Patent Publication Number: US-2016245036-A1

Title: Subsea actuator remediation tool

Description:
RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of, and priority through, U.S. Provisional Application 62/120,695, titled “SUBSEA ACTUATOR REMEDIATION TOOL,” filed Feb. 25, 2014. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Manifolds in fluid lines, e.g. those disposed subsea, often need to have fluid pressure monitored. If the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined level, fluid lines connected to these manifolds often need to be sealed to prevent further fluid flow until the fluid pressure issues can be resolved. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       Various figures are included herein which illustrate aspects of embodiments of the disclosed invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a view in partial perspective of an exterior or exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool designed to define a spring return hydraulic actuator and interface with a manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool in partial perspective; 
         FIG. 3  is a combined view and cross-sectional view of exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool illustrating its spring in an uncompressed state urging its piston against its piston stop; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool system; and 
         FIG. 5  is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool system console. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Subsea actuator remediation tool  1 , as described below, is designed to define a spring return hydraulic actuator and interface with a manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation. Such manifolds may be pre-existing subsea manifolds. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , subsea actuator remediation tool  1 , comprises housing  10  defining interior fluid pathway  20 ; spring  14  disposed within interior fluid pathway  20 ; movable piston  13  disposed within interior fluid pathway  20  and in communication with spring  14 ; first end piece  12   a  disposed at first end  10   a  of housing  10 , first end piece  12   a  comprising spring stop  14   a;  first fluid input  19   a  in fluid communication with interior fluid pathway  20  and disposed proximate first end piece  12   a;  second end piece  12   b  disposed at second end  10   b  of housing  10  opposite first end piece  12   a,  second end piece  12   b  comprising piston stop  17   a;  and second fluid output  19   b  in fluid communication with interior fluid pathway  20 , second fluid output  19   b  disposed proximate second end piece  12   b.    
     Housing  10 , and other components of subsea actuator remediation tool  1 , may further designed for long duration exposure subsea and application at depths up to  1300   m  or greater. 
     Typically, first end piece  12   a  and second end piece  12   b  are securely fastened to their respective ends of housing  10 , such as, by way of example and not limitation, being removably and securely affixed to their respective ends of housing  10  using a plurality of fasteners  18 . In alternative embodiments, first end piece  12   a  and second end piece  12   b  are securely fastened to their respective ends of housing  10   a  more or less permanently by any appropriate means such as welding. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG. 3 , subsea actuator remediation tool  1  comprises a fail-safe closed position. In typical embodiments, the fail-safe closed position comprises having spring  14  comprise a substantially uncompressed state which urges piston  17  against piston stop  17   a,  typically in an occlusive arrangement. 
     In a further embodiment, referring additionally to  FIG. 4 , subsea actuator remediation tool system  100  comprises subsea actuator remediation tool  1 , as described above, placed into fluid communication with a plurality of manifolds and valves. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of subsea actuator remediation tool system  100 , the manifolds and valves comprise first manifold  30 , comprising a first fluid port  30   a;  first valve  41  operatively in fluid communication with first fluid port  30   a  and subsea actuator remediation tool  1  first fluid input  19   a;  second manifold  32 , comprising a second manifold first port  32   a  and a second manifold second port  32   b;  and second valve  42  operatively in fluid communication with subsea actuator remediation tool  1  first fluid output  19   b  and with second manifold first port  32   a . In certain embodiments, third valve  43  may be present and operatively in fluid communication with first fluid output  19   a,  first valve  41 , and second manifold second port  32   b . Each valve may be of any appropriate type such as paddle valves, ball valves, or the like, or any other appropriate valve 
     One or more of the manifolds, e.g. first manifold  30  and/or second manifold  32 , may comprise a dual pressure (DP) manifold such as an existing 17H dual pressure (DP) manifold. Additionally, one or more of the manifolds may be used in conjunction with hot stab  71  such as via interface  72  which is adapted to mate, e.g. removably, with first manifold  30 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , in embodiments, one or more sensors may be present and configured to aid on management of subsea actuator remediation tool system  100 . By way of example and not limitation, in an embodiment sensor  60  is present and disposed between the first valve and the subsea actuator remediation tool. In other embodiments, sensor  62  may be present, either by itself or in addition to sensor  60 , and disposed at a different place, e.g. between second valve  42  and subsea actuator remediation tool  1 . These sensors may be pressure sensors or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in certain embodiments, subsea actuator remediation tool system  100  further comprises console  50 , comprising one or more valve actuators operatively in communication with a predetermined set of valves. By way of example and not limitation, in an embodiment first valve actuator  110  is operatively in communication with first valve  41 ; second valve actuator  112  is operatively in communication with second valve  42 ; and third valve actuator  114  is operatively in communication with third valve  43 . Although illustrated as manual valve actuators, these could be automated. 
     As also illustrated in  FIG. 5 , console  50  may comprise a housing into which subsea actuator remediation tool  1  may be placed, either completely or partially. Additionally, one or more gauges  120  may be present and operatively in communication with an associated set, e.g. one or more, sensors  60 ,  61 ,  62  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     In the operation of exemplary embodiments, referring back to  FIG. 4 , subsea actuator remediation tool  1  may be used to act as an interface to operate an actuator, e.g. one initially intended via hydraulic flying lead (HFL) input  72 , by opening subsea actuator remediation tool  1  when pressure is applied and using spring  14  to close subsea actuator remediation tool  1  when pressure is relieved. 
     In an embodiment, interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation comprises operatively placing subsea actuator remediation tool  1 , as described above, into fluid communication with one or more fluid supply lines, e.g. fluid supply line  101 , to existing manifold such as manifold  30 . Using fluid pressure in subsea actuator remediation tool  1 , spring  14  is moved to a fail-safe closed position, e.g. spring  14  is uncompressed, when fluid pressure in fluid supply line  101  falls below a predetermined pressure indicative of a failed compensation. Subsea actuator remediation tool  1  is kept attached to hold the vacuum pressure within subsea actuator remediation tool  1 . Further, subsea actuator remediation tool  1  is in an open, e.g. fluid flow permissive state, when pressure is applied and in a closed, e.g. fluid flow preventive state, when pressure is relieved. 
     In certain embodiments, pump  120  may be present and used to pull vacuum on one or more manifolds, e.g.  30 , and selected manifolds sealed, such as with valve  41 . As in other embodiments, subsea actuator remediation tool  1  is kept attached to hold the vacuum pressure within the actuator, assisted with a spring return system. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in subsea actuator arts, subsea actuator remediation tool  1  will first return to a fail-safe closed position (spring  14  in an uncompressed state) such as by using pump  130  to pull vacuum on a selected set of manifolds, e.g.  30 , and then seal it with a valve such as valve  41 . Subsea actuator remediation tool  1  will remain attached to hold the vacuum pressure within subsea actuator remediation tool  1 . Subsea actuator remediation tool  1  will then act as the interface to operate to open subsea actuator remediation tool  1  when pressure is applied and spring return close when pressure is relieved. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.