Inflatable Bladder Closure System for Corrosion-Resistant Safety Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional safety valves in wells and pipelines, such as flapper and ball-type valves, are prone to failure due to corrosion and mechanical breakdown in hostile environments with extreme temperatures and pressures, and corrosive chemicals.

Innovation Solution

A closure device featuring an inflatable bladder within a tubular member, actuated by a fluid conduit and pump to block fluid flow, with a frangible barrier for protection and easy deployment, replacing conventional mechanical valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical valves (flapper or ball-type) are used for safety valve applications, then rapid closure capability is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to corrosion and mechanical breakdown in hostile environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve reliabilityVSAvoidcorrosion and mechanical breakdown

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical valve system (flapper or ball-type with metallic components) with an inflatable bladder closure system. The bladder, made of elastomeric or flexible polymer material, is inflated with fluid to block the flowbore, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts that are susceptible to corrosion and mechanical breakdown in hostile wellbore environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and material properties of the closure mechanism from rigid mechanical components to a flexible, inflatable bladder. The bladder transitions from a deflated state (allowing flow) to an inflated state (blocking flow), utilizing fluid pressure to achieve closure without mechanical wear or corrosion-prone components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an inflatable bladder closure system is implemented, then reliability improves by resisting corrosion, but device complexity increases due to additional components (bladder, fluid conduit, pump, frangible barrier)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the inflatable bladder is disposed within a cavity formed in the wall of the tubular member, and a frangible barrier is integrated into the tubular member to retain the bladder within the cavity. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into a compact arrangement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible barrier is pre-installed in the tubular member to retain the bladder during normal operation. This preliminary protective measure prevents damage to the bladder by fluids or tools passing through the tubular member, eliminating the need for complex protective mechanisms while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a frangible barrier is integrated into the tubular member to protect the bladder, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebladder protectionVSAvoidbarrier integration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible barrier is integrated specifically at the location where the bladder resides within the cavity, providing localized protection only where needed. This targeted approach allows the barrier to be manufactured and integrated with standard tolerances rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire tubular member, reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring adequate protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 inflatable bladder closure device provides a rapid, temporary, and corrosion-resistant solution for blocking fluid flow, offering a reliable alternative to conventional safety valves with reduced risk of mechanical failure.

Implementation Method 1

the pump is operated to flow fluid from the fluid source into the interior of the bladder element. As the bladder element fills with fluid, it will block off the flowbore of the tubular member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure expansion: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS7650945B2Inflatable closure system

Publication Date: 2010.01.26 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A closure device that is useful as a safety valve within a tubular member, such as production tubing and pipelines. The closure device includes an inflatable bladder that is disposed within a cavity in the wall of the tubular member. A fluid conduit interconnects a fluid source with the inflatable bladder, and a pump is associated with the fluid conduit to flow fluid between the fluid source and the bladder.