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DE-102024210805-A1 - Deep Sea Valve

DE102024210805A1DE 102024210805 A1DE102024210805 A1DE 102024210805A1DE-102024210805-A1

Abstract

Deep-sea valve (1) comprising at least one valve slide (2), wherein the at least one valve slide (2) is displaceable by an actuator (3) to open a flow (5) in the deep-sea valve (1), wherein a spring assembly (4) is arranged on the deep-sea valve (1) and is configured to displace the valve slide (2) to close the flow in an emergency, wherein the actuator (3) has an electric drive, and wherein the actuator (3) and the spring assembly (4) are arranged on opposite sides of the flow (5).

Inventors

  • Gottfried Hendrix

Assignees

  • Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241111

Claims (8)

  1. Deep-sea valve (1) comprising at least one valve slide (2), wherein the at least one valve slide (2) is displaceable by an actuator (3) to open a flow (5) in the deep-sea valve (1), wherein a spring assembly (4) is arranged on the deep-sea valve (1) and is configured to move the valve slide (2) to close the flow in an emergency, wherein the actuator (3) has an electric drive, and wherein the actuator (3) and the spring assembly (4) are arranged on opposite sides of the flow (5).
  2. Deep-sea valve (1) after Claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly (4) and the actuator (3) can be connected or are connected via a shaft (6), wherein the valve slide (2) is arranged on the shaft (6).
  3. Deep-sea valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring arrangement (4) has at least one spring (7) which counteracts a thrust force of the actuator (3).
  4. Deep-sea valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring arrangement (4) and the actuator (3) are arranged such that the deep-sea valve (1) is in equilibrium along a flow axis (8).
  5. Deep-sea valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (3) is connected to the valve slide (2) via an interface (9) and is replaceable.
  6. Underwater boom (10) with at least one flow tube (11) and a valve arrangement (12), comprising a plurality of deep-sea valves (1) according to the preceding claims.
  7. underwater tree (10) after Claim 6 , wherein the majority of deep-sea valves (1) are arranged offset on different axes in the underwater tree (10) such that the underwater tree (10) is in equilibrium along a central axis of the flow tube (13).
  8. Underwater tree (10) after one of the Claims 6 or 7 , comprising a control block (14), wherein the control block (14) has at least one control unit (15) with which an actuator (3) can be actuated.

Description

The invention relates to deep-sea valves and valve arrangements on underwater trees. Subsea trees, also known as subsea X-Mas trees or underwater eruption crosses (hereinafter referred to as subsea trees), comprise valve assemblies and at least one flow pipe that can be vertically installed on a borehole on the seabed. The subsea trees serve as the interface between the pipeline and the borehole in the seabed. The valve assemblies include deep-sea valves for shutting off and regulating flow, as well as various maintenance functions for operation. Underwater trees are used in oil production or gas storage (e.g., CO2 or hydrogen in the seabed). Multiple boreholes are used for each production or storage field, and each borehole contains one underwater tree. Therefore, a large number of underwater trees are used for each production or storage field, which can result in high costs, particularly during installation. Underwater trees are placed on the seabed at considerable expense. Using a crane on a ship or platform, the underwater trees are positioned vertically over the borehole at depths of up to > 3,500 meters and connected by a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Typically, the (remotely controlled) deep-sea valves of a submersible boom are actuated by a hydraulic cylinder unit with a return spring. Actuation is achieved via a control block with switching valves and a hydraulic pressure accumulator, which are attached to the submersible boom. Pressure is supplied from platforms or ships above water. In the event of a control system failure, the valves are spring-loaded to a closed position for safety reasons. The process valves are typically located on one side of the underwater boom. Emergency operation can also be carried out on this operating side using a submersible robot. The hydraulic cylinders and springs require a relatively large installation space and have a significant mass. Furthermore, the underwater boom also houses the hydraulic valves with a control block and at least one hydraulic accumulator, which can also be complex in shape and have a considerable mass. The control block and hydraulic accumulator are located on the side facing away from the operator. Based on this, the object of the invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, it aims to create a method for transporting and installing underwater trees more easily. To simplify and reduce the cost of installing numerous underwater trees on the seabed, it is desirable for the underwater trees to be more compact and, if necessary, lighter. A simpler and more durable mounting at the borehole in the seabed is a key focus. This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, which also presents further preferred embodiments of the invention. A deep-sea valve, comprising at least one valve spool, contributes to solving this problem. The at least one valve spool is movable by an actuator to (selectively) open or close a flow within the deep-sea valve. A spring assembly is also arranged on the deep-sea valve and configured to move the valve spool to close the flow in an emergency (when the actuator is unavailable and/or operates independently). The actuator has an electric drive. The actuator and the spring assembly are located on opposite sides of the flow path. The deep-sea valve is preferably designed for underwater operation. In particular, the deep-sea valve can be used at depths of at least 1,000 meters, especially at least 3,000 meters, and possibly even more than 3,500 meters. The deep-sea valve can be used at a wellhead for the production of, for example, crude oil. It can also be used at a wellhead for a storage facility, for example, for CO₂ (carbon dioxide). The deep-sea valve can be used to regulate the inflow and/or outflow at the wellhead, in particular to open and/or close it. Maintenance functions can also be enabled with the deep-sea valve. The valve slide is preferably a flat slide. Preferably, the valve slide can have an opening and a closure. The valve slide can be axially displaced so that the opening partially or completely allows an inflow or outflow (flow) at the borehole. It is possible for the valve slide to be displaced so that the closure completely blocks the flow at the borehole. The valve slide is movable by means of an actuator. The actuator can move the valve slide transversely to the borehole. The actuator can be rigidly or interlockingly connected to the deep-sea valve. It is possible for the actuator to actuate the valve slide directly. Preferably,