A method for recovering fluid from an underwater apparatus submerged in deep water

(54) Title: METHOD FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID RECOVERY FROM A UNDERWATER APPLIANCE, IMMERSED IN DEEP WATER (30) Unionist Priority: 12/21/2007 us 12 / 005,034, 07/02/2007 US 60 / 900,046, 07/02 / 2007 US 60 / 900,046 (73) Holder (s): National oilwell varco, lp

(72) Inventor (s): ERICTREVOR ENSLEY, Frank Benjamin Springett (74) Attorney (s): Tinoco Soares & Filho S / C Ltda.

(86) International Order: pct GB2008050074 of 07/02/2008 (87) International Publication: wo 2008 / 096i74de 14/08/2008 (57) Abstract: method for the recovery of HYDRAULIC fluid from a submerged device immersed in deep water. A method for recovering fluid from a submerged device, immersed in deep water, the method comprising the steps of draining the fluid to the aforementioned submerged device (BOP) to feed it, characterized by the fact that the method also comprises the steps of flow of the fluid recovered from said submerged apparatus (BOP) to a subsurface recovery apparatus (FRS) comprising a pump apparatus (430, 602) and selectively pumping the recovered fluid over a deep water surface; preferably, the method also consists of a reserve capacity apparatus (410, 610) in deep water, the method also consisting of the step which allows the reserve capacity apparatus (410, 610) to be filled with the recovered fluid.

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METHOD FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID RECOVERY FROM A UNDERWATER DEVICE, IMMERSED IN DEEP WATER

The present invention relates to a method for recovering fluid from a submerged apparatus immersed in deep water and a submerged accumulator apparatus for supplying pressurized working fluid to submerged apparatus such as for explosion prevention.

Deep-water accumulators provide pressurized working fluid for control and operating equipment, for example to operators of explosion prevention devices; passage valves for controlling the flow of oil or gas to the surface or other locations within the sea; hydraulically driven connections; and similar devices. The fluid to be pressurized is typically an oil-based product or a water-based product with added protection against lubricity and corrosion, for example, but not limited to hydraulic fluid.

Certain prior art accumulators are pre-charged with pressurized gas at a minimum anticipated pressure, or slightly below, necessary to operate the equipment. Fluid can be added to the accumulator, increasing the pressure of the pressurized gas and fluid. The fluid placed inside the accumulator is stored at a pressure, at least, as high as the preload pressure and is available to perform the hydraulic work.

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Such prior art accumulators include: a balloon type with a balloon to separate the gas from the fluid; a piston type having a piston that slides up and down a sealing hole to separate the fluid from the gas; and a float type with a float that partially separates the fluid from the gas and closes a valve when the float approaches the bottom to prevent gas leakage.

In a specific example, a prior art system has accumulators that provide a typical 3000 psi (207 bar) working fluid to the surface equipment has a 5000 psi (345 bar) working pressure and contains fluid that increases the pre- 3000 psi (207 bars) to 5000 psi (345 bars) load. Accumulator efficiency is decreased in deep water; for example, at 1000 feet (305m) of seawater the ambient pressure is approximately 465 psi (32 bars) and, for an accumulator, provide a differential of 3000 psi (207 bars) at a depth of 1000 feet (305m) , it is preloaded to 3000 psi (207 bars) plus 465 psi (32 bars), or 3465 psi (239 bars). At a water depth slightly above 4000 feet (1220m), the ambient pressure is almost 2000 psi (138 bars), so the preload needs to be 3000 psi (207 bars) plus 2000 psi (138 bars), or 5000 psi (345 bars), that is, the preload equals the accumulator's working pressure. Any fluid introduced for storage causes the pressure to exceed the working pressure, making the accumulator non-functional.

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In deep-water use, accumulators at room temperature can drop to about 35 degrees F. 275K. For a 5000 psi 345 bar preloaded accumulator at a surface temperature of 80 degrees F 300K, about a 416 psi 29 bar preload is lost simply because the temperature has been reduced to 35 degrees F 275K. The rapid discharge of fluids from the accumulators and the associated rapid expansion of the pressurizing gas cause a natural cooling of the gas so that an accumulator has the pressure reduced rapidly, for example, from 5000 psi 345 bars to 3000 psi 207 bars, without the heat coming from inside the (adiabatic) accumulator, experience a pressure drop to 2012 psi 139 bars.

US patents 7, 108,006; 6,202,753; 4,777,800; 4,649,704; and 3,677,001 are illustrative of various prior art systems and are mentioned herein not as limitations or as complete with the prior art available; and all of these patents are here fully incorporated for all purposes.

There has been a great need, recognized by the present inventor, for effective accumulator systems and pressure compensation systems for use underwater and under the ocean. There has been a great need, recognized by the present inventor, for systems that increase the amount of pressurized gas available to intensify the operation of the working fluid systems under the ocean.

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In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for recovering fluid from a submerged apparatus immersed in deep water, which comprises the steps of fluid flow to said submerged apparatus to energize it, characterized by the fact that the method it also includes the steps of draining the fluid recovered from the submerged apparatus to a recovery apparatus below the surface, which comprises a pump apparatus and, selectively, pumping the recovered fluid above a deep water surface.

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses a fluid recovery system for recovering the force fluid discharged from a device below the ocean (eg, a BOP operator) and then pumping the recovered force fluid to the surface. In certain aspects, the present invention discloses systems and methods for recovering the force fluid from a device under water and for pumping the recovered force fluid to a surface of the water, in certain aspects the methods and systems include: a device below the surface for a recovery system below the surface, with the fluid initially supplied to the device below the surface to energize it; and the below-surface recovery system including pump apparatus, the below-surface recovery system selectively pumping the recovered fluid into a fluid container above a water surface. Water

5/50 deep can be any depth at which offshore oil well drilling is taking place. Deep water can be a few meters from ultra deep water that can be several thousand meters deep. The energy may include the activation of a submerged device where there is enough fluid to be worth recovering.

Preferably, the method also includes the step of allowing a reserve capacity apparatus to fill with the recovered fluid. Preferably, acting as a buffer to temporarily store the recovered material before being pumped to the surface of the deep water. Advantageously, the reserve capacity apparatus comprises a bottle with an expandable membrane, with ambient water on one side of the expandable membrane. Preferably, the bottle has an opening to let ambient sea water flow through it. Advantageously, the opening is permanently open. Preferably, the expandable membrane is a balloon. Advantageously, the reserve capacity apparatus includes a member, the method also includes the step in which the bottle of water causes the member to move to activate the valve. Preferably, the member moves when the bottle, or the membrane, is substantially filled with water.

Preferably, the pump apparatus pumps the fluid in a line with the surface, the line with the surface including the first check valve device that provides high pressure protection for the

6/50 surface line and, the second check valve device that provides low pressure protection to the line, the method further includes the steps of protecting the line with the surface against high pressure with the first check valve device; and, protecting the line.

Favorably, the pump apparatus pumps fluid in a line with the surface, including the system a relief valve in the line with the surface, still included in the method the pressure equalization step due to the 'water density differentials in the line with the surface with the relief valve.

