SUBMERGED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

• US 3,677,001 A
• Filed: 05/04/1970
• Issued: 07/18/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Burkhardt, Roger J. Koerner, Thomas W. Childers
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Burkhardt, Roger J. Koerner, Thomas W. Childers
• Inventors: Childers, Thomas W., Burkhardt, Joseph A., Koerner, Roger J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Geoghegan, Edgar W.
• Application Number:
  US05/046,585
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 60/51,52CD,DIG.2,52T,52US 91/459 92/130
• US Class Current: 60/398
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/0355 Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/00 Common features of fluid actuator systems; Fluid-pressure actuator systems or details thereof, not covered by any other group of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/122 the fluid acting on a piston F16K31/143, F16K31/163, F16K31/363, F16K31/383 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2036 Underwater
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/402 Distribution systems involving geographic features

Abstract

A static seal for a power fluid operated actuator is arranged in a cylinder to close off the space between a piston and a cylinder in which the piston reciprocates at the end of the power stroke of the piston. The piston has a fixed stroke and may be used to actuate apparatus requiring definite movements, such as valves and flow diverters. The piston may be single or double acting. For remote underwater operations, the actuator is connected into a closed hydraulic system which also includes a hydraulic reservoir, an electrically powered pump and a hydraulic accumulator to furnish hydraulic power fluid to the cylinder. Electrically operated valves are used to direct the flow of power fluid in the proper directions. The piston is spring-loaded to permit the piston to exhaust the cylinder and return the piston to its initial position to operate automatically the apparatus being actuated in the event of power failure.

Claims

1. A submerged closed hydraulic system comprising:

a cylinder having a power end and exhaust end;

a piston having a predetermined stroke arranged in said cylinder;

means for introducing power fluid into said cylinder to act on one side of said piston to move said piston in its power stroke;

sealing means arranged between said piston and said cylinder for sealing off flow of fluids from said power end to said exhaust end of said cylinder only at the end of the power stroke of said piston;

means adapted to return said piston to its initial position in an exhaust stroke;

means connected to the other side of said piston adapted to be actuated in response to movement thereof;

said means adapted to return said piston to its initial position comprising a spring member, said spring member being arranged on the other side of said piston;

a power fluid reservoir having pressure and volume compensating means for isolating power fluid in said reservoir from the surrounding fluid environment;

a first conduit fluidly communicating said reservoir and said exhaust end of said cylinder;

a second conduit fluidly communicating said power end of said cylinder and said reservoir;

an accumulator and a pump connected into said second conduit;

a third conduit connecting said second conduit and said reservoir adapted to bypass said accumulator and pump; and

means adapted to control flow of power fluid from said reservoir to said cylinder through said second conduit and to control return of power fluid from said cylinder to said reservoir through said second conduit and said third conduit.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said means for controlling flow of fluid includes surface-operated electric valves.

3. A closed hydraulic system submerged in water comprising:

a power fluid reservoir having pressure and volume compensating means for isolating power fluid in said reservoir from the surrounding water;

a hydraulic pump for pumping said power fluid;

a high pressure accumulator for said power fluid;

a power fluid operable means having a power end and an exhaust end capable of operating subsea equipment;

first power fluid conduits connecting said pump to said accumulator and said accumulator to the power end of said power fluid operable means; and

second power fluid conduits connecting the exhaust end of said power fluid operable means to said reservoir and said reservoir to said pump.

4. A system as recited in claim 3 including valve means in said first power fluid conduit for permitting and preventing flow of power fluid from said accumulator to said power fluid operable means;

and means for remotely operating said valve means and said pump.

5. A system as recited in claim 4 including third power fluid conduits connecting said reservoir to said first power fluid conduit downstream of said accumulator and valve means;

and another remotely operable valve means arranged in said third power fluid conduit.