A new type of ball valve

Abstract

The application discloses a novel ball valve, and belongs to the technical field of valves.The novel ball valve comprises a valve body assembly, a valve core assembly and a moving mechanism.The ball valve is used for completing a ball throwing operation based on the cooperation of the rotation of a spherical part in the valve core assembly and the moving mechanism, and the crude oil cannot be brought into a ball storage barrel during the rotation of the ball valve.The ball valve has the characteristics of simple structure, stable operation and difficulty in damage, can effectively prevent the crude oil from being brought out of an oil pipeline, realizes zero contact between the ball storage barrel and the oil pipeline, and realizes zero discharge and zero pollution of the crude oil during the ball throwing process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of valve technology, specifically relating to a novel ball valve. Background Technology

[0002] During pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil, as temperatures decrease and pipeline usage time increases, wax buildup on the inner walls of the pipeline gradually increases, severely affecting normal crude oil gathering and transportation, necessitating routine pipeline cleaning. Ball-drop cleaning, as the most economical and effective method for pipeline cleaning, is widely used in oilfield daily production. Its working principle involves dropping a cleaning ball into the wax-covered pipeline through a ball-drop valve, allowing the ball to carry away the crystallized wax adhering to the inner wall of the pipeline along with the flow of crude oil. Because this type of ball-drop valve needs to connect a pressurized oil pipeline to a gas-pressure storage space, and is limited by operating conditions and valve movement, current research primarily focuses on ball-shaped valves. The basic principle involves using vertical or horizontal connecting structures within the valve, or reserving space inside the ball valve for loading the cleaning ball, to load the cleaning ball from the storage tank into the ball valve using gravity. As the ball valve rotates, the cleaning ball is dropped into the crude oil pipeline. The key to this technology lies in the design of the internal structure of the ball-drop valve.

[0003] Because the oil pipeline operates under pressure, during each ball-dropping operation, pressurized crude oil splashes or contaminates the internal space of the ball valve as it rotates. At this time, a small amount of crude oil will remain inside the valve core. When the ball valve rotates again for the next ball drop, the accumulated crude oil will be carried into the atmospheric pressure ball storage area. Over time, more and more crude oil fills this area, making it impossible for the mechanism to drop the ball smoothly. Therefore, this crude oil needs to be discharged periodically, which will cause environmental pollution and increase the labor intensity of on-site operators. Meanwhile, existing equipment uses a plunger-type ball pusher to solve the problem of unsuccessful ball placement, but this still cannot fundamentally solve the problem of crude oil being brought into the atmospheric pressure ball storage area by the ball valve. In addition, the addition of a push rod mechanism makes the overall mechanism complex and unstable. For example, patent document CN101408098A discloses a timed ball placement device and method, including a ball storage tank, a cleaning ball, and a ball valve. The valve body is a mechanism with vertical and horizontal conductions respectively. The vertical pipe has a baffle at the center of the ball valve to prevent the cleaning ball from falling further. When the ball valve rotates, the cleaning ball falls into the center of the vertical pipe valve body due to gravity. When the valve body rotates again, the vertical pipe becomes a horizontal pipe, and the cleaning ball flows into the pipe with the crude oil. The valve body rotates again to return to its position to wait for the next ball placement. The dual conduction design of this invention causes a large amount of crude oil to be brought into the ball placement area when the ball valve rotates, causing pollution to the ball placement area. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel ball-feeding valve to solve the problems mentioned in the background art regarding the use of ball-feeding valves.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a novel ball-throwing valve, comprising:

[0006] The valve body assembly has a first section defined therein and a falling channel for the wax ball to enter;

[0007] A valve core assembly, assembled within the first interval, comprises:

[0008] A spherical component configured to rotate about axis C and having a radially extending ball supply channel that extends through the spherical component and allows the dewaxing ball to enter;

[0009] A housing component having a cavity formed therein to accommodate the spherical component;

[0010] The ball-launching valve also includes:

[0011] The mobile mechanism has:

[0012] The first and second ends are spaced apart within the ball supply channel;

[0013] The driving unit is configured to rotate about axis C;

[0014] The driven part is connected to the first end and the second end, and is configured to move linearly along the ball supply channel as the active part rotates.

