Valve Removal Plug Quick Latch for Heavy Oilfield Valve Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VR plugs for oilfield equipment face challenges with securing larger diameters and heavier masses, leading to risks of unintentional disconnection during installation or removal, resulting in non-productive downtime and costly retrieval services.
Innovation Solution
A VR system that includes a VR plug with a first and second surface, removably associated with at least one bushing that extends beyond the second surface to prevent contact with the valve inner surface, and a guiding rod that supports the VR plug's movement through the valve using spring-loaded features for secure connection and adjustable tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a larger diameter VR plug is used to achieve required volume flow rate, then the flow capacity is improved, but the weight and mass of the VR plug increases leading to higher risk of unintentional disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The VR plug is divided into multiple components: the plug body, bushings, and guiding rod. This segmentation allows the heavy plug to be guided and controlled by the lighter guiding rod, reducing the risk of unintentional disconnection while maintaining the required large diameter for flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding rod acts as an intermediary between the installation/removal tool and the heavy VR plug. It provides a secure connection point that is easier to control than the plug itself, enabling safe handling and positioning of the heavy plug during installation and removal operations.
2Reliability
If a secured connection is used to support larger VR plug weight, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of securing the heavy plug directly to the tool, the guiding rod is secured to the tool and then guides the plug. This inverted approach provides secure connection through the guiding rod while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism uses a guide rod with positioning features rather than complex mechanical fastening systems. This substitution provides reliable positioning and connection security with simpler mechanics.
3Device complexity
If the VR plug is not properly secured, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of unintentional disconnection increases leading to costly retrieval operations
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rod is pre-positioned and secured to the installation/removal tool before the VR plug is installed. This preliminary action ensures that the heavy plug will be properly guided and secured during installation, preventing unintentional disconnection without requiring complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a valve removal (VR) system for an oilfield equipment includes a VR plug having a first surface and a second surface. The VR system includes a bushing to be removably associated with the first surface. The bushing is to extend, at least partly, beyond the second surface of the VR plug. The bushing is also to contact an inner surface of a valve of the oilfield equipment and to prevent the second surface from contacting the inner surface of the valve. The VR system includes a guiding rod to be associated with the VR plug to support guidance of the VR plug through the valve of the oilfield equipment. The guiding rod is also to be disassociated from the VR plug to support removal of the guiding rod from the valve with the VR plug remaining in the oilfield equipment.