Selector and sealing organ for multi selector valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-selector valves in the oil and gas field suffer from sealing losses due to wear of soft connecting surfaces, leading to leaks and the need for frequent maintenance, and fail to ensure simultaneous and reliable sealing of all supply lines during flow diversion for analysis.
Innovation Solution
A multi-selector valve with a conical-spherical coupling between the selector element and supply lines, utilizing surface-hardened metal surfaces and elastic means to ensure a stable, reliable, and long-lasting seal, preventing wear and leaks, and allowing simultaneous sealing of all lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soft cylindrical sealing surfaces are used between selector element and supply lines, then initial sealing is achieved, but wear occurs leading to sealing losses and leaks over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sealing surfaces from cylindrical to conical-spherical configuration. The conical seat and spherical ball interface creates a line contact that concentrates load and reduces wear compared to cylindrical surface contact, thereby extending service life while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure with hard metal surfaces (conical seat and spherical ball) for wear resistance, combined with elastomeric sealing elements that provide initial sealing and compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This combination achieves both long service life and reliable sealing
2Reliability
If a single soft convex cylindrical surface is pre-loaded against the concave body for coupling and sealing, then sealing is achieved, but wear causes leaks from multiple lines requiring plant stops for monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function by providing individual conical-spherical sealing interfaces for each supply line instead of a single shared sealing surface. Each line has its own sealing elements, allowing independent sealing and preventing wear on one line from affecting others, thus maintaining system availability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric sealing elements in each conical-spherical interface automatically compensate for wear and manufacturing variations through their elastic properties, providing self-adjusting sealing that maintains reliability without requiring external monitoring or intervention
3Reliability
If cylindrical sealing surfaces are used, then coupling between selector element and supply lines is achieved, but simultaneous and reliable sealing of all supply lines cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal conical-spherical sealing interface that can be replicated for each supply line. The standardized conical seat and spherical ball design provides consistent sealing performance across all lines simultaneously without requiring complex individualized sealing mechanisms for each line
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 conical-spherical coupling provides a reliable and long-lasting seal, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring full system operation during flow diversion, with performance comparable to traditional ball valves and compliance with fire safety specifications.
Implementation Method 1
surface-hardened metal surfaces
Implementation Method 2
elastic means to ensure a stable, reliable, and long-lasting seal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A multi-selector valve (100) having a valve body (4), a plurality of inlet fittings (1) in connection with respective supply lines (1a) coming from multiple wells and positioned between them at various distances, a first discharge connector (20) and a second discharge connector (2') for carrying out tests, wherein in said multi-selector valve (100) the sealing between a selector element (10) and each inlet fitting (1) is achieved by means of a conical-spherical sealing, the conical-spherical sealing is made between a conical surface (3) of a sealing seat (11) and a spherical surface (12) of the selector element (10), and the conical-spherical sealing between the conical surface (3) of the sealing seat (11) and the spherical surface (12) of the selector element (10) is ensured by a plurality of elastic means (5), each plurality of elastic means (5) being present on each inlet fitting (1) so as to ensure a simultaneous sealing of all supply lines (1a).