Automatic Release Valve for Bumper Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bumper spring assemblies in oil and gas wells lack efficient and durable automatic release mechanisms to manage fluid accumulation and release, leading to reduced production efficiency and potential spring damage from debris and forces.
Innovation Solution
An automatic release valve assembly featuring a hollow cylindrical valve seat sleeve with a wave spring and cylindrical housing having parallel grooves and ridges, providing flow ports and a robust design to stabilize the spring and control fluid release, connected between the bumper spring cage and hold down device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ball-and-seat valve is used to control fluid release, then fluid release can be controlled, but the spring is exposed to strong forces that may damage it
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a ball valve mechanism for fluid control, a wave spring for cushioning and return force, and a cage structure for protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while protecting the spring from direct exposure to harmful forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage acts as an intermediary protective structure between the spring and the external environment. It shields the spring from debris and excessive forces while still allowing the spring to perform its cushioning function. The cage mediates the interaction between the spring and harmful external factors.
2Productivity
If the spring is exposed to strong forces during production, then the valve can respond to fluid accumulation, but the spring may be damaged and fail
Solution Approach 1:
The wave spring is pre-configured to provide cushioning protection against excessive forces before they can damage the spring. The spring's wave geometry and material properties are selected to absorb and dissipate energy from pressure surges and mechanical impacts, protecting the spring from failure while maintaining its ability to respond to fluid accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring's physical parameters (wire diameter, wave geometry, material composition) are optimized to balance responsiveness to fluid pressure with resistance to damage from strong forces. By carefully selecting these parameters, the spring can detect and respond to fluid accumulation while withstanding the harsh production environment.
3Reliability
If debris accumulates on the spring, then the valve may fail to control fluid release, but adding protective structures increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the spring from debris, guides the ball valve movement, provides structural support for the entire assembly, and allows fluid flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
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
Enhances fluid flow efficiency and durability by protecting the spring from debris and forces, allowing controlled fluid release and maintaining operation even if the spring fails, with improved reliability and flow rates compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a wave spring formed of edge-wise wound coils of flat spring stock to a predetermined spring constant
Implementation Method 2
When the accumulated fluid exceeds the tension in the spring, the valve opens to release fluid into the formation
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic release valve assembly for a bumper spring, comprising a hollow cylindrical valve seat sleeve having a plurality of flow ports and flow passages disposed in the sidewalls thereof; a valve ball sized to engage by contact with a robust valve seat; a multiple coil spring disposed over the sleeve portion of the valve seat sleeve; wherein the valve seat sleeve, ball, and coil spring are enclosed within a hollow cylindrical housing. The housing includes within its bore a central region of a plurality of parallel, elongated and interleaved grooves and ridges to permit released fluid to flow and to stabilize the operation of the valve assembly.