Power supply apparatus for electronic,electrical, and electromechanical installations

• US 8,686,681 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Oceaneering AS (Oceaneering International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Forsmann, Tor, Stle, Hope, Hodnefjell, Lars Gunnar
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US12/302,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20100026234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,503 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices

Abstract

An apparatus for power supply to electronic, electrical or electromechanical equipment, the apparatus including a chargeable power source in the form of at least one high energy capacitor package (1); equipment control unit (3) for controlling power supply to the equipment, a power source control unit (2) for controlled charging and discharging of the power source, and a means (4; 10′; 11′; 12′) for power supply from an external energy source (10; 11; 12) to the power source control unit (2).

Claims

1. An apparatus for power supply to electronic, electrical or electromechanical equipment, the apparatus comprising:

a chargeable power source;

a power source control unit for monitoring and controlled charging of the power source;

a means for power supply from an external energy source to the power supply control unit; and

an equipment control unit for controlling power supply from the power source to the equipment,

wherein the chargeable power source consists of at least one high-energy capacitor package;

the chargeable power source is placed in a pressure-tight container that is distinct from the chargeable power source, and which has an internal pressure that differs from the ambient pressure; and

the pressure in the container is about 1 atm.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the equipment control unit is configured to receive energy supply only from the chargeable power source, irrespective of whether external power supply for charging of the power source is available or not.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein placement of the power source in a pressure-tight container is chosen from the group of:

placement in a pressure-compensated housing which in addition holds the equipment control unit and the power source control unit,

placement at a distance from a housing which holds the equipment control unit and the power source control unit,

placement in the of both the power source and power source control unit in the same pressure-tight container, the equipment control unit and said equipment being mounted in a common pressure-compensated housing, and

placement of the power source, the equipment control unit and the power source control unit in the same pressure-tight container, said equipment being placed externally in relation to the container.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the equipment comprises an actuator for controlling a functional means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is an electric motor.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for external power supply further comprises a power transmission connector connectable between an external power source and the power source control unit, said connector selectable from the group of:

contactless type, inductive type and water-tight connector type.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the external energy source is at least one of:

a wind power generator, a solar energy panel, a water-driven mini-turbine generator and a wave power generator.

8. Usage of an apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3 in a sub-sea environment for power supply to an actuator arranged to operate controllable sub-sea installation equipment.

9. Usage according to claim 8, wherein the equipment is an actuator that is arranged to operate a valve in a fluid-transporting piping system.

10. Usage according to claim 8, wherein the sub-sea installation equipment is a valve and the actuator is a motor which via a gear is arranged to manipulate a valve spindle on the valve.

11. Usage of an apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3 at an installation in a hard-to-reach land-based environment or terrain for power supply to electronic, electrical or electromechanical equipment thereat.

12. Usage according to claim 11, wherein the equipment is an actuator that is arranged to operate a valve in a fluid-transporting piping system.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the equipment control unit is arranged to output energy from the power source to the equipment in the form of a pulse train, where the energy in each output pulse is approximately the same.