Valve Assembly with Tangential Inlet for High-Pressure Shut-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve assemblies used in subterranean wellhead applications are inadequate for controlling high-pressure fluid flows, as they lack reliable shut-off capabilities, are prone to hydraulic hammerlock, and require complex and costly installations for high-pressure and high-flow differential operations.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly design featuring a flow control assembly with a cage and closure members that allow for precise control of fluid flow, including a tangentially directed inlet to minimize wear and turbulence, and a balanced closure assembly to manage high pressures, enabling fast acting and durable operation under extreme conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chokes (plug and cage or sleeve and cage arrangements) are used to control fluid pressure, then pressure adjustment capability is provided, but flow shut-off capability is insufficient or non-existent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pressure control function and flow shut-off function into a single integrated valve assembly. The cage structure serves dual purposes: it provides pressure control through aperture adjustment while simultaneously enabling complete flow shut-off when the closure member is in the closed position. This eliminates the need for separate choke and valve installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: pressure reduction, flow control, and complete flow shut-off. The closure member can position itself to partially block apertures for pressure control or completely block them for flow shut-off, making the device universal for both choke and valve applications.
2Stress or pressure
If gate valves or ball valves are used to provide flow shut-off capability, then complete flow isolation is achieved, but the valves cannot operate under significant pressure differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure distributes the pressure differential across multiple apertures rather than concentrating it on a single closure surface. Each aperture handles a portion of the pressure load, allowing the system to withstand significant pressure differentials while maintaining reliable flow shut-off capability when all apertures are closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is segmented into multiple discrete apertures in the cage structure. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress and pressure loads across numerous small openings rather than requiring a single large closure surface, enabling the valve to operate reliably under high pressure differentials while maintaining shut-off capability.
3Reliability
If conventional inlet arrangements are used in high-pressure valve assemblies, then fluid flow control is achieved, but hydraulic hammerlock and excessive wear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The tangential inlet arrangement preliminarily directs fluid flow in a controlled manner before it reaches the closure member and cage structure. This pre-direction of flow minimizes sudden pressure changes and impact forces that would otherwise cause hydraulic hammerlock and excessive wear during valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tangential inlet creates a curved flow path that smoothly guides fluid around the cage structure rather than allowing direct axial impact. This curved flow pattern reduces turbulence, minimizes hydraulic shock, and decreases wear on moving parts by eliminating direct fluid impact.
4Speed
If valves are designed for fast acting operation under high pressure, then response time is reduced, but complexity and cost of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components and complex mechanisms from traditional high-pressure valve designs. By using a straightforward closure member that moves directly within the cage structure, the design achieves fast response times without requiring complex actuation systems or multiple stages, thereby simplifying installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly is provided, the valve assembly comprising a valve housing; an inlet for fluid entering the valve housing; an outlet for fluid leaving the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the inlet and the outlet, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; a closure assembly having a first closure member disposed within the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the first closure member closes the innermost end of all of the apertures in the cage, and a second open position, in which the innermost end of all the apertures in the cage are open; and a second closure member disposed outside the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the second closure member closes the outermost end of all of the apertures in the cage, and a second open position, in which the outermost end of all the apertures in the cage are open.