Arcuate Piston Ball Valve Direct Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valves in subsea landing string systems face deformation issues due to high hydraulic forces applied during cutting operations, which affect the transmission of force from the piston to the ball valve, leading to inefficiencies in cutting capability.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve design featuring an arcuate piston that moves along a circular arc within an arcuate pressure chamber, allowing direct hydraulic force application to the piston ends, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages and enabling large closing/cutting forces with a simplified actuating mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If mechanical linkages (pins) are used to transmit force from the piston to the ball valve, then the cutting capability is provided, but the interface surfaces deform under high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical linkages (pins) that cause interface surface deformation. Instead, hydraulic force is applied directly to the piston, which then directly actuates the ball valve without intermediate mechanical components, eliminating the deformation problem while maintaining cutting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydraulic fluid as an intermediary to transmit force. Rather than using solid mechanical linkages that deform under high force, the hydraulic fluid transmits the cutting force from the piston to the ball valve, preventing interface surface deformation while maintaining force transmission
2Ease of operation
If mechanical linkages are used to actuate the ball valve, then cutting operation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical linkage system (pins and their interface surfaces) from the actuating mechanism. The simplified design applies hydraulic force directly to the piston, which directly moves the ball valve, maintaining cutting operation capability while significantly reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic actuation to replace complex mechanical linkages. By using hydraulic pressure to directly move the piston and subsequently the ball valve, the system achieves cutting operation capability with a simpler, more reliable actuating mechanism that eliminates multiple mechanical components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the efficiency of the ball valve by allowing direct hydraulic force application to the arcuate piston, reducing deformation and improving cutting capability while maintaining a robust sealing mechanism, thus enabling effective operation in well-related applications.
Implementation Method 1
A force, e.g. a hydraulic force, may be selectively applied directly against an end of the arcuate piston to shift the arcuate piston along the arc
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates valve operations in many applications including well related applications. A valve utilizes a piston which moves along an arc. The valve has an outer housing and an inner housing spaced to create an arcuate pressure chamber which extends along the arc. A piston is mounted in the arcuate pressure chamber for movement along the arc. A hydraulic force or other force may be selectively applied directly against an end of the arcuate piston to shift the arcuate piston along the arc. In some applications, the piston comprises a cutting edge oriented to enable performance of a cutting operation.