JP6772341B2 - Hydraulic device and how to operate it - Google Patents

Description

(Mutual reference to related applications)
This application claims priority under US Provisional Application No. 61 / 886,404 entitled "NTH REDUNDANT HYDRAULIC Actuators" filed on October 3, 2013, which is in its entirety. Is used as a reference.

(Background) (1. Field of invention)
The present invention generally relates to hydraulic actuators, and more specifically, but not limited to, redundant hydraulic actuators within a control system that includes hydraulic control.

(2. Explanation of related technologies)
The hydraulic system employs a large number of hydraulic devices to perform various functions. For example, undersea blowout preventers (BOPs) may employ hydraulic devices in the form of rams, rings, connectors, and fail-safe valve functions. In the case of BOP, if the hydraulic device malfunctions and is no longer available or leaks, the drilling operation must be suspended so that maintenance on the hydraulic device can be performed. The suspension of drilling operations results in significant losses and / or significant costs in revenue.

(Summary)
Hydraulic devices have duplicate controls to improve the reliability, availability, fault tolerance, and / or safety of hydraulic devices and allow them to function even after component failure. And / or may be actuated using an actuator. In some embodiments, the hydraulic device that employs overlapping operation of the hydraulic device may include a hydraulic device having a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator, the first and second. Each hydraulic actuator comprises at least a first hydraulic cavity, a second hydraulic cavity, and a piston. The device may also include a controller coupled to a hydraulic device, the controller configured to receive hydraulic fluid from a fluid source via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller. Will be done. The controller also selects the first hydraulic line of at least two parallel hydraulic lines and directs the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator. It may be configured to transfer, and transferring the hydraulic fluid to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator applies pressure to the first piston to actuate the hydraulic device. In other words, the controller also selects the first hydraulic line of at least two parallel hydraulic lines and applies pressure to the first piston to actuate the hydraulic fluid. , May be configured to transfer from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator.

According to one embodiment, the controller selects a second hydraulic line of at least two hydraulic lines and draws the hydraulic fluid from the selected second hydraulic line to the second hydraulic actuator of the second hydraulic actuator. The second piston may be further configured to transfer to one cavity so that transferring the hydraulic fluid to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator further activates the hydraulic device. Apply pressure to. In other words, the controller selects the second hydraulic line of at least two hydraulic lines, and applies pressure to the second piston, selecting the hydraulic fluid to further actuate the hydraulic device. It may be further configured to transfer from the resulting second hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. In another embodiment, the controller may also be configured to transfer the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. The step of transferring the fluid to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator applies pressure to the second piston to further operate the hydraulic device. In other words, the controller also applies pressure to the second piston and pulls the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the second hydraulic actuator in order to further operate the hydraulic device. It may be configured to be transferred to the first cavity.

In another embodiment, the controller is in at least one of a first piston, a first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, a second piston, and a first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. It may be configured to receive one or more signals from a plurality of coupled sensors. The controller, at least in part, has a failure associated with at least one of a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator based on one or more signals received from multiple sensors. It may be further configured to detect. In some embodiments, the controller also increases the pressure applied to at least one of the first and second pistons in response to a failure detection to further activate the hydraulic device. In addition, at least one of at least two parallel hydraulic lines may be configured to increase the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

In some embodiments, the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator may be coupled in series within the hydraulic device. In another embodiment, the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator may be coupled in parallel within the hydraulic device.

In some embodiments, the method for duplicate operation of hydraulic devices involves the step of receiving a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source in a controller via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller. It may be included. The method also includes a step of selecting the first hydraulic line of at least two parallel hydraulic lines by the controller and a hydraulic device of the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line by the controller. The step of transferring the hydraulic fluid to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the step of transferring the hydraulic fluid to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, is to operate the hydraulic device. It may include a step of applying pressure to the first piston. In other words, the method also involves the step of selecting the first hydraulic line of at least two parallel hydraulic lines by the controller and applying pressure to the first piston to activate the hydraulic device. The controller may include the step of transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic device.

According to one embodiment, the method involves selecting a second hydraulic line of at least two hydraulic lines and applying pressure to the second piston to further actuate the hydraulic device. It may further include the step of transferring the pressure fluid from the selected second hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic device. In some embodiments, the method also applies pressure to the second piston and a second hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line in order to further actuate the hydraulic device. May include the step of transferring to the first cavity of the hydraulic actuator of.

In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one of a first piston, a first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, a second piston, and a first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. It may include the step of receiving one or more signals from a plurality of coupled sensors. The method is also associated with at least one of a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator, at least in part, based on one or more signals received from multiple sensors. It may include a step of detecting a failure. According to another embodiment, the method increases the pressure applied to at least one of the first piston and the second piston in response to a failure detection to further activate the hydraulic device. In addition, at least one of at least two parallel hydraulic lines may further include a step of increasing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

In certain embodiments, the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in series within the hydraulic device. In another embodiment, the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in parallel within the hydraulic device.

