Valve Closure Device with Pressure Indexing and Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding side doors in subterranean wells require a large number of pressure manipulations for incremental axial displacement, making them inefficient for opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A pressure indexing system that combines an incremental displacement device and an accelerator device, where the incremental displacement device moves the closure device incrementally in response to pressure differentials, and the accelerator device rapidly moves it to the open or closed position after a predetermined pattern of pressure differentials is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If incremental displacement devices are used to move the closure device, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but a very large number of pressure manipulations are required to displace the sliding sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the displacement process into two distinct phases: incremental displacement phase (using the incremental displacement device for precise, reliable movement) and rapid displacement phase (using the accelerator device for quick completion). This segmentation allows each device to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The incremental displacement device performs preliminary displacement of the closure device to a predetermined position before the accelerator device is activated. This preliminary action prepares the system for rapid completion while maintaining structural simplicity and reliability throughout the process.
2Manufacturing precision
If a large number of pressure manipulations are applied, then the closure device can be displaced incrementally, but the time required for opening or closing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions from incremental displacement mode to rapid acceleration mode based on the predetermined pressure manipulation pattern. The accelerator device is activated after a predetermined number of pressure manipulations, allowing the closure device to complete its journey rapidly while maintaining precise positioning throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic pressure manipulations to incrementally displace the closure device, with each pressure cycle advancing the device a small amount. After a predetermined number of these periodic actions, the accelerator device is triggered to complete the displacement rapidly, reducing total operation time while maintaining precision.
3Productivity
If the closure device is moved rapidly to the open or closed position, then operation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator device is positioned within the valve body, nested alongside the incremental displacement device and closure device. This nested arrangement allows rapid acceleration functionality to be integrated into the existing structure without significantly increasing overall system complexity or requiring separate external mechanisms.
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
This system significantly reduces the number of pressure manipulations needed to open or close the sliding side door, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of valve operations in subterranean wells.
Implementation Method 1
The accelerator device includes a biasing device that stores and releases elastic potential energy to accelerate the closure device axially to the open or closed position in response to pressure differentials applied between an interior and an exterior of the valve
Implementation Method 2
incremental displacement device that incrementally displaces the closure device axially in response to pressure differentials applied between an interior and an exterior of the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A valve can include a closure device which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the valve, an incremental displacement device which incrementally displaces the closure device in response to pressure differentials between the interior and the exterior of the valve, and an accelerator device which accelerates displacement of the closure device in response to a predetermined pattern of the pressure differentials. A method of operating a valve in a well can include applying a predetermined pattern of pressure differentials between an interior and an exterior of a tubular string in which the valve is connected, thereby incrementally displacing a closure device of the valve, and accelerating displacement of the closure device in response to the predetermined pattern of pressure differentials, thereby displacing the closure device to a selected one of an open and a closed position.