Ball Valve Truncated Leading Edge for Wireline Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valves in landing strings face challenges in achieving effective sealing and cutting of wireline or coiled tubing due to damaged cutting edges, which compromise sealing functionality, and struggle with cutting hollow conveyances like coiled tubing, causing collapse and increased energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve design featuring a truncated leading edge surface with a relief region, allowing for angled cutting edges and a curved bore edge surface to facilitate cutting without damaging the sealing surface, and using coatings like tungsten carbide to enhance shearing and sealing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional ball valves with pointed cutting edges are used to cut wireline or coiled tubing, then cutting capability is achieved, but sealing capability deteriorates after shearing operations due to damaged cutting edges
Solution Approach 1:
The ball member is divided into distinct functional zones: a sealing surface for maintaining sealing capability and a leading edge surface with truncated geometry for cutting operations. This segmentation allows the sealing surface to remain undamaged during cutting, as the cutting function is isolated to the replaceable leading edge portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The leading edge surface is designed as a consumable component that can be easily replaced when damaged. Instead of replacing the entire ball valve, only the leading edge needs replacement, reducing maintenance costs and downtime while maintaining cutting capability.
2Force
If conventional ball valves are used to cut hollow conveyances like coiled tubing, then cutting is attempted, but the tubing collapses under central cutting forces making subsequent shearing difficult and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The leading edge surface features an asymmetric truncated geometry with a relief region that creates non-uniform stress distribution during cutting. This asymmetric design prevents uniform collapse of hollow conveyances by creating a controlled deformation pattern that maintains structural integrity during the shearing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief region on the leading edge surface introduces a new geometric dimension that manages the collapse of hollow conveyances. By providing a controlled deformation zone, the design transforms the cutting process from a purely force-intensive operation to one that utilizes geometric control of material deformation.
3Area of moving object
If the internal diameter of valve assemblies is increased to permit unrestricted passage of wireline or coiled tubing tools, then tool passage capability is improved, but the outer diameter increases making it difficult to locate within the wellhead BOP
Solution Approach 1:
The ball member incorporates localized geometric features (truncated leading edge surface and relief region) that enhance cutting capability without requiring overall enlargement of the valve. This local modification approach maintains the compact outer diameter while providing effective cutting functionality at the critical leading edge location.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve is provided. The ball valve includes a housing, a ball seat arranged in the housing, a ball member mounted within the housing and being rotatable relative to the ball seat between open and closed positions, the ball seat and ball member defining respective through bores, the ball member including a sealing surface, a bore surface and a leading edge surface extending between the sealing surface and the bore surface, the leading edge surface being configured to cut a body extending at least partially through the valve upon closure of the ball member, wherein said leading edge surface is truncated. The ball member may include a relief region proximate the leading edge surface.