As used in the present disclosure, the term "blowout preventer" may include, but is not limited to, a single preventer as well as more than one preventer assembly (eg, blowout preventer assembly). Also includes preventer stacks).

The term "combined" is defined as being connected, though not necessarily directly and necessarily mechanically; the two items "combined" can be one with each other. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless otherwise expressly required by the present disclosure. The term "substantially", as understood by those skilled in the art, is defined as most, but not necessarily in whole, as defined (and includes those defined, eg, substantially 90). Degree includes 90 degrees, and substantially parallel includes parallel). In any disclosed embodiment, the terms "substantially", "approximately", and "about" can be paraphrased by "within a [percentage]" as defined, with percentages of 0.1, 1. Includes 5, 10, and 20 percent.

Further, devices or systems configured in a manner are configured in at least that way, but can also be configured in ways other than those specifically described.

The terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form such as "has" and "having"). Have), "include" (and any form of verb such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain (contains)" (and "cons" and "contining", etc. Any form of term) is an unrestricted connecting verb. As a result, devices that "equip", "have", "contain", or "contain" one or more elements are not limited to owning only those elements, but one or more of them. Own more elements than. Similarly, a method of "comprising," "having," "including," or "containing" one or more steps is not limited to owning only one or more of them. Own one or more steps of them.

Any embodiment of any of the devices, systems, and methods comprises / includes / contains / has, but consists of or essentially of any of the steps, elements, and / or features described. Can consist of. Therefore, in any of the claims, the terms "consisting of (consisting of)" or "consisting essentially of (consisting of)" would otherwise use an unrestricted concatenated verb. It can be paraphrased by any of the unrestricted concatenated verbs described above to change the scope of a given claim from what would be.

Features of one embodiment or features may be applied to other embodiments, even if not described or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by the nature of the present disclosure or embodiments.

The above outlines the features and technical advantages of the invention in a very broad manner so that the following detailed description of the invention can be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention that form the subject matter of the claims of the invention are described below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed concepts and specific embodiments can be readily utilized as the basis for modifying or designing other structures for performing the same object of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such equivalent construction does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims. The novel features considered to be features of the present invention are better understood from the following description, both in terms of their organization and method of operation, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures, along with additional objectives and advantages. Will be done. However, it should be expressly understood that the figures are provided for illustration and illustration purposes only and are not intended as a limited definition of the invention.
The present specification also provides, for example, the following items.
(Item 1)
It is a hydraulic device,
A hydraulic device having a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator, wherein the first and second hydraulic actuators are at least a first hydraulic cavity and a second hydraulic cavity, respectively. And a hydraulic device with a piston,
A controller coupled to the hydraulic device
A hydraulic fluid is received from the fluid source via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.
Select the first hydraulic line of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines,
The hydraulic fluid is configured to be transferred from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, and the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the first hydraulic actuator. Applying pressure to the first piston to actuate the hydraulic device by transferring it to the first cavity of the
With the controller
A hydraulic device.
(Item 2)
The controller
Select the second hydraulic line of the at least two hydraulic lines,
The hydraulic fluid is further configured to be transferred from the selected second hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator, and the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the second hydraulic pressure. Transferring to the first cavity of the actuator applies pressure to the second piston so that the hydraulic device is further actuated.
The device according to item 1.
(Item 3)
The controller is further configured to transfer the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator and transfer the hydraulic fluid to the first cavity. Item 1. The transfer to the first cavity of the hydraulic actuator of 2 applies pressure to the second piston so that the hydraulic device is further actuated.
Mounted device.
(Item 4)
The controller
A plurality of coupled to at least one of the first piston, the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the second piston, and the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. Receive one or more signals from the sensor and
Failure associated with at least one of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator, at least in part, based on the one or more signals received from the plurality of sensors. Further configured to detect,
The device according to item 1.
(Item 5)
The controller increases the pressure applied to at least one of the first piston and the second piston in response to the detection of the failure, and at least to further operate the hydraulic device. The apparatus of item 4, further configured to increase the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in at least one of the two parallel hydraulic lines.
(Item 6)
The device of item 1, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in series within the hydraulic device.
(Item 7)
The device according to item 1, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in parallel in the hydraulic device.
(Item 8)
A method for duplicate operation of hydraulic devices,
In a controller, a step of receiving a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.
The step of selecting the first hydraulic line of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines by the controller, and
A step of transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic device by the controller, wherein the hydraulic fluid is transferred. The step of transferring the fluid to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator is a step of applying pressure to the first piston to operate the hydraulic device.
Including methods.
(Item 9)
The step of selecting the second hydraulic line of the at least two hydraulic lines, and
The step of transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected second hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic device, wherein the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the second cavity. The step of transferring the hydraulic actuator to the first cavity is a step of applying pressure to the second piston in order to further operate the hydraulic device.
8. The method of item 8.
(Item 10)
Further comprising the step of transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the second hydraulic actuator. 8. The method of item 8, wherein the step of transferring to the first cavity is applying pressure to a second piston to further actuate the hydraulic device.
(Item 11)
9. The method of item 9 or 10, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in series within the hydraulic device.
(Item 12)
9. The method of item 9 or 10, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in parallel within the hydraulic device.
(Item 13)
A plurality of coupled to at least one of the first piston, the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the second piston, and the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. The step of receiving one or more signals from the sensor,
Failure associated with at least one of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator, at least in part, based on the one or more signals received from the plurality of sensors. Steps to detect and
8. The method of item 8.
(Item 14)
In response to the detection of the failure, at least two parallel fluids are used to increase the pressure applied to at least one of the first piston and the second piston to further operate the hydraulic device. 13. The method of item 13, further comprising increasing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid at at least one of the pressure lines.

