Electrically operated, well pressure-activated well safety valve

Abstract

A safety valve (200) may include: an outer casing (224) comprising a central bore (225) extending axially through the outer casing (224); a flow tube (240) including: a translation sleeve (222); and a main flow tube body (208) disposed inside the translation sleeve (222), in which the main flow tube body has an upper end and a lower end; a piston (220) capable of operating to transmit a force to the translation sleeve (222); a swing flapper (204) disposed on a distal end of the outer casing (224); and an electromagnetic assembly (238) capable of operating to maintain the safety valve (200) in an open state.

Description

Title of the invention: Electrically operated well safety valve activated by well pressure

[0001] CONTEXT

[0002] Well safety valves can be installed in a wellbore to prevent the uncontrolled release of reservoir fluids. Safety valves are generally hydraulically actuated by a series of hydraulic lines comprising a control line and a balance line. The control line may extend from the valve to the wellhead surface and from the wellhead to a subsea completion or to an offshore drilling or production platform. The balance line can be used to balance the hydrostatic pressure of the control line by canceling the effect of the hydrostatic pressure of the control line. A typical safety valve may operate by moving a piston of the safety valve in response to a pressure differential between the pressure in the control line connected to the safety valve and the pressure in a production tube into which the safety valve is interconnected.Furthermore, the equilibrium line extending from a point in the ocean to the rear of the piston can provide an upward force on the piston to balance the pressure exerted on the piston with the control line or the annular pressure if the control line is compromised.

[0003] However, there may be limitations to the installation and actuation of hydraulically actuated safety valves. Some constraints may include limitations with regard to hydrostatic systems requiring complex and costly control schemes and hydraulic friction that can result in slow valve actuation. A safety valve should ideally close as quickly as possible in the event of a process malfunction or emergency, in order to ensure operational and environmental safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] These drawings illustrate certain aspects of certain examples of the present invention, and shall not be used to limit or define the invention.

[0005] Fig. 1 is a diagram of an offshore well comprising an electrically actuated safety valve.

[0006] Fig. 2a is a diagram of an electrically actuated safety valve in a first closed position.

[0007] Fig. 2b is a diagram of an electrically actuated safety valve in a second closed position.

[0008] Fig. 2c is a diagram of an electrically actuated safety valve in an open position.

[0009] The [Fig.3] is a diagram of an electromagnetic assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus comprising an electrically actuated wellhead safety valve. The electrically actuated safety valve can be actuated using wellhead pressure without requiring additional hydraulic control and balance lines. By eliminating hydraulic control and balance lines, the electrically actuated wellhead safety valve can have increased built-in safety capability compared to other safety valves. Built-in safety can be defined as a condition in which the valve or associated control system can be damaged and the electrically actuated safety valve retains the ability to close. In some examples, the electrically actuated safety valve can fail in the closed position, thus ensuring that the fluids and pressure in the borehole are contained.In another example, the electrically actuated safety valve can close automatically when an electrical connection to the valve is disconnected without any additional external input.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates an offshore platform 100 connected to an electrically actuated safety valve 106 via an electrical connection 102. An annular space 108 can be defined between the wellbore walls 112 and a conduit 110. The wellhead 114 can provide a means of transferring and sealing the conduit 110 against the wellbore 112 and provide a profile for locking a subsea blowout preventer. The conduit 110 can be coupled to the wellhead 114. The conduit 110 can be any conduit such as casing, a jacket, a production tube, or any other tubular element arranged in a wellbore. In the following description of the electrically operated safety valve 106 and other devices and methods described herein, directional terms such as "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., are used only for convenience with reference to the attached drawings.Furthermore, it should be understood that the various examples of the present electrically actuated safety valve described herein can be used in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention. Although the electrically actuated safety valve 106 is illustrated as being located inside an offshore well, those skilled in the art will understand that the electrically actuated safety valve 106 can be located in any type of wellbore, including onshore and offshore wellbores, without departing from the present invention. Furthermore, while the electrical connection 102 is illustrated as being connected to a marine platform, the electrical connection 102 can be connected to any type of marine completion without departing from the invention.

