Rotary Sleeve Valve With Selectable Apertures for Compact Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries face a lack of versatile valve options that meet all potential needs in terms of throughput, length, weight, and complexity, necessitating the development of a more adaptable valve solution.
Innovation Solution
A rotary valve design featuring a port housing with an axially actuated rotary sleeve and an insert having multiple aperture sizes, allowing for selective alignment of apertures with the port, facilitated by a J-slot configuration and hydraulic control lines for precise flow control, is introduced. This design includes a balance piston for pressure compensation and seals to maintain cleanliness and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional axial sliding sleeve valve is used, then the valve can provide flow control, but the valve length becomes excessive and versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into modular components: a rotary sleeve with multiple apertures of different sizes, an insert with openings, and a port housing. This segmentation allows different aperture sizes to be selectively aligned with the port, providing versatile flow control options within a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from axial sliding motion to rotary motion. The rotary sleeve can rotate to align different apertures (with distinct sizes) with the port, enabling flow control versatility through rotational positioning rather than axial displacement, thereby reducing valve length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve types are used to meet different needs, then various flow control requirements can be satisfied, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single rotary valve design incorporates multiple apertures of distinct sizes within one sleeve, allowing it to perform multiple flow control functions. By rotating the sleeve to align different apertures with the port, the valve can adjust flow characteristics without requiring multiple separate valve units.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple aperture sizes into a single rotary sleeve component, merging the functionality of what would traditionally require multiple valves. The insert with multiple openings is integrated into the sleeve, creating a unified multi-functional flow control device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an axially actuated rotary sleeve with multiple aperture sizes is used, then flow control versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex rotary sleeve is manufactured as a separate module with pre-formed apertures of distinct sizes. This segmentation allows specialized manufacturing techniques to be applied to create the multi-aperture structure, then the completed sleeve is assembled with the insert and port housing, distributing manufacturing complexity across discrete components.
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 rotary valve provides efficient flow control with a shorter length compared to prior axial sliding sleeves, enhancing operational efficiency and adaptability in borehole systems by allowing selection of aperture sizes for desired flow characteristics, thus addressing the need for a more versatile valve solution.
Implementation Method 1
There may be more than one balance piston 36. The balance piston or pistons 36 serve to equalize forces on the rotary sleeve 14.
Implementation Method 2
Either of the control line inlets 22 and 24 may be used in embodiments without the other of the two if a resetting configuration such as a spring is employed to move the insert 16 back to a first position after one of the control lines moves it to a second position.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary valve including a port housing, a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the port; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having an opening, the sleeve being rotatable to align one of the plurality of apertures with the opening. A rotary valve including a port housing, having a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having an aperture; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having a plurality of openings of distinct size from one another, the aperture of the sleeve being selectively alignable with one of the plurality of openings.