Wellbore Ball Valve Closure Using Shiftable Sleeve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valves in wellbores face challenges in efficiently closing and forming a well barrier to restrict fluid flow, particularly due to limitations in actuation mechanisms and sealing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve design incorporating a shiftable sleeve with a diverter seat and shearable or collapsible components, coupled with a spring-based actuation mechanism, allows for reliable rotation of the ball from an open to a closed position, forming a fluid seal and restricting flow through alignment changes in the valve passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-based actuation mechanism is used to rotate the ball from open to closed position, then the reliability of well barrier formation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like shiftable sleeve, diverter seat, and shearable elements
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded in the actuation mechanism before deployment. When the shearable element fails and the shiftable sleeve moves, the pre-loaded spring immediately drives the ball from open to closed position, ensuring reliable well barrier formation without requiring additional activation steps or complex control systems during well operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shiftable sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the diverter/diverter seat interaction and the ball actuation mechanism. It translates the linear movement from diverter engagement into rotational movement of the ball through the actuation mechanism, enabling reliable closed position achievement while maintaining a modular design that can be deployed through existing wellbore equipment.
2Ease of operation
If a shiftable sleeve with diverter seat and shearable components is used to actuate the valve, then the ease of operation is improved by enabling remote closure, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to alignment tolerances of multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the shiftable sleeve for linear movement, the diverter seat for engagement, the shearable element for controlled failure, and the ball for flow control. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently with standardized tolerances, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling remote operation through coordinated action of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The shearable element is designed to fail at a predetermined load or stress threshold, automatically triggering the actuation sequence without requiring external intervention or precise timing control. The diverter, when engaged with the diverter seat, self-generates the force needed to shift the sleeve and initiate ball closure, eliminating the need for complex external actuation systems and reducing manufacturing precision requirements for coordination mechanisms.
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
The solution effectively closes the ball valve and forms a well barrier by using the diverter seat and shearable/collapsible components to actuate the sleeve, which disengages the latch and allows the spring to rotate the ball, creating a reliable fluid seal and restricting flow, addressing the inefficiencies in existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to shift from a first position to a second position to rotate the ball to the closed position after the latch disengages from the latch retainer
Implementation Method 2
the sleeve includes or is coupled to a shearable piece that initially prevents movement of the sleeve. In some embodiments, the force or pressure generated by the diverter landing on the diverter seat shears the shearable piece
Implementation Method 3
the force or pressure generated by the diverter landing on the diverter seat shears the shearable piece, and shifts the sleeve from the first position to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
Ball valves, methods to close a ball valve, and methods to form a well barrier are discussed. A ball valve includes a valve housing and a ball that is rotatably movable from an open position to a closed position. The ball valve also includes an actuation mechanism operable to rotate the ball from the open position to the closed position, where a fluid passage of the ball is not aligned with a fluid passage of the valve housing while the ball is in the closed position. The ball valve further includes a sleeve disposed in the valve housing and operable to shift from a first position to a second position to actuate the actuation mechanism.