Flapper Valve Beam Spring High-Pressure Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsurface safety valves, such as flapper valves, face challenges in maintaining effective closure and opening mechanisms due to the need for clearance near the pivot pin, which can compromise the size and strength of the hinge pin and surrounding elements, potentially leading to issues with torque application and reliability in high-pressure environments.
Innovation Solution
The use of a beam spring with dual arms and a c-shape configuration that allows for variable torque application by changing the torque arm distance as the flapper plate moves between open and closed positions, eliminating the need for clearance near the pivot pin and enhancing the valve's ability to handle high pressures and sand resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a torsion spring is looped around the hinge pin to urge the flapper valve to the valve closed position, then the valve closure function is achieved, but clearance near the pivot pin is required which reduces the size of the hinge pin and surrounding elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring from the traditional torsion configuration and repositions it as a compression spring located in a recess of the flapper valve body, away from the hinge pin. This separation eliminates the need for clearance between the spring and hinge pin, allowing the hinge pin to be larger and stronger while maintaining the valve closure function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a linkage mechanism that connects the compression spring to the flapper valve body and hinge assembly. This intermediary linkage transmits the spring force to close the valve while physically separating the spring from the hinge pin, eliminating interference and allowing optimized sizing of both components.
2Ease of manufacture
If clearance is provided near the pivot pin for spring positioning, then the spring can be positioned about the pivot pin, but the size of the hinge pin or surrounding elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is extracted from the hinge pin area and repositioned in a dedicated recess within the flapper valve body. This extraction eliminates the need for clearance near the pivot pin, allowing the hinge pin to be sized for optimal strength without accommodating spring clearance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is positioned in a third dimension (within a recess of the valve body) rather than in the plane of the hinge pin rotation. This spatial reconfiguration eliminates interference between the spring and hinge pin, allowing both components to be optimized independently for their respective functions.
3Stress or pressure
If the flapper valve is designed for high-pressure operation, then the valve can handle high-pressure conditions, but the hinge pin and surrounding elements may be overstressed due to reduced size
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the spring from the hinge pin area and positioning it in a separate recess, the hinge pin is freed from the constraint of accommodating spring clearance. This allows the hinge pin to be sized for optimal strength and pressure handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valve assembly into distinct functional zones: the spring is isolated in a recess, the hinge pin is positioned for optimal mechanical leverage, and the flapper valve body provides structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function under high-pressure conditions.
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 design ensures reliable operation by maintaining strong torque application and preventing overstressing of the spring, even in high-pressure conditions, while allowing for complete opening of the flapper plate and reducing interference with the resilient seal, thus enhancing the valve's sand resistance and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a beam spring with dual arms and a c-shape configuration that allows for variable torque application by changing the torque arm distance as the flapper plate moves between open and closed positions
Implementation Method 2
variable torque application by changing the torque arm distance
Implementation Method 3
reducing interference with the resilient seal
Data Source
AI summary
A flapper valve assembly that includes a tubular forming an interior passageway and comprising an internal shoulder; a valve seat forming a portion of the interior passageway and spaced from the internal shoulder to form a flapper chamber; a flapper plate that is pivotably mounted to the tubular at a pivot point and positioned within the flapper chamber; wherein the flapper plate is pivotable within the flapper chamber between a valve closed and valve open position; and a first spring extending within the flapper chamber and engaging the flapper plate such that the flapper plate is biased towards the valve closed position; wherein the first spring comprises spaced right and left arms that are in contact with the flapper plate; and wherein, when the flapper plate is in the valve closed position, each of the right and left arms extends away from the flapper plate and towards the internal shoulder.