Abstract: A subsea blowout preventer control system has horizontally oriented solenoid valve housings. Solenoid valves mounted within each of the solenoid valve housings are electrically controlled to selectively provide a hydraulic pilot signal to a hydraulic valve. A vertically extending central chamber contains a dielectric liquid and extends alongside the solenoid valve housings. A communication tube for each solenoid valve housing has an open upper end within the central chamber adjacent an upper end of the central chamber. Each of the communication tubes has an open lower end extending into one of the solenoid valve housings for communicating dielectric liquid in the central chamber with an interior of each of the solenoid valve housings. A separate drain line mounted to each of the solenoid valve housings enables draining of one of the solenoid valve housings for maintenance without requiring draining of other of the solenoid valve housings.

Abstract: A method of reducing hydraulic shock in a BOP system including a pressure regulator having an input port and an output port, and a regulator piston that moves between an open and a closed position based on a change in hydraulic pressure applied to the regulator piston via a pilot port. The method includes initiating a function, and monitoring the state of the function as it is carried out to predict when the function nears the end of its cycle. The method also includes, when the function reaches a predetermined state, adjusting the hydraulic pressure on the regulator piston via the pilot port to gradually move the regulator piston between the open to the closed position to reduce fluid flow through the fluid path in a controlled manner to reduce hydraulic shock.

Abstract: A subsea blowout preventer control system has horizontally oriented solenoid valve housings. Solenoid valves mounted within each of the solenoid valve housings are electrically controlled to selectively provide a hydraulic pilot signal to a hydraulic valve. A vertically extending central chamber contains a dielectric liquid and extends alongside the solenoid valve housings. A communication tube for each solenoid valve housing has an open upper end within the central chamber adjacent an upper end of the central chamber. Each of the communication tubes has an open lower end extending into one of the solenoid valve housings for communicating dielectric liquid in the central chamber with an interior of each of the solenoid valve housings. A separate drain line mounted to each of the solenoid valve housings enables draining of one of the solenoid valve housings for maintenance without requiring draining of other of the solenoid valve housings.

Abstract: A blowout preventer control system includes a valve block having a solenoid valve face and a hydraulic valve face. Solenoid valve cavities extend into the valve block front the solenoid valve face, each solenoid valve cavity containing an electrically actuated solenoid valve. Hydraulic valve cavities extend into the valve block from the hydraulic valve face, each containing a hydraulic valve. A solenoid valve supply passage in the valve block joins each of the solenoid valve cavities. A solenoid valve pilot passage in the valve block extends from one of the solenoid valve cavities to tine of the hydraulic valves. A hydraulic valve supply passage in the valve block joins each of the hydraulic valve cavities. A hydraulic valve outlet passage extends from each of the hydraulic valve cavities out of the valve block.