Preferably, the recovery apparatus below the surface comprises a pump valve apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid to the pump apparatus, the method also includes the step of selectively supplying fluid to the pump apparatus for pumping to the surface .

Preferably, the method comprises the steps of selective supply of fluid to the pump apparatus for pumping to the surface and, to provide a constant flow of fluid under pressure from the submerged accumulator apparatus to maintain a negative internal pressure in the pump. The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses a pressure accumulator system for operations under the ocean that with one or more containers or bottles, which have a primary gas chamber to contain the gas under pressure and, in addition, a secondary chamber or cavity to contain such gas, the secondary chamber in

7/50 fluid communication with the primary chamber, so that the total effective volume of gas is increased to the volume capacity of the secondary chamber. In one aspect, the secondary chamber is a cavity in a part of the piston assembly. The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses an accumulator system for use underwater, such systems having a body (e.g. : a box) ; a fluid chamber with the body to contain the force fluid; a movable piston assembly placed inside the body; a gas chamber within the body containing gas under pressure to move the piston assembly to carry the force fluid out of the body's fluid chamber; the piston assembly, including the cavity, containing gas under pressure to assist in the movement of the piston assembly; and the cavity in the communication of the fluid with the gas chamber.

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses accumulator systems for use underwater, the systems having a body (e.g. a box); a movable piston assembly placed within the body, the piston assembly having an interior; a rod passing through the body and extending inside the piston assembly; a rod end at a rod end, the rod end placed within the piston assembly, the rod end having a first side and a second side; a force fluid chamber within the piston assembly, the force fluid chamber adjacent to the first side of the rod; a gas chamber inside the piston assembly, the gas chamber adjacent to the second

8/50 side of the rod; and the gas-movable piston assembly in the chamber to carry the force fluid out of the force fluid chamber.

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses a pressure compensation system for apparatus submerged in the ocean that has one or more hydraulic power units used in a hydraulic fluid system. In certain respects, such a submerged apparatus employs one or more hydraulic fluid reservoirs and / or accumulators that maintain operating amounts of hydraulic fluid at a slightly higher pressure than the water pressure outside the reservoir to selectively operate the equipment and submerged systems, ex. : BOP, spiral piping units, valves and connections from the source below the ocean. 0 reservoir and / or accumulator (s) can request a substantial amount (eg, 50, 100, 500 gallons or more) of hydraulic fluid that can impose the flow of that substantial amount of fluid from a reservoir to the accumulator (s). In certain systems, in accordance with the present invention, a pulse of seawater is provided, which includes exposing the piston end to seawater pressure. This piston effectively increases the force provided by another piston that works by compressed gas to take the force fluid out of the system. Using the boost effect of seawater, the requested number of containers or bottles for compressed gas is reduced. The impulse of sea water can increase the pressure in the hydraulic fluid contained in addition to the gas pressure in the fluid, thus reducing the

9/50 amount of pressurized gas needed to obtain a certain pressure in the hydraulic fluid.

In certain aspects, the container is initially charged at a pressure slightly higher than the water pressure to be found at the depth and the container is pressure compensated, so that, at the depth, it is neither damaged nor destroyed.

Preferably, the pump apparatus includes a two-chamber box with a mobile pumping piston, the two-chamber box including a first chamber and a second chamber, the method also includes steps for moving the pumping mobile piston, pumping fluid in a line to the surface of the first chamber, while the second chamber fills with the recovered fluid, and then pumping fluid to the surface of the second chamber, while the first chamber fills with the fluid. Favorably, a first reserve capacity device selectively supplies fluid to the first or second chamber; and a second reserve-capable apparatus selectively delivers fluid to the second or first chamber; the method also comprises the steps for selective supply of the recovered fluid to the first chamber or the second chamber, from the first reserve capacity apparatus; and for selective supply of the fluid to the second chamber or to the first chamber, from the second reserve capacity apparatus. Preferably, the valve apparatus of the first chamber

10/50 controls the flow of fluid to the first chamber, the valve apparatus of the second chamber controls the flow of fluid to the second chamber, the method also covers the steps to control the flow of fluid to the first chamber with the apparatus of first chamber valve; and for controlling the flow of fluid to the second chamber with the second valve apparatus. Favorably, the method also includes the step of providing pilot signals from the first chamber and the second chamber to selectively release fluid to facilitate alternating the mobile pumping piston. Preferably, a reserve valve apparatus is in fluid communication with the valve apparatus of the first chamber and with the valve apparatus of the second chamber; the method further includes the steps for providing a check valve function with the reserve valve apparatus to selectively supply flow to the first chamber valve apparatus or the second chamber valve apparatus. Favorably, the method also includes pumping fluid to the surface through a secondary valve in a line to the surface.

Preferably, the pumping of fluid to the surface is continuous. Favorably, the method also includes check valves between said submerged device and said fluid recovery device, the aforementioned check valves for ambient deep water. Favorably, the fluid is a hydraulic fluid. Favorably, the recovered fluid is a fluid

11/50 pneumatic hydraulic

The fluid can be pneumatic or partially

Preferably, recovered is used again to energize submerged. Favorably, the fluid recovered into a fluid container above that of the water.

the fluid the device is pumped to the surface

Favorably, the device below the surface is an explosion prevention operator, a control valve controls the flow of fluid to the explosion prevention operator, a valve impulse controls the control valve, the method also includes the control step fluid flow to the explosion prevention operator.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, as an example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 is a schematic view of a prior art compensated pressure reservoir; figure 2 is a schematic view of a system with accumulator containers;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a below-ocean explosion prevention system with a pressure accumulator below the ocean;

figure 4 is a schematic view of a pressure accumulator below the ocean in a pressure accumulator system below the ocean;

Figure 5a is a perspective view of an accumulator

12/50 the figure the figure the figure 6 the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the pressure figure below the ocean;

5b is a profile view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 5a;

5c is a cut-away perspective view of the pressure accumulator shown in figure 5a;

it is a profile view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean;

7a is a perspective perspective view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 5a;

7b is a profile view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 7a, showing a step of the method of operation;

7c is a profile view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 7b, showing a step of the method of operation;

7d a profile view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 7b, showing a step of the method of operation;

7e is a profile view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 7b, showing a step of the method of operation;

7f is a profile view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 7b showing a step of the method of operation;

8a is a perspective perspective view of a pressure accumulator below the ocean;

8b is a perspective view of the accumulator profile

13/50 the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the figure the pressure accumulator figure below the ocean shown in figure 8a;

9a is a perspective perspective view of a pressure accumulator below the ocean;

9b is a perspective view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 9a;

10a is a perspective perspective view of a pressure accumulator below the ocean;

10b is a perspective view of the pressure accumulator below the ocean shown in figure 10a;

1 is a schematic view of a prior art explosion prevention operator system of U.S. Patent 5,062,349;

it is a schematic view of a prior art explosion prevention operator system of U.S. Patent 4, 325,534;

13a is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention;

13b is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention;

14a is a cut-away perspective view of a pump according to the present invention;

