Downhole Valve Actuator With Roller Nut Fail-Safe Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic downhole valves face limitations in depth and pressure due to hydrostatic pressure and friction, requiring strong springs for fail-safe closing, which is space-consuming and prone to leakage, and lack efficient control and monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanically operated downhole valve with an axially displaceable flow pipe actuated by an electric motor with a stator and rotor, using transmission elements like a roller nut with threaded rollers, and an electromechanical brake for controlled operation, eliminating the need for hydraulic pistons and springs, and integrating pressure compensation and sensors for improved control and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hydraulic actuators are used for downhole valves, then the valves can be operated at greater depths, but the system requires strong springs for fail-safe closing which are space-consuming and prone to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with an electromechanical actuation system. The electric motor with roller nut and threaded rollers converts rotational motion to linear motion of the flow pipe, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid and large compression springs while maintaining fail-safe closing capability through electrical control and braking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic actuator and large spring system from the valve assembly. By using an electromechanical actuation system, the patent eliminates the complex hydraulic components and large space-consuming springs, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining depth capability.
2Force
If hydraulic pressure is used to open the valve, then the valve can be opened against reservoir pressure, but the system is prone to leakage and has reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic pressure system with an electromechanical system. The electric motor provides controlled force through the roller nut mechanism to open the valve against reservoir pressure, eliminating hydraulic seals and connections that are prone to leakage, thereby improving system reliability.
3Reliability
If strong springs are used for fail-safe closing in hydraulic systems, then the valve can close reliably, but the spring system is space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the large mechanical spring system with an electromechanical actuation system. The electric motor with roller nut and threaded rollers provides controlled closing force, eliminating the need for large space-consuming springs while maintaining fail-safe closing reliability through electrical control and braking mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If hydraulic actuators are used, then the valves can be operated, but the system lacks efficient control and monitoring capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with an electromechanical system that integrates control and monitoring capabilities. The electric motor allows for precise control of valve position and speed, and the system can be equipped with sensors and communication interfaces for remote monitoring and automation, enhancing both ease of operation and extent of automation.
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
Enables faster and controlled fail-safe closing, reduces the need for strong springs, minimizes leakage risks, and enhances operational control and monitoring, suitable for deep and high-pressure environments.
Implementation Method 1
a roller nut which is provided with a number of supported thread rollers which are distributed around and are in threaded engagement with the actuation element
Implementation Method 2
an electromechanical brake for controlled operation
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arranged to close a flow path extending through it, on the loss of an electrical voltage supplied to a driving motor of an actuation element, the driving motor, which comprises a stator and a rotor, being arranged to, via transmission elements, displace the actuation element between at least a first position, in which the actuation element is arranged at a distance from a spring-loaded, rotatable valve element, and a second position, in which the actuation element holds the spring-loaded, rotatable valve element in an open position, the rotor of the driving motor surrounding and being connected to a roller nut which is provided with a number of supported thread rollers which are distributed around and are threadedly engaged with the actuation element, the actuation element being a flow pipe which forms a flow path and is axially displaceable away from its second position by means of an actuator spring.