Integrated system to produce microalgae
10584310 ยท 2020-03-10
Inventors
Cpc classification
C12M29/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C12M41/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C12M23/42
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
C12M1/34
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C12M1/36
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C12M3/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Abstract
An integrated system to produce microalgae with autonomous fault identification and circumvention that can be deployed on land or at sea. The system comprises a fully scalable reactor, CO2 extraction, oxygen replenishment to surrounding water, and all necessary equipment to run it safely ensuring high energy efficiency and optimal control of environment variables to maximize biomass yield.
Claims
1. An integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae, comprising: a reactor having a plurality of reactor nodes and a plurality of pipe elements, the plurality of reactor nodes and the plurality of pipe elements configured to create an isolated water culture suitable for algae growth; a CO2 extraction unit configured to supply CO2 to the reactor, comprising: a water degasifier; a plurality of pumps configured to supply water to the water degasifier; an engine configured to power the plurality of pumps and heat water in the water degasifier; a heat exchanger configured to heat water from the water degasifier and recirculate the heated water to the water degasifier; a vaporizer supplied with exhaust gases from the engine and with boil-off gases from the water degasifier, the vaporizer configured to use the boil-off gases to sublimate solid CO2; a CO2 extractor supplied by pre-cooled boil-off gases coming from the vaporizer; a CO2 separator configured to supply solid CO2 to the vaporizer; and a heat exchanger configured to heat waste gases from the CO2 separator and vent the heated waste gases to the atmosphere; and an algae separation unit.
2. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 1, comprising: a condensed water cleaner; a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat from the engine exhaust gases and the boil off gases from the water degasifier to condensate water vapor contained in the engine exhaust gases and the boil off gases into condensed water.
3. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 2, comprising: an oxygen extractor configured to extract oxygen from water culture supplied by the reactor; a discharge water aerator supplied with water from the condensed water cleaner and with oxygen from the oxygen extractor; a heat exchanger configured to heat water culture from the reactor entering the oxygen extractor; a heat exchanger configured to recover heat from the water leaving the oxygen extractor.
4. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 1, wherein the algae separation unit comprising: an algae separator comprising: a concentrator; and a helical pusher; an algae storage unit.
5. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 4, wherein the concentrator is conical in shape and the helical pusher is configured to rotate to scrape algae from the concentrator, force water culture from the reactor through the concentrator, and thereby produce an algae slurry.
6. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 3, comprising: a culture diluter configured to replenish the reactor with water culture; a flow divider configured to divide water culture from the reactor between the algae separator and the culture diluter; and a pump configured to extract water from the algae separator through the oxygen extractor and supply water to the reactor.
7. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 1, wherein: each pipe element having an inner pipe configured to permeate CO2 to feed the algae culture; each reactor node comprising: pipe ports configured to open and close the pipe elements attached to the reactor node; a propeller pump configured to pump water through the pipe elements; and a vane pump powered by pressurized water from the algae separator, the pressurized water having nutrients, the vane pump configured to power the propeller pump.
8. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of reactor nodes comprising: a module assembly having hydraulic and pneumatic components, the module assembly comprising: an i/o unit assembly comprising i/o layers having cuts and indentions to direct hydraulic and pneumatic fluid flow and a check valve set to block hydraulic and pneumatic fluid flow in one direction, the i/o unit assembly configured to generate hydraulic and pneumatic output signals to control the reactor node and transmit hydraulic and pneumatic output signals to other reactor nodes; a logic unit assembly configured to process hydraulic and pneumatic output signals received from the i/o unit assembly, generate logic functions, and output hydraulic and pneumatic logic signals to be received by the i/o unit assembly.
9. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 8, wherein the logic unit assembly having at least one of a plurality of replaceable router plates each router plate configured to re-route signals related to the pipe ports to and from the reactor node in a specific way to connect one of the pipe ports A, B, C or D of the reactor node to one of the remaining pipe ports to have fluid flow through specific pipe elements.
10. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 8, wherein the logic unit assembly comprising a plurality of logic gates selected from a group consisting of AND gates, NAND gates, OR gates, SEL gates, XOR gates, SW gates, zero gates, memory gates, register gates and diagnose gates.
11. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 8, comprising a linear feed shift register; and wherein the state of the linear feed shift register is used to select one logic unit assembly at a time to be active among the plurality of logic unit assemblies in the reactor.
12. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 10, wherein the logic gates of the logic unit assembly are hydraulically actuated.
13. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 10, wherein the logic gates of the logic unit assembly are pneumatically actuated.
14. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 1, comprising: a computer having a plurality of input ports and output ports; an input bus having a plurality of input lines configured to be connected to the input ports; a plurality of analog to digital converters, each analog to digital converter connected to each of the plurality of input lines; an output bus having a plurality of output lines configured to be connected to the output ports; a plurality of solenoid valves, each solenoid valve connected to each of the plurality of output lines; a plurality of output pressure lines, each output pressure line fed by a corresponding solenoid valve and connected to an input pressure line on the reactor node; a plurality of input pressure lines, each input pressure line fed by an output pressure line coming from the reactor node and connected to the corresponding analog to digital converter; and wherein each solenoid valve in a first position allows fluid flow to move a logic gate to a high position; and wherein each solenoid valve in a second position allows fluid flow to move a logic gate to a low position; and wherein the position of each of the plurality of solenoid valves is configured to transmit commands to control the reactor node; and wherein the position of each logic gate is configured to transmit the status of the reactor node to each analog to digital converter.
15. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 14, wherein each reactor node comprising a master designation or slave designation with each slave reactor node being associated to a designated master reactor node; and wherein a plurality of logic gates, comprising: a zero logic gate fed with a digital zero pressure signal; a clock logic gate fed with a digital clock pressure signal; a master logic gate fed with a digital master pressure signal; a help logic gate fed with a digital help pressure signal; a query logic gate fed with a digital query pressure signal; a status logic gate fed with a digital status pressure signal; and wherein the zero logic gate, the clock logic gate and the master logic gate generate a sequence of commands to the remaining plurality of logic gates in a logic unit assembly allowing only one logic unit assembly within the reactor to be selected at any time; wherein the help gate in a selected logic unit assembly is configured to transmit an alarm signal to the next reactor node if any abnormal condition is present in the reactor node where the selected logic unit assembly is installed or if an alarm is received from the previous reactor node from the help pressure line; wherein the query logic gate and the status logic gate in a logic unit assembly that is not selected are configured to retransmit to the next reactor node the signals received from the previous reactor node from the query pressure line and the status pressure line respectively and the query logic gate and the status logic gate in the selected logic unit assembly are configured to ignore the signals received from the previous reactor node and transmit to the next reactor node the alarm signals active in the reactor node where the selected logic unit assembly is installed; and wherein the query logic gate in a selected logic unit assembly is configured to generate an alarm signal in the query pressure line if any abnormal condition generates an alarm in the reactor node where the selected logic unit assembly is installed and the status logic gate in a selected logic unit assembly is configured to generate an alarm signal through the status pressure line if an alarm signal is received from the previous reactor node through the help pressure line.
16. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 15, wherein the reactor node comprising: a plurality of pipe ports, each pipe port having a door configured to seal each pipe element attached to each of the plurality pipe ports; a plurality of actuators configured to open or close the plurality of doors that open or close each pipe port and wherein the detection of an alarm within a reactor node activates the actuators to close a first pipe port to circumvent a fault and open a second pipe port to bypass a faulty pipe element.
17. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 8, comprising: at least one controller comprising: a pressure controller cavity; a pressure controller device aligned within the pressure controller cavity; a controller spring configured to move as pressure within the controller cavity changes thereby moving the pressure controller device to align inputs within the pressure controller cavity with openings within the pressure controller device; and wherein a pressure signal is generated from the alignment of the pressure controller device within the pressure controller cavity.
18. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the number of inputs to the controller determines the number of bits of the pressure signal.
19. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the controller is hydraulically powered.
20. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the controller is pneumatically powered.
21. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the pressure controller device is in the shape of a parallelogram with cutouts of material removed from each corner of the pressure controller device creating two central extensions at the extremities of the pressure controller device so inputs on the end of the pressure controller cavity are not closed by the surface of the pressure controller device.
22. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein a pressure controller device has an orifice that runs through the middle of the pressure controller device to accommodate the controller spring; wherein the orifice stops short of perforating the full length of the pressure controller device so that the remaining material in the central extension has sufficient structural integrity to withstand the force provided by the controller spring and the orifice has the longest possible length.
23. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, comprising a plurality of controllers, the plurality of controllers comprising: at least one pneumatic CO2 pressure controller; at least one hydraulic water pressure controller; at least one hydraulic ground pressure controller; at least one pneumatic signal input pressure controller; and at least one hydraulic signal input pressure controller.
24. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, comprising a hydraulic depth sensor sensing device having a depth sensor made of a plastic bag and a movable depth detector wherein each reactor node in the reactor is configured to be submerged to a predefined depth to avoid dangerous weather conditions.
25. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the controller comprising: a reset pressure input in the pressure controller cavity; a reset opening in the pressure controller device; and a pressure supply output in the pressure controller cavity.
26. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the controller comprising: a pressure regulate input in the pressure controller cavity; a pressure control opening with a tapered V-shape on one end in the pressure controller device; and a pressure supply output in the pressure controller cavity.
27. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the controller comprising: a pressure lsb low input in the pressure controller cavity; a pressure lsb high input in the pressure controller cavity; a pressure lsb low opening in the pressure controller device; a pressure lsb high opening in the pressure controller device; and a pressure lsb output in the pressure controller cavity.
28. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, wherein the controller comprising: a pressure msb low input in the pressure controller cavity; a pressure msb high input in the pressure controller cavity; a pressure msb low opening in the pressure controller device; a pressure msb high opening in the pressure controller device; and a pressure msb output in the pressure controller cavity.
29. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, comprising a CO2 pressure controller, the CO2 pressure controller comprising: a CO2 pressure controller cavity comprising: at least one CO2 pressure input; a CO2 pressure reset input; a CO2 pressure regulate input; a CO2 pressure supply output configured to supply CO2 to the inner pipe of the pipe element; at least one digitized signal bit comprising: a CO2 pressure lsb low input; a CO2 pressure lsb high input; a CO2 pressure lsb output; a CO2 pressure controller device comprising: a CO2 pressure reset opening configured to align with the CO2 pressure reset input and the CO2 pressure supply output; a CO2 pressure control opening configured to align with the CO2 pressure regulate input and the CO2 pressure supply output; a CO2 pressure lsb low opening configured to align with the CO2 pressure lsb low input and the CO2 pressure lsb output; a CO2 pressure lsb high opening configured to align with the CO2 pressure lsb high input and the CO2 pressure lsb output; a CO2 pressure controller rubber grid configured to envelop the CO2 pressure controller device and create physical barriers to avoid leaks to the CO2 pressure controller cavity; a controller spring configured to compress as pressure within the CO2 pressure controller cavity increases moving the CO2 pressure controller device in a first direction and to a position within the CO2 pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of increase in pressure; and the controller spring configured to stretch as pressure within the CO2 pressure controller cavity decreases moving the CO2 pressure controller device in a second direction and to a position within the CO2 pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of decrease in pressure.
30. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 29, wherein the position of the CO2 pressure controller device: generates a one bit digitized output based on the alignment of the CO2 pressure lsb low opening with the CO2 pressure lsb low input, and the CO2 pressure lsb high opening with the CO2 pressure lsb high input; determines the state of the CO2 pressure according to the state of the one bit digitized output, if the output bit is low indicating a leak or a reset state, or if the output bit is high indicating CO2 pressure within operating range; and controls the CO2 pressure in the CO2 pressure supply output based on the state of alignment of the CO2 pressure reset opening with the CO2 pressure reset input and the CO2 pressure control opening with the CO2 pressure regulate input.
31. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, comprising a water pressure controller, the water pressure controller comprising: a water pressure controller cavity comprising: at least one water pressure input; a water pressure reset input; a water pressure regulate input; a water pressure supply output configured to supply water to the outer pipe of the pipe element; at least two digitized signal bits comprising: a water pressure lsb low input; a water pressure lsb high input; a water pressure lsb output; a water pressure msb low input; a water pressure msb high input; a water pressure msb output; a water pressure controller device comprising: a water pressure reset opening configured to align with the water pressure reset input and the water pressure supply output; a water pressure control opening configured to align with the water pressure regulate input and the water pressure supply output; a water pressure lsb low opening 1 and a water pressure lsb low opening 2 configured to align with the water pressure lsb low input and the water pressure lsb output; a water pressure lsb high opening configured to align with the water pressure lsb high input and the water pressure lsb output; a water pressure msb low opening configured to align with the water pressure msb low input and the water pressure msb output; a water pressure msb high opening configured to align with the water pressure msb high input and the water pressure msb output; a water pressure controller rubber grid configured to envelop the water pressure controller device and create physical barriers to avoid leaks to the water pressure controller cavity; a controller spring configured to compress as pressure within the water pressure controller cavity increases moving the water pressure controller device in a first direction and to a position within the water pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of increase in pressure; and the controller spring configured to stretch as pressure within the water pressure controller cavity decreases moving the water pressure controller device in a second direction and to a position within the water pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of decrease in pressure.
32. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 31, wherein the position of the water pressure controller device: generates a two bit digitized output based on the alignment of the water pressure lsb low opening 1 and the water pressure lsb low opening 2 with the water pressure lsb low input, the water pressure lsb high opening with the water pressure lsb high input, of the water pressure msb low opening with the water pressure msb low input, the water pressure msb high opening with the water pressure msb high input; determines the state of the water pressure according to the state of the two bit digitized output, if the two bit digitized output is 00 indicating a leak state or a reset state, if the two bit digitized output is 01 indicating a stand by state, if the two bit digitized output is 11 indicating a normal operation state, and if the two bit digitized output is 10 indicating a closed state; and controls the water pressure in the water pressure supply output based on the state of alignment of the water pressure reset opening with the water pressure reset input, the water pressure control opening with the water pressure regulate input.
33. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, comprising a ground pressure controller, the ground pressure controller comprising: a ground pressure controller cavity comprising: at least one ground pressure input; a ground pressure regulate input; a ground pressure supply output configured to supply water to the water culture cavity inside the reactor node; at least one digitized signal bit comprising: a ground pressure lsb low input; a ground pressure lsb high input; a ground pressure lsb output; a ground pressure controller device comprising: a ground pressure control opening configured to align with the ground pressure regulate input and the ground pressure supply output; a ground pressure lsb low opening configured to align with the ground pressure lsb low input and the ground pressure lsb output; a ground pressure lsb high opening configured to align with the ground pressure lsb high input and the ground pressure lsb output; a ground pressure controller rubber grid configured to envelop the ground pressure controller device and create physical barriers to avoid leaks to the ground pressure controller cavity; a controller spring configured to compress as pressure within the ground pressure controller cavity increases moving the ground pressure controller device in a first direction and to a position within the ground pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of increase in pressure; and the controller spring configured to stretch as pressure within the ground pressure controller cavity decreases moving the ground pressure controller device in a second direction and to a position within the ground pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of decrease in pressure.
34. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 33, wherein the position of the ground pressure controller device: generates a one bit digitized output based on the alignment of the ground pressure lsb low opening with the ground pressure lsb low input, and the ground pressure lsb high opening with the ground pressure lsb high input; determines the state of the ground pressure according to the state of the one bit digitized output, if the output bit is low indicating ground pressure too high, outside operational range, or if the output bit is high indicating ground pressure within operating range; and controls the water pressure in the ground pressure supply output based on the state of alignment of the ground pressure control opening with the ground pressure regulate input.
35. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 17, comprising a signal pressure controller, the signal pressure controller comprising: a signal pressure controller cavity comprising: at least one signal pressure input; at least two digitized signal bits comprising: a signal pressure lsb low input; a signal pressure lsb high input; a signal pressure lsb output; a signal pressure msb low input; a signal pressure msb high input; a signal pressure msb output; a signal pressure controller device comprising: a signal pressure lsb low opening configured to align with the signal pressure lsb low input and the signal pressure lsb output; a signal pressure lsb high opening configured to align with the signal pressure lsb high input and the signal pressure lsb output; a signal pressure msb low opening configured to align with the signal pressure msb low input and the signal pressure msb output; a signal pressure msb high opening configured to align with the signal pressure msb high input and the signal pressure msb output; a signal pressure controller rubber grid configured to envelop the signal pressure controller device and create physical barriers to avoid leaks to the signal pressure controller cavity; a controller spring configured to compress as pressure within the signal pressure controller cavity increases moving the signal pressure controller device in a first direction and to a position within the signal pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of increase in pressure; and the controller spring configured to stretch as pressure within the signal pressure controller cavity decreases moving the signal pressure controller device in a second direction and to a position within the signal pressure controller cavity determined by the amount of decrease in pressure.
36. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 35, wherein the position of the signal pressure controller device: generates a two bit digitized output based on the alignment of the signal pressure lsb low opening with the signal pressure lsb low input, the signal pressure lsb high opening with the signal pressure lsb high input, the signal pressure msb low opening with the signal pressure msb low input, the signal pressure msb high opening with the signal pressure msb high input; and determines the state of the signal pressure according to the state of the two bit digitized output, if the two bit digitized output is 00 indicating a leak state, if the two bit digitized output is 01 indicating low state, if the two bit digitized output is 11 indicating a high state.
37. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 1, wherein the reactor node comprising a flag configured to be raised to identify an alarm in the reactor node.
38. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 1, comprising an anchor assembly configured to anchor each reactor node and allow it to be sunk to a predefined depth.
39. An integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae, comprising: a reactor having a plurality of reactor nodes and a plurality of pipe elements, the plurality of reactor nodes and the plurality of pipe elements configured to create an isolated water culture suitable for algae growth; each of the plurality of reactor nodes having a module assembly having electronic components, analog to digital converters and solenoid valves, the module assembly configured to receive electronic input signals from other module assemblies in other reactor nodes; the analog to digital converters convert pressure signals coming from a reactor node where the module assembly is installed into electronic status signals; a computer to process the electronic input signals and electronic status signals and generate electronic control signals to control the reactor node where the module assembly is installed and electronic output signals to be transmitted to other module assemblies in other reactor nodes; feed the electronic control signals into the solenoid valves and generate output pressure signals to control the reactor node; an algae separation unit.
40. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 39, wherein the module assembly having hydraulic and pneumatic components, the module assembly comprising: an i/o unit assembly comprising i/o layers having cuts and indentions to direct hydraulic and pneumatic fluid flow and a check valve set to block hydraulic and pneumatic fluid flow in one direction, the i/o unit assembly configured to generate hydraulic and pneumatic output signals to control the reactor node and transmit hydraulic and pneumatic output signals to other reactor nodes; a logic unit assembly configured to process hydraulic and pneumatic output signals received from the i/o unit assembly, generate logic functions, and output hydraulic and pneumatic logic signals to be received by the i/o unit assembly.
41. The integrated system for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 39, wherein the computer comprising: a plurality of input ports and output ports; an input bus having a plurality of input lines configured to be connected to the input ports; a plurality of analog to digital converters, each analog to digital converter connected to each of the plurality of input lines; an output bus having a plurality of output lines configured to be connected to the output ports; a plurality of solenoid valves, each solenoid valve connected to each of the plurality of output lines; a plurality of output pressure lines, each output pressure line fed by a corresponding solenoid valve and connected to an input pressure line on the reactor node; a plurality of input pressure lines, each input pressure line fed by an output pressure line coming from the reactor node and connected to the corresponding analog to digital converter; and wherein each solenoid valve in a first position allows fluid flow to move a logic gate to a high position; and wherein each solenoid valve in a second position allows fluid flow to move a logic gate to a low position; and wherein the position of each of the plurality of solenoid valves is configured to transmit commands to control the reactor node; and wherein the position of each logic gate is configured to transmit the status of the reactor node to each analog to digital converter.
42. A method for the production and harvesting of microalgae using an integrated system, comprising: connecting a plurality of reactor nodes and a plurality of pipe elements to a reactor; isolating within each of the plurality of reactor nodes and the plurality of pipe elements water cultures suitable for algae growth; pumping water to a water degasifier using a plurality of pumps; heating water in the water degasifier using an engine; recirculating water from the water degasifier to the water degasifier using a heat exchanger; supplying a vaporizer with exhaust gases from the engine and with boil-off gases from the water degasifier; sublimating solid CO2 in the vaporizer using the boil-off gases from the vaporizer; extracting CO2 from the pre-cooled boil-off gases coming from the vaporizer; precipitating solid CO2 using a CO2 separator by further cooling pre-cooled boil-off gases coming from the vaporizer; and supplying solid CO2 to the vaporizer to replenish the solid CO2 supply in the vaporizer; supplying the reactor with CO2; growing algae in the water culture within the plurality of pipe elements.
43. The method for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 42, wherein each of the plurality of reactor nodes comprising: a module assembly having hydraulic and pneumatic components, the module assembly comprising: configuring an i/o unit assembly of a module assembly to generate hydraulic and pneumatic output signals to control the reactor node and transmit hydraulic and pneumatic output signals to other reactor nodes, the i/o assembly comprising i/o layers having cuts and indentions to direct hydraulic and pneumatic fluid flow and a check valve set to block hydraulic and pneumatic fluid flow in one direction, the i/o unit assembly; configuring a logic unit assembly of the module assembly to process the hydraulic and pneumatic output signals received from the i/o unit assembly, to generate logic functions, and to output hydraulic and pneumatic logic signals that are received by the i/o unit assembly.
44. The method for the production and harvesting of microalgae of claim 42, comprising: connecting a plurality of input ports of a computer to a plurality of input lines of an input bus; connecting a plurality of analog to digital converters to each of the plurality of input lines; connecting a plurality of output ports of the computer to a plurality of input lines of an output bus; connecting a plurality of solenoid valves to each of the plurality of output lines; connecting a plurality of output pressure lines with each fed by a corresponding solenoid valve to an input pressure line of a reactor node; connecting a plurality of input pressure lines with each input pressure line fed by an output pressure line coming from the reactor node to the corresponding analog to digital converter; and actuating a solenoid valve to a first position to allow fluid flow to move a logic gate to a high position; actuating a solenoid valve to a second position to allow fluid flow to move a logic gate to a low position; and positioning each of the plurality of solenoid valves to configure and transmit commands to control the reactor node; and positioning each logic gate to configure and transmit the status of the reactor node to each analog to digital converter.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Capital letters A through D in bold are used in some figures to identify sections of a component or assembly and when applicable are attached to component numbers in normal font to differentiate components pertaining to the correspondingly identified sections. Multiple copies of a component used in an assembly not associated with a section are differentiated by lowercase letters.
(2) Detail Figures locations in a parent figure are indicated by capital letters in normal font associated with a circle.
(3) Drawing 1 contains
(4) Drawing 2 contains
(5)
(6) Drawing 3 contains
(7) Drawing 4 contains
(8) Drawing 5 contains Detail
(9) Drawing 6 contains Detail
(10) Drawing 7 contains Detail
(11) Drawing 8 contains
(12) Drawing 9 contains Detail
(13) Drawing 10 contains
(14) Drawing 11 contains
(15) Drawing 12 contains
(16) Drawing 13 contains
(17) Drawing 14 contains
(18) Drawing 15 contains
(19) Drawing 16 contains
(20) Drawing 17 contains
(21) Drawing 18 contains
(22) Drawing 19 contains
(23) Drawing 20 contains
(24) Drawing 21 contains Detail
(25) Drawing 22 contains
(26) Drawing 23 contains
(27) Drawing 24 contains Detail
(28) Drawing 25 contains Detail
(29) Drawing 26 contains
(30) Drawing 27 contains Detail
(31) Drawing 28 contains
(32) Drawing 29 contains
(33) Drawing 30 contains
(34) Drawing 31 contains Detail
(35) Drawing 32 contains Detail
(36) Drawing 33 contains Detail
(37) Drawing 34 contains
(38) Drawing 35 contains Detail
(39) Drawing 36 contains Detail
(40) Drawing 37 contains Detail
(41) Drawing 38 contains
(42) Drawing 39 contains
(43) Drawing 40 contains
(44) Drawing 41 contains
(45) Drawing 42 contains
(46) Drawing 43 contains
(47) Drawing 44 contains
(48) Drawing 45 contains
(49) Drawing 46 contains
(50) Drawing 47 contains
(51) Drawing 48 contains
(52) Drawing 49 contains
(53) Drawing 50 contains
(54) Drawing 51 contains
(55) Drawing 52 contains
(56) Drawing 53 contains
(57) Drawing 54 contains
(58) Drawing 55 contains
(59) Drawing 56 contains
(60) Drawing 57 contains
(61) Drawing 58 contains
(62) Drawing 59 contains
(63) Drawing 60 contains
(64) Drawing 61 contains
(65) Drawing 62 contains
(66) Drawing 63 contains
(67) Drawing 64 contains
(68) Drawing 65 contains
(69) Drawing 66 contains Detail
(70) Drawing 67 contains
(71) Drawing 68 contains
(72) Drawing 69 contains
(73) Drawing 70 contains
(74) Drawing 71 contains
(75) Drawing 72 contains
(76) Drawing 73 contains
(77) Drawing 74 contains
(78) Drawing 75 contains Detail
(79) Drawing 76 contains
(80) Drawing 77 contains
(81) Drawing 78 contains
(82) Drawing 79 contains
(83) Drawing 80 contains
(84) Drawing 81 contains
(85) Drawing 82 contains
(86) Drawing 83 contains
(87) Drawing 84 contains
(88) Drawing 85 contains
(89) Drawing 86 contains
(90) Drawing 87 contains
(91) Drawing 88 contains
(92) Drawing 89 contains
(93) Drawing 90 contains
(94) Drawing 91 contains
(95) Drawing 92 contains
DRAWINGSREFERENCE NUMERALS
(96) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of reference numbers and Figures where they are indicated N Item Name Shown in FIGS. 100 pipe element 1 2 72 73 74 74A 101 outer pipe 1 1A 2 102 pipe rounded edges 1 103 inner pipe 1 1A 2 72 73 104 rim 1A 105 gap 1A 106 short pipe element 74 74A 107 inner tie 2 72 73 108 inner band 2A 109 inner band fastener 2A 110 pipe tie 2 72 73 111 pipe band 2B 112 pipe band fastener 2B 113 straight joint 2 2C 72 114 outer wall 2C 3 3A 4 4A 5A 115 wall rounded edges 2C 3 4 5A 116 inner guide 2C 3 3A 4 4A 5A 9 72 73 117 support 2C 118 guide support gap 2C 3A 4A 5A 119 inner rim 2C 3A 4A 5A 120 inner tie slot 2C 3A 4A 5A 121 outer rim 2C 3A 4A 5A 122 outer tie slot 2C 3A 4A 5A 123 wall band 2C 3A 4A 124 vertical edge 2C 3A 4A 125 pipe port 2C 3 4 5 5A 6 8 9 73 126 pipe port bottom 9 127 90 degrees joint 3 72 128 90 degrees middle body 3 129 90 degrees rounded rims 3 130 90 degrees inner guide 3 3A 131 90 degrees support 3A 132 180 degrees joint 4 72 133 180 degrees middle body 4 134 180 degrees rounded rims 4 135 180 degrees inner guide 4 4A 136 180 degrees support 4A 137 door plug 5 5A 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 75 138 door plug O-ring 13 14 139 door 7 10 11 12 13 14 75 140 door body 11 13 14 141 door opening 11 13 14 142 door O-ring 13 14 143 door spacer 13 14 144 door spring cut 13 14 145 door spring 7 10 11 13 146 door stub 75 147 door stub O-ring 75 148 CO2 valve plug 5 6 6A 7 10 11 12 13 14 75 149 CO2 valve plug O-ring 13 14 150 CO2 valve 7 10 11 12 13 14 49 75 151 CO2 valve body 11 13 14 152 CO2 valve opening 11 13 14 153 CO2 valve O-ring 13 14 154 CO2 valve spacer 13 14 155 CO2 valve spring guide 13 14 156 CO2 valve cavity 13 14 157 CO2 valve cavity spring cut 13 14 158 CO2 valve spring 7 10 11 13 159 CO2 valve stub 75 160 CO2 valve stub O-ring 75 161 diagnose port 5C 25A 50 51 162 diagnose attachment 5C 25A 163 signal port left 25A 50 51 164 signal port right 5C 50 51 165 (u) air resupply right 5C 76 91 95 97A 166 (w) water resupply right 5C 56 76 91 95 97A 167 (K) clock out 5C 91 168 (Y) unit ready out 5C 74B 74D 91 169 (Z) zero out 5C 74B 74D 91 170 (v) dive in 5C 56 91 171 (M) master/slave out 5C 91 172 (r) reset in 5C 56 91 173 (Q) query out 5C 91 174 (h) help in 5C 56 91 175 (S) status out 5C 91 176 (l) CO2 resupply right 5C 91 95 97A 177 (U) air resupply left 25A 76 95 97A 178 (W) water resupply left 25A 76 95 97A 179 (k) clock in 25A 56 91 180 (gnd) ground 25A 55 74C 76 95 97A 181 (z) zero in 25A 56 74C 91 182 (V) dive out 25A 91 183 (m) master/slave in 25A 56 91 184 (R) reset out 25A 91 185 (q) query in 25A 56 91 186 (H) help out 25A 91 187 (s) status in 25A 56 91 188 (L) CO2 resupply left 25A 95 97A 189 node core main control port 12 21 49 66 190 node core main control port section 13 14 191 node core aux control port left 21 49 66 192 node core aux control port right 21 49 66 193 open door pipe 12 13 14 49 75 194 open CO2 valve pipe 12 13 14 49 75 195 close door pipe 13 14A 75 196 close CO2 valve pipe 12 13 14 49 75 197 water sensor pipe 12 13 14 49 75 198 water feed pipe 12 13 14 49 75 199 CO2 sensor pipe 12 13 14 49 75 200 CO2 feed pipe 12 13 14 49 75 201 flag pipe 15 16 17 49 202 air release open pipe 22A 49 203 air release close pipe 22A 49 204 CO2 sensor main pipe 49 205 CO2 feed main pipe 49 206 dive control close pipe 15 24 49 207 dive control open pipe 15 24 49 208 pump feed pipe 15 19A 49 209 pump exhaust pipe 15 19A 49 210 pump exhaust front pipe 19A 211 pump exhaust discharge pipe 19A 24B 212 expansion feed pipes 50 51 213 (x) external pressure 51 91 214 reactor node 5 6 15 22 73 74 74A 77 97 215 node core 5 5A 5B 6 7 8 10 18 19 21 23 24 76 216 node core a 8 9 217 node core b 8 9 218 node core c 8 9 219 node core d 8 9 220 node core wall 5A 221 back propeller shaft support 8 18B 222 back propeller shaft hole 18B 223 front propeller shaft support 8 18B 19B 21J 224 front propeller shaft hole 18B 225 rotor shaft support 8 18B 19B 21J 226 rotor shaft hole 18B 227 cable winch cavity 6B 8 9 23 24A 228 cable winch cavity wall 24A 229 rotor shaft insert hole 24B 230 water pump check valve cavity 24B 231 water pump cavity 8 9 19A 24B 232 winch rotor cavity 8 9 23 233 rotor cavity 19A 24B 234 water culture cavity 8 235 door plug cavity 8 9 236 door insertion opening 8 9 237 door channel 8 9 238 door cavity 8 9 12 13 14 14A 239 door cavity spring cut 12 13 14 240 propeller access opening 8 9 241 pipe hole 8 9 242 pipe trail 8 9 243 water culture channel 8 9 244 CO2 cavity lid 8 245 CO2 cavity body 8 9 246 CO2 cavity 9 247 CO2 valve insertion opening 8 9 248 module bay 8 9 21 249 air release bay 8 21 250 flag bay 8 9 251 node support 5A 252 node core external opening 6A 8 9 253 fastener hole 13 14 16 20 21B 21C 21D 25 25A 25E 50 51 254 fastener 5A 5B 5C 6A 21B 21C 21D 21F 21G 21H 21I 25 25E 50 51 255 R-clip insertion hole 21B 21C 21D 256 R-clip 5A 5B 5C 6A 257 air release assembly 5 7 258 air release lower cover 5B 21 76 259 air release left upper cover 5B 21 76 260 air release right upper cover 5B 21 261 air release top cover base 21B 262 air release top cover 5B 21B 263 air purge 5B 21B 264 air release attachment left 21 265 air release attachment right 5B 21 22A 266 flag recess cut 21 267 air release short channel 21 21C 22A 268 air release long channel 21 21D 22A 269 air release pass 21 21C 22A 270 air release chamber 21 21G 22 22A 271 air release cut 21 21E 21F 21H 21I 22 22A 272 air vent valve 21C 22A 273 air vent valve O-ring 21C 274 air vent valve opening 21C 275 air vent valve cavity 21C 276 air vent purge cutout 21C 21G 22A 277 air vent open cutout 21C 21G 278 air vent close cutout 21C 21G 279 float cavity 21F 21I 22A 280 float 21E 21F 21H 21I 22A 281 float O-ring 21E 21F 21H 21I 282 anchor assembly 5 6 7 23 24 283 anchor body 5D 284 anchor opening 6 285 anchor handle 5D 286 anchor valve 5D 287 anchor cable 5 5D 6 6B 7 23 23B 23C 24 24A 288 anchor cable loop 5D 289 knot 6B 23B 23C 24A 290 stopper 5 6 6B 7 23 23B 23C 24 24A 291 stopper hole 23B 23C 292 cable winch 6B 7 15 23 23B 24 24A 293 cable winch teeth 23B 24A 294 cable winch axle 24A 295 cable winch face 23B 24A 296 cable winch drive hole 23B 297 flag assembly 7 15 298 flag port 5A 16 17 299 flag port rim 15 16 17 300 flag port plug 16 17 301 flag port O-ring 17 302 flag port cavity 16 17 303 flag raised stopper 16 304 flag lowered stopper 16 305 flag pin 16 17 306 lever pin 16 17 307 flag 5C 15 16 17 74 74A 76 97 308 digit notch 5C 16 309 digit pad 5C 16 310 flag lever 16 17 311 flag piston 16 17 312 flag piston head 16 17 313 flag piston O-ring 17 314 flag spring 16 315 pump cover 5 5A 7 18 20 22 23 24 316 pump cover axle hole 20 317 pump cover cavity plug 20 318 pump cover inner O-ring 20 319 pump cover outer O-ring 20 320 pump cover outer plug 20 321 pump cover key 20 322 pump cover key rounded edge 20 323 pump cover fastener 20 324 pump cover exhaust pipe cut 20 325 pump rotor assembly 7 15 22 23 24 326 pump rotor 18 18C 19A 327 pump rotor axle 18C 19A 328 pump vane insert 18C 329 pump rotor shaft 18 18C 18D 19B 21J 23 24A 330 pump rotor shaft rim 18D 23A 24A 331 pump rotor shaft drive 18D 19B 21J 23A 332 pump rotor drive rim 18D 19B 21J 23A 333 pump rotor drive end 18D 21J 23A 334 pump vane 18 18C 19A 335 pump vane edge 18C 336 pump vane spring notch 18C 337 vane spring 18C 338 check valve cavity 21B 21C 21D 339 check valve 18E 19A 21 21B 21C 21D 22A 56 60 340 check valve body 18F 341 check valve body rim 18F 342 check valve support 18F 343 check valve support insert hole 18F 344 check valve O-ring 18F 345 check valve rubber 18F 346 check valve rubber spear 18F 347 propeller set assembly 7 15 21 22 348 propeller set 18 349 propeller left hand 18A 19 19B 350 propeller right hand 19 351 outer gear 18A 21J 352 propeller hub 18A 353 shaft insert square hole 18A 354 propeller shaft 18A 18B 355 propeller shaft nut 18A 18B 21J 356 propeller shaft drive 18A 357 propeller shaft bigger axle 18A 358 propeller shaft smaller axle 18A 359 propeller shaft lock key 18A 18B 360 ratchet drive 18A 