External Valve Actuation Frame for Damaged Bushing Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In oil exploration and transportation, valve bushing failures often render valves inoperative, leading to operational difficulties and prolonged maintenance times, which impact system reliability and production continuity.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising stabilizer plates connected by tie rods, with freely rotating bushings and a drive rod, allows for the temporary actuation of valves with damaged bushings, enabling operational maneuvers and providing time for definitive repairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new bushing is manufactured and assembled to repair the valve, then the valve reliability is improved, but the maintenance time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the actuation function from the damaged bushing by introducing an external operating mechanism with a new bushing and connecting rod assembly, allowing the valve to be operated without removing or replacing the original damaged bushing
Solution Approach 2:
A connecting rod serves as an intermediary element between the new bushing and the valve stem, transmitting the actuation force while bypassing the damaged bushing entirely, thus enabling valve operation without direct intervention on the original bushing
2Ease of manufacture
If the valve is left inoperative until definitive repair is completed, then proper maintenance can be performed, but production continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The external operating mechanism is installed immediately to restore valve functionality, allowing production to continue while maintenance planning is carried out in parallel without disrupting operational continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary actuation device enables the valve to continue serving its function autonomously while the damaged bushing is being planned for replacement, maintaining production flow without requiring complete valve shutdown
3Object-generated harmful factors
If temporary sealing techniques are used to block leaks, then leakage is stopped, but the valve actuation function is not restored
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the actuation function from the damaged bushing assembly by introducing a separate operating mechanism with a new bushing and connecting rod, allowing valve operation to be restored independently of the damaged original bushing
Data Source
AI summary
The present utility model basically refers to a device that comprises a set of stabilizer plates connected by means of tie rods responsible for adjusting to different types and sizes of valves, so that, when coupled to said stabilizer plate by means of a threaded connection there is a drive rod responsible for opening and closing the valve. Connection between the valve's main rod and the device's drive rod is made by means of a set of freely rotating bushings, driving the clamp to start and the valve to open. The actuator's action and reaction frame is fixed to the valve body itself by means of adjustable joints and/or tie rods which allows the device to be adjusted to various valve diameters.