Systems and methods for fluid pressure control

Abstract

Fluid pressure control systems and methods including a vessel having one or more internal passages configured to sustain a fluid under pressure, a fluid pressurization unit configured to link to the vessel to increase the pressure of a fluid in the internal passage(s). The fluid pressurization unit is configured for selective and repeated pressurization of the fluid in the internal passage(s).

1 . A fluid pressurization unit comprising:
 an enclosure configured to link to a vessel having an internal fluid passage;   the enclosure having a moveable member therein,   wherein the moveable member is configured for selective insertion within and/or withdrawal from the vessel internal passage to respectively increase and/or decrease the pressure of fluid in the vessel internal fluid passage when the enclosure is linked to the vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  wherein the moveable member consists of a piston dividing the enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 2  wherein the enclosure is configured to receive a fluid in the first and/or second chamber to move the piston within and/or withdraw the piston from the vessel internal passage to thereby increase and/or decrease the pressure of the fluid in the vessel internal fluid passage. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a spring to move the moveable member from a passive to an actuated position. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  further comprising a controller in signal communication with the fluid pressurization unit, the controller comprising instructions to actuate the moveable member. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  further comprising an electric motor to actuate the moveable member. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 6  wherein the moveable member consists of an elongated rod configured with an internal screw. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 6  wherein the moveable member consists of an elongated shaft configured with a threaded section. 
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling a fluid pressure in a vessel, comprising:
 linking an enclosure to a vessel having an internal fluid passage,   wherein the enclosure is configured with a moveable member therein;   selectively actuating the moveable member for insertion within and/or withdrawal from the vessel internal passage to respectively increase and/or decrease the pressure of fluid in the vessel internal fluid passage.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the moveable member consists of a piston configured to divide the enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the enclosure is configured to receive a fluid in the first and/or second chamber to move the piston within and/or withdraw the piston from the vessel internal passage to thereby increase and/or decrease the pressure of the fluid in the vessel internal fluid passage. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the vessel consists of a blowout preventer and the internal passage is configured to house a ram device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the enclosure comprises a spring to move the moveable member from a passive to an actuated position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the enclosure is configured to receive a fluid to move and/or retain the moveable member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the enclosure is configured with an electric motor to actuate the moveable member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the moveable member consists of an elongated rod configured with an internal screw. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the moveable member consists of an elongated shaft configured with a threaded section. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the moveable member comprises a pressure sensor disposed thereon. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the vessel consists of a Frac Stack or a valve device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the enclosure is configured to receive fluid under pressure to actuate the moveable member from a passive to an actuated position and vice-versa. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the enclosure is in signal communication with a controller comprising instructions to actuate the moveable member. 
     
     
         22 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  further comprising one of a pressure sensor or temperature sensor disposed thereon. 
     
     
         23 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 4  wherein the enclosure is configured to receive a fluid to move and/or retain the moveable member. 
     
     
         24 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  wherein the vessel consists of a blowout preventer. 
     
     
         25 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure sensor disposed on the moveable member. 
     
     
         26 . The fluid pressurization unit of  claim 1  wherein the vessel consists of a Frac Stack or a valve device.