U.S. patent application number 09/260223 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-14 for valve arrangement for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a subsea system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bracewell & Patterson. Invention is credited to CLAYTON, HUGH R, WILLIAMS, GRAHAME M.
Application Number | 20010003288 09/260223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22988287 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CLAYTON, HUGH R ; et
al. |
June 14, 2001 |
VALVE ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTROLLING HYDRAULIC FLUID FLOW TO A SUBSEA
SYSTEM
Abstract
A valve arrangement for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a
subsea system includes a plurality of docking modules each having a
valve element for controlling the flow of a fluid and a docking
module port for fluid flow between the valve element. The valve
arrangement additionally includes a manifold having manifold ports
of uniform cross section. The docking modules can be
interchangeably mounted to the manifold ports as desired to tailor
the valve arrangement for any selected valve operation. The valve
arrangement also includes an adapter for alternately sealingly
interconnecting a first docking module port which is different in
shape or area than the cross section of the uniform size manifold
port to any selected manifold port so as to permit sealed fluid
flow between the first docking module port and the manifold port in
one configuration of the valve arrangement and sealingly
interconnecting a second docking module port of a different
cross-sectional shape or area than the first docking module port to
the same selected manifold port so as to permit sealed fluid flow
between a second valve element and the first manifold port in
another configuration of the valve arrangement.
Inventors: |
CLAYTON, HUGH R; (HOUSTON,
TX) ; WILLIAMS, GRAHAME M; (HOUSTON, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRACEWELL & PATTERSON
711 LOUISIANA
SUITE 2900
HOUSTON
TX
77002
US
|
Assignee: |
Bracewell & Patterson
|
Family ID: |
22988287 |
Appl. No.: |
09/260223 |
Filed: |
March 1, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/884 ;
137/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/87885 20150401;
F16K 27/003 20130101; B67D 2210/0006 20130101; Y10T 137/5283
20150401; E21B 34/04 20130101; E21B 34/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/884 ;
137/271 |
International
Class: |
F16K 011/10 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A valve arrangement for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a
subsea system comprising: a first docking module having a first
valve element for controlling the flow of a fluid and a first
docking module port for fluid flow between the first valve element
and an external source, the first docking module port having a
cross section of a predetermined shape and area; a second docking
module having a second valve element for controlling the flow of a
fluid and a second docking module port for fluid flow between the
second valve element and an external source, the second docking
module port having a cross section which is different in at least
one of shape and area than the cross section of the first docking
module port; a manifold having a first manifold port and a second
manifold port, the first and second manifold ports having generally
the same cross-sectional shape and area which is different in at
least one of shape and area than the cross section of the first
docking module port; means for alternately sealingly
interconnecting the first docking module port to the first manifold
port so as to permit sealed fluid flow between the first valve
element and the first manifold port in one configuration of the
valve arrangement and sealingly interconnecting the second docking
module port to the first manifold port so as to permit sealed fluid
flow between the second valve element and the first manifold port
in another configuration of the valve arrangement; and means for
removably securing the first and second docking modules to the
manifold for fluid flow between each docking module and the
manifold.
2. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the means for
alternately sealingly interconnecting includes an adapter means
having a conduit of generally the same cross-sectional shape and
area as the first module port and a seal interface surface, the
adapter means being disposable relative to the manifold and the
first docking module in a manner in which the seal interface
surface of the adapter means is sealingly connected with the
manifold and the first docking module and the conduit of the
adapter means is aligned with the first docking module port and the
first manifold port for fluid flow between the first docking module
port and the first manifold port via the conduit of the adapter
means.
3. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 and further comprising
a first mounting frame releasably securable with the first valve
element to form the first docking module, means for releasably
securing the first valve element to the first mounting frame, and
the means for removably securing the first and second docking
modules to the manifold includes means for detachably mounting the
first mounting frame to the manifold.
4. A valve arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the means for
releasably securing the first valve element to the first mounting
frame includes a frame mounted portion secured to the first valve
element and a removable portion selectively movable between a
retaining position in which it is secured to the frame mounted
portion to thereby retain the first valve element and the first
mounting frame in a secured together disposition and a
non-retaining position in which the first valve element and the
first mounting frame can be moved out of their secured together
disposition with one another.
5. A valve arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the frame
mounted portion of the means for releasably securing the first
valve element to the first mounting frame includes a material
having a hardness greater than the first mounting frame.
6. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first and
second manifold ports have cylindrical cross sections of identical
diameter and the first docking module port has a cylindrical cross
section of smaller diameter than the individual diameter of one of
the first and second manifold ports.
7. A valve arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the second
docking module port has a cylindrical cross of a diameter equal to
the individual diameter of one of the first and second manifold
ports.
8. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the manifold
includes a common passageway fluidly connected to the first and
second manifold ports.
9. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 and further comprising
a U-tube fluidly connected to the first manifold port.
