Rotary-to-Linear Motion Translation for Pressure Pulse Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular systems for generating pressure pulses in flowing fluids, such as those used in the downhole industry, are inefficient due to the need for motors to stop and reverse directions to vary valve restriction, resulting in significant power expenditure overcoming inertia rather than directly generating pressure pulses.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a rotatable member that rotates in a single direction to linearly reciprocate a stem within a passageway, varying flow restriction through a motion translation arrangement, minimizing torque and power requirements by optimizing leverage and inertia management, and allowing for adjustable stroke length and maximum restriction settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a motor drives a ball screw in alternate directions to vary valve restriction, then pressure pulses can be generated in the flowing fluid, but significant power is expended in overcoming inertia of rotating parts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a motor to directly drive the ball screw back and forth, the invention inverts the approach by using a rotating member that converts rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion of the stem through a motion translation arrangement. This eliminates the need for the motor to stop and reverse, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining pressure pulse generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a motion translation arrangement that dynamically converts continuous rotational motion into reciprocating linear motion. This dynamic mechanism allows the stem to move back and forth without requiring the motor to change direction, optimizing the balance between power consumption and pressure pulse generation efficiency
2Productivity
If a motor stops and reverses directions to switch valve restriction, then pressure pulses are generated, but time is lost during direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member enables continuous unidirectional rotation that continuously drives the motion translation arrangement, which in turn continuously reciprocates the stem. This eliminates the stop-and-reverse cycles, ensuring continuous useful action and maximizing the pressure pulse generation rate without time loss during direction changes
3Ease of operation
If a ball screw system is used to vary valve restriction, then pressure pulses can be generated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex ball screw mechanism from the system and replaces it with a simpler rotating member coupled with a motion translation arrangement. This extraction eliminates unnecessary mechanical complexity while preserving the essential function of varying valve restriction through stem reciprocation
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 significantly reduces power and torque needed to generate pressure pulses, maintaining inertia while enabling efficient pressure pulse generation across a wide range of operational conditions, outperforming traditional ball screw systems in efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a motion translation arrangement that is in operable communication with the rotatable member and the stem such that the stem linearly reciprocates in response to the rotatable member rotating in a single direction of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating pressure pulses in flowing fluid includes a valve having a stem movable linearly relative to a passageway. The valve is configured to vary restriction to flow through the passageway in response to changes in relative position between the stem and the passageway. The device also includes a rotatable member in operable communication with the valve such that rotation of the rotatable member causes the stem to move, and a motion translation arrangement that is in operable communication with the rotatable member and the stem such that the stem linearly reciprocates in response to the rotatable member rotating in a single direction of rotation.