The drawings below are not limited, but are illustrated as examples. For brevity and clarity, not all features of a given structure are always labeled in every figure in which the structure appears. The same reference number does not necessarily indicate the same structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate features that are similar or have similar functionality to those that may not be the same reference number.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system with overlapping controls and hydraulic actuators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is also a block diagram illustrating a system with overlapping controls and / or hydraulic actuators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for duplicate operation of hydraulic devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(Detailed description of the exemplary embodiment)
The hydraulic device may be actuated using overlapping controls and / or actuators. The duplication built into the control and / or actuator of the hydraulic device improves the reliability, availability, fault tolerance, and / or safety of the hydraulic device, even after the hydraulic device has a component failure. It may be possible to function. In some embodiments, the hydraulic device may include, for example, fluid communication and any function / structure coupled to or as part of a blowout preventer (BOP). By way of example, but not limited to, hydraulic devices associated with BOP include rams, annulars, accumulators, test valves, failsafe valves, suppression and / or occlusion lines and / or valves, riser joints, hydraulic connectors, and /. Alternatively, it may contain an equivalent. In general, BOP may be used on land or in the sea, which can include water depths from a few meters deep to a few kilometers deep (also known as the deep sea).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system with overlapping controls and hydraulic actuators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include a first set of hydraulic lines 102 coupled to the first controller 106 and a second set of hydraulic lines 104 coupled to the second controller 108. In some embodiments, the hydraulic line may be coupled to the controller via conduits, hoses, pipes, and / or equivalents. A first set of hydraulic lines 102 and a second set of hydraulic lines 104 draw a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source (not shown) or from a plurality of fluid sources (not shown), respectively. It may be transferred to the controller 106 and the second controller 108. The fluid source may store seawater, freshwater, treated water, oily fluids, or any other fluid that can flow through a hydraulic device, according to certain embodiments. The fluid source may be realized in various ways, using flexible materials or rigid structures that can vary in volume. For example, the fluid source may be a reservoir, an open water source, another hydraulic device, and / or equivalent. In other embodiments, the fluid source may be a mechanical device, gas accumulator, spring-loaded accumulator, pipe, piston, and / or equivalent. In one embodiment, the fluid source may be located on the surface of the water and / or in the sea. In general, the fluid source may be located anywhere (eg, coastal, above water, underwater) and is a hydraulic line, such as a first set of hydraulic lines 102 and a second set of hydraulic lines 104. It may have either a flexible or rigid structure that supplies fluid into it.

According to one embodiment, each hydraulic line in the first set of hydraulic lines 102 may transfer fluid in parallel to the first controller 106 and of the first set of hydraulic lines 102. The hydraulic fluid in each hydraulic line may have the same pressure. Similarly, each hydraulic line in the second set of hydraulic lines 102 may transfer fluid in parallel to the second controller 106, and each hydraulic in the second set of hydraulic lines 102. The hydraulic fluid in the line may have the same pressure. According to other embodiments, the pressure in the parallel hydraulic lines may vary across the hydraulic lines in either the first set 102 or the second set 104.

According to some embodiments, the first set of hydraulic lines 102 may provide the hydraulic fluid used to operate the hydraulic device 110 in the first direction, while hydraulic pressure. A second set of lines 104 may provide the hydraulic fluid used to operate the hydraulic device 110 in a second direction, which may be the opposite of the first direction. For example, in one embodiment where the hydraulic device 110 can be a BOP ram, a first set of hydraulic lines 102 may provide a hydraulic fluid used to close the ram, while hydraulic pressure. A second set of lines 104 may provide a hydraulic fluid used to open the ram.

