Back Pressure Valve Lock Ring for Bore Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional back pressure valves in wellhead systems are often threaded into place, leading to complications and reducing the size of the bore, which can limit pressure containment and increase the complexity of bore formation.
Innovation Solution
A back pressure valve is installed linearly into a wellhead component using a tool that disengages after landing, with a snap or lock ring that automatically expands to secure the valve in place, eliminating the need for threads and allowing for higher pressure containment and simplified bore formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a back pressure valve is threaded into the hanger, then the valve can be securely installed, but the bore size is reduced and the complexity of bore formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is segmented into separate components: the hanger body, the back pressure valve, and an independent lock ring. This eliminates the need for threaded connections within the bore, allowing the full bore diameter to be maintained while still achieving secure valve installation through the lock ring mechanism that engages with a recess in the hanger body.
2Reliability
If a back pressure valve is threaded into the hanger, then the valve can be securely installed, but the complexity of bore formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the retention function into an independent lock ring component rather than integrating it through threading, the bore formation process is simplified to only require creating the recess in the hanger body, eliminating the need for complex threaded hole formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock ring acts as an intermediary component that provides the retention function without requiring direct threaded engagement between the valve and hanger. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the bore formation requirements while maintaining secure installation.
3Reliability
If a threaded connection is used, then the valve can be retained in place, but the bore size is reduced limiting pressure containment
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is segregated from the pressure-containing bore structure. The lock ring handles retention while the full bore diameter maintains pressure containment capability, resolving the trade-off between secure installation and pressure handling capacity.
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 solution enables higher pressure containment and simplifies the installation and removal of the back pressure valve, increasing the bore size and reducing the complexity of bore preparation, while avoiding the complications associated with threaded connections.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, automatically, expands the bellows after the tool is disengaged from the back pressure valve
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a back pressure valve configured to mount in a mineral extraction system. The back pressure valve includes a body comprising a venting port coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the body, a plunger configured to be in sealing engagement with the body to seal the venting port, and a lock ring disposed about the body, wherein the lock ring is configured to automatically expand radially upon removal of a tool.