Angled Oval Seal Assembly for Choke Valve Erosion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure containing bodies, such as choke valves, face challenges in detecting erosion and leaks, which can lead to operational delays and resource wastage due to the difficulty in predicting and detecting fluid erosion, resulting in potential production cessation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a seal assembly with an angled seal and a sensor system that detects fluid pressure changes, allowing for timely replacement of wear sleeves and reducing the likelihood of leaks by positioning seals at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, facilitating ease of use, installation, and cost savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional axial seal is used in a pressure containing body, then the seal structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the seal is difficult to install and replace, and operational downtime is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is positioned at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the pressure containing body, creating an asymmetric configuration. This angled positioning allows the seal to be accessed and replaced more easily through the central opening, reducing installation complexity and operational downtime compared to a traditional axial seal configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal arrangement transitions from a one-dimensional axial positioning to a two-dimensional angled positioning within the central opening. By orienting the seal at an angle rather than strictly along the axis, the design enables easier access through the central opening while maintaining sealing effectiveness, thus improving ease of operation without sacrificing sealing performance.
2Reliability
If a sensor system is added to detect erosion and leaks, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system enables the pressure containing body to self-diagnose erosion and leak conditions. By continuously monitoring pressure differentials across the seal, the system automatically detects degradation without requiring external inspection, thereby improving reliability while keeping the added complexity minimal and self-managing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides real-time feedback on seal condition by detecting pressure changes that indicate erosion or leakage. This feedback mechanism allows for proactive maintenance scheduling based on actual seal performance rather than fixed intervals, improving detection reliability while optimizing the balance between monitoring and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to seal assemblies, and associated components thereof, and methods of using the same for use in pressure containing bodies, such as choke valves. In one example, a sensor is used with the seal assemblies. In one implementation, a pressure containing body apparatus includes a pressure containing body including a central opening and a central axis extending through the central opening. The pressure containing body apparatus includes a sleeve disposed in the central opening of the pressure containing body. The pressure containing body apparatus includes an angled seal disposed about the sleeve at an angle relative to the central axis of the pressure containing body. The angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.