Overlapping may be incorporated within the control of the hydraulic device 110 by delivering three parallel hydraulic lines at the same pressure. According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first controller 106 selects from at least three different hydraulic lines within the first set of hydraulic lines 102, the first of the hydraulic lines 102. It is configured to allow fluid from at least one of the hydraulic lines in the set to be transferred to the actuator 114 of the hydraulic device 110 along the first hydraulic actuation line 112. You may. For example, in one embodiment, the first controller 106 selects the first hydraulic line in the first set 102 and the hydraulic fluid in the selected first hydraulic line in the first set 102. May be transferred to the first cavity 116 of the first hydraulic actuator 118 through the first hydraulic actuation line 112. Since the first controller 106 in FIG. 1 accepts a first set of hydraulic lines 102 that includes at least three different hydraulic lines, defects such as leaks or failures of the lines of the first set 102 The first controller 106 and the actuator 114, if encountered in any one of them, allow the fluid to pass through the first working line 112 through a different hydraulic line of the first set 102 that does not exhibit failure or failure. By transferring from, it can still operate without being blocked by a defect or failure.

According to one embodiment, the actuator 114 may include two hydraulic actuators 118 and 122, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first controller 106 selects the second hydraulic line of the first set 102 and the fluid in the selected second hydraulic line of the first set 102. The pressure fluid may be transferred through the second hydraulic actuation line 120 to the first cavity 124 of the second hydraulic actuator 122. As discussed earlier, in the transfer of fluid to the second hydraulic actuator 122, the first controller 106 receives a plurality of hydraulic lines, such as a first set of hydraulic lines 102. This can increase reliability and availability over traditional systems, as the second actuator 122 can increase the likelihood that it will receive a hydraulic fluid as needed.

Similarly, the second controller 108 selects the first hydraulic line of the second set 104 and the third hydraulic fluid in the selected first hydraulic line of the second set 104. It may be transferred to the second cavity 128 of the first hydraulic actuator 118 through the hydraulic operating line 126 of the above. The second controller 108 also selects the second hydraulic line of the second set 104 and causes the hydraulic fluid in the selected second hydraulic line of the second set 104 to act fourth. It may be transferred through the line 130 to the second cavity 132 of the second hydraulic actuator 122. The second controller 108 also receives the plurality of hydraulic lines via the second set of hydraulic lines 104, thus resulting from the overlap within the hydraulic lines received by the first controller 106. The improved reliability, availability, and / or fault tolerance associated with the first hydraulic actuator 118 is also the result of duplication within the hydraulic line received by the second controller 108, the second fluid. It may be presented by the pressure actuator 122.

As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the overlap in some hydraulic lines received by the first controller 106 and the second controller 108, the system 100 also in the operation of the hydraulic device 110. It also illustrates duplication. For example, the hydraulic actuator 114 of the hydraulic device 110 may be split into two separate hydraulic actuators 118 and 122. By incorporating the first hydraulic actuator 118 and the second hydraulic actuator 122, the overlap presented by the actuator 114 is as illustrated in the description of FIG. 3 with a second level of increased reliability. , Availability, and / or fault tolerance.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the first hydraulic actuator 118 and the second hydraulic actuator 122 of the entire hydraulic actuator 114 are in series, but the entire hydraulic actuator system such as the hydraulic actuator 114 , A subset of hydraulic actuators such as the first hydraulic actuator 118 and the second hydraulic actuator 122 may also operate in parallel. For example, FIG. 2 is also a block diagram illustrating a system with overlapping controls and / or hydraulic actuators according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 200 has 1 in contrast to the hydraulic fluid used to close the BOP function, such as a ram, having a separate hydraulic working line for each cavity, as illustrated in FIG. An embodiment that can be dispersed from one hydraulic working line into different cavities is illustrated. As an example, the hydraulic fluid in the first hydraulic actuation line 202 constitutes the entire actuator 216 of the hydraulic device 218, the first cavity 204 of the first actuator 206, the first of the second actuator 210. Cavity 208, and the first cavity 212 of the third actuator 214 may be dispersed. In one embodiment, the supply of fluid in the first hydraulic line 202 may be controlled by a controller such as the first controller 106 in FIG. 1, the fluid in the first hydraulic line 202. , The first set of hydraulic lines 102 in FIG. 1 and the like may be provided by a set of hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the hydraulic fluid in the second hydraulic actuation line 220 constitutes the entire actuator 216 of the hydraulic device 218, the second cavity 222 of the first actuator 206, It may be dispersed in the second cavity 224 of the second actuator 210 and the second cavity 226 of the third actuator 214. In one embodiment, the supply of fluid in the second hydraulic actuation line 220 may be controlled by a controller such as the second controller 108 in FIG. 1, the fluid in the second hydraulic actuation line 220. , A second set of hydraulic lines 104 in FIG. 1, may be provided by a set of hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.

