Gas lift valve
By designing a guide rod plug structure with a difference in diameter between the first and second valve orifices in the air lift valve, the problem of bellows being impacted and corroded by external fluid pressure is solved, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the air lift valve.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520846776.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-04-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing air lift valves are prone to bellows damage under external fluid pressure impact and corrosion.
An air lift valve is designed, wherein the valve body includes first and second valve holes, the diameter of the first valve hole is smaller than that of the second valve hole, a guide rod is connected to a bellows, a plug is used to block the first valve hole to prevent fluid from flowing to the bellows, and the plug is used to block the fluid flow by pressing against the end of the first valve hole away from the bellows under changes in external environmental pressure.
This effectively prevents the bellows from being impacted and corroded by external fluid pressure, thus improving the durability and reliability of the air lift valve.
Smart Images

Figure CN223894124U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the technical field of valves, and in particular to an air lift valve. Background Technology
[0002] In the process of oil and gas extraction, a high- and low-pressure controllable shut-off gas lift valve is often used to inject gases such as natural gas and nitrogen into the oil well, lifting the liquid in the well to the surface to extract crude oil, remove liquid from the wellbore, or reduce the density of the liquid column in the wellbore. The injected gas is injected along the annulus or tubing and enters through the gas lift valve on the gas lift string, making the liquid column lighter and reducing the back pressure on the producing formation, thereby ensuring smooth production of oil and gas wells.
[0003] Existing air lift valves consist of an upper valve body, a middle valve body, a lower valve body, and a bellows, with the middle valve body and the bellows being interconnected. Under varying external environmental pressure, fluid flowing into the air lift valve directly acts on the bellows, making it susceptible to external fluid pressure shocks and corrosion. Therefore, existing air lift valves suffer from the problem of the bellows being vulnerable to external fluid pressure shocks and corrosion. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a gas lift valve whose bellows is not easily affected by external fluid pressure impact and fluid corrosion, comprising a central valve body, a bellows, and a guide rod. The central valve body includes a first valve port and a second valve port, which are connected. The diameter of the first valve port is smaller than the diameter of the second valve port. The bellows is located within the central valve body. The guide rod includes a plug, and the guide rod is connected to the bellows. The guide rod is movably inserted through the first valve port and the second valve port. When the plug abuts against the end of the first valve port away from the bellows, the plug seals the first valve port to prevent fluid in the second valve port from flowing to the bellows.
[0005] Optionally, the air lift valve further includes a sealing ring, which is fitted onto the plug, and the sealing ring and the second valve hole are interference fit.
[0006] Optionally, the valve body further includes a third valve hole, which communicates with the first valve hole, and the bellows is located inside the third valve hole.
[0007] Optionally, the air lift valve further includes a lower sealing body, which is located inside the third valve hole and is interference-fitted with the third valve hole.
[0008] Optionally, the air lift valve further includes a spring, which is sleeved on the guide rod, with its two ends abutting against the lower sealing body and the plug, respectively, and the spring passing through the first valve hole and the second valve hole.
[0009] Optionally, the air lift valve further includes a connecting rod located inside the third valve hole, the connecting rod being movably inserted through the lower sealing body, and the two ends of the connecting rod being connected to the bellows and the guide rod, respectively.
[0010] Optionally, the diameter of the third valve orifice is larger than the diameter of the first valve orifice.
[0011] Optionally, the first valve orifice is located between the second valve orifice and the third valve orifice.
[0012] Optionally, the first valve hole, the second valve hole, and the third valve hole are coaxially arranged.
[0013] Optionally, the middle valve body further includes an air inlet, which is located on the side of the middle valve body away from the bellows, and the air inlet communicates with the second valve port.
[0014] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: It comprises a central valve body, a bellows, and a guide rod. The central valve body includes a first valve hole and a second valve hole, which are connected. The diameter of the first valve hole is smaller than the diameter of the second valve hole. The bellows is located within the central valve body. The guide rod includes a plug, and the guide rod is connected to the bellows. The guide rod movably passes through the first valve hole and the second valve hole. When the plug abuts against the end of the first valve hole furthest from the bellows, the plug seals the first valve hole to prevent fluid in the second valve hole from flowing to the bellows.
[0015] By sealing the first valve hole with a plug, when changes in external environmental pressure push the plug against the end of the first valve hole away from the bellows, the fluid in the second valve hole can be prevented from flowing to the bellows. In this way, external fluid cannot come into contact with the bellows through the first valve hole, thus avoiding the bellows from being impacted by external fluid pressure and corroded by fluid.
[0016] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the following describes the application in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a half-sectional view of the air lift valve in one embodiment of this application (the plug is in the state where the first valve hole is not blocked);
[0018] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged view of a half-section of the gas lift valve in one embodiment of this application (the plug is in the state where the first valve hole is not blocked);
[0019] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged view of a half-section of the gas lift valve in one embodiment of this application (the plug is in the state of blocking the first valve hole).
