Elastic Valve Seat for Reversible Plug Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole valve designs in the oil and gas industry face issues with reversible fluid flow obstruction, material damage, and limited reusability due to shearable connectors, deformable balls, and metal valve seats, which lead to increased costs and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A valve seat made of an elastic material, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), that compresses within its own volume under pressure to allow a plug to pass through and returns to its original shape for repeated use with identical plugs, utilizing an arcuate inner surface for effective sealing and venturi effect to guide the plug.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a metal valve seat with a sealing lip is used to temporarily seal the plug, then the plug can be released after actuation, but the valve seat deforms permanently and cannot be reused with identical plugs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the valve seat from metal to elastomer, which fundamentally alters the deformation behavior. The elastomer material allows the sealing lip to deform elastically under pressure and then return to its original shape, enabling repeated use with identical plugs without permanent deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastomer material that combines the properties of flexibility for sealing with elastic recovery for reusability. This material selection creates a composite solution that addresses both the temporary sealing requirement and the permanent deformation issue of metal seats.
2Ease of operation
If the sealing lip deforms to allow plug passage, then the plug can pass through the valve seat, but debris collects behind the sealing lip and restricts further deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sealing lip with a specific curved geometry that facilitates debris clearance. The curved profile allows the plug to push debris ahead of it during passage, preventing accumulation behind the sealing lip and maintaining deformation capability for subsequent plugs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shearable connectors are used to render obstruction reversible, then the obstruction can be opened at predetermined pressure, but bypass channels are required which are expensive and can become blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex bypass channel structure entirely by using a deformable elastomer seat that allows the plug to pass through directly. The reversible obstruction is achieved through the elastic deformation and recovery of the sealing lip, eliminating the need for separate bypass passages.
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 repeated temporary occlusion of fluid flow with identical plugs, reduces material damage, and maintains non-turbulent flow while allowing for the passage of various tools like wireline without obstruction, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
said body being formed of an elastic material which compresses to a second volume, smaller than said first volume, by application of said force to provide a second clearance to said body which is greater than the plugging dimension
Implementation Method 2
a pressure differential is developed across said valve seat when said plug sealingly engages said seating surface, applying force to said seating surface
Implementation Method 3
utilizing an arcuate inner surface for effective sealing and venturi effect to guide the plug
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve seat (10) is disclosed which provides a temporary seal for a plug (40). The valve seat comprises a substantially cylindrical body (30) of a first volume, which defines a seating surface (34). A pressure differential is developed across the valve seat when the plug sealingly engages the seating surface. The body is formed of an elastic material which compresses from a first volume to a smaller second volume by application of a force on the plug, to provide a clearance which is greater than a plugging dimension of the plug, thus allowing passage of the plug downstream. After passage of the plug, the body returns to the first volume.