19B 21J 361 ratchet drive shaft insert hole 18A 362 ratchet drive teeth 18A 19B 21J 363 ratchet spring 18A 19B 21J 364 drive gap 21J 365 water body 10 11 12 13 14 22 22A 366 water body channel 11 13 14 22 367 CO2 body 10 11 12 13 14 49 368 CO2 body channel 11 13 14 49 369 module assembly 5 5C 7 18 23 76 370 module case 25 26 49 50 51 52 58 59 66 371 module rim 6A 25 25E 26 50 51 372 module case shape fit 25 26 373 module net volume 25 374 propeller access door plug 26 375 module external opening 25 49 376 propeller access door O-ring 26 377 module ground pipe port 26 26F 378 module ground pipe connector 25 25E 49 379 module control bottom connector 26 26E 380 module control top connector 25 25D 381 connector large insert 25C 25D 25E 26A 26E 382 connector large O-ring 25C 25D 25E 26A 26E 383 connector large input 21A 25B 26B 26C 26D 384 connector small insert 25C 26A 65A 385 connector small O-ring 25C 26A 386 connector small input 25B 26B 387 pipe opening 26F 388 expansion unit assembly 25 26 50 389 expansion case 25 25A 26 26A 50 390 expansion case rim 6A 25 25A 26 50 391 expansion case front opening 26 50 392 expansion case back opening 25 50 393 expansion case handle 25 50 394 expansion case shape fit 26 395 expansion case top connections 25 396 expansion case bottom connections 26 397 expansion case diagnose connector 26A 398 expansion case expand connector 26A 399 expansion case flag cutout 25 50 400 expansion layer 25 26 26A 50 401 expansion layer shape fit 26 402 expansion layer through cut 25 26 403 i/o unit assembly 25 26 27 51 404 i/o case 25 25B 26 26B 27 51 52 53 54 57 58 59 60 61 64 65 405 i/o case front opening 26 27 406 i/o case back opening 25 25B 407 i/o case shape fit 25 26 408 i/o case extractor hole 25 25B 27 51 409 i/o case top connections 25 27 410 i/o case diagnose connector 25B 411 i/o case expand connector 25B 412 i/o case bottom control connector 26 26C 413 i/o case logic connector 26 414 i/o case signal connector 26B 415 i/o case power connector 26B 416 i/o case logic left control connector 26B 417 i/o case logic right control connector 26B 418 i/o layer assembly 25 26 419 i/o layer a 27 51 57 58 59 63 420 i/o layer b 27 51 60 421 i/o layer c 27 51 61 422 i/o check valve set 27 423 i/o components 27 424 i/o control pipes 52 425 i/o components cavities 53 54 55 56 62 426 i/o pipework 54 427 i/o ground plane 55 60 428 i/o high pressure plane 56 61 429 i/o layer cutout 57 430 extractor 51 61 66 431 extractor nut base 61 432 logic unit assembly 25 26 28 64 65 66 433 logic case 25 25C 26 28 434 logic case front opening 26 28 435 logic case back opening 25 436 logic case extractor hole 25 25C 28 66 437 logic case top connections 25 28 438 logic case signal connector 25C 439 logic case power connector 25C 440 logic case left control connector 65A 441 logic case right control connector 25C 442 logic case bottom connector 26 26D 443 logic layer assembly 25 26 444 logic layer a 28 66 69 70 71 445 logic layer b 28 66 446 logic layer c 28 66 67 447 logic layer d 28 66 448 router plate insertion bay 28 67 449 router plate insertion key 28 67 450 logic components 28 451 router plate direct 28 64 65 65A 67 452 router plate AB 28 68 453 router plate CD 28 68 454 router plate ABCD 28 68 455 router plate ADBC 28 68 456 router plate DBCA 28 68 457 router plate CBDA 28 68 458 router plate ACBD 28 68 459 CO2 pressure controller cavity 29 30 32 460 CO2 pressure controller device 29 32 62 63 461 CO2 pressure controller rubber grid 29 32 462 CO2 pressure reset opening 29 32 463 CO2 pressure control opening 29 32 464 CO2 pressure lsb low opening 29 32 465 CO2 pressure lsb high opening 29 32 466 water pressure controller cavity 29 30 32 467 water pressure controller device 29 32 62 63 468 water pressure controller rubber grid 29 32 469 water pressure reset opening 29 32 470 water pressure control opening 29 32 471 water pressure lsb high opening 29 32 472 water pressure lsb low opening 1 29 32 473 water pressure lsb low opening 2 29 32 474 water pressure msb low opening 29 32 475 water pressure msb high opening 29 32 476 ground pressure controller cavity 29 30 32 477 ground pressure controller device 29 32 62 63 478 ground pressure controller 29 32 rubber grid 479 ground pressure control opening 29 32 480 ground pressure lsb high opening 29 32 481 ground pressure lsb low opening 29 32 482 signal pressure controller cavity 29 30 32 483 signal pressure controller device 29 32 62 63 484 signal pressure controller rubber grid 29 32 485 signal pressure lsb high opening 29 32 486 signal pressure lsb low opening 29 32 487 signal pressure msb low opening 29 32 488 signal pressure msb high opening 29 32 489 controller central extension 29 32 490 controller spring hole 29 491 controller spring 29 32 62 492 actuator mono cavity 29 30 493 actuator mono normally open 29 32 62 63 494 actuator mono n. open rubber grid 29 495 actuator mono normally closed 29 32 62 63 496 actuator mono n. closed rubber grid 29 497 actuator mono 29 32 62 63 498 actuator mono rubber grid 29 499 actuator dual cavity 29 30 500 actuator dual 29 32 62 63 501 actuator dual rubber grid 29 502 actuator dual spring guard 29 32 503 actuator central extension 29 504 actuator opening 29 32 505 actuator spring hole 29 506 actuator spring 29 32 62 507 reference pressure pipe 30 32 508 CO2 pressure input 1 30 32 509 CO2 pressure input 2 30 32 510 CO2 pressure reset input 30 32 511 CO2 pressure regulate input 30 32 512 CO2 pressure supply output 30 32 513 CO2 pressure lsb low input 30 31 32 514 CO2 pressure lsb high input 30 31 32 515 CO2 pressure lsb output 30 32 516 water pressure input 1 30 32 517 water pressure input 2 30 32 518 water pressure reset input 30 32 519 water pressure regulate input 30 32 520 water pressure supply output 30 32 521 water pressure lsb high input 30 32 522 water pressure lsb low input 30 32 523 water pressure msb low input 30 32 524 water pressure msb high input 30 32 525 water pressure lsb output 30 32 526 water pressure msb output 30 32 527 ground pressure input 30 32 528 ground pressure regulate input 30 32 529 ground pressure supply output 30 32 530 ground pressure lsb high input 30 32 531 ground pressure lsb low input 30 32 532 ground pressure lsb output 30 32 533 signal pressure input 30 31 32 534 signal pressure lsb high input 30 32 535 signal pressure lsb low input 30 32 536 signal pressure msb low input 30 32 537 signal pressure msb high input 30 32 538 signal pressure lsb output 30 32 539 signal pressure msb output 30 32 540 actuator mono 1 input bottom 1 30 541 actuator mono 1 input bottom 2 30 542 actuator mono 1 input top 1 30 32 543 actuator mono 1 input top 2 30 544 actuator mono 1 input top 3 30 32 545 actuator mono 1 supply 1 30 32 546 actuator mono 1 supply 2 30 32 547 actuator mono 1 output 1 30 32 548 actuator mono 1 output 2 30 32 549 actuator mono 2 input top 1 30 32 550 actuator mono 2 input side 1 30 32 551 actuator mono 2 supply 1 30 32 552 actuator mono 2 supply 2 30 31 32 553 actuator mono 2 output 1 30 32 554 actuator mono 2 output 2 30 32 555 actuator mono 3 input side 1 30 556 actuator mono 3 input side 2 30 557 actuator mono 3 input side 3 30 32 558 actuator mono 3 input side 4 30 32 559 actuator mono 3 supply 1 30 32 560 actuator mono 3 supply 2 30 31 32 561 actuator mono 3 output 1 30 32 562 actuator mono 3 output 2 30 32 563 actuator mono 4 input top 1 30 32 564 actuator mono 4 input top 2 30 32 565 actuator mono 4 supply 1 30 32 566 actuator mono 4 supply 2 30 32 567 actuator mono 4 output 1 30 32 568 actuator dual input top 1 30 32 569 actuator dual input top 2 30 32 570 actuator dual supply top 1 30 32 571 actuator dual supply top 2 30 32 572 actuator dual supply top 3 30 32 573 actuator dual supply top 4 30 32 574 actuator dual output 1 30 32 575 actuator dual output 2 30 32 576 high pressure supply plane 31 577 ground plane 31 578 clearance cut 31 579 OR gate 33 35 36 70 580 gate rounded edges 33 581 OR gate O-ring 33 582 OR gate rod 33 583 AJD gate 33 35 36 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 70 71 584 AJD gate rubber grid 33 585 AJD gate section 33 586 AJD gate through hole 1 33 587 AJD gate through hole 2 33 588 AJD gate side hole 33 589 SAL gate 33 35 36 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 70 71 590 SAL gate rubber grid 33 591 SAL gate section 33 592 SAL gate through hole 1 33 593 SAL gate side hole 1 33 594 SAL gate through hole 2 33 595 SAL gate side hole 2 33 596 XOR gate 33 35 36 597 XOR gate rubber grid 33 598 XOR gate section 33 599 XOR gate through hole 1 33 600 XOR gate through hole 2 33 601 XOR gate side hole 2 33 602 SW gate 33 35 36 603 SW gate rubber grid 33 604 SW gate section 33 605 SW gate face hole 1 33 606 SW gate side hole 1 33 607 SW gate through hole 2 33 608 SW gate side hole 2 33 609 diagnose gate 33 62 63 64 65A 610 diagnose gate rubber grid 33 611 diagnose gate section 33 65A 612 diagnose gate face hole 1 33 65A 613 diagnose gate side hole 1 33 65A 614 diagnose gate through hole 2 33 65A 615 diagnose gate side hole 2 33 65A 616 diagnose gate spring guide 33 617 AJD 1 cavity 34 35 36 618 AJD 1 aux 34 35 36 619 AJD 1 main 34 35 36 620 AJD 1 input 34 35 36 621 AJD 1 output 34 35 36 622 AJD 1 clear 34 35 36 623 AJD 2 cavity 34 35 36 624 AJD 2 aux 34 35 36 625 AJD 2 main 34 35 36 626 AJD 2 input 34 35 36 627 AJD 2 output 34 35 36 628 AJD 2 clear 34 35 36 629 AJD 3 cavity 34 35 36 630 AJD 3 aux 34 35 36 631 AJD 3 main 34 35 36 632 AJD 3 OR input 1 34 35 36 633 AJD 3 OR input 2 34 35 36 634 AJD 3 OR input 3 34 35 36 635 AJD 3 OR input 4 34 35 36 636 AJD 3 input 34 35 36 637 AJD 3 output 34 35 36 638 AJD 3 clear 34 35 36 639 SAL 1 cavity 34 35 36 640 SAL 1 aux 34 35 36 641 SAL 1 main 34 35 36 642 SAL 1 OR input 1 34 35 36 643 SAL 1 OR input 2 34 35 36 644 SAL 1 OR input 3 34 35 36 645 SAL 1 OR input 4 34 35 36 646 SAL 1 input 1 34 35 36 647 SAL 1 output 1 34 35 36 648 SAL 1 clear 1 34 35 36 649 SAL 1 input 2 34 35 36 650 SAL 1 output 2 34 35 36 651 SAL 1 clear 2 34 35 36 652 XOR cavity 34 35 36 653 XOR signal 1 34 35 36 654 XOR signal 2 34 35 36 655 XOR input 1 34 35 36 656 XOR output 1 34 35 36 657 XOR clear 1 34 35 36 658 XOR input 2 34 35 36 659 XOR output 2 34 35 36 660 XOR clear 2 34 35 36 661 SAL 2 cavity 34 35 36 662 SAL 2 aux 34 35 36 663 SAL 2 main 34 35 36 664 SAL 2 input 1 34 35 36 665 SAL 2 output 1 34 35 36 666 SAL 2 input 2 34 35 36 667 SAL 2 output 2 34 35 36 668 SAL 2 output connection 34 35 36 669 SW cavity 34 35 36 670 SW aux 34 35 36 671 SW main 34 35 36 672 SW input 1 34 35 36 673 SW monitor 1 34 35 36 674 SW output 1 34 35 36 675 SW input 2 34 35 36 676 SW monitor 2 34 35 36 677 SW output 2 34 35 36 678 depth sensor cavity 34 35 36 679 depth external water pressure pipe 34 35 36 69 680 depth lsb gnd 34 35 36 681 depth lsb high pressure 34 35 36 682 depth msb high pressure 34 35 36 683 depth msb gnd 34 35 36 684 (x) external pressure lsb 34 35 36 70 685 (x) external pressure msb 34 35 36 70 686 logic spring 35 36 41 42 43 62 63 64 65A 687 logic long spring 35 36 688 depth sensor 35 36 69 70 689 depth detector 35 36 69 70 690 depth detector rubber grid 35 36 691 depth detector input guard 35 36 692 depth lsb high pressure slot 1 35 36 693 depth lsb gnd slot 35 36 694 depth lsb high pressure slot 2 35 36 695 depth msb high pressure slot 35 36 696 depth msb gnd slot 35 36 697 LBSR assembly 37 698 LBSR layer a 37 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 699 LBSR layer b 37 700 LBSR layer c 37 701 LBSR layer d 37 702 LBSR gnd layer 37 703 LBSR high pressure feed 37 38 41 704 LBSR cavities 37 705 LBSR connections 37 706 mz cavity 38 39 707 zk cavity 38 708 zkm cavity 38 39 709 zero cavity 38 39 710 register cavity 38 39 40 711 memory cavity 38 39 40 712 mz cavity clear 38 713 mz cavity aux 38 714 zk cavity clear 38 715 zk cavity aux 38 716 zkm cavity clear 38 717 zkm cavity aux 38 718 zero cavity aux 38 719 (k) clock in msb 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 720 (z) zero in msb 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 721 (m) master/slave in msb 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 722 register signal zk 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 723 register signal mz 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 724 register signal kzm 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 70 725 register signal kzm 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 726 register gnd rail 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 727 memory gnd rail 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 728 lower XOR input 38 39 729 upper XOR input 38 39 730 (y) unit ready 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 70 731 register y clear 38 732 register zero clear 38 733 register zero set 38 41 734 zero gate 38 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 735 zero gate rubber grid 38 736 zero gate section 38 737 zero gate through hole 38 738 zero gate top hole 38 41 42 43 739 XOR output high 39 43 45 48 740 XOR output low 39 43 45 48 741 lower XOR input loop 39 742 twin under connection 38 39 743 twin upper connection 38 39 744 carry output high 39 745 carry output low 39 42 43 746 register input high 39 41 42 43 747 register input low 39 41 42 43 748 memory gate 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 749 memory gate rubber grid 39 750 memory gate section 39 751 memory gate through hole down 39 40 752 memory gate down hole 39 40 753 memory gate through hole up 39 40 754 memory gate up hole 39 40 43 45 48 755 memory input high 40 756 memory input low 40 757 memory feed high 40 758 memory feed low 40 759 register gate low 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 760 register gate low rubber grid 40 761 register gate low section 40 762 register gate through hole 40 763 register gate top hole 40 764 register gate high 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 765 register gate high rubber grid 40 766 register gate high section 40 767 logic signal connections 64 768 (j) maintenance job 64 70 71 91 769 diagnose connections 65 770 diagnose interface pipe 65A 771 diagnose control pipe 65A 772 diagnose logic pipe 65A 773 router pipe 65A 774 i/o layer c cuts 67 775 (i) internal water pressure msb 67 68 71 91 776 (i) internal water pressure lsb 67 68 71 91 777 (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 67 68 71 91 778 (O) open door control 67 68 71 91 779 (T) vent air control 67 68 70 71 91 780 (B) raise flag control 67 68 70 71 91 781 (P) stop water pump control 67 68 71 91 782 (IV) dive control 67 68 70 71 91 783 LFSR logic block 69 784 signal answer logic block 69 785 signal leak alarm logic block 69 786 depth management logic block 69 787 pipe port management logic block 69 788 routed pipe block 70 789 ground feed 69 790 ground pipe 69 791 high pressure water source 69 792 high pressure supply 70 71 793 (TX) transmit signal 70 794 (s) status in msb 70 795 (h) help in msb 70 796 (S) status control 70 797 (q) query in msb 70 798 (AL) alarm 70 71 799 (Q) query control 70 800 (r) reset in msb 70 801 (r) reset in lsb 70 802 (R) reset control 70 803 (H) help control 70 804 (OV) depth overshoot 70 71 805 (g) ground lsb 70 71 91 806 (v) dive in msb 70 807 (pl) dive complete 70 808 (FE) flag enable control 70 809 (E) dive disable control 70 91 810 (pp) pipe port status 71 811 ppA alarm 71 812 ppB alarm 71 813 ppB alarm {circumflex over ()} ne 71 814 BA 71 815 BAD 71 816 BD 71 817 CD 71 818 CDA 71 819 CA 71 820 signal hose 74A 821 oxygen hose 74A 822 CO2 pressure stub 75 823 water pressure stub 75 824 actuator dual stub 75 825 diagnose device 76 826 diagnose device body 76 827 diagnose connector 76 828 diagnose band 76 829 diagnose high pressure supply hose 76 830 diagnose ground supply hose 76 831 air powered tool 76 832 air supply hose 76 833 barge assembly 79 80 81 834 CO2 storage unit 79 835 CO2 extraction unit 79 836 control and materials storage room 79 837 O2 storage unit 79 838 engine room 79 839 fuel storage unit 79 840 pump room 79 841 algae separation unit 79 842 algae storage unit 79 843 floating structure 79 844 reactor node in configuration 1 80 845 reactor node in configuration 2 80 846 reactor node in configuration 3 80 847 reactor node in configuration 4 80 848 reactor node in configuration 5 80 81 849 reactor node configuration 6 80 850 reactor node in configuration 7 80 851 reactor node in configuration 8 80 852 reactor node switching BC to BD 81 853 reactor node switching BC to AC 81 854 reactor node switching BC to AD 81 855 reactor node disabled 81 856 pipe element connected to the barge 80 857 pipe element in normal operation 80 858 pipe element in stand by 80 859 pipe element leaking 81 860 section in normal operation 80 81 861 section with multiple failures 81 862 unit farm 80 81 84 85 863 protection cage 82 84 864 protection cage pole 82 83 865 protection cage frame bar 82 83 866 protection cage structural pole 82 867 protection cage structural bar 82 868 protection cage fixation line 82 869 protection cage net 82 870 water ballast 83 871 air bubble 83 872 emergency air supply 83 873 emergency floating device 83 874 service boat 80 81 84 85 875 farm array 85 876 sea water intake filter 86 877 water degasifier 86 878 condensed water cleaner 86 879 discharge water aerator 86 880 engine 86 881 vaporizator 86 882 CO2 extractor 86 883 CO2 separator 86 884 oxygen extractor 86 87 885 extra heat source 86 886 heat exchanger 1 86 887 heat exchanger 2 86 888 heat exchanger 3 86 889 heat exchanger 4 86 890 heat exchanger 5 86 891 heat exchanger 6 86 892 vaporizator heat exchanger 86 893 sea water intake 86 894 sea water flush 86 895 cold water intake heat exchanger 1 86 896 hot water exit heat exchanger 1 86 897 cold water intake heat exchanger 3 86 898 hot water exit heat exchanger 3 86 899 cold water intake heat exchanger 4 86 900 hot water exit heat exchanger 4 86 901 hot water intake heat exchanger 4 86 902 cold water exit heat exchanger 4 86 903 hot gas intake heat exchanger 5 86 904 cold gas exit heat exchanger 5 86 905 cold water intake heat exchanger 5 86 906 hot water exit heat exchanger 5 86 907 boil off gas pipe 86 908 hot gas intake heat exchanger 3 86 909 cold gas exit heat exchanger 3 86 910 condensate drain heat exchanger 3 86 911 cleaner exit 86 912 hot water intake heat exchanger 2 86 913 cold water exit heat exchanger 2 86 914 water intake aerator 86 915 oxygen enriched air 86 916 aerated water discharge 86 917 hot gas intake heat exchanger 6 86 918 cold gas exit heat exchanger 6 86 919 cold gas intake heat exchanger 6 86 920 hot gas exit heat exchanger 6 86 921 solid CO2 supply to vaporizator 86 922 gaseous CO2 supply to reactor 86 923 cold intake heat exchanger 2 86 87 924 hot link of heat exchanger 2 and 1 86 925 cold exit heat exchanger 1 86 87 926 boil off oxygen pipe 86 87 927 flow divider 87 928 culture diluter 87 929 algae separator 87 930 water culture phase 87 931 algae slurry phase 87 932 algae storage unit 87 933 flow splitter 87 934 culture from reactor 87 935 culture to diluter 87 936 culture to separator 87 937 algae slurry conduct 87 938 water to diluter 87 939 diluted water to reactor 87 940 water to add nutrients 87 941 nutrients 87 942 enriched water 87 943 separator case 88 89 944 concentrator 88 89 945 helical pusher 88 89 946 helical axis 88 89 947 entry support 88 89 948 exit support 88 89 949 slurry entry 88 89 950 slurry exit 88 89 951 water exit 88 89 952 central computer 90 953 local computer 90 954 central antenna 90 955 local antenna 90 956 satellite link 90 957 data link 90 958 interface 90 96 959 input bus 90 960 input line 90 961 analog to digital converter 90 96 962 output bus 90 963 output line 90 964 solenoid valve 90 96 965 hi pressure vessel 90 966 low pressure sink 90 967 short hose 90 968 T joint 90 969 long hose 90 970 auto lock fitting 90 971 quick release fitting 90 972 remote interface 91 973 local interface 91 974 water resupply node 93 975 forward water pressure 93 976 backward water pressure 93 977 equal water pressure node 93 978 higher water pressure 93 979 lower water pressure 93 980 mean pressure 93 981 timing point 1 94 982 timing point 2 94 983 timing point 3 94 984 timing point 4 94 985 timing point 5 94 986 timing point 6 94 987 timing point 7 94 988 timing point 8 94 989 timing point 9 94 990 timing point 10 94 991 timing point 11 94 992 timing point 12 94 993 timing point 13 94 994 timing point 14 94 995 alternative module assembly 95 97 996 orifice 95 997 supply hose 97 998 power supply and signal cable 97 97A 999 cable tap 97A
Detailed DescriptionFirst Embodiment
(97) The present invention consists of several parts that are conceived to work together in an integrated system to allow the cultivation of marine algae in land based or sea based farms. The system is basically the same the only difference being that in case of land operation some parts are not needed and are therefore removed to save costs.
(98) The system is composed of three main parts: a) the individual components and assemblies used to create a volume to contain the algae water culture henceforward also called the wet components, reactor, wet reactor or wet part of the system; b) the parts that are necessary to control and operate the system at the required degree of precision henceforward also called the dry components or the dry part of the system; c) the monitoring system.
(99) The named dry components does not mean these components are not in contact with water at all but rather that they are not part of the wet reactor. Wet components are in direct contact with water algae culture and in case of a farm operating at sea also with external sea water and may also be submerged for safety during severe weather conditions. Most dry components are not in contact with external sea water at any time and do not need to be submerged during storms.
(100) There are many tasks that need to be performed simultaneously in perfect coordination to enable the system to cope with all requirements. Therefore, an important part of the design is a monitoring system able to transmit information over relatively long distances so that the status of all individual units is available at a central control room and appropriate actions can be taken depending on the messages received.
(101)
(102) The outer pipe 101 may also have a coating or an intermediate layer of a reflective material running along its lower part so that the light that has passed through the algae culture instead of escaping to the sea is reflected back to the culture, increasing the availability of light at the deeper part of the unit boosting algae productivity. The selected material also needs to be slightly positive buoyant so that the pipe element 100 will not sink in case of a failure causes one or more pipe elements to become loose.
(103) Inside the outer pipe 101 there is an inner pipe 103 made of silicone rubber or another material that is low cost; malleable and resistant to flexure fatigue; impermeable to water; resistant to chemical attack from sea water and other chemical used in the cultivation of the microalgae and highly permeable to CO2. The inner pipe is used to contain the CO2 under pressure so that CO2 permeates into the algae culture contained between the inner pipe and the outer pipe of the pipe element. The amount of CO2 that permeates into the culture at a given section of the wet reactor can be controlled by means of adjusting the pressure inside the inner pipe of the referred section. Increasing the pressure causes more CO2 to permeate into the culture and likewise, reducing the pressure causes less CO2 to permeate into the culture. By carefully adjusting the CO2 pressure throughout the reactor, the necessary quantities of CO2 can be made available to the microalgae as they grow and multiply avoiding the problems of shortage of CO2 that limits the growth or CO2 excess that impacts the PH of the water and may harm the microalgae.
(104)
(105)
(106) The straight joint is made with a material that is low cost, impermeable to water and other chemicals used in the cultivation of the microalgae, resistant to UV light and suitable to be used at sea. The material also needs to be rigid and slightly positive buoyant so that it will provide a stable frame to attach the pipe elements and will not sink in case a failure causes a straight joint or a section of one or several pipe elements and straight joints becomes loose.
(107) Detail
(108) Detail
(109) Detail
(110) The straight joint 113 also has an inner guide 116 with dimensions that enable it to fit tightly into the inner pipe of a pipe element. The inner guide 116 is attached to the outer wall 114 of the straight joint 113 by means of a support 117 with dimensions that allow the inner guide 116 to be in perfect alignment with the inner pipe of a pipe element when the outer pipe of the mentioned pipe element is attached to the outer wall 114 of the straight joint 113. Two guide support gaps 118a and 118b one on each pipe port 125a and 125b respectively allow the inner pipes of the pipe elements and the inner ties used to secure the inner pipes to reach their assembly position on each side of the straight joint.
(111) The inner guide 116 of the straight joint 113 has two parallel inner rims 119a and 119b on pipe port 125a and two parallel inner rims 119c and 119d on pipe port 125b creating an inner tie slot 120a on pipe port 125a and an inner tie slot 120b on pipe port 125b. An inner tie is to be installed around the middle of each inner tie slot so that when the inner tie is tightened the inner rims are compressed against the inner wall of the inner pipe of the pipe element creating additional friction that improves fixation.
(112)
(113) Detail
(114)
(115) Detail
(116)
(117)
(118) The four pipe ports allow the reactor node 214 to connect to up to four pipe elements simultaneously. The reactor node is constructed with materials such as plastic resins e.g. polycarbonate, PET, or another suitable option that are low cost, resistant to sea water, UV light and biological fouling (additives may be used to improve these properties). The material also needs to be rigid so that it will provide a stable frame to attach the pipe elements and to install a number of components that are required so that the reactor node can perform all its functions. The selected materials should also allow the reactor node 214 to be slightly positive buoyant so it will not sink in case a failure causes a reactor node or a section of one or several pipe elements and one or more reactor nodes, 180 degrees joints, 90 degrees joint and straight joints to become loose. The reactor node is the key element in the wet reactor and contains a number of sub-assemblies and parts that implement a number of different functionalities that are critical to the operation of the wet reactor.
(119) Detail
(120) Detail
(121) Detail
(122) Detail
(123) Detail
(124) Also visible in
(125)
(126) Detail
(127) Detail
(128)
(129) The reactor node contains one anchor assembly 282, one anchor cable 287 with two stoppers 290a and 290b and one cable winch 292 in case of operation on water to prevent it from drifting away and to be able to be submerged if necessary. The cable winch 292 is installed before a pump rotor assembly 325b is inserted into the node core 215 and a pump cover 315b is fixated to the node core 215. The cable winch is engaged and held in place by the pump rotor assembly 325b that in turn is held in place by the pump cover 315b.
(130) Similarly, a propeller set assembly 347 needs to be installed before a pump rotor assembly 325a is inserted into the node core 215 and a pump cover 315a is fixated to the node core 215. The propeller set assembly 347 is engaged by the pump rotor assembly 325a that in turn is kept in place by the fixation of the pump cover 315a into the node core 215.
(131) Finally, an air release assembly 257, a flag assembly 297 and a module assembly 369 complete the reactor node. The node core 215 can be constructed using various construction methods such as plastic injection, composite materials molding, milling, etc.
(132)
(133) The node core a 216 has an internal water culture cavity 234 that allows the water culture to flow inside the node core. A water pump cavity 231 and a rotor shaft support 225 provide space and support to insert one pump rotor assembly that drives the propeller set assembly. One pump cover is used to seal the water pump cavity 231 from the outside and keep the pump rotor assembly in place inside the water pump cavity. A back propeller shaft support 221 and a front propeller shaft support 223 are used to install the propeller set assembly and are located in the middle of the water culture cavity 234 to allow the propellers to push water from one side to the other. In that way water can be pumped from pipe port A or pipe port B towards pipe port C or pipe port D and vice versa.
(134) A cable winch cavity 227 allows the installation of the cable winch. A winch rotor cavity 232 provides space and support to insert a second pump rotor assembly that drives the cable winch and keeps the cable winch in place. A second pump cover is used to seal the winch rotor cavity 232 from the outside and keep the pump rotor assembly in place inside the winch rotor cavity.
(135) Four door insertion openings 236A, 236B, 236C and 236D allow access to insert or remove four doors into the node core. A door plug cavity 235A, 235B, 235C (and 235D not visible from the view angle) surrounds each door insertion opening, allowing the installation of a door plug to seal each door insertion opening.
(136) The node core b 217 is made of a simple sheet perforated by four door channels 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D. Each door channel 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D passes through a respective door cavity 238A, 238B, 238C, and 238D that accommodate one door and two door springs each. When joined to the node core a 216, each door cavity 238A, 238B, 238C and 238D aligns perfectly with the respective door insertion opening 236A, 236B, 236C and 236D located on node core a 216. Each door channel 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D allows water to flow through the node core b 217 in and out of the water culture cavity 234 when the corresponding door is in the open position.
(137) The node core b 217 is also perforated by a propeller access opening 240a that enables access to install and service the propeller set assembly on node core a 216 and a series of pipe holes 241a that enable water or CO2 to pass through the node core b 217 and reach their intended termination points.
(138) The node core c 218 is made of a simple sheet of material that is perforated by four water culture channels 243A, 243B, 243C, and 243D that are aligned with door channels 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D respectively on the node core b 217 below and by a propeller access opening 240b that has the same shape and is aligned with the propeller access opening 240a on the node core b 217 below. The node core c 218 also has a series of pipe holes 241b and pipe trails 242 that create a pipework that enables water or CO2 to flow in isolated independent circuits and reach their intended termination points. Finally node core c 218 has a CO2 cavity lid 244 that is raised from the surface of the basic sheet.
(139) The node core d 219 has four pipe ports 125A, 125B, 125C, and 125D where up to four pipe elements can be secured. The node core d 219 also has four CO2 valve insertion openings 247B (247A, 247C, and 247D not visible from the view angle), on each of those a CO2 valve with two CO2 valve springs are inserted and a CO2 valve plug installed to secure the CO2 valve and the CO2 valve springs in place. Additionally, node core d 219 has a flag bay 250 where the flag assembly is installed, a module bay 248 to install the module assembly and an air release bay 249 to install the air release assembly. Surrounding the module bay 248 there is a CO2 cavity body 245 that creates the internal space to contain the CO2 used in the reactor. A node core external opening 252 creates an opening to the exterior through which the module assembly can sense the external water pressure.
(140)
(141) The water pump cavity 231 provides space and support to insert one pump rotor assembly that drives the propeller set assembly. One pump cover is used to seal the water pump cavity 231 from the outside and keep the pump rotor assembly in place inside the water pump cavity. The cable winch cavity 227 allows the installation of the cable winch. The winch rotor cavity 232 provides space and support to insert a second pump rotor assembly that drives the cable winch and keeps the cable winch in place. A second pump cover is used to seal the winch rotor cavity 232 from the outside and keep the pump rotor assembly in place inside the winch rotor cavity.
(142) Four door insertion openings 236A, 236B, 236C (and 236D not visible from the view angle) allow access to insert or remove four doors into the node core. A door plug cavity 235A, 235B, 235C (and 235D not visible from the view angle) surrounds each door insertion opening, allowing the installation of a door plug to seal each door insertion opening.
(143) The node core b 217 is made of a simple sheet perforated by four door channels 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D. Each door channel 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D passes through the respective door cavity 238A, 238B, 238C and 238D that accommodate one door and two door springs each. When joined to the node core a 216, each door cavity 238A, 238B, 238C and 238D aligns perfectly with the respective door insertion opening 236A, 236B, 236C, and 236D located on node core a 216.
(144) The node core b 217 is also perforated by the propeller access opening 240a that enables access to install and service the propeller set assembly on node core a 216. The node core b 217 also has a series of pipe holes 241a that creates a pipework that enables water or CO2 to flow in isolated independent circuits and reach their intended termination points.
(145) The node core c 218 is made of a simple sheet of material that is perforated by four water culture channels 243A, 243B, 243C, and 243D that are aligned with door channels 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D respectively on the node core b 217 below and by the propeller access opening 240b that has the same shape and is aligned with the propeller access opening 240a on the node core b 217 below. The node core c 218 also has a series of pipe trails 242a, 242b etc. that create a pipework that enables water or CO2 to flow in isolated independent circuits and reach their intended termination points.
(146) The node core d 219 has four pipe ports 125A, 125B, 125C, and 125D where up to four pipe elements can be secured. Each pipe port continues to a respective pipe port bottom 126A 126B, 126C, and 126D that allow the water culture to continue down through the respective water culture channels 243A, 243B, 243C, and 243D and door channels 237A, 237B, 237C, and 237D to reach the water culture cavity on node core a 216. The node core d 219 also has four CO2 valve insertion openings 247B (247A, 247C, and 247D not visible from the view angle), on each of those a CO2 valve with two CO2 valve springs are inserted and a CO2 valve plug installed to secure the CO2 valve and the CO2 valve springs in place.
(147) The CO2 cavity body 245 is hollow, containing a CO2 cavity 246. When the node core d 219 and node core c 218 are joined together, the CO2 cavity lid seals the CO2 cavity 246 creating an isolated volume to contain the CO2 that is used in the wet reactor so that the CO2 and water culture remain separated at all times. The CO2 that is contained inside the inner pipes of the pipe elements reaches each inner guide 116A, 116B, 116C, and 116D (116D not visible from the view angle) passes through the respective CO2 valve cavity (see
(148)
(149) The door 139A (and mirror image 139D drawn but not indicated) is in the closed position and as a result, door springs 145a and 145b are extended and the door 139A is in contact with the door plug 137A. The door 139B (and mirror image 139C drawn but not indicated) is in the open position and as a result, door springs 145c and 145d are compressed and the door 139B is at the furthest from door plug 137B.
(150) The CO2 valves move together with the corresponding doors so that in case of a leak both the water culture flow and the CO2 supply of the affected section is shut off. As such CO2 valve 150D (and mirror image 150A drawn but not indicated) is in the closed position and as a result, CO2 valve springs 158a and 158b are extended and the CO2 valve 150D is in contact with the CO2 valve plug 148D. CO2 valve 150C (and mirror image 150B drawn but not indicated) is in the open position and as a result, CO2 valve springs 158c and 158d are compressed and the CO2 valve 150C is at the furthest from the CO2 valve plug 148C.
(151) The door springs and CO2 valve springs are included in the design of the reactor node to provide a constant push to the doors and CO2 valves towards the respective door plugs and CO2 valve plugs so that in case of power failure, all doors and CO2 valves automatically close.
(152)
(153) The water body 365 has four water body channels 366A, 366B, 366C, and 366D that pass through the respective doors 139A, 139B (and mirror images 139C, 139D drawn but not indicated). The CO2 body 367 has four CO2 body channels 368A, 368B, 368C, and 368D that pass through the respective CO2 valves 150C, 150D (and mirror images 150A, 150B drawn but not indicated).
(154) The door 139A, 139B is composed of a door body 140A, 140B that is solid and a door opening 141A, 141B that is hollow and allows fluid to pass through. The door 139A (and mirror image 139D drawn but not indicated) is in the closed position and as a result, door springs 145a and 145b are extended and the door 139A is in contact with the door plug 137A. The door body 140A is aligned with the water body channel 366A, closing the channel and preventing water flow. The door 139B (and mirror image 139C drawn but not indicated) is in the open position and as a result, door springs 145c and 145d are compressed and the door 139B is at the furthest from door plug 137B. The door opening 141B is aligned with the water body channel 366B, allowing water flow.
(155) To accommodate material and design limitations, each door spring is installed in a cavity that begins in the node core and continues into the door body allowing the door spring to be as long as possible and so have a better ratio of maximum compression to initial length. The cavity reaches as far into the door body as the door material strength allows, leaving sufficient material before the door opening to ensure strength and durability (see
(156) The CO2 valve 150C, 150D is composed of a CO2 valve body 151C, 151D that is solid and a CO2 valve opening 152C, 152D that is hollow and allows fluid to pass through. The CO2 valves move together with the corresponding doors so that in case of a leak both the water culture and the CO2 supply of the affected section are shut off. As such CO2 valve 150D (and mirror image 150A drawn but not indicated) is in the closed position and as a result, CO2 valve springs 158a and 158b are extended and the CO2 valve 150D is in contact with the CO2 valve plug 148D. The CO2 valve body 151D is aligned with the CO2 body channel 368D, closing the channel and preventing CO2 flow. The CO2 valve 150C (and mirror image 150B drawn but not indicated) is in the open position and as a result, CO2 valve springs 158c and 158d are compressed and the CO2 valve 150C is at the furthest from the CO2 valve plug 148C. The CO2 valve opening 152C is aligned with the CO2 body channel 368C, allowing CO2 flow.
(157) CO2 valves are considerably shorter in length than doors and as a result there is sufficient space available for CO2 valve springs in the node core without the need to create cavities in the CO2 valve body. To reduce costs, CO2 valves are therefore designed without spring cavities.
(158) Considering the construction of the pipe ports and the cavities that contain components that control water culture and CO2 flow such as doors, CO2 valves and their respective springs, the node core sections A and D as well as sections B and C are constructed symmetric, being mirror images of each other. The doors and CO2 valves are moving components and in one section move independent from doors and CO2 valves in other sections according to the operational state of the reactor node. Despite being separate parts, in normal operation the doors and CO2 valves on each section move the same way so they are either both open or both closed.
(159) The drawings of
(160)
(161) Each control or sensor pipe is composed of pipe trails and pipe holes in node core a, node core b, node core c, and node core d. When the node core is assembled joining these four component parts, one part seals the exposed pipe trails in the other, creating pipe sections. One or more of these pipe sections, joined together with pipe holes across different parts, connect the intended termination points for each control and sensor pipes in individual isolated pipes producing an intricate pipework using only four parts that are easy to manufacture.
(162) All pipes in the pipework originate at a node core main control port 189 so that the pipes can be routed to the module assembly that processes sensor signals and generates control signals. Each section has the same set of control and sensor pipes, the only difference being the route each pipe takes to reach the intended termination point on the different sections. The node core main control port 189 has 24 pipes, 6 for each section.
(163)
(164)
(165)
(166) The door 139 is composed of the door body 140 that closes the water body channel 366 when the door 139 is in the closed position (in contact with the door plug 137, as drawn) and a door opening 141 that allows water to flow in the water body channel 366 if the door 139 is in the open position. A set of three door O-rings 142a, 142b, and 142c isolates the door body 140 and the door opening 141 to avoid leaks and a series of door spacers 143a and 143b on both sides of the door 139 prevents the door from fully closing the door cavity 238 when open or closed and creates two gaps where water is injected to push the door 139 in both directions. An open door pipe 193 terminates at the gap created by the door spacers 143a between the door and the door plug 137 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the door is closed, the door will be pushed away from the door plug 137 and open. A close door pipe 195 terminates at the gap created by the door spacers 143b between the door and the edge of the door cavity 238 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the door is open, the door will be pushed towards the door plug 137 and close. Two door spring cuts 144a and 144b one on each side of the door and aligned with the corresponding door cavity spring cut 239a and 239b respectively create spaces to accommodate two door springs 145a, 145b that are used to ensure that in case of power failure the door automatically closes. To facilitate the visualization, the door spring cuts are drawn in dashed lines and the portion of the door springs inside the door spring cuts is omitted.