[0015] Preferably, the wall surface of the cavity and the outer surface of the spherical component are in close contact.

[0016] Preferably, both the first end and the second end have an arc surface that is adapted to the surface of the spherical component.

[0017] Preferably, the first end and the second end are stopped when they move to one end of the ball supply channel.

[0018] Preferably, the driving part is configured as a cylindrical gear, and the driven part has a rack extending along the ball supply channel and meshing with the cylindrical gear.

[0019] Preferably, the distance between the first end and the second end is less than the diameter of the spherical component.

[0020] Preferably, at most one dewaxing ball is allowed to fully enter the ball supply channel.

[0021] Preferably, the ball valve further includes a ball storage tank, wherein the axis B of the ball storage tank is orthogonal to the axis C, and a plurality of wax-removing balls are stored in the ball storage tank in a sequential arrangement along axis B.

[0022] Preferably, the valve body assembly includes a valve body component and a valve cover component mounted on the valve body component, the first interval is defined by the valve body component and the valve cover component, and the falling channel is formed on the valve cover component.

[0023] Preferably, the valve body component and the valve cover component are connected by studs.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0025] This application completes the ball-throwing operation by setting up a valve body assembly and a valve core assembly assembled within the valve body assembly, based on the coordinated operation of the rotation and movement mechanism of the ball component in the valve core assembly. During the rotation of the ball-throwing valve, crude oil will not be carried into the ball storage tank. This design features simple structure, stable operation, and resistance to damage. It can effectively prevent crude oil from being carried out of the oil pipeline, achieving zero contact between the ball storage tank and the transportation pipeline, and zero discharge and zero pollution of crude oil during the ball-throwing process. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ball valve structure in this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the operation process of the ball valve in this application.

[0028] In the picture:

[0029] 100. Valve body assembly; 101. Valve body component; 102. Valve cover component; 103. Drop channel;

[0030] 200. Ball storage tank body;

[0031] 300. Valve core assembly; 301. Housing component; 302. Ball component; 303. Ball supply channel;

[0032] 400. Moving mechanism; 401. Driving part; 402. Driven part; 403. First end; 404. Second end;

[0033] 500. Transportation pipelines. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] A novel ball-feeding valve (hereinafter referred to as the ball-feeding valve) is installed on a transport pipeline 500 containing waxy crude oil (hereinafter referred to as the transport pipeline 500) and configured to supply a pigging ball to the transport pipeline 500 to achieve cleaning of the transport pipeline 500.

[0036] The structure of the ball valve will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Line A in the drawings constitutes the axis of the conveying pipeline. In some embodiments, the ball valve includes a valve body assembly 100 and a valve core assembly 300. The valve body assembly 100 includes a valve body component 101 and a valve cover component 102, which are connected by studs or other connectors. That is, the valve cover component 102 is installed on the valve body component 101 by studs or other connectors, and the valve body component 101 and the valve cover component 102 together define a first section for accommodating the valve core assembly 300.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 The aforementioned ball-feeding valve also includes a ball storage tank 200, which is generally configured as a cylindrical component extending along axis B. Axis B and axis A are perpendicular to each other, and the inner diameter of the ball storage tank 200 is approximately the same as the diameter of the dewax-removing balls. Multiple dewax-removing balls are stored in the ball storage tank 200 in a sequential arrangement along axis B and can fall along axis B under their own gravity, being sequentially supplied to the conveying pipeline via the ball-feeding valve to complete the ball-feeding operation. Figure 1 A drop channel 103 is formed on the valve cover component 102. The drop channel 103 extends approximately along axis B, and the specifications of the drop channel 103 are compatible with the specifications of the dewaxing balls. It forms a connecting channel between the ball storage tank 200 and the first section. That is, the dewaxing balls stored in the ball storage tank 200 can enter the first section (specifically, enter the ball throwing channel in the subsequent ball component 302) through the drop channel 103, and enter the transport pipeline 500 under the action of the valve core assembly 300.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 The valve core assembly 300 includes a ball component 302 and a housing component 301, wherein the housing component 301 is adapted to a first interval and can be installed and fixed within the first interval. In some embodiments, the housing component 301 is configured as a cubic housing, and the housing component 301 has a cavity for accommodating the ball component 302. The outer surface of the ball component 302 and the inner cavity wall of the housing component 301 are in close contact to form a seal, and the ball component 302 is configured to be rotatable relative to the housing component 301. Exemplarily, the ball component 302 can rotate about axis C under the action of an electric actuator (not shown in the figure), wherein axis C is located at... Figure 1 The axis C is perpendicular to the plane of the paper, meaning it is orthogonal to the axis A of the transport pipeline 500 and the axis B of the ball storage tank 200.

