Subsurface Safety Valve Rotating Disk Seal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsurface safety valves with metal surface valve members often fail to provide a complete seal when closed, allowing pressure and fluids to pass through, which is critical for preventing uncontrolled hydrocarbon flow and ensuring well control in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A subsurface safety valve assembly featuring a disk valve member with internal rotating disk and seal members that seal against fluid flow and pressure, utilizing a piston member and seal members to maintain a leak-free closure, with a biasing member and hydraulic fluid line for operational control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal surface valve members are used, then the valve structure is simple and durable, but the seal is incomplete allowing pressure and fluids to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces seal members as intermediary elements between the disk valve member and valve body surfaces. These seal members act as mediators that create reliable seals without requiring direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby achieving complete sealing while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible seal members that can deform to conform to the valve surfaces, creating effective seals. The flexible nature of these seal members allows them to accommodate surface irregularities and maintain sealing under varying pressure conditions
2Reliability
If a disk valve member with seal members is used, then a leak-free seal is achieved, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into separate components - the disk valve member, seal members, and valve body are distinct segments. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating complex metal surface geometries to achieve sealing, the patent inverts the approach by using simple seal members that actively conform to the surfaces. This inversion simplifies the overall structure while achieving reliable sealing
3Ease of operation
If the valve member is held open and then released to close, then the valve operation is simple, but leaks may occur in the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The seal members serve as intermediaries that ensure reliable sealing in the closed position without complicating the operation. They maintain contact with the valve surfaces throughout the operation cycle, ensuring sealing reliability whether the valve is held open or closed
Solution Approach 2:
The seal members automatically maintain sealing contact through their flexible nature and the valve's own operation. No additional mechanisms are required to ensure sealing - the seal members self-adjust to maintain contact with the valve surfaces during operation
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 ensures a reliable, leak-free seal in both open and closed positions, providing a qualified well control barrier and enabling safe surface line de-pressurization and isolation, enhancing the safety and efficiency of fluid flow control in subterranean wells.
Implementation Method 1
An uphole seal member circumscribes the valve bore at a downhole facing surface of the valve cavity, forming a seal between the uphole side of the disk valve member and the valve body. A downhole seal member circumscribes the valve bore at an uphole facing surface of the valve cavity, forming a seal between the downhole side of the disk valve member and the valve body.
Implementation Method 2
A hydraulic fluid line can be in fluid communication with the piston member and be operable to provide a hydraulic fluid force to retain the piston member in the extended position.
Implementation Method 3
A biasing member, the biasing member urging the disk valve member towards the valve closed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A subsurface safety valve assembly has a valve body with an axially oriented valve bore and a valve cavity that intersects the valve bore. A disk valve member is positioned within the valve cavity and has a disk bore. A piston member is moveable between a contracted position and an extended position, such that in the contracted position the disk valve member is in a valve closed position with the disk bore offset from the valve bore, and in the extended position the disk valve member is in a valve open position with the disk bore axially aligned with the valve bore. An uphole seal member circumscribes the valve bore, forming a seal between the uphole side of the disk valve member and the valve body. A downhole seal member circumscribes the valve bore, forming a seal between the downhole side of the disk valve member and the valve body.