Gate Valve Dual-Profile Sealing for Solids Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gate valves face issues with suspended solids and debris accumulating in the gate chamber and around the stem, especially when the flow passage is not horizontal, making it difficult to flush out solids and leading to clogging and reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A gate valve design featuring a pair of seals with unique profiles, including a circular and a stadium profile, positioned on either side of the gate to prevent solids from passing through and collecting around the stem, allowing for effective flushing regardless of the flow passage orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gate valves are used with traditional sealing arrangements, then the valve can seal effectively, but suspended solids and debris accumulate in the gate chamber and around the stem, causing clogging and requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is divided into two separate seal profiles: a first seal profile that seals against the gate to prevent fluid leakage, and a second seal profile that seals against the gate opening to prevent solids from entering the gate chamber. This segmentation allows each seal to perform its specific function independently, effectively blocking both fluid and solids without compromising sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-profile seal acts as an intermediary barrier between the flow passage and the gate chamber. By positioning the seals at the intersection of these two spaces, the invention creates a protective interface that filters out suspended solids while maintaining pressure sealing, preventing harmful accumulation without requiring frequent intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flow passage is oriented vertically to save space, then installation flexibility is improved, but solids cannot be flushed out effectively and accumulate around the stem
Solution Approach 1:
The second seal profile extracts and blocks the pathway that would otherwise allow solids to enter the gate chamber and accumulate around the stem. By sealing the gate opening relative to the gate stem, the invention removes the source of the problem (solids entry) rather than relying on gravitational flushing, enabling vertical orientation without sacrificing solids management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing arrangement automatically prevents solids accumulation through its dual-profile design, eliminating the need for manual flushing operations. The seals continuously block suspended solids from entering the gate chamber regardless of flow passage orientation, allowing the valve to serve itself by preventing the problem rather than requiring external intervention to solve it.
3Power
If gate valves are used in hydrofracking operations to control high-pressure fluids, then flow control capability is improved, but the high velocity and pressure cause suspended solids to circulate and concentrate in the gate chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-profile seal arrangement performs preliminary action by blocking suspended solids from entering the gate chamber before they can accumulate. The first seal profile maintains pressure sealing while the second seal profile proactively prevents solids ingress, addressing the solids concentration problem before it occurs during high-pressure hydrofracking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of high-velocity fluid carrying suspended solids into a beneficial filtering action. By positioning the dual-profile seals at the flow passage intersection, the high-velocity flow is forced to pass through the seal interfaces, where the second profile acts as a barrier that traps solids in the flow passage while allowing controlled fluid passage, effectively using the flow's own energy to maintain separation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect there is provided a gate valve having a first end and a second end, a gate having a gate opening. The gate is positionable within the valve between a closed configuration, a transition configuration and an open configuration. The gate valve further comprises a gate stem, at least one pair of seals, with one seal positioned on either side of the gate. Each of the seals comprises a first profile and a second profile. The first profile seals the gate valve and blocks fluid from passing between the first end and the second end when the gate valve is in the closed configuration. The second profile seals the gate opening relative to the gate stem. In another embodiment, the gate valve comprises two pairs of seals and the first and second profiles are each provided on separate seals.