14b is a profile view of the pump shown in figure 14a;

15a is a perspective view of a reserve bottle according to the present invention;

14/50 figure 15b is a profile view of the bottle shown in figure 15a;

figure 16 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention;

figure 17 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention;

<td>The figure</td><td>18th is</td><td>an</td><td>schematic view</td><td>in</td><td>a system</td><td>in</td>

<td></td><td>wake up</td><td>with</td><td>the present invention;</td><td>and</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>The figure</td><td>18b is</td><td>an</td><td>schematic view</td><td>in</td><td>a system</td><td>in</td>

<td></td><td>wake up</td><td>with</td><td>the present invention.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

Figure 1 illustrates a system as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3, 677,001 showing a submerged pipeline 10 in which a valve box 11, which contains a part of the valve that opens and closes the pipeline 10 to control the flow of fluid through it. A valve stem housing is mounted on valve housing 11. A valve stem 13 extends through the valve stem housing and connects to piston 14 stored in an actuator cylinder

15. The piston 14 has fixed force and exhaust strokes. The valve stem housing has seal seals 17 that wrap and seal the flow of fluid around the valve stem 13. A small internal diameter portion 20 of the actuator cylinder 15 forms a cavity or chamber 21 and a seat bulkhead 23 A joint shield 22 formed on the piston 14 is adapted to fit the shield 23. A static seal 24 that can be suitably an O ring is placed in a recess in the bulkhead 23 and seals the space between the bulkheads 22 and 23 when the piston 14 is at the end of its force travel,

15/50 as shown in the figure. A spring 25 is placed in chamber 21 and functions to move piston 14 in its exhaust path. When the valve is fully open, piston 14 is at the end of its force travel and, when the valve is completely closed, the piston is at the end of its exhaust path. When the valve (or other equipment) to be operated is located in a remote location away from the coast, a reservoir of hydraulic power fluid 30 is provided with a float piston 31, compensated for by the pressure of the sea water. A diaphragm could be replaced by piston 31. A conduit 34 provides a pump 32 with the hydraulic control fluid from the reservoir

30. The pump 32 is operated by electrical energy supplied from the water surface through a conductor 33. An accumulator 35 is connected to the pump 32 at the end of the exhaust path of the cylinder of the actuator 15 through a conduit 40. The purpose of the accumulator is the supply of power fluid available for immediate delivery to cylinder 15. A bypass line 41 connects line 40 to reservoir 30. An operated solenoid valve 45 controlled by electrical energy supplied from the water surface through a conduit 46 is connected to conduit 41. Another operated solenoid valve 47, supplied with operating force from the water surface through a conduit 48, is placed between accumulator 35 and the junction of conduits 40 and 41. An additional conduit 50 connects chamber 21 to reservoir 30.

Figure 2 shows a system 60 in which the force fluid of a force unit

16/50 hydraulic surface is provided to the explosion prevention operator below the ocean (BOP OPERATOR). The hydraulic power fluid is pumped from the reservoir (TANK) by a pump (PUMP) through a check valve (CHECK VALVE) to a bank of accumulator containers on the surface (ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM). This fluid is then supplied below a water level L, through a check valve (CHECK VALVE) for an accumulator system with one or more containers with compensated depth or with conventional balloon bottles (SYSTEM OF

ACCUMULATOR WITH COMPENSATED DEPTH). A control valve (DIRECTIONAL CONTROL VALVE) selectively supplies the power fluid from the accumulator containers with compensated depth to operate a device or device submerged in the ocean, eg the BOP operator shown. The fluid discharged from the BOP operator either goes into the water (FLOW) or to a fluid recovery system (FLUID RECOVERY SYSTEM) from which it returns to the (TANK) fluid reservoir. The accumulator system containers with compensated depth can be any container or bottle exposed here, including, but not limited to, those of Figures 5A - 9B.

Figure 3 shows a submerged explosion prevention system 80 with multiple accumulator systems 82.

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a system 100. Figure 4 shows schematically

17/50 system 100, as used to operate a BOP operator. Fluid from the HP surface hydraulic power system is stored in system 100 for use via a DV directional control valve for a BOP BO operator. Fluid discharged from the BOP operator either flows to a V outlet or to a FR fluid recovery system to return to the surface. The systems in Figures 6, 7A, 8A, 9A

<td>and 10A can</td><td>be used in</td><td>diagram shown</td><td>in Figure 4</td><td>in</td>

<td>replacement</td><td>or, in addition,</td><td>to a system 100.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td></td><td>0 system 100</td><td colspan="2">have a box</td>

<td>external 102</td><td>within which</td><td>is assembled, with</td><td>mobility,</td><td>one</td>

<td>set of</td><td>piston 110 that</td><td>has a rod</td><td>piston 112</td><td>with</td>

a first end 114 and a second end 116. A piston end 120 with an inner cavity 122 is attached to the first end 114 of the rod 112. A piston end 130 is attached to the second end 116 of the rod 112,

The piston rod 112 moves through an orifice 142 in a gland 140 that divides the first chamber 160 (e.g., a chamber for hydraulic fluid) from a second chamber 170 (e.g., a chamber for gas under pressure, e.g. : nitrogen). A third chamber 180 (eg, a vacuum chamber) is formed between the end of piston 130 and an end cap 190. Optionally, these chambers are alternated with chamber 160 being a vacuum chamber and chamber 180, containing fluid force.

An end cap 126 fixed in an opening 124 seals the interior of cavity 122. A

18/50 valve 128 allows gas under pressure, eg nitrogen, to be pumped into and through cavity 122, through a channel 118 that extends the entire length of piston rod 112, out through a channel 119 , and into the second chamber 170 to force pressurized gas against the piston end 130. A recess 132 is provided at the piston end 130, so that gas can flow into the second chamber 130. Suitable S1-S6 seals seal the indicated structural interfaces.

The cavity 122 at the end of the piston 120 effectively increases the total amount of pressurized gas within the piston assembly 110 by the volume of the cavity 122.

In one configuration, end cap 126 and end surface of piston end 120 are exposed to water pressure, e.g. , sea water, when system 100 is submerged. The force of this water pressure is cumulative with the force of the pressurized gas in the second chamber 170 and in the inner cavity

122 .

The fluid of force, ex. hydraulic fluid, is pumped from the first chamber 160 through a port 162, ex. , to operate a BOP operator on a BOP.

Optionally, one, two, three, four or more (two shown) inserts 146 (solid or hollow, solid shown, hollow shown) can be placed inside interior cavity 122 to reduce the effective gas-containing volume of cavity 122; for example,

19/50 to optimize the minimum pressure (in terms of adiabatic or isothermal discharge).

Figure 6 illustrates a system 300 that has a movable piston with an inner member, with a cavity containing gas within the piston. This cavity is in fluid communication with a gas-containing chamber, so that the total effective gas volume is increased (as compared to having only one gas chamber), and thus the total effective volume of available gas is increased and, accordingly, the available force fluid volume is increased.