In some embodiments, each cavity associated with each of the subsets of hydraulic actuators 206, 210, and 214 that make up the entire hydraulic actuator 216 is a dedicated hydraulic actuation line, as illustrated in FIG. May have. Further, a controller such as the first controller 106 or the second controller 108 of FIG. 1 may control the supply of fluid to the first hydraulic actuation line 202 and the second hydraulic actuation line 220 of FIG. Therefore, the improved reliability, availability, and / or fault tolerance associated with the entire hydraulic actuator 114 of FIG. 1 resulting from the overlap within the hydraulic line received by the first controller 106 and the second controller 108. The sex is also shown as a result of the overlap within the hydraulic line received by the controller, which controls the supply of fluid to the first hydraulic working line 202 and the second hydraulic working line 220 of FIG. It may be presented by the entire hydraulic actuator 216 of 2.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which hydraulic actuators can overlap in series, while FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which hydraulic actuators can overlap in parallel. Hydraulic actuators may generally be a combination of series overlap, parallel overlap, and / or series and parallel overlap, without departing from the present disclosure in spirit or scope. Further, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the cavity of the hydraulic actuator has a dedicated hydraulic working line for supplying the hydraulic fluid, while FIG. 2 shows a plurality of cavities dispersed from the hydraulic working line. An embodiment capable of accepting a hydraulic fluid has been illustrated. In general, the cavity may accept the hydraulic fluid from a combination of dedicated, distributed, and / or dedicated and distributed hydraulic lines without departing from the present disclosure in spirit or scope.

In some embodiments, the benefits of duplication may extend beyond the controller to hydraulic devices. For example, in some embodiments, each controller in the system, such as controller 106 or controller 108, may have a set of hydraulic lines output from the controller, each output hydraulic line. It may correspond to the input hydraulic pressure line. In such an embodiment, for example, hydraulic lines 112, 120, 126, or 130, etc., each hydraulic line illustrated in FIGS. 1 and / or 2 is a set of overlapping hydraulic lines output from the controller. May correspond to. For example, the hydraulic line 112 may correspond to one set of overlapping hydraulic lines, and the hydraulic line 120 may correspond to another set of overlapping hydraulic lines.

Overlapping during control of the hydraulic fluid to the actuator and within the actuator itself, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and / or 2, causes poor connection and / or the actuator to operate the hydraulic device. By reducing the impact on it, the reliability, availability, and / or fault tolerance of the hydraulic device can be significantly improved. For example, FIG. 3 provides a flowchart illustrating a method for duplicate operation of hydraulic devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 300 may be initiated at block 302 with a step of receiving a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source in the controller via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller. Referring to FIG. 1, the controller referenced in block 302 may be the first controller 106 according to one embodiment, and at least two parallel hydraulic lines are the first set of hydraulic lines 102. It may be at least two of the lines. In some embodiments, the controller may include at least one control valve to control the transfer of fluid to and from the controller.

In block 304, method 300 selects the first hydraulic line of at least two parallel hydraulic lines by the controller, and in block 306, method 300 selects the hydraulic fluid by controller. A step of transferring a hydraulic fluid from a first hydraulic line to a first cavity of a first hydraulic actuator of a hydraulic device, wherein the hydraulic fluid is transferred to a first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator. May include a step of applying pressure to the first piston to actuate the hydraulic device. For example, referring to FIG. 1 again, the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator may include, in one embodiment, the first cavity 116 of the first hydraulic actuator 118. Further, the first piston may be the first piston 134 of FIG. 1, and the hydraulic device may be the hydraulic device 110 of FIG. According to one embodiment, when the hydraulic fluid is transferred to a first cavity such as the first cavity 116, the pressure in the cavity is applied to a first piston such as the first piston 134. It may rise as such, which in turn activates the hydraulic device. For example, when the hydraulic device is a BOP ram and the actuator is configured as illustrated in FIG. 1, the pressure on the first piston 134 as a result of the hydraulic fluid transferred to the first cavity 116. The application of the first piston 134 may move the first piston 134 in the positive x direction, which in some embodiments may close the BOP ram.

In other embodiments, the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator in block 306 may include the first cavity 204 of the first hydraulic actuator 206. Further, the first piston may be the first piston 228 of FIG. 2, and the hydraulic device may be the hydraulic device 218 of FIG. Thus, when the hydraulic device is a BOP ram and the actuator is configured as illustrated in FIG. 2, the pressure on the first piston 228 as a result of the hydraulic fluid transferred into the first cavity 204. The application can move the first piston 228 in the positive x direction, which can also close the BOP ram in some embodiments.

