Fusible Cap Adapter for Hydraulic Valve Emergency Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic valves in the oil and gas industry may unintentionally close due to system malfunctions, causing equipment loss and requiring costly retrieval operations, necessitating a solution that maintains the valve open during normal operations while allowing closure in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fusible cap, adapter, and hydraulic valve, where the fusible cap with a fusible body and adapter with specific thread configurations form connections to keep the hydraulic valve open, and the connections are disconnected by unthreading or melting to allow closure, using materials that withstand high temperatures and are compatible with existing valve designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic valve is used to control hydrocarbon flow, then the valve can be remotely actuated and sealed, but the valve may unintentionally close due to hydraulic line compromise causing equipment loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fusible cap as an intermediary component between the hydraulic valve and the control system. This cap contains a fusible element that responds to thermal conditions, acting as a mediator that can override hydraulic control signals under emergency conditions to prevent equipment loss while maintaining normal operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The fusible cap incorporates a self-actuating mechanism using fusible material that automatically responds to thermal conditions without external intervention. When the fusible material melts due to excessive heat, it mechanically releases the valve in a predetermined manner, allowing the system to protect itself from equipment loss without requiring external control signals
2Productivity
If the hydraulic valve is kept open during normal operations, then equipment can be deployed, but the valve must be able to close in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The fusible cap is pre-configured with fusible material positioned to respond to thermal conditions before emergencies occur. The system is prepared in advance with the cap installed on the hydraulic valve, so that when thermal emergencies occur, the predetermined release mechanism is already in place to enable rapid closure and prevent harm
Solution Approach 2:
The fusible cap utilizes temperature parameter changes to trigger valve closure. The fusible material is selected to melt at specific temperature thresholds, converting thermal parameter changes into mechanical action that overrides the hydraulic control system, allowing the valve to close in response to thermal emergencies while remaining open during normal operations
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 system effectively prevents unintentional closure of hydraulic valves during normal operations while enabling closure in emergency situations, reducing equipment loss and operational delays, and allowing for compatibility with various hydraulic valve designs.
Implementation Method 1
The fusible body is made of a material that is configured to melt at a pre-determined temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a fusible cap, an adapter, and a hydraulic valve. The fusible cap includes a fusible body having a first box end. The first box end has first box threads. The adapter includes a first pin end and a second box end. The first pin end has first pin threads, and the second box end has second box threads. The hydraulic valve includes a second pin end having second pin threads. The first box threads mate with the first pin threads to form a first connection and the second box threads mate with the second pin threads to form a second connection.