Fusible Cap Adapter Assembly to Prevent Hydraulic Valve Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic valves in wellheads and trees of oil and gas wells unintentionally close due to hydraulic system failures, severing wireline or slickline and necessitating costly fishing jobs to retrieve lost equipment.
Innovation Solution
A fusible cap system comprising a fusible cap and adapter that maintains hydraulic valves open during normal operations and allows closure in emergency scenarios, using a fusible body that melts at a predetermined temperature to disconnect the hydraulic system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hydraulic valve is used to control well operations, then the valve can be remotely actuated and controlled, but the valve may unintentionally close due to hydraulic system failures, causing equipment loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational state of the hydraulic valve from fully remote-controlled to having a fail-safe open position. The fusible cap assembly provides a mechanical override that allows the valve to be held in an open position against hydraulic pressure, changing the system's response to hydraulic failures from automatic closure to maintained openness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusible cap assembly acts as an intermediary mechanical device between the hydraulic system and the valve closure mechanism. It provides a physical barrier and mechanical hold-open force that mediates the conflict between hydraulic actuation and unintended closure, requiring either hydraulic pressure or thermal activation to overcome.
2Reliability
If the hydraulic valve closes unintentionally, then the valve provides a safety shutdown, but wireline or slickline equipment is severed and lost in the well
Solution Approach 1:
The fusible cap assembly provides beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing a mechanical hold-open mechanism that protects against equipment loss. This protective measure is in place before any failure occurs, cushioning the system against the harmful effect of unintended valve closure that would otherwise sever the equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by using the fusible cap to counteract the automatic closure tendency of the hydraulic valve. The mechanical hold-open force opposes the hydraulic closure pressure, preventing the harmful closure action from occurring during normal operations and equipment presence in the well.
3Reliability
If a fusible cap assembly is added to hold the valve open, then equipment loss is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated fusible cap assembly: mechanical hold-open capability, thermal activation mechanism, and physical barrier function are combined in one component. This reduces the overall complexity compared to adding separate systems for each function while maintaining equipment protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusible cap assembly is designed to be self-activating through thermal response. The fusible material automatically melts at a predetermined temperature to release the hold-open mechanism, eliminating the need for external sensors, actuators, or control systems. This self-service approach minimizes additional complexity while providing reliable equipment protection.
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
Prevents unintentional closure of hydraulic valves, ensuring continuous well operations and reducing the need for fishing jobs by maintaining hydraulic valve openness until intentional closure is required.
Implementation Method 1
a fusible cap and adapter that maintains hydraulic valves open during normal operations and allows closure in emergency scenarios, using a fusible body that melts at a predetermined temperature to disconnect the hydraulic system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system includes a fusible cap (200), an adapter (300), and a hydraulic valve (104). The fusible cap (200) includes a fusible body (202) having a first box end (204). The first box end (204) has first box threads (208). The adapter (300) includes a first pin end (304) and a second box end (306). The first pin end (304) has first pin threads (308), and the second box end (306) has second box threads (310). The hydraulic valve (104) includes a second pin end (400) having second pin threads (408). The first box threads (208) mate with the first pin threads (308) to form a first connection (500) and the second box threads (310) mate with the second pin threads (408) to form a second connection (502).