[0020] In the attached figures, the following labels are used:
[0021] 100 valve body
[0022] 1000 First valve hole
[0023] 1001 Second valve hole
[0024] 1002 Third valve hole
[0025] 1003 Air Inlet
[0026] 101 Corrugated Pipe
[0027] 102 guide rod
[0028] 1020 plug
[0029] 103 Sealing Ring
[0030] 104 Lower sealing body
[0031] 105 Spring
[0032] 106 connecting rod
[0033] 107 Upper Valve Body
[0034] 108 Lower Valve Body Detailed Implementation
[0035] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification.
[0036] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solutions of this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this application.
[0037] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.
[0038] It should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0039] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides an air lift valve, including a central valve body 100, a bellows 101, and a guide rod 102. The central valve body 100 includes a first valve hole 1000 and a second valve hole 1001, which are connected. The diameter of the first valve hole 1000 is smaller than the diameter of the second valve hole 1001. The bellows 101 is located inside the central valve body 100. The guide rod 102 includes a plug 1020, which is connected to the bellows 101. The guide rod 102 is movably inserted through the first valve hole 1000 and the second valve hole 1001. When the plug 1020 abuts against the end of the first valve hole 1000 away from the bellows 101, the plug 1020 blocks the first valve hole 1000 to prevent fluid in the second valve hole 1001 from flowing to the bellows 101.
[0040] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 By sealing the first valve hole 1000 with the plug 1020, when the external environmental pressure changes and pushes the plug 1020 against the end of the first valve hole 1000 away from the bellows 101, the fluid in the second valve hole 1001 can be prevented from flowing to the bellows 101. In this way, the external fluid cannot come into contact with the bellows 101 through the first valve hole 1000, thus avoiding the bellows 101 from being impacted by external fluid pressure and fluid corrosion.
[0041] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The middle valve body 100 can be tubular, and its material can be tool steel. The left and right ends of the middle valve body 100 can be connected to the upper valve body 107 and the lower valve body 108, respectively. That is, the middle valve body 100 is the valve body portion of the air-lift valve located between the upper valve body 107 and the lower valve body 108. The first valve port 1000 can be cylindrical. The first valve port 1000 can be arranged along an axial direction parallel to the middle valve body 100.
[0042] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The second valve hole 1001 can be cylindrical. The second valve hole 1001 can be arranged along an axial direction parallel to the middle valve body 100. The second valve hole 1001 can be located to the right of the first valve hole 1000. The plug 1020 can be blocked by the interface between the first valve hole 1000 and the second valve hole 1001. The bellows 101 can be located to the left of the first valve hole 1000.
[0043] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The portion of the guide rod 102, excluding the plug 1020, can be cylindrical. The guide rod 102 can be made of tool steel. The left end of the guide rod 102 can be connected to the right end of the bellows 101 by snap-fit or screw connection. The plug 1020 can be cylindrical and can be located in the middle of the guide rod 102 and coaxially arranged with the guide rod 102. When the plug 1020 abuts against the right end of the first valve hole 1000, it can seal the first valve hole 1000.
[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, optionally, the air lift valve also includes a sealing ring 103, which is fitted onto the plug 1020. The sealing ring 103 and the second valve hole 1001 are interference-fitted. This configuration prevents fluid in the second valve hole 1001 from flowing to the bellows 101 (please refer to the bellows 101 reference) when the plug 1020 is not abutting the first valve hole 1000. Figure 1 This also allows the guide rod 102 to move within the second valve hole 1001. The sealing ring 103 can be made of rubber (e.g., nitrile rubber or fluororubber) or polytetrafluoroethylene.
[0045] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Optionally, the middle valve body 100 further includes a third valve hole 1002, which communicates with the first valve hole 1000, and the bellows 101 is located within the third valve hole 1002. The third valve hole 1002 may be cylindrical. The third valve hole 1002 may be located to the left of the first valve hole 1000. The third valve hole 1002 may be arranged along an axial direction parallel to the middle valve body 100.
[0046] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2Optionally, the air lift valve also includes a lower sealing body 104, which is located within and interference-fitted with the third valve hole 1002. This configuration prevents fluid from flowing through the lower sealing body 104 along the inner wall of the third valve hole 1002 towards the bellows 101. The lower sealing body 104 can be made of rubber. The lower sealing body 104 can be cylindrical in shape.
[0047] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Optionally, the air lift valve also includes a spring 105, which is sleeved on the guide rod 102. The two ends of the spring 105 abut against the lower sealing body 104 and the plug 1020, respectively. The spring 105 passes through the first valve hole 1000 and the second valve hole 1001. With this configuration, when the spring 105 is compressed to a certain extent (for example, when the spring force generated is greater than the frictional force between the lower sealing body 104 and the inner wall of the third valve hole 1002), the plug 1020 can push the lower sealing body 104 to move via the spring 105. The spring 105 can be made of spring steel. The left and right ends of the spring 105 can abut against the lower sealing body 104 and the plug 1020, respectively. The outer diameter of the spring 105 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first valve hole 1000.
