While CPI’s robust linear position sensor technology works great to report absolute cylinder position under the most demanding of conditions, it also has great application as a gauge of pre-charge pressure in a hydraulic accumulator. And perhaps nowhere is the operating environment of a hydraulic accumulator more challenging than in deep sea oilfield exploration riser tensioner systems.
Marine Riser And Tensioner Systems Explained Crews of drilling rigs understand how critical this functionality is. Without a tensioner the riser will buckle when the rig moves downward, and stretch when the rig rises. If you gather around the moon pool of any offshore rig or vessel during a storm you’ll see a riser/tensioner system hard at work. These systems use a bank of hydraulic accumulators to drive piston displacements in reaction to the heaving of a heavy sea. It is crucial that the tensioner can manage differential movements between the riser and the rig as the riser is connected to the wellhead on the seabed. The use of hydro-pneumatics in a system comprising a hydraulic cylinder, accumulator and typically wire sheaves, enables compensation for rig movements and maintains constant wire tension. These accumulators are constructed using a gas (typically air or nitrogen) and hydraulic fluid to drive displacements up to 12 meters. How do CPI Linear Position Sensors Fit In? Critical to operation of the tensioner system are accurate measurements of the air/oil compression ratio. Control systems must monitor and replace lost air dynamically and the position of the piston for a given hydraulic oil pressure is a direct indication of the need for increases to gas volume which can then be injected by an automatically controlled compressor. CPI Linear Position Sensors like the SL-1500 and others are designed for these kinds of applications: CPI SL1290 Series For Hydraulic Accumulators
Another key function provided by CPI Sensors is to provide critical feedback during a disconnect scenario. In this scenario the riser must be disconnected before the rig is critically out of position with respect to the well head. Typically a tensioner ring employs six hydraulic accumulators with six valves controlled by the computer through signals from the valves and the CPI linear position sensor which is acting as the piston rod measuring system. Some systems are implemented with the cylinders mounted directly to the tensioner ring as opposed to using a wireline implementation. In these systems, a riser disconnect scenario detected by the CPI linear position sensor will cause the valve to limit the oil-flow and the riser will not gain momentum as it often does in a wireline system. During disconnect the control system controls the position of the valves and the riser is brought up in a controlled way again using input from our sensors. Contact CPI – Lets Talk Accumulators CPI sensors are no stranger to oil field operations, and are one of the most unique offerings in the world for long stroke, piston accumulator position sensing in extreme environments. Please call our engineering team today to discuss your hydraulic accumulator based application or visit us at http://www.cpi-nj.com. This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/marine-riser-and-tensioner-system-hydraulics/ In the world of material handling equipment, operator safety is probably one of the more critical design considerations. With Forklifts and Telehandlers that are moving tons of sheetrock, cinder-block or other materials you don't really want that to land on somebody. Or run them over while you're moving it around. That would be bad.
Switch Applications for Forklifts and TelehandlersThere are a number of safety systems present in Forklifts and Telehandlers for which CPI waterproof switch products often get selected. Since these specialized vehicles often operate outdoors in less than ideal conditions on construction sites, a tough and durable switch is essential to both equipment uptime, and job safety. Neutral Safety Switch The job of a neutral safety switch is to insure that you can't start a vehicle be it an automobile or a forklift, while the vehicle is in gear. If you allowed that, the vehicle could suddenly lurch forward causing instability of payload and injury to anyone standing too close. On a forklift or telehandler, the neutral safety switch is typically screwed into the valve body on top of the transmission. As such it can be subject to the hot temperatures of the transmission block and valve assembly. For this application our J4001 ball switch is often used owing to its highly robust all stainless steel design, and its qualification for extreme electromechanical endurance. At the heart of the J4 is a patented ball carrier design which prevents contaminates such as mud, dirt, ice, sand, dust, etc. from jamming the ball. Furthermore the switches are completely submersible and are unaffected by water, salt spray, humidity, dirt, dust, sand, icing, oil, shock and vibration. Back Up Alarm Switch If you've ever spent any time in a warehouse or on a construction site, you've for sure heard that loud annoying beeping sound whenever a lift moves backwards. That doesn't happen without the engagement of a switch like our E1078 Waterproof Limit Switch. Our switch is mechanically enganged when the lift moves backward and handles the full current load required by most horns, up to 15A rated load available. Stop Switch An emergency stop switch is a staple of the non-automotive vehicular class of equipment providing immediate cessation of power to key drive systems in an emergency. CPI switches like our B2003 Normally Open pushbutton are 100% waterproof solutions that can be mounted in panels or dashboards anywhere on the vehicle. These pendant style switches come in a full assortment of styles to fit any set of engineering requirements. Electrical ratings, pole configuration, current rating, button height and more can be specified. Electromechanical endurance ratings up to 5 million cycles has been achieved. CPI Waterproof Switch Customization CPI solutions for the non-automotive vehicular market are widespread but share a common desire by manufacturers for tough, reliable and long lasting solutions. All our switches are designed and built in the USA and can be customized to your specific needs. Call us today to discuss your application. This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/safety-switches-for-forklifts-and-telehandlers/ |
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