[0012] The electrically actuated safety valve 106 can be interconnected in the conduit 110 and positioned in the well 112. The electrically actuated safety valve 106 can be used to isolate a lower portion of the conduit 110 from an upper portion of the conduit 110. The lower portion of the conduit 110 can be fluidically connected to an underground formation so that formation fluids can flow into the lower portion of the conduit 110. Although the well 112 as described in [Fig. 1] is an offshore well, those skilled in the art should be able to apply these principles to any type of well, whether onshore or offshore. The electrical connection 102 can extend into the well 112 and can be connected to the electrically actuated safety valve 106. The electrical connection 102 can supply power to an electromagnet disposed inside the electrically actuated safety valve 106.As will be described in more detail below, the power supplied to the electromagnet can power the electromagnet to hold components of the electrically actuated safety valve 106 in place when the electrically actuated safety valve 106 is actuated to an open position. Actuation can include opening the electrically actuated safety valve 106 to provide a flow path for wellbore fluids in a lower portion of the conduit 110 to flow into an upper portion of the conduit 110. The electrical connection 102 can also provide a means of closing the electrically actuated safety valve 106 and isolating a lower portion of the conduit 110 so that it flows from an upper portion of the conduit 110 to provide well control.

[0013] With reference to [Fig.2a], an example of an electrically actuated safety valve 200 is shown in a first closed position. The electrically actuated safety valve 200 may include a body 224 containing a bore 225, with electrically actuated safety valve components being disposed within the bore 225. The upper valve assembly 234 may be attached to the body 224 and may further include a sealing element 223 to prevent fluid communication between the lower section 202 and the upper section 203. The sleeve 226 may be attached to the upper valve assembly 234 and to the lower valve assembly 216. The flow tube 240 may be disposed within the sleeve 226. The flow tube 240 may include a translation sleeve 222 and a main flow tube body 208.A flow path 214 can be defined by an interior of the main body of the flow tube 208. As illustrated in . In [Fig. 2a], the flow path 214 can extend from an interior of a conduit 206 to an interior of a main flow tube body 208. As will be seen in more detail below, when the electrically actuated safety valve 200 is in an open position, the flow path 214 can extend from an interior of a conduit 206 to an interior of a main flow tube body 208 and further into the lower section 202.

[0014] The drive spring 210 can be disposed between the lower valve assembly 216 and the translation sleeve shoulder 218. As illustrated in [Fig. 2a], the translation sleeve shoulder 218 and the flow tube shoulder 232 can be in contact when the electrically actuated safety valve 200 is in the first closed position. The drive spring 210 can exert a positive spring force against the translation sleeve shoulder 218, which can hold the main flow tube body 208 in a first position. The drive spring 210 can also provide a positive spring force to return the main flow tube body 208 and the translation sleeve 222 to the first position from a second position, as will be explained below. A spring with a claw 212 can be disposed between the translation sleeve assembly 230 and the flow tube shoulder 232.The translation sleeve assembly 230 can be positioned between the piston 220 and the translation sleeve 222, and attached to them. Although only one piston is shown in Figures 2a to 2c, several pistons can be attached to the translation sleeve 222. The mainspring 210 and the spring 212 are shown as helical springs in Figures 2a to 2c. However, the mainspring 210 and the spring 212 can include any type of spring, such as, for example, helical springs, compression springs, or fluidic springs. The translation sleeve assembly 230 can allow a force applied to a distal end of the piston 220 to be transferred into the translation sleeve 222. A force can be applied to the distal end of the piston 220 via fluidic communication from a channel 228 through an orifice 242.A force applied to the piston 220 can move the translation sleeve 222 from a first position to a second position. The claw spring 212 can provide a positive spring force against the translation sleeve assembly 230 and the flow tube shoulder 232, which can move the translation sleeve 222 from the second position to the first position, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0015] In the first closed position, the translation sleeve 222 and the main body of the flow tube 208 are positioned such that the shoulder of the translation sleeve 218 and the shoulder of the flow tube 232 are in contact and the motor-spring 210 and the claw spring 212 are in the extended position. In the first In the closed position, the translation sleeve 222 can be designated as being in a first position and the flow tube 208 can be designated as being in a first position.

