Spring-Actuated End-Member Control With Brake Decoupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Actuators used in wellhead assemblies face challenges in controlling end-members such as valves or shearing components, as they require precise force management and safety features, with spring compression forces potentially damaging components and necessitating a solution to decouple these forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
An actuator apparatus and method utilizing a brake system to control and decouple spring compression forces, incorporating a brake member and brake controller to manage spring compression, allowing independent control of end-member positions and reducing wear on components by absorbing spring forces, thereby enabling customized compression and reduced torque requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a return spring is used to provide safety feature for instantaneous actuation, then the safety and reliability of the actuator is improved, but the spring compression forces become damaging to the housing components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the spring compression function from the housing components by introducing a dedicated spring compression plate. The spring force is segmented into two functional paths: one for actuation and another for compression containment. This segmentation allows the housing to benefit from spring safety features without承受 the damaging compression forces directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring compression plate serves as an intermediary element between the return spring and the housing components. It absorbs and contains the spring compression forces, preventing them from damaging the housing while still allowing the spring to provide its safety function for instantaneous actuation.
2Force
If the spring compression forces are increased to ensure effective actuation, then the actuation force is improved, but the wear on housing components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring compression plate acts as a mediator that allows high spring compression forces to be applied for effective actuation while preventing these same forces from causing wear to the housing components. The plate absorbs the compressive loads and transfers only the necessary actuation force to the valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spring compression function from the housing structure and places it in a dedicated spring compression plate. This extraction allows the housing to be relieved of the wear-causing compression forces while the spring can still generate the necessary actuation force through the plate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spring component size is increased to support various wireline sizes, then the actuation capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring compression plate provides a dynamic solution that allows the spring to be optimized for force generation rather than size. The plate's compression mechanism enables the spring to deliver variable actuation forces for different wireline sizes without requiring the spring itself to be oversized, thus maintaining adaptability while controlling complexity.
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 allows for precise control of end-member positions, reduces wear on components, and decreases the required torque for actuation, effectively managing spring compression forces to support various wireline sizes without increasing the spring component's size, enhancing the actuator's efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
A brake system may be used to decouple spring compression forces of the spring when the spring is compressed. In an aspect, the brake system includes a brake controller and a brake member
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for actuating an end-member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a spring within the housing, and a spring plate forming a restriction for the spring within the housing. A brake member is associated with the spring plate for retaining the spring plate in one or more positions. A drive rod is associated with a motor to enable a first movement of the drive rod and to enable a second movement of spring plate. The first movement or the second movement enables the actuating of the end-member in one or more different positions for the end-member. The brake member may be engaged or disengaged to control or decouple spring compression forces in the actuator when the spring is compressed.