Well Hanger Valve Segmentation for High-Pressure Seal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellhead valves, such as Back Pressure Valves and Two-Way Check Valves, suffer from seal failure due to interference of external threads with seal seating grooves, leading to deformation and extrusion of seals, which is exacerbated by operator-dependent torque application, resulting in potential seal failure under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a valve body with a helical thread segment for engagement, a circumferential groove for a toroidal sealing member, and a positive stop ring or split ring assembly to control insertion, preventing thread interference with the seal and ensuring a stable seal seating groove, thereby maintaining seal integrity under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external threads are designed to engage with counter-threaded portion for valve installation, then ease of installation is improved, but thread interference with seal seating groove causes seal deformation and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior surface is divided into three distinct segments: a first segment with helical threads for engagement, a second segment with circumferential groove for seal accommodation, and a third segment intermediate between them. This segmentation prevents thread interference with the seal groove while maintaining easy threaded installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The third segment acts as an intermediary element between the threaded first segment and the seal-containing second segment. This intermediate portion prevents the threads from directly interfering with the seal seating groove, thus protecting seal integrity while preserving threaded engagement capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If operator applies torque to secure valve, then installation stability is improved, but operator-dependent torque application causes seal extrusion and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is pre-configured with the three-segment exterior surface structure before installation. The third segment is already positioned to prevent thread interference with the seal groove, eliminating the need for operator judgment during installation and preventing seal extrusion regardless of torque application variability.
3Reliability
If seal seating groove is provided for seal accommodation, then sealing capability is improved, but thread interference reduces lower pressure surface area and causes seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the exterior surface into three portions, the design ensures that the threaded first segment does not encroach on the seal groove second segment. This maintains the full lower pressure surface area of the seal groove, preventing seal extrusion while preserving both threading and sealing functions.
4Ease of operation
If valve body is inserted into hanger body for installation, then connection is established, but without stop mechanism over-insertion causes thread interference with seal
Solution Approach 1:
The three-segment exterior surface structure is pre-designed into the valve body before installation. The third segment is positioned to automatically prevent over-insertion and thread interference with the seal groove, eliminating the need for additional stop mechanisms while ensuring proper installation depth.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for use in a hanger body of a well system comprises a valve body configured for insertion into the hanger body in an axial direction and comprising an exterior surface. A first segment of the exterior surface is configured with a helical thread to engage a counter-threaded portion of a tubing hanger body. A second segment of the exterior surface is configured as an essentially circumferential groove to accommodate an essentially toroidal sealing member. The valve body further comprises at least one stop member configured to control an extent of the insertion of the valve body into the hanger body and thereby preclude threads of the counter-threaded portion of a tubing hanger body from affecting the essentially toroidal sealing member.