[0039] Back Figure 1 Continuing with the description of the spherical component 302, a ball supply channel 303 adapted to the specifications of the wax-removing balls is formed within the spherical component 302. This ball supply channel 303 extends radially along the spherical component 302 and penetrates the housing component 301. Specifically, the axis D of the ball supply channel 303 is a straight line passing through the center of the spherical component 302, and the axis D of the ball supply channel 303 is orthogonal to the axis C. In other words, the axis D of the ball supply channel 303 is perpendicular to the axis A of the transport pipe 500 and the axis of the ball storage tank 200. B and the axis C of the falling channel 103 are both located on the same plane. In some embodiments, the ball supply channel 303 is configured as an intermediate channel between the falling channel 103 and the transport pipe 500. When the ball component 302 rotates to the point that the axis D of the ball supply channel 303 coincides with the axis B of the falling channel 103, the dewaxing ball can enter the ball supply channel 303 from one end of the ball supply channel 303 and / or enter the transport pipe 500 from the other end of the ball supply channel 303 from the ball storage tank 200, so as to realize the supply operation of the dewaxing ball.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 The aforementioned ball valve also includes a moving mechanism 400 disposed within the ball component 302. This moving mechanism 400 is disposed along the extending direction of the ball supply channel 303 (i.e., the radial direction of the ball component 302). In some embodiments, the moving mechanism 400 includes an active part 401, a driven part 402, a first end 403, and a second end 404. The first end 403 and the second end 404 are spaced apart within the ball supply channel 303. The distance between the first end 403 and the second end 404 (hereinafter referred to as the first distance) is less than the diameter of the ball component 302, and the difference between the diameter of the ball component 302 and the first distance is not less than the diameter of the dewaxing ball. That is, when one of the first end 403 or the second end 404 is located within the ball supply channel 302... When one end of the ball supply channel 303 is located, the remaining space in the ball supply channel 303 excluding the moving mechanism 400 (hereinafter referred to as the empty space) can accommodate at least one dewaxing ball. Preferably, when one of the first end 403 or the second end 404 of the moving mechanism 400 is located at one end of the ball supply channel 303, the size of the empty space in the ball supply channel 303 is adapted to the size of a single dewaxing ball. In some embodiments, the first end 403 and the second end 404 have an arc surface adapted to the surface of the ball component 302. When the first end 403 or the second end 404 is located at one end of the ball supply channel 303, the arc surface fills the gap of the ball component 302 at the position of the ball supply channel 303 to form a complete spherical surface at that position.

[0041] Back Figure 1Continuing with the description of the moving mechanism 400, the active part 401 of the moving mechanism 400 is configured to rotate around the axis C, that is, the active part 401 can rotate around the axis C under the action of external electric actuators and other components. The driven part 402 is configured to move linearly along the ball supply channel 303 as the active part 401 rotates, and the two ends of the driven part 402 are respectively connected to the first end 403 and the second end 404, that is, the linear movement of the driven part 402 drives the first end 403 and the second end 404 to move.

[0042] In some embodiments, the driving part 401 is configured as a cylindrical gear, and the driven part 402 has a rack extending along the ball supply channel 303 and meshing with the cylindrical gear. When the driving part 401 rotates with the ball component 302, the driven part 402 drives the first end 403 and the second end 404 to move linearly along the ball supply channel 303 synchronously by means of the meshing action of the gear and rack.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 The operation process of the ball valve is now explained with reference to the attached diagram:

[0044] Step 1: The ball-throwing valve initiates the ball-throwing action. At this time, the wax-removed ball located at the bottom of the ball storage cylinder is ready to enter the ball supply channel 303.

