting the first and second blind bores at a first location and open to a side of the body thereby forming a first port;
- a second cross bore interconnecting the first and second blind bores at a second location remote from the first location and open to side of the body thereby forming a second port;
- a first plug sealing the open end of the first blind bore and securing the first spring-loaded poppet valve in the first blind bore;
- and,
- a second plug sealing the open end of the second blind bore and securing the second spring-loaded poppet valve in the second blind bore.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.