Internal Valve Unit for High-Pressure Pulse Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well regeneration methods face challenges with large space requirements, sealing issues, and inability to generate high-frequency hydraulic high-pressure pulses due to complex valve mechanisms and external valve controls, which affect operational reliability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A compact device with a valve unit entirely within the pressure chamber, utilizing a spring-prestressed closure head and adjustable nozzle to generate high-frequency hydraulic high-pressure pulses, allowing for adjustable frequency and intensity of the pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a valve unit is placed outside the pressure chamber for control, then the valve mechanism is easier to access and maintain, but the device occupies larger space and external dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve mechanism accessibilityVSAvoiddevice external dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve unit is integrated entirely within the pressure chamber, merging the valve mechanism with the pressure chamber structure. This eliminates the need for external valve controls and reduces the overall device dimensions while maintaining full functionality of the valve mechanism for controlling fluid discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve unit is arranged in a compact configuration within the three-dimensional space of the pressure chamber, utilizing internal volume efficiently. This spatial reorganization allows the valve mechanism to fit within the pressure chamber without increasing external dimensions, transforming the layout from external to internal arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a complex valve control mechanism is used, then precise control of pulse generation is achieved, but the device complexity increases and space requirements grow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse generation control precisionVSAvoidvalve control mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve unit operates automatically based on pressure differential across the valve head. The spring provides preloading force and the pressure differential automatically actuates the valve opening and closing, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining precise pulse generation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The valve control is achieved through hydraulic pressure differential acting on the valve head. The pressure difference between the pressure chamber and the discharge side, combined with spring preloading, automatically controls the valve opening and closing, providing precise pulse control without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If plastic or rubber-like materials are used for piston contact, then sealing is improved, but the opening and closing process becomes slower due to material inertia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidopening and closing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic or rubber-like materials are removed from the valve unit design. Instead, a valve head with a valve seat is used, providing sealing through precise mechanical contact between the valve head and valve seat, eliminating the sealing materials that caused inertia and slow response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism is replaced from material-based sealing (plastic/rubber) to geometry-based sealing (valve head to valve seat contact). This substitution eliminates the inertial effects of flexible materials while maintaining effective sealing through precise mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of repair

If the valve unit is moved translationally outside the pressure chamber, then maintenance and replacement are easier, but the device occupies more space and sealing problems arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve unit maintenance accessibilityVSAvoiddevice space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve unit is merged with the pressure chamber structure, with the valve head, valve seat, and spring assembly integrated within the pressure chamber volume. This integration eliminates the need for external valve units while maintaining the functionality required for pulse generation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure chamber structure serves multiple functions: containing the pressurized fluid, providing the valve seat for the valve head, and housing the spring mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external valve units, reducing space occupation while maintaining maintenance capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a robust, compact design with high operational reliability and adjustable pulse generation, enhancing the regeneration of wells by effectively removing contaminants and improving water yield.

Implementation Method 1

The valve unit has a translationally displaceable closure head, which is prestressed against the outlet opening by a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

If the pressure inside the pressure chamber exceeds the pressure in the preloading pressure chamber, the valve head is moved away from the working pressure chamber, so that the opening to the environment is released and the medium that was previously backed up in the working pressure chamber is released to the environment within a short time in order to generate energy - generate momentum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2580422B1Device and method for producing high-pressure pulses
Publication Date: 2015.12.16 TEFTOREC
  • EP2580422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2580422B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2580422B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing high-pressure pulses, comprising a housing (2) having a pressure chamber (8), which can be filled with a fluid under pressure by means of a high-pressure supply line (9), wherein the housing (2) has at least one outlet opening (10), which leads from the pressure chamber (8) to the surroundings, a valve unit, which can be moved depending on a pressure inside the pressure chamber (8) between a first switching position, in which the valve unit closes the outlet opening (10), and a second switching position, in which the valve unit opens the outlet opening (10), wherein in the second switching position of the valve unit (14) at least a partial amount of the fluid can be discharged from the pressure chamber (8) to the surroundings through the open outlet opening (10) under pressure so that a high-pressure pulse is thereby produced, wherein the valve unit (14) is arranged substantially completely inside the pressure chamber (8).