10. A valve arrangement for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a
subsea system comprising: a first valve element for controlling the
flow of a fluid; a second valve element for controlling the flow of
a fluid; a first docking module configured to interchangeably
receive one of the first and second valve elements and having a
first docking module port for fluid flow between the respective one
of the first and second valve elements received by the first
docking module and an external source, the first docking module
port having a cross section of a predetermined shape and area; a
manifold having a first manifold port and a second manifold port,
the first and second manifold ports having a substantially
identical cross section which is different in at least one of shape
and area than the cross section of the first docking module port;
means for alternately sealingly interconnecting the first valve
element to the first manifold port via the first docking module
port so as to permit sealed fluid flow between the first valve
element and the first manifold port in one configuration of the
valve arrangement and sealingly interconnecting the second valve
element to the first manifold port via the first docking module
port so as to permit sealed fluid flow between the second valve
element and the first manifold port in another configuration of the
valve arrangement, the means for alternately sealingly
interconnecting including a conduit element having a conduit of
generally the same cross-sectional shape and area as the first
module port and having a connecting surface of generally the same
cross-sectional shape and area as the substantially identical cross
section of the first and second manifold ports, the conduit element
being removably couplable with at least one of the first manifold
port and the first docking module port in a manner in which the
connecting surface is sealingly connected with the first manifold
port and the conduit is aligned with the first docking module port
for fluid flow between the first docking module port and the first
manifold port via the conduit element; and means for removably
securing the first docking module to the manifold for fluid flow
between the respective received valve element and the manifold.
11. A valve arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the means for
alternately sealingly interconnecting is operable to removably
secure the first docking module in a selected predetermined
relative orientation to the manifold and the first docking module
includes means for alternately disposing the first valve element in
a fluid flow disposition such that, upon securement of the first
docking module in the one selected predetermined relative
orientation to the manifold, the first valve element is sealingly
communicated with the conduit of the conduit element via the first
docking module port in the one configuration of the valve
arrangement and the second valve element in a fluid flow
disposition such that, upon securement of the first docking module
in the one selected predetermined relative orientation to the
manifold, the second valve element is sealingly communicated with
the first manifold port via the first docking module port in the
other configuration of the valve arrangement.
12. A valve arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the first and
second manifold ports have cylindrical cross sections of uniform
diameter, the first docking module port has a cylindrical cross
section, and the cylindrical cross section of the first docking
module port is of smaller diameter than the uniform individual
diameter of the first and second manifold ports, and the conduit of
the conduit element has a cylindrical cross section of the same
diameter as the first docking module port.
13. A valve arrangement according to claim 12 and further
comprising a second docking module for interchangeably receiving
one of the first and second valve elements and having a second
docking module port for fluid flow between the respective received
valve element and an external source, the second docking module
port having a cross section which is different in at least one of
shape and area than the cross section of the first docking module
port, and means for removably securing the second docking module to
the manifold for fluid flow between the respective received valve
element and the manifold.
14. A valve arrangement according to claim 13 and further
comprising a first mounting frame releasably securable with the
respective received valve element received by the first docking
module, means for releasably securing the respective received valve
element to the first mounting frame, a second mounting frame
releasably securable with the respective received valve element
received by the second docking module, and means for releasably
securing the respective received valve element to the second
mounting frame.
15. A valve arrangement according to claim 14 wherein the means for
releasably securing the respective received valve element to the
first mounting frame includes a frame mounted portion secured to
the respective received valve element and a removable portion
selectively movable between a retaining position in which it is
secured to the frame mounted portion to thereby retain the
respective received valve element and the first mounting frame in a
secured together disposition and a non-retaining position in which
the respective received valve element and the first mounting frame
can be moved out of their secured together disposition with one
another.
16. A valve arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the removable
portion of the means for releasably securing the respective
received valve element to the first mounting frame includes a
material having a hardness greater than the first mounting
frame.
17. A valve arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the second
docking module port has a cylindrical cross of a diameter equal to
the individual diameter of one of the first and second manifold
ports.
18. A valve arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the manifold
includes a common passageway fluidly connected to the first and
second manifold ports.
19. A valve arrangement according to claim 11 and further
comprising a U-tube fluidly connected to the first manifold port.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a valve arrangement and,
more particularly, to a valve arrangement for a plurality of
hydraulic control valves of the type commonly designated as
sub-plate mounted (SPM) valves.
[0002] Hydraulic fluid supply systems supply hydraulic fluid to the
hydraulic actuators of various mechanical devices for the actuation
of the devices. Undersea wells are one source for the recovery of
certain petroleum products such as oil and gas and the operation of
such undersea wells presents considerable maintenance and
installation challenges. In such subsea or underwater well
environments, hydraulic fluid supply or control systems are
commonly provided to control a blow out preventer. The blow out
preventer typically includes a number of valves having specialized
functions and these valves frequently are actuated by valve
operators which are capable of being controlled from a remote
location through energization by a controllable actuation
system.
[0003] One type of controllable actuating system is comprised of
hydraulic control valves arranged in a subsea structure which
incorporates various hydraulic valves and regulators, hydraulic
connector systems, solenoid operated pilot valves, and electronic
packages. One type of hydraulic control valve which may be
comprised in the hydraulic control arrangement for a subsea
structure such as a blow out preventer is referred to as a
sub-plate mounted (SPM) valve. This type of valve is typically a
hydraulically piloted control valve which controls the flow of
hydraulic fluid to and from a subsea operator such as, for example,
blow-out preventer rams or choke and kill valves.
