Flow Tube Fail-Open Valve for Injection Flow Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current backpressure valve systems in hydrocarbon well production often fail in a 'fail closed' mode, which is undesirable as it prevents fluid flow when it is preferred to continue injection.
Innovation Solution
The proposed flow tube design includes a pin, seat, and guide tube, allowing the valve to transition from a closed position to a forced open position when a threshold force is applied, ensuring fluid flow can continue even after failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve is designed to fail closed (pin blocks seal opening upon failure), then safety is improved by preventing uncontrolled flow, but fluid flow continuity deteriorates causing injection line blockage and loss of hydraulic coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional fail-safe concept by designing the valve to fail open rather than fail closed. The pin is designed to be displaceable from the seal opening upon application of a threshold force, ensuring that failure results in an open position that maintains fluid flow continuity and hydraulic coupling rather than blocking flow
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the failure state parameter from closed to open by designing the pin and seal opening geometry such that the pin can be displaced from blocking the seal opening. This parameter change ensures that under failure conditions (when threshold force is applied), the valve transitions to an open state maintaining productivity
2Reliability
If the pin is designed to firmly block the seal opening in closed position, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of forced opening deteriorates requiring excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by designing the pin as a movable component rather than a fixed blocker. The pin can dynamically transition between blocking and non-blocking positions based on applied force, allowing it to firmly seal during normal operation but easily displace when threshold force is applied for forced opening
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prepares for forced opening by designing the pin geometry and seating arrangement such that the pin is already positioned to be displaceable from the seal opening. The preliminary design ensures that when force is applied, the pin can quickly transition from blocking to non-blocking without requiring excessive force or complex mechanisms
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 enables the valve to 'fail open', maintaining fluid flow and preventing injection line blockage, which is particularly beneficial in the late lifecycle of hydrocarbon wells where consistent injection is crucial.
Implementation Method 1
the pin is in contact with the seat and fluid flow through the seat is reduced or prevented
Implementation Method 2
when a force above a threshold force is applied to the seat: the seat moves away from the pin
Data Source
AI summary
A flow tube including: a pin; a seat; and a guide tube, the pin and the seat are arranged at least partially in the guide tube; and wherein: the flow tube is arranged to have a closed position, wherein: the pin is in contact with the seat and fluid flow through the seat is reduced or prevented; the flow tube is arranged to have an open position, wherein: the pin is not in contact with the seat and fluid flow is increased through the seat when compared to the closed position; and the flow tube is arranged to have a forced open position, wherein: the seat is arranged such that when a force above a threshold force is applied to the seat: the seat moves away from the pin, the pin is not in contact with the seat, and the flow tube cannot move to the closed position again.