[0048] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Optionally, the air lift valve also includes a connecting rod 106, which is located within the third valve hole 1002 and movably passes through the lower sealing body 104. The two ends of the connecting rod 106 are connected to the bellows 101 and the guide rod 102, respectively. This arrangement allows the connecting rod 106 to move within the lower sealing body 104 before the spring 105 is compressed to a certain extent, preventing the lower sealing body 104 from moving and avoiding excessive wear due to excessive movement of the outer wall of the lower sealing body 104. The connecting rod 106 can be cylindrical. The diameter of the connecting rod 106 and the diameter of the guide rod 102, excluding the plug 1020, can be the same.
[0049] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The left end of the connecting rod 106 can be connected to the right end of the bellows 101 by snap-fit or screw-fit. The right end of the connecting rod 106 can be connected to the left end of the guide rod 102 by welding. The connecting rod 106 can be made of steel. The connecting rod 106 can move left and right relative to the lower sealing body 104.
[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, optionally, the diameter of the third valve hole 1002 is larger than the diameter of the first valve hole 1000. This configuration allows a space to be formed within the third valve hole 1002 to accommodate the lower sealing body 104, thereby increasing the sealing performance of the air lift valve.
[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, optionally, the first valve hole 1000 is located between the second valve hole 1001 and the third valve hole 1002. This arrangement facilitates the machining of the smaller diameter first valve hole 1000 and avoids damage to the second valve hole 1001 or the third valve hole 1002 when the tool retracts. It also allows the passage of a small spring 105, reducing the resistance (i.e., the elastic force generated by the spring 105) during the movement of the plug 1020, thus facilitating the plug 1020 to quickly seal the first valve hole 1000.
[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, optionally, the first valve hole 1000, the second valve hole 1001, and the third valve hole 1002 are coaxially arranged. This arrangement facilitates the machining of the first valve hole 1000, the second valve hole 1001, and the third valve hole 1002, and also facilitates the assembly of the connecting rod 106 and the guide rod 102 into the middle valve body 100.
[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, optionally, the middle valve body 100 also includes an air inlet 1003, which is located on the side of the middle valve body 100 away from the bellows 101. The air inlet 1003 and the second valve port 1001 (please refer to the second valve port 1001) are also included. Figure 2 (Connected.) With this configuration, when the external environmental pressure changes, the fluid entering from the air inlet 1003 can be used to push the guide rod 102 toward the bellows 101.
[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the air inlet 1003 can be disposed on the right side wall of the middle valve body 100. The air inlet 1003 can be disposed radially parallel to the middle valve body 100. There can be two air inlets 1003, and the two air inlets 1003 can be disposed symmetrically.
[0055] The operation process of plug 1020 is as follows:
[0056] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 When the external environmental pressure changes, fluid (such as high-pressure gas) enters the second valve port 1001 through the air inlet 1003, which can push the plug 1020 to the left. The plug 1020 pushes the connecting rod 106 and the bellows 101 to the left. When the plug 1020 moves to the left, it can push the spring 105 to compress. After the spring 105 is compressed to a certain extent, it can push the lower sealing body 104 to the left.
[0057] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3When the plug 1020 moves to the left and abuts against the right end face of the first valve hole 1000, it will stop moving, thereby sealing the first valve hole 1000 and preventing fluid from flowing to the left through the first valve hole 1000 to the bellows 101.
[0058] The air lift valve provided in the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above. For those skilled in the art, based on the ideas of the embodiments of this application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application. All equivalent modifications or changes made in accordance with the spirit and technical concept of this application should still be covered by the claims of this application.
Claims
1. A gas lift valve, characterized in that, include: The valve body includes a first valve hole and a second valve hole, the first valve hole and the second valve hole are connected, and the diameter of the first valve hole is smaller than the diameter of the second valve hole; A bellows, located within the central valve body; as well as A guide rod, including a plug, is connected to the bellows. The guide rod is movably inserted through the first valve hole and the second valve hole. When the plug abuts against the end of the first valve hole away from the bellows, the plug blocks the first valve hole to prevent fluid in the second valve hole from flowing to the bellows.
2. The air lift valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sealing ring, which is fitted onto the plug, and the sealing ring and the second valve hole are interference fit.
3. The air lift valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body further includes a third valve hole, which is connected to the first valve hole, and the bellows is located inside the third valve hole.
4. The air lift valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a lower sealing body, which is located inside the third valve hole and is interference-fitted with the third valve hole.
5. The air lift valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a spring, which is sleeved on the guide rod, with its two ends abutting against the lower sealing body and the plug, respectively, and the spring passing through the first valve hole and the second valve hole.
6. The air lift valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a connecting rod, which is located inside the third valve hole and is movably inserted through the lower sealing body. The two ends of the connecting rod are respectively connected to the bellows and the guide rod.
7. The air lift valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameter of the third valve orifice is larger than the diameter of the first valve orifice.
8. The air lift valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first valve orifice is located between the second valve orifice and the third valve orifice.
9. The air lift valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first valve hole, the second valve hole, and the third valve hole are coaxially arranged.
10. The air lift valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The middle valve body also includes an air inlet, which is located on the side of the middle valve body away from the bellows, and the air inlet is connected to the second valve port.