Inflow Control Valve Hammer for Scale Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflow control valves in oil or gas wells can stick due to conditions like scale deposition, asphaltene deposition, or debris blockage, preventing the actuation system from properly operating the valve, which can lead to reduced production.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inflow control valve hammer system that impacts the stuck valve sleeve with sufficient force to loosen or unstick it, allowing the valve to operate correctly, and potentially serving as a primary actuation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an inflow control valve is used to control production flow, then fluid flow can be regulated between open and closed positions, but the valve may stick due to scale deposition, asphaltene deposition, or debris blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a hammering mechanism that delivers impact forces to the valve sleeve. The hammering system includes a hammer element that strikes the valve sleeve axially, creating vibrational motion that prevents scale, asphaltene, and debris from bonding to the valve surfaces, thereby maintaining reliable valve operation without sticking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by applying continuous or periodic hammering forces to counteract the adhesive forces of scale and asphaltene deposition before they can cause the valve to stick. The hammering system proactively prevents bonding between the valve sleeve and surrounding structures, rather than waiting for sticking to occur
2Reliability
If the valve sleeve is impacted with sufficient force to loosen or unstick it, then the valve can be freed from scale and debris, but additional components and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hammering mechanism with the existing actuation system components. The hammer element is integrated into the valve assembly and utilizes the same actuation forces (electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic) that drive the valve sleeve, combining two functions (valve actuation and hammering) into a single integrated system rather than adding separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation system is designed to serve dual purposes: it actuates the valve sleeve for flow control and simultaneously operates the hammering mechanism to prevent and remove scale buildup. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated hammering systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
3Productivity
If the valve is stuck in the closed position, then fluid flow is blocked and production is reduced, but the valve may be stuck in the open position causing uncontrolled flow
Solution Approach 1:
The hammering mechanism applies axial impact forces to the valve sleeve that prevent scale and debris from bonding in either closed or open positions. By maintaining continuous or periodic vibrational motion, the system ensures the valve can be reliably actuated to either position without sticking, providing consistent position control regardless of downhole contamination conditions
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 inflow control valve hammer system effectively addresses the issue of stuck valves by ensuring the valve can shift between open and closed positions, thereby maintaining or restoring production levels.
Implementation Method 1
The inflow control valve hammer is configured to impact the valve sleeve with sufficient force to loosen or unstick the valve sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
An inflow control valve hammer system may include a ram disposed adjacent a valve feature, a hammer device configured to drive the ram into the valve feature, and a retention feature configured to hold the hammer device in a loaded position. The retention feature is configured to release the hammer device to impact the ram in response to a threshold force being exerted on the hammer device, and the impact drives the ram to jerk the valve feature. Additionally, the inflow control valve hammer system may include a spring and an actuator. The spring may be disposed adjacent the hammer device. The spring is configured to exert the threshold force on the hammer device in an energized state. Further, the actuator is configured to energize the spring into the energized state.