Drillstring Valve Protrusion Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole valves for drillstrings lack improved characteristics for efficient fluid flow management and pressure distribution, leading to inefficiencies in operations such as lost circulation and fluid flow actuation.
Innovation Solution
A drillstring valve design featuring a stop element with protrusions that facilitate sealing and pressure distribution, allowing for adaptable operation by varying the shape and size of the protrusions to accommodate different valve elements, and incorporating a moveable element with a biasing system for pressure-actuated functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve design without protrusions is used, then the structure is simpler, but the sealing reliability and pressure distribution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element incorporates protrusions that extend into the passageway to create localized sealing surfaces. These protrusions concentrate pressure at specific points where they contact the valve element, improving sealing reliability without requiring the entire valve structure to be complex. The protrusions are strategically positioned to provide focused pressure distribution exactly where needed for effective sealing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional stop element without protrusions is used, then the manufacturing is easier, but the adaptability to different valve elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element with protrusions is designed to work with multiple types of valve elements (balls, plugs, or other closing members). The protrusions can be configured with different shapes, sizes, and arrangements to accommodate various valve element geometries. This universal design allows a single stop element structure to provide reliable sealing and pressure distribution across different valve element types, enhancing adaptability while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If pressure is applied to force the valve element past the protrusions, then the valve actuates, but the force required may be excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed with curved or rounded surfaces that match the geometry of spherical valve elements like balls. This curvature allows the valve element to roll or glide along the protrusion surfaces during actuation, reducing friction and the force required to move the valve element from the closed to the open position. The curved surfaces distribute the actuation force more evenly, making valve operation easier while maintaining effective sealing when closed.
Data Source
AI summary
A drillstring valve has an inlet mountable to a drillstring, an outlet and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet in a predetermined operating condition. The drillstring valve comprises a stop element adapted for receiving a valve element wherein the stop element comprises at least two protrusions extending into a passageway portion of the passageway to thereby retain the valve element. The at least two protrusions are spaced in a circumferential direction of the passageway portion and may be spaced from an inlet edge having a continuously reduced diameter in a downstream direction.