According to one embodiment, the first controller also selects a second hydraulic line of at least two hydraulic lines that are transferred in parallel and draws the hydraulic fluid from the selected second hydraulic line. , May be transferred to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. In some embodiments, the step of transferring the hydraulic fluid to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator may apply pressure to the second piston to further operate the hydraulic device. .. For example, referring again to FIG. 1, the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator may include, in one embodiment, the first cavity 124 of the second hydraulic actuator 122. Further, the second piston may be the second piston 136 of FIG. 1, and the hydraulic device may be the hydraulic device 110 of FIG. According to one embodiment, when the hydraulic fluid is transferred to a first cavity such as the first cavity 124, the pressure in the cavity is applied to a second piston such as the second piston 136. It may rise as such, which subsequently activates the hydraulic device 110. Thus, when the hydraulic device is a BOP ram and the actuator is configured as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first cavity as a result of the hydraulic fluid transferred to the first cavity 124 of the second actuator 122. The application of pressure to the piston 136 of the second can cause the second piston 136 to provide an additional force in the positive x direction, which in some embodiments can close the BOP ram more quickly. ..

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, when the pressure applied to the second piston 136 is equal to the pressure applied to the first piston 134, the BOP ram has a pressure of the first piston 134. It can be closed more quickly than when it was applied only to. In another embodiment, the pressure applied to the first piston 134 and the pressure applied to the second piston 136 remain equal, but the pressure is in addition to the first piston 134, the second. It may be reduced when applied to piston 136. By reducing the pressure applied to both the first piston 134 and the second piston 136, the BOP ram can close at a slower rate, which means that the ram is unreliable or It can be desirable when closing at unsafe and fast speeds. In other embodiments, the pressure applied to the second piston 136 may differ from the pressure applied to the first piston 134. For example, the first controller 106 may accept an additional set of hydraulic lines that hold the hydraulic fluid with lower pressure, and the first controller 106 may accept the hydraulic fluid at lower pressure. May be transferred to the first cavity 124 of the second hydraulic actuator 122. By applying a variable pressure to the second piston 136, the BOP ram may be controlled to close at the desired rate.

In another embodiment, the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line, such as the first hydraulic line selected in block 304, is transferred to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. You may. In some embodiments, the step of transferring the hydraulic fluid to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator may apply pressure to the second piston to further operate the hydraulic device. .. For example, referring again to FIG. 2, the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator may include, in one embodiment, the first cavity 208 of the second hydraulic actuator 210. Further, the second piston may be the second piston 230 of FIG. 2, and the hydraulic device may be the hydraulic device 218 of FIG. Thus, when the hydraulic device is a BOP ram and the actuator is configured as illustrated in FIG. 2, the pressure on the second piston 230 as a result of the hydraulic fluid transferred into the first cavity 208. Application can cause the second piston 230 to provide a force in the positive x direction, which in some embodiments can close the BOP ram at the same or different speeds as before. For example, as mentioned earlier with respect to FIG. 1, the pressure applied to each of the first piston 228 and the second piston 230 fluctuates to correct the pace at which the BOP ram can close, if applicable. May be done.

As illustrated in Figure 1-3, pressure may be applied to the piston, which may be arranged in different combinations and in different ways to operate the hydraulic device. For example, as previously disclosed, the hydraulic actuator may generally be a combination of series overlap, parallel overlap, and / or series and parallel overlap. Thus, according to embodiments, at least the first and second pistons may be arranged in series, in parallel, and / or in series and in parallel to operate the hydraulic device.

In some embodiments, the first controller may also be configured to detect at least a failure associated with the first hydraulic actuator and / or the second hydraulic actuator. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of sensors are coupled to each of the hydraulic actuators within the hydraulic device, and more specifically to each of the pistons and / or cavities of the hydraulic actuators within the hydraulic device. May be done. In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors are at least each of at least the first piston, the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the second piston, and / or the second cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. May be combined with. The first controller may then communicate with each of the sensors, eg, via telecommunications, to receive signals from each of the plurality of sensors.

According to certain embodiments, the signal from the sensor is information / data associated with the respective operating state of the hydraulic actuators in the system, more specifically at least the piston associated with each of the actuators in the system. It may contain information / data associated with and / or the cavity. The data obtained by the sensor may indicate at least one of pressure, flow velocity, temperature, conductivity, pH, position, velocity, acceleration, current, and voltage. The first controller then detects a failure, according to some embodiments, associated with any of the hydraulic actuators in the system and / or any of the specific features of the hydraulic actuators in the system. To do so, signals from the plurality of sensors may be processed using a processor located within the first controller. In addition to including the processor, the first controller may also include memory for storing information / data.