[0016] The electrically actuated safety valve 200 can be disposed in a wellbore as part of a wellbore completion train. The wellbore may penetrate a subsurface formation containing formation fluids such as oil, gas, water, or any combination thereof. The formation fluids may flow from the subsurface formation into the wellbore and then into a lower portion of the conduit 110, as described above. The lower section 202 can be fluidically coupled to a lower portion of the conduit 110 and can thus be exposed to the formation fluids and pressure depending on the fluidic communication with the fluids present in the wellbore. The lower section 202 can be fluidically coupled to a production column deposited in the wellbore, for example.In the first closed position, the valve 204 can be in a closed position, thus isolating the lower section 202 from the main body of the flow tube 208. When the valve 204 is in a closed position as in [Fig. 2a], the valve 204 can prevent the formation fluids and pressure from flowing into the main body of the flow tube 208. Although [Fig. 2a] illustrates the valve 204 as a poppet valve, the valve 204 can be any suitable type of valve, such as a poppet valve or a ball valve, for example. As will be illustrated in more detail below, the valve 204 can be actuated in an open position to allow the forming fluids to flow from the lower section 202 through a flow path 214 defined by the lower section 202, a main body flow tube interior 208 and a conduit interior 206.The conduit 206 can be coupled to an upper part of the conduit 110 shown in [Fig. 1].

[0017] When the electrically actuated safety valve 200 is in the first closed position, no amount of differential pressure on the valve 204 will allow formation fluids to flow from the lower section 202 into the flow path 214. In the first closed position, the electrically actuated safety valve 200 will only allow fluid to flow from the conduit 206 into the lower section 202, but not from the lower section 202 into the conduit 206. If the pressure in the conduit 206 increases, the valve 204 will remain in the closed position until the pressure in the conduit 206 increases above the pressure in the lower section 202 plus the closing pressure supplied by the flapper 205, sometimes referred to hereafter as a valve opening pressure.When the valve opening pressure is reached, valve 204 can open and allow fluid communication of conduit 206. to the lower section 202. In this way, process fluids such as surfactants, scale inhibitors, hydrate treatments, and other suitable process fluids can be introduced into the subsurface formation. The configuration of the electrically actuated safety valve 200 allows process fluids to be pumped from a surface, such as a wellhead, into the subsurface formation without actuating a control line or a balance line to open the valve. Once the pressure in the conduit 206 drops below the valve opening pressure, the flapper 205 can cause the valve 204 to return to the closed position, and flow from the conduit 206 into the lower section 202 can cease. When the valve 204 has returned to the closed position, flow from the lower section 202 into the flow path 214 can be prevented.If a differential pressure on valve 204 is reversed so that the pressure in the lower section 202 is greater than a pressure in the conduit 206, valve 204 may remain in the closed position so that fluids in the lower section 202 cannot flow into the conduit 206.

[0018] With reference to [Fig. 2b], the electrically actuated safety valve 200 is shown in a second closed position. In the second closed position, the translation sleeve 222 can be moved from the first position to a second position that is relatively closer to the valve 204. The main body of the flow tube 208 can remain in the first position. When the electrically actuated safety valve 200 is in the second closed position, the mainspring 210 and the spring claw 212 can be in a compressed state.

[0019] To move the translation sleeve 222 into the second position, the differential pressure on the valve 204 can be increased by lowering the pressure in the conduit 206 or by increasing the pressure in the lower section 202. Lowering the pressure in the conduit 206 or increasing the pressure in the lower section 202 can cause fluid from the lower section 202 to flow through the channel 228 defined between the sleeve 226 and the body 224 into the orifice 242. The orifice 242 can allow fluid communication in the piston tube 244, whereby fluid pressure can act on the proximal end of the piston 220. The force exerted by the fluid pressure on the proximal end of the piston 220 can move the piston 220 toward the valve 204 by transferring the force through the piston 220, the sleeve assembly, and translation 230 and the translation sleeve shoulder 218.The claw spring 212 can provide a spring force against the flow tube shoulder 232 and the translation sleeve assembly 230 and the engine spring 210 can provide a spring force against the translation sleeve shoulder 218 and the valve assembly. lower 216. Although not shown in Figures 2a to 2c, the main body of the flow tube 208 may include channels allowing pressure and / or fluid communication between the flow path 214 and a sleeve interior 226. Collectively, the spring forces of the main spring 210 and the claw spring 212 can resist the movement of the piston 220 until the differential pressure on the valve 204 increases beyond the spring force provided by the main spring 210 and the claw spring 212. The increase in differential pressure may include a decrease in pressure in the flow tube 206 such that the pressure in the lower section 202 is relatively higher than the pressure in the flow tube 206. When the differential pressure on the valve 204 is increased, the differential pressure on the piston 220 also increases.When the differential pressure on the valve 204 is increased beyond the spring force provided by the claw spring 212 and the drive spring 210, the claw spring 212 and the drive spring 210 can compress and allow the translation sleeve 222 to move into the second position. The differential pressure on the valve 204 can be increased by pumping fluid out of the conduit 206, for example. In the case where the lower section 202 is fluidically coupled to a non-perforated pipe section, or when a plug is inserted into a conduit fluidically coupled to the lower section 202 that prevents pressure from being transmitted from the lower section 202 to the piston 220, a pressure differential on the valve 204 can be induced by the swelling of the pipe.

