Adjusting damping properties of an in-line passive heave compensator

摘要

In some aspects, an in-line passive heave compensator system includes a damper actuator, a fluid vessel, and a hydraulic manifold. The damper actuator extends and retracts in response to an external dynamic load, and the fluid vessel transfers hydraulic fluid between itself and the damper actuator (e.g., back and forth) as the damper actuator extends and retracts. The hydraulic manifold provides the channel of fluid transfer between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The hydraulic manifold includes an extension flow control device in an extension fluid path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The extension fluid path receives fluid flow only during extension of the damper actuator. The hydraulic manifold includes a retraction flow control device in a retraction flow path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The retraction flow path receives fluid flow only during the retraction of the damper actuator.

主权项

1. An in-line passive heave compensator system comprising:
a damper actuator that extends and retracts by force applied by an external load; a fluid vessel that communicates hydraulic fluid with the damper actuator as the damper actuator extends and retracts; a hydraulic manifold that communicates the hydraulic fluid between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel, the hydraulic manifold comprising:
an extension flow-metering device in an extension flow path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel, the extension flow path receives flow only during extension of the damper actuator;a retraction flow-metering device in a retraction flow path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel, the retraction flow path receives flow only during retraction of the damper actuator,an extension check valve that permits flow between the fluid vessel and the extension flow path during extension of the damper actuator and that prevents flow between the fluid vessel and the extension flow path during retraction of the damper actuator; anda retraction check valve that permits flow between the fluid vessel and the retraction flow path during retraction of the damper actuator and that prevents flow between the fluid vessel and the retraction flow path during extension of the damper actuator.