Split-Nut Valve Seat Puller for Faster Stem Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tools for removing valve seats in oil field work are inefficient, requiring significant labor and posing safety risks due to their weight and size, with little focus on improving the placement and securing of the stem nut on the valve seat stem.
Innovation Solution
A modified tool using a split nut with horizontal v-grooves that engages a seat puller stem, aided by a conical base and helical springs, allowing for quick and safe placement and removal of valve seats with the assistance of a pancake jack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional stem nut is screwed onto a conventional threaded seat puller stem, then the valve seat can be pulled, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple steps for placement and tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is divided into multiple segments that can independently engage with the stem. This segmentation allows the segments to flex and adapt to the stem during insertion, enabling quick engagement without traditional threading operations. The segmented design eliminates the time-consuming process of screwing a conventional nut onto a threaded stem.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem nut is pre-configured with segments that are ready to engage the stem immediately upon insertion. The segments are positioned and oriented in advance to match the stem geometry, so that when the tool is inserted, engagement occurs automatically without requiring additional tightening steps or adjustments.
2Ease of operation
If a heavy stem tool is raised over workers' heads for placement, then the tool can be positioned, but workers are exposed to serious injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The stem nut incorporates flexible segments that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation during insertion. This dynamic capability allows the tool to be inserted from various angles and positions without requiring precise alignment, reducing the need to raise heavy tools overhead and thereby minimizing worker injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement parameters of the stem nut are changed from rigid threaded engagement to flexible segmental engagement. This parameter change allows the tool to accommodate positional variations and be installed from lower, safer positions rather than requiring overhead placement of heavy equipment.
3Reliability
If a single conventional stem nut is used, then the valve seat stem can be engaged, but the placement and securing process is complex and prone to mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the nut into segments simplifies the engagement process by eliminating the need for threading operations. Each segment independently engages with the stem, providing reliable securing through multiple contact points while reducing the procedural complexity compared to traditional single-nut threading and tightening sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented stem nut is designed to self-align and self-engage with the stem during insertion. The segments automatically position themselves to match the stem geometry, eliminating the need for manual alignment, threading, and tightening steps. This self-service mechanism reduces both complexity and potential for human error.
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 enables faster and safer removal of valve seats by utilizing gravity and spring mechanisms to securely engage and disengage the split nut segments with the seat puller stem, reducing labor and minimizing safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The base has a conical interior surface designed to allow the split nut segments and the v-grooves thereon to slide downward and inward to engage the v-grooves of the seat puller stem. The conical interior surface of the base improves functionality by using gravity to aid this motion.
Implementation Method 2
The split nut segments resist sliding down to the bottom of the conical interior by the use of helical springs placed in holes between each of the split nut segments to separate each split nut segment.
Implementation Method 3
A wave spring placed atop the base between the base and the top of the invention raises the top off the base and creates sufficient space in the interior of the invention when not in use to allow the split nut segments to remain in an upward and outward position on the conical surface of the interior of the base.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an improved tool for pulling a valve seat from a valve in a fluid end. The invention replaces the standard threaded nut and stem commonly used in such tools with a split nut comprising a plurality of removeably engageable split nut segments placed within a base and a stem configured to be used with the plurality of removeably engageable split nut segments. In the preferred embodiment, each split nut segment possesses a center-facing surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the invention comprising a set of horizontal v-grooves suitable to be disposed against complementary v-grooves of the stem. The base permits the plurality of split nut segments to be placed in an engaged position permitting the v-grooves of the split nut segments to removeably engage the v-grooves of the stem securely or to be placed in a disengaged position. The base containing the split nut segments is durable enough to be used in oil field work but lightweight enough to be used by individual or groups of workers safely.