[0045] Step 2: The moving mechanism 400 in the ball valve moves downward, and the wax ball falls into the ball supply channel 303. At this time, the active part 401 rotates around the axis C under the action of external force, and the driven part 402 moves downward with the rotation of the active part 401, so that a space is formed between the arc surface of the first end 403 and the end of the ball supply channel 303 to accommodate the wax ball. That is, the wax ball gradually enters the ball supply channel 303 with the linear movement of the driven part 402.

[0046] Step 3: Rotate the ball valve 180° until the cleaning ball falls into the crude oil transport pipeline 500. At this time, the ball part 302 rotates 180°, and the first end 403 located at the top and the wax cleaning ball move to the bottom. Correspondingly, the wax cleaning ball falls into the transport pipeline 500 under its own gravity.

[0047] Step 4: The straight cylinder mechanism moves downward until the first end 403 moves to one end of the ball supply channel 303 to complete the ball throwing action. Correspondingly, a space for the cleaned ball to enter is formed between the second end 404 and the end of the ball supply channel 303. The cleaned ball in the ball storage tube enters the ball supply channel 303. At this time, when the moving mechanism 400 is activated, the rotation direction of the active part 401 is opposite to the rotation direction in step 2.

[0048] Step 5: Wait for the next pitching motion.

[0049] When the aforementioned ball-throwing valve is activated, the movement mechanism 400 pushes out the wax-removing ball, and the receiving action of the wax-removing ball in the ball storage tank 200 is synchronized (the movement mechanism 400 pushes out one wax-removing ball into the ball supply channel 303, and another wax-removing ball enters at the other end to wait for delivery). During the rotation and transportation of the wax-removing ball in the ball-throwing valve, because the ball component 302 rotates inside the shell component 301 and is tightly sealed, the ball storage area (atmospheric pressure area) of the device and the ball-throwing area (pressurized area) of the transportation pipeline 500 are isolated from each other, and there will be no crude oil carry-out. When the wax-removing ball reaches the ball-throwing port, the movement mechanism 400 pushes the wax-removing ball into the transportation pipeline 500, and at the same time pushes the crude oil splashed in the space for transporting the wax-removing ball into the transportation pipeline 500. During the next ball-throwing, the rotation of the ball component 302 will scrape off the crude oil adhering to the surface of the ball-throwing component 302, ensuring that the upper space will never come into contact with oil stains during the next transportation of wax-removing balls, truly achieving zero emission and zero external emission of the ball-throwing device.

[0050] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A novel ball-feeding valve, characterized in that: include: The valve body assembly has a first section defined therein and a falling channel for the wax ball to enter; A valve core assembly, assembled within the first interval, comprises: A spherical component configured to rotate about axis C and having a radially extending ball supply channel that extends through the spherical component and allows the dewaxing ball to enter; A housing component having a cavity formed therein to accommodate the spherical component, the wall of the cavity being in close contact with the outer surface of the spherical component; The ball-launching valve also includes: The mobile mechanism has: A first end and a second end are spaced apart within the ball supply channel, and both the first end and the second end have an arc surface adapted to the surface of the ball component; The driving unit is configured to rotate about axis C; The driven part is connected to the first end and the second end and is configured to move linearly along the ball supply channel as the active part rotates, wherein the first end and the second end are limited when they move to one end of the ball supply channel.

2. The novel ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving part is configured as a cylindrical gear, and the driven part has a rack that extends along the ball supply channel and meshes with the cylindrical gear.

3. The novel ball-throwing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the first end and the second end is less than the diameter of the spherical component.

4. A novel ball-feeding valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: Only one wax-removing ball is allowed to fully enter the ball supply channel at most.

5. A novel ball-feeding valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball valve also includes a ball storage tank, the axis B of which is orthogonal to the axis C, and multiple wax balls are stored in the ball storage tank in a sequential arrangement along axis B.

6. A novel ball-feeding valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve body assembly includes a valve body component and a valve cover component mounted on the valve body component, the first interval is defined by the valve body component and the valve cover component, and the falling channel is formed on the valve cover component.

7. A novel ball-feeding valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The valve body component and the valve cover component are connected by studs.

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