Subsea operating valve connectable to low pressure recipient
View Patent ↗A valve useable in an undersea apparatus for generating a force for closing a blowout preventer (BOP) based on a pressure difference between a low pressure recipient and ambient pressure, an apparatus including the valve and related methods are provided. The valve includes a valve body enclosing a chamber with an input port selectively connectable to an output port, and a chamber separating assembly configured to separate the chamber from a region of different pressure. The assembly includes (1) a backup plate having a first portion of a first diameter towards the chamber and a second portion of a second diameter larger than the first diameter, towards the region, and (2) an upper seat located between the first portion of the backup plate and the valve body.
1. A valve useable in an undersea arrangement configured to generate force for closing a blowout preventer (BOP) based on a pressure difference between a low pressure recipient and ambient pressure, the valve comprising:
a valve body enclosing a chamber with an input port selectively connectable to an output port; and
a chamber separating assembly that defines a pressure barrier between the chamber and a region of different pressure, the assembly including:
a backup plate having a first portion disposed adjacent the chamber and a second portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the first portion and that is disposed adjacent the region and on a side distal from the chamber; and
an annual upper seat circumscribing the first portion of the backup plate and circumscribed by the valve body.
2. The valve of claim 1 , further comprising a first seal and a first additional seal located between the upper seat and the backup plate and a second seal and a second additional seal between the backup plate and the valve body.
3. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the input port is connected to a low pressure recipient storing fluid at a low pressure substantially smaller than an ambient pressure outside the chamber.
4. The valve of claim 3 , wherein the low pressure is about 1 atm.
5. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the backup plate is made of metallic material.
6. The valve of claim 1 , wherein the upper seat is made of a plastic or pliable material.
7. An apparatus for generating a force for closing a blowup preventer (BOP) undersea, the force being generated due to a pressure difference between a hydrostatic pressure and a low pressure, the apparatus comprising:
a cylinder separated in two chambers by a piston connected to a rod configured to transmit the force generated due to a pressure imbalance between the two chambers, to the BOP;
a low pressure recipient; and
a valve configured to selectively enable a fluid communication between the low pressure recipient and one of the chambers of the cylinder, the valve having
a valve body enclosing a chamber with an input port selectively connectable to an output port; and
a separating assembly configured to separate the chamber from a region of different pressure, the assembly including:
a backup plate having a first portion facing the chamber and a second portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the first portion, and facing towards the region; and
an annular upper seat circumscribing the first portion of the backup plate and circumscribed by the valve body.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a first seal and a first additional seal located between the upper seat and the backup plate and a second seal and a second additional seal between the backup plate and the valve body.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the input port is connected to a low pressure recipient storing fluid at a low pressure substantially smaller than an ambient pressure outside the chamber.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the low pressure is about 1 atm.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the backup plate is made of metallic material.
12. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the upper seat is made of a plastic or pliable material.