Valve Bonnet Retainer Assembly for Faster Leak-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bolted bonnets in oil and gas production equipment require long assembly times, high torque, and are prone to leakage and component damage, leading to increased costs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A bonnet assembly comprising a bonnet body and a bonnet retainer nut that locks the bonnet body within the valve block, using a sealing surface and connection surfaces with threads to secure the bonnet body, reducing the need for high torque and minimizing assembly time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bolted bonnets are used with conventional assembly methods, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly time increases significantly (1-2 hours per bonnet)
Solution Approach 1:
The bonnet assembly is segmented into distinct components: the bonnet body with integrated sealing elements and the separate retainer bolt mechanism. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly where the retainer bolt secures the pre-assembled bonnet body to the valve body, eliminating the need for complex multi-bolt patterns while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing surface and sealing elements are pre-positioned and integrated into the bonnet body during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures proper sealing geometry is established before assembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during installation and reducing assembly time while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If high torque is applied to bolted bonnets, then sealing reliability is improved, but component damage increases (threaded holes damaged, bonnets scrapped)
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer bolt serves as an intermediary mechanism that secures the bonnet body to the valve body without requiring high torque application to threaded holes in the bonnet. The retainer bolt distributes loading across a larger area and through more robust connection points, preventing damage to the bonnet components while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention eliminates the use of disposable threaded holes in the bonnet that are prone to damage. By using a retainer bolt system that connects to more durable external features of the bonnet body, the design avoids the lifecycle limitation of threaded holes that can be damaged and require bonnet replacement.
3Reliability
If multiple bolts and high torque are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function and the retention function are merged into a unified assembly process. The bonnet body with integrated sealing elements is secured by a single retainer bolt mechanism, combining what would traditionally require multiple separate bolts and complex torque patterns into one simplified operation that maintains sealing reliability.
4Stress or pressure
If conventional bolted bonnets are used, then pressure containment is improved, but operational downtime increases due to frequent disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer bolt mechanism provides dynamic security that maintains pressure containment while enabling rapid disassembly and reassembly. The design allows for quick release and re-securing of the bonnet, reducing operational downtime for maintenance and inspection activities while maintaining integrity under pressure through the robust retainer connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A bonnet assembly may be coupled to a valve block. The bonnet assembly may include a bonnet body extending, in an axial length, between a first and second end of the bonnet body. Additionally, the bonnet body may have a sealing surface on the second end. Further, a bonnet retainer nut may be provided with passage axially extending through a first end surface to a second end surface. The bonnet retainer nut may be disposed on the bonnet body such that a portion of the bonnet body is enclosed within the passage of bonnet retainer nut. Furthermore, the bonnet retainer nut may lock the bonnet body.