According to one embodiment, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the parallel hydraulic line, such as the hydraulic line in the first set 102, depends on the detection of the failure, such as the failure associated with the second hydraulic actuator. It may be increased to increase the pressure applied to the first piston. Additional pressure is needed to compensate for the failure of the second hydraulic actuator, further activate the hydraulic device, and ensure that the hydraulic device continues to operate even after a component failure. Can be. In other embodiments where the first hydraulic actuator is detected to be defective or fail, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the parallel hydraulic line, such as the hydraulic line in the first set 102, is , May be increased to increase the pressure applied to the second piston. As in the case of the first hydraulic actuator, the additional pressure compensates for the failure of the first hydraulic actuator, further activates the hydraulic device, even after the hydraulic device fails the component. It may be necessary to ensure that it continues to work. In general, the first controller may detect failures associated with any of the actuators contained within the hydraulic device, depending on the detection of failures associated with one particular actuator, the other actuator (ie, defective). The pressure associated with (other than the actuator) may be corrected to compensate for the defective device. In other embodiments, the pressure does not have to be modified to compensate for the defective actuator. According to one embodiment, the pressure in the hydraulic line coupled to the controller may be modified by modifying the pressure applied to the fluid source that supplies the hydraulic fluid.

In some embodiments, the controller may receive inputs and, based on the received inputs, correct the pressure applied to the components of the actuator without defects and / or defects and / or defects. The transfer of fluid to the actuator without the For example, in one embodiment, the controller may communicate with a user interface on the offshore drilling rig, for example via telecommunications, acoustic communication, and / or fluid communication, and may be an operator on the offshore drilling rig, such as an oil well operator. May provide input to an interface that may be communicated to the controller to modify the transfer of fluid to the hydraulic actuator in the system.

According to some embodiments, if a particular feature of the actuator, such as a cavity or piston, is detected to exhibit failure, the defective component may need to be nullified or sealed. For example, in one embodiment having a leak, where the cavity or piston of the actuator is a type of failure, then the leaking cavity, piston, and possibly the entire actuator associated with the leaking cavity and / or piston. , May need to be sealed to prevent any pressure loss. Due to the duplication incorporated into the system, the defective actuator is sealed and / or removed and sealed and / or removed without affecting the overall performance of the hydraulic device due to the overlapping control and / or actuator compensating for the defective component. The repair can be completed.

According to one embodiment, the functionality of the second controller is that the second controller controls the transfer of the fluid used to perform a hydraulic function that is different from the fluid whose transfer is controlled by the first controller. It may be the same as the functionality of the first controller, except that it can. For example, in one embodiment, a first controller may control the transfer of hydraulic fluid used to close the BOP ram, while a second controller is used to open the BOP ram. It can control the transfer of hydraulic fluid. In either case, the second controller also detects the failure, receives the input from the user interface, and based on the detected failure and / or the received input, the fluid to the actuator in the system. The transfer may be modified. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and / or 2, the first controller may control the transfer of fluid to one side of the piston, while the second controller is another side of the same piston. Can control the transfer of fluid to. Therefore, any functionality associated with the first controller may also be associated with the second controller for different purposes.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the actuator incorporates double overlap, and FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the actuator incorporates triple overlap, but in general, the actuator provides any level of overlap. It may be incorporated and the selection of the level of duplication may be specific. For example, in one embodiment, the actuator may incorporate quintuple overlap, while in another embodiment the actuator may incorporate quintuple overlap.

In some embodiments, the controllers 106 and 108 may include a control circuit. The control circuit may include one or more valve controllers, and each valve controller may communicate with at least one of one or more valves, for example by telecommunications. The control circuit may be configured to regulate the transfer of fluid to the hydraulic device by selectively varying the position of the valve between the open and closed positions.

As mentioned above, a controller such as controller 106 or 108 may include a processor to process the information and / or signals received by the controller. The controller may be configured to perform various functions based on the processing of information and / or signals. The controller may also include memory that can be electrically coupled to the processor to store data in the controller.

The controller is not limited to the particular structure disclosed herein. As long as other structures are possible and these structures are configured to perform the functions of the controller as described herein, the controllers disclosed herein will do so. It will be easily recognized that various structures can be included. When implemented in firmware and / or software, some of the aforementioned functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Examples include non-transient computer-readable media encoded by data structures and computer-readable media encoded by computer programs. Computer-readable media include physical computer storage media. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by computers, computing devices, and / or general purpose processors. As an embodiment, such computer readable media are RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage device, magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, or instruction or data structure. It can include any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of, and can be accessed by computers, computing devices, and / or general purpose processors. Discs (disc and disc) include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy (registered trademark) discs, and Blu-ray (registered trademark) discs. .. In general, a disk (disk) magnetically replicates data, and a disk (disk) optically replicates data. The above combinations should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

In addition to storage on a computer-readable medium, instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium contained within the communication device. For example, a communication device may include a transmitter / receiver having signals indicating instructions and data, and a memory for storing data, information, instructions, and / or equivalents. Instructions and data are configured to allow one or more processors to implement the features outlined in this disclosure and this claim.