[0020] In the second closed position, the electrically actuated safety valve 200 remains secured because no fluid from the lower section 202 can flow into the flow path 214. In the second closed position, no amount of differential pressure on the valve 204, the differential pressure being a relatively higher pressure in the lower section 202 and a relatively lower pressure in the conduit 206, should cause the valve 204 to open to allow fluids from the lower section 202 to flow into the flow path 214 when the pressure in the lower section 204 acts on the valve 204. If the pressure increases in the conduit 206, the differential pressure on the valve 204 decreases and the translation sleeve 222 can return to the first position illustrated in [Fig. 2a].Unlike conventional safety valves, which typically require a control line to provide pressure to actuate a piston to move a translation sleeve, the electrically actuated 200 safety valve requires only the pressure supplied by the wellbore fluids in the lower section 202 to move the translation sleeve.

[0021] With continued reference to [Fig. 2b], the piston 236 can be fixedly attached to the translation sleeve assembly 230 and the electromagnetic assembly 238. Although it is shown as two pistons in Figures 2a to 2c, the piston 236 can be an integral part of the piston 220. As illustrated, when the translation sleeve 222 is moved from the first position to the second position, the piston 236 and the electromagnetic assembly 238 can also be moved. Once the translation sleeve 222 is allowed to move into the second position, as described above, the electromagnetic assembly 238 can be energized. Energizing the electromagnetic assembly 238 can cause the electromagnetic assembly 238 to become fixed to the conduit 206 or another magnetic part of the electrically actuated safety valve 200.In Figures 2a to 2c, the electromagnetic assembly 238 is shown as a coil enclosing the translational sleeve assembly 230, but there can be any number of coils in any orientation to secure the translational sleeve assembly 230 in place. The electromagnetic assembly 238 can apply a force in a substantially axial direction, for example. The force applied by the electromagnetic assembly 238 can be any quantity, including, but not limited to, a force in the range of approximately 45 Newtons to approximately 45,000 Newtons.Since the electromagnetic assembly 238 is attached to the translation sleeve assembly 230 by the piston 236, when the electromagnetic assembly 238 is energized and fixed in place, the translation sleeve assembly 230 and the translation sleeve 222 can also become fixed in place, thus preventing the translation sleeve 222 from moving from the second position to the first position. Electromagnets can provide a means of holding the translation sleeve 222 at any well depth. Hydraulic systems used in older wellbore safety valves typically require control and balance lines to actuate and hold an open valve that may have pressure limits.The limitations encountered by hydraulic systems can be overcome by using the electromagnetic assembly described herein, since only well pressure is required to open the electrically actuated safety valve 200. Again, when the translation sleeve 222 is in the second position, i.e., when the electromagnetic assembly 238 is energized or de-energized, no amount of differential pressure on the valve 204 will open the valve 204, the differential pressure being a pressure difference between a relatively higher pressure in section 202 and a relatively low pressure in conduit 206.

[0022] With reference to [Fig. 2c], the electrically actuated safety valve 200 is shown in an open position. When the electrically actuated safety valve With the electrical actuator 200 in the open position, the translation sleeve 222 can be fixed in place in the second position, as shown in [Fig. 2b], by the force supplied by the electromagnetic assembly 238. This force is transferred through the piston 236 to the translation sleeve assembly 230. The main flow tube body 208 is shown as being axially offset from the first position shown in Figures 2a and 2b to a second position in [Fig. 2c]. When the main flow tube body 208 is in the second position, the flow tube shoulder 232 and the translation sleeve shoulder 218 can be in contact, and the main flow tube body 208 may have moved the valve 204 into an open position. The spring claw 212 may be in an uncompressed state, while the main spring 210 may be in a compressed state.

