Method to improve brake closing response time

Abstract

The method of improving the brake closing response time on an offshore reel, comprising providing a brake disk, providing a control valve with a pilot on each end, providing a reference signal on one end, providing a control signal on the other end, shifting to a position to supply operating pressure to release brakes from a brake disk when said control signal exceeds said reference signal and venting said operating signal when said control signal is less than said reference signal.

1 . The method of improved the brake closing response time on an offshore reel, comprising
 providing a brake disk,   providing a valve having a first position for delivering an operating signal to a release one or more brakes from engagement with said brake disk and a second position venting said operating signal to allow said one or more brakes to be engaged with said brake disk for stopping the rotation of said reel,   providing a first air pilot to move said valve to said first position and providing a second air pilot to move said valve to said second position,   delivering a reference air pressure to said second air pilot which is greater than zero but less that the air supply pressure,   increasing the control pressure delivered to said first pilot to a level greater than said reference pressure to shift said valve from said second position to said first position to cause said one or more brakes to be released, and   decreasing the control pressure delivered to said first pilot to a level lower than said reference pressure to shift said valve from said first position to said second position to deliver said operating pressure to allow said one or more brakes to be engaged with said brake disk.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a pressure regulator to adjust said reference pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising said operating signal is the same air supply pressure as is delivered to said pressure regulator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising said operating signal is the control pressure which is delivered to said first pilot. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising said control pressure is regulated by a pressure regulator. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising said operating signal is the control pressure which is delivered to said first pilot and is therefore a regulated air pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further providing a check valve between said reference pressure and said air supply such that if said air supply is temporarily reduced, said reference pressure will not be affected. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a check valve between said air supply and said control signal such that if said air supply is temporarily reduced, said control pressure will not be affected.