Modular Actuator for Subsea Valves and Equipment, and Methods of Using Same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a modular actuator for subsea valves and equipment, and various methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the actuator includes a hydraulic actuator, at least one housing and a self-contained hydraulic supply system positioned within the at least one housing.

1 . A modular actuator adapted to be releasably coupled to a subsea device, comprising:
 a hydraulic actuator;   at least one housing; and   a self-contained hydraulic supply system positioned within said at least one housing.   
   
   
       2 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said subsea device comprises a valve. 
   
   
       3 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said subsea device comprises a Christmas tree. 
   
   
       4 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising a control system positioned within said at least one housing to control delivery of a high pressure hydraulic fluid produced by said self-contained hydraulic supply system. 
   
   
       5 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising a self-contained source of electrical power positioned within said at least one housing, wherein said self-contained source of electrical power is the primary source of electrical power for said modular actuator. 
   
   
       6 . The modular actuator of  claim 5 , wherein said self-contained source of electrical power comprises at least one battery. 
   
   
       7 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic supply system comprises a pressure intensifier. 
   
   
       8 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic system positioned within said housing comprises a pump driven by an electrical motor. 
   
   
       9 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic system comprises at least one fluid reservoir and a control/vent valve. 
   
   
       10 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said modular actuator further comprises means for releasably coupling said modular actuator to said subsea device. 
   
   
       11 . The modular actuator of  claim 2 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic supply system is adapted to supply a pressurized fluid employed in actuating said subsea valve. 
   
   
       12 . The modular actuator of  claim 3 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic supply system is adapted to supply a pressurized fluid employed in actuating a valve within said Christmas tree. 
   
   
       13 . The modular actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said modular actuator is adapted to be releasably coupled to said subsea device by an ROV. 
   
   
       14 . A modular actuator adapted to be releasably coupled to a subsea device, comprising:
 a hydraulic actuator;   at least one housing; and   a plurality of components positioned within said at least one housing, said components comprising:
 a self-contained hydraulic supply system; and 
 a control system to control delivery of a high pressure hydraulic fluid produced by said self-contained hydraulic supply system. 
   
   
   
       15 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , further comprising a self-contained source of electrical power positioned within said at least housing, wherein said self-contained source of electrical power is the primary source of electrical power for said modular actuator. 
   
   
       16 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said self-contained source of electrical power comprises at least one battery. 
   
   
       17 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic supply system comprises a pressure intensifier. 
   
   
       18 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic system positioned within said housing comprises a pump driven by an electrical motor. 
   
   
       19 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic system comprises at least one fluid reservoir and a control/vent valve. 
   
   
       20 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said modular actuator further comprises means for releasably coupling said modular actuator to said subsea device. 
   
   
       21 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic supply system is adapted to supply a pressurized fluid employed in actuating a subsea valve. 
   
   
       22 . The modular actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said modular actuator is adapted to be releasably coupled to said subsea device by an ROV. 
   
   
       23 . A modular actuator adapted to be releasably coupled to a subsea device, comprising:
 a hydraulic actuator;   at least one housing; and   a self-contained hydraulic supply system positioned within said at least one housing, said self-contained hydraulic supply system comprising:
 a pump driven by an electrical motor; 
 at least one fluid reservoir; and 
 a control/vent valve. 
   
   
   
       24 . The modular actuator of  claim 23 , further comprising a control system positioned within said at least one housing to control delivery of a high pressure hydraulic fluid produced by said self-contained hydraulic supply system. 
   
   
       25 . The modular actuator of  claim 23 , further comprising a self-contained source of electrical power positioned within said at least one housing, wherein said self-contained source of electrical power is the primary source of electrical power for said modular actuator. 
   
   
       26 . The modular actuator of  claim 25 , wherein said self-contained source of electrical power comprises at least one battery. 
   
   
       27 . The modular actuator of  claim 23 , wherein said modular actuator further comprises means for releasably coupling said modular actuator to said subsea device. 
   
   
       28 . The modular actuator of  claim 23 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic supply system is adapted to supply a pressurized fluid employed in actuating a subsea valve. 
   
   
       29 . A modular actuator adapted to be releasably coupled to a subsea device, comprising:
 a hydraulic actuator;   at least one housing;   a self-contained hydraulic supply system positioned within said at least one housing, said self-contained hydraulic supply system comprising:
 a pump driven by an electrical motor; 
 at least one fluid reservoir; and 
 a control/vent valve; 
   a control system positioned within said at least one housing to control delivery of a high pressure hydraulic fluid produced by said self-contained hydraulic supply system; and   a self-contained source of electrical power positioned within said at least one housing, wherein said self-contained source of electrical power is the primary source of electrical power for said modular actuator.   
   
   
       30 . The modular actuator of  claim 29 , wherein said self-contained source of electrical power comprises at least one battery. 
   
   
       31 . The modular actuator of  claim 29 , wherein said modular actuator further comprises means for releasably coupling said modular actuator to said subsea device. 
   
   
       32 . The modular actuator of  claim 29 , wherein said self-contained hydraulic supply system is adapted to supply a pressurized fluid employed in actuating a subsea valve.