[0023] The main flow tube body 208 can be moved from the first position to the second position when the translation sleeve 222 is fixed in place in the second position by an electromagnetic assembly 238 as described above. When the translation sleeve 222 is fixed in the second position by the force exerted by the electromagnetic assembly 238, the claw spring 212 can provide a positive spring force against the flow tube shoulder 232 and the translation sleeve assembly 230. The positive spring force of the claw spring 212 can be transferred through the main flow tube body 208 into the valve 204. The main flow tube body 208 will not move into the second position until the differential pressure on the valve 204 decreases after the translation sleeve 222 is fixed.The differential pressure can be decreased by pumping in conduit 206, thereby increasing the pressure in conduit 206. The pressure can be increased in conduit 206 until the differential pressure on valve 204 decreases to a point where the positive spring force of the claw spring 212 is greater than the differential pressure on valve 204. Then, the claw spring 212 can extend and move the main flow tube body 208 into the second position by acting on the translation sleeve assembly 230 and the flow tube shoulder 232. When the main flow tube body 208 is in the second position, fluids such as oil and gas in the lower section 202 can flow into the flow path 214 and toward a wellbore surface such as a wellhead.The electrically operated safety valve 200 can remain in the open position defined by the translation sleeve 222 in the second position and the flow tube 208 in the second position if the electromagnetic assembly 238 remains energized.

[0024] The electrically actuated safety valve 200 can be returned to the first closed position, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], by switching off the power. The electromagnetic assembly 238. As discussed previously, the electromagnetic assembly 238 can hold the translation sleeve assembly 230 in place in the second position when the electromagnetic assembly 238 remains energized. When the electromagnetic assembly 238 is de-energized, the translation sleeve assembly 230 can no longer be held in place. The spring-driven motor 210 can exert a positive spring force against the lower valve assembly 216, the translation sleeve shoulder 218, and the flow tube shoulder 232 through contact between the translation sleeve shoulder 218 and the flow tube shoulder 232.The positive spring force of the drive spring 210 can axially displace the translation sleeve 222 into the first position and the main body of the flow tube 208 into the first position, thus returning the electrically actuated safety valve 200 to the first closed position illustrated in [Fig. 1]. A positive spring force from the drive spring 210 can axially displace the electromagnetic assembly 238 to the position illustrated in [Fig. 2a] by transmitting the positive spring force through the piston 236.

[0025] With reference to [Fig.3], an electromagnetic assembly 300 is illustrated. The electromagnetic assembly 300 may include a housing 302 and at least one electromagnetic coil 304. As shown in [Fig. 3], there may be a plurality of electromagnetic coils 304 for redundancy. When a current passes through a plurality of electromagnetic coils 304, a magnetic force may be provided that attracts a plurality of electromagnetic coils 304 toward a target 306. The target 306 may be any part of the electrically actuated safety valve described previously. The plurality of electromagnetic coils 304 may be arranged inside the housing 302 and fixedly attached to it. The housing 302 may be part of the electromagnetic circuit by having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 10. The housing 302 may be encapsulated or plated in a second material to minimize corrosion.The plurality of electromagnetic coils 304 can be wired in parallel or in series so that if one of the plurality of electromagnetic coils 304 fails by short circuit or encounters an open circuit, the plurality of remaining electromagnetic coils 304 can operate normally, i.e. the remaining plurality of electromagnetic coils 304 can be considered as a redundant coil system.

[0026] A process control system can be used to monitor and control the production of formation fluids from a well in which the electrically actuated safety valve is located. A process control system may include components such as flow meters, pressure transducers, pumps, feed systems, and control systems. associated for each. The process control system can power the electrically actuated safety valve to energize and de-energize the electromagnetic assembly within it. The electromagnetic assembly can be designed to operate with any power source, such as alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). The process control system can allow an operator to open the electrically actuated safety valve using the methods described above: by using the pump to reduce pressure, energizing the electromagnetic assembly, and then using the pump to increase pressure. The process control system can monitor wellbore fluid pressures and flow rates to ensure safe operating conditions and that the production process does not exceed safety limits.In the event of a process disturbance, such as overpressure, the process control system can detect the disturbance and automatically shut off the power supply to the electrically actuated safety valve. As mentioned above, shutting off the power supply to the electrically actuated safety valve can cause it to close automatically, thus containing pressures and fluids.

[0027] The invention may follow one of the following statements:

[0028] Declaration 1. Safety valve comprising: an outer casing including a central bore extending axially through the outer casing; a flow tube including: a translation sleeve; and a main body of flow tube disposed inside the translation sleeve, in which the main body of flow tube has an upper end and a lower end; a piston capable of operating to transmit a force to the translation sleeve; a flapper valve disposed on a distal end of the outer casing; and an electromagnetic assembly capable of operating to maintain the safety valve in an open state.

