Magnetic Actuation for Subsurface Safety Valve Flapper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing subsurface safety valve designs require a flow tube and associated hydraulic lines to operate the flapper, which limits their efficiency and introduces potential leak paths, and there is a need for a system that eliminates these components.

Innovation Solution

The system employs magnetic forces to selectively actuate the flapper's rotation, optionally using a torsion spring for closure, and includes an equalizing valve that can be operated by a magnetic field to reduce the force required for opening, eliminating the need for a flow tube and hydraulic lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flow tube and hydraulic lines are used to operate the flapper, then the valve can be actuated reliably, but the system complexity increases and leak paths are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuation reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the flow tube from the system entirely, extracting the problematic hydraulic connection component. The flapper is actuated directly by magnetic forces applied to a ferromagnetic material on the flapper, eliminating the need for hydraulic lines and associated leak paths while maintaining reliable actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic actuation system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Instead of using hydraulic pressure transmitted through a flow tube, the invention uses magnetic forces to directly move the flapper, substituting a mechanical-hydraulic system with a magnetic field system that has fewer moving parts and no leak paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a flow tube is used to transmit control pressure to the flapper, then the flapper can be actuated, but potential leak paths are created between tubing and hydraulic control system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflapper actuationVSAvoidleak paths

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow tube is completely removed from the system. The flapper is actuated by magnetic forces applied directly to ferromagnetic material on the flapper itself, eliminating the hydraulic connection that created leak paths while preserving the ability to actuate the flapper reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the control system and the flapper. Instead of using hydraulic fluid as the medium to transmit actuation force, the magnetic field serves as the intermediary that can transmit force without physical contact, thereby eliminating leak paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If magnetic forces are used to actuate the flapper without a flow tube, then leak paths are eliminated and reliability is improved, but the force required to open the flapper may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidactuation force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The equalizer valve is actuated first by magnetic forces to equalize the pressure across the flapper before the main flapper opening force is applied. This preliminary action reduces the differential pressure that must be overcome, making the subsequent magnetic actuation of the main flapper feasible with available magnetic forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses magnetic forces to directly actuate the flapper instead of using hydraulic pressure. By applying magnetic forces to ferromagnetic material on the flapper, the system achieves reliable actuation without the leak paths associated with hydraulic lines, and the equalizer valve helps make this force substitution practical by reducing the pressure differential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This design enhances the efficiency and reliability of subsurface safety valves by eliminating the need for a flow tube and hydraulic lines, reducing leak paths and improving actuation precision using magnetic forces, while allowing for optional use of a torsion spring for closure.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic force that is selectively created to draw the flapper to the open position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The hinge for the flapper is biased by a torsion spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9163479B2Flapper operating system without a flow tube

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A subsurface safety valve features no flow tube to operate the flapper and optionally an equalizing valve in the flapper, if used. It relies on magnetic force that is selectively created to draw the flapper to the open position. A torsion spring can close the valve when the field is removed. Optionally, the fields can be set up to pull and push the flapper open or to do either one. The optional equalizer valve can also be operated by a force field, preferably magnetic.