GB2277573A - Variable flow valves - Google Patents
Variable flow valves Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2277573A GB2277573A GB9406890A GB9406890A GB2277573A GB 2277573 A GB2277573 A GB 2277573A GB 9406890 A GB9406890 A GB 9406890A GB 9406890 A GB9406890 A GB 9406890A GB 2277573 A GB2277573 A GB 2277573A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- orifices
- valve according
- obturating member
- valve
- port
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000990 Ni alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007425 progressive decline Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000750 progressive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K3/00—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing
- F16K3/02—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor
- F16K3/04—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor with pivoted closure members
- F16K3/06—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor with pivoted closure members in the form of closure plates arranged between supply and discharge passages
- F16K3/08—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor with pivoted closure members in the form of closure plates arranged between supply and discharge passages with circular plates rotatable around their centres
- F16K3/085—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor with pivoted closure members in the form of closure plates arranged between supply and discharge passages with circular plates rotatable around their centres the axis of supply passage and the axis of discharge passage being coaxial and parallel to the axis of rotation of the plates
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K3/00—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing
- F16K3/02—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor
- F16K3/16—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor with special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together
- F16K3/20—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor with special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together by movement of the seats
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
Abstract
A variable flow valve comprises a rotary disc (3) having a multiplicity of orifices (5) through it. For each of a multiplicity of positions of the disc, a respective orifice has one end aligned with an input port (8) and its other end aligned with an output port (7). Shear seals (10) are disposed in the inlet port and outlet port so as to provide an annular face seal around the respective end of the orifice. An indexing mechanism 18 - 23 may be provided for moving the valve member from one control position to the next. The ports and orifices may be so arranged that there is not any blocking of the hydraulic fluid flow when changing the control position of the valve member. The shear seals 10 may be metallic and urged by springs against respective surface of disc 3. In another embodiment the shear seals are in the form of bellows and are thus compressible in the axial direction. <IMAGE>
Description
VARIABLE FLOW VALVES
The present invention relates to variable flow valves, particularly intended for use in subsea hydrocarbon production systems.
Variable flow valves of various constructions are known for use in many different contexts. The present invention is particularly intended for use in high pressure systems.
One object of the present invention is to provide a variable flow valve which can be adjusted, preferably incrementally, to yield different, well defined, flow rates.
A further object of the invention is to provide a variable flow valve which has a reliable and durable seal between a fluid port and an apertured obturating member of which the position controls the flow rate through the valve.
A further distinct but related object of the invention is to provide an incrementally adjustable variable control valve adaptable for remote operation.
A yet further distinct but related object of the invention is to provide a variable flow valve which has distinct, selectable flow rates but does not cut off the fluid flow during the change from one discrete flow rate to another.
A further feature of the invention is an improved shear seal.
In one specific, exemplary prototype of the invention, an obturating member of a variable flow valve is constituted by a rotatable member having, in this example, two opposite, axially separated, generally planar faces, which are connected by a multiplicity of separate orifices, preferably extending axially from one face to the other. These orifices may be arranged, in axial end view, about part of a circle centred on the axis of rotation of the member or in any event be arranged so that movement of the obturating member brings the ends of the orifices into successive alignment between two ports, preferably provided by passageways in a valve body having a chamber in which the obturating member is located.Each of the ports is provided with a shear seal, for example a resiliently biased hollow member which provides an annular shear seal around the respective end of an orifice aligned with the respective port. Preferably the shear seal is metallic, and compatible with the (metallic) material of the obturating member.
The obturating member may be provided with at least one and preferably two sets of ratchet teeth engageable by means of a movable pawl to index or incrementally move the obturating member in a respective one of two opposite directions, these directions providing for progressive increase and progressive decrease respectively of the rate of flow through the valve. In particular, the movable pawls may be mounted for movement by a hydraulic actuator, and for this purpose may be mounted on a rod of a piston movable in a hydraulic chamber.
One important feature of this example of the invention is that the shear seals and the relative distances between the orifices in the obturating member are such that the member does not completely block the passage of fluid from one port to another through the obturating member when being indexed from one control position to another.
Reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of one prototype embodiment of a valve according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an axial view of the valve shown in Figure 1, particularly illustrating the obturating member and an incrementing mechanism for it; and
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the invention.
The variable flow valve which is illustrated in Figure 1 is intended for use in controlling the flow rate in a high pressure line, typically operating at several thousand pounds per square inch, in a subsea control system in a hydrocarbon recovery system.
Figure 1 illustrates the relevant internal parts of the valve. The valve has a generally solid metallic body 1, which is preferably of a nickel alloy or other suitable material resistant to the corrosive effects of sea water.
The body 1 has within it a chamber 2 in which is disposed a movable obturating member 3, in this embodiment having the form of a disc which is rotatable about an axis, the member having a spindle 4 supported in corresponding bores 4a and 4b defined in the body 1.
The member 3 has opposite surfaces 3a and 3b, which face in opposite directions and are axially separated. Between these surfaces extend a multiplicity of orifices denoted 5a, 5b, Sc etc. in Figure 2. These orifices are, in this embodiment, disposed at similar radial distances from the axis of the member 3, so that movement of the member brings the orifices successively into alignment between a pair of input and output ports of the valve. The orifices are of different calibres so that they each define a particular, distinct flow rate, for the same applied pressure, between the input and output ports.
Between the member 3 and the adjacent surfaces of the chamber are disposed liners 6.
In this embodiment of the invention, an inlet port 7 is constituted by an outer bore 8 in the body, this outer bore terminating in a passageway 9 which is of slightly greater diameter than the bore 8. Within the inner passageway is disposed a shear seal member 10, constituted by a hollow metallic tubular member or sleeve which provides an annular shear seal or face seal against the adjacent surface of the obturating member. This member 10 is wider than any of the flow control orifices 5 in the obturating member, so that flow from the input port through the obturating member is provided when any one of the orifices 5 in the member is within the ambit of the inner end of the sleeve 10.
The sleeve 10 is urged against the respective surface of the obturating member 3 and means for this purpose could be constituted by a compression spring 11 disposed between an internal shoulder 12 on the sleeve 10 and a shoulder 13 between the bore 8 and the passageway 9 of the port 7.
Further, in this particular embodiment, the valve sleeve 10 has an external annular recess 14, in which is disposed a resilient O-ring 15 providing a seal between the sleeve and the body 1 and particularly against the inner surface of the passageway 9. A different and preferable embodiment of the shear seal will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.
The valve in this embodiment includes an outlet port 7a which is constituted by inner and outer passageways 8a, 9a respectively, the inner passageway having a shear seal valve member 10a disposed in a manner similar to the arrangement of the valve member 10 for the input port 7. For each selectable control position of the member 3, the output port is aligned generally with the respective end of a selected orifice in the obturating member 3.
In this embodiment, each of the orifices is straight and is axially directed, though other configurations are possible, provided that a flow path extends from an inlet port to an outlet port.
As indicated in the foregoing, the member 3 is incrementally movable so as to bring each of the orifices 5 into respective alignment with an inlet port and an outlet port whereby to define a set of discrete flow rates through the valve. The mechanism for providing the indexing or incrementing movement is described with reference to Figure 2.
The valve assembly includes two sets of ratchet teeth which may be disposed on the obturating member and particularly the outer peripheral surface thereof. Figure 2 illustrates one set of ratchet teeth 16. The teeth may be engaged by a pawl 17, which is movable to force indexing movement of the ratchet teeth in a particular direction but which allows movement in the other direction. In this embodiment, the pawl 17 is mounted for movement by a hydraulic actuator.
The actuator comprises a piston rod 18 having a transverse bore 19 in which the pawl 17 is disposed and which is resiliently urged away from the bore by means of a spring 20. The piston rod is connected to a piston head 21 disposed in a hydraulic chamber 22 and being urged in a direction away from the teeth by means of a spring 23. The chamber has a port 24.
