Check Valve Lock-Open Mechanism for Bidirectional Hydrostatic Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current poppet type check valves in the oil and gas industry require disassembly for bidirectional flow testing, leading to equipment malfunction and safety risks due to incorrect reassembly during hydrostatic testing.

Innovation Solution

An integral lock open device for poppet type check valves that allows bidirectional flow without disassembly, using a locking screw to manually defeat the internal sealing mechanism and lock the poppet in a fully open position, enabling hydrostatic testing while maintaining safety and preventing equipment failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the check valve is disassembled to permit bidirectional flow during system testing, then bidirectional flow capability is achieved, but equipment malfunction and personnel safety risks increase due to incorrect reassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional flow capabilityVSAvoidequipment safety and proper assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a separate locking mechanism with a locking pin that can independently engage with locking surfaces on the poppet and valve body. This segmentation allows the bidirectional flow function to be activated without disassembling the check valve's internal sealing components, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking pin serves as an intermediary element between the operator and the check valve mechanism. By inserting and engaging the locking pin with the locking surfaces, bidirectional flow is achieved without direct manipulation of the poppet or sealing elements, eliminating the risk of incorrect reassembly while enabling versatile testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the check valve is disassembled for hydrostatic testing, then testing capability is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrostatic testing capabilityVSAvoidtesting preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is pre-integrated into the check valve structure with locking surfaces already positioned on the poppet and valve body. The locking pin is designed to directly engage these pre-positioned surfaces, eliminating the need for disassembly steps and reducing testing preparation time while maintaining full hydrostatic testing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual removal of check valve parts is performed to permit reverse flow testing, then bidirectional operation is achieved, but the risk of incorrect reassembly and equipment failure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse flow testing operationVSAvoidequipment assembly correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-evident. The locking pin has a unique shape with a head for manual operation and a body that engages with complementary locking surfaces. This self-service design ensures that operators can easily identify and operate the locking mechanism without technical expertise, achieving ease of operation while preventing incorrect assembly through the self-evident engagement features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11781397B2Integral check valve lock open device for oil and gas equipment

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 LOWRY GEORGE TODD

AI summary

An inventive lock open device for use with a poppet type check valve is disclosed. The device permits bidirectional flow of fluid or gas by defeating the check valve sealing device which permits hydrostatic testing without the need for check valve disassembly or the need for additional tooling.