Piston accumulator bladder apparatus system and method

Abstract

The present invention is a new and improved bladder for use with a piston accumulator apparatus, system and method of using same that provides a dispersion tube in the bladder to allow fluid to be communicated under a vacuum from the bladder to the accumulator seawater chamber and back again.

Claims

1. A subsea piston accumulator and bladder system comprising: a subsea piston accumulator having a seawater port for selectively communicating hydraulic fluid into and out of said subsea piston accumulator; a conduit having a first end connected to said seawater port and a second end; a bladder having an interior and a bladder aperture connected to said second end of said conduit for communicating said hydraulic fluid into and out said interior of said bladder; a liner disposed in said interior of said bladder, said liner having an interior adapted to hold said hydraulic fluid and wherein said liner has a liner aperture for communicating said hydraulic fluid into and out of said interior of said liner; and a dispersion tube disposed in said liner, said dispersion tube having a first end with a first end aperture for communicating said hydraulic fluid into and out of said dispersion tube, a length, a second end, and a plurality of dispersion tube apertures on said length adapted to communicate said hydraulic fluid into and out of said dispersion tube and into and out of said interior of said liner.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said second end of said dispersion tube is removably attached to said interior of said bladder via a cradle mounted to said interior of said bladder.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said cradle includes a foot adapted to allow said second end of said dispersion tube to slide into said foot.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said first end of said dispersion tube is fixed to said interior of said bladder.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said second end of said dispersion tube is rounded.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, AND APPENDICES

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations, graphs, drawings and appendices.

(2) FIG. 1 is a general cross section illustration of a subsea piston accumulator and bladder system of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a general cross section illustration of a bladder of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a general cross section partial illustration of a lower portion of a bladder of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a general cross section illustration of a dispersion tube of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(6) Referring to the illustrations, drawings, and pictures, and to FIG. 1 in particular, reference character 10 generally designates a new and improved bladder for use with a piston accumulator apparatus, system and method of using same constructed in accordance with the present invention. Invention 10 is generally used in oil and gas well operations such as but not limited to blow out preventers and may be utilized in other operations not associated with oil and gas drilling operations. For purposes of convenience, the reference numeral 10 may generally be utilized for the indication of the invention, portion of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention and so on. It is also to be understood that invention 10 should not be considered limited to an improved bladder and the term bladder should not be considered to limit the invention to such. Invention 10 may also include a new and improved accumulator apparatus, system and method as well as new and improved blowout preventer apparatus, system and method.

(7) Bladder 20 may include a top 30, a length 40, a bottom 50, an interior 60, an exterior 70, and outlet 80 for communicating fluid to subsea piston accumulator 90. Bladder 20 may be made from nylon but is not limited to such. It is understood that bladder 20 may be elastomeric and or somewhat elastomeric to compress and expand depending on ambient subsea water pressure. Bladder 20 may include a liner 100 such as but not limited to plastic. Liner 100 generally lines the interior 60 of bladder 20.

(8) Invention 10 may include a dispersion tube 110 having a top 120, a length 130, a bottom 140, an interior and or inner diameter 150, an exterior and or outer diameter 160, and so forth. Tube 110 may be made of stainless but is not limited to same. Length 130 may be 16 feet, interior diameter 150 may be about 1 inch, and outer diameter 160 may be an inch. It is understood that lengths, sizes, shapes and so forth may be larger and or smaller and the current invention 10 should not be considered limited to the illustrations and examples. Tube 110 may not necessarily be a round tube configuration and may be square, triangular and so forth. Tube 110 may include holes 170, which may be drilled out and relatively small such as a inch but is to be understood that larger size, configuration and arrangement is contemplated.

(9) Invention 10 dispersion tube 110 generally provides a structure wherein bladder 20 and or liner 100 may have a passageway for fluid to travel the length of bladder 20 even if part of liner 100 and bladder 20 collapse and impedes fluid flow when fluid is being moved to accumulator 90.

(10) Invention 10 contemplates generally fixing tube 110 inside bladder 20 liner 100 wherein top 120 of tube 110 is fixed at top 30 of bladder 20 and in communication 75 with outlet 80. Communication 75 may be a hose, line, conduit and so forth as known in the art. Furthermore, tube 110 bottom 140 may be fixed at bladder 20 bottom 50. In a preferred construction, 110 may be threaded at top 120 for securing to outlet 80. Bottom 140 of tube 110 may be fixed by sliding in a foot 180, which may be a larger diameter tube fixed by a bladder cradle 190. It is understood that numerous other embodiments are contemplated to generally secure tube 110. In a preferred construction, invention 10 may utilize cradle 190, which may be fixed at bottom 50 of bladder 20 for supporting tube 110 during transportation and movement in general.

(11) Accumulator 90 is known in the art and may include a nitrogen chamber 200, working fluid chamber 210, working fluid port 220, seawater chamber 230, seawater port 240, a vacuum chamber 250, and so forth. Conduit 260 may be between bladder 20 and seawater port 240 for communicating fluid 270 back and forth from bladder 20 to seawater chamber 230.

(12) It is therefore contemplated that the current invention may be a subsea piston accumulator and bladder system comprising: a subsea piston accumulator having a seawater port for selectively communicating liquid into and out of said subsea piston accumulator; a bladder having an interior and an aperture for communicating said liquid into and out said interior of said bladder; a liner disposed in said interior of said bladder, said liner having an interior adapted to hold said fluid and wherein said liner has an aperture for communicating said fluid into and out of said interior of said liner; and a dispersion tube a disposed in said liner, said dispersion tube having a first end with an aperture for communicating said fluid into and out of said dispersion tube, a length, a second end, and a plurality of apertures on said length adapted to communicate said liquid into and out of said dispersion tube and into and out of said interior of said liner.

(13) It is also contemplated that the current invention may be a subsea piston accumulator and bladder system comprising wherein said second end of said dispersion tube is removably attached to said interior of said bladder via a cradle mounted to said interior of said bladder; wherein said cradle includes a foot adapted to allow said second end of said dispersion tube to slide into said foot; wherein said first end of said dispersion tube is fixed to said interior of said bladder; and wherein said second end of said dispersion tube is rounded.

(14) Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, names, titles, headings and general division of the aforementioned are provided for convenience and therefore, should not be considered limiting.