Quartic-Profile Check Valve Ball-Race Design for Actuation Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole linear reciprocating pumps, particularly ball-type check-valves, face challenges such as corrosion, gas-interference, abrasion, embedded solids, cyclic fatigue, and demanding operational parameters, leading to reduced performance and runtime.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates fluid dynamic forces to reduce fluid pressure on the ball surface, enhancing the hydrodynamic lifting force and speed of actuation. This is achieved through optimized ball-race lengths, improved flow passage geometries with quartic curve profiles, and hard-lining of ball guides and ball-stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If ball-race length is reduced to improve actuation speed, then speed of actuation is improved, but durability deteriorates due to increased kinetic energy impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a deceleration zone with energy-absorbing material (such as rubber or elastomer) at the end of the ball-race before the ball-stop. This cushioning zone reduces the kinetic energy of the ball before impact, thereby protecting the ball-stop and ball from excessive wear while maintaining a short overall ball-race length for fast actuation.
2Speed
If flow passage geometry is optimized to increase hydrodynamic lifting force, then speed of actuation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by designing flow passages with curved, quartic-profile geometries that naturally guide fluid flow to generate hydrodynamic lifting forces on the ball. These curved profiles are more tolerant to manufacturing variations compared to sharp-edged geometries, while still achieving the desired fluid dynamic effects for rapid valve actuation.
3Reliability
If ball-race length is shortened to improve durability, then durability is improved, but speed of actuation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ball-race into functional zones: an acceleration zone, a hydrodynamic lifting zone, and a deceleration zone. This segmentation allows the ball-race to be shortened overall while maintaining sufficient length in each functional zone to achieve both fast actuation and reduced impact velocities for improved durability.
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 improves durability, speed of actuation, and reduces pressure drops within the check-valves, leading to enhanced performance and extended runtime of downhole pumps.
Implementation Method 1
fluid dynamic forces of production fluid around the ball of the disclosed embodiments, such that there are lowered fluid pressure acting normal to the ball surface in areas where there is faster movement of fluids around the ball
Implementation Method 2
an increased effective area of differential pressure is provided whereby there is an increased hydrodynamic lifting force on the ball
Data Source
AI summary
Method of forming and/or using a valve assembly may include positioning a restriction element between a casing and a seat and defining quartic-shaped flow passages in an internal flow path of the casing with ribs that extend through the internal flow path and converge with at least another of the ribs at an apex of the casing to define a cage in which the restriction element is configured to move axially through the internal flow path.