[0004] One conventional arrangement for accommodating a number of
valves such as sub-plate mounted (SPM) valves comprises a
relatively large valve block having valve pockets machined therein
each for receiving a valve and drilled galleries for fluid
communication with the valves. One drawback of this conventional
arrangement is that the large valve block is typically customized
for its particular installation and is thus configured to
accommodate a selected group of valves which may be of differing
sizes. Accordingly, should the fluid handling requirements change,
modification or redesign of the valve block may be relatively
complex or cost-prohibitive. If a single block of metal is machined
or bored to create the valve pockets and galleries, another
disadvantage arises in that the entire valve block may need to be
discarded even if the damage is limited to only a portion of the
block such as, for example, damage to the retaining threads of a
valve pocket or the threads of a port.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is one object of the present invention to provide a valve
arrangement which facilitates its installation in its ultimate
operational location and which facilitates the repair or
replacement of key constituent elements thereof.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
valve arrangement which substantially promotes the installation and
repair or replacement of constituent elements thereof in an
operational location of the valve arrangement under adverse
conditions such as might be found in surface or subsea hydraulic
fluid control arrangements.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
valve arrangement which offers a substantial range of flexibility
in its configuration so that improvements, adaptations, and
reconfiguration of the valve arrangement is facilitated.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a valve
arrangement for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a subsea system
is provided. The valve arrangement includes a plurality of docking
modules including a first docking module and a second docking
module. The first docking module includes a first valve element for
controlling the flow of a fluid and a first docking module port for
fluid flow between the first valve element and an external source
with the first docking module port having a cross section of a
predetermined shape and area.
[0009] The second docking module includes a second valve element
for controlling the flow of a fluid and a second docking module
port for fluid flow between the second valve element and an
external source with the second docking module port having a cross
section which is different in at least one of shape and area than
the cross section of the first docking module port. The valve
arrangement additionally includes a manifold having a first
manifold port and a second manifold port, the first and second
manifold ports having generally the same cross-sectional shape and
area which is different in at least one of shape and area than the
cross section of the first docking module port.
[0010] The valve arrangement of the one aspect of the present
invention also includes means for alternately sealingly
interconnecting the first docking module port to the first manifold
port so as to permit sealed fluid flow between the first valve
element and the first manifold port in one configuration of the
valve arrangement and sealingly interconnecting the second docking
module port to the first manifold port so as to permit sealed fluid
flow between the second valve element and the first manifold port
in another configuration of the valve arrangement. Furthermore, the
valve arrangement includes means for removably securing the first
and second docking modules to the manifold for fluid flow between
each docking module and the manifold.
[0011] In accordance with further details of the one aspect of the
present invention, the means for alternately sealingly
interconnecting includes an adapter means having a conduit of
generally the same cross-sectional shape and area as the first
module port and a seal interface surface. The adapter means may be
a disposable element or, alternatively, an element which can be
reused in successive securements of a docking module and the
manifold. The adapter means is disposable relative to the manifold
and the first docking module in a manner in which the seal
interface surface of the adapter means is sealingly connected with
the manifold and the first docking module and the conduit of the
adapter means is aligned with the first docking module port and the
first manifold port for fluid flow between the first docking module
port and the first manifold port via the conduit of the adapter
means.
[0012] According to another feature of the one aspect of the
present invention, the valve arrangement further comprises a first
mounting frame releasably securable with the first valve element to
form the first docking module, means for releasably securing the
first valve element to the first mounting frame, and the means for
removably securing the first and second docking modules to the
manifold includes means for detachably mounting the first mounting
frame to the manifold. Preferably, the means for releasably
securing the first valve element to the first mounting frame
includes a frame mounted portion secured to the first valve element
and a removable portion selectively movable between a retaining
position in which it is secured to the frame mounted portion to
thereby retain the first valve element and the first mounting frame
in a secured together disposition and a non-retaining position in
which the first valve element and the first mounting frame can be
moved out of their secured together disposition with one another.
Moreover, the frame mounted portion of the means for releasably
securing the first valve element to the first mounting frame
preferably includes a material having a hardness greater than the
first mounting frame.
[0013] According to yet other details of the one aspect of the
present invention, the first and second manifold ports have
cylindrical cross sections of identical diameter and the first
docking module port has a cylindrical cross section of smaller
diameter than the individual diameter of one of the first and
second manifold ports. Additionally, the second docking module port
has a cylindrical cross of a diameter equal to the individual
diameter of one of the first and second manifold ports.
[0014] Other optional features of the one aspect of the present
invention include a common passageway formed in the manifold
fluidly connected to the first and second manifold ports and a
U-tube fluidly connected to the first manifold port.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
valve arrangement for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a subsea
system is provided and includes a first valve element for
controlling the flow of a fluid and a second valve element for
controlling the flow of a fluid. The valve arrangement of this
another aspect of the present invention also includes a first
docking module configured to interchangeably receive one of the
first and second valve elements and having a first docking module
port for fluid flow between the respective one of the first and
second valve elements received by the first docking module and an
external source, the first docking module port having a cross
section of a predetermined shape and area.