(167) The CO2 valve 150 is composed of a CO2 valve body 151 that closes the CO2 body channel 368 when the CO2 valve 150 is in the closed position (in contact with the CO2 valve plug 148, as drawn) and a CO2 valve opening 152 that allows CO2 to flow in the CO2 body channel 368 if the CO2 valve 150 is in the open position. A set of three CO2 valve O-rings 153a, 153b, and 153c isolates the CO2 valve body 151 and the CO2 valve opening 152 to avoid leaks and a series of CO2 valve spacers 154a and 154b on both sides of the CO2 valve 150 prevents the CO2 valve from fully closing the CO2 valve cavity 156 when open or closed and creates two gaps where water is injected to push the CO2 valve 150 in both directions. Two CO2 valve spring guides 155 aligned with the two CO2 valve cavity spring cuts 157a and 157b accommodate two CO2 valve springs 158a (the CO2 valve spring inside the CO2 valve cavity spring cut 157b is not drawn to improve visualization) that are used to ensure that in case of power failure the CO2 valve will automatically close. An open CO2 valve pipe 194 terminates at the gap created by the CO2 valve spacers 154a between the CO2 valve and the CO2 valve plug 148 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the CO2 valve 150 is closed the CO2 valve will be pushed away from the CO2 valve plug 148 and open. A close CO2 valve pipe 196 terminates at the gap created by the CO2 valve spacers 154b between the CO2 valve and the edge of the CO2 valve cavity 156 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the CO2 valve is open, the CO2 valve 150 will be pushed towards the CO2 valve plug 148 and close.
(168) The open door pipe 193 and the open CO2 valve pipe 194 are connected to the same termination point at the node core main control port section 190D and the close door pipe 195 and the close CO2 valve pipe 196 are connected to another same termination point at the node core main control port section 190D so that both the door and CO2 valve open and close together. Control devices located inside the module assembly ensure that when the water pressure at the open door pipe 193 and open CO2 valve pipe 194 is high, the water pressure at the close door pipe 195 and close CO2 valve pipe 196 is low and vice versa so that a consistent pressure difference is generated to push the door and CO2 valve in the desired direction.
(169) A water sensor pipe 197 terminates at the near edge of the water body channel 366 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to monitor the water pressure in the water body channel and detect water leaks in the pipe element connected to the pipe port D. A water feed pipe 198 terminates at the far edge of the water body channel 366 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to supply water into the water body channel and control the water pressure in the pipe element attached to pipe port D.
(170) A CO2 sensor pipe 199 terminates at the near edge of the CO2 body channel 368 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to monitor the CO2 pressure in the CO2 body channel and detect CO2 leaks in the pipe element connected to the pipe port D. A CO2 feed pipe 200 terminates at the far edge of the CO2 body channel 368 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to supply CO2 into the CO2 body channel and control the CO2 pressure in the pipe element attached to pipe port D.
(171)
(172)
(173) The door 139 is composed of the door body 140 that closes the water body channel 366 if the door 139 is in the closed position (in contact with the door plug 137) and a door opening 141 that allows water to flow in the water body channel 366 when the door 139 is in the open position (away from the door plug 137, as drawn). A set of three door O-rings 142a, 142b, and 142c isolates the door body 140A and the door opening 141 to avoid leaks and a series of door spacers 143a and 143b on both sides of the door 139 prevents the door from fully closing the door cavity 238a, 238b when open or closed and creates two gaps where water is injected to push the door 139 to both directions. An open door pipe 193 terminates at the gap created by the door spacers 143a between the door and the door plug 137 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the door is closed, the door will be pushed away from the door plug 137 and open. A close door pipe 195 terminates at the gap created by the door spacers 143b between the door and the edge of the door cavity 238 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the door is open, the door will be pushed towards the door plug 137 and close. Two door spring cuts 144a, 144b each one aligned with a corresponding door cavity spring cut 239a and 239b one on each side of the door cavity create space to accommodate two door springs (not drawn) that are used to ensure that in case of power failure the door automatically closes.
(174) The CO2 valve 150 is composed of a CO2 valve body 151 that closes the CO2 body channel 368 if the CO2 valve 150 is in the closed position (in contact with the CO2 valve plug 148) and a CO2 valve opening 152 that allows CO2 to flow in the CO2 body channel 368 when the CO2 valve 150 is in the open position (away from the CO2 valve plug 148, as drawn). A set of three CO2 valve O-rings 153a, 153b, and 153c isolates the CO2 valve body 151 and the CO2 valve opening 152 to avoid leaks and a series of CO2 valve spacers 154a and 154b on both sides of the CO2 valve 150 prevents the CO2 valve from fully closing the CO2 valve cavity 156 when open or closed and creates two gaps where water is injected to push the CO2 valve 150 in both directions. Two CO2 valve spring guides 155 aligned with the two CO2 valve cavity spring cuts 157a and 157b accommodate the two CO2 valve springs (not drawn) that are used to ensure that in case of power failure the CO2 valve automatically closes. The open CO2 valve pipe 194 terminates at the gap created by the CO2 valve spacers 154a between the CO2 valve and the CO2 valve plug 148 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the CO2 valve 150 is closed the CO2 valve will be pushed away from the CO2 valve plug 148 and open. The close CO2 valve pipe 196 terminates at the gap created by the CO2 valve spacers 154b between the CO2 valve and the edge of the CO2 valve cavity 156 so that if high pressure water is injected at this point when the CO2 valve is open, the CO2 valve 150 will be pushed towards the CO2 valve plug 148 and close.
(175) The open door pipe 193 and the open CO2 valve pipe 194 are connected to the same termination point at the node core main control port section 190B and the close door pipe 195 and the close CO2 valve pipe 196 are connected to another same termination point at the node core main control port section 190B so that both the door and CO2 valve open and close together. Control devices located inside the module assembly ensure that when the water pressure at the open door pipe 193 and open CO2 valve pipe 194 is high, the water pressure at the close door pipe 195 and close CO2 valve pipe 196 is low and vice versa so that a consistent pressure difference is generated to push the door and CO2 valve in the desired direction.
(176) The water sensor pipe 197 terminates at the near edge of the water body channel 366 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to monitor the water pressure in the water body channel and detect water leaks in the pipe element connected to the pipe port B. The water feed pipe 198 terminates at the far edge of the water body channel 366 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to supply water into the water body channel and control the water pressure in the pipe element attached to pipe port B.
(177) The CO2 sensor pipe 199 terminates at the near edge of the CO2 body channel 368 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to monitor the CO2 pressure in the CO2 body channel and detect CO2 leaks in the pipe element connected to the pipe port B. The CO2 feed pipe 200 terminates at the far edge of the CO2 body channel 368 to allow the control devices inside the module assembly to supply CO2 into the CO2 body channel and control the CO2 pressure in the pipe element attached to pipe port B.
(178) Detail
(179)
(180) The flag assembly 297 is depicted with the flag 307b in an intermediary position moving between two overlaid positions 307a lowered and 307c raised. A flag pipe 201 provides the pressurized water to control the flag 307b. A pair of flag port rims 299 help better secure the flag assembly in place when it is fixated to the node core. The pump rotor assembly 325a is powered by a pump feed pipe 208 that supplies pressurized water and a pump exhaust pipe 209 that allows low pressure water to be discharged into the water body inside the reactor node. That way the pump rotor assembly 325a either turns in the clockwise direction or stops. The pump rotor assembly 325b is powered by a dive control close pipe 206 and a dive control open pipe 207. When the dive control close pipe 206 supplies a way out to low pressure water and the dive control open pipe 207 supplies pressurized water the pump rotor assembly 325b turns in the clockwise direction and alternatively when the dive control close pipe 206 and the dive control open pipe 207 swap roles the pump rotor assembly 325b turns in the counter clockwise direction. That way the cable winch 292 is driven in the desired direction to submerge or surface the reactor node.
(181)
(182)
(183)
(184) Detail
(185) Detailed
(186) Detailed
(187) Detail
(188) Two identical ratchet drives 360a and 360b with a ratchet drive shaft insert hole 361 in the center and ratchet drive teeth 362 in the front, placed facing each other are used to drive the propeller shaft 354. A ratchet spring 363 presses the two ratchet drives 360a and 360b against each other ensuring the asymmetrical ratchet drive teeth 362 remain engaged when ratchet drive 360a turns in the clockwise direction, transmitting the movement from ratchet drive 360a to the ratchet drive 360b and to the propeller shaft nut 355 that is fitted into ratchet drive 360b.
(189) Detail
(190) Detail
(191)
(192) Detail
(193) Detail
(194)
(195)
(196) Inside the module bay 248, the node core main control port 189, a node core aux control port left 191 and a node core aux control port right 192 that together route all signal and control pipes of the node core into the module assembly can be seen. The air release bay 249 cut on top of the node core 215 contains a set of four air release cuts 271A, 271B, 271C and 271D, one for each respective pipe port that are openings half of the width of the pipe port in length that reach all the way to the water body so that air, oxygen or any gas that is released from the water culture solution can be captured and channeled into an air release chamber 270 to be extracted. The air release bay 249 is covered by an air release lower cover 258 that has two air release long channels 268A and 268D for pipe ports A and D respectively and two air release short channels 267B for pipe port B and 267C (indicated only in detail
(197) The air release lower cover 258 is covered by an air release left upper cover 259 and an air release right upper cover 260 that seal the air release long channels and the air release short channels on the air release lower cover 258. The air release left upper cover 259 has an air release attachment left 264 that allows the connection of a hose to extract the air and/or oxygen from the air release chamber 270. The air release right upper cover 260 has an air release attachment right 265 that allows the connection of a hose to extract the air and/or oxygen from the air release chamber 270.
(198) Detail
(199) Detail
(200) Detail
(201) The air release lower cover has fastener holes such as 253a, 253b, 253c, that allow it to be fixated to the air release bay and fasteners such 254a, 254b, etc. each with a R-clip insertion hole 255a, 255b, etc. respectively where R-clips are inserted to fixate the air release right upper cover.
(202) Detail
(203) Detail
(204) Detail
(205) Detail
(206) Detail
(207) Detail
(208) Detail
(209)
(210) Detail
(211) Air accumulated in the air release chamber 270 can be vented by means of shifting the air vent valve 272 so that the air vent purge cutout 276 is unobstructed opening the access to the check valve 339e that allows air to escape into the environment but prevents water and air from the environment to enter and reach the air release chamber 270. The air vent valve 272 is controlled by an air release open pipe 202 and an air release close pipe 203. If pressurized water is injected into the air release open pipe 202 at the same time the air release close pipe 203 has low pressure water the air vent valve 272 moves towards the air release close pipe 203 opening the access to check valve 339e. If on the other hand pressurized water is injected into the air release close pipe 203 at the same time the air release open pipe 202 has low pressure water the air vent valve 272 moves towards the air release open pipe 202 (as drawn) closing the access to check valve 339e.
(212) The construction of the wet reactor air release pipework is such that pipe ports B and C as well as pipe ports A and D are mirror images of each other. A single detailed view of one side is therefore sufficient to illustrate the construction. For greater magnification and better viewing,
(213)
(214) The anchor assembly 282 is attached to the anchor cable 287 that has two stoppers 290a and 290b. The anchor cable goes around the cable winch 292 that is installed into the cable winch cavity 227 and keeps the anchor cable taut between the anchor assembly and the reactor node. The pump cover 315b seals the winch rotor cavity 232, provides support and holds the pump rotor assembly 325 in place inside the winch rotor cavity 232. To reduce the number of unique parts needed, save costs and increase maintenance efficiency, the pump cover 315b used in the anchoring system and the pump cover 315a used in the water pump system (drawn in the installed position) are identical. When the pump rotor assembly is in place the extremity of the pump rotor shaft 329 is slotted into the cable winch drive hole 296 (see
(215) Detail
(216) Detail
(217) Detail
(218)
(219) Detail
(220) Detail
(221)
(222) The module assembly is composed of a module case 370 that has an internal module net volume 373. The module case 370 works as a base providing support and connectivity to fit a logic unit assembly 432, an i/o unit assembly 403 and an expansion unit assembly 388 that works also as a cover that closes the module case 370.
(223) The module case 370 has a module rim 371 with a series of fasteners 254 and fastener holes 253a. The expansion unit assembly 388 has an expansion case rim 390 that has a series of fastener holes 253b, 253c, etc. that align with either a fastener 254 or a fastener hole 253a located in the module rim 371 of the module case 370. When the expansion unit assembly 388 is placed on the top of the module case 370, some fastener holes in the expansion unit assembly align with a fastener in the module case such as the case of 253b and 254 respectively. R-clips are inserted into R-clip insertion holes at the top of these fasteners to secure the expansion unit assembly 388 and the module case 370 together. Other fastener holes in the expansion unit assembly align with a fastener hole in the module case such as the case of 253c and 253a respectively. These two fastener holes in the module assembly are placed in such a way that they align with a fastener in the node core that is correspondingly longer so that it will extend through both fastener holes. R-clips are inserted into R-clip insertion holes at the top of these longer fasteners to secure the module assembly into the node core and at the same time provide additional grip to secure the expansion unit assembly and the module case together.
(224) To maximize the module net volume 373, the module case 370 has a module case shape fit 372 that allows the module case to use all the space available in the module bay in the node core without interfering with the CO2 cavity body. A module external opening 375 in line with the node core external opening allows access to the external environment to detect external water pressure. A module ground pipe connector 378 allows access to the water body initially to the logic unit assembly 432 and then through other connections to the i/o unit assembly 403 and the expansion unit assembly 388 (see
(225) The logic unit assembly 432 is composed of a logic layer assembly 443 that contains all components and the interconnections that allow the components in the logic unit assembly 432 to perform their intended functions and a logic case 433 that provides interconnection to other units and support for the logic layer assembly 443. The logic layer assembly 443 is inserted into a logic case back opening 435 in the logic case 433. Once inside, the logic case 433 holds all components of the logic layer assembly 443 together allowing them to work as intended and be easily manipulated. Two logic case extractor holes 436 are used to assist in the process of installation and removal of the logic unit assembly 432 into the module case 370. A group of logic case top connections 437 provides connections with the i/o unit assembly 403 (see
(226) The i/o unit assembly 403 is composed of an i/o layer assembly 418 that contains all components and the interconnections that allow the components in the i/o unit assembly 403 to perform their intended functions and an i/o case 404 that provides interconnection to other units and support for the i/o layer assembly 418. The i/o unit assembly 403 is inserted into an i/o case back opening 406 in the i/o case 404. Once inside, the i/o case 404 holds all components of the i/o layer assembly 418 together allowing them to work as intended and be easily manipulated. Two i/o case extractor holes 408 are used to assist in the process of installation and removal of the i/o unit assembly 403 into the module case 370. An i/o case shape fit 407 allows the i/o case 404 to fit into the module case 370. A group of i/o case top connections 409 provide connections with the expansion unit assembly 388 (see
(227) The expansion unit assembly 388 is composed of an expansion layer 400 and an expansion case 389 that provides interconnection to other units and support for the expansion layer 400. The expansion case 389 has an expansion case flag cutout 399 to accommodate the flag when it is in its lowered position and two expansion case handles 393 that provide a good grip for maintenance personnel to handle it. A group of expansion case top connections 395 provide external connections to other reactor nodes, maintenance tools and an interface to a diagnostic device. An expansion case back opening 392 allows the insertion of the expansion layer 400 into the expansion case 389. As it has been possible to implement all necessary functions for the operation of the reactor node using only the i/o unit assembly 403 and the logic unit assembly 432, the expansion layer 400 is made of just one thick sheet of material in the appropriate shape to fit perfectly into the expansion case 389 and with an expansion layer through cut 402 that allows the signals from the expansion case top connections 395 to pass through the expansion unit assembly 388, reach the expansion case bottom connections and be available to the i/o unit assembly 403 (see
(228) The module case 370, expansion case 389, i/o case 404 and logic case 433 are designed to provide support and interconnection to the various signals travelling to all different parts and in principle do not need to be changed unless a major change requires new connections to be established. All components and the interconnections that allow the components to perform their intended functions are encased in the active inserts (the logic layer assembly 443, the i/o layer assembly 418 and eventually a new insert replacing the expansion layer 400 if new features are implemented there in the future). In case an upgrade or a correction of a design error is needed, this will probably only require changes in the active inserts, affecting a reduced set of components. As these parts are much smaller than the rest of the reactor node and many changes such as a correction of a mistake are likely to require alterations only in a small area of the affected active insert, the cost and the time needed to implement changes or upgrades is reduced increasing system flexibility.
(229) Detail
(230) The signal port right 164 is shown and all its signals indicated on detail
(231) Detail
(232) The i/o case expand connector 411 is intended to make high pressure water, water at ground pressure and an external pressure signal with sufficient water volume (power) available at a convenient point to supply the expansion unit assembly. These power signals will likely be needed in case of a future expansion at the expansion unit assembly and are provided at this point to avoid having to modify the i/o case later. They are however for the moment not needed so all connections of the i/o case expand connector are closed in the expansion unit by the expansion layer.
(233) Detail
(234) Detail
(235) Detail
(236)
(237) The module case shape fit 372 allows the module case 370 to fit inside the module bay in the node core without interfering with the CO2 cavity body. The module case 370 has a propeller access door plug 374 with a propeller access door O-ring 376 that seals the propeller access opening when the module assembly is installed in the module bay of the node core. A module ground pipe port 377 connected to the module ground pipe connector at the other side of the module case allows access to the water body through the module case initially to the logic unit assembly 432 and then through other connections to the i/o unit assembly 403 and the expansion unit assembly 388 (see
(238) The logic unit assembly 432 is composed of the logic layer assembly 443 that contains all components and the interconnections that allow the components in the logic unit assembly 432 to perform their intended functions and the logic case 433 that provides interconnection to other units and support for the logic layer assembly 443. A logic case front opening 434 allows the logic layer assembly 443 to be easily removed from the logic case 433 by inserting a long rod or another suitable tool into the logic case front opening 434 to push the previously inserted logic layer assembly 443 out of the logic case 433. A logic case bottom connector 442 in the proper shape and location to fit into the module ground pipe connector at the top of the module case 370 allows access to the water body from the logic unit assembly 432 (see
(239) The i/o unit assembly 403 is composed of the i/o layer assembly 418 that contains all components and the interconnections that allow the components in the i/o unit assembly 403 to perform their intended functions and the i/o case 404 that provides interconnection to other units and support for the i/o layer assembly 418. An i/o case front opening 405 allows the i/o layer assembly 418 to be easily removed from the i/o case 404 by inserting a long rod or another suitable tool into the i/o case front opening 405 to push the previously inserted i/o layer assembly 418 out of the i/o case 404. The i/o case shape fit 407 allows the i/o case 404 to fit into the module case 370. An i/o case bottom control connector 412 in the proper shape and location to fit into the module control top connector at the other side of the module case 370 allows the i/o unit assembly 403 to connect to all sensor pipes and control pipes that go in and out of the node core through the module case 370 (see
(240) The expansion unit assembly 388 is composed of the expansion layer 400 and the expansion case 389 that provides interconnection to other units and support for the expansion layer 400. An expansion case shape fit 394 allows the expansion case 389 to fit into the module case 370. An expansion case front opening 391 allows the expansion layer 400 to be easily removed from the expansion case 389 by inserting a long rod or another suitable tool into the expansion case front opening 391 to push the previously inserted expansion layer 400 out of the expansion case 389. A set of expansion case bottom connections 396 in the proper shape and location to fit into the i/o case top connections at the top of the i/o case 404 provides connections with the i/o unit assembly 403 (see
(241) As it has been possible to implement all necessary functions for the operation of the reactor node using only the i/o unit assembly 403 and the logic unit assembly 432, the expansion layer 400 is made of just one thick sheet of material. An expansion layer shape fit 401 cut is made into the expansion layer 400 to allow it to fit perfectly into the expansion case 389. The expansion layer through cut 402 allows the signals from the expansion case top connections at the top of the expansion case 389 (see
(242) Detail
(243) Another portion of the expansion case bottom connections visible in detail
(244) An expansion case expand connector 398 made of a set of seven connector large inserts each identical to connector large insert 381b and each with a connector large O-ring identical to the connector large O-ring 382b placed at the same interval as the connector large inserts for signal port left and signal port right. The expansion case expand connector 398 is placed in a straight line perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the expansion case 389 that crosses the center of the connector large insert 381a and with the center of connector large insert 381b that occupies the central position of the expansion case expand connector 398 placed at the symmetry axis of the expansion case 389. Once the i/o case and the expansion case are installed inside the module case, each connector large insert on the bottom of the expansion case fits into the corresponding connector large input on the top of the i/o case and the connector large O-ring on each connector large insert seals the connection preventing leaks and signal crosstalk.
(245) Detail
(246) The i/o case signal connector 414 is a set of 33 connector small inputs, each identical to connector small input 386c, arranged in an 113 array directly above and in the same pattern as the logic case signal connector (see detail
(247) The i/o case logic left control connector 416 is a set of 10 connector small inputs, each identical to connector small input 386a, placed in a single line directly above and in the same pattern as the logic case left control connector. The i/o case logic right control connector 417 is a set of 11 connector small inputs, each identical to connector small input 386b. A set of 10 connector small inputs are placed in a straight line and the last one is placed in front of connector small input 386b at the 9th position with same spacing as between other connector small inputs. The i/o case logic right control connector 417 is placed directly above and in the same pattern as the logic case right control connector (see detail
(248) Once the logic case and i/o case are installed inside the module case, each connector small insert on the top of the logic case fits into the corresponding connector small input in the bottom of the i/o case and the connector small O-ring on each connector small insert seals the connection preventing leaks and signal crosstalk.
(249) The i/o case power connector 415 is made of seven identical connector large inputs 383 arranged in a straight line perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the i/o case 404 with the center of connector large input 383 that occupies the central position placed at the symmetry axis of the i/o case 404. The i/o case power connector 415 is placed directly above and in the same pattern as the logic case power connector. Once the logic case and the i/o case are installed inside the module case, each connector large insert on the top of the logic case fits into the corresponding connector large input on the bottom of the i/o case and the connector large O-ring on each connector large insert seals the connection preventing leaks and signal crosstalk.
(250) Detail
(251) Detail
(252) Detail
(253) Detail
(254)
(255) The i/o layer a 419, i/o layer b 420, and i/o layer c 421, i/o components 423, and i/o check valve set 422 constitute the i/o layer assembly that once properly assembled is inserted into the i/o case 404. The result is a compact standard i/o unit assembly 403 that is used in all module assemblies installed in reactor nodes that have all four pipe ports enabled (connected to pipe elements). Pre-assembled and pre-tested units can be kept in inventory as a major part for installation in a new module assembly in a simplified production line and kept in reserve as spares for replacement of faulty units detected in the field.
(256) Also visible in
(257)
(258) A logic layer a 444, a logic layer b 445, a logic layer c 446, and a logic layer d 447 provide support and connectivity to a set of logic components 450 in a similar way that a multilayer electric circuit board provides support and connectivity to electric components in an electric circuit. The logic components 450 are located and held in place between the logic layer a 444 and the logic layer b 445. A router plate insertion bay 448 on top of the logic layer c 446 allows the insertion of a router plate that works as a configuration device. Eight different types of router plates are available but only one can be inserted at a time in a given logic layer assembly. To prevent the chosen router plate to be incorrectly placed, two asymmetrically placed router plate insertion keys 449a and 449b are located at the sides of the router plate insertion bay 448 allowing the selected router plate to fit only in the proper orientation. The router plates reroute signals related to the pipe ports that enter the logic unit assembly through the logic case left control connector (pipe port A and pipe port B) and logic case right control connector (pipe port C and pipe port D) before they are processed by other components in the logic layer assembly. That way individual signals belonging to a pipe port may be rerouted into corresponding positions of signals belonging to another pipe port according to the rerouting plan of the installed router plate (see
(259) The available router plates are: 1) router plate direct 451 that does not reroute signals and simply forwards signals from each pipe port in the same position they came in; 2) router plate AB 452 that exchanges pipe port A signals with pipe port B signals and forwards pipe port C and pipe port D signals; 3) router plate CD 453 that forwards pipe port A and pipe port B signals and exchanges pipe port C signals with pipe port D signals; 4) router plate ABCD 454 that exchanges pipe port A signals with pipe port B signals and pipe port C signals with pipe port D signals; 5) router plate ADBC 455 that exchanges pipe port A signals with pipe port D signals and pipe port B signals with pipe port C signals; 6) router plate DBCA 456 that reroutes pipe port A signals into pipe port D, pipe port D signals into pipe port B, pipe port B signals into pipe port C and pipe port C signals into pipe port A; 7) router plate CBDA 457 that reroutes pipe port A signals into pipe port C, pipe port C signals into pipe port B, pipe port B signals into pipe port D and pipe port D signals into pipe port A; 8) router plate ACBD 458 that exchanges pipe port A signals with pipe port C signals and exchanges pipe port B signals with pipe port D signals.
(260) The logic layer a 444, logic layer b 445, logic layer c 446, logic layer d 447, logic components 450, and one router plate constitute the logic layer assembly that once properly assembled is inserted into the logic case 433 that provides support and connectivity to the logic layer assembly. The result is a compact logic unit assembly 432 that is used in all module assemblies installed in reactor nodes. Also visible in
(261) To describe the implementation and operation of components and other parts of the invention in a convenient and simple way, the following notation is used:
(262) A digital signal is encoded by one or more bits. A single bit signal, when the fluid (water, air, CO2, etc.) pressure is above the proper threshold is represented by the number 1. A single bit signal when the fluid pressure is below the proper threshold is represented by the number 0. For signals having more than one bit, an appropriate combination of bits (1s and 0s) is used.
(263) The following Boolean logic functions are used:
(264) AND; denoted xy, satisfies xy=1 if x=y=1 and xy=0 otherwise.
(265) OR; denoted xy, satisfies xy=0 if x=y=0 and xy=1 otherwise.
(266) NOT; denoted x, satisfies x=0 if x=1 and x=1 if x=0.
(267) XOR (exclusive or); denoted x.Math.y satisfies x.Math.y=0 if x=y and x.Math.y=1 if xy.
(268) EQV (equivalence); denoted xy satisfies xy=1 if x=y and xy=0 if xy.
(269)
(270) Controllers and actuators have similar shapes: a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with central extensions at both extremities (lengthwise) that prevent the body of the component to shut off the input signals when it is located at either side of its cavity. A cylindrical spring hole is made around the free sliding symmetry axis of each component starting at the center of one central extension to a sufficient depth to accommodate a spring with appropriate length for the specific component and leaving sufficient material at the other side of the component to ensure structural integrity of the other central extension and of the component. Away from the component symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the spring hole and maintain component structural integrity, two symmetric bands are available to be perforated at specific places by openings of various shapes that allow fluids (liquid and/or gas) to pass through. A rubber grid envelops all openings and the main body of the component isolating each opening so that fluid passing through each opening does not leak into other openings. The number, shape and location of the openings and as a result the length and width of each component vary depending on its task and the number and type of functions implemented.
(271) Actuators are components used to convert a low power digital input signal (reduced water flow signal running in a small pipe diameter) into one or more high power digital output signals (higher water flows allowed by larger pipe diameters) that transmit information to other reactor nodes and control the reactor node where the actuators are installed. Actuators can also be used as an additional component implementing logic functions necessary for the operation of the reactor node. As actuators generate output signals based on digital input signals, all actuator openings 504a, 504b, 504c, 504d, 504e on a specific component have the same shape and size.
(272) Controllers are used to digitize an input signal into one or more bits encoded in gray code (only one bit is allowed to change at a time). A controller can also have additional functionalities in conjunction with digitalization of the input signal such as a mechanism to regulate the input signal pressure provided that it remains within a specified range and to implement additional logic functions necessary for the operation of the reactor node. Controller openings have different shapes and sizes.
(273) To improve the precision of the digitalization of the input signal the controller length is increased and made as long as the space in the i/o unit assembly allows. The actuator length on the other hand is made as short as possible to accommodate the necessary number of actuator openings it needs to perform its function. As a result, a controller spring hole 490 is longer than an actuator spring hole 505 and a controller spring 491a, 491b, 491c, 491d is longer than an actuator spring 506a, 506b, 506c, 506d, 506e.
(274) The elastic coefficient of the controller springs is adjusted so that the controller will slide in the cavity reaching designed positions according to the pressure of its analog input signal. The elastic coefficient of the actuator springs is adjusted so that the actuators move all the way to one or the other side of the cavity according to the status of the digital input signals.
(275) The low power digital input signals that drive actuators can be delivered in pipes with reduced cross section compared to the signals that drive controllers. As a result, actuator central extensions (503a, 503c, 503d, 503e) can be made shorter than controller central extensions (489a, 489b, 489c).
(276) When an input signal pushes the component towards the side of the cavity where the spring is located, the spring is compressed until the applied force produced by the input signal is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the central extension touches the cavity wall and the spring is completely located inside the spring hole reaching its maximum compression. This position is called the active position and represented by the number 1.
(277) When the force applied by the input signal pushing the component subsides, the spring extends out of the spring hole pushing the component back to the other side until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the central extension at the other side touches the cavity wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. This position is called the rest position and represented by the number 0.
(278) An opening located at the opposite side of the input signal allows the displaced fluid to flow in and out of the cavity when the installed component moves from one side to the other eliminating positive and negative pressure build ups that would otherwise prevent the component from moving.
(279) For situations where no spring is used, a set of two complementary input signals feeding the cavity where the component is installed is necessary: a main input signal at one side of the cavity and an auxiliary input signal that has the inverse polarity of the main input signal at the opposite side of the cavity. The active position (1) is defined as the position the component moves when the main input signal is high (1) and the rest position (0) is defined as the position the component moves when the main input signal is low (0). The active side is therefore the side of the cavity opposite to the main input signal and the rest side is the side of the cavity where the main input signal is located. For notation consistency, the input signal in applications with spring and the main input signal in applications without spring are equivalent. The main and auxiliary input signals may in some cases not be complementary and assume both the same value at times. The active side is nevertheless still defined as the side of the cavity opposite to the main input signal and the rest side is the side of the cavity where the main input signal is located.
(280) The notation xxx.Math.0 or xxx.Math.1, where xxx is the component reference numeral and 0 or 1 is the position of the component as described in the previous 4 paragraphs, is used to facilitate the description of the position of the various components in a drawing.
(281) Some components are designed so that they may be installed in more than one orientation. A suitable symbol is used to differentiate the alternate orientation from the normal orientation. The notation xxx.Math.0 or xxx.Math.1 is used to indicate that the component xxx has been installed in a different orientation (flipped, reversed, turned or a combination of those) that produces the effect of introducing a NOT function into the input signal, so that the outputs that it produces are the same compared to a component installed on the normal orientation with the input signal inverted.
(282) This notation is used primarily to describe the positions of components subjected to digital signals, but can be extrapolated for analog signals, using a number between 0 and 1 to indicate the relative position of the component. The notation xxx.Math.0.4 indicates that the component xxx is located at a position 40% of the length of its cavity.
(283)
(284) The CO2 pressure controller device 460 is used to control the CO2 pressure inside a section of the wet reactor and to produce a one digit digital signal of the current CO2 pressure reading at the point being controlled. The CO2 pressure controller device 460 is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with controller central extensions 489a and 489b at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical controller spring hole 490 is made around the symmetry axis starting at the center of one controller central extension 489b to a sufficient depth to accommodate a controller spring 491a, leaving sufficient material in the controller central extension 489a at the other side to ensure structural integrity of the controller central extension 489a and of the CO2 pressure controller device 460. The CO2 pressure controller device 460 is installed inside a CO2 pressure controller cavity 459 that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. A CO2 pressure controller rubber grid 461 envelops all openings and the main body of the CO2 pressure controller device 460 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(285) When the CO2 pressure controller device 460 is pushed towards the side of the CO2 pressure controller cavity 459 where the controller spring 491a is located, the spring is compressed until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension 489b touches the CO2 pressure controller cavity 459 wall and the controller spring 491a reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the controller spring hole 490 (to avoid cluttering and better display details in the CO2 pressure controller device 460, the portion of the controller spring 491a located inside the controller spring hole 490 is not drawn). When the force pushing the CO2 pressure controller device 460 subsides, the controller spring 491a extends out of the controller spring hole 490 pushing the CO2 pressure controller device 460 back to the other side until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension 489a at the other side touches the CO2 pressure controller cavity 459 wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the controller spring hole 490 and maintain structural integrity of the CO2 pressure controller device 460, two symmetric bands are perforated at specific places by openings of various shapes allowing fluids (liquid or gas depending on the opening) to pass through. The CO2 pressure controller device 460 has four openings: 1) a CO2 pressure reset opening 462; 2) a CO2 pressure control opening 463; 3) a CO2 pressure lsb low opening 464; 4) a CO2 pressure lsb high opening 465.
(286) The water pressure controller device 467 is used to control the water pressure inside a section of the wet reactor and to produce a two digit gray coded digital signal of the current water pressure reading at the point being controlled. The water pressure controller device 467 is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with controller central extensions at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical controller spring hole is made around the symmetry axis to accommodate a controller spring 491b (for additional clarity, the portion of the controller spring 491b located inside the controller spring hole is drawn in dashed lines), leaving sufficient material in the controller central extension 489c at the other side to ensure structural integrity of the controller central extension 489c and of the water pressure controller device 467. The water pressure controller device 467 is installed inside a water pressure controller cavity 466 that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. A water pressure controller rubber grid 468 envelops all openings and the main body of the water pressure controller device 467 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(287) When the water pressure controller device 467 is pushed towards the side of the water pressure controller cavity 466 where the controller spring 491b is located, the spring is compressed until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension touches the water pressure controller cavity 466 wall and the controller spring 491b reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the controller spring hole. When the force pushing the water pressure controller device 467 subsides, the controller spring 491b extends out of the controller spring hole pushing the water pressure controller device 467 back to the other side until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension 489c at the other side touches the water pressure controller cavity 466 wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the controller spring hole and maintain structural integrity of the water pressure controller device 467, two symmetric bands are perforated at specific places by openings of various shapes allowing fluids to pass through. The water pressure controller device 467 has seven openings: 1) a water pressure reset opening 469; 2) a water pressure control opening 470; 3) a water pressure lsb high opening 471; 4) a water pressure lsb low opening 1 472; 5) a water pressure lsb low opening 2 473; 6) a water pressure msb low opening 474; 7) a water pressure msb high opening 475.
(288) The ground pressure controller device 477 is used to control the ground water pressure inside each reactor node and to produce a one digit digital signal of the current ground water pressure reading at the point being controlled. The ground pressure controller device 477 is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with controller central extensions at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical controller spring hole is made around the symmetry axis to accommodate a controller spring 491c, leaving sufficient material in the controller central extension at the other side to ensure structural integrity of the controller central extension and of the ground pressure controller device 477. The ground pressure controller device 477 is installed inside a ground pressure controller cavity 476 that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. A ground pressure controller rubber grid 478 envelops all openings and the main body of the ground pressure controller device 477 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(289) When the ground pressure controller device 477 is pushed towards the side of the ground pressure controller cavity 476 where the controller spring 491c is located, the spring is compressed until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension touches the ground pressure controller cavity 476 wall and the spring reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the controller spring hole. When the force pushing the ground pressure controller device 477 subsides, the controller spring 491c extends out of the controller spring hole pushing the ground pressure controller device 477 back to the other side until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension at the other side touches the ground pressure controller cavity 476 wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the controller spring hole and maintain structural integrity of the ground pressure controller device 477, two symmetric bands are perforated at specific places by openings of various shapes allowing fluids to pass through. The ground pressure controller device 477 has three openings: 1) a ground pressure control opening 479; 2) a ground pressure lsb high opening 480; 3) a ground pressure lsb low opening 481.
(290) The signal pressure controller device 483 is used to produce a two-digit gray coded digital signal of each individual input signal. The signal pressure controller device 483 is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with controller central extensions at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical controller spring hole is made around the symmetry axis to accommodate a controller spring 491d, leaving sufficient material in the controller central extension at the other side to ensure structural integrity of the controller central extension and of the signal pressure controller device 483. The signal pressure controller device 483 is installed inside a signal pressure controller cavity 482 that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. A signal pressure controller rubber grid 484 envelops all openings and the main body of the signal pressure controller device 483 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(291) When the signal pressure controller device 483 is pushed towards the side of the signal pressure controller cavity 482 where the controller spring 491d is located, the spring is compressed until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension touches the signal pressure controller cavity 482 wall and the spring reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the controller spring hole. When the force pushing the signal pressure controller device 483 subsides, the controller spring 491d extends out of the controller spring hole pushing the signal pressure controller device 483 back to the other side until the applied force is balanced by the force provided by the compressed spring or the controller central extension at the other side touches the signal pressure controller cavity 482 wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the controller spring hole and maintain structural integrity of the signal pressure controller device 483, two symmetric bands are perforated at specific places by openings of various shapes allowing fluids to pass through. The signal pressure controller device 483 has four openings: 1) a signal pressure lsb high opening 485; 2) a signal pressure lsb low opening 486; 3) a signal pressure msb low opening 487; 4) a signal pressure msb high opening 488.
(292)
(293) The actuators single are divided into three types depending on where the actuator openings are located: 1) actuator mono normally open 493 that has the actuator opening 504c located in the same line, at the side of the actuator spring hole 505; 2) actuator mono normally closed 495 that has the actuator opening 504d located in the same line, at the opposite side of the actuator spring hole; 3) actuator mono 497a (and actuator mono 497b) that has the actuator opening 504a (and the actuator opening 504b) located in alternate positions in two lines, one actuator opening at the side of the actuator spring hole and one actuator opening at the alternate opposite side of the actuator spring hole. The actuator mono 497a and actuator mono 497b are in effect identical components, the difference being that one has been placed in its cavity in one orientation and the other has been placed flipped with respect to the symmetry axis around the actuator spring hole.
