Pressure-Balanced Gate Valve for Lubricant Overpressure Relief

Solution Overview

Problem

Gate valves in oil and gas operations face issues with over-filling of lubricant, leading to increased closing torque and safety hazards due to potential failure of valve components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a flow valve mechanism within the gate valve that allows pressure balancing between the valve cavity and fluid bore, preventing over-pressurization by communicating excess lubricant into the fluid bore when a predetermined pressure differential is reached, thereby reducing the closing torque and mitigating safety hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the valve cavity is filled with lubricant to reduce friction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the closing torque increases and safety hazards occur due to over-pressurization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidclosing torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The valve cavity is segmented into multiple chambers separated by partitions. The lubricant is distributed across these segmented chambers rather than being concentrated in a single cavity, which reduces the overall pressure exerted on the gate while maintaining adequate lubrication at the valve seats. This segmentation allows the lubricant to perform its friction-reducing function without creating excessive closing torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lubricant is applied locally at specific areas where it is most needed - primarily at the valve seats where the gate contacts the sealing surfaces. The partitioned cavity structure ensures lubricant remains concentrated at these critical interfaces rather than uniformly filling the entire cavity, providing effective lubrication while minimizing the harmful pressure effects on the gate mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the valve cavity is filled with lubricant to reduce friction, then the ease of operation is improved, but safety hazards occur due to over-pressurization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve cavity is segmented into multiple chambers separated by partitions. The lubricant is distributed across these segmented chambers rather than being concentrated in a single cavity, which reduces the overall pressure exerted on the gate while maintaining adequate lubrication at the valve seats. This segmentation allows the lubricant to perform its friction-reducing function without creating excessive closing torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lubricant is applied locally at specific areas where it is most needed - primarily at the valve seats where the gate contacts the sealing surfaces. The partitioned cavity structure ensures lubricant remains concentrated at these critical interfaces rather than uniformly filling the entire cavity, providing effective lubrication while minimizing the harmful pressure effects on the gate mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If pressure balancing is implemented to reduce closing torque, then the force required is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosing torqueVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve cavity is segmented into multiple chambers separated by partitions. The lubricant is distributed across these segmented chambers rather than being concentrated in a single cavity, which reduces the overall pressure exerted on the gate while maintaining adequate lubrication at the valve seats. This segmentation allows the lubricant to perform its friction-reducing function without creating excessive closing torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Partitions act as intermediary structures within the valve cavity that manage the lubricant distribution and pressure balance. These partitions serve as mediators between the lubricant and the gate mechanism, controlling how the lubricant is distributed and preventing excessive pressure buildup while maintaining adequate lubrication at the valve seats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively reduces the closing torque and eliminates safety hazards associated with over-pressurization, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan of gate valve components.

Implementation Method 1

when a predetermined pressure differential is reached, thereby reducing the closing torque and mitigating safety hazards

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

allows pressure balancing between the valve cavity and fluid bore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure balancing: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentUS12110980B2Pressure-balanced gate valve

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 TECH ENERGY PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A gate valve and method according to which a gate body extends within a valve cavity, a fluid bore extends through the gate body, and a passage extends from the fluid bore, through the gate body, and to the valve cavity. The valve cavity is pressurized with a lubricant to prevent, or at least resist, solid particles (e.g., sand, fines, debris, etc.) from entering the valve cavity. The valve cavity and the fluid bore are pressure balanced. In some embodiments, a flow valve, such as a check valve or one-way valve, is positioned within the passage.