[0016] Moreover, the valve arrangement includes a manifold having a
first manifold port and a second manifold port, the first and
second manifold ports having a substantially identical cross
section which is different in at least one of shape and area than
the cross section of the first docking module port.
[0017] In this another aspect of the present invention, the means
for alternately sealingly interconnecting of the valve arrangement
includes a conduit element having a conduit of generally the same
cross-sectional shape and area as the first module port and having
a connecting surface of generally the same cross-sectional shape
and area as the substantially identical cross section of the first
and second manifold ports. The conduit element is removably
couplable with at least one of the first manifold port and the
first docking module port in a manner in which the connecting
surface is sealingly connected with the first manifold port and the
conduit is aligned with the first docking module port for fluid
flow between the first docking module port and the first manifold
port via the conduit element. The valve arrangement also includes
means for removably securing the first docking module to the
manifold for fluid flow between the respective one of the first and
second valve elements received in the first docking module and the
manifold.
[0018] According to additional features of the another aspect of
the present invention, the means for removably securing the first
docking module to the manifold is operable to removably secure the
first docking module in a selected predetermined relative
orientation to the manifold and the first docking module includes
means for alternately disposing the first valve element in a fluid
flow disposition such that, upon securement of the first docking
module in the one selected predetermined relative orientation to
the manifold, the first valve element is sealingly communicated
with the conduit of the conduit element via the first docking
module port in the one configuration of the valve arrangement.
Also, the first and second manifold ports preferably have
cylindrical cross sections of uniform diameter, the first docking
module port has a cylindrical cross section, and the cylindrical
cross section of the first docking module port is of smaller
diameter than the uniform individual diameter of the first and
second manifold ports, and the conduit of the conduit element has a
cylindrical cross section of the same diameter as the first docking
module port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
the valve arrangement of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion
of the one embodiment of the valve arrangement shown in FIG. 1 and
showing in greater detail the valve element and mounting frame of a
docking module;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view in partial vertical
section of the valve element of the docking module shown in FIG. 2,
taken along lines III-III thereof;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view, in partial vertical
section, of the one variation of the manifold shown in the one
embodiment of the valve arrangement shown in FIG. 1, taken along
lines IV-IV thereof;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, in partial
horizontal section, of another variation of the manifold of the one
embodiment of the valve arrangement and taken along lines V-V of
FIG. 6;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the another
variation of the manifold of the one embodiment of the valve
arrangement shown in FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view, in partial vertical
section, of a further variation of the manifold of the one
embodiment of the valve arrangement and taken along lines VII-VII
of FIG. 8;
[0026] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the further
variation of the manifold of the one embodiment of the valve
arrangement shown in FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view, in partial
horizontal section, of the another variation of the manifold shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6, and showing, in exploded view, the first and
second docking modules, in partial vertical section, mounted to the
manifold via the adapter means in one configuration of the valve
arrangement of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the another
variation of the manifold shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and showing, in
exploded view, the first and second docking modules, in partial
vertical section, mounted to the manifold via the adapter means in
another configuration of the valve arrangement of the present
invention; and
[0029] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective exploded view of a
portion of the valve arrangement shown in FIG. 9 having the another
variation of the manifold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of a valve arrangement
for a subsea drilling control unit is illustrated. The valve
arrangement, generally designated as 10, is designed to control
selected functions associated with the exploration or drilling of
subsea wells for the extraction of hydrocarbons such as, for
example, oil or gas. As will be described in more detail, the valve
arrangement 10 is particularly suitable for controlling the
operation of a blow-out preventer (BOP) stack and the ancillary
function provided by Lower Marine Riser Packages (LMRP).
[0031] With particular reference now to FIG. 2, the valve
arrangement 10 includes a first docking module 12 having a first
valve element 14 for controlling the flow of a fluid, such as, for
example, a hydraulic fluid, and a first series of docking module
ports 16A, 16B, and 16C for communicating the first valve element
14 with a manifold, to be described in more hereafter, for fluid
flow between the first valve element 14 and the manifold when the
first docking module 12 is mounted to the manifold. The first
docking module 1 2 also includes a first mounting frame 18
releasably secured with the first valve element 14 by a means 20
for releasably securing the first valve element 14 to the first
mounting frame 18.
[0032] The valve arrangement 10 additionally includes a manifold to
which the first docking module 12 is mountable. The manifold,
generally designated as 22, has a first series of manifold ports
24A, 24B, and 24C, and a second series of manifold ports 26A, 26B,
and 26C. The first docking module 12 is removably securable to the
manifold 22 by a means for removably securing the first docking
module 12 to the manifold 22 is provided preferably in the form of
a first module--manifold securing assembly 28.
[0033] The valve arrangement 10 additionally includes a second
docking module 30 having a second valve element 32 for controlling
the flow of the fluid, a second series of docking module ports 34A,
34B, and 34C, each for fluidly communicating between the second
valve element 32 and the manifold 22, and a second mounting frame
36. The second mounting frame 36 is releasably securable with the
second valve element 32 by operation of a second means 38 for
releasably securing the second valve element 32 to the second
mounting frame. The second docking module 30 is removably securable
to the manifold 22 by operation of a means for removably securing
the second docking module 30 to the manifold 26 preferably in the
form of a second module--manifold fastening assembly 40.