(294) The actuator mono normally open 493 is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with actuator central extensions 503c at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical actuator spring hole 505 is made around the symmetry axis starting at the center of one actuator central extension 503c with sufficient depth to accommodate the actuator spring 506c, leaving sufficient material in the actuator central extension at the other side to ensure structural integrity of the actuator central extension and of the actuator mono normally open 493. The actuator mono normally open 493 is installed inside an actuator mono cavity 492c that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. An actuator mono n. open rubber grid 494 envelops all actuator openings and the main body of the actuator mono normally open 493 isolating each actuator opening so that fluid passing through an actuator opening does not leak into the other actuator openings.
(295) When the actuator mono normally open 493 is pushed towards the side of the actuator mono cavity 492c where the actuator spring 506c is located, the actuator spring is compressed until the actuator central extension 503c touches the actuator mono cavity 492c wall and the spring reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the actuator spring hole. When the force pushing the actuator mono normally open 493 subsides, the actuator spring 506c extends out of the actuator spring hole pushing the actuator mono normally open 493 back to the other side until the actuator central extension at the other side touches the actuator mono cavity 492c wall and the actuator spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the actuator spring hole and maintain structural integrity of the actuator mono normally open 493, two actuator openings 504c are located in the same line, at the side of the actuator spring hole 505 so that when the actuator mono normally open 493 is located at the position indicated in
(296) The actuator mono normally closed 495 is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with actuator central extensions 503d at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical actuator spring hole is made around the symmetry axis starting at the center of one actuator central extension with sufficient depth to accommodate the actuator spring 506d, leaving sufficient material in the actuator central extension 503d at the other side to ensure structural integrity of the actuator central extension 503d and of the actuator mono normally closed 495. The actuator mono normally closed 495 is installed inside an actuator mono cavity 492d that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. An actuator mono n. closed rubber grid 496 envelops all actuator openings and the main body of the actuator mono normally closed 495 isolating each actuator opening so that fluid passing through an actuator opening does not leak into the other actuator openings.
(297) When the actuator mono normally closed 495 is pushed towards the side of the actuator mono cavity 492d where the actuator spring 506d is located, the actuator spring is compressed until the actuator central extension touches the actuator mono cavity 492d wall and the spring reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the actuator spring hole. When the force pushing the actuator mono normally closed 495 subsides, the actuator spring 506d extends out of the actuator spring hole pushing the actuator mono normally closed 495 back to the other side until the actuator central extension 503d at the other side touches the actuator mono cavity 492d wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the actuator spring hole and maintain structural integrity of the actuator mono normally closed 495, two actuator openings 504d are located in the same line, at the opposite side of the actuator spring hole so that when the actuator mono normally closed 495 is located at the position indicated in
(298) The actuator mono 497a is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with actuator central extensions 503a at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical actuator spring hole is made around the symmetry axis starting at the center of one actuator central extension with sufficient depth to accommodate the actuator spring 506a, leaving sufficient material in the actuator central extension 503a at the other side to ensure structural integrity of the actuator central extension 503a and of the actuator mono 497a. The actuator mono 497a is installed inside an actuator mono cavity 492a that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. An actuator mono rubber grid 498a envelops all actuator openings and the main body of the actuator mono 497a isolating each actuator opening so that fluid passing through an actuator opening does not leak into the other actuator openings.
(299) When the actuator mono 497a is pushed towards the side of the actuator mono cavity 492a where the actuator spring 506a is located, the actuator spring is compressed until the actuator central extension touches the actuator mono cavity 492a wall and the spring reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the actuator spring hole. When the force pushing the actuator mono 497a subsides, the actuator spring 506a extends out of the actuator spring hole pushing the actuator mono 497a back to the other side until the actuator central extension 503a at the other side touches the actuator mono cavity 492a wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the actuator spring hole and maintain structural integrity of the actuator mono 497a, two actuator openings 504a are located in alternate positions in two lines, one actuator opening at the side of the actuator spring hole and one actuator opening at the alternate opposite side of the actuator spring hole so that when the actuator mono 497a is located at the position indicated in
(300) The actuator mono 497b is the same component as actuator mono 497a the only difference being that actuator mono 497b has been installed flipped with respect to the symmetry axis around the actuator spring hole so that when the actuator spring 506b is in maximum extension (rest position), the actuator opening 504b aligns with the center of the actuator mono cavity 492b whereas actuator opening 504a aligns with the center of the actuator mono cavity 492a when the actuator spring 506a is in maximum compression (active position). For added information, the portion of the actuator spring 506b inside the actuator spring hole is drawn in dashed lines.
(301) This asymmetry provides an additional flexibility to the actuator mono that can be installed in one orientation to produce an output power signal that is a function of the input signal or be installed in the flipped orientation to produce an output power signal that is a function of the negated input signal (an additional NOT function can be implemented by flipping the actuator mono with respect to the symmetry axis around the actuator spring hole).
(302) The actuator dual 500 is made in the shape of a parallelogram with material removed from the corners producing a symmetric shape with actuator central extensions 503e at both extremities (lengthwise). A cylindrical actuator spring hole is made around the symmetry axis starting at the center of one actuator central extension with sufficient depth to accommodate an actuator spring 506e. To reduce the number of unique components and obtain a consistent response to input signals in the actuators, the same actuator spring is used for both actuators single and actuators dual. As the actuator springs are designed to fit inside actuators single that are shorter, the actuator spring hole leaves an additional actuator dual spring guard 502 at the other side of the actuator dual 500 that provides additional structural integrity to the actuator central extension 503e and to the actuator dual 500. The actuator dual 500 is installed inside an actuator dual cavity 499 that has suitable dimensions to allow a tight fit and conveys the input and output signals to the appropriate places. An actuator dual rubber grid 501 envelops all actuator openings and the main body of the actuator dual 500 isolating each actuator opening so that fluid passing through an actuator opening does not leak into other actuator openings.
(303) When the actuator dual 500 is pushed towards the side of the actuator dual cavity 499 where the actuator spring 506e is located, the actuator spring is compressed until the actuator central extension touches the actuator dual cavity 499 wall and the spring reaches its maximum compression being completely located inside the actuator spring hole. When the force pushing the actuator dual 500 subsides, the actuator spring 506e extends out of the actuator spring hole pushing the actuator dual 500 back to the other side until the actuator central extension 503e at the other side touches the actuator dual cavity 499 wall and the spring reaches its maximum extension. Away from the symmetry axis, at a safe distance to skip the actuator spring hole and maintain structural integrity of the actuator dual 500, three alternate actuator openings 504e are located in three lines perpendicular to the symmetry axis, one at the side of the actuator spring hole, one at the opposite side of the actuator spring hole and one at the middle of the actuator dual 500 at the alternate side so that when the actuator dual 500 is located at the position indicated in
(304) Similarly to actuator monos, actuator duals can be installed in one orientation to produce an output power signal that is a function of the input signal or be installed in the flipped orientation to produce an output power signal that is a function of the negated input signal.
(305) The position and orientation of the actuators in
(306) 493.Math.0; 495.Math.1; 497a.Math.0; 497b.Math.0; 500.Math.0.
(307)
(308) A reference pressure pipe 507 connects the extremities of the cavities that contain controllers to a common reference pressure signal. A CO2 pressure input 1 508 and a CO2 pressure input 2 509 are two possible locations for a CO2 pressure input signal to be injected at the opposite side of the CO2 pressure controller cavity 459 with respect to the reference pressure pipe 507. Up or down orientations for the CO2 pressure input pipe are more convenient to save space in the layout but any alternative orientation and location of the input pipe that delivers the input signal flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at one of the corners of the cavity is acceptable. More than one pipe can be used, provided that both are interconnected at some point and therefore have the same signal (same pressure).
(309) A CO2 pressure regulate input 511 provides pressurized CO2 in a circuit that is always on (unless a fault causes the CO2 supply to be shut off). A CO2 pressure reset input 510 provides pressurized CO2 in a separate circuit that can be switched on or off independently of the CO2 pressure regulate input 511 if the reset signal is active or inactive respectively. Openings in the CO2 pressure controller device (not shown in
(310) A CO2 pressure lsb low input 513 provides a low-pressure water signal (0) to generate the CO2 pressure lsb (least significant bit). A CO2 pressure lsb high input 514 provides a high-pressure water signal (1) to generate the CO2 pressure lsb. Openings in the CO2 pressure controller device (not shown in
(311) A water pressure input 1 516 and a water pressure input 2 517 are two possible locations for a water pressure input signal to be injected at the opposite side of the water pressure controller cavity 466 with respect to the reference pressure pipe 507. Up or down orientations for the water pressure input pipe are more convenient to save space in the layout but any alternative orientation and location of the input pipe that delivers the input signal flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at one of the corners of the cavity is acceptable. More than one pipe can be used, provided that both are interconnected at some point and therefore have the same signal (same pressure).
(312) A water pressure regulate input 519 provides pressurized water in a circuit that is always on (unless a fault causes the water supply to be shut off). A water pressure reset input 518 provides pressurized water in a separate circuit that can be switched on or off independently of the water pressure regulate input 519 if the reset signal is active or inactive respectively. Openings in the water pressure controller device (not shown in
(313) A water pressure lsb low input 522 and a water pressure msb low input 523 provide a low pressure water signal (0) to generate the water pressure lsb and the water pressure msb (most significant bit) respectively. A water pressure lsb high input 521 and a water pressure msb high input 524 provide a high pressure water signal (1) to generate the water pressure lsb and the water pressure msb respectively. Openings in the water pressure controller device (not shown in
(314) A ground pressure input 527 is injected at the opposite side of the ground pressure controller cavity 476 with respect to the reference pressure pipe 507. Up or down orientations for the ground pressure input pipe are more convenient to save space in the layout but any alternative orientation and location of the input pipe that delivers the input signal flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at one of the corners of the cavity is acceptable. More than one pipe can be used, provided that both are interconnected at some point and therefore have the same signal (same pressure).
(315) A ground pressure regulate input 528 provides pressurized water in a circuit that is always on (unless a fault causes the water supply to be shut off). An opening in the ground pressure controller device (not shown in
(316) A ground pressure lsb low input 531 provides a low-pressure water signal (0) to generate the ground pressure lsb. A ground pressure lsb high input 530 provides a high-pressure water signal (1) to generate the ground pressure lsb. Openings in the ground pressure controller device (not shown in
(317) A signal pressure input 533 is injected at the opposite side of the signal pressure controller cavity 482 with respect to the reference pressure pipe 507. Up or down orientations for the signal pressure input pipe are more convenient to save space in the layout but any alternative orientation and location of the input pipe that delivers the input signal flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at one of the corners of the cavity is acceptable. More than one pipe can be used, provided that both are interconnected at some point and therefore have the same signal (same pressure).
(318) A signal pressure lsb low input 535 and a signal pressure msb low input 536 provide a low pressure water signal (0) to generate the signal lsb and the signal msb respectively. A signal pressure lsb high input 534 and a signal pressure msb high input 537 provide a high pressure water signal (1) to generate the signal lsb and the signal msb respectively. Openings in the signal pressure controller device (not shown in
(319) An actuator mono 1 input bottom 1 540, an actuator mono 1 input bottom 2 541, an actuator mono 1 input top 1 542, an actuator mono 1 input top 2 543 and an actuator mono 1 input top 3 544 are some of possible locations for inputs connected to the bottom and to the top of the actuator mono cavity 492c. Any orientation and location of the input pipes that deliver the input signals flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at the corners of the cavity is acceptable. At least one input must be connected at each side of the cavity for proper functioning of the actuator. In the example represented in
(320) An actuator mono 1 supply 1 545 and an actuator mono 1 supply 2 546 located at the top center of the actuator mono cavity 492c provide two input power signals to the actuator. Two independent lines on the bottom center of the cavity, an actuator mono 1 output 1 547 and an actuator mono 1 output 2 548 can be simultaneously either connected to the respective input power signal on the top or closed depending on the position of the actuator mono normally open (not shown in
(321) An actuator mono 2 input top 1 549 and an actuator mono 2 input side 1 550 are one possible combination of two inputs for the actuator mono cavity 492d, one input connected to the side and one input connected to the top of the cavity. Any orientation and location of the input pipes that deliver the input signals flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at the corners of the cavity is acceptable. At least one input must be connected at each side of the actuator mono cavity 492d for proper functioning of the actuator. In the example represented in
(322) An actuator mono 2 supply 1 551 and an actuator mono 2 supply 2 552 located at the top center of the actuator mono cavity 492d provide two input power signals to the actuator. Two independent lines on the bottom center of the cavity, an actuator mono 2 output 1 553 and an actuator mono 2 output 2 554 can be simultaneously either connected to the respective input power signal on the top or closed depending on the position of the actuator mono normally closed (not shown in
(323) An actuator mono 3 input side 1 555, an actuator mono 3 input side 2 556, an actuator mono 3 input side 3 557 and an actuator mono 3 input side 4 558 are some of possible locations for inputs for the actuator mono cavity 492b connected to the sides of the cavity. Any orientation and location of the input pipes that deliver the input signals flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at the corners of the cavity is acceptable. Layout or design constraints may require that one or more inputs be placed offset from the cavity edges as the case of actuator mono 3 input side 2 556 that is located slightly offset from the edge of the cavity. At least one input must be connected at each side of the cavity for proper functioning of the actuator. In the example in
(324) An actuator mono 3 supply 1 559 and an actuator mono 3 supply 2 560 located at the top center of the actuator mono cavity 492b provide two input power signals to the actuator. Two independent lines on the bottom center of the cavity, an actuator mono 3 output 1 561 and an actuator mono 3 output 2 562 can be alternately either connected to the respective input power signal on the top or closed depending on the position of the actuator mono (not shown in
(325) An actuator mono 4 input top 1 563 and an actuator mono 4 input top 2 564 are one possible viable combination of inputs connected to the top of actuator mono cavity 492a. Any orientation and location of the input pipes that deliver the input signals flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at the corners of the cavity is acceptable. At least one input must be connected at each side of the actuator mono cavity 492a for proper functioning of the actuator. In the example in
(326) An actuator mono 4 supply 1 565 and an actuator mono 4 supply 2 566 located at the top center of the actuator mono cavity 492a provide two input power signals to the actuator. A single actuator mono 4 output 1 567 located at the bottom center of the cavity combines the two inputs actuator mono 4 supply 1 565 and actuator mono 4 supply 2 566 producing a single power output that is a logic function of actuator mono 4 input top 2 564, actuator mono 4 supply 1 565 and an actuator mono 4 supply 2 566.
(327) An actuator dual input top 1 568 and an actuator dual input top 2 569 are one possible viable combination of inputs connected to the top of the actuator dual cavity 499. Any orientation and location of the input pipes that deliver the input signals flushed to the edge of the cavity, preferably arriving at the corners of the cavity is acceptable. At least one input must be connected at each side of the actuator dual cavity 499 for proper functioning of the actuator dual. In the example in
(328) An actuator dual supply top 1 570, an actuator dual supply top 2 571, an actuator dual supply top 3 572 and an actuator dual supply top 4 573 located at the top of the actuator dual cavity 499 provide four input power signals to the actuator. An actuator dual output 1 574 located at the bottom of the cavity combines two inputs above: actuator dual supply top 1 570 and actuator dual supply top 2 571 and an actuator dual output 2 575 located at the bottom of the cavity combines the other two inputs above: actuator dual supply top 3 572 and actuator dual supply top 4 573.
(329)
(330)
(331)
(332) An OR gate 579 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges 580. The OR gate 579 has a set of two OR gate O-rings 581a and 581b and an OR gate rod 582 attached to the center of one of the faces. The OR gate 579 is a device that enables two input signals to command another gate installed in the cavity where the OR gate is installed (see
(333) An AND gate 583 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges with same cross section as the OR gate 579 but longer in the axial direction to accommodate two AND gate sections 585. Each section has four faces that may or may not have a hole creating a pattern of connections. In the first section an AND gate through hole 1 586 connects the front and back faces. In the second section an AND gate through hole 2 587 connects the top and bottom faces and an AND gate side hole 588 connects the front face to the AND gate through hole 2 587. The top and bottom faces remain closed in the first section and the back face remains closed in the second section. An AND gate rubber grid 584 envelops all holes and the main body of the AND gate 583 isolating each hole and each face so that fluid passing through a hole does not leak into other holes.
(334) A SEL gate 589 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges with same cross section as the OR gate 579 and the AND gate 583 but longer in the axial direction to accommodate three SEL gate sections 591. Each section has four faces that may or may not have a hole creating a pattern of connections. In the first section a SEL gate through hole 1 592 connects the front and back faces and a SEL gate side hole 1 593 connects the bottom face to the SEL gate through hole 1 592. In the second section a SEL gate through hole 2 594 connects the top and bottom faces and a SEL gate side hole 2 595 connects the front face to the SEL gate through hole 2 594. The third section repeats the same arrangement of connections of the first section. The top face remains closed in the first and third sections and the back face remains closed in the second section. A SEL gate rubber grid 590 envelops all holes and the main body of the SEL gate 589 isolating each hole and each face so that fluid passing through a hole does not leak into other holes.
(335) A XOR gate 596 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges with same cross section as the OR gate 579, the AND gate 583 and the SEL gate 589 but longer in the axial direction to accommodate four XOR gate sections 598. Each section has four faces that may or may not have a hole creating a pattern of connections. In the first section a XOR gate through hole 1 599 connects the front and back faces. In the second section a XOR gate through hole 2 600 connects the top and bottom faces and a XOR gate side hole 2 601 connects the front face to the XOR gate through hole 2 600. The third section repeats the same arrangement of connections of the first section. The fourth section repeats the same arrangement of connections of the second section. The top and bottom faces remain closed in the first and third sections and the back face remains closed in the second and fourth sections. A XOR gate rubber grid 597 envelops all holes and the main body of the XOR gate 596 isolating each hole and each face so that fluid passing through a hole does not leak into other holes.
(336) A SW gate 602 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges with same cross section as the OR gate 579, the AND gate 583. the SEL gate 589, and the XOR gate 596 but longer in the axial direction to accommodate five SW gate sections 604. Each section has four faces that may or may not have a hole creating a pattern of connections. In the first section a SW gate face hole 1 605 and a SW gate side hole 1 606 connect the top and back faces. In the second section a SW gate through hole 2 607 connects the top and bottom faces and a SW gate side hole 2 608 connects the back face to the SW gate through hole 2 607. The third and fifth sections (odd sections) repeat the same arrangement of connections of the first section. The fourth section (even) repeats the same arrangement of connections of the second section. The front and bottom faces remain closed in the odd sections and the front face remains closed in the even sections. A SW gate rubber grid 603 envelops all holes and the main body of the SW gate 602 isolating each hole and each face so that fluid passing through a hole does not leak into other holes.
(337) A diagnose gate 609 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges with same cross section as the OR gate 579, the AND gate 583, the SEL gate 589, the XOR gate 596 and the SW gate 602 but longer in the axial direction to accommodate twenty one diagnose gate sections 611. Each section has four faces that may or may not have a hole creating a pattern of connections. In the first section a diagnose gate face hole 1 612 and a diagnose gate side hole 1 613 connect the top and back faces. In the second section a diagnose gate through hole 2 614 connects the top and bottom faces and a diagnose gate side hole 2 615 connects the back face to the diagnose gate through hole 2 614. The odd sections repeat the same arrangement of connections of the first section. The even sections repeat the same arrangement of connections of the second section. The front and bottom faces remain closed in the odd sections and the front face remains closed in the even sections. A diagnose gate rubber grid 610 envelops all holes and the main body of the diagnose gate 609 isolating each hole and each face so that fluid passing through a hole does not leak into other holes.
(338) A diagnose gate spring guide 616 attached to each extremity provides support for a spring and works as a stopper to maintain a clearance at the edge of the cavity where the diagnose gate 609 is installed.
(339) The SW gate 602 and the diagnose gate 609 are topologically similar: both have an odd number of sections and the even sections and the odd sections of both components have the same connections. The differences of hole shapes: circular in the diagnose gate 609 and squared in the SW gate 602 and the availability or not of spring guides do not affect the primary function of the component. The SW gate 602 is not used on the first embodiment of the reactor node but as it is shorter it can be drawn in more detail and therefore is used as a better way to illustrate the shape and explain the workings of the diagnose gate 609.
(340)
(341) An AND 1 cavity 617 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a first AND gate. An AND 1 aux 618 connects the cavity to a ground signal. An AND 1 main 619 supplies the main input to the AND gate. An AND 1 input 620 supplies the other logic input to the AND gate. An AND 1 clear 622 is an additional input that is connected to ground and an AND 1 output 621 collects the result.
(342) An AND 2 cavity 623 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a second AND gate that is installed flipped (see
(343) An AND 3 cavity 629 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a third AND gate with an OR gate. An AND 3 aux 630 connects the cavity to a ground signal. An AND 3 main 631 supplies the main input to the OR gate. One among four options: an AND 3 OR input 1 632, an AND 3 OR input 2 633, an AND 3 OR input 3 634 or an AND 3 OR input 4 635 is needed to provide the other logic input to the OR gate. The four options are drawn to indicate all possible locations for the input line that may be chosen depending on the design. The AND 3 main 631 and the selected other logic input for the OR gate (for simplicity assumed to be AND 3 OR input 1 632) produce the output of the OR gate (631632) that is in turn the main input to the AND gate. An AND 3 input 636 supplies the other logic input to the AND gate. An AND 3 clear 638 is an auxiliary input that is connected to ground and an AND 3 output 637 collects the result.
(344) A SEL 1 cavity 639 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a SEL gate with an OR gate. A SEL 1 aux 640 connects the cavity to a ground signal. A SEL 1 main 641 supplies the main input to the OR gate. One among four options: a SEL 1 OR input 1 642, a SEL 1 OR input 2 643, a SEL 1 OR input 3 644 or a SEL 1 OR input 4 645 is needed to provide the other logic input to the OR gate. The four options are drawn to indicate all possible locations for the input line that may be chosen depending on the design. The SEL 1 main 641 and the selected other logic input for the OR gate (for simplicity assumed to be SEL 1 OR input 1 642) produce the output of the OR gate (641642) that is in turn the main input to the SEL gate. A SEL 1 input 1 646 supplies a first input to the SEL gate. A SEL 1 clear 1 648 is a first auxiliary input that is connected to ground and a SEL 1 output 1 647 collects the first output. A SEL 1 input 2 649 supplies a second input to the SEL gate. A SEL 1 clear 2 651 is a second auxiliary input that is connected to ground and a SEL 1 output 2 650 collects the second output.
(345) A XOR cavity 652 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a first XOR gate. A XOR signal 1 653 supplies the first input signal to the XOR gate. A XOR signal 2 654 supplies the second input signal to the XOR gate. A XOR input 1 655 is a first auxiliary input that is connected to high pressure (1), a XOR clear 1 657 is a first auxiliary input that is connected to ground (0) and a XOR output 1 656 collects the first output. A XOR input 2 658 is a second auxiliary input that is connected to high pressure (1), a XOR clear 2 660 is a second auxiliary input that is connected to ground and a XOR output 2 659 collects the second output.
(346) A SEL 2 cavity 661 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a second SEL gate without a logic spring. Applications without spring require complementary signals as inputs but offer some useful possibilities such as a means to implement memory. A SEL 2 main 663 supplies the main input to the SEL gate. A SEL 2 aux 662 supplies the negated main input (662=663) to the SEL gate. A SEL 2 input 1 664 supplies a first input to the SEL gate. A SEL 2 output 1 665 collects the first output. A SEL 2 input 2 666 supplies a second input to the SEL gate. A SEL 2 output 2 667 collects the second output. A SEL 2 output connection 668 is constructed connecting outputs 665 and 667 to produce a combined output 668=665667.
(347) A SW cavity 669 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a SW gate. A SW aux 670 connects the cavity to a ground signal. A SW main 671 supplies the switching signal to the SW gate. A SW input 1 672 supplies the first input to the SW gate. A SW monitor 1 673 and a SW output 1 674 are signals that will be connected or not to the SW input 1 672 depending on the SW main 671. A SW input 2 675 supplies the second input to the SW gate. A SW monitor 2 676 and a SW output 2 677 are signals that will be connected or not to the SW input 2 675 signal depending on the SW main 671.
(348) A depth sensor cavity 678 fitted with the necessary connections has the size to fit a depth detector and a depth sensor (see
(349)
(350) A depth detector 689 is made of a plastic slab with the cross section of a rectangle with gate rounded edges so that it fits perfectly inside the depth sensor cavity 678. A depth detector input guard 691 is a tapering that allows water coming from a depth external water pressure pipe 679 to enter the depth sensor cavity 678 even when the depth detector 689 is at the end of its excursion.
(351) The depth detector 689 has five slots that allow fluids to pass through: 1) a depth lsb high pressure slot 1 692; 2) a depth lsb gnd slot 693; 3) a depth lsb high pressure slot 2 694; 4) a depth msb high pressure slot 695; 5) a depth msb gnd slot 696. A depth detector rubber grid 690 envelops all slots and the main body of the depth detector 689 isolating each slot so that fluid passing through a slot does not leak into other slots.
(352) A depth sensor 688 is made of a flexible plastic bag containing air that has been sealed at one atmospheric pressure. The depth sensor 688 has the same rectangular cross section with gate rounded edges as the depth detector 689 so that both fit perfectly inside the depth sensor cavity 678.
(353)
(354)
(355)
(356) The LFSR assembly 697 implements the function of a linear feedback shift register of seven bits. The LFSR connections 705 provide the necessary paths to conduct signals to the appropriate points in such a way that the inputs of the 2.sup.nd up to the 7.sup.th bits are the values of the previous ones (n=n1) and the input of the 1.sup.st bit is a feedback of the XOR (exclusive or) function of the 6th and the 7.sup.th bit of the shift register (1=6.Math.7). Once initialized to a state of all bits high (1) and driven by a periodic digital clock signal, this device goes through a defined cyclical sequence of 127 states
(357)
(358)
(359) A register gnd rail 726a connected to the LFSR gnd layer provides low pressure water supply to each register cavity 710a, 710b, . . . , 710g passing through each cavity and continuing into the next one until stopping (726g) at register cavity 710g (726a=726g=0). Seven register y clear 731a, . . . , 731g connected to the LFSR gnd layer provide an additional low pressure water supply (731a=0, . . . , 731g=0) to each register cavity 710a, 710b, . . . , 710g. A memory gnd rail 727a connected to the LFSR gnd layer provides low pressure water supply to each of the first 6 memory cavity 711a, 711b, . . . , 711f passing through each cavity and continuing into the next one until 727f stops at memory cavity 711f (727a=727f=0). A lower XOR input 728 connects the bottom of the sixth memory cavity 711f at a twin under connection 742f to the bottom of the seventh memory cavity 711g at a twin under connection 742g (742f=742g). An upper XOR input 729 connects the top of the sixth memory cavity 711f at a twin upper connection 743f to the top of the seventh memory cavity 711g at a twin upper connection 743g (743f=743g).
(360) A (k) clock in msb 719 signal is fed into the zk cavity 707. A (z) zero in msb 720 signal is fed into the mz cavity 706, the zk cavity 707, and zero cavity 709. A (m) master/slave in msb 721 signal is fed into the mz cavity 706. A register signal zk 722, conducts the signal zk=zk from the zk cavity 707 to the zkm cavity 708. A register signal mz 723a conducts the signal mz=mz from the mz cavity 706 to the zkm cavity 708 where it terminates (723b).
(361) A register signal kzm 725a conducts the signal kzm=kzm from the zkm cavity 708 to the memory cavity 711a, continues through each memory cavity, terminating (725f) at memory cavity 711f A register signal kzm 724a that during active states of normal operation of the LFSR assembly is the inverse of the register signal kzm (724=725) conducts the signal kzm=kzm from the zkm cavity 708 to the register cavity 710a (724b), continues through each register cavity until past the register cavity 710g and is available to further use by additional logic (724c).
(362) A (y) unit ready 730a starts at the LFSR high pressure feed 703a, is routed (730b) until register cavity 710a, continues through each register cavity until past the register cavity 710g and is available to further use by additional logic (730c). The LFSR high pressure feed 703a, 703b also provides high pressure water supply to seven register zero set 733a, . . . , 733g connected to the zero cavity 709.
(363) A zero gate 734 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges with same cross section as the OR gate, the AND gate the SEL gate, the XOR gate, and the SW gate but longer in the axial direction to accommodate fifteen zero gate sections 736. Each section has four faces that may or may not have a hole creating a pattern of connections. In the first section a zero gate through hole 737 connects the front and back faces. In the second section a zero gate top hole 738 connects the top and front faces. The odd sections repeat the same arrangement of connections of the first section and the even sections repeat the same arrangement of connections of the second section. The top and bottom faces remain closed in the odd sections and the back and bottom faces remain closed in the even sections. A zero gate rubber grid 735 envelops all holes and the main body of the zero gate 734 isolating each hole and each face so that fluid passing through a hole does not leak into other holes. The zero gate 734 is installed into the zero cavity 709 (see
(364)
(365) A XOR output high 739 is routed into a carry output high 744a (739=744a) and a XOR output low 740 is routed into a carry output low 745a (740=745a). The carry output high 744a and the carry output low 745a feed the first position of the zero cavity 709 and align with a register input high 746a and with a register input low 747a respectively that terminate at the extremities of the first register cavity 710a. A twin under connection 742a at the bottom of the first memory cavity 711a is connected to a carry output high 744b (742a=744b) and a twin upper connection 743a at the top of the first memory cavity 711a is connected to a carry output low 745b (743a=745b). The carry output high 744b and the carry output low 745b feed the second position of the zero cavity 709 and align with a register input high 746b and with a register input low 747b respectively that terminate at the extremities of the second register cavity 710b. The same pattern follows until a twin under connection 742f at the bottom of the sixth memory cavity 711f is connected to a carry output high 744g passing through a lower XOR input loop 741 (742f=741=744g) and a twin upper connection 743f at the top of the sixth memory cavity 711f is connected to a carry output low 745g (743f=745g). The carry output high 744g and the carry output low 745g feed the seventh and last position of the zero cavity 709 and align with a register input high 746g and with a register input low 747g respectively that terminate at the extremities of the seventh register cavity 710g. The upper XOR input 729 connects the upper part of the memory cavity 711g to the upper part of the memory cavity 711f starting at the twin upper connection 743g passing by the twin upper connection 743f and terminating at the carry output low 745g (743f=743g=745g). Similarly, the lower XOR input 728 connects the lower part of the memory cavity 711g to the lower part of the memory cavity 711f starting at the twin under connection 742g, reaching the twin upper connection 743f and continuing through the lower XOR input loop 741 until the carry output high 744g (742f=742g=741=744g).
(366) The connections described in the previous paragraph produce an arrangement in that, when the zero gate placed inside the zero cavity 709 is in the active position (734.Math.1), (see
(367) If 734.Math.1; then 742a=744b=746b; 743a=745b=747b for memory cavity 1 and register cavity 2 and so on until 742f=744g=746g; 743f=745g=747g for memory cavity 6 and register cavity 7. And 739=744a=746a; 740=745a=747a for memory cavity 7 and register cavity 1.
(368)
(369) The memory gate 748 is so constructed that signals going into the front face pass directly to the back face and vice versa. Additionally, a signal that goes into the first or third memory gate sections will be branched down and a signal that goes into the second memory gate section will be branched up.
(370)
(371) The connections described in the previous paragraph produce an arrangement in that the signals coming from register cavity n are routed into the extremities of memory cavity n for n=1 to 7 counted from left to right. This arrangement enables the components inside memory cavity n to be made to move according to the position of the components inside register cavity n.
(372) 755a=757a; 756a=758a for register cavity 1 and memory cavity 1 and so on until 755g=757g; 756g=758g for register cavity 7 and memory cavity 7.
(373)
(374) The register gate low 759 is so constructed that signals going into the front face pass directly to the back face and vice versa with the exception of the fourth register gate low section where a signal going into the back face will be isolated and a signal going into the top face will be routed into the front face. Additionally, a signal that goes into the first or third register gate low sections will be branched down and a signal that goes into the second register gate low section will be branched up.
(375) A register gate high 764 is composed of a body in the shape of a parallelogram with gate rounded edges and five register gate high sections 766 with same cross section as the memory gate. Each section has four faces that may or may not have a hole creating a pattern of connections. The first three sections of the register gate high 764 are identical to the first three sections of the memory gate. In the first section a memory gate through hole down 751c and a memory gate down hole 752c connect the front, the back and the down faces. In the second section a memory gate through hole up 753b and a memory gate up hole 754b connect the front, the back and the top faces. The third section repeats the same arrangement of connections of the first section (to avoid cluttering only memory gate through hole down 751d is indicated in the third section). In the fourth section a register gate through hole 762b connects the front face to the back face and in the fifth section a register gate top hole 763b connects the top face to the front face. A register gate high rubber grid 765 envelops all holes and the main body of the register gate high 764 isolating each hole and each face so that fluid passing through a hole does not leak into other holes.
(376) The register gate high 764 is so constructed that signals going into the front face pass directly to the back face and vice versa with the exception of the fifth register gate high section where a signal going into the back face will be isolated and a signal going into the top face will be routed into the front face. Additionally, a signal that goes into the first or third register gate high sections will be branched down and a signal that goes into the second register gate high section will be branched up.
(377) A unique combination of zero to six register gate low 759 and one to seven register gate high 764 adding up to seven components in total is installed in the seven register cavity (see
(378) Components have not been drawn inside their respective cavities in
(379) In
(380) The 7 bit combination produced by considering a 0 for each register gate low and a 1 for each register gate high installed in each register cavity according to the position from left to right each one that is installed is called an address. A combination of two register gate low 759a and 759b and five register gate high 764c, . . . , 764g, producing the address 0011111 is illustrated in
(381) In
(382)
(383)
(384) To keep the consistency with
(385) The pipe ports A, B, C, and D control pipes: open door pipe 193, open CO2 valve pipe 194, close door pipe (drawn but not indicated to avoid cluttering, see
(386) The control pipes: CO2 sensor main pipe 204, dive control close pipe 206, dive control open pipe 207, pump feed pipe 208 terminate at the node core aux control port left 191 and the control pipes: flag pipe 201, air release open pipe 202, air release close pipe 203, CO2 feed main pipe 205 terminate at the node core aux control port right 192. The pump exhaust pipe 209 discharges the water supplied to the water pump through the pump feed pipe 208 into the water body and does not route into the module assembly. It is drawn for reference.
(387) The CO2 sensor main pipe 204, senses the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body 367 and the CO2 feed main pipe 205 controls the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body 367 by means of injecting additional quantities of CO2 if the CO2 pressure falls below the control target. The CO2 sensor main pipe 204 and the CO2 feed main pipe 205 work for the CO2 body 367 in the same way as the CO2 sensor pipe 199, and CO2 feed pipe 200 work for the CO2 body channels in the pipe ports. During normal operation the CO2 sensor main pipe 204 and the CO2 feed main pipe 205 work together with the CO2 sensor pipe 199, and CO2 feed pipe 200 to regulate the CO2 pressure of the open pipe ports. In the event that all CO2 valves 150A, 150B, 150C, and 150D close the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body 367 remains under control by the CO2 sensor main pipe 204 and the CO2 feed main pipe 205.
(388) The remaining signals arrive through the module external opening 375 that conveys the (x) external pressure and the module ground pipe connector 378 that connects the module assembly to the water body conveys ground signals and allows the module assembly to monitor and control ground pressure in the water body.
(389)
(390) The expansion layer 400, seen in its installed position, is inserted through the expansion case back opening 392 and when necessary removed by inserting a long rod or another suitable tool into the expansion case front opening 391 to push it out. The diagnose port 161, the signal port left 163, and the signal port right 164 that provide connections to external signals are located on the top of the in expansion case 389. As these signals are not yet used in the expansion unit assembly they go straight through the module case 370 and the expansion layer 400 to be available to other units in the module assembly. The expansion feed pipes 212 that come from the i/o unit assembly go through the module case 370 and terminate at expansion layer 400 where they are available for future use.
(391) Also seen on
(392)
(393) The signals coming through the diagnose port 161, the signal port left 163, and the signal port right 164 are routed into the i/o unit assembly 403 as well as the (x) external pressure 213a that provides an external water pressure reference to the i/o unit assembly 403. The (x) external pressure 213b continues into the expansion unit assembly in the middle position of the expansion feed pipes 212 as provision for possible future use.
(394) The module case 370 ensures that the i/o layer a 419, i/o layer b 420, and i/o layer c 421 remain in their installed position inside the i/o case 404. A pair of extractors 430a and 430b is used to help install and remove the i/o unit assembly 403 in the module case 370. The extractor 430a is first inserted into the i/o case extractor hole 408 and then turned 90 degrees 430b to lock it in.
(395)
(396)
(397)
(398)
(399)
(400)
(401)
(402)
(403)
(404)
(405)
(406)
(407)
(408) Detail
(409) A diagnose interface pipe 770 is a pipe of the diagnose connections that begins on the top of the diagnose gate, passes through the i/o unit assembly and the expansion unit assembly and terminates at the top of the module assembly in the diagnose port. A diagnose control pipe 771 is a pipe of the diagnose connections that begins on the front of the diagnose gate and terminates inside the i/o unit assembly. A diagnose logic pipe 772 is a pipe of the diagnose connections that begins on the bottom of the diagnose gate passes through the i/o unit assembly and terminates inside the logic unit assembly. A router pipe 773 is a pipe that goes through the router plate direct 451 or any other router plate installed instead of the router plate direct 451. All diagnose logic pipes 772 are connected to the top of the corresponding router pipes 773. These connections are however not drawn in
(410)
(411) Part of the node core main control port 189, part of the node core aux control port left 191 and the node core aux control port right 192 that together route all signal and control pipes of the node core into the module assembly can be seen on the bottom of the module case 370.