When either of the two indexing mechanisms is fed with hydraulic fluid, from one of two remotely controlled valves (not shown), the respective pawl moves against one of the ratchet teeth sets to rotate the obturating member to the next discrete position, so as to change the connection between an input port and an output port via the obturating member from one orifices to the next. When hydraulic fluid is vented from the chamber 22, the pawl returns to its original position. The arrangement allows rates to be precisely increased or decreased by small amounts by indexing to the next orifice 5.
In order not to block flow of hydraulic fluid through the valve during the phase in which the flow rate is being changed from one value to another, the spacing and sizes of the orifices and the width of the seals for the input and output ports can be such that there is always, for a plurality of flow rates, a connection through the obturating member from the inlet port and outlet port. The valve may have a blocking position but it is desirable, in high pressure systems, for there not to be any blocking of the fluid flow during normal operation and when changing from one flow rate to another.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment which resembles that already described with reference to Figures 1 and 2: those parts which are the same are denoted by the same reference numerals as before and will not be described again.
The embodiment shown in Figure 3 has different shear seals 30 and 30a, which are in tubular form as before. The seals 30 and 30a, of which the seal 30a is shown in Figure 4, is machined to provide a resilient middle part in, for example, the form of a bellows, so that the seal is resiliently compressible in its axial direction. The illustrated seal 30a has such a middle part 31a. One end of the seal bears against the obturating member 3 and the other end bears and seals against the respective bore and particularly the shoulder 13a of the bore 8a. Thus the seals 30 and 30a each act as a spring and render the use of a separate spring unnecessary. This form of shear seal may have utility independent of the particular arrangement of the valve.
Claims (8)
1. A variable flow hydraulic valve, comprising: an obturating member (3) having a plurality of separate orifices (5) therein, movable to bring a respective end of a selected one of said orifices into communication between an inlet port (8) and an outlet port (7), said orifices being of various sizes whereby to provide a variety of distinct flow rates through the valve, and means (10,30) providing a metallic shear seal around the respective end of the selected orifice.
2. A valve according to claim 1 in which the size and spacing of said orifices (5) and the configuration of the sealing means are selected for ensuring that said obturating member allows fluid flow therethrough while changing the communication of the inlet and outlet ports from one orifice to another.
3. A variable flow valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the sealing means (10) comprises a metallic hollow sleeve positioned for abutting engagement with a respective one of said surfaces of the obturating member.
4. A valve according to claim 3 wherein the sleeve (10) is disposed in a respective bore (8,9) in said body.
5. A valve according to claim 4 in which the sleeve (30a) is adapted to be resiliently compressible in an axial direction.
6. A valve according to claim 5 in which the sleeve (30a) has one end abutting said obturating member and another end engaging a shoulder in said bore.
7. A valve according to any foregoing claim, wherein there is provided an indexing mechanism including at least one set of ratchet teeth (16) and a pawl (17) which is movable by means of a hydraulic actuator (21,22) to shift the obturating member between successive control positions in each of which one of the said orifices provides a fluid flow connection between the inlet port and the outlet port.