[0034] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a partial vertical
sectional view of the one variation of the manifold 22 of the one
embodiment of the valve arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, for a
discussion in greater detail of the structure and operation of the
manifold. As seen in FIG. 4, in the one variation of the manifold
22, each of the first series of manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C is
independently fluidly communicated with an external source via a
conduit 42, 44, 46, respectively. Thus, none of the first series of
manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C is commonly communicated with a
counterpart manifold port in the second series of manifold ports
26A, 26B, and 26C. For example, the manifold port 24A of the first
series of manifold ports, which may be, for example, a port for
handling fluid vented via the first docking module port 16A, is not
fluidly communicated with its counterpart manifold port 26A of the
second series of manifold ports, which itself is fluidly
communicated with the second docking module port 34A. Instead the
first manifold port 24A is independently communicated with the
conduit 42 while the second manifold port 26A is independently
communicated with an external source via another conduit (not
shown). In this variation of the manifold 22, the manifold can be
configured, for example, as a parallelepiped block of a homogenous
material such as, for example, stainless steel and each of the
first series of manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C and the second
series of manifold ports 26A, 26B, and 26C is formed, for example,
by machining or boring a cylindrical throughbore in the stainless
steel block extending through the manifold 22 from one side thereof
to an opposite side.
[0035] The manifold 22 can thus accommodate a plurality of docking
modules, such as the first docking module 12 and the second docking
module 30, for selectively routing the flow of fluids to and from
the respective valve elements comprised within each docking module
such as, for example, the first valve element 14 and the second
valve element 32 comprised in the first docking module 12 and the
second docking module 30, respectively. The valve elements of the
docking modules may be selected to be identical--if, for example,
the valve elements are SPM valves, then each valve element may be
selected as a standard size SPM valve such as, for example, 0.75
inches, 1.0 inches, or 1.5 inches, it being understood that the
standard size description is related to the valve's Cv, a standard
measure of the volume of fluid that will pass through a valve at a
given differential pressure. Alternately, the valve elements of the
docking modules may be individually different from one another. For
illustrative purposes in the following description, the first valve
element 14 and the second valve element 32 are to be understood to
be identical SPM valves, each having three ports--vent, inlet, and
outlet ports--with the respective vent ports being designated with
the "A" suffix (e.g., the ports 24A, 26A), the respective inlet
ports being designated with the "B" suffix (e.g., the ports 24B,
26B), and the respective outlet ports being designated by the "C"
suffix (e.g., the ports 24C, 26C). Moreover, the respective ports
of the valve elements which perform the same vent, inlet, or outlet
function will be referred to as counterpart ports.
[0036] With further reference now to the structure and operation of
each of the valve elements of the first docking module 12 and the
second docking module 30, attention is drawn to FIG. 3, which is an
enlarged perspective view, in longitudinal cross section of a
portion of the first valve element 14, it being understood that the
second valve element 32 can, as desired, be identically configured
as the first valve element 14 or may be comprised of a valve
structured for a different type of valve operation. The first valve
element 14 is representatively shown as a type of hydraulic control
valve commonly referred to as a sub-plate mounted (SPM) valve which
is configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from a
subsea operator. Blow-out preventer (BOP) rams and choke and kill
valves are two examples of the type of subsea operators to which
the first valve element 14 may be operatively connected for
controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid thereto. One exemplary
configuration of a sub-plate mounted (SPM) valve which the first
valve element 14 may comprise includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a valve
configuration in which the first docking module port 16A is a vent
port, the first docking module port 16B is an outlet or function
port, and the first docking module port 16C is an inlet or supply
port. The first valve element 14 is operably controllable between a
first flow disposition in which the first docking module port 16B,
in its function as an outlet port, is fluidly communicated with the
first docking module port 16C, in its function as an inlet port,
and a second disposition in which the first docking module port
16B, in its function as an outlet port, is fluidly communicated
with the first docking module port 16A, in its function as a vent
port, while the first docking module port 16C, in its function as
an inlet port, is blocked. An SPM control valve having this
configuration and controllable in this manner is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,771,931, which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0037] The first valve element 14 further includes a pilot pressure
circuit passage 48 connectable to an external fluid source (not
shown) for selectively introducing fluid into a piston chamber to
thereby effect movement of a piston member 50. The piston member 50
is moveable against the bias of a return spring 52 to dispose a
flow passage 54 in a position for fluidly communicating the first
docking module port 16A [the inlet or supply port] and the first
docking module 16B [the outlet or function port] in the second
disposition of the first valve element 14 while a seal sleeve
isolates the first docking module 16c [the vent port] from the
supplied fluid. The return spring 52 otherwise urges the piston
member 50 to dispose the flow passage 54 in a position for fluidly
communicating the first docking module port 16B [the outlet or
function port] and the first docking module 16C [the vent port] in
the first disposition of the first valve element 14.
