Shuttle Valve Assembly for Downhole Backflow Bypass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Downhole production strings, including pumps and valves, face maintenance challenges due to operating conditions outside intended ranges, leading to equipment fouling, plugging, and damage, resulting in lost production and increased expenses.

Innovation Solution

A valve assembly with a spring-biased shuttle that translates within a valve body, featuring a spill port and tapered threads for interference fit and seal, allowing for forward and reverse flow management, and a spring that pre-compresses to maintain flow during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pumps and valves are used in downhole production strings to manage and lift fluids, then fluid production capability is improved, but maintenance downtime increases due to equipment fouling, plugging, and damage when operating conditions fall outside intended ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid production capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly performs preliminary actions by automatically diverting fluid flow away from the pump through the spill port when abnormal conditions are detected (such as sand influx or reverse flow). This preventive mechanism activates before damage occurs, allowing the pump to continue operating without interruption and eliminating the need for maintenance downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly acts as an intermediary protective device between the pump and the harmful fluid conditions. It monitors flow conditions and intervenes by redirecting fluid through the spill port when abnormal conditions are detected, thereby protecting the pump from fouling, plugging, and damage while maintaining continuous production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional valve designs are used in downhole applications, then device simplicity is maintained, but reliability decreases when fluid conditions and velocities fall outside intended operating ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve structure simplicityVSAvoidequipment operability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly incorporates a dynamic spill port mechanism that automatically adjusts fluid flow paths based on real-time operating conditions. The spill port can selectively open or close depending on flow direction and velocity, allowing the valve to adapt to both forward and reverse flow conditions as well as abnormal conditions like sand influx, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly is designed with multi-functionality to handle various operating conditions including normal forward flow, reverse flow, and abnormal conditions such as sand influx or pump failure. The single valve structure performs multiple functions: directing normal flow, diverting reverse flow through the spill port, and protecting against particulate damage, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If pumps and valves operate continuously without maintenance access, then productivity is maintained, but equipment damage risk increases due to inability to address fouling and plugging issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidequipment damage from fouling and plugging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly converts potentially harmful reverse flow and sand-laden conditions into beneficial protective actions. When reverse flow or sand influx is detected, the valve automatically diverts this harmful flow through the spill port away from the pump, transforming what would be damaging conditions into a protective mechanism that prevents fouling and plugging while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 valve assembly effectively manages fluid flow, reduces maintenance downtime, and prevents equipment damage by ensuring continuous operation and efficient fluid handling in varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the spring is pre-compressed to exert a force on the shuttle, the force consistent with forward flow through the valve during valve operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring pre-compression: Spring

Implementation Method 2

penetration of the pin threads into the box threads provides an interference fit and a seal therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference fit: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11143324B2Valve assembly for use in a flow management system

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 OSBORNE LAWRENCE

AI summary

A valve with a shuttle for use in a flow management system is capable of bypassing a backflow.