A piston 302 movable in a body 304 has an inner chamber 306. An inner member 310 is attached to the body 304 with a beam or rod 308. The inner member 310 is immobile and has a hollow part 312 with an inner cavity 314 that is in fluid communication with chamber 306 via a channel 318. Both the inner chamber 306 and the cavity 314 may contain gas under pressure. A cavity 322 can be evacuated so that a vacuum (either very low pressure is present or, alternatively, it can contain force fluid). A chamber 320 can contain power fluid, for example, hydraulic fluid (or, alternatively, it can be evacuated so that a vacuum or very low pressure is present). Water pressure outside body 304 can act on an outer surface 324 of piston 302 and an outer surface 328 of inner member 310. Suitable S101-S104 seals seal the indicated interfaces.

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As illustrated in Figure 6, power fluid can flow through port 330 (such as port 161, Figure 5A) to a control valve and an apparatus to be operated by the fluid. In this configuration, there is a vacuum or very low pressure in cavity 322. Alternatively, the force fluid can be in cavity 322 and come out for use through port 340 (shown on the dotted lines) with a vacuum or very low pressure in the inner chamber 306.

Figures 7A through 7F illustrate steps in a method of operating a system like that of Figure 5A.

In Figures 7A and 7B no hydraulic fluid has yet entered the system. The sea water pressure is applied to the top of piston 126 of a piston assembly (which includes items 130, 142, 120 and 126) and the gas pressure in Chambers 122 and 170 (in this case, nitrogen, N2) is applied to the piston end 130. As shown in Figure 7C, PE fluid from a surface hydraulic power unit flows from port 162 into chamber 160 by moving the piston assembly and compressing the gas in chambers 122 and 170. This hydraulic power fluid enters chamber 160 at a pressure sufficient to overcome sea water pressure and gas pressure.

As shown in Figure 7D, the piston assembly has moved along its length, and chamber 160 is filled with hydraulic fluid and port 162 fluid ceases. A vacuum (or a very high pressure

21/50 low, ex. : 14.7 psi) exists in chamber 180. In a special example, the seawater pressure is 5348 psi; the gas pressure is 1272 psi; and the power fluid is at a pressure of 10211 psi. This hydraulic power fluid can now be moved from the system to energize a device (for example, but not limited to, a BOP operator).

Figure 7E illustrates the beginning of the supply of force fluid from chamber 160 to an external device or control system. The force fluid flows from the chamber 160 through port 162. The force of sea water and compressed gas, and the force of the vacuum move the force fluid.

Figure 7F illustrates the discharge of the power fluid from the system. The system is now ready to receive the force fluid from the surface again.

Figures 8A and 8B show a system 200 like the systems of Figure 5A and Figure 7A, but with an inner chamber for water, for example, sea water. As with the system shown in Figure 5A, system 200 is generally cylindrical, but only half is shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

A piston 210, movably positioned in a housing 208, has a gas chamber 214 for gas under pressure. Box 208 may have two pieces fastened together as shown (or a single piece). Piston 210 is mounted around and moves on a piston guide 216 which has an inner chamber 218 for additional pressure gas. Hydraulic power fluid flows through port 232 to

22/50 inside a force fluid chamber 230 that is limited by part of an inner wall of housing 208 and part of an outer wall of piston 210. An inner vacuum chamber 240 (or relatively low pressure chamber) is located at one end of box 208. The bottom end of chamber 218 of guide 216 is open to the chamber

214 .

Pressure gas, for example nitrogen, is carried into chambers 214, 218 through port 250. Water from outside system 200 flows into a chamber 260 through openings 262. Water pressure acts at one end 211 piston 210. The gas under pressure in chambers 214, 218 acts at one end

213 piston 210. SL seals seal multiple interfaces in the system.

Hydraulic force fluid at a pressure greater than the combined gas pressure in chambers 214, 218, and water in chamber 260 and the vacuum force in chamber 240, is introduced through port 232 into chamber 230 (for example , for storage until it is used for a function, such as operating a BOP operator). This moves piston 210 (upwards as shown in Figures 8A, 8B). With valve 232 closed, the force fluid remains in chamber 230. After opening the valve 232 by a control system (not shown), the force fluid flows out of the chamber 230 (due to the vacuum, the force of the gas, and the force of the water).

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Figures 9A and 9B show a system 400 like the systems in Figure 5A, Figure 7A, but with an inner chamber for water, like sea water and with a movable barrel piston assembly inside the box. Similar to the system shown in Figure 5A, the system 400 is generally cylindrical, but only half is shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

A piston 410, positioned with mobility in a box 408, has a gas chamber 414 for gas under pressure. The piston 410 is a barrel piston with outer walls and an internal fluid that has space for the power fluid and gas. Box 408 can be two pieces fastened together, or as shown, a single piece. Piston 410 is mounted around and moves on a piston guide 416 and guide rod 418. The guide rod projects through an opening 417 in piston 410 and through a top plate 409 in box 408. Hydraulic force fluid (as from a surface source) flows through port 439, through a channel 433 and through a port 432 into the force fluid chamber 430, which is bounded by part of an inner wall of piston 410 and by part of an outer wall of guide rod 418 and top of piston guide 416. An inner vacuum chamber 440 (or relatively low pressure chamber) is located at one end of housing 408.

Pressure gas, such as nitrogen, is carried into chamber 414 through port 450. Water from outside the system 400 flows

24/50 into a chamber 460 through openings 462. Water pressure acts on one end 411 of piston 410. The gas under pressure in chamber 414 acts on one end 413 of piston 410. SE seals seal different interfaces in the system.

hydraulic power fluid, at a pressure greater than the gas pressure in chamber 414 and water in chamber 460 and the vacuum force in chamber 440, is introduced through port 432 into chamber 430. This moves piston 410 ( upwards, as shown in Figures 9A, 9B). Without flow through port 432, the force fluid remains in chamber 430 until used. After the fluid flow from port 432, the force fluid exits the chamber 430 (due to the vacuum force, gas force and water force). Systems 200, 300 and 400 provide the water impulse characteristic discussed above.

Figures 10A and 10B show a system 500 that has five inner chambers 510, 520,

<td>530, 540 and 550. 0</td><td>500 system is usually</td><td>cylindrical,</td><td>but</td>

<td>only half is</td><td>shown in Figure 10A.</td><td colspan="2">The 510 camera is</td>

<td colspan="2">a vacuum chamber (or pressure chamber</td><td>very low)</td><td>. THE</td>

<td>520 chamber contains</td><td>pressure gas such as</td><td>nitrogen.</td><td>At</td>

<td>chambers 530 and 540</td><td>contain force fluid</td><td>. The chamber</td><td> 550</td>

<td colspan="2">contains water, like sea water.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>Water enters</td><td>in the camera</td><td> 550</td>

<td colspan="3">through holes 552 in a top plate 501 of</td><td>an</td>

first box 502. The fluid enters chamber 530 through port 532 and flows into chamber 540 through a

25/50 port 542. Gas flows through port 522 and channel 524 on a rod 526 to chamber 520. Seals 503 - 509 seal the interfaces where they are located.

