Sliding Sleeve Alignment Ring for Subterranean Choke Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
In subterranean choke valves, the lack of space in small designs prevents the use of traditional rotational locking arrangements, leading to potential misalignment between the sliding sleeve and housing, which can result in relative rotation and compromised pressure control when the valve is between full closed and full open positions.
Innovation Solution
An alignment ring with a repeating pattern profile is used to realign the sliding sleeve and housing ports, ensuring axial alignment without reducing the drift dimension, allowing for higher pressure ratings and maintaining port alignment even in the presence of initial misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rotational locking arrangements (lug in axial recess) are used to maintain alignment between sliding sleeve and housing, then rotational alignment is ensured, but the device size increases and pressure rating capability is reduced due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional rotational locking mechanism (lug and axial recess) from the design. Instead of using a mechanical locking arrangement, the invention relies on the sliding sleeve's own structure and the hydraulic actuation system to maintain rotational alignment, thereby eliminating the space-consuming locking components
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding sleeve is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the flow control element and the rotational alignment reference. The circumferential groove pattern on the sliding sleeve serves dual purposes - guiding the sliding action and maintaining rotational orientation, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms
2Reliability
If traditional rotational locking arrangements are used to prevent relative rotation between sliding sleeve and housing, then alignment is maintained, but the housing pressure rating is reduced due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational locking function from the housing structure, eliminating the need for axial recesses and locking lugs that would compromise the housing's pressure-containing capability. The alignment is maintained through the sliding sleeve's groove pattern and the actuation system rather than through housing modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational alignment features are localized to the sliding sleeve surface (circumferential groove pattern) rather than requiring modifications to the housing structure. This keeps the housing intact and capable of withstanding high pressures, while the alignment function is achieved locally on the sliding sleeve
3Reliability
If the sliding sleeve drift dimension is reduced to accommodate alignment features, then alignment can be achieved, but the flow capacity and pressure rating are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alignment function with the flow control function by integrating the circumferential groove pattern directly into the sliding sleeve's flow control surface. The same structural features that control flow also provide rotational alignment, eliminating the need for separate alignment elements that would reduce the drift dimension
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding sleeve structure serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides flow control through its positioning, maintains rotational alignment through the groove pattern, and preserves full drift dimension for optimal flow capacity. No single feature is sacrificed for another function
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment device for a sliding sleeve in a housing in a tubular string features a patterned alignment ring that remains stationary. The sliding sleeve in one of its end positions has a mating profile such that profile misalignment results in profile alignment as the sliding sleeve is axially advanced toward the alignment ring. In a choke application the fully closed position of the choke brings the profiles together to induce relative rotation into an aligned configuration of the ports on the sliding sleeve with the ports on the surrounding housing. Misalignment can occur when tools are run through the sliding sleeve for other downhole operations and the design parameters for the choke prevent the use of alignment lugs in axial slots. The mating profiles do not reduce the drift dimension through the sliding sleeve and allow higher housing pressure ratings for deep set applications with large operating differential pressures.