Valve Actuator Roller Screw Nut Rapid Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve actuators for underwater choke valves require a long time to achieve stepped regulation, typically taking 180 steps from open to closed, which is inefficient for rapid well shutdowns, and can lead to hydrate formation and wear issues in hydraulic control valves.
Innovation Solution
A valve actuator design featuring a roller screw nut with an externally toothed wheel connected to a first driving motor, including a second portable driving motor via a friction coupling and position sensor, allowing for rapid axial movement of the actuator slide and preventing rotation, enabling quick valve positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stepped regulation by hydraulic valve operation is used, then valve positioning control is achieved, but the operation time is excessively long (180 steps from open to closed)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic valve operation system with an electric motor-driven roller screw mechanism. The electric motor rotates the roller screw, which converts rotational motion to linear motion of the actuator slide, directly positioning the valve without requiring multiple hydraulic steps. This substitution of mechanical systems achieves both precise positioning and rapid operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator slide is pre-positioned using the roller screw mechanism before hydraulic actuation is needed. The roller screw allows the slide to be quickly moved to the desired position in advance, eliminating the need for slow stepped hydraulic regulation during critical shutdown operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If quick closing of choke valve is implemented, then hydrate formation is prevented, but the valve positioning speed must be increased significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor-driven roller screw mechanism provides rapid response capability compared to hydraulic systems. The direct drive mechanism can quickly accelerate and decelerate the actuator slide, enabling the valve to close within 30 seconds and prevent hydrate formation while maintaining controlled positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using an electric motor with controlled speed and acceleration profiles. This allows the system to achieve high closing speeds when needed while maintaining precise control during positioning, unlike fixed-speed hydraulic systems.
3Ease of operation
If stepped actuation is used, then valve control is achieved, but wear in hydraulic control valves increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic control valve system with an electric motor-driven roller screw mechanism. This eliminates the hydraulic control valve and its associated wear problems from the actuation system, while maintaining full valve control capability through electric actuation.
4Speed
If roller screw nut with externally toothed wheel is used, then rapid axial movement of actuator slide is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the roller screw mechanism with an externally toothed wheel that is integrated into the roller screw nut. The toothed wheel is directly connected to the electric motor shaft, merging the driving function and the motion conversion function into a single integrated component, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller screw nut serves multiple functions: it provides the rolling contact for reduced friction, incorporates the toothed wheel for direct motor coupling, and maintains the axial positioning function. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the actuator system.
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
Enables rapid adjustment of the choke valve between positions, preventing hydrate formation and reducing wear on hydraulic control valves by facilitating quick closure within 30 seconds, thus addressing the inefficiencies of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a roller screw nut (5C) surrounding a portion of an actuator slide (3B) and being in engagement with an external threaded portion arranged on the actuator slide (3B)
Implementation Method 2
The second set of transmission elements may include a friction coupling
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A device for a valve actuator (1) is described, the valve actuator (1) being provided with a slide nut (5C) surrounding a portion of an actuator slide (3B) and being in engagement with an external threaded portion arranged on the actuator slide (3B), the slide nut (5C) being axially fixed relative to the actuator slide (3B), and the actuator slide (3B) being in rotation-preventing engagement with a portion (5F) of an actuator mounting (5A) or a valve housing (2A), and the slide nut (5C) being connected to a driving motor (5K, 10) via transmission means (5H, 51, 5J; 5H, 6C, 6D, 6E). Also, a method of operating a valve (1) is described, the method including the step of: providing an axial displacement of the actuator slide (3B) by rotating a slide nut (5C) which surrounds a portion of an actuator slide (3B), is in engagement with an external threaded portion arranged on the actuator slide (3B) and is axially fixed relative to the actuator slide (3B), the rotation being provided with the help of at least one driving motor (5K, 10).