The stem 526 is connected or, if it forms integrally with an end 528. Part of the stem 526 and the end 528 are inside a hollow member

511 which are the chambers 520 and 540 (which, like other chambers in other configurations here, vary in volume depending on the position of other elements). The hollow member 511 is movable within a first box 502 and a second box 513.

Connected to the first box 502, the second box 513, containing part of the movable member 511, is in the second box 513. The seal 505 prevents water from impacting the outside of the member 511 around chamber 520 and thus chamber 520 it is always kept in a positive internal pressure. Chamber 510 has a negative internal pressure. For this reason, the wall thickness of the second box is relatively thicker than the wall thickness of the first box. The first box 502 includes chambers 530, 540 and 550, in which positive internal pressure is maintained. Adding the 530 chamber results in a relatively larger volume of available force fluid (in the

<td>Comparation</td><td>with a system in which</td><td>there is r</td><td>magnet</td><td>chamber 530)</td><td>and</td>

<td>that provides</td><td>the correct proportions</td><td>of the area</td><td>in</td><td>surface</td><td>in</td>

<td>piston for</td><td>operation.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>From this</td><td>mode</td><td colspan="3">revealed by</td>

<td>less in</td><td>some parts above,</td><td>it is</td><td>one</td><td>system</td><td>in</td>

26/50 accumulator, the accumulator system for use underwater, the accumulator system including: a body; a fluid chamber within the body to selectively contain force fluid; a movable piston assembly disposed within the body; a gas chamber inside the body, containing the gas under pressure that will move the piston assembly, to move the force fluid out of the body's fluid chamber; the piston assembly including a cavity to contain gas under pressure, to assist in the movement of the piston assembly; and the cavity in fluid communication with the gas chamber. Such a system may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: the piston assembly has a first piston end exposed externally to the body, for action under water pressure outside the body, such water pressure helping the movement of the assembly piston to move the fluid fluid from the fluid chamber out of the body; at least one removable insert, located inside the cavity to reduce the gas content capacity of the cavity; an apparatus to be operated by the power fluid, the fluid chamber having an outlet port in fluid communication with the apparatus to be operated by the power fluid, removed from the fluid chamber; the apparatus to be operated by the power fluid being an explosion prevention operator; the accumulator system located below water, a hydraulic surface force system on a surface above water, the hydraulic surface force system to supply the force fluid to the body fluid chamber; the accumulator system located under water, a system

27/50 surface hydraulic force to deliver the power fluid to the body's fluid chamber; the accumulator system located below water, a hydraulic surface force system on a surface above water, the hydraulic surface force system supplying the force fluid to the body's fluid chamber, and the valve apparatus for controlling the flow of force fluid to the apparatus of the surface hydraulic power system and, to direct the force fluid poured out of the apparatus into a chosen line; the chosen line including any outlet line or a line for a fluid recovery system; and / or a body having three inner chambers, including the fluid chamber, the gas chamber, and a third chamber, the body having the first body end with a first opening in the body, and a second body end with a second opening in the body, a quantity of pressurized gas in the gas chamber, a lower pressure in the third chamber, the movable and seal piston assembly mounted inside the body, in the piston assembly, a first piston end closing the first opening and preventing the hydraulic fluid from leaking through the first opening of the first chamber, the first piston end having an outer surface and an inner surface, the operating force fluid applying a first pressure against the surface inner of the first piston end, water external to the above accumulator system to make contact and apply pressure to the external surface of the first piston end, in order to move the

28/50 piston assembly towards the second end of the body, a piston rod with a first rod end and a second rod end, the first rod end connected to the first piston end, the second rod end connected to the second piston end, the piston assembly having a second movable piston end, located in the second chamber, the second rod end connected to the second piston end, gas in the second chamber, capable of acting on the second piston end, to move the piston assembly in a direction outside the first opening, a channel through the piston rod and in fluid communication with the cavity and the second chamber, so the gas inside the cavity to flow into the second chamber.

Also revealed is an accumulator system, the accumulator system for use in water, including in the accumulator system: a body; a fluid chamber within the body to selectively contain force fluid; a piston assembly disposed with mobility within the body; a gas chamber inside the body, containing gas under pressure to move the piston assembly, which will move the force fluid out of the body's fluid chamber; the piston assembly includes a first piston end with a cavity containing gas under pressure to assist in the movement of the piston assembly; the cavity in fluid communication with the gas chamber; the first piston end exposed outside the body for action, therefore, of the water pressure outside the body,

29/50 such water pressure aiding the movement of the piston assembly, to move the force fluid from the fluid chamber out of the body; an apparatus to be operated by the force fluid; the fluid chamber, having an outlet port in fluid communication with the apparatus to be operated by the force fluid, which exits the fluid chamber; the accumulator system located under water; a surface hydraulic force system on a surface above water, the surface hydraulic force system supplying the force fluid to the body's fluid chamber; the accumulator system located under water; a surface hydraulic force system on a surface over water, the surface hydraulic force system supplying the force fluid to the body fluid chamber; valve apparatus for controlling the flow of force fluid to the apparatus, from the surface hydraulic force system and for directing the force fluid discharged from the apparatus to a chosen line; and where the chosen line can include any flow line or one line for a fluid recovery system.

Thus, still revealed is a method for operating a device located below water with force fluid, this method includes storing the force fluid in an accumulator system, the accumulator system being any one disclosed here, moving a piston assembly of the accumulator system, to move a power fluid out of a fluid chamber and into an apparatus, and energizing the apparatus with the power fluid. Such a system

30/50 can have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: here the device to be operated by the power fluid is an explosion prevention operator, including in the method: operation of the explosion prevention operator with the fluid force; here the accumulator system is located under water, a surface hydraulic force system on a surface above water, the surface hydraulic force system must supply force fluid to the body fluid chamber, the method including supply force fluid to the fluid chamber of the accumulator system; here the accumulator system includes a valve device for controlling the flow of force fluid to the device of the surface hydraulic force system and, for directing the force fluid poured out of the device into a chosen line, the method including control with the valve apparatus of the flow of force fluid to the apparatus; and / or here the chosen line can include either a flow line or a line for the fluid recovery system, the method including: directing the force fluid valve device from the device to any flow line or to a fluid recovery system.

Also disclosed is an accumulator system, the accumulator system for use underwater, the accumulator system including: a body; a movable piston assembly placed within the body, the piston assembly having an interior; a rod passing through the body and extending into the piston assembly; one end of the rod at one end of the rod, the

31/50 rod end placed inside the piston assembly, the rod end having a first side and a second side; force fluid chamber inside the piston assembly, the force fluid chamber adjacent to the first side of the rod; a gas chamber inside the piston assembly, the gas chamber adjacent to the second side of the rod; and the gas-movable piston assembly in the chamber to carry the force fluid out of the force fluid chamber. Such a system may have one or some (in a possible combination) of the following: a low pressure chamber inside the body and outside the piston assembly, low pressure (such as, but not limited to, a vacuum) inside the low pressure chamber for help move the power fluid from the power fluid chamber; a water chamber inside the body and outside the piston assembly, to receive the water coming from outside the body, the pressure of that water helping to move the piston assembly to carry the force fluid from the force fluid chamber; an apparatus to be operated by the force fluid; the force fluid chamber having an outlet port in the fluid communication with the apparatus to be operated by the force fluid, moved by the fluid chamber and / or when the apparatus to be operated by the force fluid is an operator of prevention of explosion.

