Nested Valve Seat Structure to Prevent Plug Valve Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug valves in fracturing manifolds are prone to sticking due to sand particle accumulation, caused by the deformation of thin-walled curved valve seats under rotation torque, and the shear fracture of low-strength cylindrical pins used for positioning.
Innovation Solution
A valve seat design featuring a sealing valve seat nested inside a mounting valve seat, both with annular shapes, enhances structural strength and reduces deformation. The mounting valve seat serves as a support for the sealing valve seat, and the annular design increases contact areas for improved positioning and reduced shear fracture risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a thin-walled curved valve seat is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the structural strength decreases causing deformation under rotation torque
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is divided into two separate components: a sealing valve seat and a mounting valve seat. The sealing valve seat provides the curved sealing surface, while the mounting valve seat provides structural support and positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing valve seat is nested inside the mounting valve seat, with the sealing valve seat positioned within the cavity of the mounting valve seat. This nested configuration allows the thinner sealing valve seat to benefit from the structural support of the outer mounting valve seat, achieving both simplicity of the sealing component and overall structural strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical pin is used for positioning the valve seat, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability decreases due to shear fracture under rotation torque
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is separated from the pin structure and integrated into the mounting valve seat itself through positioning ribs and positioning grooves. This segmentation eliminates the need for separate weak pins while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting valve seat is designed as a composite structure with positioning ribs extending into positioning grooves, creating an integrated positioning system that combines multiple functions (support, positioning, torque resistance) into a single robust component, improving reliability over separate pin-based systems.
3Ease of operation
If the valve seat deforms under rotation torque, then the ease of operation is improved through flexibility, but the reliability decreases due to sand particle accumulation and sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is segmented into a sealing valve seat that can deform elastically under rotation torque and a mounting valve seat that maintains structural integrity. This segmentation allows the sealing surface to accommodate operational stresses while preventing sand particle accumulation that would occur with excessive deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing valve seat is designed with specific local properties - a curved sealing surface that provides elastic deformation capability for easy operation, while the overall nested structure with the mounting valve seat provides localized structural reinforcement to prevent harmful deformation and sand particle accumulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve seat, a plug valve, and a fracturing manifold are provided. The valve seat includes a sealing valve seat in an annular shape and a mounting valve seat in an annular shape. The sealing valve seat includes a sealing valve seat inner hole, and the mounting valve seat includes a mounting valve seat inner hole. The sealing valve seat is nested inside the mounting valve seat, and the sealing valve seat inner hole communicates with the mounting valve seat inner hole. In axial and radial directions of the sealing valve seat inner hole, or axial and radial directions of the mounting valve seat inner hole, an outer surface of the sealing valve seat abuts against an inner surface of the mounting valve seat.