(412)
(413) The signals that arrive at the router plate are: (i) internal water pressure msb 775A, 775B, 775C; 775D; (i) internal water pressure lsb 776A, 776B, 776C, 776D; (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777A, 777B, 777C, 777D, 777e; (O) open door control 778A, 778B, 778C, 778D; (T) vent air control 779; (F) raise flag control 780; (P) stop water pump control 781; (IV) dive control 782.
(414) The signals closest to the edges of a router plate: (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777e, (T) vent air control 779, (F) raise flag control 780, (P) stop water pump control 781, and (IV) dive control 782 are not rerouted and are always forward in the same position they came in. The 16 signals in the center of a router plate marked with a capital letter: A, B, C, or D depending on the pipe port they belong may or may not be rerouted according to the routing plan of each router plate.
(415) The 16 pipe port signals are arranged in a symmetric way with respect to the center line of the router plate: to the left of the center line the first 4 signals belong to pipe port B and the next 4 signals belong to pipe port A making the total of 8 pipe port signals to the left of the center line. To the right of the center line the first 4 signals belong to pipe port C and the next 4 signals belong to pipe port D making the total of 8 pipe port signals to the right of the center line. A pipe port A signal (such as 775A) is placed in a symmetric position to its counterpart in pipe port D (775D) and a pipe port B signal (such as 775B) is placed in a symmetric position to its counterpart in pipe port C (775C). Additionally the pipe port signals at each side: pipe port A and B signals on the left side and pipe port C and D signals on the right side are arranged in a symmetric way with respect to an imaginary line that separates one pipe port from the other at each side. This double symmetry arrangement puts the pipe port signals in the following sequence as seen in
(416) The router plate direct 451 does not re-route pipe port signals and simply forwards all signals in the same position they came in. The router plate direct 451 is one of the 8 available router plates. Also seen in
(417)
(418) As seen on
(419) The 16 signals in the center of a router plate belong to pipe ports and are rerouted or not according to the routing plan of each router plate. All router plates have pipe port signals that originate in the same place at the top and terminate at different places at the bottom according to their routing plan. For convenience, pipe port A and B signals are indicated in router plate CD 453 and pipe port C and D signals are indicated in router plate AB 452. The same positions in other router plates have the same signals. The (i) internal water pressure msb 775A, 775B, 775C; 775D; (i) internal water pressure lsb 776A, 776B, 776C, 776D; (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777A, 777B, 777C, 777D; (O) open door control 778A, 778B, 778C, 778D are indicated for reference to illustrate their double symmetry arrangement.
(420)
(421) A LFSR logic block 783 described in
(422) A pipe port management logic block 787 processes the input signals from each pipe port and produces output signals to open or close each pipe port circumventing eventual faults and rerouting the water culture in the wet reactor according to the assigned priorities defined by the installed router plate (see
(423)
(424)
(425) The depth detector 689 moving against the depth sensor 688 generates the (x) external pressure lsb 684 and the (x) external pressure msb 685 producing a 2 bit digital signal that encodes the current depth of the reactor node. The (x) external pressure lsb 684 is connected to the main input on the left and the (x) external pressure msb 685 is connected to the aux input on the right of the AND gate 583l that is not fitted with a logic spring. This arrangement causes the AND gate 583l to move to the left (as drawn) if the (x) external pressure lsb 684 is low and the (x) external pressure msb 685 is high and to the right if the (x) external pressure lsb 684 is high and the (x) external pressure msb 685 is low. If both the (x) external pressure lsb 684 and the (x) external pressure msb 685 are either low or high, the AND gate 583l remains stationary on its current position. A high pressure supply 792b provides high pressure water into the other logic input of the AND gate 583l and low pressure water is fed by the clear input at the top (not indicated in
(426) In the case of the AND gate 583l the left side is defined as the rest position (0), resulting in the following notation: 583l.Math.0.Math.804=0 and 583l.Math.1.Math.804=1.
(427) The high pressure supply 792a provides high pressure water into the side input of the AND gate 583a. The output of the AND gate 583a is then forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583b and to subsequent AND gates, passing through the AND gate 583c, the AND gate 583d, the AND gate 583e, AND gate 583f, AND gate 583g, and the AND gate 583h forming an AND chain (alarm chain). The main input of the AND gate 583a is connected to the (j) maintenance job 768 and the aux input is connected to the (OV) depth overshoot 804 (output of the AND gate 583l).
(428) If the reactor node goes too deep so that the (OV) depth overshoot 804 is high (1), the AND gate 583a moves to the rest position and, as no logic spring is installed, stays there even after the dive overshoot situation is cleared until the (j) maintenance job 768 signal is high (1). This requires the intervention of a maintenance crew that will then inspect the reactor node for problems since it is not supposed to get to a depth that will cause a dive overshoot situation under normal circumstances (see
(429) Using the symbol as set to 1 and the symbol as reset to 0 (as in a set reset register) by the condition provided to the right of the symbol, the (OV) depth overshoot can be defined as: OVmsbx lsb; OVj.
(430) With the exception of AND gate 583c that is fed with the (g) ground lsb 805 coming from the ground pressure controller device the remaining AND gates located at the beginning of the alarm chain, between AND gate 583b and AND gate 583d are fed with the digitized lsb input signals produced by their respective signal pressure controller devices coming from the i/o unit assembly into their respective main inputs. From left to right the signals supplied into the main inputs of AND gate 583b to AND gate 583d are: (s) status in lsb, (q) query in lsb, (m) master/slave in lsb, (z) zero in lsb, (k) clock in lsb, (g) ground lsb 805, (w) water resupply lsb, (u) air resupply lsb, (v) dive in lsb, (r) reset in lsb 801, (h) help in lsb.
(431) The four AND gates located at the end of the alarm chain (from right to left): AND gate 583h, AND gate 583g, AND gate 583f, and AND gate 583e are used to detect problems in the pipe ports A, B, C, and D respectively (see description in
(432) The (AL) alarm 798 signal is fed into the main input and a (h) help in msb 795a is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583j producing a (H) help control 803 output with the logic function 803=798795a or replacing the numbers for the signal names: H=ALh msb. This is used to produce a daisy chain of the alarm status of the reactor nodes up to the current one.
(433) A (s) status in msb 794 digitized from the (s) status in received from the previous reactor node is fed into the first input and the (h) help in msb 795b digitized from the (h) help in received from the previous reactor node is fed on the second input of the SEL gate 589a. The first and second clear inputs of the SEL gate 589a are not connected allowing the first and second outputs to be joined producing a single output (S) status control 796.
(434) A (q) query in msb 797 digitized from the (q) query in received from the previous reactor node is fed into the first input and the (AL) alarm 798 is fed into the second input of the SEL gate 589b. The first and second clear inputs of the SEL gate 589b are not connected allowing the first and second outputs to be joined producing a single output (Q) query control 799.
(435) The (y) unit ready 730 is fed into the main input and the register signal kzm 724 is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583i producing as output a (TX) transmit signal 793. The (TX) transmit signal 793 is fed into the main inputs of the SEL gate 589a and the SEL gate 589b.
(436) Using the compact notation m/s=1 if the signal (m) master/slave in msb matches the configuration of the reactor node (m=1 if the reactor node is configured as master or m=0 if the reactor node is configured as slave) and m/s=0 otherwise, the logic function produced is: 793=730724 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: TX=yk msbz msbm/s.
(437) The (TX) transmit signal 793 is high (793=1) if the following conditions are simultaneously satisfied: a) m/s=1 (the unit type is correct); b) (z) zero in msb=1 (counting is enabled); c) (y) unit ready=1 (the reactor node address is selected); d) (k) clock in msb=0 (low clock cycle).
(438) If 793=0, the SEL gate 589a and the SEL gate 589b produce as output the chain signals coming from the previous reactor node fed into their first inputs forwarding the messages received. If 793=1, the SEL gate 589a and the SEL gate 589b produce as output the local information fed into the second inputs. The implemented logic functions are: 796=(793794)(793795b); 799=(793797)(793798) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: S=(TXs msb)(TXh msb); Q=(TXq msb)(TXAL).
(439) The reset signal is active low so it has to be tested for leaks to avoid false commands. A (r) reset in msb 800 is fed into the main input and a (r) reset in lsb 801 is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583k producing a (R) reset control 802 output. The AND gate 583k is installed flipped producing: 802=800801 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: R=r msbr lsb.
(440) In case of a leak (r lsb=0) then R=0. If no leak is present (r lsb=1) and the reset signal is not active (r msb=1), then r msb=0 and R=0. If no leak is present (r lsb=1) and the reset signal is active (r msb=0), then r msb=0 and R=1. The (R) reset control is sent to the i/o unit assembly to control the actuator mono normally closed that enables the reset signals inside the reactor node. To regenerate the reset signal to the following reactor node an additional NOT function is required. This is achieved by flipping the actuator mono that produces the (R) reset out that is transmitted producing R out=R=(r msbr lsb) (see
(441) The high pressure supply 792c is fed into the first input and the (x) external pressure lsb 684 is channeled into the second input of the SEL gate 589c that is installed flipped to introduce a NOT function at the main input that is fed with the (x) external pressure msb 685. A (v) dive in msb 806a signal, that is high in case the reactor node is commanded to dive, is supplied into the main input of the SEL gate 589d. The first and second outputs of the SEL gate 589c are forwarded into the first and second inputs of the SEL gate 589d respectively producing a (pl) dive complete 807 in the first output and a (FE) flag enable control 808 in the second output of the SEL gate 589d. The logic functions produced are: 807=806a685; 808=806a684685 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: pl=v msbx msb; FE=v msbx lsbx msb.
(442) The (FE) flag enable control 808 is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583o that is installed flipped introducing a NOT function at its main input that is fed with the (AL) alarm 798. The resulting (F) raise flag control 780 has the logic function 780=798808 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: F=ALFE. The (F) raise flag control 780 is low (the flag remains stowed) if the (AL) alarm 798 is high (798=0) when there is no current active alarm or the (FE) flag enable control 808 is low (808=0) when the flag cannot be safely raised.
(443) The (FE) flag enable control 808 is fed into the main input of the OR gate 579, the (pl) dive complete 807 is fed into the underside input of the OR gate 579 and the high pressure supply 792d is supplied into the side input of the AND gate 583m producing an output (E) dive disable control 809 that disables the movement of the cable winch with the following logic function: 809=(808807)792d=(808807)=(806a684685)(806a685). Replacing the numbers for the signal names: E=FEpl=(v msbx lsbx msb)(v msbx msb).
(444) A different suffix letter is used to differentiate between different relevant points of the same (v) dive in msb 806a, 806b signal that originates in the signal pressure controller device that digitizes the (v) dive in signal in the i/o unit assembly and continues into the logic unit assembly.
(445) The (x) external pressure msb 685 is fed in the main input and the (v) dive in msb 806b is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583n producing as outputs the (IV) dive control 782 and the (T) vent air control 779. The logic function is: 782=779=685806b or replacing the numbers for the signal names: IV=T=x msbv msb.
(446) A routed pipe block 788 shows the arrival points of the signals coming from the router plate installed in the router plate insertion bay. For simplicity the descriptions in
(447)
(448) The (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777A is fed into the main input and the high pressure supply 792b provides high pressure water into the side input of the AND gate 583k. The (i) internal water pressure lsb 776A is fed into the main input and the output of the AND gate 583k is forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583j. The output of the AND gate 583j is tapped out as a ppA alarm 811a and forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583i that is also fed with the (i) internal water pressure msb 775A into the main input producing the output (pp) pipe port status 810Aa. The implemented functions are: 811a=777A776A; 810Aa=777A776A775A or using the signal names: ppA alarm=nA lsbiA lsb; ppA=nA lsbiA lsbiA msb.
(449) The (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777B is fed into the main input and the high pressure supply 792b provides high pressure water into the side input of the AND gate 583l. The (i) internal water pressure lsb 776B is fed into the main input and the output of the AND gate 583l is forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583m. The output of the AND gate 583m is tapped out as a ppB alarm 812 and forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583n that is also fed with the (i) internal water pressure msb 775B into the main input producing the output (pp) pipe port status 810B. The ppB alarm 812 is forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583o that is also fed with the (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777e into the main input producing a ppB alarm.sup.ne 813a. The implemented functions are: 813a=777B776B777e; 810B=777B776B775B or using the signal names: ppB alarm.sup.ne=nB lsbiB lsbne lsb; ppB=nB lsbiB lsbiB msb.
(450) The (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777C is fed into the main input and the high pressure supply 792d provides high pressure water into the side input of the AND gate 583q. The (i) internal water pressure lsb 776C is fed into the main input and the output of the AND gate 583q is forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583p producing the output (pp) pipe port status 810Ca. The implemented function is: 810Ca=777C776C or using the signal names: ppC=nC lsbiC lsb.
(451) The (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb 777D is fed into the main input and the high pressure supply 792d provides high pressure water into the side input of the AND gate 583r. The (i) internal water pressure lsb 776D is fed into the main input and the output of the AND gate 583r is forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583s producing the output (pp) pipe port status 810Da. The implemented function is: 810Da=777D776D or using the signal names: ppD=nD lsbiD lsb.
(452) The (pp) pipe port status 810B is fed into the main input and the (pp) pipe port status 810Aa is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583t that is installed flipped producing an output BA 814. The implemented function is: 814=810B810Aa or using the signal names: BA=ppBppA.
(453) The BA 814 is fed into the main input and the (pp) pipe port status 810Da is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583u producing an output BAD 815. The implemented function is: 815=814810Da or using the signal names BAD=ppBppAppD.
(454) The (pp) pipe port status 810Ca is fed into the main input, the BAD 815 is fed into the first input and the BA 814 is fed into the second input of the SEL gate 589a that has the first and second output joined to produce a single output (O) open door control 778A. The implemented function is: 778A=(810Ca815)(810Ca814) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OA=(ppCppBppAppD)(ppCppBppA).
(455) The (pp) pipe port status 810B is fed into the main input and the (pp) pipe port status 810Da is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583v producing an output BD 816. The implemented function is: 816=810B810Da or using the signal names: BD=ppBppD.
(456) The (pp) pipe port status 810Ca is fed into the main input, the BD 816 is fed into the first input and the (pp) pipe port status 810B is fed into the second input of the SEL gate 589b that has the first and second output joined to produce a single output (O) open door control 778B. The implemented function is: 778B=(810Ca816)(810Ca810B) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OB=(ppCppBppD)(ppCppB).
(457) The (pp) pipe port status 810Ca is fed into the main input and the (pp) pipe port status 810Da is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583w that is installed flipped producing an output CD 817. The implemented function is: 817=810Ca810Da or using the signal names: CD=ppCppD.
(458) The CD 817 is fed into the main input and the (pp) pipe port status 810Ab is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583x producing an output CDA 818. The implemented function is: 818=817810Ab or using the signal names: CDA=ppCppDppA.
(459) The (pp) pipe port status 810B is fed into the main input, the CDA 818 is fed into the first input and the CD 817 is fed into the second input of the SEL gate 589d that has the first and second output joined to produce a single output (O) open door control 778D. The implemented function is: 778D=(810B818)(810B817) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OD=(ppBppCppDppA)(ppBppCppD).
(460) The (pp) pipe port status 810Ca is fed into the main input and the (pp) pipe port status 810Aa is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583y producing an output CA 819. The implemented function is: 819=810Ca810Aa or using the signal names: CA=ppCppA.
(461) The (pp) pipe port status 810B is fed into the main input, the CA 819 is fed into the first input and the (pp) pipe port status 810Ca is fed into the second input of the SEL gate 589c that has the first and second output joined to produce a single output (O) open door control 778C. The implemented function is: 778C=(810B819)(810B810Ca) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OC=(ppBppCppA)(ppBppC).
(462) The high pressure supply 792c provides high pressure water into the side input and the (O) open door control 778C is fed into the main input of the AND gate 583za that is installed flipped introducing a NOT function into the input. The output of the AND gate 583za is forwarded into the side input and the (O) open door control 778D is fed into the main input of the AND gate 583zb that is installed flipped introducing a NOT function into the input. The implemented logic function of the produced (P) stop water pump control 781 is: 781=778C778D or replacing the numbers for the signal names: P=OCOD.
(463) The (i) internal water pressure msb 775C and the (i) internal water pressure msb 775D are not used and terminate at the router plate before reaching the logic circuits. The (T) vent air control 779, the (F) raise flag control 780 and the (IV) dive control 782 signals are indicated to complete the signals in the routed pipe block 788 (indicated in
(464) The high pressure supply 792a provides high pressure water into the side input of the AND gate 583a. The output of the AND gate 583a is then forwarded into the side input of the AND gate 583b and to subsequent AND gates, passing through the AND gate 583c, the AND gate 583d, the AND gate 583e, AND gate 583f, AND gate 583g, and the AND gate 583h forming an AND chain (alarm chain). The main input of the AND gate 583a is connected to the (j) maintenance job 768 and the aux input is connected to the (OV) depth overshoot 804.
(465) The eleven AND gates located at the beginning of the alarm chain, between AND gate 583b and AND gate 583d (from left to right) are fed with the digitized lsb input signals produced by their respective signal pressure controller devices (or ground pressure controller device in the case of AND gate 583c) coming from the i/o unit assembly into their respective main inputs: (s) status in lsb, (q) query in lsb, (m) master/slave in lsb, (z) zero in lsb, (k) clock in lsb, (g) ground lsb 805, (w) water resupply lsb, (u) air resupply lsb, (v) dive in lsb, (r) reset in lsb 801, (h) help in lsb.
(466) The AND gate 583h main input is fed with the ppA alarm 811b. The AND gate 583g main input is fed with the ppB alarm.sup.ne 813b. The AND gate 583f main input is fed with the (pp) pipe port status 810Cb. The AND gate 583e main input is fed with the (pp) pipe port status 810Db.
(467) The resulting alarm function is: AL=OV.sup.s lsb.sup.q lsb.sup.m lsb.sup.z lsb.sup.k lsb.sup.g lsb.sup.w lsb.sup.u lsb.sup.v lsb.sup.r lsb.sup.h lsb.sup.(nA lsb.sup.iA lsb).sup.(nB lsb.sup.iB lsb.sup.ne lsb).sup.(nC lsb.sup.iC lsb).sup.(nD lsb.sup.iD lsb).
(468) The alarm function produces AL=1 in case no fault is present and AL=0 if a leak is present in any input signal (the corresponding lsb signal is low), the ground pressure is too high or if any pipe port has a problem.
(469)
(470)
(471) Four pipe elements 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d are drawn connected by joints. The pipe elements 100a and 100b are connected by the 90 degrees joint 127. The pipe element 100a is fixated to the 90 degrees joint 127 by the pipe tie 110a and the pipe element 100b is fixated to the 90 degrees joint 127 by the pipe tie 110b. The cutout shows the fixation of the inner pipe 103a of the pipe element 100a to the inner guide 116a of the 90 degrees joint 127 by the inner tie 107a.
(472) The pipe element 100b is fixated to the 180 degrees joint 132 by the pipe tie 110c and the pipe element 100c is fixated to the 180 degrees joint 132 by the pipe tie 110d. The cutout shows the fixation of the inner pipe 103b of the pipe element 100b to the inner guide 116b of the 180 degrees joint 132 by the inner tie 107b. The pipe element 100c is fixated to the straight joint 113 by the pipe tie 110e and the pipe element 100d is fixated to the straight joint 113 by the pipe tie 110f. The cutout shows the fixation of the inner pipe 103c of the pipe element 100c to the inner guide 116c of the straight joint 113 by the inner tie 107c.
(473)
(474) The reactor node 214 is drawn with only pipe port 125B and pipe port 125C visible. The pipe port 125C has no pipe element attached to it so the position of the pipe port 125C and the inner guide 116C can be clearly visible. The pipe element 100 is fixated to the pipe port 125B by a pipe tie 110 and the inner pipe 103 is fixated to the inner guide 116B by an inner tie 107. All pipe elements are fixated to the pipe ports of the reactor nodes that way.
(475)
(476) A short pipe element 106a that has the same cross section as a regular pipe element but a much shorter length so that adjacent reactor nodes stay near is shown connected to the reactor node 214b. The pipe elements and short pipe elements interconnect the reactor nodes creating multiple paths between two reactor nodes. The pipe element 100a connects reactor node 214a to reactor node 214b and the pipe element 100b connects reactor node 214b to reactor node 214c creating one path from reactor node 214a to reactor node 214c over reactor node 214b. A second path is provided by the short pipe element 106b that connects reactor node 214a to reactor node 214c directly.
(477) Similarly, the pipe element 100c connects reactor node 214c to reactor node 214d and the pipe element 100d connects reactor node 214c to reactor node 214d creating one path from reactor node 214c to reactor node 214e over reactor node 214d. A second path is provided by the short pipe element 106d that connects reactor node 214c to reactor node 214e directly.
(478) The pipe element 100e connects reactor node 214e to reactor node 214f, the short pipe element 106c connects reactor node 214b to reactor node 214d, the short pipe element 106e connects reactor node 214d to reactor node 214f, and the short pipe element 106f connects reactor node 214e to the next reactor node and so on. This creates a structure where water flows from one reactor node to the next over the long path provided by the pipe elements and in the event that a leak occurs in the long path an alternative path can be found using one or more short pipe elements to keep the reactor operating. In case a leak is detected the affected reactor node takes appropriate action closing the pipe port where the leak was detected and opening another pipe port to allow operation to continue and raising the flag 307 to facilitate the localization of the problem by the maintenance crews.
(479) Detail
(480) Detail
(481) Detail
(482) Detail
(483)
(484) The pipe ports that have not been disabled (A, B, and C) are equipped with the standard components: the door plugs 137A, 137B, and 137C, the doors 139A, 139B, and 139C, and the door springs, the CO2 valve plugs 148A, 148B, and 148C, the CO2 valves 150A, 150B, and 150C, and the CO2 valve springs.
(485) The disabled pipe port D is equipped with a door stub 146 that replaces the door plug, the door, and the door springs and a CO2 valve stub 159 that replaces the CO2 valve plug, the CO2 valve, and the CO2 valve springs. The door stub 146 has a door stub O-ring 147 similar to the door plug O-ring in the door plug to help seal the door cavity. The CO2 valve stub 159 has a CO2 valve stub O-ring 160 similar to the CO2 valve plug O-ring in the CO2 valve plug that help seal the CO2 valve cavity. The CO2 valve stub 159 is also used to isolate sections of the wet reactor to allow the CO2 pressure to be controlled at different levels at each section to cope with algae growth resulting in different CO2 consumption levels along the reactor.
(486) Additionally to disable the pipe port D, some components assigned to pipe port D need to be replaced in the in the i/o unit assembly. A CO2 pressure stub 822 replaces the D CO2 pressure controller device to prevent CO2 from escaping into the environment through the CO2 sensor pipe 199D or the CO2 feed pipe 200D. A water pressure stub 823 replaces the D water pressure controller device to prevent water from escaping into the environment through the water sensor pipe 197D or the water feed pipe 198D. An actuator dual stub 824 replaces the actuator dual that controls the door and the CO2 valve in pipe port D to prevent water from escaping through the open door pipe 193D, the open CO2 valve pipe 194D, the close door pipe 195D and the close CO2 valve pipe 196D.
(487) Another pipe port (provided that the two pipe ports are not both inputs nor both outputs) can be disabled by replacing the corresponding components as explained in the two paragraphs above.
(488)
(489) The diagnose device 825 is composed of a diagnose device body 826, a diagnose connector 827, a diagnose band 828, a diagnose high pressure supply hose 829, and a diagnose ground supply hose 830. The diagnose device body 826 is a portable battery operated device similar to a notepad that houses all components necessary to implement its functionalities and an LCD touch screen display to show information and receive inputs from the user. The diagnose connector 827 attaches to the diagnose port in the module assembly 369 and is connected to the diagnose device body 826 by the diagnose band 828 that is composed of 22 individual flexible hoses binded together. The diagnose high pressure supply hose 829 attaches to the high pressure water supply (using either the (w) water resupply right 166 or the (W) water resupply left 178) to provide hydraulic power and the diagnose ground supply hose 830 attaches to the (gnd) ground 180 to close the hydraulic circuit.
(490) An air supply hose 832 attaches the air powered tool 831 to the compressed air (using either the (u) air resupply right 165 or the (U) air resupply left 177). Air powered tools are the ideal tools to be used at sea to facilitate the work of the maintenance crews: they are smaller, lighter and do not pose the threat of short circuits as their electric counterparts. The air supply hose 832 can also be used to supply air to a diver, supply air to fill a buoyance bag to prevent hardware from sinking and other uses.
(491)
(492)
(493)
(494) The floating structure 843 provides space, support and floatability to hold the other equipment. The CO2 extraction unit 835 contains the equipment that extracts CO2 and O2 from the sea water. The CO2 storage unit 834 and the O2 storage unit 837 provides space to store the CO2 and the O2 extracted as primary and secondary products of the CO2 extraction unit 835. The control and materials storage room 836 provides a space to store spare parts and consumables and working space to support the maintenance crew. The control and materials storage room 836 also houses the monitoring system, the computer and other hardware responsible for the control and monitoring of the reactor. The engine room 838 contains the engine and electric generator that provides power to drive the equipment in the barge assembly 833 and in the reactor. The fuel storage unit 839 provides storage to the fuel used by the engine. The pump room 840 contains the pumps that provide pressurized water and pressurized air. The algae separation unit 841 is used to separate the produced algae from the water culture into a concentrated slurry that is stored into the algae storage unit 842.
(495)
(496) A reactor node in configuration 1 844 is configured to connect pipe port B to pipe port C in the first priority (direct flow) creating a 180 degree turn that can be bypassed from the right or to the left. A reactor node in configuration 5 848 is configured to connect pipe port C to pipe port B in the first priority (reverse flow) creating a 180 degree turn that can be bypassed from the left or to the right. Most of the reactor nodes in the unit farm 862 are configured as reactor node in configuration 1 844 or reactor node in configuration 5 848 to construct zig zag shaped paths that go from one reactor node to the next and come back covering as much surface as possible. The remaining reactor nodes are configured in one of the remaining configurations to implement other connections with specific functions such as a spare connection to the barge assembly, a bypass to a section or group of sections, etc. Some reactor nodes may be installed with a pipe port disabled to implement the planned paths.
(497) A reactor node in configuration 2 845 is configured to connect pipe port A to pipe port C in the first priority (direct flow) and is useful to create 90 degree curves to the left that can be bypassed ahead or from a 180 degrees turn. A reactor node configuration 6 849 is configured to connect pipe port D to pipe port B in the first priority (reverse flow) and is useful to create 90 degree curves to the right that can be bypassed ahead or from a 180 degrees turn. A reactor node in configuration 3 846 is configured to connect pipe port B to pipe port D in the first priority (direct flow) and is useful to create 90 degree curves to the left that can be bypassed from the right or to turn 180 degrees. A reactor node in configuration 7 850 is configured to connect pipe port C to pipe port A in the first priority (reverse flow) and is useful to create 90 degree curves to the right that can be bypassed from the left or to turn 180 degrees. A reactor node in configuration 4 847 is configured to connect pipe port A to pipe port D in the first priority (direct flow) and is useful to create straight lines that can be bypassed from or to the left. A reactor node in configuration 8 851 is configured to connect pipe port D to pipe port A in the first priority (reverse flow) and is useful to create straight lines that can be bypassed from or to the right.
(498)
(499)
(500) The circumvention of faults is done when a reactor node detects a leak in one of its pipe ports and reacts opening an alternative path. The reactor node switching BC to BD 852a reacts to a pipe element leaking 859a detected in its output pipe port C and opens stand by pipe ports D. A reactor node switching BC to AD 854 detects the normal pressure in the input pipe port A but it cannot open pipe port C due to another pipe element leaking 859b detected so it opens the pipe port D. A reactor node switching BC to AC 853a detects the normal pressure in the input pipe port A and opens its pipe port C. A reactor node disabled 855a, 855b has detected a leak in its input pipe port and does not participate in the construction of the alternative path. Further explanation of leak detection and fault circumvention by means of alternative paths is done in the operation section of this document.
(501)
(502)
(503)
(504)
(505)
(506) The sea water intake filter 876 takes sea water from a sea water intake 893 filters a large portion of it and returns the rest out to a sea water flush 894 to carry living organisms and unwanted debris or suspended material. The incoming filtered sea water is supplied preheated to the water degasifier 877 by three different paths: 1) through heat exchanger 1 886 entering from a cold water intake heat exchanger 1 895 and exiting to the water degasifier 877 by a hot water exit heat exchanger 1 896; 2) through heat exchanger 3 888 entering from a cold water intake heat exchanger 3 897 and exiting to the water degasifier 877 by a hot water exit heat exchanger 3 898; 3) through heat exchanger 4 889 entering from a cold water intake heat exchanger 4 899 and exiting to the water degasifier 877 by a hot water exit heat exchanger 4 900. The volume flowing on each path is adjusted to recover the available heat at the corresponding heat exchangers monitoring the temperature at the hot water exit of each heat exchanger.
(507) The sea water at the water degasifier 877 circulates through the heat exchanger 5 890 passing through a cold water intake heat exchanger 5 905 and returning from a hot water exit heat exchanger 5 906. In the heat exchanger 5 890 the sea water is further heated exchanging heat with the exhaust gases coming from the engine 880 through a hot gas intake heat exchanger 5 903 and leaving through a cold gas exit heat exchanger 5 904. If necessary, an extra heat source 885 provides additional energy to heat the sea water to a point that causes the dissolved gases to boil off and leave the water degasifier 877 through a boil off gas pipe 907 joining the engine exhaust gases that have been cooled in the heat exchanger 5 890 and continuing through a hot gas intake heat exchanger 3 908 to the heat exchanger 3 888.
(508) The heat exchanger 1 886 and the heat exchanger 2 887 are part of the oxygen extractor 884 designed to remove excess oxygen from the reactor water culture to prevent oxygen induced growth impairment of the algae culture. The water culture containing oxygen comes from the reactor from a cold intake heat exchanger 2 923 passes through the heat exchanger 2 887 where it exchanges heat with the hot sea water that has had its dissolved gases removed and is being discharged from the water degasifier 877 by a hot water intake heat exchanger 2 912. The temperature of the water culture increases causing the dissolved gases rich in oxygen to boil off and be removed from the oxygen extractor 884 by a boil off oxygen pipe 926 to be stored or used elsewhere. At the same time the temperature of the discarded sea water decreases to as close to ambient as possible to avoid wasting energy and allow the discarded sea water to be safely returned to the ocean. The water culture leaving the heat exchanger 2 887 continues into a hot link of heat exchanger 2 and 1 924, passes through the heat exchanger 1 886 exchanging heat with the incoming filtered sea water coming from the cold water intake heat exchanger 1 895. The reactor culture water is cooled back to near ambient temperature so it can be returned to the reactor by a cold exit heat exchanger 1 925 and the incoming filtered sea water is pre heated and goes into the water degasifier 877 through the hot water exit heat exchanger 1 896.
(509) The incoming filtered sea water that passes through the heat exchanger 4 889 exchanges heat with the coolant water of the engine 880 that comes from a hot water intake heat exchanger 4 901 and returns to the engine 880 by a cold water exit heat exchanger 4 902. This recovers waste heat from the engine to preheat the incoming sea water before it reaches the water degasifier 877 and keeps the engine 880 cooled to its operational temperature.
(510) The incoming filtered sea water that passes through the heat exchanger 3 888 exchanges heat with the exhaust gases of the engine combined with the boiled off sea water gases coming from the hot gas intake heat exchanger 3 908. The temperature of the gases reduces causing the water vapor contained in the engine exhaust gas to condensate and be removed by a condensate drain heat exchanger 3 910 going to the condensed water cleaner 878 that removes contaminants so the condensed water can be safely discarded into the ambient. A cleaner exit 911 takes the cleaned condensed water to join the discarded sea water that has been cooled and left the heat exchanger 2 887 through a cold water exit heat exchanger 2 913. A water intake aerator 914 takes the discarded water into the discharge water aerator 879 where oxygen enriched air 915 extracted from the reactor culture water is injected to make it safe for sea life so it can be returned to the environment by a aerated water discharge 916.
(511) The combined engine exhaust gases and boiled off sea water gases leave the heat exchanger 3 888 cooled to near ambient temperature and continue through a cold gas exit heat exchanger 3 909 into the vaporizer 881 where they pass through the vaporizer heat exchanger 892. The heat exchange causes solid CO2 stored in the vaporizer 881 to sublimate and the exhaust and boiled off gases to be cooled to below ambient temperature. The gaseous CO2 is removed from the vaporizer 881 and sent to the reactor through a gaseous CO2 supply to reactor 922. The exhaust and boiled off gases continue through a hot gas intake heat exchanger 6 917 to the heat exchanger 6 891 where they exchange heat with the depleted CO2 gases that come from the CO2 separator 883 through a cold gas intake heat exchanger 6 919 at nearly 32 C., the deposition temperature of CO2. The depleted CO2 gases are heated and discarded to the atmosphere by a hot gas exit heat exchanger 6 920 and the exhaust and boiled off gases are precooled to near 32 C. and go through a cold gas exit heat exchanger 6 918 into the CO2 extractor 882. As the input exhaust and boiled off gases have been precooled the CO2 extractor 882 is able to operate and reach the deposition temperature of the CO2 using less energy. As CO2 deposits, it is collected by the CO2 separator 883 and a solid CO2 supply to vaporizer 921 takes it to the vaporizer 881.
(512)
(513) A culture from reactor 934 is divided in the flow divider 927 in two parts: a culture to diluter 935 that is sent to the culture diluter 928 to be diluted and a culture to separator 936 that is sent to the algae separator 929 that separates a water culture phase 930 from an algae slurry phase 931. The algae slurry phase 931 is sent through an algae slurry conduct 937 to the algae storage unit 932 where it remains until the service boat comes to collect it.
(514) The water culture phase 930 is sent to the oxygen extractor 884 through the cold intake heat exchanger 2 923. The removed oxygen is sent through the boil off oxygen pipe 926 to the discharge water aerator that injects air enriched with oxygen into the discharged sea water to make it safe for marine life. The water coming from the oxygen extractor 884 through the cold exit heat exchanger 1 925 goes to the flow splitter 933 that separates it into two parts: water to diluter 938 and water to add nutrients 940. The water to diluter 938 is mixed in the culture diluter 928 with the culture to diluter 935 received from the flow divider 927 producing a diluted water to reactor 939 that is sent to restock the reactor. The water to add nutrients 940 is mixed with nutrients 941 producing an enriched water 942 that is sent to the compressor to power the reactor and disperse the nutrients.
(515)
(516) The algae separator 929 is composed of a separator case 943, a concentrator 944, and a helical pusher 945. The separator case 943 provides support for the other components and containment for the water culture being processed. The helical pusher 945 has a helical axis 946 that allows it to rotate supported by an entry support 947 and an exit support 948 attached to the separator case 943. As the helical pusher 945 rotates it scrapes algae from the interior surface of the concentrator and forces water culture coming through a slurry entry 949 into an ever reducing volume pressing the culture against the concentrator 944 that is made of a porous metal sheet that has openings small enough that water is allowed through but not the microalgae. As more and more water is forced out and collected in a water exit 951 the culture is progressively concentrated into an algae slurry that eventually exits at a slurry exit 950.
(517)
(518) Each local computer 953a, 953b, 953c, etc. is connected to its respective local antenna 955a, 955b, 955c, etc. that allows information from the unit farm where the local computer is located to be exchanged with a central computer 952 connected to a central antenna 954 over a satellite link 956. The central computer 952 collects information from all unit farms that are under its responsibility, generates trouble tickets for the maintenance crews, sends commands to the unit farms, for example commanding a dive in case of incoming storm, produces reports for evaluation of the operation by the management, and other functions.
(519) The local computer 953a is connected to its interfaces 958a, 958b, by a data link 957 that can use a cable or wireless connection. The interfaces 958a, 958b are equipped in sufficient quantity to provide the necessary number of input and output ports to perform all needed functions. The interfaces 958a, 958b are connected to an input bus 959 composed of a series of input lines 960 each one connected to an analog to digital converter 961 that collects the digital input signals. The interfaces 958a, 958b are also connected to a twin output bus 962a, 962b composed of a series of pairs of output lines 963a, 963b, each one connected to a solenoid valve 964a, 964b.
(520) A set of long hoses 969a, 969b, etc. equipped with quick release fittings 971a, 971b, etc. each one connected to a corresponding auto lock fitting 970a, 970b, etc. that stop fluid flow in case of excess flow caused by a leak or when not attached to a hose, convey the input and output signals. The input signals come from the reactor to the corresponding analog to digital converter 961. The output signal is produced by the solenoid valve pair 964a and 964b working in opposition so that when one valve is open the other one is closed. The solenoid valve 964a allows water from a hi pressure vessel 965 to flow through a short hose 967a and reach a T joint 968, and the solenoid valve 964b allows water coming from the T joint 968 to go into a low pressure sink 966 through a short hose 967b. At any time, either a high-pressure water supply or a low-pressure water sink is available at the T joint 968 providing the intended control signal to its corresponding point in the reactor.
(521) The local computer 953a also issues commands and collects relevant information from other equipment such as the engine, CO2 extraction unit, etc. using electric connections to control and monitor all operation in the unit farm, keep things running smoothly and reporting problems to the central computer 952.
(522)
(523) A remote interface 972 deals with the signals coming into or going out of each reactor node. The analog input signals entering the remote interface 972 are digitized by components inside the i/o unit assembly producing their correspondent digital versions that may be a single bit signal or a 2 bit signal depending on the case. A local interface 973 deals with signals that occur locally at the reactor node, digitizing the analog signals into one or two bit signals depending on the case and producing internal control signals. The logic components in the logic unit assembly process the digital signals from the local interface and from the remote interface and generate low power digital control signals to operate the reactor node and perform the necessary actions such as open or close doors, raise the flag, etc. The low power digital output signals are then used to command power actuators in the i/o unit assembly to produce the analog output signals that actually control the reactor node and the signals that are transmitted out by the remote interface 972.