Figure 11 shows an explosion prevention system as revealed in US-A5,062,349. The explosion prevention system having a sensitive flow pressure control valve system with an 11 'cylinder operator and 40a' piston to close the

32/50 explosion prevention device. A fluid return system is included to selectively direct the fluid from an opening side 16 'of the operating piston 11' to the closing side 14 'of the operating piston 11', when the pressure drop, via a sensitive feature 35 ', reaches a magnitude above a predetermined value, in order to reduce the fluid capacity requirements and, alternatively, to direct the flow from the closing side 14' to a discharge point, when the pressure drop falls below the predetermined value. A 60 'sequence valve to selectively initiate flow to the sensitive resource 35', for use in combination with the sensitive resource 35 'and the fluid return system, is also disclosed.

A 30 'fluid saving valve is in communication with the 60' sequence valve, such that a signal from the 60 'sequence valve begins operation of the 30' fluid saving valve. The communication between the fluid saving valve 30 'and the sequence valve 60' is provided by a line in the closing mode 32 'and a line in the opening mode 34'.

The sequence valve 60 'is, in turn, in communication with a variable source of pressurized fluid 21', a constant source of pressurized fluid and a reservoir or tank 23 ', which acts as a discharge point for the system fluid . In the preferred configuration, pressure sources 21 'may comprise fluid pumps and pressure regulators,

33/50 together with one or more accumulators. Another suitable pressure supply feature, however, can be used in accordance with this invention. And, the reservoir 23 'can be the fluid tank used in conjunction with the pressure pump or any other tank suitable for storage or recycling of the working fluid.

The fluid saving valve 30 'comprises a sensitive feature 35' in communication with the closing mode line 32, a control cylinder 40 ', and a connecting cylinder 50'.

A sensitive 35 'feature can comprise any suitable structure that creates a drop in pressure, depending on the speed of the flow through it, such that, at low speeds, the pressure drop approaches zero and, at high speeds, the drop increases to a pre-selected track. In the preferred configuration, the sensitive resource 35 comprises a flow diaphragm 35 'which creates a pressure drop of approximately thirty psi at maximum speed. Other sensitive features or suitable diaphragms, however, creating different drops in pressure, can be used, according to this invention.

The control cylinder 40 'serves to selectively guide the flow from the opening side 16' of the operator cylinder 11 'to the closing side 14' of the operator cylinder 11 '. In the preferred configuration, the control cylinder 40 'has a retractable end 41' adjacent to the flow buffer 35 'and a return end 42' at the opposite end. The control cylinder

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40 'still has two cylindrical subparts, a feed cylinder 43' adjacent to the retractable end 41 'and a deviation cylinder 44' in a larger diameter than the feed cylinder located adjacent to the return end 42 '. The feed cylinder and the diverter cylinder are concentric aligned and have constant diameters of different magnitude, respectively.

The feed cylinder 43 'and the offset cylinder 44' communicate in such a way that they form a perpendicular annular face 45 ', comprising a fine annular ring of width equal to the difference between the two diameters. The feed cylinder 43 'also has an inlet opening 46', to which the closing mode line 32 'is connected and a diaphragm opening 47' located at the retractable end 41 'and which communicates with the line on the closure.

The bypass cylinder 44 'has a drain opening in communication with the opening mode line 34, and a half opening 49 located along its length and in communication with the opening side line 18'.

The bypass cylinder 44 'further comprises a sliding control piston 40a' mounted there. The piston 40a 'has a width such that its movement between the annular seat near the retractable end 41' and the return end 42 'directs the flow of the line from the opening side 18' to the drain opening 48 or to the opening of diaphragm 47 '.

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The piston 40a 'still has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the bypass cylinder 44', in such a way that the control piston 40a 'fits firmly into the bypass cylinder and prevents or decreases the flow around the piston 40a '. In addition, the side of the control piston 40a 'closest to the retractable end 41' still has a face parallel to the annular stop 45 ', so that the movement of the piston 40a' towards the return end causes the piston 40a 'to make contact at the level of the ring stop. In this way, the annular backrest reduces the effective surface area of ​​piston 40a ', subject to fluid pressure and acts as a stopper for piston 40a' for pressures in which the force exerted on the reduced surface area is less than the force resistant, seen on the opposite side of the control piston 40a 'of the pressurized flow, on the other side of the connecting rod 59', as described below.

The connecting cylinder 50 'has an open end 58' adjacent to the control cylinder 40 'and a closed end 53 opposite the open end 58'. The connecting cylinder 50 'is aligned concentrically with the control cylinder 40' and has a slightly larger diameter than the control cylinder 40 '. The connecting cylinder 50 'still comprises an annular back 52', having a width defined by the difference in diameters between the control cylinder 40 'and the connecting cylinder 50', where the annular back 52 'partially closes the open end 58' which is connected to the

36/50 control 40 '.

The closed end 53 'of the connecting cylinder 50' includes an engaged part 54 'and an inclined spring mounted thereon. The inclined spring 55 'is in turn connected to the piston of the connecting cylinder 56' and has a constant length and spring so that the piston 56 'is slightly inclined towards the open end

58. The closed end 53 still has a connection opening 57 that communicates with the low side 37 of the diaphragm 35 via a pressure monitoring line 38, in order to accommodate the monitoring of the pressure drop across the diaphragm 35, as described below.

A connecting rod 59 'is located between the control piston 40a' and the connecting cylinder piston 56 '. The stem 59 'has a length such that the movement of the control piston 40a' between the annular face 45 'and the return end 42' allows the fluid flow, as described above, to be accommodated after the movement of the connecting piston 56 'between the two ends of the connecting cylinder 50'. The rod can be connected to the control piston 40a 'or the piston of the connecting cylinder 56'. The outer diameter of the stem 59 is less than the inner diameter of the bypass cylinder 44, enough that flow around the stem 59 'is allowed.

Therefore, when the fluid-saving valve is used, the flow of pressurized fluid is first directed to the

37/50 opening 34 ', thus forcing the control piston 40a' on the annular face 45 near the retractable end 41 'which, in turn, guides the flow through the opening side line 18' into the opening side 16 'operator cylinder

11' .

Figure 12 shows an explosion prevention device disclosed in US-A-4,325,534 showing a body with a hole and opposite rails crossing the hole, a ram on each rail, a cover closing the outer end of each rail, an operating base connecting to each of the battering rams, extending through its cover in chained action and having a lever, such as planes on its external surface, a pair of hydraulic motors 46, each having a housing and a rotating shaft, means for securing the motor housings to the body around the rails, means for connecting the driving shafts with the operating bases to rotate these bases, and means for supplying hydraulic fluid to the motors for rotation selection of those axes and bases in preselected directions.