The aforementioned specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above in some detail or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will make the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Many modifications can be made. Therefore, the various exemplary embodiments of the method and system are not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than those shown may include some or all of the features of the embodiments depicted. For example, the elements may be omitted or combined as an integral structure, and / or the connections may be substituted. In addition, optionally, any aspect of the aforementioned embodiment may be combined with any aspect of the other embodiments described above to have equivalent or different properties and / or functionality and be the same or different. Further embodiments may be formed to address the problem. Similarly, it should be understood that the benefits and benefits mentioned above may be for one embodiment or for several embodiments.

Unless expressly stated in a given claim that uses the terms "means to do" or "step to do", respectively, the added or stepped functional limitation is claimed. The terms are not intended to contain such restrictions and should not be construed as containing them.

Claims (10)

It is a hydraulic device, and the hydraulic device is
A hydraulic device having a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator, wherein the first and second hydraulic actuators are at least a first hydraulic cavity and a second hydraulic cavity, respectively. And a hydraulic device with a piston,
A controller coupled to the hydraulic device, wherein the controller is
Receiving a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.
To select the first hydraulic line of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines,
By transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first hydraulic cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the first hydraulic cavity. Transferring to the first hydraulic cavity of the hydraulic actuator applies pressure to the piston of the first hydraulic actuator so as to actuate the hydraulic device.
The piston of the first hydraulic actuator, the first hydraulic cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the piston of the second hydraulic actuator, and the first of the second hydraulic actuator. Receiving one or more signals from multiple sensors coupled to at least one of the hydraulic cavities of
At least in part, based on the one or more signals received from the plurality of sensors, a failure associated with at least one of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator is detected. That and
In response to the detection of the failure, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to at least one of the piston of the first hydraulic actuator and the piston of the second hydraulic actuator is increased to increase the pressure of the hydraulic fluid. To increase the pressure in at least one of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines to further actuate the hydraulic device.
With a controller that is configured to run
A hydraulic device. The controller
To select the second hydraulic line of the at least two hydraulic lines,
By transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected second hydraulic line to the first hydraulic cavity of the second hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the second hydraulic cavity. Transferring to the first hydraulic cavity of the hydraulic actuator applies pressure to the piston of the second hydraulic actuator so that the hydraulic device is further activated.
The device of claim 1, further configured to perform. It is a hydraulic device, and the hydraulic device is
A hydraulic device having a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator, wherein the first and second hydraulic actuators are at least a first hydraulic cavity and a second hydraulic cavity, respectively. And a hydraulic device with a piston,
A controller coupled to the hydraulic device, wherein the controller is
Receiving a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.
To select the first hydraulic line of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines,
By transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first hydraulic cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the first hydraulic cavity. Transferring to the first hydraulic cavity of the hydraulic actuator applies pressure to the piston of the first hydraulic actuator so as to actuate the hydraulic device.
By transferring the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first hydraulic cavity of the second hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the second hydraulic cavity. Transferring to the first hydraulic cavity of the hydraulic actuator applies pressure to the piston of the second hydraulic actuator so that the hydraulic device is further activated.
With a controller that is configured to run
A hydraulic device. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in series within the hydraulic device. The device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in parallel in the hydraulic device. A method for duplicate operation of hydraulic devices, said method.
In a controller, receiving a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.
The controller selects the first hydraulic line of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines.
The controller transfers the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic device, wherein the hydraulic fluid is transferred. Transferring the first hydraulic actuator to the first cavity means applying pressure to the first piston to operate the hydraulic device.
A plurality of sensors coupled to at least one of the first piston, the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator, the second piston, and the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator. To receive one or more signals from
At least in part, based on the one or more signals received from the plurality of sensors, a failure associated with at least one of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator is detected. That and
In response to the detection of the failure, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to at least one of the first piston and the second piston is increased to further operate the hydraulic device. Increasing the pressure in at least one of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines
Including methods. To select the second hydraulic line of the at least two hydraulic lines,
The hydraulic fluid is transferred from the selected second hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic device, wherein the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the second cavity. Transferring the hydraulic actuator to the first cavity means applying pressure to the second piston to further operate the hydraulic device.
The method of claim 6, further comprising. A method for duplicate operation of hydraulic devices, said method.
In a controller, receiving a hydraulic fluid from a fluid source via at least two parallel hydraulic lines coupled to the controller.
The controller selects the first hydraulic line of the at least two parallel hydraulic lines.
The controller transfers the hydraulic fluid from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the first hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic device, wherein the hydraulic fluid is transferred. Transferring the first hydraulic actuator to the first cavity means applying pressure to the first piston to operate the hydraulic device.
The hydraulic fluid is transferred from the selected first hydraulic line to the first cavity of the second hydraulic actuator, wherein the hydraulic fluid is transferred to the second hydraulic actuator. Transferring to the first cavity means applying pressure to the second piston to further actuate the hydraulic device.
Including methods. The method of claim 6, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in series within the hydraulic device. The method of claim 6 or 8, wherein the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator are coupled in parallel within the hydraulic device.

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