(524) All signals shown in
(525) Table 4 lists all signals described in this document and their logic functions for a complete concise reference. In Table 4, the symbol S identifies a Service Signal that is accessible or produced by service teams. The symbol=means the signal mentioned in the table row is interconnected to the signal listed on the right. The symbol .fwdarw. means the analog input signal is digitized into the digital input signal(s) on the right of the symbol. The symbol means the analog output mentioned in the table row is produced by the digital signal on the right of the symbol. The expression (4) A B C D indicates that a version of the signal mentioned in the table row is available for each pipe port. The expression (5) A B C D e indicates that a version of the signal is available for each pipe port and the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body (e). The expression m/s is high (m/s=1) if the signal (m) master/slave in msb matches the configuration of the reactor node (m=1 if the reactor node is configured as master; or m=0 if the reactor node is configured as slave) or low (m/s=0) otherwise. The symbol means set to 1 and the symbol J means reset to 0 by the condition provided on the right of the symbol.
(526) Signals resulting from the digitalization of an analog input signal in the i/o unit assembly (see
(527) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 4 List of signals # Signal Name Remarks 165 (u) air resupply right S; = 177; .fwdarw. (u) air resupply msb; (u) air resupply lsb 166 (w) water resupply right S; = 178; .fwdarw. (w) water resupply msb; (w) water resupply lsb 176 (l) CO2 resupply right S; = 188; .fwdarw. (l) CO2 resupply msb; (l) CO2 resupply lsb 177 (U) air resupply left S; = 165 178 (W) water resupply left S; = 166 180 (gnd) ground S; .fwdarw. (g) ground lsb 805 188 (L) CO2 resupply left S; = 176 768 (j) maintenance job S 170 (v) dive in .fwdarw. (v) dive in msb 806; (v) dive in lsb 172 (r) reset in .fwdarw. (r) reset in msb 800; (r) reset in lsb 801 174 (h) help in .fwdarw. (h) help in msb 795; (h) help in lsb 179 (k) clock in .fwdarw. (k) clock in msb 719; (k) clock in lsb 181 (z) zero in .fwdarw. (z) zero in msb 720; (z) zero in lsb 183 (m) master/slave in .fwdarw. (m) master/slave in msb 721; (m) master/slave in lsb 185 (q) query in .fwdarw. (q) query in msb 797; (q) query in lsb 187 (s) status in .fwdarw. (s) status in msb 794; (s) status in lsb 213 (x) external pressure .fwdarw. (x) external pressure msb 685; (x) external pressure lsb 684 167 (K) clock out (k) clock in msb 719; K out = k msb 168 (Y) unit ready out (y) unit ready 730; Y out = y 169 (Z) zero out (z) zero in msb 720; Z out = z msb 171 (M) master/slave out (m) master/slave in msb 721; M out = m msb 173 (Q) query out (Q) query control 799; Q out = (TX q msb) (TX AL) 175 (S) status out (S) status control 796; S out = (TX s msb) (TX h msb) 182 (V) dive out (v) dive in msb 806; V out = v msb 184 (R) reset out NOT (R) reset control 802; R out = R = (r msb r lsb) 186 (H) help out (H) help control 803; H out = AL h msb 722 register signal zk zk = z msb k msb 723 register signal mz mz = m/s z msb 724 register signal kzm kzm = k msb z msb m/s 725 register signal kzm kzm = k msb z msb m/s 775 (i) internal water pressure msb (4x) A B C D (iA msb, iB msb, iC msb, iD msb) 776 (i) internal water pressure lsb (4x) A B C D (iA lsb, iB lsb, iC lsb, iD lsb) 777 (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb (5x) A B C D e (nA lsb, nB lsb, nC lsb, nD lsb, ne lsb) 778A (O) open door control A OA = (ppC ppB ppA ppD) (ppC ppB ppA) 778B (O) open door control B OB = (ppC ppB ppD) (ppC ppB) 778C (O) open door control C OC = (ppB ppC ppA) (ppB ppC) 778D (O) open door control D OD = (ppB ppC ppD ppA) (ppB ppC ppD) 779 (T) vent air control T = x msb v msb 780 (F) raise flag control F = AL FE; LF = F (lower flag commands the flag) 781 (P) stop water pump control P = OC OD; RP = P (run pump commands the water pump) 782 (IV) dive control IV = x msb v msb (controls dive direction) 793 (TX) transmit signal TX = y k msb z msb m/s 798 (AL) alarm AL = OV {circumflex over ()} s lsb {circumflex over ()} q lsb {circumflex over ()} m lsb {circumflex over ()} z lsb {circumflex over ()} k lsb {circumflex over ()} g lsb {circumflex over ()} w lsb {circumflex over ()} u lsb {circumflex over ()} v lsb {circumflex over ()} r lsb {circumflex over ()} h lsb {circumflex over ()} (nA lsb {circumflex over ()} iA lsb) {circumflex over ()} (nB lsb {circumflex over ()} iB lsb {circumflex over ()} ne lsb) {circumflex over ()} (nC lsb {circumflex over ()} iC lsb) {circumflex over ()} (nD lsb {circumflex over ()} iD lsb) 802 (R) reset control R = r msb r lsb (controls internal reset) 804 (OV) depth overshoot OV x msb x lsb; OV j 807 (pl) dive complete pl = v msb x msb 808 (FE) flag enable control FE = v msb x lsb x msb 809 (E) dive disable control E = FE pl (disables cable winch rotation and depth change) 810A (pp) pipe port status A ppA = nA lsb iA lsb iA msb 810B (pp) pipe port status B ppB = nB lsb iB lsb iB msb 810C (pp) pipe port status C ppC = nC lsb iC lsb 810D (pp) pipe port status D ppD = nD lsb iD lsb 811 ppA alarm ppA alarm = nA lsb iA lsb 812 ppB alarm ppB alarm = nB lsb iB lsb 813 ppB alarm {circumflex over ()} ne ppB alarm {circumflex over ()} ne = nB lsb iB lsb ne lsb 814 BA BA = ppB ppA 815 BAD BAD = ppB ppA ppD 816 BD BD = ppB ppD 817 CD CD = ppC ppD 818 CDA CDA = ppC ppD ppA 819 CA CA = ppC ppA
(528)
(529)
(530) However, as each reactor node uses both types of signals to build up its internal high pressure water supply that regenerates the left to right and the right to left signals, a mean pressure 980 is produced at each node allowing for smaller pressure fluctuations and producing regenerated signals that can travel further than unregenerated signals could.
(531) The lower portion of the graphic in
(532) The values of the (g) ground lsb signal are next to the water pressure axis on the left. If the ground pressure is within the internal working pressure range inside the pipe elements, the ground pressure controller device produces g lsb=1 indicating normal operation. If the ground pressure is higher than the internal working pressure range inside the pipe elements, the ground pressure controller device produces g lsb=0. If g lsb=0, the (AL) alarm becomes low (AL=0) signaling a problem caused by the too high ground pressure value.
(533)
OPERATIONFIRST EMBODIMENT
(534) The wet reactor is assembled using the necessary number of reactor nodes, pipe elements, straight joints, 90 degrees joints, and 180 degrees joints properly connected. The wet reactor is then connected to the barge assembly to create a unit farm (see
(535) Each reactor node is equipped with a module assembly properly configured to match the position its reactor node occupies allowing the wet reactor to operate as intended.
(536)
(537) The module assembly is installed preconfigured in its reactor node and can later be replaced if necessary by maintenance crews. The i/o unit assembly has nine possible configurations: a standard configuration with all pipe ports used, four configurations with one pipe port not equipped (pipe port A, B, C, or D cancelled with stubs) and four configurations with two pipe ports not equipped (pipe ports AD, AC, BC or BD cancelled with stubs). Pre-assembled and pretested units can be kept in inventory as a major part for installation in a new module assembly in a simplified production line and kept in reserve as spares for replacement of faulty units detected on the field.
(538) Differently from the i/o unit assembly that has a reduced number (9) of possible configuration, the logic unit assembly can have multiple configurations and is in fact tailored for each individual reactor node on a particular wet reactor. Configuring the unit is simple and does not require changing structural components. The different configurations are implemented varying eight components that are a subset of the logic components to produce a unique 7+1 bit address for each unit (resulting in 127 possible addresses in two modes or 254 possible configurations) and selecting one out of the 8 available router plates to install in the router plate insertion bay. As a result, to be used as a single specific part for installation in a new module assembly in a simplified production line, pre-assembled and pretested units need to be properly identified and linked to a particular module assembly that will be installed on a particular reactor node. As each unit has its own unique configuration, it is not practical to have pre-assembled spares in reserve. Instead, it is better to keep a set of components in stock that can be used to build units in any one of the 2548=2032 possible configurations to replace faulty units detected on the field replicating their specific configuration.
(539) The possibility of replacing a complete module assembly facilitates the work of maintenance crews that can prepare a spare module assembly to replace a faulty one installed in a working reactor node at sea. The spare unit can be prepared and tested in a controlled environment for example inside a workshop or an adequate room in a maintenance boat avoiding unnecessary difficulties of working with small parts while subjected to wave movement, water spray and dirt or other contaminants that might get into undesired places unnoticed and later affect the proper functioning of the unit. Once at the site, the maintenance crew remove only the R-clips that secure the module assembly to the node core but not the ones that keep the module assembly closed (the R-clips that keep the expansion unit assembly and the module case together) and then swap the faulty unit by the new one and reinstall the R-clips that have been removed. This possibility of a simple, quick swap of a faulty module assembly by a new pretested one simplifies and expedites the maintenance work, reducing down time and the risk of accidents by reducing the time the maintenance crew needs to be at sea and the complexity of the tasks that need to be performed under hazardous conditions. All these factors in turn contribute to reduce operational costs.
(540) Some or all reactor nodes may be connected to an anchor assembly to secure the wet reactor in place and allow it to be lowered to a safe depth if necessary (see
(541) The anchor assembly is lowered to the sea floor full of water so that it will sink to the bottom and be driven into the bottom soil a few centimeters by its own wait or by means of external assistance. Once the anchor assembly is at the bottom, water is pumped out through the anchor valve 286 reducing the pressure inside the anchor body causing the anchor assembly to be further driven into the sea floor by the sea hydrostatic pressure. Once the anchor assembly is in place, the anchor valve is closed and any attempt to raise the anchor assembly will cause the pressure inside the anchor body to reduce and the sea water hydrostatic pressure will generate a strong force opposing the movement. This type of anchor is suited for a sea floor made of sand or silt and is able to provide a fixed and very strong anchor point. For sea floors of different constitution, other anchor types need to be used.
(542)
(543) The water culture is fully contained inside the wet reactor. In case a pipe element is damaged causing a leak, the affected reactor nodes are able to detect the problem and isolate the faulty unit from the rest of the wet reactor.
(544) The detection of a leak is done by monitoring the pressure of the water culture and the CO2 in each pipe port. The water sensor pipe 197 conducts water from the near edge of the water body channel 366 to the module assembly so the water pressure in the water body channel can be controlled and water leaks detected. The water feed pipe 198 supplies water into the water body channel allowing the control devices inside the module assembly to control the water pressure if no leak is detected.
(545) The CO2 sensor pipe 199 conducts CO2 from the near edge of the CO2 body channel 368 to the module assembly so the CO2 pressure in the CO2 body channel can be controlled and leaks detected. The CO2 feed pipe supplies CO2 into the CO2 body channel allowing the control devices inside the module assembly to control the CO2 pressure if no leak is detected (see
(546) If a water culture or CO2 leak is detected in a pipe port, its corresponding door 139 and CO2 valve 150 are closed. The control of the door and the CO2 valve that closes a pipe port is done by its corresponding actuator dual inside the i/o unit assembly commanded by a control signal produced in the logic unit assembly. The control signal is a function of the state of the various input signals and the priorities assigned to the pipe port. In case a leak is detected, the affected pipe port is automatically closed. A pipe port where no leak is detected may be open or closed depending on its assigned priority and the operational status of the other pipe ports.
(547) If high pressure water is injected at the open door pipe 193 when the door is closed, the door is pushed away from the door plug 137 and opens. If high pressure water is injected at the close door pipe 195 when the door is open, the door is pushed towards the door plug 137 and closes. The door springs 145a, 145b are used to ensure that in case of power failure the door automatically closes. If high pressure water is injected at open CO2 valve pipe 194 when the CO2 valve 150 is closed the CO2 valve is pushed away from the CO2 valve plug 148 and opens. If high pressure water is injected at the close CO2 valve pipe 196 when the CO2 valve is open, the CO2 valve 150 is pushed towards the CO2 valve plug 148 and closes. The CO2 valve springs 158a, 158b are used to ensure that in case of power failure the CO2 valve automatically closes.
(548) The open door pipe 193 and the open CO2 valve pipe 194 are connected to the same termination point at the node core main control port section 190 and the close door pipe 195 and the close CO2 valve pipe 196 are connected to another same termination point at the node core main control port section 190 so that both the door and CO2 valve open and close together. The actuator dual ensures that when the water pressure at the open door pipe 193 and open CO2 valve pipe 194 is high, the water pressure at the close door pipe 195 and close CO2 valve pipe 196 is low and vice versa so that a consistent pressure difference is generated to push the door and CO2 valve in the desired direction. (see
(549) If a fault such as a leak occurs in a reactor node, a flag is raised to facilitate the identification of the faulty unit in the field by the maintenance crews. As seen on
(550) Each reactor node has a water pump that allows the water culture to be gently pushed forward throughout the wet reactor. The components of the water pump, the pump rotor assembly 325a and the propeller set assembly 347 can be seen on their assembled position in
(551) The pump rotor fits inside a portion of the water pump cavity 231 in the rotor cavity 233 that has a circular shape with axis offset from the pump rotor axis in such a way that the pump rotor 326 touches one side of the rotor cavity 233 between the pump feed pipe 208 and the pump exhaust pipe 209. The two pump vanes 334a and 334b forced out by the vane spring extend towards the walls of the rotor cavity 233 creating separate compartments in a standard liquid vane pump configuration. The pump feed pipe 208 injects high pressure water into the rotor cavity producing a force into pump vane 334a forcing the pump rotor 326 to turn around the pump rotor axle 327 in the clockwise direction. As the pump rotor turns, water between the pump vane 334b and the pump exhaust pipe 209 opening is forced out through the pump exhaust pipe 209 until pump vane 334b passes the pump feed pipe 208 opening and the cycle repeats producing a continuous clockwise rotation of the pump rotor as long as high pressure water is fed through the pump feed pipe 208. The water flowing in the pump exhaust pipe 209 then passes through a check valve 339 that prevents water from the water body containing algae cells that may stick together in clumps to move into the rotor cavity when the water pump is off line avoiding a potential cause of jamming. The exhaust water then continues through the pump exhaust front pipe 210 and the pump exhaust discharge pipe 211 to reach the water body inside the reactor node where it is discharged (see
(552) The check valve is installed in a cavity of appropriate size with grooves in the same size and shape of the check valve body 340 and the check valve support 342 cut into the bottom so that the axis of the pipe is aligned with the center of the check valve body and the check valve support 342 is embedded in the grooves, causing the check valve body rim 341 to rest on the edge of the pipe wall that creates a ledge where the check valve rubber rests (see
(553) When the water flows in the permitted direction, as indicated in the arrow in
(554) Detail
(555) In
(556) To avoid oxygen induced growth impairment of the algae culture, oxygen needs to be removed from the wet reactor. This is done in two steps: 1) allowing oxygen rich air that accumulates inside the wet reactor to be collected at each reactor node and reach a point in the air release assembly where it can be removed, and 2) removing dissolved oxygen from the water left over after algae separation at the oxygen extractor.
(557) In
(558) Detail
(559) Air accumulated in the air release chamber 270 can be vented by means of shifting the air vent valve 272 so that the air vent purge cutout 276 is unobstructed opening the access to the check valve 339e that allows air to escape into the environment but prevents water and air from the environment to enter and reach the air release chamber 270.
(560) As a means to detect leaks the water culture and all water and air signals inside the wet reactor are kept at higher pressures than the external water pressure. When wet reactor components are submerged the external water pressure increases requiring a controlled corresponding increase in water and signal pressures to maintain the pressure differential and the ability to detect leaks. This is achieved using various controllers and using the external water pressure as reference pressure signal.
(561)
(562) An input signal connected to the CO2 pressure input 1 508 or the CO2 pressure input 2 509 injects CO2 under pressure into the right side of the CO2 pressure controller cavity 459 pushing the CO2 pressure controller device 460 against the controller spring 491a towards the reference pressure pipe 507 until equilibrium is reached. Any changes in the input signal pressure or external water pressure will cause the CO2 pressure controller device 460 to move accordingly until a new equilibrium position is reached.
(563) If an opening in the CO2 pressure controller device 460 aligns with a particular input in the top, the signal in that input is passed to the output below. In the position drawn in
(564) Every time the system is powered up, a reset signal is temporarily activated to allow the internal pressures to build up to the designed operating range. During the time the reset signal is active, CO2 under pressure is available at the CO2 pressure reset input 510 and the CO2 pressure reset opening 462 allows CO2 to pass into the CO2 pressure supply output 512 below. The CO2 injected into the system causes the pressure in the CO2 pressure input 1 508 or the CO2 pressure input 2 509 to rise and as a result the CO2 pressure controller device 460 moves towards the left compressing the controller spring 491a. Once the CO2 pressure control opening 463 aligns with the CO2 pressure regulate input 511, CO2 is allowed to pass into the CO2 pressure supply output 512 below even if the reset signal is deactivated and the CO2 pressure continues to rise causing the CO2 pressure controller device 460 to move further to the left until the CO2 pressure control opening 463 moves beyond the CO2 pressure regulate input 511 and the CO2 flow stops. The CO2 pressure control opening 463 is tapered at the right side so that as the CO2 pressure increases and approaches the designed value, the CO2 flow reduces slowly until it stops. As CO2 permeates through the inner pipe walls into the water body where the algae culture consumes it, the pressure of the CO2 in the input signal slowly drops causing the CO2 pressure controller device 460 to move back to the right until the tapered portion of the CO2 pressure control opening 463 aligns with the CO2 pressure regulate input 511 allowing some CO2 to flow and top up the CO2 in the system, regulating the CO2 pressure.
(565) Once CO2 coming from the CO2 pressure regulate input 511 is allowed to pass through the CO2 pressure control opening 463, the CO2 pressure lsb low opening 464 has moved beyond the CO2 pressure lsb low input 513 that has a low pressure signal (0), whereas the CO2 pressure lsb high opening 465 is now aligned with the CO2 pressure lsb high input 514 that has a high pressure signal (1). The output signal passed into CO2 pressure lsb output 515 below is high (1). That means the pressure inside the CO2 pipe is in the operating range and no leak is detected.
(566) If a leak is present in the system, the CO2 pressure in the CO2 pressure input 1 508 or the CO2 pressure input 2 509 will fall too quickly to allow additional injected CO2 to compensate for the loss in pressure and the CO2 pressure controller device 460 will move towards the right until it touches the edge of the CO2 pressure controller cavity 459. Once the CO2 pressure control opening 463 has moved beyond the CO2 pressure regulate input 511, no more CO2 will be injected into the system, the CO2 pressure lsb low opening 464 aligns with the CO2 pressure lsb low input 513 and the output signal passed into CO2 pressure lsb output 515 below will remain low (0) until the leak is fixed by maintenance crews.
(567) The CO2 pressure controller rubber grid 461 envelops all openings and the main body of the CO2 pressure controller device 460 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(568) An input signal connected to the water pressure input 1 516 or the water pressure input 2 517 injects water under pressure into the right side of the water pressure controller cavity 466 pushing the water pressure controller device 467 against the controller spring 491b towards the reference pressure pipe 507 until equilibrium is reached. Any changes in the input signal pressure or external water pressure will cause the water pressure controller device 467 to move accordingly until a new equilibrium position is reached. For additional detail, the portion of the controller spring 491b inside the water pressure controller device 467 reaching all the way until the controller central extension 489 is drawn in dashed lines. To avoid cluttering, only the visible portions of the other controller springs are shown.
(569) If an opening in the water pressure controller device 467 aligns with a particular input on the top, the signal in that input is passed to the output below. In the position drawn in
(570) The openings in the water pressure controller device 467 are so made that as the water pressure controller device 467 moves from the right to the left, starting at the edge of the water pressure controller cavity 466 until the water pressure control opening 470 is not yet aligned with the water pressure regulate input 519, the water pressure lsb low opening 1 472 remains aligned with the water pressure lsb low input 522 and the water pressure msb low opening 474 remains aligned with the water pressure msb low input 523 causing the encoded water pressure digital signal (msb, lsb) to be 00 indicating a leak or that the system is still pressurizing after a reset.
(571) Every time the system is powered up, a reset signal is temporarily activated to allow the internal pressures to build up to the designed operating range. During the time the reset signal is active, water under pressure is available at the water pressure reset input 518 and the water pressure reset opening 469 allows water to pass into the water pressure supply output 520 below. The water injected into the system causes the pressure in the water pressure input 1 516 or the water pressure input 2 517 to rise and as a result the water pressure controller device 467 moves towards the left compressing the controller spring 491b. Once the water pressure control opening 470 aligns with the water pressure regulate input 519, water is allowed to pass into the water pressure supply output 520 below even if the reset signal is deactivated and the water pressure continues to rise until the water pressure controller device 467 moves further to the left so that the water pressure control opening 470 moves beyond the water pressure regulate input 519 and the water flow stops. The water pressure control opening 470 is tapered at the right side so that as the water pressure increases and approaches the designed value, the water flow reduces slowly until it stops.
(572) Once the left portion of the water pressure control opening 470 aligns with the water pressure regulate input 519, the water pressure lsb high opening 471 aligns with the water pressure lsb high input 521 and the water pressure msb low opening 474 remains aligned with the water pressure msb low input 523 causing the encoded water pressure digital signal (msb, lsb) to be 01, indicating that the water pressure is in operating range, within the water pressure controlled range (stand by).
(573) As water pressure controller device 467 moves further to the left, the water pressure control opening 470 tapered portion on the right will eventually no longer align with the water pressure regulate input 519. At this point, the water pressure msb high opening 475 aligns with the water pressure msb high input 524 and the water pressure lsb high opening 471 remains aligned with the water pressure lsb high input 521 causing the encoded water pressure digital signal (msb, lsb) to be 11, indicating that the water pressure is in operating range, above the water pressure controlled range (operation).
(574) As the water pressure controller device 467 continues to move to the left, the water pressure lsb low opening 2 473 aligns with the water pressure lsb low input 522 and the water pressure msb high opening 475 remains aligned with the water pressure msb high input 524 causing the encoded water pressure digital signal (msb, lsb) to be 10, indicating that the water pressure is outside the operating range, above the water pressure controlled range (closed).
(575) If a leak is present the water pressure in the water pressure input 1 516 and/or the water pressure input 2 517 will fall too quickly to allow additional injected water to compensate for the loss in pressure and the water pressure controller device 467 will move towards the right until it touches the edge of the water pressure controller cavity 466. Once the water pressure control opening 470 has moved beyond the water pressure regulate input 519, no more water will be injected into the system, the water pressure controller device 467 will move all the way to the right and the encoded water pressure digital signal (msb, lsb) will remain 00 (leak) until the problem is fixed by maintenance crews.
(576) The water pressure controller rubber grid 468 envelops all openings and the main body of the water pressure controller device 467 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(577) An input signal connected to the ground pressure input 527 injects water at ground pressure into the right side of the ground pressure controller cavity 476 pushing the ground pressure controller device 477 against the controller spring towards the reference pressure pipe 507 until equilibrium is reached. Any changes on the input signal pressure or external water pressure will cause the ground pressure controller device 477 to move accordingly until a new equilibrium position is reached.
(578) If an opening in the ground pressure controller device 477 aligns with a particular input in the top, the signal in that input is passed to the output below. When the reactor node is powered up the pressure inside the water body can be as low as the exterior water pressure causing the ground pressure controller device 477 to move all the way to the right. The ground pressure control opening 479 aligns with the ground pressure regulate input 528 and water is injected into the ground pressure supply output 529 below causing the ground pressure to rise and the ground pressure controller device 477 to move left until the right edge of the tapered portion of the ground pressure control opening 479 moves away from the ground pressure regulate input 528 and the water flow stops. The ground pressure may increase further after the water flow into the ground pressure supply output has stopped depending on the operational state of the reactor node. While the ground pressure lsb high opening 480 is aligned with the ground pressure lsb high input 530 that has a high pressure signal (1) and the ground pressure lsb low opening 481 is not aligned with the ground pressure lsb low input 531 that has a low pressure signal (0), the output signal passed into the ground pressure lsb output 532 below is high (1) meaning that the ground pressure is within the operational range. A ground pressure above the operational range causes the ground pressure lsb output 532 to be low (0).
(579) The ground pressure controller rubber grid 478 envelops all openings and the main body of the ground pressure controller device 477 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(580) A signal pressure input 533 injects water under pressure into the right side of the signal input controller cavity pushing the signal pressure controller device 483 against the controller spring towards the reference pressure pipe 507 until equilibrium is reached. Any changes in the signal pressure or external water pressure will cause the signal pressure controller device 483 to move accordingly until a new equilibrium position is reached.
(581) If an opening in the signal pressure controller device 483 aligns with a particular input on the top, the signal in that input is passed to the output below. In the position drawn in
(582) As the signal pressure controller device 483 moves from right to the left, the encoded signal pressure digital signal (msb, lsb) changes from 00 to 01 and then 11. A 00 indicates that the pressure in the particular signal is too low and the signal is invalid (an appropriate action such as triggering an alarm may be carried out). A 01 indicates that the signal pressure is valid and the signal is low (0) and 11 indicates that the signal pressure is valid and the signal is high (1).
(583) The signal pressure controller rubber grid 484 envelops all openings and the main body of the signal pressure controller device 483 isolating each opening so that fluid passing through an opening does not leak into other openings.
(584) The actuator mono normally open 493 has two actuator openings 504c located in the same line, at the near side of the actuator spring 506c. The input signal connected to the actuator mono 1 input top 3 544 injects water at high pressure (1) or at ground pressure (0) into the left side of the actuator mono cavity. Another pipe such as the actuator mono 1 input top 1 542 at the right side is connected either to the ground (542=0) if an actuator spring is installed (as drawn in
(585) If an actuator spring is not installed, when the signal 544 is high (1) the actuator will be pushed all the way to the right side of the cavity against the opposite polarity signal 542 injected at the other side (0). When the signal 544 is low (0) the actuator will be pushed back to the left of the cavity by the opposite polarity signal 542 injected at the other side (1).
(586) If an actuator spring is installed, the actuator is pushed against the actuator spring and slides towards the right side of the actuator mono cavity where the actuator spring is located whenever the signal is hi. The ground connection delivered by the actuator mono 1 input top 1 542 at the right side provides an exit route to the displaced water so the actuator is able to slide inside the cavity. When the signal is low the actuator spring pushes back the actuator towards the left side of the actuator mono cavity and the displaced water exits at the actuator mono 1 input top 3 544.
(587) When actuator mono 1 input top 3 544 is supplied with water at ground pressure (0), the actuator spring 506c extends until its maximum extension (rest position), pushing the actuator mono normally open 493 all the way to the left of the actuator mono cavity, causing both actuator openings 504c to align with the actuator mono 1 supply 1 545 and the actuator mono 1 supply 2 546 and opening the passage to the actuator mono 1 output 1 547 and the actuator mono 1 output 2 548 respectively. When actuator mono 1 input top 3 544 is supplied with water at high pressure (1), the actuator mono normally open 493 moves all the way to the right of the actuator mono cavity, the actuator spring 506c is in maximum compression (active position), both actuator openings 504c move away from the actuator mono 1 supply 1 545 and the actuator mono 1 supply 2 546 closing the passage to the actuator mono 1 output 1 547 and the actuator mono 1 output 2 548 respectively.
(588) At any time, both outputs 547 and 548 will be connected to a water supply and have a meaningful logic value (high or low) or disconnected from a water supply and have an undetermined logic value (3rd state) depending on the position of the actuator mono normally open 493 in the actuator mono cavity.
(589) The actuator mono normally closed 495 has two actuator openings 504d located in the same line, at the far side of the actuator spring 506d. For added information, the portion of the actuator spring 506d inside the actuator spring hole is drawn in dashed lines. The input signal connected to the actuator mono 2 input side 1 550 injects water at high pressure (1) or at ground pressure (0) into the left side of the actuator mono cavity. Another pipe such as the actuator mono 2 input top 1 549 at the right side is connected either to the ground (549=0) if an actuator spring is installed (as drawn in
(590) When actuator mono 2 input side 1 550 is supplied with water at high pressure (1), the actuator mono normally closed 495 moves all the way to the right of the actuator mono cavity, the actuator spring 506d is in maximum compression (active position), both actuator openings 504d align with the actuator mono 2 supply 1 551 and the actuator mono 2 supply 2 552 opening the passage to the actuator mono 2 output 1 553 and the actuator mono 2 output 2 554 respectively as indicated in
(591) At any time, both outputs 553 and 554 will be connected to a water supply and have a meaningful logic value (high or low) or disconnected from a water supply and have an undetermined logic value (3rd state) depending on the position of the actuator mono normally closed 495 in the actuator mono cavity.
(592) The actuator mono 497a has two actuator openings 504a located in alternate lines, one at the side of the actuator spring and one at the alternate opposite side of the actuator spring. When actuator mono 4 input top 2 564 is supplied with water at high pressure (1), the actuator mono 497a moves all the way to the right of the actuator mono cavity compressing the actuator spring to its maximum compression (active position) the actuator opening 504a aligns with actuator mono 4 supply 2 566. When actuator mono 4 input top 2 564 is supplied with water at ground pressure (0), the actuator spring extends until its maximum extension (rest position), pushing the actuator mono 497a all the way to the left of the actuator mono cavity, causing the other actuator opening to align with actuator mono 4 supply 1 565 as indicated in
(593) The actuator mono 4 input top 1 563 at the right side of the actuator mono cavity is connected either to the ground (563=0) if an actuator spring is installed (as drawn in
(594) A single actuator mono 4 output 1 567 located at the bottom center of the actuator mono cavity combines the two inputs: actuator mono 4 supply 1 565 and actuator mono 4 supply 2 566 producing a single power output that is a logic function of actuator mono 4 input top 2 564, actuator mono 4 supply 1 565 and an actuator mono 4 supply 2 566. The result output depends on the orientation of the actuator mono. If the actuator mono 497a is installed as shown in
567=(564565)(564566).
(595) If the actuator mono is installed flipped around the symmetry axis of the spring hole:
567=(564565)(564566).
(596) The actuator mono 497b is the same component as actuator mono 497a but has been installed flipped with respect to the symmetry axis around the actuator spring hole when compared to actuator mono 497a. For added information, the portion of the actuator spring 506b inside the actuator spring hole is drawn in dashed lines.
(597) The input signal connected to the actuator mono 3 input side 4 558 injects water at high pressure (1) or at ground pressure (0) into the left side of the actuator mono cavity. Another pipe such as the actuator mono 3 input side 3 557 at the right side is connected either to the ground (568=0) if an actuator spring is installed (as indicated in
(598) Differently from the cavity containing actuator mono 497a that has only one power output: actuator mono 4 output 1 567, the actuator mono cavity containing actuator mono 497b has two independent power outputs: actuator mono 3 output 1 561 and actuator mono 3 output 2 562 generating two switched power outputs.
(599) With the actuator mono 497b installed as shown in
(600) In case the actuator mono 497b is installed not as shown in
(601) The actuator dual 500 has three alternate actuator openings 504e located in three lines perpendicular to the symmetry axis, one at the side of the actuator spring 506e, one at the opposite side of the actuator spring 506e and one at the middle of the actuator dual 500 at the alternate side.
(602) The input signal connected to the actuator dual input top 2 569 injects water at high pressure (1) or at ground pressure (0) into the left side of the actuator dual cavity. Another pipe such as the actuator dual input top 1 568 at the right side is connected either to the ground (568=0) if an actuator spring is installed (as indicated in
(603) The actuator dual supply top 1 570, the actuator dual supply top 2 571, the actuator dual supply top 3 572 and the actuator dual supply top 4 573 located at the top of the actuator dual cavity 499 provide four input power signals to the actuator. The actuator dual output 1 574 located at the bottom of the cavity combines the two inputs above: the actuator dual supply top 1 570 and the actuator dual supply top 2 571 and the actuator dual output 2 575 located at the bottom of the cavity combines the other two inputs above: the actuator dual supply top 3 572 and the actuator dual supply top 4 573.
(604) When the actuator dual input top 2 569 is supplied with water at ground pressure (0), the actuator spring 506e extends until its maximum extension (rest position), pushing the actuator dual 500 all the way to the left of the actuator dual cavity, causing the actuator openings 504e to align with the actuator dual supply top 1 570 and the actuator dual supply top 4 573 as indicated in
(605) The logic functions produced depend on the orientation of the actuator dual. If the actuator dual is installed as shown in
574=(569570)(569571); 575=(569573)(569572).
(606) If the actuator dual is installed flipped around the symmetry axis of the spring hole:
574=(569571)(569570); 575=(569572)(569573).
(607) Using a spring is an effective way to ensure a component returns to an off (or initial) position in case of power failure. It is also a means to reduce the necessary number of components (and complexity) in a design since only the signal input needs to be produced and routed into the cavities (a connection to a ground plane is usually much easier to do than to route an additional signal coming from a specific place into a cavity).
(608) In some applications, a component (actuator or logic component) can be used without a spring. In this case unless an active state is present, the component will remain stationary. An active state is when one signal (high or low) is injected at one side of the cavity and the opposite polarity of the signal (low or high respectively) is injected at the other side of the cavity. An inactive state is when the same signal (low or high) is injected in both sides of the cavity. In case an active state is present, one input will have high pressure water (1) and the other will be connected to ground (0) and the component will be pushed towards the side that has the low signal. Otherwise the component will remain stationary. This is one way to implement a set reset register (memory).
(609)
(610) When the AND 1 main 619 is low (0) the logic spring 686a extends out of the AND 1 GND 618 and pushes the AND gate 583a towards the edge of the AND 1 cavity 617 causing the AND gate 583a to be in its rest position (583a.Math.0). The connections in the AND gate 583a isolate the AND 1 input 620 and connect the AND 1 output 621 to the AND 1 clear 622 that is connected to ground (0). As in this case 619=0 then 621=0, regardless of 620, as needed to implement 621=619620.
(611) When the AND 2 main 625 is low (0) the logic spring 686b extends out of the AND 2 aux 624 and pushes the AND gate 583b towards the edge of the AND 2 cavity 623 causing the AND gate 583b that has been installed in a flipped position compared to AND gate 583a to be in its rest position (583b.Math.0). The connections in the AND gate 583b isolate the AND 2 clear 628 and connect the AND 2 input 626 to the AND 2 output 627. In this example, 625=0, causing the output to be 627=626, as needed to implement 627=625626.
(612) The AND 3 main 631 supplies the main input to the OR gate 579a. One among four options: AND 3 OR input 1 632, AND 3 OR input 2 633, AND 3 OR input 3 634 or AND 3 OR input 4 635 is needed to provide the other logic input to the OR gate 579a. For simplicity, it is assumed that AND 3 OR input 1 632 is the selected second input to the OR gate 579a. When both inputs 631 and 632 are low (0), the logic spring 686c extends out of the AND 3 aux 630 and pushes the AND gate 583c towards the OR gate 579a until the OR gate 579a touches the edge of the AND 3 cavity 629 causing both the OR gate 579a and the AND gate 583c to be in their rest positions (579a.Math.0; 583c.Math.0). The connections in the AND gate 583c isolate the AND 3 input 636 and connect the AND 3 output 637 to the AND 3 clear 638 that is connected to ground (0). Since in this example 631=0; 632=0.Math.631632=0 producing 637=0, regardless of 636, as needed to implement 637=(631632)636.
(613) The SEL 1 main 641 supplies the main input to the OR gate 579b. One among four options: SEL 1 OR input 1 642, SEL 1 OR input 2 643, SEL 1 OR input 3 644, SEL 1 OR input 4 645 is needed to provide the other logic input to the OR gate 579b. For simplicity, it is assumed that SEL 1 OR input 1 642 is the selected second input to the OR gate 579b. When both inputs 641 and 642 are low (0), the logic spring 686d extends out of the SEL 1 aux 640 and pushes the SEL gate 589a towards the OR gate 579b until the OR gate 579b touches the edge of the SEL 1 cavity 639 causing both the OR gate 579b and the SEL gate 589a to be in their rest positions (579b.Math.0; 589a.Math.0). The connections in the SEL gate 589a isolate the SEL 1 input 1 646 and connect the SEL 1 output 1 647 to the SEL 1 clear 1 648 that is connected to ground (0). The connections in the SEL gate 589a isolate the SEL 1 clear 2 651 and connect the SEL 1 output 2 650 to the SEL 1 input 2 649. In this case 641=0; 642=0.Math.641642=0 producing 647=(641642)646=0; 650=(641642)649=649.
(614) The XOR gate 596 is kept in place by two logic long springs 687a and 687b. When the XOR signal 1 653 and the XOR signal 2 654 are equal (both low or both high) the XOR gate 596 remains at the center of the XOR cavity 652. The XOR gate connections isolate the XOR input 1 655 that is connected to high (1) and connect the XOR output 1 656 to the XOR clear 1 657 that is connected to ground (0) implementing 656=653.Math.654=0 (xor function). The XOR gate connections also isolate the XOR clear 2 660 that is connected to ground (0) and connect the XOR output 2 659 to the XOR input 2 658 that is connected to high (1) implementing 659=653=654=1 (equivalent function).
