Gate Valve Bore Assembly for Axial Alignment and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate valves in oil and gas operations face challenges in maintaining axial alignment and sealing efficiency, particularly under hydraulic lift forces, which can lead to fluid leakage and particle contamination.
Innovation Solution
The valve apparatus incorporates a valve bore assembly with a valve seat and bore body that securely engage the gate body, utilizing annular recesses and seals to maintain alignment and sealing engagement, and pressurized grease to prevent particle bypassing, facilitating smooth operation between open and closed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional gate valve design is used, then the structure is simple, but axial alignment is difficult to maintain under hydraulic lift forces
Solution Approach 1:
The valve bore assembly is divided into separate components including a valve seat, bore body, and gate body that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall axial alignment through precision mating surfaces and geometric constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces annular recesses and corresponding annular protrusions that create radial constraints in addition to axial constraints. This adds a radial dimension to the alignment mechanism, preventing lateral displacement of the gate relative to the valve seat while maintaining the axial sealing function.
2Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used, then the structure is simple, but sealing efficiency deteriorates under hydraulic lift forces
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surfaces are designed with specific local geometric features including annular recesses in the valve seat and corresponding protrusions on the gate body. These localized features concentrate the sealing function at specific contact points while the overall structure maintains simplicity through the integration of these features into the basic valve components.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular protrusions on the gate body are designed to engage with annular recesses in the valve seat before full closure is achieved. This preliminary engagement pre-loads the sealing surfaces and establishes axial alignment in advance, ensuring sealing efficiency is maintained even when hydraulic lift forces act on the gate during operation.
3Productivity
If the valve allows fluid flow, then productivity is high, but particle contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat and bore body act as intermediary structures between the incoming fluid and the gate. The annular recesses and protrusions create a controlled interface that filters particles from the fluid stream while maintaining unimpeded flow through the valve. Particles are trapped at the sealing interface rather than being carried through the valve with the fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
A gate valve including a valve body, a gate assembly, an operating end, a balancing end, and a valve bore assembly. The valve bore assembly includes two sets of components positioned on either side of the gate assembly to maintain the axial alignment of the gate assembly within the valve body during actuation between an open configuration and a closed configuration.