Control of 46 motors is provided. A suitable source 94 of hydraulic fluid under pressure, such as a truck or boat, is connected from the line to the flow controller 98. The hydraulic fluid under control is taken to the four-way control valve

100 from controller 98 and excess fluid is returned through the exhaust line 102. In a valve position 100 the hydraulic fluid is returned to the exhaust line

38/50

102. In a second position, the hydraulic fluid is taken through line 104 to make engines 46 close the ram (not shown) and the discharge from engines 46 is returned via line 106 and valve 100 to exhaust line 102. Reverse rotation of the engines 46 is supplied by taking hydraulic fluid from valve 100 to the line

106 and pouring motors 46 through line 104. Drain lines 110, 111 and 112 are provided as shown to drain leakage from motors 46 into the tank.

Certain fluid recovery systems, in accordance with the present invention, have a pump system with one, two or more pumps that pump the force fluid discharged from the apparatus energized by the force fluid to the surface. In an environment under the sea, such a pump system according to the present invention is switched on and off. In one aspect, the key is provided by a piston apparatus, a floating piston apparatus, or by a reserve capacity system with container (s) or bottle (s) with an inflatable balloon which, after being inflated with seawater under pressure, is moved until it makes contact with part of a movable actuator inside the bottle. The mobile actuator moves to operate a valve or switch that opens a fluid line to allow the flow of system pressure (TANK) to be applied to a pump piston. This happens when the reserve capacity bottle is emptied of force fluid.

39/50

This system 400 is illustrated in Figure 13A in which a valve 420 controls the flow of force fluid in a line 404 (system pressure fluid supplied by the surface pumping system). When a box 414 'of a reserve capacity bottle 410' is emptied of force fluid, seawater inflates balloon 412 in box 414 ', balloon 412 contacts a trigger 418' and causes a trigger 418 'to move to operate valve 420. Optionally, actuator 418 'contacts and switches an electric switch to activate valve 420. Valve 420 stops the flow of fluid in the system pressure from line 404 to a pump system 430', stopping the pump system 430 '(flow of fluid in a line 422 to the surface ceases). A 434 directional control valve changes the pumping direction of a pump or pumps in the 430 'system. Check valves 436 and 438 provide a check valve function on the indicated lines.

Figure 13B shows a system 400a like system 400, Figure 13A (equal numbers indicate equal parts); but with a pump system 430a having a pump with a piston 431 that can pump the fluid to the surface of a first chamber 432a or a second chamber 432b. The 400a system has 436 check valves,

436a, 438, and 438a.

Figures 14A and 14B show a pump 500 according to the present invention that can be used in pump system 430a, Figure 13B. The pump 500 has a body 501 'that houses a movable piston 502' (like the piston

40/50

431, Figure 13B). The piston 502 'is movable to carry force fluid from either two chambers 503', 504 'to the surface. The piston 502 'has two actuating valves 505', 506 'which are movable to make the bodies 515, 516 come into contact with the mechanical actuators 507', 508 'of the valves 511, 512 (respectively). Springs 513, 514 deflect bodies 515, 516 away from piston 502 to assist in valve change and to trigger the valve open or closed. Lines A, B, C shown in Figure 14A correspond to lines A, B, C shown in Figure 17 and the box labeled 434a is a control valve that corresponds to valve 434, Figure 13B. Valves 511, 512 are mechanically driven valves and can function, in a way, like valves 630, 632 shown in Figure

16.

Figures 15A and 15B show a reserve capacity bottle 410 'according to the present invention that has a balloon 412 mounted inside a box 414'. The balloon 412 is inflatable for contacting and moving a body 462 of an actuating rod 464 (which is movable, for contacting and operating a mechanically driven valve, for example a valve 420, Figure 13A). The box 414 'has a lifting ring 452. The fluid enters the balloon 412 through the holes 454 and a channel 456. 0 poured force fluid enters the housing 414 through a hole

458 .

Figure 16 illustrates a system 600, according to the present invention, using a

41/50 pump system 602 with a pump 604 (like the pumps in Figures 13B and 14A). Two bottles of reserve capacity 610 (such as bottle 410, Figure 15A) receive the power fluid poured from an apparatus powered by the power fluid (FROM THE RETURNS OF THE CAVITY POD) in a 606 line. The pressure fluid pumped from a surface system (not shown) is supplied on a line 608 to each of the two mechanically operated valves 611, 612 (which in turn controls the supply of this fluid to operate the pump 604). Pump 604 pumps force fluid to the surface in a line 616 from either of the two chambers 618, 619 in a box 621. A valve 630 is driven mechanically (for example, like valves 511 or 512, Figure 14B) by contact with a piston 640, after piston 640 has moved to pump force fluid from chamber 618. A valve 632 will be driven by the contact of piston 640, when piston 640 has moved to expel force fluid from chamber 619 to line 616. Valves 630, 632 function similar to valve 434, Figure 13A.

Dotted line 642 indicates the provision of a pilot signal from valve 632 that alters valve 630, to allow fluid from a line 618a to leak into line A, which in turn allows the piston to move to the right (as seen in Figure 16). Dotted line 644 indicates a similar provision of a pilot signal. Check valves 643 and 645 provide check valve functions on their respective lines 633, 635.

Secondary valve 647 provides a check valve function

42/50 (BOP Operator) check valve between lines 633, 635. The power fluid enters chamber 618, via a line 618a, and the power fluid enters chamber 619, via a line 619a.0 fluid of force is expelled from chamber 618 via a line 618b and the fluid of force is expelled from chamber 619 via a line 619b. Through a line 617 the fluid pressure of line 608 is applied to valves 630, 632, to apply pressure on one side or the other of a piston, to pump the fluid to the surface.

Figure 17 illustrates a system 700 according to the present invention that uses a pump system (PUMP SYSTEM) according to the present invention, for example, but not limited to, with a pump system as in Figures 13A, 13B, or 16. The 700 system (Force Fluid Recovery System) has bottles (either shown here or any suitable bottle) (Reserve Capacity Bottles) that recover hydraulic fluid from an explosion prevention operator whose flow is controlled by a Control Valve ), controlled by a motor control

Driving). The pump system (Pump System) has a VS valve system that receives the fluid from the explosion prevention operator (in line A) and pumps it, in line B, back to the surface reservoir (Tank). An optional relief valve (Relief Valve) provides pressure equalization due to water density differentials. The pump system can have any desired number of pumps.

which is

Valve Control

43/50

Check valves, as indicated on the various lines (J, K, P, Q, X, Y), provide a check valve function. The two check valves labeled X and Y provide protection against high pressure (valve X) and protection against low pressure (valve Y). The accumulator containers on the surface (Surface Bottles) serve as containers for the fluid pumped from the tank; and the optional submerged containers (Accumulator System) provide an accumulator function at the Force Fluid Recovery System level.

Line C provides a constant flow of fluid under pressure to the pump (s) of the

Pump system that maintains a negative internal pressure in the pump. Through line A, the pump receives the fluid poured out of the BOP operator and, through line B, the pump pumps the fluid back to the surface. A movable piston arranged in a housing (for example, a piston 640) is moved in reaction to the poured force fluid being introduced into the housing; and the piston is movable to pump the fluid into line B and to the surface. 0 The piston is movable for touching and moving a valve driver, or valve actuators or valves, in the VS valve system.