[0038] In FIGS. 5 and 6, another variation of the manifold of the
valve arrangement of the present invention is illustrated. In this
variation, the manifold, generally designated as 122, includes a
first series of manifold ports 124A, 124B, and 124C for fluidly
communicating the first docking module 12 with the manifold and a
second series of ports 126A, 126B, and 126C for fluidly
communicating the manifold with the second docking module 30. The
counterpart manifold ports 124A, 126A, as well as other counterpart
manifold ports (not shown), are commonly fluidly communicated with
one another by a first common passageway 142 extending generally
transverse to each of these respective counterpart manifold ports
along the longitudinal extent of the manifold 122 and communicated
at one axial end thereof with an external source (not shown). If,
for example, each of the counterpart manifold ports 124A, 126A, are
vent ports fluidly communicated with the respective vent ports of
the first valve element 14 and the second valve element 32,
respectively, these manifold ports are operable to vent fluid to
the common passageway 142 for flow of the vented fluid to the
external source with which the common passageway 142 is
communicated.
[0039] The manifold 122 further includes a second common passageway
144 fluidly communicating another plurality of counterpart manifold
ports--namely, the counterpart manifold ports 124B, 126B, and other
counterpart manifold ports (not shown). The second common
passageway 144 is fluidly communicated with an external source for
selective flow of fluid from the external source to the commonly
communicated plurality of counterpart manifold ports or,
alternatively, for fluid flow from the plurality of counterpart
manifold ports to the external source. For example, the second
common passageway 144 may be fluidly communicated with a hydraulic
fluid supply source (HF) for common supply of hydraulic fluid to
the first valve element 14, the second valve element 32, and any
other valve elements secured to the manifold 122 and having a
counterpart manifold port communicated with the second common
passageway 144. In the variation of the manifold 122 shown in FIGS.
5 and 6, the manifold port 124C and the manifold port 126C are each
separately communicated with an external source (not shown) via a
respective separate conduit 146 sealingly secured to the manifold
122.
[0040] A further variation of the manifold of the valve arrangement
of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 and it can
be seen that the manifold, which is generally designed as 222,
includes a first series of manifold ports 224A, 224B, and 224C and
a second series of manifold ports 226A, 226B, and 226C. As seen in
FIG. 7, which is a perspective view of the manifold 222 in partial
section through the first series of manifold ports 224A, 224B, and
224C, the counterpart manifold ports 224A, 226A are commonly
fluidly communicated with a common passageway 242 for common fluid
flow to or from an external source (not shown). The external source
may be, for example, a hydraulic fluid collection location for
collecting hydraulic fluid vented through the manifold ports 224A,
226A, or, alternatively, a hydraulic fluid supply source for
supplying hydraulic fluid through these manifold ports.
[0041] The manifold ports 224B, 226B, which are counterpart
manifold ports, are each separately communicated via a separate
respective conduit 244 to an external source or sources (not
shown). Likewise, the counterpart manifold ports 224C, 226C are
each separately communicated with an external source or sources
(not shown) via a separate respective conduit 246. It can thus be
appreciated that the manifold 222 is operable to selectively
communicate two of the valve element fluid flow operations such as,
for example, the vent and outlet operations, in an independent
manner for each respective docking module mounted to the manifold
while conducting fluid from the third valve element operation, such
as, for example, the inlet operation, in a common or shared flow
manner from a single external source (e.g., a hydraulic fluid
supply source) along the common passageway 242 to the plurality of
docking modules mounted to the manifold.
[0042] Reference is now had to FIGS. 9 and 10 to illustrate the
flexibility and ease of installation offered by the valve
arrangement 10. In the illustrative configuration of the valve
arrangement 10 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, all of the manifold ports
of the manifold 22 are of circular cross section and, further, all
of the manifold ports have a circular cross section of the same
diameter, generally designated as the diameter 60. Additionally,
each of the docking module ports 34A, 34B, and 34C of the second
docking module 30 has a circular cross section with a diameter
equal to the diameter 60 of the manifold ports of the manifold 22
and, further, the circular cross sections of these docking module
ports is identical. The docking module ports 16A, 16B, and 16C of
the first docking module 12 have identical circular cross sections
of a diameter 62 less than the diameter 60.
[0043] The first mounting frame 18 of the first docking module 12
is configured to interchangeably receive either the first valve
element 14 or the second valve element 32--specifically, the first
docking module 12. In the illustrative configuration shown in FIG.
9, for example, the respective received valve element received by
the first docking module 12 is the first valve element 14 whereas,
in the alternate configuration shown in FIG. 10, the respective
received valve element received by the first docking module 12 is
the second valve element 32. In the configuration shown in FIG. 9,
the first valve element 14 is adapted to be mounted to the manifold
22 such that each of the first docking module ports 16A, 16B, and
16C is respectively linearly aligned with an associated one of the
first manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C when the first docking
module 12 is mounted to the manifold 22. The second docking module
30, which includes the second valve element 32, is configured in
the illustrative configuration shown in FIG. 9 such that each of
the second docking module ports 34A, 34B, and 34C is respectively
linearly aligned with an associated one of the second manifold
ports 26A, 26B, and 26C, when the second docking module 30 is
secured to the manifold 22.
