Wireline-Retrievable Electric Subsurface Safety Valve Connector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsurface safety valves in hydrocarbon wells face challenges with hydraulic control lines that are prone to corrosion and leakage, leading to inefficient operation and increased costs, while electrical actuators struggle with forming reliable electrical connections, resulting in premature valve closure and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an electrically operated wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (WLSSSV) with a lever assembly and electrical connectors that pivot upon insertion into a nipple assembly, allowing for efficient electrical engagement and actuation without hydraulic connectivity, reducing the need for seals and enabling easier monitoring and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic control lines are used to control the subsurface safety valve, then the valve can be actuated, but the hydraulic lines are prone to corrosion and leakage leading to unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic control system with an electrical actuation system. An electrical actuator receives electrical signals from the surface and mechanically actuates the closure member of the subsurface safety valve, eliminating the need for hydraulic control lines entirely. This substitution of hydraulic machinery with electrical components resolves the corrosion and leakage issues while maintaining reliable valve control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical actuator as an intermediary between the surface control system and the subsurface valve. This electrical intermediary converts electrical signals into mechanical motion to open or close the valve, serving as a reliable mediator that eliminates the direct hydraulic connection and its associated problems of corrosion and leakage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical actuators are used to control the subsurface safety valve, then corrosion and leakage issues are eliminated, but forming reliable electrical connections is difficult resulting in premature valve closure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a lever assembly that preliminarily positions and aligns the electrical connector with the receiver before the valve actuation occurs. As the closure member moves to close the valve bore, the lever pivots to ensure proper alignment of the electrical connector with its receiver, preventing premature disconnection and ensuring reliable electrical contact is established in advance of the critical valve closure moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever assembly serves as a mechanical intermediary that facilitates the electrical connection between the actuator and the valve body. It translates the motion of the closure member into the precise alignment needed for electrical connector engagement, acting as a mediator that ensures reliable electrical contact without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If traditional hydraulic control systems are used, then the valve can be controlled, but the system complexity increases and monitoring and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex hydraulic control system with a simpler electrical actuation system. The electrical actuator receives control signals from the surface and directly actuates the valve mechanism, eliminating the need for hydraulic pumps, control lines, and associated monitoring equipment. This substitution significantly reduces system complexity while maintaining ease of operation through electrical control.
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 system provides a cost-effective, safer, and more efficient fluid flow control mechanism by eliminating hydraulic connections, reducing environmental risks, and facilitating easier monitoring and maintenance of downhole operations.
Implementation Method 1
The lever assembly includes a fulcrum, a lever pivotably attached to the fulcrum, and a second connector of the pair of electrical connectors, the second connector attached to a first end of the lever
Data Source
AI summary
A well system includes an electrically operated wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (WLSSSV) disposed in a landing nipple assembly attached to a production tubing string. The WLSSSV includes an electrical actuator and a first electrical connector. The nipple assembly includes a second electrical connector on a first end of a lever that pivots on a fulcrum as a second end of the lever engages against an external surface of the WLSSSV as the WLSSSV is inserted into the main bore of the nipple assembly, thereby rotating the second connector towards the first connector to at least partially align the second connector with the first connector for electrical engagement of the first connector with the second connector.