Induction Coil Cutting Device for Well Safety Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting devices for well safety valves are inadequate for severing massively structured and non-centrically positioned pipe-string-related objects, as they often fail to completely sever and seal the pipe, leading to prolonged oil leaks during high-pressure situations, as exemplified by the Macondo-blowout incident.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device equipped with an induction coil for thermal weakening, combined with a shear ram and pipe ram, which can be activated to sever and enclose the pipe-string-related object, ensuring efficient separation without damaging the surrounding material, and can be enclosed in a non-flammable environment to prevent explosions or fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blind shear ram is used to sever the pipe, then the pipe can be severed, but it cannot effectively sever non-centric pipes, resulting in incomplete severing and sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device employs a radially movable induction coil that can be dynamically repositioned around the pipe-string-related object. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the coil to maintain optimal positioning regardless of whether the pipe is centric or non-centric within the through bore, enabling reliable severing in both scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes electromagnetic induction by applying electromagnetic fields generated by the induction coil to thermally weaken the pipe material. This parameter change from mechanical to thermal cutting mechanism enables the device to handle non-centric pipe positioning effectively, as the thermal field can uniformly heat and weaken the pipe material regardless of its position within the through bore
2Strength
If mechanical cutting is used for massively structured objects, then cutting capability is provided, but the objects cannot be completely severed and sealed, leading to prolonged oil leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical cutting systems with an electromagnetic induction-based thermal weakening system. The induction coil generates electromagnetic fields that induce eddy currents within the pipe material, generating heat that thermally weakens and melts the material, enabling complete severing of massively structured objects that cannot be effectively cut by mechanical means alone
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting process utilizes phase transitions of the pipe material from solid to liquid state through electromagnetic heating. The induction coil heats the pipe material to its melting point, causing it to transition from solid to liquid phase, which facilitates complete severing and prevents leakage by ensuring the pipe is fully separated and sealed
3Reliability
If thermal weakening is applied to sever the pipe, then complete severing is achieved, but surrounding material may be damaged by heat
Solution Approach 1:
The induction coil is designed to concentrate electromagnetic energy locally at the cutting zone where the pipe-string-related object is positioned. The heat generation is localized to the immediate vicinity of the pipe material through electromagnetic induction, while the surrounding housing and other materials remain unaffected due to their position outside the concentrated electromagnetic field zone
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe-string-related object itself acts as an intermediary that absorbs the electromagnetic energy and converts it to heat through eddy currents. This intermediary mechanism allows thermal weakening to occur precisely at the pipe material without directly exposing surrounding materials to high temperatures, as the pipe material serves as the primary absorber and converter of electromagnetic energy
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 enables effective and safe severing of massive, non-centrically positioned pipe-string-related objects in well safety valves, preventing oil leaks and ensuring efficient operation by using thermal weakening and mechanical cutting in a controlled environment, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
the induction coil device is structured for cutting-promoting heating, hence thermal structural weakening, of the object when located vis-à-vis the induction coil device
Implementation Method 2
The cutting device comprises at least one induction coil device disposed in said housing, and around at least a portion of the bore of the housing
Implementation Method 3
the housing comprises a heat-insulating portion disposed between the induction coil device and the housing
Data Source
Figure A1~A4
Figure B1~B3
AI summary
A cutting device (16), safety valve (2) and method for severing an object (14) in said safety valve (2) for a well (4), wherein the cutting device (16) is structured for incorporation in the safety valve (2). The distinctive characteristic of the cutting device (16) and the safety valve (2) is that it comprises a housing (10) having a through bore (12) structured for passing said object (14) therethrough; - wherein the cutting device (16)/the safety valve (2) comprises at least one induction coil device (20) disposed in said housing (10), and around at least a portion of the bore (12) of the housing (10); - wherein said induction coil device (20) is directed inwards in the direction of the bore (12); - wherein the induction coil device (20) is structured for optional, cutting-promoting heating, hence thermal structural weakening, of the object (14) when located vis-a-vis the induction coil device (20); - wherein the induction coil device (20) is structured in a manner allowing it to be connected to at least one electric power source for supply of electric power for said heating; and - wherein the housing (10) comprises a heat-insulating portion disposed between the induction coil device (20) and the housing (10).