[0044] The first mounting frame 18 is specifically configured to
interchangeably receive both the first valve element 14 and the
second valve element 32 and includes a chamber 66, preferably
cylindrical, which is adapted to receive the complementary
cylindrically shaped housing 68 of the respective first valve
element 14 or second valve element 32. The first mounting frame 18
also includes a plurality of throughbores 70, each for supporting
one of a plurality of securement bolts of the first
module--manifold securing assembly 28. The securement bolts are
adapted to be threadingly secured in a respective threaded
securement bore 72 formed in the manifold 22 to thereby secure the
first docking module 12 to the manifold 22 in an orientation to be
described in more detail hereafter.
[0045] The means 20 for releasably securing the respective received
valve element (e.g., the first valve element 14) to the first
mounting frame 18 is preferably in the form of a threaded locking
assembly having a frame mounted portion 74 secured to the first
valve element 14 and a removable portion 76. The frame mounted
portion 74 includes threads formed in the first mounting frame 18
and the removable portion 76 is a cylindrical cap having external
threads on its outer circumference adapted to be threadingly
received in the threads of the frame mounted portion 74. The
cylindrical cap is selectively movable between a retaining position
in which it is secured to the frame mounted portion 74 to thereby
retain the first valve element 14 and the first mounting frame 18
in a secured together disposition and a non-retaining position in
which the first valve element 14 and the first mounting frame 18
can be moved out of their secured together disposition with one
another. The second means for releasably securing the second valve
element 32 to the second mounting frame 36 is also preferably
configured as a threaded locking assembly operable similarly to the
threaded locking assembly of the means 20 for releasably securing
the first valve element 14 to the first mounting frame 18.
[0046] The removable portion 76 is preferably comprised of a
material having a hardness greater than the first mounting frame
18. For example, if the first mounting frame 18 is formed of a
stainless steel such as, for example, 316 stainless steel, then the
removable portion 76 may be formed of a material such as a steel
sold under the designation "Monel" which has a hardness greater
than that of 316 stainless steel.
[0047] It can be seen in the illustrative configuration of the
valve arrangement 10 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 that the docking
modules can accommodate docking module ports of varying geometries
and dimensions. For example, the second valve element 32 has
docking module ports at least one of which has a cross section
different in at least its shape or its area than the respective
docking module port of the first valve element 14. Thus, the valve
arrangement 10 of the present invention can accommodate the two
different docking module port geometries and dimensions
irrespective of which one of the particular docking modules--in
this example, the first docking module 12 or the second docking
module 30--is mounted at the selected location on the manifold 22
for communication of its respective docking module ports with the
associated manifold ports at the selected manifold location.
[0048] To further illustrate this operational flexibility,
reference is made to FIG. 9, in which it can be seen that, in the
one configuration of the valve arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 9, the
first and second series of manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C and
26A, 26B, and 26C have, as noted, cylindrical cross sections of
uniform diameter 60, the first series of docking module ports 16A,
16B, and 16C have identical cylindrical cross sections of diameter
62, and the cylindrical cross section of the first docking module
ports is of smaller diameter than the uniform individual diameter
of the first and second manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C and 26A,
26B, and 26C. Accordingly, the first docking module ports 16A, 16B,
and 16C of the first docking module 12 must be sealingly
interconnectable with the manifold ports of the manifold 22 in a
manner which accommodates the cross sections of these docking
module ports, on the one hand, and the different cross sections of
the manifold ports, on the other hand, while still accommodating
the second docking module ports 34A, 34B, and 34C in the event that
the respective received valve element received by the first docking
module 12 is the second valve element 32. The docking module ports
34A, 34B, and 34C of the second docking module 30, being of the
identical cross-sectional size (circular) and area as any given
series of manifold ports such as, for example, the series of
manifold ports 26A, 26B, and 26C, can be readily sealingly
interconnected to the manifold ports via a conventional seal or
gasket arrangement customarily employed in sealingly
interconnecting two conduit ends having identical cross-sectional
sizes and areas. On the other hand, to effectuate the sealed fluid
communication of the first docking module ports 16A, 16B, and 16C
with their respective associated manifold ports, the valve
arrangement includes means for alternately sealingly
interconnecting the first valve element 14 to one of the first
series of manifold ports such as, for example, the first manifold
port 24A, via a first docking module port (i.e., the first docking
module port 16A) so as to permit sealed fluid flow between the
first valve element 14 and the first manifold port 24A in one
configuration of the valve arrangement and, as seen in FIG. 10,
sealingly interconnecting the second valve element 32 to the first
manifold port 24A via the same docking module port (in this
example, the first docking module port 16A) so as to permit sealed
fluid flow between the second valve element 32 and the first
manifold port 24A in another configuration of the valve
arrangement.
