Fluid Release Valve Check Valve Assembly Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid release valves are unsuitable for applications where low flow and pressure conditions prevail, such as in vertical wells, as they either lead to inefficient fluid leakage or fail to open due to pressure differences, and often require complex mechanical or electronic actuators.
Innovation Solution
A fluid release valve with a check valve assembly that uses the pumped fluid pressure to seal during operation and the pressure differential to drain fluid once pumping stops, eliminating the need for diaphragms, springs, or electronic components, and automatically adjusting to varying well depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve is designed to open at a high set-pressure to relieve fluid at rest, then fluid can be released when the pump stops, but significant volumes of fluid will leak out during normal operation which is inefficient and wasteful
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a static pressure-setting mechanism to a dynamic flow-responsive mechanism. The valve body and movable component create a flow-sensitive sealing interface that automatically adapts to flow conditions, opening during flow and closing at rest without requiring adjustable pressure settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve changes its operational parameter from fixed pressure threshold to variable flow-dependent threshold. The sealing force and opening pressure are dynamically adjusted based on flow rate, allowing the valve to maintain different effective set-points during operation versus at rest.
2Ease of operation
If a valve is designed to open at a low set-pressure to drain fluid, then the valve can open when the pump stops, but the valve will not be able to open once sealed due to additional force from pressure difference, and may not work with applications that produce high backpressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design incorporates a preliminary flow phase that establishes the sealing configuration before rest conditions occur. During the transition from flow to rest, the valve maintains its opening capability longer, allowing complete drainage before the sealing force becomes dominant.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve separates the sealing function into two distinct phases: flow-phase sealing (during operation) and rest-phase sealing (when stopped). Each phase has its own optimized sealing mechanism, allowing the valve to perform optimally in both conditions without compromise.
3Reliability
If traditional relief valves are used in vertical well applications, then fluid can be released at set pressure, but the fluid weight in the pipe adds significant weight during retrieval making the process physically demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The valve automatically performs drainage service without external intervention. Upon pump shutdown, the valve self-activates to drain the fluid column, reducing the weight that would otherwise need to be lifted during retrieval operations.
4Reliability
If diaphragms or spring-loaded valves are used, then pressure relief can be achieved, but the opening force remains constant and cannot self-adjust to compensate for changes in well depth
Solution Approach 1:
The valve replaces static spring or diaphragm mechanisms with a dynamic flow-responsive sealing system. The sealing force automatically adjusts with flow conditions, eliminating the need for depth-specific calibration or adjustment 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
The valve efficiently drains fluid without leakage during normal operation and adjusts to changing conditions, reducing manual effort in retrieving equipment by utilizing the fluid column's pressure to open and drain the valve, thus overcoming the limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the check valve assembly is configured to respond to a pumped fluid pressure, allow the fluid to flow from the inlet along a first fluid release path through the check valve assembly to the outlet, and stop the fluid from flowing from the inlet along a second fluid release path around the check valve assembly and out the fluid release orifice
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the fluid column's pressure to open and drain the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid release valve includes valve housing (VH) coupled between a pump and an outlet pipe, VH chamber providing fluid from its inlet and outlet when the pump starts, and fluid release orifice (FRO) draining outlet pipe fluid flowing back into the VH when the pump stops; and check valve (CV) combination having a CV shuttle that moves towards/away from the inlet/outlet and an internal shuttle chamber (ISC), and having a CV that moves towards/away from the inlet/outlet within the ISC. The CV combination responds to a pumped fluid pressure when the pump's pumping and stops the fluid from flowing from the inlet around the CV shuttle and out the FRO. The CV combination responds to a fluid differential pressure (FDP) when the pump stops and allows the outlet pipe fluid to drain out the FRO until the FDP reaches an equilibrium.