Flow Control Valve System Using Single Hydraulic Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well completion systems require multiple hydraulic control lines and complex setups to control multiple flow control valves across multiple well zones, which is inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single hydraulic line and an electrical line to control multiple flow control valves with adjustable choke positions, where electro-mechanical devices actuate hydraulic inputs to selectively control each valve, allowing for precise control of fluid flow across multiple zones with reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple hydraulic control lines are used to control multiple flow control valves, then each valve can be controlled independently, but the system complexity and number of control lines increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hydraulic control lines into a single hydraulic control line that serves multiple flow control valves. This is achieved by integrating an electro-mechanical device at each valve location that converts electrical control signals into hydraulic actuation, allowing one hydraulic line to control multiple valves through sequential or simultaneous electrical signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-mechanical device acts as an intermediary between the electrical control system and the hydraulic actuation system. It receives electrical signals through the single hydraulic control line and converts them into mechanical movement of the choke mechanism, enabling complex valve control without requiring multiple dedicated hydraulic lines.
2Device complexity
If a single hydraulic line is used to control multiple valves, then the number of control lines is reduced, but precise control of each valve becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-mechanical devices incorporate feedback mechanisms that allow precise control of each valve's choke position. By monitoring the position of the choke and providing feedback to the control system, the patent ensures accurate valve positioning even when using a single shared hydraulic control line, maintaining measurement precision while reducing system complexity.
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
Enables efficient and precise control of fluid flow across multiple well zones using a single hydraulic line and electrical inputs, reducing the complexity and number of control lines needed, facilitating flexible and intelligent well operations.
Implementation Method 1
electro-mechanical devices actuate hydraulic inputs to selectively control each valve
Implementation Method 2
a single hydraulic line and an electrical line to control multiple flow control valves with adjustable choke positions
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is provided to control flow in a well. A well completion comprises one or more flow control valve systems coupled by an electric line and a hydraulic line. Each flow control valve system comprises a flow control valve responsive to hydraulic input via the hydraulic line and an electro-mechanical device. The electro-mechanical device is responsive to inputs via the electric line and is used to control hydraulic input to the corresponding flow control valve.