[0029] Declaration 2. Safety valve according to declaration 1 in which the translation sleeve and the main body of the flow tube can function to move inside the external housing.

[0030] Declaration 3. Safety valve according to Declaration 2, wherein the translation sleeve further comprises a translation sleeve shoulder, wherein the main body of the flow tube comprises a flow tube shoulder, and wherein the flow tube shoulder can function to engage with the translation sleeve shoulder to prevent the flow tube from moving beyond the translation sleeve.

[0031] Declaration 4. Safety valve according to any one of Declarations 2 to 3 further comprising a spring-driven motor disposed between the translation sleeve shoulder and a lower valve assembly, in which the spring-driven motor can be actuated to provide a positive spring force against the translation sleeve shoulder.

[0032] Declaration 5. Safety valve according to any one of Declarations 2 to 4, further comprising a claw spring disposed between the flow tube shoulder and a translation sleeve assembly, wherein the translation sleeve and the translation sleeve assembly are fixedly attached.

[0033] Declaration 6. Safety valve according to any one of Declarations 2 to 5, wherein the piston is fixedly attached to the translation sleeve assembly.

[0034] Declaration 7. Safety valve according to any one of Declarations 2 to 6, wherein the electromagnetic assembly is fixedly attached to the translation sleeve assembly by a second piston.

[0035] Declaration 8. Method of actuation of a safety valve comprising: the displacement of a translation sleeve using a well pressure from a first position of the translation sleeve to a second position of the translation sleeve, the translation sleeve being disposed inside an external housing comprising a central bore extending axially through the external housing; the locking in place of the translation sleeve in the second position of the translation sleeve by supplying a force from an electromagnetic assembly;and the displacement of a main body of a flow tube from a first position of the main body of a flow tube to a second position of the main body of a flow tube, the main body of a flow tube being disposed inside the translation sleeve, wherein the displacement of the main body of a flow tube from the first position of the main body of a flow tube to the second position of the main body of a flow tube moves a flapper from a closed position to an open position.

[0036] Declaration 9. A method according to Declaration 8, wherein the step of moving the translation sleeve using well pressure includes reducing a pressure inside the main body of the flow tube, allowing the well pressure to transmit a force to the translation sleeve and move the translation sleeve to the second position of the translation sleeve.

[0037] Declaration 10. A method according to any one of Declarations 8 to 9, wherein the pressure reduction in the main flow tube body includes pumping fluid out of the main flow tube body or inflating a conduit above the main flow tube body.

[0038] Declaration 11. A method according to any one of Declarations 8 to 10, wherein the well pressure transmits the force through a piston, the piston being able to operate to move the translation sleeve.

[0039] Declaration 12. A method according to any one of Declarations 8 to 11, wherein the step of locking the translation sleeve in place in the second position of the translation sleeve includes supplying power to the electromagnetic assembly and using a magnetic force supplied by the electromagnetic assembly to prevent the movement of a second piston, the second piston being able to operate to prevent the movement of the translation sleeve from the second position of the translation sleeve.

[0040] Declaration 13. A method according to any one of Declarations 8 to 12, wherein the step of moving the main body of the flow tube from the first position of the main body of the flow tube to the second position of the main body of the flow tube includes increasing a pressure in the main body of the flow tube and forming a spring-loaded mechanism to push the main body of the flow tube into the flapper, thereby opening the flapper.

[0041] Declaration 14. A method according to any one of Declarations 8 to 13, wherein the translation sleeve further comprises a translation sleeve shoulder and the main flow tube body comprises a flow tube shoulder, wherein the flow tube shoulder and the translation sleeve shoulder are in contact when the main flow tube body is in the second position of the main flow tube body.

[0042] Declaration 15. A method according to any one of Declarations 8 to 14, wherein the step of moving the flow tube from the first position of the main body of the flow tube to the second position of the main body of the flow tube includes increasing a pressure in the main body of the flow tube such that the pressure in the main body of the flow tube and a positive spring force acting on a flow tube shoulder provided by a spring-loaded spring overcome a differential pressure on the flapper, thereby moving the flow tube into the second position of the flow tube.

[0043] Declaration 16. System comprising: a safety valve disposed in a borehole, wherein the safety valve includes a translation sleeve, the translation sleeve being able to operate to move by well pressure; and a process control system being able to operate to actuate the safety valve from a closed position to an open position, the process system comprising: a pump; and an electrical connection to the safety valve being able to operate to provide electrical power to the safety valve.

