Sleeve Valve Permanent Locking via Plastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleeve valves in hydrocarbon exploration and production require expensive high-quality steel for locking mechanisms and often need additional parts to maintain open or closed positions, which is costly and prone to corrosion, and they cannot be easily opened or closed multiple times before being permanently locked.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve valve design featuring a plastically deformable locking area that aligns with a locking groove when moved beyond its operating range, allowing for repeated opening and closing until a high pressure deforms the region into the groove for permanent locking, eliminating the need for expensive materials and additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms are used in sleeve valves, then the valve can be permanently locked, but expensive high-quality steel and additional parts are required which increase cost and are prone to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the locking function from a separate complex locking mechanism and integrates it into the sleeve structure itself. The plastically deformable region is formed as an integral part of the sleeve wall, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable permanent locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of a specific region of the sleeve, making it plastically deformable while the rest of the sleeve remains structurally sound. This localized parameter change allows the sleeve to deform and lock into the locking groove under high pressure, providing reliable permanent locking without requiring expensive high-quality steel throughout the entire valve structure.
2Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms are used in sleeve valves, then the valve can be permanently locked, but expensive materials and additional parts are required which increase cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the locking function from a separate complex locking mechanism and integrates it into the sleeve structure itself. The plastically deformable region is formed as an integral part of the sleeve wall, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable permanent locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of a specific region of the sleeve, making it plastically deformable while the rest of the sleeve remains structurally sound. This localized parameter change allows the sleeve to deform and lock into the locking groove under high pressure, providing reliable permanent locking without requiring expensive high-quality steel throughout the entire valve structure.
3Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms are used in sleeve valves, then the valve can be permanently locked, but additional parts are required which are prone to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the locking function from a separate complex locking mechanism and integrates it into the sleeve structure itself. The plastically deformable region is formed as an integral part of the sleeve wall, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable permanent locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the locking function with the sleeve structure itself. The plastically deformable region is formed as an integral part of the sleeve wall, combining the sleeve and locking mechanism into a single unified structure. This eliminates separate locking parts that would be susceptible to corrosion and reduces the number of components that could fail due to corrosive environments.
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 provides a robust, reliable, and cost-effective valve that can be permanently opened or closed without using expensive steel, reducing material costs and preventing corrosion, while allowing for multiple operational cycles before locking.
Implementation Method 1
at least one plastically deformable locking area of the one sleeve is adapted for being deformed radially into a locking groove of the other sleeve when the inner sleeve is moved outside of the operating range
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve valve including a permanent end position and comprising an inner sleeve concentrically disposed within an outer sleeve comprising at least one radially facing outer opening and an operating range defined by an open position in which the inner sleeve does not block the outer opening, and a closed position in which the inner sleeve blocks the outer opening. The inner sleeve is axially displaceable or rotatable within the outer sleeve to provide an operating range in the longitudinal direction or an operating range in the form of an angle. At least one plastically deformable locking area of one the inner or outer sleeve is adapted for being radially deformed into a locking groove of the other sleeve when the inner sleeve is moved outside of the operating range.