Bore Valve Actuation Assembly Pressure Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore valves face challenges in sealing under high pressure conditions, as they require movement of parts exposed to pressurized fluids, leading to significant forces and potential operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features an actuation assembly with isolated end portions that move between configurations without being exposed to bore fluid pressure, using seals and chambers to maintain fluid volume consistency or create pressure differences to bias the valve, allowing for efficient sealing without requiring additional force to displace fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If valve parts are moved in pressurized fluid to seal the bore, then sealing function is achieved, but significant forces and operational difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The activation member is divided into three distinct portions: a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is exposed to bore fluid pressure while the end portions are isolated from the fluid, allowing the valve to segment the force application and maintain operational ease while achieving reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid passage is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the activation member to the bore fluid only at the intermediate portion. This intermediary structure allows pressure transmission to the intermediate portion while preventing direct exposure of the end portions to the pressurized fluid, thereby reducing operational difficulty while maintaining sealing reliability.
2Force
If activation member end portions are exposed to bore fluid, then pressure forces act on them, but additional force is required to move the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The end portions of the activation member are extracted from the pressurized fluid environment. By isolating the end portions from the bore fluid through the actuation assembly and fluid passage, the harmful pressure forces are removed from these critical components, reducing the additional force required to move the valve while maintaining necessary pressure forces at the intermediate portion for sealing.
3Reliability
If fluid volume is displaced during valve movement, then sealing is achieved, but additional force is required to displace fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid passage is configured with specific local properties: it is open to the bore at one end and closed at the other end by the activation member. This local quality configuration allows the fluid passage to contain and direct fluid displacement locally, enabling sealing to be achieved with reduced force requirements compared to displacing the entire bore fluid volume.
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 enables the valve to move between open and closed configurations without being affected by fluid pressure, reducing the force needed and maintaining operational efficiency even at high pressures, thus enhancing the sealing process in wellbores.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation assembly is configured to isolate the first and second end portions of the activation member from a bore fluid
Implementation Method 2
using seals and chambers to maintain fluid volume consistency
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Apparatus (10) for restricting a flow of fluid through a bore (14) comprises a bore sealing member (12a) and an actuation assembly for moving the bore sealing member (12a) between first and second configurations. The actuation assembly is configured to isolate first and second end portions (46, 48) of the activation member (12a) from a bore fluid (50). The apparatus (10) provides for moving the bore sealing member (12a) between the first and second configurations without a bore fluid (50) pressure acting on an end portion (46, 48) of the activation member (12a).