[0044] Declaration 17. System according to Declaration 16, wherein the safety valve further comprises: an outer casing comprising a central bore extending axially through the outer casing, in which the translation sleeve is disposed in the central bore; a flow tube is disposed inside the translation sleeve; a piston capable of operating to transmit a force to the translation sleeve; a flapper valve disposed on a distal end of the outer casing; and an electromagnetic assembly capable of operating to prevent the translation sleeve from moving.

[0045] Declaration 18. System according to any one of Declarations 16 to 17, wherein the electromagnetic assembly comprises at least one coil.

[0046] Declaration 19. System according to any one of Declarations 16 to 18, wherein the process system further comprises a pressure transducer, a flow meter or a combination thereof.

[0047] Declaration 20. System according to any one of Declarations 16 to 19, wherein the process system can operate to detect a process malfunction and cut off the supply to the safety valve.

[0048] For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly described here. However, ranges from any lower limit can be combined with an upper limit to indicate a range not explicitly stated, and similarly, ranges from any lower limit can be combined with any other lower limit to indicate a range not explicitly stated. In the same way, ranges from any upper limit can be combined with any other upper limit to indicate a range not explicitly stated. Furthermore, whenever a numeric range with a lower and upper limit is described, any number and any included range within the range are specifically described.In particular, any range of values ​​(of the form, "from about a to about b", or, equivalently, "from about a to b", or, equivalently, "from about ab") described in the present invention shall be understood as stating all the numbers and ranges encompassed within the broadest range of values, even if they are not explicitly described. Thus, each individual point or value can constitute its own lower or upper limit, combined with any other individual point or value or any other lower or upper limit, to indicate a range not explicitly stated.

[0049] Consequently, the present examples are well suited to achieving the objectives and benefits mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The particular examples described above are purely illustrative and can be modified and put into practice in different, but equivalent, ways that are obvious to a person skilled in the art who benefits from the teachings given herein. Although individual examples The invention covers all combinations of all the examples. Furthermore, no limitations are foreseen for the details of construction or design shown herein, other than those described in the claims below. In addition, the terms in the claims have a simple and ordinary meaning, unless explicitly and clearly stated otherwise by the patent holder. It is therefore understood that the particular illustrative examples described above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered to fall within the scope and spirit of those examples. In the event of a conflict between the uses of a word or term in this description and one or more patents or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions consistent with this description shall prevail.

Claims

Demands

1. Safety valve (200) comprising: an outer housing (224) including a central bore (225) extending axially through the outer housing (224); a flow tube (240) including: a translation sleeve (222); and a main flow tube body (208) disposed inside the translation sleeve (222), in which the main flow tube body (208) has an upper end and a lower end; a piston (220) capable of operating to transmit a force to the translation sleeve (222); a flapper valve (204) disposed on a distal end of the outer housing (224);and an electromagnetic assembly (238) capable of operating to maintain the safety valve (200) in an open state, the electromagnetic assembly comprising a housing and at least one coil rigidly fixed to the housing, the electromagnetic assembly capable of operating to move within the safety valve, the at least one coil capable of operating to generate a magnetic force to fix the electromagnetic assembly in place to hold the translation sleeve in place.

2. Safety valve (200) according to claim 1, wherein the translation sleeve (222) and the main flow tube body (208) can function to move inside the external housing (224).

3. Safety valve (200) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the translation sleeve (222) further comprises a translation sleeve shoulder (218), wherein the main body (208) of the flow tube comprises a flow tube shoulder (232), and wherein the flow tube shoulder (232) can function to engage with the translation sleeve shoulder (218) in order to prevent the flow tube (240) from moving beyond the translation sleeve (222).

4. Safety valve (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a spring-driven mechanism (210) disposed between the shoulder of the translation sleeve (218) and a lower valve assembly (216), wherein the spring-driven mechanism (210) can operate to provide a positive spring force against the shoulder of the translation sleeve (218) and wherein the safety valve (200) further comprises a claw spring (212) disposed between the shoulder (232) of the flow tube and a translation sleeve assembly (230), wherein the translation sleeve (222) and the translation sleeve assembly (230) are fixedly attached.

5. Safety valve (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the piston (220) is fixedly attached to the translation sleeve assembly (230) and wherein the electromagnetic assembly (238) is fixedly attached to the translation sleeve assembly (230) by a second piston (236).

