Actuated Counter-Seat Compressor Valve to Eliminate Spring Flutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating compressors in the oil and gas industry face issues with spring failure and fluttering, leading to inefficiencies and reliability problems, particularly due to the corrosive and inflammable nature of the compressed fluids, and the existing valves have clearance volumes that are not minimized effectively.
Innovation Solution
The valve closing member is attached to the counter-seat and actuated to open and close, eliminating the need for springs and reducing the number of parts prone to failure, while allowing for an enlarged flow area and reduced clearance volume by using an actuator to control the valve's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs are used to actuate the valve closing member, then the valve can be actuated to open and close, but the springs are prone to failure and fluttering in corrosive and inflammable environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the valve assembly entirely. The valve closing member is directly attached to the counter-seat and actuated by an actuator, eliminating the spring that causes failure and fluttering in corrosive environments. This extraction of the problematic component directly improves reliability while simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the spring-based mechanical actuation system with an actuator-based system. The actuator directly moves the valve closing member attached to the counter-seat, substituting the unreliable spring mechanism with a more reliable actuated system that eliminates fluttering and failure issues in harsh environments.
2Volume of stationary object
If conventional valve design is used, then the valve structure is simple, but the clearance volume is not minimized effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic actuation of the valve closing member attached to the counter-seat, allowing precise control of valve opening and closing timing. This dynamic control enables optimization of the clearance volume by ensuring complete closure and minimizing residual volume, thereby improving compressor efficiency without compromising structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If springs are used in the valve assembly, then the valve can function, but the number of parts prone to failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring component from the valve assembly, eliminating the parts prone to failure. The valve closing member is directly attached to the counter-seat and actuated by an actuator, reducing the number of components that can fail while maintaining ease of operation through the actuated mechanism.
4Reliability
If the valve closing member is attached to the counter-seat and actuated, then spring-related failures are eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the spring-based mechanical system with an actuated system where the valve closing member is directly attached to the counter-seat. While this introduces an actuator, it eliminates the spring and associated complexity of spring installation and maintenance, ultimately simplifying the overall system while improving reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Reciprocating compressors used in oil and gas industry having valve assemblies in which valve closing members are attached to counter-seats and related methods are provided. A valve assembly includes an actuator providing a linear motion and a valve having (1) a valve seat 210 configured to allow a fluid to flow through the valve seat, via a inlet port, (2) a counter-seat 220 attached to the actuator and configured to allow the fluid to flow through the counter-seat, via a outlet port, and (3) a valve closing member 230. The valve closing member is attached to the counter-seat, located and configured to close the inlet port when the counter-seat is in a closed position. The counter-seat receiving the linear motion from the actuator, moves between the closed position and a second position corresponding to the inlet port being open thereby allowing the fluid to flow on a flow path including the inlet port and the outlet port.