Wellbore Valve Actuation via Swellable Elastomer Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional valve devices in well systems face actuation issues due to tangled hydraulic lines or fluid leaks, preventing proper operation and completion of wellbore management, especially when deployed downhole.
Innovation Solution
A valve device actuated by a swellable elastomer that swells in response to stored swell fluid, allowing the piston to open, close, or restrict flow paths, with a destructible barrier or temperature-sensitive mechanism to control fluid contact, ensuring proper actuation regardless of wellbore fluids and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hydraulic actuation is used, then the valve can be actuated remotely, but the hydraulic lines can become tangled or leak, preventing proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuation mechanism from the external hydraulic system and integrates it into the valve body itself. The valve now contains its own fluid reservoir and elastomer actuator, eliminating the need for external hydraulic lines that can become tangled or leak. This self-contained approach maintains remote actuation capability through the piston mechanism while eliminating the reliability issues associated with external hydraulic connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an elastomer as an intermediary between the fluid pressure and the valve closure mechanism. Instead of directly transmitting hydraulic force through external lines, the elastomer acts as a mediator that converts fluid pressure into mechanical motion of the piston and closure member, providing a more reliable actuation mechanism that is not susceptible to line tangling or leakage.
2Productivity
If the valve is deployed downhole, then wellbore management is optimized, but access to fix actuation problems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-loading the fluid reservoir with actuation fluid before downhole deployment. The elastomer is pre-positioned and the fluid is contained in the reservoir, ensuring that the actuation system is ready to function immediately upon deployment without requiring external fluid supply or complex connections that could fail and require repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed to be self-service by containing all necessary actuation components within the valve body itself. The fluid reservoir, elastomer, and piston form a self-contained actuation system that does not require external hydraulic infrastructure or complex connections, making it inherently more reliable in downhole applications where maintenance access is difficult.
3Ease of operation
If external fluid is used for actuation, then the valve can be actuated, but fluid leaks can prevent proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid reservoir with the valve body, creating an integrated actuation system. The elastomer is positioned within the valve body and directly contacts the piston, eliminating the need for external hydraulic lines and connections that could leak. This unified design ensures that the actuation fluid remains contained and the actuation capability is maintained without leakage issues.
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
Ensures reliable actuation of the valve device downhole by using swellable elastomers and stored swell fluid, overcoming issues of fluid leaks and tangled lines, enabling effective wellbore management and deployment in conditions where traditional valves fail.
Implementation Method 1
a swellable elastomer that swells in response to contact with swell fluid stored in the valve device
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects and features of the disclosure relate to a valve device for use in a wellbore. In one example, the valve device includes a body containing swell fluid, a swellable elastomer, and a piston. The swell fluid can contact the swellable elastomer, causing the swellable elastomer to swell. The swellable elastomer can swell and contact the piston. The swellable elastomer can move the piston from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the piston can open, close, or restrict one or more flow paths through the valve device.