Split-Piece Flow Control Valve Without Mechanical Linkages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow control devices in the oil and gas industry face challenges with mechanical linkage failures, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential leaks, which are costly and environmentally hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A split-piece design fluid flow control device utilizing a valve core with a movable valve member actuated by fluid pressure, eliminating the need for external mechanical linkages and reducing the risk of leakage, while allowing for easier assembly and higher responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical linkage is used to actuate the valve member, then the valve can be controlled between fully open and fully closed positions, but the mechanical coupling becomes a potential point of weakness leading to failures and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage system with a direct-acting valve member that is mechanically coupled to the actuator without intermediate linkages, gearboxes, or stem packings. This eliminates the mechanical coupling points that were previously potential failure sources, thereby improving reliability while reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic mechanical linkage components (gearboxes, linkages, stem packings) from the valve system, retaining only the essential actuation function. This extraction eliminates the sources of mechanical failure while preserving the core valve control capability.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical coupling components are included in the valve, then the valve can be actuated and controlled, but failures in these components can lead to fluid leakage from the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical coupling components that could fail and cause leakage by using a direct-acting valve member design. The valve member is directly coupled to the actuator without intermediate mechanical linkages, thereby removing potential failure points that could lead to fluid leakage while maintaining full actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the mechanical coupling components (linkages, gearboxes, stem packings) that were potential sources of leakage. By extracting these components, the system maintains actuation capability through direct coupling while eliminating the harmful effect of potential fluid leakage from failed mechanical joints.
3Productivity
If conventional valve design with mechanical linkages is used, then the valve can be controlled, but the failures can lead to operational inefficiencies and costly environmental hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage system with a direct-acting valve member that eliminates intermediate mechanical components. This substitution improves operational efficiency by removing potential failure points that cause downtime and operational inefficiencies, while simultaneously preventing environmental hazards by eliminating leakage sources that could lead to oil or gas spills.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the mechanical linkage components that were causing operational inefficiencies and environmental hazards. By taking out these problematic components, the system achieves improved productivity through more reliable operation and prevents environmental damage by eliminating leakage pathways.
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 enhances manufacturing ease, reduces leakage risks, and provides more efficient and responsive fluid control, supporting high mass flows with reduced operational costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The valve member is acted upon by a fluid pressure introduced through an input line defined in the valve core into a control volume defined by the housing and the valve member, so that the position of the valve member is controlled by the fluid pressure
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
A device (1) for controlling the flow of a fluid through a conduit (6) from an upstream side of the device to a downstream side of the device. The device (1) includes an upstream valve casing (4) defining an inlet, a downstream valve casing (5) defining an outlet aperture, and a valve core (2) secured between the upstream valve casing (4) and the downstream valve casing (5). The upstream valve casing (4), the downstream valve casing (5) and the valve core (2) are formed as discrete parts. The valve core (2) includes a housing (20) defining a control volume. The valve member is mounted on the housing (20) and positioned on the upstream side of the outlet aperture (10), the valve member being arranged to move reciprocally to selectively open and close the outlet aperture (10), thereby controlling flow of the fluid through the outlet aperture (10).