Compact Drill String Safety Valve With Switchable Flow States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling safety valves are large and heavy, requiring two workers for installation and being time-consuming, which is undesirable in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A compact drill string safety valve device with a movable valve member that can switch between allowing fluid flow in both directions and one direction, incorporating a rotatable ball valve and resilient elements, enabling dual functionality as both a check valve and full opening safety valve, reducing weight to approximately 25 kg.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drilling safety valves (Kelly Valve or IBOP Valve) are used, then pressure control functionality is ensured, but the valve size and weight become large (approximately 100 kg), requiring at least two drill floor workers for installation and increasing installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into an upper body and a lower body that can be connected together. The valve member is selectively positionable within the valve body to provide different valve configurations (first configuration with restricted flow, second configuration with full flow). This segmentation allows the valve to be smaller and lighter while maintaining pressure control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is made movable between different positions and configurations. The valve can dynamically switch between a first configuration that restricts fluid flow and a second configuration that allows substantially unrestricted fluid flow. This dynamic capability enables a single smaller valve to replace multiple larger fixed-function valves.
2Reliability
If traditional drilling safety valves are used, then pressure control functionality is ensured, but the installation time increases due to the need for two workers and the large size of the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into an upper body and a lower body that can be connected together. The valve member is selectively positionable within the valve body to provide different valve configurations. This segmentation allows the valve to be smaller and lighter, enabling faster installation by fewer workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve device provides multiple functions: it can operate in a first configuration to restrict fluid flow and in a second configuration to allow substantially unrestricted fluid flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate valves, reducing installation time and complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If a single compact valve is used to reduce weight and installation time, then installation efficiency is improved, but the valve must provide dual functionality (check valve and full opening safety valve) increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is made movable between different positions and configurations. The valve can dynamically switch between a first configuration that restricts fluid flow and a second configuration that allows substantially unrestricted fluid flow. This dynamic capability enables a single smaller valve to replace multiple larger fixed-function valves while managing complexity through motion rather than multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the functions of a check valve and a full opening safety valve into a single valve device. The valve body and valve member work together to provide both flow restriction and full flow capabilities, merging multiple valve functions into one integrated device.
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 compact safety valve provides greater flexibility and improved logistics, allowing for faster installation and effective pressure control during drilling operations, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The drill string safety valve device comprises a resilient element, such as a spring, configured to exert a force on the valve member.
Data Source
AI summary
A drill string safety valve device (1) has a body (2) with a through-going flow bore (25) and connectors (3, 4) at respective ends (19, 18) for connection to tubulars, such as pipe joints. A valve member (7; 29) is movably arranged in said flow bore (25) and configured for being set in one of two states: a first state of the valve member allows fluid to flow in both directions though the flow bore, and a second state of the valve member allows fluid flow through the flow bore in only one direction. The valve member may be a rotatable ball valve (7) with a through-going flow bore (21).