(615) The concept of active and rest positions can be extended to consider the XOR gate 596 having one rest position to be (596.Math.0) when the XOR gate 596 is in the center of its cavity as indicated in
(616) Because no spring is installed, appropriate connections must be in place to allow the SEL gate 589b to move. To that effect, the SEL 2 aux 662 is supplied with the negated main input (662=663) so that as indicated in
668=(663666)(663664).
(617) If inputs 664 and 666 are made complementary (666=664),
668=(663664)(663664), or 668=663=664; 668=663.Math.666.
(618) When the SW main 671 is low (0) the logic spring 686e extends out of the SW aux 670 and pushes the SW gate 602 towards the edge of the SW cavity 669 causing the SW gate 602 to be in its rest position (602.Math.0). The connections in the SW gate 602 connect the SW input 1 672 with the SW monitor 1 673 and the SW output 1 674. At the same time the connections in the SW gate 602 also connect the SW input 2 675 to the SW monitor 2 676 and the SW output 2 677. In this position, the inputs on the back (672 and 675) are connected to the outputs below (674 and 677 respectively). The monitors on top (673 and 676 respectively) are also connected allowing the lines to be monitored.
(619) The depth external water pressure pipe 679 injects water at the external pressure into the depth sensor cavity 678 pushing the depth detector 689 against the depth sensor 688 compressing the air inside the depth sensor 688 until equilibrium is reached. Any changes in the external water pressure will cause the depth detector 689 to move accordingly until a new equilibrium position is reached. If a slot in the depth detector 689 aligns with a particular input on the top, the signal in that input is passed to the output below. The depth detector input guard 691 allows water coming from the depth external water pressure pipe 679 to enter the depth sensor cavity 678 even when the depth detector 689 is at the end of its excursion. The depth detector rubber grid 690 envelops all slots and the main body of the depth detector 689 isolating each slot so that fluid passing through a slot does not leak into other slots.
(620) In the position drawn in
(621) As the reactor node is submerged the external water pressure increases causing the depth detector 689 to move and compress the depth sensor 688. The encoded depth position given by the (x) external pressure msb 685 and the (x) external pressure lsb 684 changes from 685,684=11 (surface) to 685,684=10 (submerged) then to 685,684=00 (at set depth) and to 685,684=01 (too deep).
(622)
(623) When the AND 1 main 619 is high (619=1) the AND gate 583a moves towards the edge of the AND 1 cavity 617 compressing the logic spring 686a into the AND 1 aux 618 causing the AND gate 583a to be in its active position (583a.Math.1). The connections in the AND gate 583a isolate the AND 1 clear 622 and connect the AND 1 output 621 to the AND 1 input 620 (621=620). As in this case 619=1, then 621=620, as needed to implement 621=619620.
(624) When the AND 2 main 625 is high (625=1) the AND gate 583b moves towards the edge of the AND 2 cavity 623 compressing the logic spring 686b into the AND 2 aux 624 causing the AND gate 583b to be in its active position (583b.Math.1). The AND gate 583b is installed in a flipped position compared to AND gate 583a so in this position, the connections in the AND gate 583b isolate the AND 2 input 626 and connect the AND 2 output 627 to the AND 2 clear 628 that is connected to ground (627=628=0). In this example, 625=1, then 625=0, resulting in 627=0, regardless of 626 as needed to implement 627=625626.
(625) The AND 3 main 631 supplies the main input to the OR gate 579a. One among four options: AND 3 OR input 1 632, AND 3 OR input 2 633, AND 3 OR input 3 634 or AND 3 OR input 4 635 is needed to provide the other logic input to the OR gate 579a. For simplicity, it is assumed that AND 3 OR input 1 632 is the selected second input to the OR gate 579a. In this example, 631=1 and 632=0, the OR gate 579a is pushed against the AND gate 583c moving it towards the edge of the AND 3 cavity 629 compressing the logic spring 686c into the AND 3 aux 630 causing both the OR gate 579a and the AND gate 583c to be in their active positions (579a.Math.1; 583c.Math.1). The connections in the AND gate 583c isolate the AND 3 clear 638 and connect the AND 3 output 637 to the AND 3 input 636 (637=636). Since in this example 631=1 and 632=0, then 631632=1 producing 637=(631632)636=636.
(626) The SEL 1 main 641 supplies the main input to the OR gate 579b. One among four options: SEL 1 OR input 1 642, SEL 1 OR input 2 643, SEL 1 OR input 3 644, SEL 1 OR input 4 645 is needed to provide the other logic input to the OR gate 579b. For simplicity, it is assumed that SEL 1 OR input 1 642 is the selected second input to the OR gate 579b. In this example, 641=0 and 642=1, as a result the high pressure at SEL 1 OR input 1 642 pushes the OR gate 579b and the SEL gate 589a to opposite sides of the SEL 1 cavity 639. The OR gate 579b moves to its rest position (579b.Math.0) and the SEL gate 589a moves to its active position (589a.Math.1) compressing the logic spring 686d into the SEL 1 aux 640. The connections in the SEL gate 589a isolate the SEL 1 clear 1 648 and connect the SEL 1 output 1 647 to the SEL 1 input 1 646 (647=646). The connections in the SEL gate 589a isolate the SEL 1 input 2 649 and connect the SEL 1 output 2 650 to SEL 1 clear 2 651 that is connected to ground (650=651=0). Since in this example 641=0 and 642=1, then 641642=1. As a result, the outputs become: 647=(641642)646=646; 650=(641642)649=0.
(627) The XOR gate 596 is kept in place by two logic long springs 687a and 687b. When the XOR signal 1 653 is low (653=0) and the XOR signal 2 654 is high (654=1) the XOR gate 596 moves to the edge of the XOR cavity 652 where the input signal is low (XOR signal 1 653) (596.Math.1). The XOR gate connections isolate the XOR clear 1 657 that is connected to ground (657=0) and connect the XOR output 1 656 to the XOR input 1 655 that is connected to high (656=655=1) producing 656=653.Math.654=1. The XOR gate connections also isolate the XOR input 2 658 that is connected to high (658=1) and connect the XOR output 2 659 to the XOR clear 2 660 that is connected to ground (659=660=0) producing 659=653=654=0. If XOR signal 1 653 is high (653=1) and the XOR signal 2 654 is low (654=0) the XOR gate 596 moves to the other edge of the XOR cavity 652 (596.Math.1) aligning an equivalent set of connections to the input and output pipes producing the same results: 656=653.Math.654=1; 659=653=654=0.
(628) Because no spring is installed, appropriate connections must be in place so that SEL 2 aux 662 is supplied with the negated main input (662=663) so that as indicated in
668=(663666)(663664).
(629) If inputs 664 and 666 are made complementary (666=664),
668=(663664)(663664), or 668=663=664; 668=663.Math.666.
(630) When the SW main 671 is high (671=1) the SW gate 602 is pushed towards the edge of the SW cavity 669, compressing the logic spring 686e into the SW aux 670 causing the SW gate 602 to be in its active position (602.Math.1). The connections in the SW gate 602 connect the SW input 1 672 with the SW monitor 1 673 (672=673) and isolate the SW output 1 674. At the same time the connections in the SW gate 602 also connect the SW input 2 675 to the SW monitor 2 676 (675=676) and isolate the SW output 2 677. In this position, the monitors on top (673 and 676) remain connected and can exchange signals with the inputs (672 and 675 respectively) without interfering with outputs (674 and 677 respectively) that are isolated.
(631) The depth external water pressure pipe 679 injects water at the external pressure into the depth sensor cavity 678 pushing the depth detector 689 against the depth sensor 688 compressing the air inside the depth sensor 688 until equilibrium is reached. Any changes in the external water pressure will cause the depth detector 689 to move accordingly until a new equilibrium position is reached. If a slot in the depth detector 689 aligns with a particular input on the top, the signal in that input is passed to the output below. The depth detector input guard 691 allows water coming from the depth external water pressure pipe 679 to enter the depth sensor cavity 678 even when the depth detector 689 is at the end of its excursion. The depth detector rubber grid 690 envelops all slots and the main body of the depth detector 689 isolating each slot so that fluid passing through a slot does not leak into other slots.
(632) In the position drawn in
(633) As the reactor node continues to submerge, the external water pressure increases causing the depth detector 689 to move and further compress the depth sensor 688. The encoded depth position given by the (x) external pressure msb 685 and the (x) external pressure lsb 684 changes from 685,684=11 (surface) to 685,684=10 (submerged) then to 685,684=00 (at set depth) and to 685,684=01 (too deep).
(634)
(635)
(636) The (z) zero in msb 720 is low (720=0) causing: 1) the logic spring 686b to extend and push the AND gate 583b to its rest position (583b.Math.0) connecting the register signal zk 722 to ground (722=0) through the zk cavity clear and isolating the (k) clock in msb 719; 2) the logic spring 686d to extend and push the zero gate 734 to its rest position (734.Math.0).
(637) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is high (721=1) pushing the AND gate 583a to its active position (583a.Math.1) compressing the logic spring 686a and connecting the register signal mz 723a to ground (723a=0) through the mz cavity clear causing the other end of the register signal mz 723b to feed a low pressure signal (0) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(638) In its rest position, the zero gate 734 connects each register zero set 733a, . . . , 733g that are all connected to the LFSR high pressure feed 703 to the corresponding register input high 746a, . . . , 746g causing all to be high (746a=733a=1, . . . , 746g=733g=1). Additionally, in the rest position, each zero gate top hole 738a, . . . , 738g of the zero gate 734 connects the corresponding register zero clear that are all connected to the LFSR gnd layer to the corresponding register input low 747a, . . . , 747g causing all to be low (747a=0, . . . , 747g=0) (see
(639) As 722=0, the logic spring 686c pushes the SEL gate 589 to its rest position (589.Math.0) connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 725 (725=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=723b). As 723b=723a=0.Math.724b=724a=0, a low value (0) is supplied to the register gate low 759a and all other register gates until past the register gate high 764g and made available to further use by additional logic (724c=724b=724a=0).
(640) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all memory gates up to memory gate 748f at all times.
(641) Counting from left to right, for n=1 to 6, register gate n forwards the register signal kzm 724b and the register gnd rail 726 to register gate n+1.
(642) For n=1 to 7, register gate n branches the signal coming through the register signal kzm 724b to its memory feed high if it is in the high position (1) or to its memory feed low if it is in the low position (0). At the same time, register gate n branches the low pressure signal coming through the register gnd rail 726 to its memory feed low if it is in the high position (1) or to its memory feed high if it is in the low position (0).
(643) For n=1 to 7, memory feed high n is connected to memory input high n that terminates at the bottom of memory cavity n and memory feed low n is connected to memory input low n that terminates at the top of memory cavity n (see
(644) As 724b=0, the signals routed into each memory input high and each memory input low are low and the memory gates 748a, . . . , 748g remain stationary.
(645) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding the first register gate, register gate low 759a is high (730a=1) but not all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) are properly aligned: register gate high 764c, . . . , 764g are properly aligned, but register gate low 759a and register gate low 759b are not properly aligned. The high feed line is interrupted and the (y) unit ready 730b is connected to ground (730b=0) by register gate low 759b.
(646) Both outputs of the LFSR assembly are low (724c=0; 730b=0) and the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring is disabled.
(647) The summary of
(648) 721=1.Math.583a.Math.1
(649) 720=0.Math.583b.Math.0; 734.Math.0; 589.Math.0
(650) Memory Position unchanged: 1000011
(651) Register Position set to: 1111111
(652) 724c=0; 730b=0.Math.Tx disabled.
(653)
(654) The (z) zero in msb 720 is high (720=1) causing: 1) the AND gate 583b to be pushed to its active position (583b.Math.1) compressing the logic spring 686b and connecting the register signal zk 722 to the (k) clock in msb 719 (722=719); 2) the zero gate 734 to move to its active position (734.Math.1) compressing the logic spring 686d.
(655) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is low (721=0) causing the logic spring 686a to extend and push the AND gate 583a to its rest position (583a.Math.0) connecting the register signal mz 723a to the (z) zero in msb 720 (723a=720=1). The other end of the register signal mz 723b then feeds a high value (1) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(656) In its active position, the zero gate 734 connects each register input low 747a, . . . , 747g to the respective carry output low 745a, . . . , 745g producing the connections (747a=745a, . . . , 747g=745g). Additionally, in the active position, each zero gate top hole 738a, . . . , 738g of the zero gate 734 connects the corresponding register input high 746a, . . . , 746g to the respective carry output high producing the connections (746a=744a, . . . , 746g=744g) (see
(657) The (k) clock in msb 719 is low (719=0) resulting in 722=719=0, allowing the logic spring 686c to push the SEL gate 589 to its rest position (589.Math.0) connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 725 (725=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=723b). As 723b=723a=720=1.Math.724b=724a=1, a high value (1) is supplied to the register gate low 759a and all other register gates until past the register gate high 764g and is made available to further use by additional logic (724c=724b=724a=1).
(658) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all memory gates up to memory gate 748f at all times.
(659) Counting from left to right, for n=1 to 6, register gate n forwards the register signal kzm 724b and the register gnd rail 726 to register gate n+1.
(660) For n=1 to 7, register gate n branches the signal coming through the register signal kzm 724b to its memory feed high if it is in the high position (1) or to its memory feed low if it is in the low position (0). At the same time, register gate n branches the low pressure signal coming through the register gnd rail 726 to its memory feed low if it is in the high position (1) or to its memory feed high if it is in the low position (0).
(661) For n=1 to 7, memory feed high n is connected to memory input high n that terminates at the bottom of memory cavity n and memory feed low n is connected to memory input low n that terminates at the top of memory cavity n (see
(662) As 724b=1, a register gate n in the high position (1) forces memory gate n to move up to the high position (1) and a register gate n in the low position (0) forces memory gate n to move down to the low position (0). The 7-bit register position is copied into the 7-bit memory position. As in
(663) As 725=0, the signals routed into each register input high and each register input low are low and the register gates remain stationary.
(664) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding the first register gate, register gate low 759a is high (730a=1) but not all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) are properly aligned: register gate high 764c, . . . , 764g are properly aligned, but register gate low 759a and register gate low 759b are not properly aligned. The high feed line is interrupted and the (y) unit ready 730b is connected to ground (730b=0) by register gate low 759b.
(665) One of the outputs of the LFSR assembly is low (724c=1; 730b=0) and the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring is disabled.
(666) The summary of
(667) 721=0.Math.583a.Math.0
(668) 720=1.Math.583b.Math.1; 734.Math.1
(669) 719=0; 720=1.Math.589.Math.0
(670) Memory Position set to: 1111111
(671) Register Position unchanged: 1111111
(672) 724c=1; 730b=0.Math.Tx disabled.
(673)
(674) The (z) zero in msb 720 is high (720=1) causing: 1) the AND gate 583b is pushed to its active position (583b.Math.1) compressing the logic spring 686b and connecting the register signal zk 722 to the (k) clock in msb 719 (722=719); 2) the zero gate 734 to move to its active position (734.Math.1) compressing the logic spring 686d.
(675) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is low (721=0) causing the logic spring 686a to extend and push the AND gate 583a to its rest position (583a.Math.0) connecting the register signal mz 723a to the (z) zero in msb 720 (723a=720=1). The other end of the register signal mz 723b then feeds a high value (1) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(676) In its active position, the zero gate 734 connects each register input low 747a, . . . , 747g to the respective carry output low 745a, . . . , 745g producing the connections (747a=745a, . . . , 747g=745g). Additionally, in the active position, each zero gate top hole 738a, . . . , 738g of the zero gate 734 connects the corresponding register input high 746a, . . . , 746g to the respective carry output high producing the connections (746a=744a, . . . , 746g=744g) (see
(677) The (k) clock in msb 719 is high (719=1) resulting in 722=719=1, pushing the SEL gate 589 to its active position (589.Math.1) compressing the logic spring 686c and connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=724b=724c=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 725 (725=723b). As 723b=723a=720=1.Math.725=1, a high value (1) is supplied to the memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f
(678) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to the memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f at all times.
(679) Counting from left to right, for n=1 to 5, memory gate n forwards the register signal kzm 725 and the memory gnd rail 727 to memory gate n+1.
(680) For n=1 to 6, memory gate n branches the signal coming through the register signal kzm 725 to its twin under connection if it is in the high position (1) or to its twin upper connection if it is in the low position (0). At the same time, memory gate n branches the signal coming through the memory gnd rail 727 to its twin upper connection if it is in the high position (1) or to its twin under connection if it is in the low position (0).
(681) For n=1 to 6, twin under connection n is connected to carry output high n+1 and then through the zero gate to register input high n+1 that terminates at the bottom of register cavity n+1 and twin upper connection n is connected to carry output low n+1 and then through the zero gate to register input low n+1 that terminates at the top of register cavity n+1 (see
(682) For n=1 to 6, a memory gate n in the high position (1) routes 725 into register input high n+1 and routes 727=0 into register input low n+1 and a memory gate n in the low position (0) routes 725 into register input low n+1 and routes 727=0 into register input high n+1. As 725=1, a memory gate n in the high position (1) forces register gate n+1 to move up to the high position (1) and a memory gate n in the low position (0) forces register gate n+1 to move down to the low position (0) copying the first 6 bits of the 7 bit memory position into the last 6 bits of the 7 bit register position.
(683) The first bit of the 7-bit register position is determined by an XOR function of bits 6 and 7 of the 7-bit memory position (1=6.Math.7). The upper XOR input connects twin upper connection 6 to twin upper connection 7 and the lower XOR input connects twin under connection 6 to twin under connection 7 (see
(684) On
(685) The XOR output high 739 is connected to the carry output high 1 and then through the zero gate at zero gate top hole 738a to register input high 1 that terminates at the bottom of register cavity. The XOR output low 740 is connected to the carry output low 1 (745a) and then through the zero gate to register input low 1 that terminates at the top of register cavity 1.
(686) As 740=1 and 739=0, the register gate low 759a is moved down to the low position (0). The memory position 1111111 produces the register position 0111111.
(687) As register signal kzm 724b=0, the signals routed from the register gates into each memory input high and each memory input low are low and the memory gates remain stationary.
(688) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding the first register gate, register gate low 759a is high (730a=1) but not all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) are properly aligned: register gate low 759a and register gate high 764c, . . . , 764g are properly aligned, but register gate low 759b is not properly aligned. The high feed line is interrupted and the (y) unit ready 730b is connected to ground (730b=0) by register gate low 759b.
(689) Both outputs of the LFSR assembly are low (724c=0; 730b=0) and the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring is disabled.
(690) The summary of
(691) 721=0 .Math.583a.Math.0
(692) 720=1.Math.583b.Math.1; 734.Math.1
(693) 719=1; 720=1.Math.589.Math.1
(694) Memory Position unchanged 1111111
(695) Register Position set to 0111111
(696) 724c=0; 730b=0.Math.Tx disabled.
(697)
(698) The (z) zero in msb 720 is high (720=1) causing: 1) the AND gate 583b to be pushed to its active position (583b.Math.1) connecting the register signal zk 722 to the (k) clock in msb 719 (722=719); 2) the zero gate 734 to move to its active position (734.Math.1).
(699) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is low (721=0) causing the AND gate 583a to be in its rest position (583a.Math.0) connecting the register signal mz 723a to the (z) zero in msb 720 (723a=720=1). The other end of the register signal mz 723b then feeds a high value (1) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(700) The (k) clock in msb 719 is low (719=0) causing 722=719=0, resulting in the SEL gate 589 to be in its rest position (589.Math.0) connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 725 (725=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=723b). As 723b=723a=720=1.Math.724b=724a=1, a high value (1) is supplied to the register gate low 759a and all other register gates until past the register gate high 764g and is made available to further use by additional logic (724c=724b=724a=1).
(701) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f at all times.
(702) As 724b=1, a register gate n in the high position (1) forces memory gate n to move up to the high position (1) and a register gate n in the low position (0) forces memory gate n to move down to the low position (0). The 7-bit register position is copied into the 7-bit memory position. As in
(703) As 725=0, the signals routed into each register input high and each register input low are low and the register gates remain stationary.
(704) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding the first register gate, register gate low 759a is high (730a=1) but not all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) are properly aligned: register gate low 759a and register gate high 764c, . . . , 764g are properly aligned, but register gate low 759b is not properly aligned. The high feed line is interrupted and the (y) unit ready 730b is connected to ground (730b=0) by register gate low 759b.
(705) One of the outputs of the LFSR assembly is low (724c=1; 730b=0) and the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring is disabled.
(706) The summary of
(707) 721=0 .Math.583a.Math.0
(708) 720=1.Math.583b.Math.1; 734.Math.1
(709) 719=0; 720=1.Math.589.Math.0
(710) Memory Position set to: 0111111
(711) Register Position unchanged: 0111111
(712) 724c=1; 730b=0.Math.LSFR disabled.
(713)
(714) The (z) zero in msb 720 is high (720=1) causing: 1) the AND gate 583b to be in its active position (583b.Math.1) connecting the register signal zk 722 to the (k) clock in msb 719 (722=719); 2) the zero gate 734 to move to its active position (734.Math.1).
(715) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is low (721=0) causing the AND gate 583a to be in its rest position (583a.Math.0) connecting the register signal mz 723a to the (z) zero in msb 720 (723a=720=1). The other end of the register signal mz 723b then feeds a high value (1) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(716) The (k) clock in msb 719 is high (719=1) resulting in 722=719=1, pushing the SEL gate 589 to its active position (589.Math.1) and connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=724b=724c=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 725 (725=723b). As 723b=723a=720=1.Math.725=1, a high value (1) is supplied to the memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f
(717) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to the memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f at all times.
(718) For n=1 to 6, a memory gate n in the high position (1) forces register gate n+1 to move up to the high position (1) and a memory gate n in the low position (0) forces register gate n+1 to move down to the low position (0) copying the first 6 bits of the 7 bit memory position into the last 6 bits of the 7 bit register position.
(719) The first bit of the 7-bit register position is determined by an XOR function of bits 6 and 7 of the 7-bit memory position (1=6.Math.7). The memory gate 748f (memory gate 6) is in the high position (1), the low pressure signal coming from the memory gnd rail 727 passes to the upper XOR input through the memory gate up hole 754f and then as memory gate 748g (memory gate 7) is also in the high position (1), the signal coming from the memory gnd rail 727 continues through the memory gate up hole 754g to the XOR output high 739 producing (739=727=0). Similarly, as memory gate 748f (memory gate 6) is in the high position (1), the high pressure signal coming from the register signal kzm 725 passes to the lower XOR input and as memory gate 748g (memory gate 7) is in the high position (1), the signal terminates at the XOR output low 740 producing (740=725=1).
(720) As 740=1 and 739=0, the register gate low 759a is moved down to the low position (0). The memory position 0111111 produces the register position 0011111.
(721) As register signal kzm 724b=0, the signals routed into each memory input high and each memory input low are low and the memory gates remain stationary.
(722) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding the first register gate, register gate low 759a is high (730a=1). As all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) are properly aligned, the high feed line goes uninterrupted through register gate low 759a, 759b and register gate high 764c, . . . , 764g and the (y) unit ready 730b remains high (730b=1).
(723) One of the outputs of the LFSR assembly is low (724c=0; 730b=1) and the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring is disabled.
(724) The summary of
(725) 721=0 .Math.583a.Math.0
(726) 720=1.Math.583b.Math.1; 734.Math.1
(727) 719=1; 720=1.Math.589.Math.1
(728) Memory Position unchanged 0111111
(729) Register Position set to 0011111
(730) 724c=0; 730b=1.Math.Tx disabled.
(731)
(732) The (z) zero in msb 720 is high (720=1) causing: 1) the AND gate 583b to be pushed to its active position (583b.Math.1) connecting the register signal zk 722 to the (k) clock in msb 719 (722=719); 2) the zero gate 734 to move to its active position (734.Math.1).
(733) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is low (721=0) causing the AND gate 583a to be in its rest position (583a.Math.0) connecting the register signal mz 723a to the (z) zero in msb 720 (723a=720=1). The other end of the register signal mz 723b then feeds a high value (1) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(734) The (k) clock in msb 719 is low (719=0) causing 722=719=0, resulting in the SEL gate 589 to be in its rest position (589.Math.0) connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 725 (725=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=723b). As 723b=723a=720=1.Math.724b=724a=1, a high value (1) is supplied to the register gate low 759a and all other register gates until past the register gate high 764g and is made available to further use by additional logic (724c=724b=724a=1).
(735) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f at all times.
(736) As 724b=1, a register gate n in the high position (1) forces memory gate n to move up to the high position (1) and a register gate n in the low position (0) forces memory gate n to move down to the low position (0). The 7-bit register position is copied into the 7-bit memory position. As in
(737) As 725=0, the signals routed into each register input high and each register input low are low and the register gates remain stationary.
(738) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding the first register gate, register gate low 759a is high (730a=1). As all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) are properly aligned, the high feed line goes uninterrupted through register gate low 759a, 759b and register gate high 764c, . . . , 764g and the (y) unit ready 730b remains high (730b=1).
(739) Both outputs of the LFSR assembly are high (724c=1; 730b=1) enabling the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring.
(740) The summary of
(741) 721=0 .Math.583a.Math.0
(742) 720=1.Math.583b.Math.1; 734.Math.1
(743) 719=0; 720=1.Math.589.Math.0
(744) Memory Position set to 0011111
(745) Register Position unchanged 0011111
(746) 724c=1; 730b=1.Math.Tx enabled.
(747)
(748)
(749) The (z) zero in msb 720 is high (720=1) causing: 1) the AND gate 583b to be pushed to its active position (583b.Math.1) connecting the register signal zk 722 to the (k) clock in msb 719 (722=719); 2) the zero gate 734 to move to its active position (734.Math.1).
(750) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is low (721=0) causing the AND gate 583a to be in its rest position (583a.Math.0) connecting the register signal mz 723a to the (z) zero in msb 720 (723a=720=1). The other end of the register signal mz 723b then feeds a high value (1) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(751) The (k) clock in msb 719 is low (719=0) causing 722=719=0, resulting in the SEL gate 589 to be in its rest position (589.Math.0) connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 725 (725=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=723b). As 723b=723a=720=1.Math.724b=724a=1, a high value (1) is supplied to the register gate low 759a and all other register gates until past the register gate high 764g and is made available to further use by additional logic (724c=724b=724a=1).
(752) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f at all times.
(753) As 724b=1, a register gate n in the high position (1) forces memory gate n to move up to the high position (1) and a register gate n in the low position (0) forces memory gate n to move down to the low position (0). The 7-bit register position is copied into the 7-bit memory position. As in
(754) As 725=0, the signals routed into each register input high and each register input low are low and the register gates remain stationary.
(755) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding the first register gate, register gate low 759a is high (730a=1) but not all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) are properly aligned resulting in (y) unit ready 730b being low (730b=0).
(756) One of the outputs of the LFSR assembly is low (724c=1; 730b=0) and the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring is disabled.
(757) The summary of
(758) 721=0 .Math.583a.Math.0
(759) 720=1.Math.583b.Math.1; 734.Math.1
(760) 719=0; 720=1.Math.589.Math.0
(761) Memory Position set to 0000001
(762) Register Position unchanged 0000001
(763) 724c=1; 730b=0.Math.Tx disabled.
(764)
(765)
(766) The (z) zero in msb 720 is high (720=1) causing: 1) the AND gate 583b to be pushed to its active position (583b.Math..Math.1) connecting the register signal zk 722 to the (k) clock in msb 719 (722=719); 2) the zero gate 734 to move to its active position (734.Math.1).
(767) The (m) master/slave in msb 721 is low (721=0) causing the AND gate 583a to be in its rest position (583a.Math.0) connecting the register signal mz 723a to the (z) zero in msb 720 (723a=720=1). The other end of the register signal mz 723b then feeds a high value (1) into both inputs of the SEL gate 589.
(768) The (k) clock in msb 719 is high (719=1) resulting in 722=719=1, pushing the SEL gate 589 to its active position (589.Math.1) and connecting: 1) the zkm cavity clear to the register signal kzm 724a (724a=724b=724c=0); 2) the register signal mz 723b to the register signal kzm 725 (725=723b). As 723b=723a=720=1.Math.725=1, a high value (1) is supplied to the memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f.
(769) The register gnd rail 726 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (726=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to all register gates at all times. The memory gnd rail 727 is connected to the LFSR gnd layer (727=0) and supplies a low (0) signal to the memory gates 748a, . . . , 748f at all times.
(770) For n=1 to 6, a memory gate n in the high position (1) forces register gate n+1 to move up to the high position (1) and a memory gate n in the low position (0) forces register gate n+1 to move down to the low position (0) copying the first 6 bits of the 7 bit memory position into the last 6 bits of the 7 bit register position.
(771) The first bit of the 7-bit register position is determined by an XOR function of bits 6 and 7 of the 7-bit memory position (1=6.Math.7). The memory gate 748f (memory gate 6) is in the low position (0), the high pressure signal coming from the register signal kzm 725 passes to the upper XOR input through the memory gate up hole 754f and then as memory gate 748g (memory gate 7) is in the high position (1), the signal coming from the register signal kzm 725 continues through the memory gate up hole 754g to the XOR output high 739 producing (739=725=1). Similarly, as memory gate 748f (memory gate 6) is in the low position (0), the low pressure signal coming from the memory gnd rail 727 passes to the lower XOR input and as memory gate 748g (memory gate 7) is in the high position (1), the signal terminates at the XOR output low 740 producing (740=727=0).
(772) As 740=0 and 739=1, the register gate low 759a is moved up to the high position (1). The memory position 0000001 produces the register position 1000000.
(773) As register signal kzm 724b=0, the signals routed into each memory input high and each memory input low are low and the memory gates remain stationary.
(774) The (y) unit ready 730a feeding register gate low 759a is high (730a=1) but of all seven register gates of the installed 7 bit address (0011111) only register gate low 759b is properly aligned. The register gate low 759a is at the top of its cavity and register gate high 764c, 764g are all at the bottom of their respective cavities resulting in (y) unit ready 730b being low (730b=0).
(775) Both of the outputs of the LFSR assembly are low (724c=0; 730b=0) and the transmission of the current alarm condition of the unit back to the central monitoring is disabled.
(776) The summary of
(777) 721=0.Math.583a.Math.0
(778) 720=1.Math.583b.Math.1; 734.Math.1
(779) 719=1; 720=1.Math.589.Math.1
(780) Memory Position unchanged 0000001
(781) Register Position set to 1000000
(782) 724c=0; 730b=0.Math.Tx disabled.
(783)
(784) The only difference, apart from the point of view, is that
(785) The CO2 pressure controller device 460A controls and digitizes the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body channel A producing the signal (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb A. The CO2 pressure controller device 460B controls and digitizes the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body channel B producing the signal (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb B. The CO2 pressure controller device 460C controls and digitizes the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body channel C producing the signal (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb C. The CO2 pressure controller device 460D controls and digitizes the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body channel D producing the signal (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb D. The CO2 pressure controller device 460e controls and digitizes the CO2 pressure inside the CO2 body producing the signal (n) internal CO2 pressure lsb e. The CO2 is supplied by the (1) CO2 resupply right and the (L) CO2 resupply left that are interconnected inside the i/o unit assembly.
(786) The water pressure controller device 467A controls and digitizes the water pressure inside the water body channel A producing the signals (i) internal water pressure msb A and (i) internal water pressure lsb A. The water pressure controller device 467B controls and digitizes the water pressure inside the water body channel B producing the signals (i) internal water pressure msb B and (i) internal water pressure lsb B. The water pressure controller device 467C controls and digitizes the water pressure inside the water body channel C producing the signals (i) internal water pressure msb C and (i) internal water pressure lsb C. The water pressure controller device 467D controls and digitizes the water pressure inside the water body channel D producing the signals (i) internal water pressure msb D and (i) internal water pressure lsb D. The ground pressure controller device 477 controls and digitizes the ground pressure inside the water body producing the signal (g) ground lsb.
(787) The signal pressure controller device 483a is used to digitize the signal (k) clock in producing the signals (k) clock in msb and (k) clock in lsb. The (k) clock in msb is used to control the actuator mono 497a producing the output signal (K) clock out that regenerates (k) clock in. The signal pressure controller device 483b is used to digitize the signal (z) zero in producing the signals (z) zero in msb and (z) zero in lsb. The (z) zero in msb is used to control the actuator mono 497b producing the output signal (Z) zero out that regenerates (z) zero in. The signal pressure controller device 483c is used to digitize the signal (m) master/slave in producing the signals (m) master/slave in msb and (m) master/slave in lsb. The (m) master/slave in msb is used to control the actuator mono 497c producing the output signal (M) master/slave out that regenerates (m) master/slave in.
(788) The signal pressure controller device 483d is used to digitize the signal (q) query in producing the signals (q) query in msb and (q) query in lsb. The actuator mono 497d is controlled by the (Q) query control that is a function of the (q) query in msb and other variables that are generated at the logic unit assembly producing the output signal (Q) query out. The signal pressure controller device 483e is used to digitize the signal (s) status in producing the signals (s) status in msb and (s) status in lsb. The actuator mono 497e is controlled by the (S) status control that is a function of the (s) status in msb and other variables that are generated at the logic unit assembly producing the digital output signal (S) status out. The signal pressure controller device 483f is used to digitize the signal (h) help in producing the signals (h) help in msb and (h) help in lsb. The actuator mono 497f is controlled by the (H) help control that is a function of the (h) help in msb and other variables that are generated at the logic unit assembly producing the digital output signal (H) help out (see
(789) The signal pressure controller device 483g is used to digitize the signal (r) reset in producing the signals (r) reset in msb and (r) reset in lsb. The actuator mono 497g is controlled by the (R) reset control that is a function of the (r) reset in msb and (r) reset in lsb generated at the logic unit assembly. The actuator mono 497g is installed flipped introducing an additional NOT function to complete the logic function that produces the output signal (R) reset out from the (R) reset control generated at the logic unit assembly R out=R=(r msbr lsb) (see
(790) The signal pressure controller device 483h is used to digitize the signal (v) dive in producing the signals (v) dive in msb and (v) dive in lsb. The (v) dive in msb is used to control the actuator mono 497h producing the digital output signal (V) dive out that regenerates (v) dive in. The signal pressure controller device 483i is used to digitize the air pressure in the pipes (u) air resupply right and (U) air resupply left that are interconnected inside the i/o unit assembly producing the signals (u) air resupply msb and (u) air resupply lsb. The signal pressure controller device 483j is used to digitize the water pressure in the pipes (w) water resupply right and (W) water resupply left that are interconnected inside the i/o unit assembly producing the signals (w) water resupply msb and (w) water resupply lsb. The actuator mono 497i is controlled by the (y) unit ready that is generated at the logic unit assembly producing the digital output signal (Y) unit ready out (see
(791) The actuator monos 497a, . . . , 497f, 497h, 497i are so installed that when they are in the active position (497x.Math.1; x=a, . . . , f, h, i) they compress the actuator spring and produce a corresponding high (1) output signal and when they are in the inactive position (497x.Math.0; x=a, . . . , f, h, i) they produce a corresponding low (0) output signal. The actuator mono 497g is installed flipped so when it is in its active position (497g.Math.1) it compresses the actuator spring and produces a low (0) output signal and when it is in its inactive position (497g.Math.0) it produces a high (1) output signal.
(792) The actuator mono 497j is installed flipped introducing an additional NOT function to complete the logic function that controls the flag. The actuator mono 497j is controlled by the (F) raise flag control generated at the logic unit assembly producing the output signal (LF) lower flag LF=F that controls the flag through the flag pipe. When the actuator mono 497j is in its inactive position (497j.Math.0) as drawn, it produces a high (1) output signal that causes the flag to lower and when it is in an active position (497j.Math.1) it compresses the actuator spring and produces a low (0) output signal that causes the flag to raise (see
(793) The actuator mono 497k is installed flipped introducing an additional NOT function to complete the logic function that controls the water pump. The actuator mono 497k is controlled by the (P) stop water pump control that is generated at the logic unit assembly producing the output signal (RP) run water pump RP=P that controls the water pump through the pump feed pipe. When the actuator mono 497k is in its inactive position (497k.Math.0) as drawn, it produces a high (1) output signal that enables water pumping and when it is in the active position (497k.Math.1) it compresses the actuator spring and produces a low (0) output signal that stops water pumping (see
(794) The actuator dual 500A is controlled by the (O) open door control A that is generated at the logic unit assembly producing the output control signals to open or close the door and the CO2 valve in pipe port A. The actuator dual 500B is controlled by the (O) open door control B that is generated at the logic unit assembly producing the output control signals to open or close the door and the CO2 valve in pipe port B. The actuator dual 500C is controlled by the (O) open door control C that is generated at the logic unit assembly producing the output control signals to open or close the door and the CO2 valve in pipe port C. The actuator dual 500D is controlled by the (O) open door control D that is generated at the logic unit assembly producing the output control signals to open or close the door and the CO2 valve in pipe port D. The actuator duals in active positions (500B.Math.1, 500C.Math.1) compress their actuator springs and cause the respective doors and CO2 valves to open and the actuator duals in inactive positions (500A.Math.0, 500D.Math.0) cause the respective doors and CO2 valves to close (see
(795) The actuator dual 500e is controlled by the (v) dive in msb producing the output signals that supply power to the pump rotor assembly in the anchoring system causing the cable winch to turn clockwise or counterclockwise. When the actuator dual 500e is in its inactive position (500e.Math.0) as drawn, it causes the cable winch to turn counterclockwise allowing the reactor node to go to the surface. When the actuator dual 500e is in its active position (500e.Math.1), it compresses the actuator spring and causes the cable winch to turn clockwise forcing the reactor node to submerge. The actuator dual 500f is controlled by the (v) dive in msb producing the output signals to open or close the air vent valve through the air release open pipe and the air release close pipe. When the actuator dual 500f is in its inactive position (500e.Math.0) as drawn, it causes the air vent valve to close. When the actuator dual 500f is in its active position (500e.Math.1), it compresses the actuator spring and causes the air vent valve to open allowing air to vent to the environment to facilitate the submersion of the reactor node (see
(796) The actuator mono normally open 493 is controlled by the (E) dive disable control that is generated at the logic unit assembly enabling or disabling the control signals that supply the actuator dual 500e that in turn commands the cable winch to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. When the actuator mono normally open 493 is in its active position (493.Math.1) as drawn, it compresses the actuator spring and disables the control signals stopping the cable winch and when the actuator mono normally open 493 is in its inactive position (493.Math.0), it enables the control signals allowing the cable winch to rotate (see
(797) The actuator mono normally closed 495 is controlled by the (R) reset control that is generated at the logic unit assembly. When the actuator mono normally closed 495 is in its inactive position (495.Math.0) as drawn, it disables the water pressure reset input and the CO2 pressure reset input as intended for normal operation of the reactor. When the actuator mono normally closed 495 is in its active position (495.Math.1), it compresses the actuator spring and enables the water pressure reset input and the CO2 pressure reset input allowing water pressure and CO2 pressure to build up in the reactor during a reset command (see
(798) A set of controller springs 491a, 491b, 491c, etc. is used to ensure that the CO2 pressure controller devices, the water pressure controller devices, the ground pressure controller device, and the signal pressure controller devices return to their idle positions in case of power failure. A set of actuator springs 506a, 506b, etc. is used to ensure that the actuator monos, the actuator duals, the actuator mono normally open, and the actuator mono normally closed return to their idle positions in case of power failure. This ensures that the reactor node goes into safe mode in case of power failure. Two logic springs 686a and 686a are used, one in each diagnose gate 609a and 609b respectively in conjunction with an activation signal to control if the reactor node operates in normal mode or in controlled mode using the diagnose device (see
(799) Detail
(800) The diagnose gate face hole 1 612 and the diagnose gate side hole 1 613 are linked creating a 90 degree connection that joins the diagnose interface pipe 770 and the corresponding diagnose control pipe 771 and isolates the corresponding diagnose logic pipes 772 if they are aligned to that position. The diagnose gate through hole 2 614 and diagnose gate side hole 2 615 are linked creating a 3-way connection that joins the diagnose interface pipe 770, the corresponding diagnose control pipe 771, and the corresponding diagnose logic pipe 772 if they are aligned to that position. The diagnose gate 609a is so constructed that it has an odd number (21) of diagnose gate sections 611 and all odd positions counting from any extremity have a 90 degree connection and all even positions have a 3-way connection (see
(801) If the (j) maintenance job 768 signal is low (j=0) as drawn, the logic spring 686a pushes the diagnose gate 609a to the left in the opposite direction indicated by the arrow causing all diagnose interface pipes 770, diagnose control pipes 771, and diagnose logic pipes 772 to align with a position of the diagnose gate 609a that has a 3-way connection. This causes the i/o unit assembly to operate normally, receiving the logic signals generated inside the logic unit assembly that are also available to be monitored at the diagnose port.
