Subsurface Safety Valve Magnetic Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating subsurface safety valves at great depths in the drilling and completion industries is challenging due to harsh downhole conditions, which complicates the use of electrically actuated systems that require dynamic seals, increasing complexity and failure risk.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic assemblies in a force transmitter and valve actuator, isolated within a housing, allows for magnetic force transfer to control a downhole valve, eliminating the need for dynamic seals and providing a fail-safe mechanism using repelling forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric actuators are used to actuate subsurface safety valves at great depths, then the valve can be operated remotely, but dynamic seals are required which increase complexity and failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dynamic seal system with a magnetic coupling system. The electric actuator drives a magnetic driver that couples magnetically to a magnetic follower, which then actuates the valve. This eliminates the need for dynamic seals while maintaining remote operation capability, as the magnetic coupling provides a seal-less transmission mechanism.
2Reliability
If magnetic assemblies are used to transfer force, then dynamic seals are eliminated, but magnetic force efficiency decreases with larger outer diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the magnetic assembly parameters by using axially elongated magnets arranged in alternating polarity patterns. This configuration maximizes the magnetic coupling efficiency within a compact radial space, ensuring that magnetic force efficiency is maintained despite the constraints of the downhole environment.
3Reliability
If repelling forces are used as fail-safe mechanism, then reliability is improved, but force transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic magnetic coupling system where the driver and follower magnets can move relative to each other along the axial direction. The repelling forces between like poles create a fail-safe mechanism: if the coupling is lost or the driver fails, the repelling force automatically pushes the valve to a safe position. The axial movement capability allows the system to accommodate thermal expansion and positioning variations while maintaining the fail-safe特性.
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
This solution reduces the complexity and cost of the SCSSV assembly by isolating the control system without dynamic seals and ensures reliable operation by using repelling forces, maintaining high magnetic force efficiency with a smaller outer diameter, thus overcoming the limitations of existing magnetic coupled systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second magnetic assemblies configured to interact so that movement of the force transmitter in the axial direction causes movement of the valve actuator in the axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole valve apparatus including a force transmitter configured to move in an axial direction and a valve actuator configured to move in an axial direction. The valve actuator is independently movable relative to the force transmitter and physically isolated from the force transmitter. A first magnetic assembly is disposed at the force transmitter. A second magnetic assembly is disposed at the valve actuator. The first and second magnetic assemblies are configured to repel one another and cause the force transmitter to move the valve actuator when the force transmitter is moved toward the valve actuator.