Valve Seat Puller With Pivoting Jaws and Positive Locking

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve seat pullers require a cumbersome cone shaft and additional clearance for operation, making it difficult to apply downward pressure and prone to jaw retraction during valve seat extraction in oil and natural gas extraction operations.

Innovation Solution

A valve seat puller design with pivoting jaws and a puller body that uses upward force from jaw support surfaces and a positive locking mechanism via a threaded shaft to maintain jaw extension and prevent slippage, eliminating the need for a cone expander and allowing for faster setup and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cone shaft is used to press outward the jaws, then the jaws can be engaged with the valve seat, but additional clearance beneath the valve seat is required and the application of downward pressure becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejaw engagement reliabilityVSAvoiddownward pressure application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the cone shaft component from the valve seat puller design. Instead of using a cone shaft to press outward the jaws, the patent uses a direct jaw expansion mechanism where the jaws are biased outward by spring elements integrated into the puller body, eliminating the need for the cone shaft and its associated clearance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces spring elements as intermediary components that automatically bias the jaws outward. These springs serve as the mediating force between the puller body and the jaws, eliminating the need for manual downward pressure application and the cone shaft mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a cone shaft is used to expand the jaws, then the jaws can engage the valve seat, but extra clearance beneath the valve seat is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejaw engagement reliabilityVSAvoidclearance beneath valve seat

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the cone shaft component from the valve seat puller design. Instead of using a cone shaft to press outward the jaws, the patent uses a direct jaw expansion mechanism where the jaws are biased outward by spring elements integrated into the puller body, eliminating the need for the cone shaft and its associated clearance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a cone shaft that requires downward movement to expand jaws outward, the invention inverts the mechanism by using spring elements that automatically bias the jaws outward in the opposite direction, eliminating the need for additional clearance beneath the valve seat

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the jaws are pressed outward by a tapered cone, then the jaws can engage the valve seat, but the movement of the cone relative to the jaws makes application of downward pressure more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejaw engagement reliabilityVSAvoiddownward pressure application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the cone shaft component from the valve seat puller design. Instead of using a cone shaft to press outward the jaws, the patent uses a direct jaw expansion mechanism where the jaws are biased outward by spring elements integrated into the puller body, eliminating the need for the cone shaft and its associated clearance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements automatically bias the jaws outward without requiring manual intervention or movement of a cone shaft. The mechanism is self-actuating, where the springs provide the necessary outward force on the jaws through their inherent elastic properties, eliminating the need for difficult downward pressure application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables efficient engagement and removal of valve seats with reduced clearance requirements and prevents slippage during extraction, simplifying the process and enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

jaw support surfaces that bias the lower edges of the jaws outward with upward force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

positive locking through downward extension of the shaft into the puller body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded Fastening: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS10639752B2Valve seat extraction device

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 208 ALLIANCE LLC

AI summary

A valve seat puller provides jaws for expanding on a first side of a valve seat to engage that seat in a first reaction for removal of the seat in a second direction.