Subsea actuator remediation tool

Abstract

A subsea actuator remediation tool comprises a spring return hydraulic actuator which further comprises a housing defining an interior fluid pathway, a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway, a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway and in communication with the spring, a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop, a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway and disposed proximate the first end piece, a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop, and a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece. The subsea actuator remediation tool can be placed in fluid communication with one or more manifolds, including pre-existing subsea manifolds, and, if the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined level, seal the fluid lines to prevent further fluid flow until the fluid pressure issues can be resolved.

1 ) A subsea actuator remediation tool, comprising:
 a) a housing defining an interior fluid pathway;   b) a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway;   c) a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway, the piston in communication with the spring;   d) a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop;   e) a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the first fluid input disposed proximate the first end piece;   f) a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop; and   g) a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece.   
     
     
         2 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first end piece and the second end piece are securely fastened to their respective ends of the housing. 
     
     
         3 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first end piece and the second end piece are removably fastened to their respective ends of the housing using a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         4 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool of  claim 1 , comprising a fail-safe closed position, the fail-safe closed position comprising:
 a) the spring, comprising an uncompressed state, disposed in its uncompressed state; and   b) the piston urged against the piston stop by the spring in its uncompressed state.   
     
     
         5 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the piston is urged against the piston stop in an occlusive arrangement against the piston stop by the spring in the spring's uncompressed state. 
     
     
         6 ) A subsea actuator remediation tool system, comprising:
 a) a subsea actuator remediation tool, comprising:
 i) a housing defining an interior fluid pathway; 
 ii) a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway; 
 iii) a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway and in communication with the spring; 
 iv) a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop; 
 v) a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway and disposed proximate the first end piece; 
 vi) a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop; and 
 vii)a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece; 
   b) a first manifold comprising a first fluid port;   c) a first fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first fluid port and the first fluid input;   d) a first valve operatively in fluid communication with the first fluid port and the first fluid input;   e) a second manifold, comprising a second manifold first port and a second manifold second port;   f) a second fluid pathway in fluid communication with the second fluid output and the second manifold first port; and   g) a second valve operatively in fluid communication with the second fluid output and in fluid communication with the second manifold first port.   
     
     
         7 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a) a third fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first fluid output and the second manifold second port; and   b) a third valve operatively in fluid communication with the first fluid output, the first valve, and the second manifold second port.   
     
     
         8 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of  claim 6 , further comprising a console, the console comprising:
 a) a first valve actuator operatively in communication with the first valve;   b) a second valve actuator operatively in communication with the second valve; and   c) a third valve actuator operatively in communication with the third valve.   
     
     
         9 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of  claim 6 , wherein the first manifold comprises a dual pressure (DP) manifold. 
     
     
         10 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of  claim 6 , wherein the second manifold comprises a dual pressure (DP) manifold. 
     
     
         11 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of  claim 6 , further comprising a sensor disposed between the first valve and the subsea actuator remediation tool. 
     
     
         12 ) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of  claim 6 , further comprising a sensor disposed between the second valve and the subsea actuator remediation tool. 
     
     
         13 ) A method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a subsea actuator remediation tool with failed compensation, the subsea actuator remediation tool defining a spring return hydraulic actuator comprising a housing defining an interior fluid pathway, a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway, a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway and in communication with the spring, a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop, a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway and disposed proximate the first end piece, a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop, and a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece, the method comprising:
 a) operatively placing the subsea actuator remediation tool into fluid communication with a fluid supply line to an existing manifold;   b) using fluid pressure in the subsea actuator remediation tool to return the spring to a fail-safe closed position when fluid pressure in the fluid supply line falls below a predetermined pressure indicative of a failed compensation; and   c) keeping the subsea actuator remediation tool attached to hold the vacuum pressure within the actuator, assisted with a spring return system.   
     
     
         14 ) The method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation of  claim 13 , wherein the fail-safe closed position comprises the spring in a substantially uncompressed state. 
     
     
         15 ) The method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation of  claim 13 , further comprising opening the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is applied and using the spring to close the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is relieved. 
     
     
         16 ) The method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a) using a pump to pull vacuum on a manifold;   b) sealing the manifold with a valve;   c) keeping the subsea actuator remediation tool attached to hold the vacuum pressure within the actuator; and   d) allowing the subsea actuator remediation tool to act as an interface via a hydraulic flying lead input, comprising:
 i) opening the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is applied; and 
 ii) using the spring to close the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is relieved.