Electric Subsurface Safety Valve With Fail-Closed Linear Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic pressure actuated subsurface safety valves are costly, prone to failure, and may lead to accidental release of wellbore fluids, posing risks to equipment and the environment.
Innovation Solution
Electrically driven subsurface safety valves that convert rotary motion into linear motion to actuate a valve, featuring a ratcheted elastic member for stored potential energy and a one-way clutch for efficient operation, ensuring the valve remains closed upon loss of signal to prevent fluid release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure actuation is used for subsurface safety valves, then the valve can be operated remotely from surface, but the system becomes costly and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic pressure actuation system with an electric motor-driven system. The electric motor (26) directly drives the valve mechanism through a gear assembly (12), eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid, pressure vessels, and complex hydraulic control lines. This substitution of mechanical/electrical system for hydraulic system reduces failure points while maintaining remote operability through electrical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic actuation components from the subsurface safety valve system. By eliminating the hydraulic pressure source, control lines, and differential piston mechanism, the patent simplifies the overall system architecture, reducing the number of potential failure points while preserving the essential function of remote valve operation.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure actuation is used for subsurface safety valves, then the valve can be opened remotely, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive hydraulic actuation components with a simpler electric motor-driven mechanism. The electric motor (26) and gear assembly (12) are generally less costly than hydraulic systems requiring pressure vessels, seals, hoses, and fluid management components. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the capability for remote valve opening through electrical control signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs simpler, potentially replaceable electrical components such as the electric motor (26) and associated electrical wiring, which can be more economically manufactured and replaced compared to complex hydraulic systems. The electrical actuation system uses standard industrial components that are generally less expensive than specialized hydraulic equipment.
3Productivity
If hydraulic pressure is applied to open the valve, then the valve remains open during operation, but the system is more complex and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex hydraulic actuation system with a straightforward electric motor-driven gear mechanism. The electric motor (26) rotates the gear assembly (12) which directly actuates the valve, eliminating the need for hydraulic pressure maintenance systems, differential pistons, and associated control mechanisms. This simplification reduces device complexity while maintaining continuous flow capability when the valve is open.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor-driven system can be automatically controlled through electrical signals from surface equipment, allowing the valve to open and remain open during production operations without requiring continuous hydraulic pressure monitoring or adjustment. The system responds to electrical control signals, simplifying the overall control architecture.
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 electrically driven subsurface safety valves provide a cost-effective, robust, and efficient solution with reduced wear and longer lifespan, ensuring quick and safe containment of wellbore fluids by maintaining the valve in a closed state during power loss.
Implementation Method 1
a ratcheted elastic member (52) for stored potential energy
Implementation Method 2
converting rotary motion into linear motion to actuate a valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A subsurface safety valve is provided. The subsurface safety valve comprises an assembly configured to convert rotary motion from an electrically controlled drive into linear motion of a member, the member configured to actuate a valve.