Electric Ball Valve Actuation Without Hydraulic Umbilicals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydraulic umbilicals used in ball valve mechanisms within well systems are space-consuming, operationally slow, and costly to maintain, especially in subsea environments, due to the need for multiple hoses and complex control systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electric ball valve mechanism powered by a single electrical conductor or wireless telemetry, eliminating the need for hydraulic umbilicals and using hollow core electric motors and hydraulic pumps to actuate the ball valve, enabling fast and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple hydraulic umbilicals are used to actuate ball valve mechanisms, then the ball valves can be actuated reliably, but the space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hydraulic umbilicals into a single electric actuation system. Instead of using separate hydraulic lines for each ball valve, the invention uses a single electric motor to actuate the ball valve, eliminating the need for multiple hydraulic umbilicals and significantly reducing space requirements while maintaining actuation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic mechanical actuation system with an electric actuation system. The hydraulic umbilicals and hydraulic motors are substituted with electric motors that receive electrical power through a single conductor or twisted pair, eliminating the complex hydraulic infrastructure and reducing spatial requirements
2Reliability
If multiple hydraulic umbilicals are strapped to tubing, then the ball valves can be actuated, but the operation speed of running tubing slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with an electric actuation system that requires minimal external connections. The electric motor can be powered through the tubing itself or via wireless telemetry, eliminating the need to strap multiple heavy hydraulic umbilicals to the tubing, thereby significantly increasing the speed of tubing running operations
3Reliability
If multiple hydraulic umbilicals are used, then the ball valve mechanism can function properly, but the maintenance costs become prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex hydraulic system with a simpler electric actuation system. Electric motors and electrical conductors are generally more reliable and easier to maintain than hydraulic systems, which require regular maintenance of hoses, seals, and hydraulic fluid. This substitution significantly reduces maintenance costs while ensuring continuous proper functionality of the ball valve mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hydraulic umbilicals from the system, removing the source of maintenance complexity and cost. By taking out the hydraulic infrastructure and replacing it with electric actuation, the system achieves comparable or superior reliability with dramatically reduced maintenance requirements and costs
4Reliability
If hydraulic actuation is used, then the ball valves can be controlled, but the operational speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with an electric actuation system using electric motors. Electric motors can respond more quickly to control signals than hydraulic systems, which require fluid pressure buildup and flow through hoses. This substitution maintains reliable ball valve control while significantly increasing operational speed and response time
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
This solution reduces space requirements, enhances operational speed, and lowers maintenance costs by replacing hydraulic systems with all-electric actuation, providing a reliable and efficient well-control barrier in subsea and downhole environments.
Implementation Method 1
hollow core electric motors and hydraulic pumps to actuate the ball valve
Data Source
AI summary
A well system includes a wellhead positionable at a surface of a wellbore. The well system also includes a ball valve for coupling to the wellhead. The ball valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. Further, the well system includes a hollow core electric motor positionable adjacent to the ball valve to move the ball valve between the open position and the closed position. Furthermore, the well system includes a power source that provides electric power to the hollow core electric motor.