6. Method of actuation of a safety valve (200) comprising: the movement of a translation sleeve (222) using a well pressure from a first position of the translation sleeve to a second position of the translation sleeve, the translation sleeve (222) being disposed inside an external housing (224) comprising a central bore (225) extending axially through the external housing (224);the locking in place of the translation sleeve (222) in the second position of the translation sleeve by providing a magnetic force from an electromagnetic assembly (238), the electromagnetic assembly comprising a housing and at least one coil rigidly attached to the housing, the electromagnetic assembly being able to operate to move inside the safety valve, and the at least one coil being able to operate to generate the magnetic force to fix the electromagnetic assembly in place to hold the translation sleeve in place; and the movement of a main flow tube body (208) from a first position of the main flow tube body to a second position of the main flow tube body, the; main body of flow tube (208) being disposed inside the translation sleeve (222), in which the displacement of the main body (208) of flow tube from the first position of the main body of flow tube to the second position of the main body of flow tube moves a flapper (204) from a closed position to an open position.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of moving the translation sleeve (222) using well pressure includes decreasing a pressure inside the main body (208) of the flow tube, allowing the well pressure to transmit a force to the translation sleeve (222), and moving the translation sleeve (222) to the second position of the translation sleeve.

8. A method according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the pressure reduction in the main body of the flow tube (208) comprises pumping fluid out of the main body of the flow tube (208) or inflating a conduit (206) above the main body (208) of the flow tube and wherein the well pressure transmits the force through a piston (220), the piston being able to operate to move the translation sleeve (222).

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the step of locking the translation sleeve (222) in place in the second position of the translation sleeve comprises supplying power to the electromagnetic assembly (238) and using the magnetic force supplied by the electromagnetic assembly (238) to prevent the movement of a second piston (236), the second piston (236) being able to operate to prevent the movement of the translation sleeve (222) from the second position of the translation sleeve.

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the step of moving the main flow tube body (208) from the first position of the main flow tube body to the second position of the main flow tube body comprises increasing a pressure in the main flow tube body (208) and forming a spring-loaded spring (212) to push the main flow tube body (208) into the flapper (204), thereby opening the flapper (204).

11. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the translation sleeve (222) further comprises a translation sleeve shoulder (218) and the main body (208) of the flow tube comprises a flow tube shoulder (232), wherein the flow tube shoulder (232) and the translation sleeve shoulder (218) are in contact when the main body (208) of the flow tube is in the second position of the main body of the flow tube.

12. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the step of moving the flow tube from the first position of the main body (208) of the flow tube to the second position of the main body of the flow tube comprises increasing a pressure in the main body (208) of the flow tube such that the pressure in the main body (208) of the flow tube and a positive spring force acting on a shoulder (232) of the flow tube provided by a spring (212) with a claw overcome a differential pressure on the flapper (204), thereby moving the flow tube (208) into the second position of the flow tube.

13. System comprising: a safety valve (106, 200) disposed in a borehole (112), wherein the safety valve (106, 200) comprises: a translation sleeve (222), the translation sleeve (222) being capable of moving by well pressure; an electromagnetic assembly capable of being actuated to prevent the translation sleeve from moving, the electromagnetic assembly comprising a housing and at least one coil rigidly fixed to the housing, the electromagnetic assembly being capable of being actuated to move within the safety valve, and at least one coil being capable of being actuated to generate a magnetic force to fix the electromagnetic assembly in place to hold the translation sleeve in place;and a process control system capable of operating to actuate the safety valve (106, 200) from a closed position to an open position, the process system comprising: a pump; and; an electrical connection (102) to the safety valve (106, 200) capable of providing electrical power to the safety valve (106, 200).

14. System according to claim 13, wherein the safety valve (106, 200) further comprises: an outer housing (224) comprising a central bore (225) extending axially through the outer housing (224), in which the translation sleeve (222) is disposed in the central bore (225); a flow tube (240) is disposed inside the translation sleeve (222); a piston (220) capable of operating to transmit a force to the translation sleeve (222); and a flapper valve (204) disposed on a distal end of the outer housing (224).

15. System according to any one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the electromagnetic assembly (238, 300) comprises at least one coil (304), wherein the process control system further comprises a pressure transducer, a flow meter or a combination thereof, and wherein the process control system can operate to detect a process malfunction and cut off the supply to the safety valve (106, 200).

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