Subsurface Safety Valve Magnetic Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operating electrically actuated surface controlled subsurface safety valves (SCSSVs) at great depths is challenging due to harsh downhole conditions, requiring complex and costly dynamic seals to isolate the electric actuator, increasing the risk of failure.

Innovation Solution

A downhole valve apparatus using magnetic assemblies to repel each other, allowing a force transmitter to move a valve actuator axially, independently and physically isolated, to control fluid flow by moving between open and closed positions without the need for dynamic seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dynamic seals are used to isolate the electric actuator from downhole conditions, then the actuator can be protected from harsh environment, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from downhole conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of dynamic seals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical dynamic seal system with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic assemblies transmit force through the housing wall without physical contact, eliminating the need for dynamic seals while maintaining isolation between the actuator chamber and borehole environment. This substitution of mechanical contact with magnetic field interaction resolves the contradiction by removing complex sealing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing wall acts as an intermediary medium that allows magnetic force transmission while maintaining physical isolation. The magnetic assemblies on opposite sides of the housing wall interact through the wall material, enabling force transmission without breaching the seal between the actuator chamber and borehole environment. This intermediary approach protects the actuator while enabling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If magnetic assemblies are used to transmit force through housing wall, then dynamic seals are eliminated, but maintaining high magnetic force requires larger outer diameter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of dynamic sealsVSAvoidouter diameter of housing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes magnetic assembly parameters including using high-strength permanent magnets, minimizing the air gap between magnetic assemblies, and configuring magnet geometry to maximize force density. By changing these parameters, the system achieves high magnetic force transmission through the housing wall without requiring a larger outer diameter, thus resolving the contradiction between seal elimination and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If electric actuator is used at great depths, then hydraulic actuation challenges are overcome, but isolation from borehole conditions becomes necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation at great depthsVSAvoidisolation requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic actuation with electric actuation, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid supply lines and associated sealing challenges at great depths. The electric motor drives magnetic assemblies that transmit force magnetically through the housing wall, enabling operation at significant borehole depths without complex hydraulic isolation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing wall serves as an intermediary that allows magnetic force transmission while maintaining the pressure boundary between the actuator chamber and borehole environment. This enables the electric actuator to operate isolated from harsh downhole conditions while still controlling the valve, resolving the contradiction between depth operation capability and isolation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution reduces complexity and cost by eliminating the need for dynamic seals and provides a fail-safe mechanism, maintaining high magnetic force with a smaller outer diameter, overcoming the limitations of prior art magnetic coupled systems.

Implementation Method 1

the first and second magnetic assemblies configured to repel one another and cause the force transmitter to move the valve actuator when the force transmitter is moved toward the valve actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsion: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS8393386B2Subsurface safety valve and method of actuation

Publication Date: 2013.03.12 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A downhole valve apparatus including a force transmitter configured to move in an axial direction and a valve actuator configured to move in an axial direction. The valve actuator is independently movable relative to the force transmitter and physically isolated from the force transmitter. A first magnetic assembly is disposed at the force transmitter. A second magnetic assembly is disposed at the valve actuator. The first and second magnetic assemblies are configured to repel one another and cause the force transmitter to move the valve actuator when the force transmitter is moved toward the valve actuator.