Patricia R Thrash

US Patent:

20100154896, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Dec 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/653707

Inventors:

Patricia Thrash - Houston TX, US
Brian Frank Matteucci - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

F16K 11/02
F16K 11/065

US Classification:

137112, 137113

Abstract:

A shuttle valve useful in connection with operation of underwater blowout preventers employs soft seals sealing an annulus between an inlet bore and the outer periphery of the shuttle to provide hydraulic function control from a high pressure low flow supply source such as a low volume positive displacement pump on a remotely operated vehicle without losing opposing inlet sealing and hydraulic fluid dump the opposing inlet during a return stroke of the pump.

US Patent:

20100155073, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Sep 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/554362

Inventors:

Robert Norman Blank - Richmond TX, US
John Stephen Hiltpold - Sugar Land TX, US
Tri Canh Le - Spring TX, US
Brian Frank Matteucci - Houston TX, US
Patrick D.M. Rogan - New Orleans LA, US
Abner Bernard Simmons - Tomball TX, US
Patricia Thrash - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING, INC. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/36

US Classification:

166338, 166378

Abstract:

Systems and methods for improved hydraulic control systems for actuation of subsea equipment in deep water are disclosed. The hydraulic control system relies on smaller fluid flow associated with a hydraulic pressure pulse to actuate the small volume actuation control valve. In one embodiment, the system includes small diameter control umbilical hoses and pilot-operated valves with low actuation volumes. Particularly, a hydraulic control system for reducing the signal time to a subsea blowout preventer in water depth up to and greater than about 5000 feet. Some embodiments comprise a valve arrangement which hydraulically actuate one side of a hydraulic control function, while simultaneously evacuating the opposing circuit both at the seabed and at the surface. Some embodiments comprise an umbilical hose located proximate the center of an umbilical bundle. Preferably, the umbilical hose has a plurality of layers of reinforcing fibers which increase with the diameter of the reinforcement layer.