[0049] As seen in FIG. 10, the means for alternately sealingly
interconnecting includes a conduit element 78 having a conduit 80
of generally the same cross-sectional shape and area as the first
module port 24A and having a connecting surface 82 of generally the
same cross-sectional shape and area as the substantially identical
cross section of the first and second manifold ports 24A, 26A. The
conduit element 78 is removably couplable with at least one of the
first manifold port 24A and the first docking module port 16A in a
manner in which the connecting surface 82 is sealingly connected
with the first manifold port 24A and the conduit 80 is aligned with
the first docking module port 16A for fluid flow between the first
docking module port 16A and the first manifold port 24A via the
conduit element 78. Also, the conduit 80 of the conduit element 78
has a cylindrical cross section of the same diameter as the
diameter 62 of the first docking module port 16A. If desired,
appropriate countersunk bores can be provided in connection with
each manifold port on the manifold 22 and each docking module port
of the docking modules to accommodate therein the conduit elements
78, which can include appropriate O-rings or other sealing elements
to be sealingly accommodated within the countersunk bores.
[0050] Further in configuring the valve arrangement 10 to optimize
its arrangement flexibility and ease of installation and repair,
the means for removably securing the first docking module 12 to the
manifold 22 is operable to removably secure the first docking
module 12 in a selected predetermined relative orientation to the
manifold 22. As seen in FIG. 11, the cylindrical housing 68 of the
first valve element 14 is secured within the corresponding
cylindrical chamber 66 of the first mounting frame 18 at a
predetermined relative orientation thereto such that the first
docking module ports 16A, 16B, and 16C are sealingly communicated
with, and co-axial with, the respective conduit 80 of the conduit
elements 78 which communicate the first docking module ports with
their respective associated first manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C
upon mounting of the first docking module 12 to the manifold 22 in
the one selected predetermined relative orientation of the first
docking module 12 to the manifold 22. Specifically, the cylindrical
housing 66 of the first valve element 14, as measured relative to a
plane VE extending through the axial centerlines of the first
docking module ports 16A, 16B, and 16C, is disposed at an acute
angle AA relative to an alignment plane DM of the first docking
module 12. The alignment plane DM of the first docking module 12 is
an arbitrary reference plane which will be co-extensive with a
manifold reference plane MR upon mounting of the first docking
module 12 to the manifold 22, thereby characterizing the one
selected predetermined relative orientation between the first
docking module 12 and the manifold 22. The axial centerlines of the
first manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C are disposed on a manifold
port plane PP which forms an angle PA with the manifold reference
plane MR.
[0051] Thus, as a result of the predetermined angular orientation
of the cylindrical housing 68 of the first valve element 14
relative to the corresponding cylindrical chamber 66 of the first
mounting frame 18 in which it is received, the first docking module
ports 16A, 16B, and 16C are sealingly communicated with, and
co-axial with, the respective conduit 80 of the conduit elements 78
which communicate the first docking module ports with their
respective associated first manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C upon
mounting of the first docking module 12 to the manifold 22 in the
one selected predetermined relative orientation. Since the second
valve element 32 is also housed in a housing identical to the
cylindrical housing 68 of the first valve element 14, the second
valve element 32 can be interchangeably received in the chamber 66
of the first mounting frame 1 8 at a predetermined relative angular
orientation thereto such that the second docking module ports 34A,
34B, and 34C are sealingly communicated with, and co-axial with,
their respective associated first manifold ports 24A, 24B, and 24C
upon mounting of the first docking module 12 to the manifold 22 in
the one selected predetermined relative orientation. Thus, it can
be seen that the first docking module 12 includes means for
alternately disposing the first valve element 14 in a fluid flow
disposition such that, upon securement of the first docking module
in the one selected predetermined relative orientation to the
manifold, the first valve element 14 is sealingly communicated with
the conduit 80 of the conduit element 78 via the first docking
module port 16A in the one configuration of the valve arrangement
and the second valve element 32 in a fluid flow disposition such
that, upon securement of the first docking module 12 in the one
selected predetermined relative orientation to the manifold 22, the
second valve element 32 is sealingly communicated with the first
manifold port 24A via the first docking module port 16A in the
other configuration of the valve arrangement.
[0052] In some circumstances, the ease of interchangeably mounting
the docking modules to the manifold 22 can be best optimized by
configuring the docking module ports of each docking module such
that each respective docking module port is linearly aligned--i.e.,
co-axial--with the respective associated manifold port on the
manifold 22. In other circumstances, however, it may be more
preferred that the docking module ports of a docking module are not
linearly aligned--i.e., not co-axial--with their respective
associated manifold ports on the manifold 22.
[0053] With reference again to FIG. 1, in the event that the valve
arrangement 10 includes separate conduits for the entirety of the
manifold ports or separate conduits for a sub-set of manifold ports
such as, for example, all of the manifold ports associated with the
vent ports of the valve elements secured to the manifold, it is
preferred that the valve arrangement include a U-shaped conduit
tube 84 fluidly connected to each such manifold port. This
arrangement permits ease of fault finding--i.e., leakage in any
individual fluid passage can be readily ascertained.
[0054] While an embodiment and variations of the present invention
have been shown, it will be appreciated that modifications thereof,
some of which have been alluded to hereinabove, may still be
readily made thereto by those skilled in the art. It is, therefore,
intended that the appended claims shall cover the modifications
alluded to herein as well as all the other modifications which fall
within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *