Pressure-Activated Cyclical Valve for Rapid Bypassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cyclical bypass valve devices for oil and gas wells require a time-consuming process to activate and deactivate the bypass valve using a deformable ball, which is inefficient, especially when used with coiled tubing strings.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-activated cyclical valve apparatus that employs a single ball to both activate and deactivate the bypass valve, utilizing a piston, expanding ball seat, and springs to control fluid flow, allowing for efficient bypassing of fluid around downhole tools by adjusting to changing pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deformable ball is used to activate and deactivate the bypass valve, then the valve can be cycled, but the process becomes very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the deformable ball from the system and replaces it with a pressure-activated mechanism. The ball is extracted as a separate activation tool rather than being part of the valve mechanism itself, allowing rapid cycling without manually pumping balls through the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ball-pumping system with a pressure-activated system. Instead of physically pumping balls through coiled tubing to activate the valve, fluid pressure directly actuates the piston and valve mechanism, dramatically reducing activation time.
2Productivity
If a single ball is used to both activate and deactivate the bypass valve, then the process becomes faster, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the activation and deactivation functions into a single pressure-activated mechanism. The same piston and valve structure handle both opening and closing operations based on pressure differential, eliminating the need for separate deformable and metal balls.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston mechanism serves multiple functions: it responds to pressure changes to activate the bypass, maintains the bypass open state, and automatically closes when pressure equalizes. This multi-functional design achieves rapid operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
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
Enables rapid and efficient bypassing of fluid around downhole tools, increasing flow rates and allowing for the use of lost circulation materials, while maintaining reliable operation and minimizing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
an expanding ball seat, allowing the ball to deform the ball seat to pass through
Implementation Method 2
Fluid pressure then shifts the piston downwards, opening the bypass port(s) in the housing
Implementation Method 3
the secondary spring will shift the minor sleeve back upward... and the apparatus could also be embodied using a metal seat and a deforming plastic ball
Data Source
AI summary
A bypass tool has a piston movable within the bore of a central housing. A control slot on an exterior wall of the piston engages a slot pin in the housing. Longitudinal movement of the piston is downward, in response to fluid pressure exerted on a ball seated on a ball seat on the piston; and spring biased upward. The control slot and slot pin rotate the piston as it moves longitudinally between a first, upper position in which bypass ports in the housing are closed, and a second, lower position in which the bypass ports are open. An intermediate longitudinal position has the ports closed, and permits pressuring up on a ball to force it through the ball seat and reset the tool in the flow through position. The ball and/or ball seat may be of resilient material to permit passage of the ball through the seat.