Expandable Ball Seat for Multi-Valve Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drop ball systems are limited in the number of devices they can activate due to size constraints, leading to impracticality in deep and large reservoirs where a single drop ball cannot efficiently operate an arbitrary number of valves, resulting in 'dead zones' of un retrievable hydrocarbons.
Innovation Solution
A concentrically and axially slidably disposed drop ball seat with outwardly biased lugs and grooves allows a single drop ball to pass through and activate multiple devices with similar seat diameters, enabling operation of an arbitrary number of valves by expanding the seat diameter, allowing one ball to control multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional drop ball systems use fixed diameter ball seats, then each seat can only accommodate one specific ball size, but this limits the number of devices that can be activated by a single drop ball
Solution Approach 1:
The ball seat incorporates movable lugs that can shift position along grooves in the outer sleeve, allowing the effective seat diameter to change dynamically. When lugs are in the first position, they define a smaller diameter for retaining the drop ball; when in the second position, they define a larger diameter allowing the ball to pass through. This dynamic adjustment enables a single seat to accommodate multiple ball sizes and activate multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball seat is divided into multiple functional segments: the outer sleeve with grooves, the movable lugs that can occupy different positions, and the internal cylinder face. These segmented components work together to provide multiple retention positions, allowing the system to handle multiple ball sizes with a single seat structure.
2Productivity
If multiple valves are installed to increase injection points and reduce dead zones, then hydrocarbon production is improved, but the cost of valves and time to operate them increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable ball seat serves multiple functions: it acts as a retention seat for the drop ball, provides a passage for the ball to through, and activates multiple valves or devices at different locations along the wellbore. By enabling a single drop ball to trigger multiple devices sequentially, the system increases productivity without requiring proportional increases in operational time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of ball sizes is increased to activate more devices, then more zones can be controlled, but the risk of accidental activation due to debris increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains local quality by providing different lug configurations at different positions along the outer sleeve. Each lug position creates a specific seat diameter tailored to particular ball sizes, allowing precise control over which devices are activated by which ball sizes while maintaining reliable size discrimination.
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 allows for the installation of a large number of inexpensive valves, reducing the need for costly equipment and improving hydrocarbon production by enabling efficient shutdown of specific zones and increasing injection points, thereby reducing 'dead zones'.
Implementation Method 1
the seat comprises at least one outwardly biased lug, which, when abutting the first, internal cylinder face extends radially inwards and defines a first seat diameter less than the diameter of the drop ball; the sleeve comprising at least one groove in its internal surface; and the lug, when received in the groove, defining a second seat diameter being at least as large as the diameter of the drop ball
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for a drop ball activated device, where a ball seat is concentrically and axially slidably disposed within an outer sleeve having a first internal cylindrical surface, wherein the ball seat comprises at least one radially extending lug, which in a first position extends radially inwards from the internal cylindrical surface, thereby defining a first ball seat diameter less than the diameter of the drop ball. The sleeve comprises at least one groove in its internal surface, and the lug may be received in the groove, thereby defining a second ball seat diameter at least as large as the diameter of the drop ball.