When the balloons are empty, the pumps are turned off.

Reserve Capacity Bottles, Figure 17, can be like bottles 610, Figure 16; and the Pump System, Figure 17, can be like the pump system 602, Figure 16.

44/50

Figure 18A shows the system 400 of Figure 13A with several lines and check valves of the system of Figure 17. In such a system, check valve 438 corresponds to check valve P, Figure 17; and check valve 436 corresponds to check valve Q, Figure 17. Lines 404 and 422 correspond, respectively, to lines C and B, Figure 17.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain configurations, provides a method for recovering power fluid from an underwater device and for pumping recovered power fluid to a water surface, the method including: a device below the surface for a recovery system below the surface, the fluid initially supplied to the device below the surface to energize this device; and the below-surface recovery system, including pump apparatus, for selective pumping of the recovered fluid to a fluid container above the water surface. This method can, in any possible combination: the recovery system below the surface includes a reserve capacity device to receive the fluid from the device below the surface and selectively supply the fluid to be pumped to the surface, the method also includes the selective supply of fluid from the reserve capacity device to the pump; the pump apparatus pumps the fluid in a line to the surface, the line to the surface including the first check valve apparatus, provides high pressure protection for the

45/50 surface line e, the device of the second check valve provides protection against low pressure for the surface line, the method also includes: protection of the line for the surface against high pressures with the device of the first check valve; and protection of the line to the surface against high pressures with the device of the second check valve; the pump apparatus throws the fluid in a line to the surface, the system including a relief valve in the line to the surface, the method also includes: pressure equalization due to the differentials of water density in the line to the surface with the relief; the below-surface recovery system includes pump valve apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid to the pump apparatus, the method further including: selective supply of fluid to the pump apparatus for pumping to the surface; a submerged accumulator system provides a flow of force fluid from the surface to the apparatus below the surface, the method also including: supplying force fluid from the submerged accumulator system to energize the apparatus below the surface; selectively supplying fluid to the pump apparatus for pumping to the surface, providing a constant flow of fluid under pressure from the submerged accumulator system to maintain a negative internal pressure in the pump; pumping recovered fluid from the fluid container to the device below the surface; pumping recovered fluid from the fluid container to the surface accumulator apparatus; and pumping the fluid recovered from the

46/50 surface accumulator apparatus for the submerged apparatus; the submerged apparatus is an explosion prevention operator, a control valve controls the flow of fluid to the explosion prevention operator, a valve motor controls the control valve, and the method also includes controlling the flow of fluid to the explosion explosion prevention operator; the pump apparatus includes a two-chamber box with a mobile pumping piston, the two-chamber box includes a first chamber and a second chamber, the method also includes: moving the mobile piston, pumping fluid in a line to the surface from the first chamber while the second chamber is filling with fluid and then pumping fluid to the surface of the second chamber while the first chamber is filling with fluid; pumping the fluid to the surface is continuous; a first reserve capacity device selectively delivers fluid to the first chamber or the second chamber, and a second reserve capacity device selectively supplies fluid to the second chamber or the first chamber, the method also includes selective fluid supply to the first chamber or second chamber, from the first reserve-capable apparatus, and the selective supply of fluid to the second chamber or to the first chamber of the second reserve capacity apparatus; the first chamber valve apparatus controls fluid flow to the first, the second chamber valve apparatus controls fluid flow to the second chamber, the method further including fluid flow control to the first chamber

47/50 chamber with the first chamber valve apparatus, and controlling the flow of fluid to the second chamber with the second valve apparatus; providing pilot signals from the first chamber and the second chamber to selectively release the fluid, to facilitate alternating the mobile pump piston; a secondary valve device is in fluid communication with the first chamber valve apparatus and the second chamber valve apparatus, and with the line to the surface, the method further including providing a check valve function with the secondary valve apparatus for selectively providing flow to the first chamber valve apparatus; and / or pumping fluid to the surface through the secondary valve.

The present invention, therefore, at least in some configurations, provides a method for recovering force fluid from a submerged device and for continuous pumping of the recovered force fluid to a water surface, including in the method: fluid circulating from a submerged apparatus for a submerged recovery system, the fluid initially supplied to the submerged apparatus to energize this apparatus; the submerged recovery system, including pump apparatus for selective pumping of recovered fluid to a fluid container above a water surface; selective supply of fluid to the pump apparatus for pumping to the surface; providing a constant flow of fluid under pressure from the submerged accumulator system to maintain

48/50 a negative internal pressure in the pump; and where the pumping of fluid to the surface is continuous.

The present invention, therefore, at least in certain configurations, provides a system for recovering force fluid from a submerged device and for pumping force fluid recovered to a water surface, the system being a submerged recovery system, which includes pump apparatus for selective pumping of recovered fluid to a fluid container above a water surface, the pump located to receive the fluid from a submerged device to a fluid initially supplied to the submerged device, to energize this device; reserve capacity apparatus to receive fluid from the submerged apparatus and selectively supply fluid to the pump apparatus to be pumped to the surface; and pump valve apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid to the pump. Such a system may include a submerged accumulator to supply power fluid to the submerged apparatus.

Picture's description

Figure 1

A) SEA WATER

B) FLUID OF FORCE

C) RESERVOIR

Figure 2

D) TANK

E) PUMP

F) CHECK VALVE

49/50

G) ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM

H) ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM WITH COMPENSATED DEPTH

I) VALVE

J) FLOW

K) EXPLOSION PREVENTION OPERATOR

L ') DIRECTIONAL CONTROL VALVE

M) FLUID RECOVERY SYSTEM

Figure 7B

N) SEA WATER PRESSURE

Figure 7C

O) VACUUM

Figure 7D

O) VACUUM

Figure 11

21 '- PRESSURE

23 '- TANK

Figure 12

Q) HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT

Figure 14A

F) CHECK VALVE

Figure 16

R) FLUID RETURNS TO THE SURFACE

S) EMPTY BALLOON FOR SW

T) SPM VALVES ACTUATED BY BALLOONS FULL OF

CLOSING HID SUPPLY. FOR THE PUMP

U) 3000PSI SYSTEM PRESSURE

THE POD CAVITY (RETURN)

SW,

FIGURE 17

50/50

<td>R)</td><td>VALVE</td><td>IN</td><td>RELIEF</td>

<td>D)</td><td>TANK</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>V)</td><td>BOTTLES</td><td>IN</td><td>RESERVE CAPACITY</td>

<td>F)</td><td>VALVE</td><td>IN</td><td>CHECK</td>

<td>X '</td><td>) SYSTEM</td><td>IN</td><td>BOMB</td>

A ') SEA WATER

Y) PUMP

K ') BOP OPERATOR

Z) CONTROL VALVE

Al) POWER FLUID RECOVERY SYSTEM Bl) VALVE ENGINE CONTROL

Cl) ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM

Dl) SURFACE BOTTLES

1/7