(802) If the (j) maintenance job 768 signal is high (j=1), it pushes the diagnose gate 609a to the right in the direction indicated by the arrow compressing the logic spring 686a and causing all diagnose interface pipes 770, diagnose control pipes 771, and diagnose logic pipes 772 to align with a position of the diagnose gate 609a that has a 90 degree connection isolating all diagnose logic pipes 772. This causes the i/o unit assembly to operate in controlled mode, receiving the logic signals generated by the diagnose device connected to the diagnose port.
(803)
(804)
(805) The main input of the AND gate 583a is connected to the (j) maintenance job 768 and the aux input is connected to the (OV) depth overshoot 804 (output of the AND gate 583l).
(806) If the reactor node goes too deep so that the (OV) depth overshoot 804 is high (1), the AND gate 583a moves to the rest position and, as no logic spring is installed, stays there even after the dive overshoot situation is cleared until the (j) maintenance job 768 signal is high (1). This requires the intervention of a maintenance crew that will than inspect the reactor node for problems since it is not supposed to get to a depth that will cause a dive overshoot situation under normal circumstances (see
(807) Using the symbol as set to 1 and the symbol as reset to 0 (as in a set reset register) by the condition provided to the right of the symbol, the (OV) depth overshoot can be defined as: OVx msbx lsb; OVj.
(808) With the exception of AND gate 583c that is fed with the (g) ground lsb 805 coming from the ground pressure controller device the remaining AND gates located at the beginning of the alarm chain, between AND gate 583b and AND gate 583d are fed with the digitized lsb input signals produced by their respective signal pressure controller devices coming from the i/o unit assembly into their respective main inputs. From left to right the signals supplied into the main inputs of AND gate 583b to AND gate 583d are: (s) status in lsb, (q) query in lsb, (m) master/slave in lsb, (z) zero in lsb, (k) clock in lsb, (g) ground lsb 805, (w) water resupply lsb, (u) air resupply lsb, (v) dive in lsb, (r) reset in lsb 801, (h) help in lsb.
(809) The digitization law built into the signal pressure controller device produces a low lsb in case of a leak and a high lsb if no leak is detected. The ground pressure controller device produces a high lsb in case the ground pressure is within normal range and a low lsb in case the ground pressure exceeds the maximum ground operating pressure (see
(810) The four AND gates located at the end of the alarm chain (from right to left): AND gate 583h, AND gate 583g, AND gate 583f, and AND gate 583e are used to detect problems in the pipe ports A, B, C, and D respectively (see description in
(811) All input signals are fed into AND gates installed in the normal position. If an input signal is low (indicating a problem in a pipe port, a leak in a signal or that the ground pressure exceeded the operational range), the corresponding AND gate moves to its rest position and produces a low output that propagates down the chain. The final output of the arrangement is an (AL) alarm 798 signal that is high (1) if all AND gates are in the active position as drawn and low (0) if any of the AND gates moves to its rest position. AL=1 means the reactor node is operating normally and AL=0 indicates that at least one problem is present.
(812) The (AL) alarm 798 signal is fed into the main input and a (h) help in msb 795a is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583j producing a (H) help control 803 output with the logic function 803=798795a or replacing the numbers for the signal names: H=ALh msb. This is used to produce a daisy chain of the alarm status of the reactor nodes up to the current one. Each reactor node receives the (h) help in from the previous reactor node in the chain and digitizes it into the (h) help in msb. The AND gate 583j produces (H) help control that is used to generate the (H) help out that is transmitted to the next reactor node. A high initial input is fed into the first reactor node and propagates along the chain until a reactor node has a problem causing the (AL) alarm to be low and resulting in (H) help control low. Subsequent reactor nodes receive a low (h) help in msb resulting in low (H) help control regardless of the local (AL) alarm.
(813) A (s) status in msb 794 digitized from the (s) status in received from the previous reactor node is fed into the first input and the (h) help in msb 795b digitized from the (h) help in received from the previous reactor node is fed into the second input of the SEL gate 589a. The first and second clear inputs of the SEL gate 589a are not connected allowing the first and second outputs to be joined producing a single output (S) status control 796.
(814) A (q) query in msb 797 digitized from the (q) query in received from the previous reactor node is fed into the first input and the (AL) alarm 798 is fed into the second input of the SEL gate 589b. The first and second clear inputs of the SEL gate 589b are not connected allowing the first and second outputs to be joined producing a single output (Q) query control 799.
(815) The (y) unit ready 730 is fed into the main input and the register signal kzm 724 is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583i producing as output the (TX) transmit signal 793. The (TX) transmit signal 793 is fed into the main inputs of the SEL gate 589a and the SEL gate 589b.
(816) Using the compact notation m/s=1 if the signal (m) master/slave in msb matches the configuration of the reactor node (m=1 if the reactor node is configured as master or m=0 if the reactor node is configured as slave) and m/s=0 otherwise, the logic function produced is: 793=730724 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: TX=yk msbz msbm/s.
(817) The (TX) transmit signal 793 is high (793=1) if the following conditions are simultaneously satisfied: a) m/s=1 (the unit type is correct); b) (z) zero in msb=1 (counting is enabled); c) (y) unit ready=1 (the reactor node address is selected); d) (k) clock in msb=0 (low clock cycle).
(818) If 793=0, the SEL gate 589a and the SEL gate 589b produce as output the chain signals coming from the previous reactor node fed into their first inputs forwarding the messages received. If 793=1, the SEL gate 589a and the SEL gate 589b produce as output the local information fed into the second inputs. The implemented logic functions are: 796=(793794)(793795b); 799=(793797)(793798) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: S=(TXs msb)(TXh msb); Q=(TXq msb)(TXAL).
(819) The (S) status control 796 and (Q) query control 799 signals encode the status of the currently selected reactor node as following: S,Q=1,1.Math.no problem; S,Q=1,0.Math.alarm in selected reactor node (local alarm); S,Q=0,1.Math.alarm in one or more reactor nodes linked to the selected reactor node by the daisy chain help line (remote alarm); S,Q=0,0.Math.local and remote alarm.
(820) This is used as a means to expedite the polling of the reactor nodes in a farm. Each reactor node configured as master is connected to the end of a daisy chain that contains the reactor nodes configured as its slaves. When a master reactor node responds to the poll, if no alarm is present the monitoring system can proceed to the next master reactor node. If a remote alarm is present at a reactor node (master or slave) then the monitoring system checks the next reactor node in the daisy chain (the first slave in case of a master or the next address in case of a slave) to identify the troubled unit. If a local alarm (but no remote alarm) is present at a reactor node (master or slave) the monitoring system identifies the faulty unit and checks the next reactor node in the daisy chain to check if the alarm in the affected reactor node has prevented remote alarms from additional units from being detected.
(821) In case no alarms are present, only the master reactor nodes need to be selected requiring a maximum of 127 addresses instead of a maximum of 16129 (up to 127 slaves may be attached to each of the 127 masters). In case one alarm is present, only the masters and the slaves of the affected master need to be selected, or a maximum of 127+127=258 addresses in the worst case (see
(822) The reset signal is active low so it has to be tested for leaks to avoid false commands. A (r) reset in msb 800 is fed into the main input and a (r) reset in lsb 801 is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583k producing a (R) reset control 802 output. The AND gate 583k is installed flipped producing: 802=800801 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: R=r msbr lsb.
(823) In case of a leak (r lsb=0) then R=0. If no leak is present (r lsb=1) and the reset signal is not active (r msb=1), then r msb=0 and R=0. If no leak is present (r lsb=1) and the reset signal is active (r msb=0), then r msb=0 and R=1. The (R) reset control is sent to the i/o unit assembly to control the actuator mono normally closed that enables the reset signals inside the reactor node. To regenerate the reset signal to the following reactor node an additional NOT function is required. This is achieved by flipping the actuator mono that produces the (R) reset out that is transmitted producing R out=R=(r msbr lsb) (see
(824) The high pressure supply 792c is fed into the first input and the (x) external pressure lsb 684 is channeled into the second input of the SEL gate 589c that is installed flipped to introduce a NOT function at the main input that is fed with the (x) external pressure msb 685. A (v) dive in msb 806a signal, that is high in case the reactor node is commanded to dive, is supplied into the main input of the SEL gate 589d. The first and second outputs of the SEL gate 589c are forwarded into the first and second inputs of the SEL gate 589d respectively producing a (pl) dive complete 807 in the first output and a (FE) flag enable control 808 in the second output of the SEL gate 589d. The logic functions produced are: 807=806a685; 808=806a684685 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: pl=v msbx msb; FE=v msbx lsbx msb.
(825) The (pl) dive complete 807 is high in case the reactor node has been commanded to dive (806a=1) and the reactor node has reached or overshot the dive depth (685=1). The (FE) flag enable control 808 is high if the reactor node is commanded to stay at the surface (806a=1) and is currently at the surface (684,685=11). The (FE) flag enable control 808 is used to allow the flag to be raised only at the surface, protecting it from damage that could happen in the event that a fault occurs while the reactor node is submerged causing the flag to be raised and exposed to water movement (currents).
(826) The (FE) flag enable control 808 is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583o that is installed flipped introducing a NOT function at its main input that is fed with the (AL) alarm 798. The resulting (F) raise flag control 780 has the logic function 780=798808 or replacing the numbers for the signal names: F=ALFE. The (F) raise flag control 780 is low (the flag remains stowed) if the (AL) alarm 798 is high (798=0) when there is no current active alarm or the (FE) flag enable control 808 is low (808=0) then the flag cannot be safely raised.
(827) The (FE) flag enable control 808 is fed into the main input of the OR gate 579, the (pl) dive complete 807 is fed into the underside input of the OR gate 579 and the high pressure supply 792d is supplied into the side input of the AND gate 583m producing an output (E) dive disable control 809 that disables the movement of the cable winch with the following logic function: 809=(808807)792d=(808807)=(806a684685)(806a685). Replacing the numbers for the signal names: E=FEpl=(v msbx lsbx msb)(v msbx msb).
(828) The (E) dive disable control 809 is sent to the i/o unit assembly to control the actuator mono normally open that stops the cable winch. The (E) dive disable control 809 is high (809=1) causing the actuator mono normally open to move to its active position stopping the cable winch if the reactor node has been commanded to dive and has reached or overshot the dive depth (806a A685=1) or the reactor node is commanded to stay at the surface and is at the surface (806a684685=1). Otherwise, the (E) dive disable control 809 is low (809=0) causing the actuator mono normally open to move to its rest position allowing the cable winch to move and dive the reactor node if (v) dive in msb=1 or allow it to come back to the surface if (v) dive in msb=0 (see
(829) A different suffix letter is used to differentiate between different relevant points of the same (v) dive in msb 806a, 806b signal that originates in the signal pressure controller device that digitizes the (v) dive in signal in the i/o unit assembly and continues into the logic unit assembly.
(830) The (x) external pressure msb 685 is fed in the main input and the (v) dive in msb 806b is fed into the side input of the AND gate 583n producing as outputs the (IV) dive control 782 and the (T) vent air control 779. The logic function is: 782=779=685806b or replacing the numbers for the signal names: IV=T=x msbv msb. The (x) external pressure msb 685 is combined with the (v) dive in msb 806b as a backup strategy to prevent a dive overshoot. If (v) dive in msb 806b=1 commanding a dive and the (x) external pressure msb 685=1 indicating that the reactor node is at the surface or has not yet reached the designated depth then the (IV) dive control 782 and the (T) vent air control 779 are high 782=779=1. This causes the cable winch to rotate clockwise increasing the depth and the air vent valve to open allowing air accumulated in the reactor node to vent to the environment to facilitate the operation. When the designated depth is reached (x) external pressure msb 685=0 causes the (IV) dive control 782 and the (T) vent air control 779 to be low 782=779=0. At this point the (E) dive disable control 809 becomes high causing the actuator mono normally open to move to its active position stopping the rotation of the cable winch and placing the reactor node at the designated depth. As a backup, at the designated depth 782=779=0 causing the cable winch to change the rotation to counter clockwise and the air vent valve to close preventing more air from escaping into the environment. The backup strategy prevents the reactor node to dive further than intended should a failure interfere with the depth control system and the stopper placed at the anchor cable become loose (see
(831)
(832) The output of the AND gate 583j is the ppA alarm 811a and the output of the AND gate 583i that is the output (pp) pipe port status 810Aa. The implemented functions are: 811a=777A776A; 810Aa=777A776A775A or using the signal names: ppA alarm=nA lsbiA lsb; ppA=nA lsbiA lsbiA msb.
(833) The output of the AND gate 583m is the ppB alarm 812, the output of the AND gate 583n is the output (pp) pipe port status 810B and the output of AND gate 583o is the ppB alarm.sup.ne 813a. The implemented functions are: 813a=777B776B777e; 810B=777B776B775B or using the signal names: ppB alarm.sup.ne=nB lsbiB lsbne lsb; ppB=nB lsbiB lsbiB msb.
(834) The output of the AND gate 583p is the (pp) pipe port status 810Ca. The implemented function is: 810Ca=777C776C or using the signal names: ppC=nC lsbiC lsb.
(835) The output of the AND gate 583s is the (pp) pipe port status 810Da. The implemented function is: 810Da=777D776D or using the signal names: ppD=nD lsbiD lsb.
(836) The (O) open door control 778A has the following logic function: 778A=(810Ca815)(810Ca814) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OA=(ppCppBppAppD)(ppCppBppA).
(837) The (O) open door control 778B has the following logic function: 778B=(810Ca816)(810Ca810B) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OB=(ppCppBppD)(ppCppB).
(838) The (O) open door control 778D has the following logic function: 778D=(810B818)(810B817) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OD=(ppBppCppDppA)(ppBppCppD).
(839) The (O) open door control 778C has the following logic function: 778C=(810B819)(810B810Ca) or replacing the numbers for the signal names: OC=(ppBppCppA)(ppBppC).
(840) The outputs of the AND gate 583za and the AND gate 583zb are combined producing the (P) stop water pump control 781 with logic function: 781=778C778D or replacing the numbers for the signal names: P=OCOD.
(841) These functions implement the rerouting strategy for the reactor node opening or closing the appropriate pipe port doors and activating or deactivating the water pump depending on the current conditions. The pipe ports A or B work as input and the pipe ports C or D work as output. A pipe port where a leak is detected is unavailable. At least one input and one output must be available to allow operation otherwise all doors close. If operation is possible, the doors open and close according to the priority embedded into the functions and available pipe ports that are not in use remain in standby. In case operation is not possible (fault), available input pipe ports that cannot be connected to an output pipe port are blocked.
(842) Table 3 summarizes the results of the implemented output functions OA OB OC OD P for each combination of input functions ppA ppB ppC ppD and the resulting operational status in each case.
(843) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Truth table for implemented logic functions and resulting operational states pp BCAD OB OC OA OD P Priority Open Standby Leak Blocked Water pump 1111 1 1 0 0 0 1 BC AD running 1110 1 1 0 0 0 1 BC A D running 1101 1 1 0 0 0 1 BC D A running 1100 1 1 0 0 0 1 BC AD running 1011 1 0 0 1 0 2 BD A C running 1010 0 0 0 0 1 fault CD BA stop (no output) 1001 1 0 0 1 0 2 BD CA running 1000 0 0 0 0 0 fault CAD B stop (no output) 0111 1 1 1 0 0 3 AC D B running 0110 0 1 1 0 0 3 AC BA running 0101 0 0 0 0 1 fault CD BA stop (no input) 0100 0 0 0 0 1 fault C BAD stop (no input) 0011 0 0 1 1 0 4 AD BC running 0010 0 0 0 0 1 fault BCD A stop (no output) 0001 0 0 0 0 1 fault D BCA stop (no input) 0000 0 0 0 0 1 fault BCAD stop
(844) As seen on table 3 above, any valid combination of input and output pipe ports status will produce an operational state, with two pipe ports open and a running water pump. If sufficient problems occur to prevent normal operation, all pipe ports close and the water pump stops.
(845) The eleven AND gates located at the beginning of the alarm chain, between AND gate 583b and AND gate 583d (from left to right) are fed with the digitized lsb input signals produced by their respective signal pressure controller devices (or ground pressure controller device in the case of AND gate 583c) coming from the i/o unit assembly into their respective main inputs: (s) status in lsb, (q) query in lsb, (m) master/slave in lsb, (z) zero in lsb, (k) clock in lsb, (g) ground lsb 805, (w) water resupply lsb, (u) air resupply lsb, (v) dive in lsb, (r) reset in lsb 801, (h) help in lsb.
(846) The AND gate 583h main input is fed with the ppA alarm 811b. The AND gate 583g main input is fed with the ppB alarm.sup.ne 813b. The AND gate 583f main input is fed with the (pp) pipe port status 810Cb. The AND gate 583e main input is fed with the (pp) pipe port status 810Db.
(847) The resulting alarm function is: AL=OV.sup.s lsb.sup.q lsb.sup.m lsb.sup.z lsb.sup.k lsb.sup.g lsb.sup.w lsb.sup.u lsb.sup.v lsb.sup.r lsb.sup.h lsb.sup.(nA lsb.sup.iA lsb).sup.(nB lsb.sup.iB lsb.sup.ne lsb).sup.(nC lsb.sup.iC lsb).sup.(nD lsb.sup.iD lsb).
(848) The alarm function produces AL=1 in case no fault is present and AL=0 if a leak is present in any input signal (the corresponding lsb signal is low), the ground pressure is too high or if any pipe port has a problem. As the central monitoring goes through the polling of the reactor nodes in the wet reactor, eventually alarms present in affected reactor nodes are reported back through the transmitted SQ signals.
(849)
(850) The system works with four different pressure levels that the water pressure controller devices in each reactor node detect inside the pipe elements: Leak, Stand by, Operation, and Closed (see
(851) The water pressure controller devices in each reactor node are designed to inject water into the pipe elements attached to their respective pipe ports until the pressure reaches stand by pressure unless a leak is detected in which case they stop injecting water. If the pressure is higher than stand by, the water pressure controller devices do not remove it and simply stop injecting water. As a result, if no additional water pressure source is available, all pipe elements that do not have leaks will be kept at stand by pressure by the attached reactor nodes.
(852) When the water flow in the wet reactor starts, the first pipe element is supplied with water at normal pressure coming from the barge. As the water reaches the input pipe port of the first reactor node, it detects the normal pressure in the input pipe port and opens it in conjunction with its first priority output pipe port (or the second priority output if the first one is unavailable) routing the water flow to the next reactor node. The next reactor node does the same and the water flows continues through the path that is constructed according to the priorities assigned to each reactor node and the pipe elements available (the ones that are at stand by pressure) until it gets back to the barge.
(853) If a leak is detected in a pipe element, the affected reactor nodes close the pipe ports leading to it. The reactor node that closed its input pipe port is left with only stand by pressure in its other input pipe port and remains disabled with all pipe ports closed. The reactor node that closed its output pipe port still has incoming water at normal pressure and if the other output pipe port is available (in standby), it opens it and sends the water at normal pressure into the attached pipe element initiating a new path. The reactor node attached to this pipe element senses the pressure rising from stand by to normal and opens the input and its first priority output pipe ports (or second priority if the first one is unavailable). The process continues creating an alternate path that circumvents the leak.
(854) If the water flow gets to a reactor node that has its two output pipe ports disabled, the water flow is blocked and the pressure rises until it reaches the closed threshold. A reactor node that senses a closed pressure in a pipe port closes creating a closed pressure back wave that eventually reaches a reactor node that has a pipe port in stand by that can be opened creating a new path for the water flow.
(855) This process is illustrated in
(856) If another pipe element leaking 859c is detected in the same section of the wet reactor, the reactor node switching BC to BD 852b reacts to a pipe element leaking 859a detected in its output pipe port C and opens stand by pipe ports D, raising the pressure inside the pipe element from stand by to normal. A reactor node switching BC to AC 853b detects the normal pressure in the input pipe port A and opens its pipe port C circumventing the leak. The reactor node disabled 855c does not participate in the construction of the alternative path.
(857) However, in the event that the reactor node switching BC to BD 852b loses its second output pipe port A, it would be unable to route the water flow and become disabled with both pipe ports closed. The pressure would build up and the reactor node in configuration 5 848 (reverse flow) would sense a closed pressure in its output pipe port B previously open and close it. As the reactor node in configuration 5 848 would still have output pipe port A available, it would open it and the reactor node disabled 855c would again have incoming water at normal pressure and return to operation.
(858) A properly designed wet reactor has multiple accesses to the barge and a structure of hierarchical bypasses placed at regular intervals allowing it to withstand several faults in cascade. One pipe element leaking 859c will affect two reactor nodes and cause one single pipe element loop to be bypassed. A second and even third pipe element leaking 859a, 859b will be dealt with the same way unless it affects the same reactor nodes already affected by the first failure, causing them to be unable to find another path. Even in case a double failure produces a blocked path, it may still be possible to find another path within the section reopening a path through one of the previously disabled reactor nodes as explained above, allowing a section to withstand multiple failures.
(859) Disabling a section requires at least an unlucky triple failure, if three pipe elements leak, one connecting two consecutive reactor nodes facing each other in the zig zag pattern, one pipe element blocking the second output of the reactor node that lost its first output due to the first leak and the third pipe element blocking the second input of the reactor node that lost its first input due to the first leak causing both sides of the zig zag to be unavailable. As both reactor nodes are located in opposite sides of the zig zag, separated by a long pipe element, it is unlikely that one event will affect them all in such a way that they both will have faulty pipe elements in their other alternative pipe port. In case this happens, a section bypass will isolate the section where the triple failure has occurred and the reactor will remain operational with the section with multiple failures 861 disabled.
(860) A fourth failure will only create a more serious problem if it affects the reactor node that disabled the section where the triple failure has occurred. As the section bypass reactor node is probably located at some distance from the other reactor nodes affected by the triple failure and is reacting to a leak in a pipe element not directly connected to it, it is unlikely that the event that generated the faulty section will have any effect on it so another unrelated event must occur in the exact unlucky point to cause a group of sections to be disabled. If that unlucky second event indeed occurs, a yet higher order bypass can find an alternative path that will shut down a group of sections but keep most of the reactor operational and so on for yet higher hierarchies. In the extreme case the top most bypass will disable half of the reactor to keep the other half operational if an extremely unlikely combination of multiple cascaded failures occurs.
(861) Single and double failures with small impact in the operation of the reactor may be left to be fixed by the team of the service boat 874 that visits the unit farm 862 at regular intervals. Only more serious problems that would cause a significant impact on the productivity will require an unscheduled intervention of a dedicated maintenance crew.
(862)
(863) The local computer 953a uses its interfaces 958a, 958b, etc. to access the analog to digital converters 961, and the solenoid valves 964a and 964b. The solenoid valves convert the electrical signals originated at the local computer into water pressure output signals that go into the wet reactor and the analog to digital converters convert the water pressure signals that come from the wet reactor into electrical digital signals that the local computer can process. The signals are generated in the appropriate way respecting particular timing and rules to be able to effectively communicate with the hydraulic logic in the reactor nodes of the wet reactor.
(864) The local computer sends commands to its interfaces to produce, using the corresponding solenoid valves, the (K) clock out, the (M) master/slave out, and the (Z) zero out signals that are transmitted to all reactor nodes. The reactor nodes respond back and the interfaces pass on to the local computer the received (q) query in and (s) status in signals that the corresponding analog to digital converters turn into digital electric signals that the local computer can process. Each reactor node has a unique combination of an address and a master/slave bit so at any given time only one reactor node is selected. The reactor node that has its address selected generates the message and the other reactor nodes that are not selected forward the message they receive. The next clock pulse selects the next reactor node and the process repeats. The timing of these signals is illustrated in
(865) The timing point 1 981 marks the point that the Zero signal rises, allowing the LFSR registers to count. The state of the K and M signals before the timing point 1 981 is irrelevant as the Zero signal low causes all registers to move to the high position (1111111) and forces all reactor nodes to only forward received messages. It is important though to have K=0 and M=1 at the time Z=1 to receive the response of the reactor node configured as a master and with address 1 (1111111) that will be automatically selected as soon as Z=1. The response arrives after a short delay and in the case of
(866) The next raise of the clock signal at timing point 2 982 selects the next master with address 2 (0111111) and a short delay after the clock signal is lowered at timing point 3 983 the response q,s=0,1 is received indicating a problem in the unit. At timing point 4 984 M is reset to slave (M=0) to inquire the first slave of the previously selected master (0111111) to check if the alarm has prevented the master from reporting a problem in one of its slaves. The slave with address 1 (1111111) is automatically selected as soon as M is reset to 0 so the response arrives shortly after M=0 and in this case, it is q,s=1,1 indicating that the first slave and all subsequent slaves are ok.
(867) M is set again to master (M=1) and the clock raised to 1 at timing point 5 985 to continue and move on to the next master with address 3 (0011111). A short delay after the clock is lowered at timing point 6 986, the response q,s=1,0 is received indicating a problem in one of the slaves. At timing point 7 987 M is reset to slave (M=0) to inquire the first slave of the previously selected master (0011111) to check its status. The slave with address 1 (1111111) is automatically selected as soon as M is reset to 0 so the response arrives shortly after M=0 and in this case, it is q,s=1,0 indicating that the first slave is ok but another slave down the chain has a problem.
(868) The next raise of the clock signal at timing point 8 988 selects the next slave with address 2 (0111111) and a short delay after the clock signal lowers the response q,s=0,0 is received indicating problems in the unit and down the chain. The next raise of the clock signal at timing point 9 989 selects the next slave with address 3 (0011111) and a short delay after the clock signal lowers the response q,s=0,1 is received indicating a problem in the unit but not down the chain. The next raise of the clock signal at timing point 10 990 selects the next slave with address 4 (0001111) to check if the alarm in the previous slave has prevented it from reporting a problem in another slave down the chain. The response q,s=1,1 arrives a short delay after the clock signal lowers indicating that this unit and all subsequent ones are ok.
(869) M is set again to master (M=1) and the clock raised to 1 at timing point 11 991 to continue and move on to the next master with address 4 (0001111). A short delay after the clock is lowered, the response q,s=1,1 is received indicating that the unit and all its slaves are ok.
(870) At timing point 12 992 the Zero signal is reset to 0 to reinitiate the count and as it is set again to 1 at timing point 13 993 the first master with address 1 (1111111) is automatically selected. The response q,s=1,1 arrives after a short delay indicating no problem. The clock signal is raised at timing point 14 994 selecting the master with address 2 (0111111) and the process continues.
(871) The CO2 extraction unit operates based on the temperature dependent solubility of gases in the sea water. As the temperature of the water rises, less gases can stay dissolved and the surplus boils off. The system uses waste heat produced by the engine that generates power to run the pumps, generators, etc. to heat up the sea water to the point that the gases can be collected and uses a series of heat exchangers to increase the energy efficiency of the process. The boil off gases are mixed with the exhaust stream from the engine and the CO2 is separated by reducing the temperature below its deposition temperature of 32 C. Another set of heat exchangers is used to improve the energy efficiency of the process of deposition of CO2 and its sublimation to be used in the wet reactor (see
(872) The sea water intake filter 876 takes sea water from the sea water intake 893 filters a large portion of it and returns the rest out to the sea water flush 894 to carry living organisms and unwanted debris or suspended material. The incoming filtered sea water is supplied preheated to the water degasifier 877 by three different paths: 1) through heat exchanger 1 886; 2) through heat exchanger 3 888; 3) through heat exchanger 4 889. The volume flowing on each path is adjusted to recover the available heat at the corresponding heat exchangers monitoring the temperature at the hot water exit of each heat exchanger.
(873) The sea water at the water degasifier 877 circulates through the heat exchanger 5 890 to further heat the sea water exchanging heat with the exhaust gases coming from the engine 880. If necessary, the extra heat source 885 provides additional energy to heat the sea water to a point that causes the dissolved gases to boil off and leave the water degasifier 877 through the boil off gas pipe 907 joining the engine exhaust gases that have been cooled in the heat exchanger 5 890 and continuing to the heat exchanger 3 888.
(874) The heat exchanger 1 886 and the heat exchanger 2 887 are part of the oxygen extractor 884 designed to remove excess oxygen from the reactor water culture to prevent oxygen induced growth impairment of the algae culture. The water culture containing oxygen comes from the reactor and passes through the heat exchanger 2 887 where it exchanges heat with the hot sea water that has had its dissolved gases removed and is being discharged from the water degasifier 877. The temperature of the water culture increases causing the dissolved gases rich in oxygen to boil off and be removed from the oxygen extractor 884 by the boil off oxygen pipe 926 to be stored or used elsewhere. At the same time the temperature of the discarded sea water decreases to as close to ambient as possible to avoid wasting energy and allow the discarded sea water to be safely returned to the ocean. The water culture leaving the heat exchanger 2 887 passes through the heat exchanger 1 886 exchanging heat with the incoming filtered sea water. The reactor culture water is cooled back to near ambient temperature so it can be returned to the reactor and the incoming filtered sea water is preheated to go into the water degasifier 877.
(875) The incoming filtered sea water that passes through the heat exchanger 4 889 exchanges heat with the coolant water of the engine 880. This recovers waste heat from the engine to preheat the incoming sea water before it reaches the water degasifier 877 and keeps the engine 880 cooled to its operational temperature.
(876) The incoming filtered sea water that passes through the heat exchanger 3 888 exchanges heat with the exhaust gases of the engine combined with the boiled off sea water gases. The temperature of the gases reduces causing the water vapor contained in the engine exhaust gas to condensate and be removed by the condensate drain heat exchanger 3 910 going to the condensed water cleaner 878 that removes contaminants so the condensed water can be safely discarded into the ambient. The discharge water aerator 879 injects oxygen enriched air 915 extracted from the reactor culture water into all processed water that will be discarded to make it safe for sea life before it is returned to the environment.
(877) The combined engine exhaust gases and boiled off sea water gases leave the heat exchanger 3 888 cooled to near ambient temperature and continue into the vaporizer 881 where they pass through the vaporizer heat exchanger 892. The heat exchange causes solid CO2 stored in the vaporizer 881 to sublimate and the exhaust and boiled off gases to be cooled to below ambient temperature. The gaseous CO2 is removed from the vaporizer 881 and sent to the reactor to feed the algae culture. The exhaust and boiled off gases continue to the heat exchanger 6 891 and exchange heat with the depleted CO2 gases coming from the CO2 separator 883 at nearly 32 C., the deposition temperature of CO2. The depleted CO2 gases are heated and discarded to the atmosphere and the exhaust and boiled off gases are precooled to near 32 C. and go into the CO2 extractor 882. As the input exhaust and boiled off gases have been precooled the CO2 extractor 882 is able to operate and reach the deposition temperature of the CO2 using less energy. As CO2 deposits, it is collected by the CO2 separator 883 and sent to the vaporizer 881.
(878) The algae separation unit shown in
(879) The water culture phase 930 is sent to the oxygen extractor 884. The removed oxygen is sent to the discharge water aerator that injects air enriched with oxygen into the discharged sea water to make it safe for marine life. The water coming from the oxygen extractor 884 goes to the flow splitter 933 that separates it into two parts: the water to diluter 938 and the water to add nutrients 940. The water to diluter 938 is mixed in the culture diluter 928 with the culture to diluter 935 received from the flow divider 927 producing the diluted water to reactor 939 that is sent to restock the reactor. The water to add nutrients 940 is mixed with nutrients 941 producing the enriched water 942 that is sent to the compressor to power the reactor and disperse the nutrients.
(880) The algae separator 929 is composed of the separator case 943, the concentrator 944, and the helical pusher 945. The separator case 943 provides support for the other components and containment for the water culture being processed. As the helical pusher 945 rotates it forces water culture coming through the slurry entry 949 into an ever reducing volume pressing the culture against the concentrator 944 that is made of a porous metal sheet that has openings small enough that water is allowed through but not the microalgae. The mechanical action of the helical pusher 945 keeps the algae from clogging the pores in the concentrator 944 gently pushing the algae forward. As more and more water is forced out and collected in the water exit 951 the culture is progressively concentrated into an algae slurry that eventually exits at the slurry exit 950.
Detailed DescriptionAlternative Embodiment
(881)
(882) As all signals are carried by an electric cable, the alternative module assembly 995 has only eight hose attachments on the top, four on each side to supply pressurized water, pressurized air, and pressurized CO2 that are required for the operation of the reactor node and to provide access to the ground pressure for maintenance crews. The four attachments on the right side are: (u) air resupply right 165, (w) water resupply right 166, (l) CO2 resupply right 176, (gnd) ground 180a. The four attachments on the left side are: (U) air resupply left 177, (W) water resupply left 178, (L) CO2 resupply left 188, (gnd) ground 180b.
(883) Apart from the module assembly that is replaced by the alternative module assembly 995, the reactor node and the other components of the wet reactor remain the same and hydraulic power remains the main source of power. The doors, water pump, cable winch, flag and other active components are still powered using pressurized water but the control is done by electronic components in the alternative module assembly 995 that is also responsible for the logic and communications, requiring low power to operate. The alternative module assembly 995 has the same shape and connections on its underside as the module assembly to be able to fit perfectly inside the module bay and seamlessly interface with the reactor node, supplying all control signals at their proper places.
(884)
(885)
(886) Detail
(887) The power supply and signal cable 998 provides power and communication to each alternative module assembly through a series of cable taps 999.
OperationAlternative Embodiment
(888) The operation of the alternative embodiment of the wet reactor is basically the same as the first embodiment, with the exception that the communications are performed in a much easier and quicker way through the electronic circuits. Each reactor node is configured with its own electronic address. As more addresses can be easily provided, the master/slave structure may be kept or not depending on each case. The answer to the polling can carry more information, including the status of all alarms and the status of each pipe port improving the information available to the maintenance crews and management. Depending on the selected supplier of the electronics, the communication can be over a wired or wireless connection and follow standard protocols or a custom protocol provided by the manufacturer.
(889) The drawback of the alternative embodiment is that all the benefits of the electronic control come at a cost. It is expected that the simple plastic parts used in the first embodiment of the module assembly will be cheaper to manufacture and maintain and be more reliable than their electronic counterparts used in the alternative module assembly.
(890) The flexibility and additional power offered by the electronic version may still justify its use in selected applications or in most applications once high volume orders cause the price of the parts to drop and satisfactory isolation from the sea environment is developed allowing the parts to achieve an acceptable level of reliability.
CONCLUSION
(891) A new integrated system is proposed to cultivate microalgae in land or sea environments. The system is composed of a reactor and associated equipment working integrated to reduce energy requirements and improve productivity. The reactor is made mostly of injected and extruded plastic parts that are cheap to manufacture and maintain, resistant to the harsh environment conditions the reactor is expected to be exposed and easily scalable.
(892) The reactor features distributed pumping and distributed nutrient dispensing using high pressure water produced as a byproduct of the algae extraction process, precise control of CO2 concentration at individual sections throughout the reactor, oxygen removal and temperature stability are all factors that contribute to higher productivity. A key advantage of the system is being able to extract the required CO2 from the sea water using mostly waste energy from other processes.
(893) The reactor is capable of autonomous unattended operation for extended periods of time, automatically detecting faults and isolating affected sections to prevent contamination of the environment or the media culture in case of leaks and taking appropriate actions to circumvent the problems and continue operating in the best possible condition. The reactor can be submerged in case of storms to prevent damage and is able to report problems to a central monitoring system.