Abstract: A control system includes a closing unit including a tank including a usable volume of the control system, at least one primary pump configured to pump hydraulic fluid from the usable volume of the tank, a plurality of valves, and a first pressure transducer disposed between the at least one primary pump and at least one valve of the plurality of valves. The at least one primary pump, the pressure transducer, and the at least one valve of the plurality of valves are hydraulically connected with the tank. The first pressure transducer manages a start-stop operation of the at least one primary pump. Hydraulic fluid within the control system has a predetermined static pressure. The at least one pump is powered by an electric energy source.

Abstract: Valves with articulated seal ring assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a valve includes a hollow body having an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with an inner chamber of the hollow body, a piston disposed within the inner chamber of the hollow body, and an articulated seal ring assembly carried by the piston. The articulated seal ring assembly includes a shear seal ring that is seated against an interior surface within the hollow body and is coupled to the piston via a joint that facilitates pivoting of the shear seal ring with respect to the piston. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve includes a cage having at least one fluid inlet proximate a first end of the cage and a fluid outlet proximate a second end of the cage. The valve also includes a spool configured to move axially within the cage between an open position in which the spool enables fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and a closed position in which the spool blocks fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The valve further includes an annular seal supported within an annular groove formed in one of the cage or the spool. The annular seal is configured to seal a radial gap between the cage and the spool while the spool is in the closed position and is positioned between the first end of the cage and the at least one fluid inlet along an axial axis of the valve to block fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet while the spool is in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a seal, such as a seal in a blowout preventer or in another oilfield device, is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a blowout preventer including a seal and a blowout preventer seal-monitoring system that includes a sensor positioned within a body of the seal and a data analyzer. The data analyzer has a processor and is configured to monitor a condition of the seal through analysis of data received by the data analyzer from the sensor positioned within the body of the seal. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Directional control valves with blind shear rings are provided. In one embodiment, a valve includes a piston within an inner chamber of a hollow body having inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The valve includes a shear seal ring positioned in the piston and seated against an interior surface within the hollow body. The shear seal ring includes an interior cavity for allowing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port via the interior cavity depending on the position of the piston. Further, the valve includes a blind ring positioned in the piston. At least a portion of the blind ring is exposed to fluid via the interior cavity of the shear seal ring, and the blind ring prevents flow of fluid from the interior cavity of the shear seal ring through the blind ring. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve includes a cage having at least one fluid inlet proximate a first end of the cage and a fluid outlet proximate a second end of the cage. The valve also includes a spool configured to move axially within the cage between an open position in which the spool enables fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and a closed position in which the spool blocks fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The valve further includes an annular seal supported within an annular groove formed in one of the cage or the spool. The annular seal is configured to seal a radial gap between the cage and the spool while the spool is in the closed position and is positioned between the first end of the cage and the at least one fluid inlet along an axial axis of the valve to block fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet while the spool is in the closed position.

Abstract: A system including a pressure regulator configured to regulate a flow of pressurized fluid in a hydrocarbon extraction system, the pressure regulator, including a housing having a chamber, a biasing system configured to provide a biasing force, a sensing piston disposed within the chamber, wherein the sensing piston is responsive to pressure within the chamber and the biasing force from the biasing system, and a supply seal plate comprising a first fluid supply passageway configured to reduce oscillations of the sensing piston.

Abstract: Directional control valves with blind shear rings are provided. In one embodiment, a valve includes a piston within an inner chamber of a hollow body having inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The valve includes a shear seal ring positioned in the piston and seated against an interior surface within the hollow body. The shear seal ring includes an interior cavity for allowing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port via the interior cavity depending on the position of the piston. Further, the valve includes a blind ring positioned in the piston. At least a portion of the blind ring is exposed to fluid via the interior cavity of the shear seal ring, and the blind ring prevents flow of fluid from the interior cavity of the shear seal ring through the blind ring. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid control system may be included within a blowout preventer subsea control pod of a subsea drilling system. The fluid control system includes a primary fluid flow path including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connectable to a fluid supply source, the outlet connectable to a component controllable by the fluid supply source, a surge relief valve connected within the primary fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a control valve connected within the primary fluid flow path between the surge relief valve and the outlet such that hydraulic pressure surges received within the primary fluid flow path are dampened, at least partially, by the surge relief valve before received by the control valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a seal, such as a seal in a blowout preventer or in another oilfield device, is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a blowout preventer including a seal and a blowout preventer seal-monitoring system that includes a sensor positioned within a body of the seal and a data analyzer. The data analyzer has a processor and is configured to monitor a condition of the seal through analysis of data received by the data analyzer from the sensor positioned within the body of the seal. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system including a pressure regulator configured to regulate a flow of pressurized fluid in a hydrocarbon extraction system, the pressure regulator, including a housing having a chamber, a biasing system configured to provide a biasing force, a sensing piston disposed within the chamber, wherein the sensing piston is responsive to pressure within the chamber and the biasing force from the biasing system, and a supply seal plate comprising a first fluid supply passageway configured to reduce oscillations of the sensing piston.

Abstract: A fluid control system may be included within a blowout preventer subsea control pod of a subsea drilling system. The fluid control system includes a primary fluid flow path including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connectable to a fluid supply source, the outlet connectable to a component controllable by the fluid supply source, a surge relief valve connected within the primary fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a control valve connected within the primary fluid flow path between the surge relief valve and the outlet such that hydraulic pressure surges received within the primary fluid flow path are dampened, at least partially, by the surge relief valve before received by the control valve.