US3894560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subsea control network
Assignee: FSSL Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-24
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1994-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved subsea control system which eliminates the necessity of redundant control lines extending from the water surface to an underwater wellhead installation such as a christmas tree, including a multiple pressure responsive sequence valve mounted in a single hydraulic control line for providing direct control to the valves on the underwater installation under emergency conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Benton F Baugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:01
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B33/0355; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/402; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87676; Y10T137/87684
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A new and improved subsea control system for operating a wellhead valve system at a subsea wellhead installation, comprising: a wellhead valve system having various valve operators mounted therewith for normally operating and controlling flow through said wellhead valve system, said wellhead valve system including an electro-hydraulic control pod for normally operating said various valve operators; two-way hydraulic control valves mounted with said wellhead valve system; said control pod being hydraulically connected to said various valve operators through said two-way valves; a multiple pressure responsive failsafe valve connected to said two-way hydraulic control valves and to said control pod, said multiple pressure responsive valve providing various distinct fluid output signals in response to a change in pressure of a single fluid input signal; a surface control means and a single hydraulic control liNe extending into hydraulic connected with said multiple pressure responsive valve in order to deliver a variable fluid input signal from said surface control means to said multiple pressure responsive valve; and said multiple pressure responsive valve including means providing an output operating signal to said hydraulic control pod under normal operating conditions and further, providing output signals directly to said two-way valves for operating said valve operators under emergency conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A new and improved subsea control system for operating a wellhead valve system at a subsea wellhead installation, comprising: a wellhead valve system having various valve operators mounted therewith for normally operating and controlling flow through said wellhead valve system, said wellhead valve system including an electro-hydraulic control pod for normally operating said various valve operators; two-way hydraulic control valves mounted with said wellhead valve system; said control pod being hydraulically connected to said various valve operators through said two-way valves; a multiple pressure responsive failsafe valve connected to said two-way hydraulic control valves and to said control pod, said multiple pressure responsive valve providing various distinct fluid output signals in response to a change in pressure of a single fluid input signal; a surface control means and a single hydraulic control liNe extending into hydraulic connected with said multiple pressure responsive valve in order to deliver a variable fluid input signal from said surface control means to said multiple pressure responsive valve; and said multiple pressure responsive valve including means providing an output operating signal to said hydraulic control pod under normal operating conditions and further, providing output signals directly to said two-way valves for operating said valve operators under emergency conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, including: ssaid surface control means and said single hydraulic control line including means for delivering a first fluid input signal to said multiple pressure responsive valve which delivers a first fluid output signal to said control pod, said control pod utilizing such first fluid output signal for delivering valve operating signals to said two-way valves for operating said valve operators under normal conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure set forth in claim 2, including: said surface control means and said hydraulic control line providing a second fluid input signal to said multiple pressure responsive valve, which includes means for delivering said second input signal to at least one of said two-way valves for directly operating at least one of said valve operators.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure set forth in claim 3, including: said multiple pressure responsive valve including means for closing off the delivery of said fluid to said control pod in conjunction with said delivery of fluid to one of said two-way valves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure set forth in claim 3, wherein: said first fluid input signal is at a higher pressure than said second fluid input signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure set forth in claim 3, wherein said second fluid input signal is at a higher pressure than said first fluid input signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, including: said two-way valves delivering fluid pressure signals from either said pod or from said multiple pressure responsive valve to said valve operators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, including: said multiple pressure responsive valve being landed with said control pod onto said christmas tree.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, including: said multiple pressure responsive failsafe valve being landed separable from said pod such that said well can remain operating through said sequence valve with said pod removed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |