Anti-Chattering Valve Cone Geometry for Delayed Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow stop valves experience chattering and pressure equalization issues due to transient conditions, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in fluid control, particularly in applications like dual gradient drilling.
Innovation Solution
A flow control device with a closure member having a cone body with a unique outer surface geometry that slows the increase of the annular flow space between the closure member and the sealing member, delaying pressure equalization and preventing chattering, utilizing a biasing member to form a fluid seal and control fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flow stop valves use standard cone geometry, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve experiences chattering and pressure equalization issues during transient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cone is designed with non-uniform geometry where the outer circumferential surface at the nose portion has a different geometry than the base portion. This local variation in geometry creates a flow restriction that delays pressure equalization and prevents chattering, while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the valve cone by defining different outer circumferential surface geometries at different portions of the cone. Specifically, the nose portion has a geometry that restricts fluid flow more than a standard cone, which controls the rate of pressure equalization and eliminates chattering.
2Speed
If the annular flow space increases rapidly during closure member disengagement, then the valve opens quickly, but pressure equalization occurs too quickly causing chattering
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restriction is created by the local geometry of the nose portion of the cone, which has an outer circumferential surface designed to limit the annular flow space increase rate. This local geometric feature controls fluid flow during closure member movement without affecting the overall disengagement speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design dynamically controls the annular flow space during closure member disengagement. The non-uniform cone geometry automatically adjusts the flow restriction based on the closure member position, delaying pressure equalization when the closure member moves away from the sealing member.
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 effectively minimizes dynamic pressure loss and prevents valve cone chatter, ensuring reliable fluid control and maintaining a fluid tight seal, even during interruptions in fluid flow, thereby enhancing the performance of flow control devices in applications like dual gradient drilling.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member applying a biasing force to the closure member
Implementation Method 2
the geometry of the outer circumferential surface of the cone body is designed to reduce a rate at which an annular flow space between the sealing member and the closure member increases
Implementation Method 3
a fluid seal being formed in the fluid conduit when the biasing member presses the closure member against the sealing member, wherein the fluid seal blocks fluid flowing along the flow path
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3C
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling flow of a fluid in a fluid conduit may include a closure member having an outer circumferential surface defined by a composite geometry, a biasing member applying a biasing force to the closure member, and a sealing member receiving the closure member. A fluid seal is formed in the fluid conduit when the biasing member presses the closure member against the sealing member.