Gate Valve Booster Assembly for Wireline-Cutting Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mineral extraction systems face challenges in efficiently actuating gate valves to sever wirelines or other structures during operations, particularly when transitioning from an open to a closed position, due to insufficient force generation by actuators.
Innovation Solution
A booster assembly is introduced that provides supplemental force to the actuator of a gate valve, utilizing a biasing element such as a spring or pressurized gas, to enhance the actuation force and enable the valve to cut wirelines or other structures, and is designed to be removably coupled to existing valves for compact configuration and versatility across different systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a standard actuator is used to actuate the gate valve, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the actuation force is insufficient to cut wirelines or other structures
Solution Approach 1:
The booster assembly is coupled to the actuator in a nested configuration where the booster assembly surrounds portions of the actuator. This nesting arrangement allows the booster assembly to provide supplemental force to the actuator without requiring a completely separate actuation system, thereby increasing actuation force while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The booster assembly includes a biasing element (spring or pressurized gas) that dynamically provides supplemental force during valve actuation. The biasing element is configured to engage and disengage based on the actuation cycle, providing force enhancement only when needed to cut wirelines, thus balancing force requirements with system simplicity
2Force
If a booster assembly is added to provide supplemental force, then the actuation force is increased to enable wireline cutting, but the device complexity and equipment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented into two independent components: a standard actuator and a booster assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost compared to designing a completely custom high-force actuator
Solution Approach 2:
The booster assembly is designed as a universal component that can be coupled to existing gate valves and actuators to provide supplemental force. This multi-functionality allows the same booster assembly design to be applied across different valve configurations, reducing development and manufacturing costs through standardization
3Force
If the booster assembly is permanently coupled to the valve, then the actuation force is consistently enhanced, but the device complexity increases and adaptability to different systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the booster assembly and the actuator is designed to be dynamic and reversible rather than permanent. The booster assembly can be coupled to provide force enhancement when needed (such as during wireline operations) and decoupled when not needed, allowing the system to adapt between different operational requirements and valve configurations
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 booster assembly effectively supplements the actuation force, allowing the gate valve to efficiently transition between open and closed positions, including cutting wirelines, while reducing overall equipment costs and facilitating use across various mineral extraction systems.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element (e.g., spring, pressurized gas, or the like) to create the supplemental force
Implementation Method 2
a biasing element (e.g., spring, pressurized gas, or the like) to create the supplemental force
Data Source
AI summary
A booster assembly includes a booster body configured to removably couple to an actuator body of an actuator of a gate valve, a booster stem configured to removably couple to an actuator stem of the actuator, and a booster biasing member configured to provide a supplemental force to supplement an actuating force applied by the actuator to drive a gate of the gate valve from an open position to a closed position.