8. A valve according to any foregoing claim, wherein the obturating member (3) comprises a rotary disc.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939308629A GB9308629D0 (en) | 1993-04-26 | 1993-04-26 | Variable flow valves |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9406890D0 GB9406890D0 (en) | 1994-06-01 |
| GB2277573A true GB2277573A (en) | 1994-11-02 |
Family
ID=10734512
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939308629A Pending GB9308629D0 (en) | 1993-04-26 | 1993-04-26 | Variable flow valves |
| GB9406890A Withdrawn GB2277573A (en) | 1993-04-26 | 1994-04-07 | Variable flow valves |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939308629A Pending GB9308629D0 (en) | 1993-04-26 | 1993-04-26 | Variable flow valves |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9308629D0 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO941496D0 (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2300896A (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 1996-11-20 | Hopkinsons Ltd | A valve |
| WO1999066237A1 (en) | 1998-06-19 | 1999-12-23 | Robert Hart | Gate valve |
| GB2340917A (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 2000-03-01 | Richard James Pond | Valve with metal to metal sealing |
| EP1748233A1 (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2007-01-31 | Barksdale, Inc. | Low torque valve |
| RU2307967C1 (en) * | 2006-01-30 | 2007-10-10 | ЗАО "Технология" | Gate valve |
| US7455073B2 (en) | 2004-06-21 | 2008-11-25 | Robertshaw Controls Company | Variable flow valve |
| ITRM20090030A1 (en) * | 2009-01-27 | 2010-07-28 | Remosa Spa | VALVE WITH ROTATING DISC SHUTTER. |
| US7806140B2 (en) | 2006-04-18 | 2010-10-05 | Robertshaw Controls Company | Power saving locking coil |
| US9863215B2 (en) * | 2013-03-29 | 2018-01-09 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Shear valve system and methodology |
| US10794145B2 (en) | 2014-10-09 | 2020-10-06 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Linear shear seal system |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB960487A (en) * | 1961-11-24 | 1964-06-10 | Auxiliaire De L Ind Et Des Min | Improvements in fluid control valves |
| GB978481A (en) * | 1962-10-31 | 1964-12-23 | Triangle Valve Co Ltd | Improvements relating to rotary spherical valves |
| GB1327328A (en) * | 1970-10-08 | 1973-08-22 | Daiwa Spinning Co Ltd | Oepn end spinning machines |
| GB1536943A (en) * | 1975-02-24 | 1978-12-29 | Atlas Copco Ab | Slide valve |
| US4340203A (en) * | 1980-10-14 | 1982-07-20 | Deltrol Corp. | Three way slide valve with center return |
-
1993
- 1993-04-26 GB GB939308629A patent/GB9308629D0/en active Pending
-
1994
- 1994-04-07 GB GB9406890A patent/GB2277573A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-04-25 NO NO941496A patent/NO941496D0/no unknown
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB960487A (en) * | 1961-11-24 | 1964-06-10 | Auxiliaire De L Ind Et Des Min | Improvements in fluid control valves |
| GB978481A (en) * | 1962-10-31 | 1964-12-23 | Triangle Valve Co Ltd | Improvements relating to rotary spherical valves |
| GB1327328A (en) * | 1970-10-08 | 1973-08-22 | Daiwa Spinning Co Ltd | Oepn end spinning machines |
| GB1536943A (en) * | 1975-02-24 | 1978-12-29 | Atlas Copco Ab | Slide valve |
| US4340203A (en) * | 1980-10-14 | 1982-07-20 | Deltrol Corp. | Three way slide valve with center return |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2300896B (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 1999-04-28 | Hopkinsons Ltd | A valve |
| GB2300896A (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 1996-11-20 | Hopkinsons Ltd | A valve |
| WO1999066237A1 (en) | 1998-06-19 | 1999-12-23 | Robert Hart | Gate valve |
| US6691981B1 (en) * | 1998-06-19 | 2004-02-17 | Robert Hart | Gate valve |
| GB2340917A (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 2000-03-01 | Richard James Pond | Valve with metal to metal sealing |
| GB2340917B (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 2002-10-23 | Richard James Pond | Improvements relating to valves |
| US7455073B2 (en) | 2004-06-21 | 2008-11-25 | Robertshaw Controls Company | Variable flow valve |
| EP1748233A1 (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2007-01-31 | Barksdale, Inc. | Low torque valve |
| RU2307967C1 (en) * | 2006-01-30 | 2007-10-10 | ЗАО "Технология" | Gate valve |
| US7806140B2 (en) | 2006-04-18 | 2010-10-05 | Robertshaw Controls Company | Power saving locking coil |
| ITRM20090030A1 (en) * | 2009-01-27 | 2010-07-28 | Remosa Spa | VALVE WITH ROTATING DISC SHUTTER. |
| US9863215B2 (en) * | 2013-03-29 | 2018-01-09 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Shear valve system and methodology |
| US10794145B2 (en) | 2014-10-09 | 2020-10-06 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Linear shear seal system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9308629D0 (en) | 1993-06-09 |
| GB9406890D0 (en) | 1994-06-01 |
| NO941496D0 (en) | 1994-04-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |