CA1209560A - Drilling choke - Google Patents
Drilling chokeInfo
- Publication number
- CA1209560A CA1209560A CA000441666A CA441666A CA1209560A CA 1209560 A CA1209560 A CA 1209560A CA 000441666 A CA000441666 A CA 000441666A CA 441666 A CA441666 A CA 441666A CA 1209560 A CA1209560 A CA 1209560A
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- flow
- valve
- fluid
- housing
- flow passage
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A fluid flow control valve especially adapted for use during well drilling operations as a drilling choke is disclosed. A replaceable ported seat and mov-able tubular flow control element cooperate to control flow through the angled body valve housing. The flow closure mechanism is operating fluid pressure balanced for ease of valve operation during extreme pressure working conditions. Internal flow control working parts of the valve are rugged in constructions and assemblage.
The portions of the valve subject to wear or flow ero-sion are also easily replaced when required. An indica-tor is arranged to signal incipient failure of the re-placeable parts of the valve in order that they may be replaced prior to the occurrence of a major failure.
A fluid flow control valve especially adapted for use during well drilling operations as a drilling choke is disclosed. A replaceable ported seat and mov-able tubular flow control element cooperate to control flow through the angled body valve housing. The flow closure mechanism is operating fluid pressure balanced for ease of valve operation during extreme pressure working conditions. Internal flow control working parts of the valve are rugged in constructions and assemblage.
The portions of the valve subject to wear or flow ero-sion are also easily replaced when required. An indica-tor is arranged to signal incipient failure of the re-placeable parts of the valve in order that they may be replaced prior to the occurrence of a major failure.
Description
31 2~56~
This invention is generally directedtoflUldflow control valves and, in particular, to drilling choke type valves for controlling drilling fluid circulation flow during well drilling operations.
The control of the circulation of drilling fluids during hydrocarbon well drilling operations has presented a number of unique f low control problems. The presence of the earth cuttings and other highly abrasive solids in the drilling fluids have frequently interfered lQ with or damaged the valve sufficiently to block operating movement of the flow closure elements. The presence in the drilling fluid of corrosive fluids that are encount-ered in the earth formations during drilling has in many instances resulted in sufficient corrosion of the valve working parts to render th~ valve ineffective. The valves were also extremely difficul-t to operate at the high working pressures unless a complicated arrangement for balancing urging of operating fluid pressure on the movable flow control components was provided. In addi-tion, the high operating pressure of the drilling fluidoften resulted in the restricted or throttled flow ero-ding or cutting the flow control components such as valve seats and can in time create a leakage flow path in the valve body itself.
Many drilling choke valves of rugged and simple construction and design have been developed in the past for use during drilling operations. Most drilling choke ~ , , valves have also been made relatively easy to repair or otherwise maintain in the field. Despite such ease of maintenance, there has remained a need for a drilling choke valve that will indicate a failure condition i5 about to occur in order that preventative-type attention w.ill be performed prior to failure. As valve failure would ordi.narily result in loss of drilliny fluid control and could ultimately result in loss of the well itself, such an indication of an incipient failure condition is a highly desirable valve characteristic or featureA
The present invention relates to a fluid flow control valve adapted for use in severe operating condi-tions encountered during earth drilling operations, said valve including a valve housing having a valve body and a valve bonnet, said valve body having means for connecting in a flow containing conduit to-form a portion thereof, said valve body having a flow passage formed therethrough which is secured by said connecting means in flow commun-ication with the flow containing conduit for enabling the flow of contained fluid through said flow passage, said flow passage having an inlet portion defining an inlet longitudinal axis and an outlet portion defining an out-let longitudinal axis, said valve bonnet releasably se-cured to said valve body and having an opening formed therethrough to provide clearance for a valve stem means to extend from said flow closure element exteriorly of said valve housing, tubular seat means having a central opening, said seat means disposed in said ~low passage for forming a sealable flow port through which fluid flow through said flow passage is directed, said flow port arranged in said tu~ular seat means for directing the flow of throttled fluid radially inwardly into said central opening of said tubular seat means when flowing through said flow passaye, a flow closure element dis-posed in said flow passage Eor operating movernent to andfrom a first position sealing with said seat means for blocking flow of fluid through said flow port and a sec-ond position for enabling ~low of fluid through said flow port, an erosion control nozzl.e disposed in said flow ~9~
passage adjacent said tubular seat means, said erosion control nozzle protecting said valve housing from the damaging effects of the throttled flow of flow from said central opening of said tubular seat means, said tubular seat means and/erosion control nozzle disposed in said outlet portion, means sealing said erosion control nozzle with said valve housing at spaced locations to isolate said housing from contact with the throttled fluid flow-ing through said flow passage, indicator means communica-ting with said flow passage isolated by said means forsealing between said erosion control nozzle and said valve housing at spaced locations for signaling fluid leakage adjacent said erosion control nozzle, valve stem means operably mounted with said housing and operably connected with said flow closure element for moving said flow clo-sure element to and from the first and second positions for controlling flow of fluid through said flow passage, said valve stem means includes a rod extending through said opening ln said bonnet and sealed with said bonnet to block leakage of fluid therebetween, and actuator means mounted with said housing for operating said valve stem means to move said flow closure element to and from the first and second position in response to command signals tra~smitted to said actuator means wherein said actuator means controls the position of said flow closure element to control the flow of fluid through said flow port.
The preferred embodiment utilizes a right an-gled valve body or housing having flanged end connectors.
A bolted bonnet that is easily removed to permit access to the valve interior for maintenance and assembly purposes is preferably utilized.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the following descrip-tion of a preferred embodimen-t of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. l is a side view in section of a fluid flow - control valve of the present invention operated to the S6~
open or flow enabling position;
Fig. 2 is an exterior view of the valve of Fig. 1 taken from a different angle; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the valve operated to the closed or flow blocking position.
The valve apparatus of the present invention, generally designated A in the Figs., is utili~ed for controlling flow of fluids through a fluid containing conduit (not illustrated) in the usual manner. Prefera-bly, the fluid flow control valve apparatus A of the pre-sent invention is used in controlling the flow of dril-ling fluids under the severe operating conditions usual-ly encountered during earth drilling operations.
The valve apparatus A includes a valve housing, generally designated H formed by a Tee-angled valve body member 10 and valve bonnet 12 which is releasably se-cured thereto in the usual flanged manner by equi-circum-ferentially spaced helically threaded bolting 14 (Fig. 2) receiving rotatable securing nuts 16. An O-ring 11 seals between the bod~ 10 and bonnet 12 to prevent leakage of fluid therebetween in the usual manner. The body 10 is preferably of the right-angled Tee-type provided with a flanged inlet end connection lOa and a corresponding flanged outlet end connection lOb for securing with the fluid containing conduit in the usual manner. It is, of course, understood -that any other known suitable end con-nections may be formed on the valve body 10 without de-parting from the spirit of the present invention.
The valve body 10 has a fluid flow passage 18 formed therethrough which is secured by the end connec-tion flangQs lOa and lOb in flow communication,,with the flow conduit in order that the valve body 10 will form a portion of the fluid containing conduit. The internal flow passage 18 has a regular cylindrical inlet flow portion 18a disposed adjacent the inlet flange lOa and a regular cylindrical outlet flow portion 18b disposed adjacent the outlet flanye lOb. The normal or desired flow direction of the fluid is from the inlet passage - f ~ 9S6~
~ 5 18a into the outlet passage 18b which are arranged in flow communication and at right angles to each other.
The longitudina]. axes (not illustrated) defined by the cylindrical inlet portion 18a and the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical outlet portion 18b also preferably intersect at right angles to each other.
Disposed within the outlet portion 18b of the flow passage 18 is a tubular erosion con-trol nozzle 20 and a tubular flow control seat 22. The flow control seat seal ring 24 engages the seat 22 for securing the seat 22 and erosion control nozzle 20 in the outlet portion 18b when the bonnet 12 is installed using the bolts 14 and nuts 16. An outwardly projecting collar 20a of the erosion control nozzle 20 limits movement Of the nozzle 20 through the outlet portion 18b in the usual manner while a central passage 20b forms the de-sired path for the outlet flow. An O-ring 21 blocks leakage of fluid between the sea~ 22 and nozzle 20. The upper seal ring 24 carries alignment and anti~rotation pins 24a and 24b to prevent its relative rotational move-ment with either the seat 22 or bonnet 12, respectively.
The seal ring 24 also carries O-rings 24c and 24d for sealing with the flow closure element 26 and bonnet 12, respectively, to control leakage of fluid therebe-tween.
, ~eciprocally disposed within the seat 22 andseal ring 24 is a sleeve or tubular flow closure element 26 that is operably connected with the valve stem 28 by threads 28a and lock nut 29. The valve stem 28 ex-tends upwardly from the flow closure element 26 througha sealed opening 12a formed in the removable valve bonnet 12. The stem 28 is used to control the operating move-ment of the flow closure element 26 from exteriorly of the valve housing H in the usual manner. In the present instance~ the stem 28 reciprocates the flow closure ele-ment 26 within the fixed seat 22 in the valve body 10 for controlling flow of fluid through the valve apparatus A.
~95610 The valve seat 22 is provided with a central passage 22a in which the flow control element 28 reci-procates and through which the fluid from the inlet por-tion 18a of the flow passage 18 flows into before flowing outwardly into passage 20b through the outlet portion 18b of the valve body 10. One or more flow throttling ports 22b are formed through the wall of the tubular seat member 22 for enabling communication from exterior-ly of the seat 22 radially inwardly to the central por-tion 22a where it commlmicates in turn with the outletportion 18b. Preferably, the ports 22b are radially opposed or oppositely positioned on the tubular seat member 22 in order that the inwardly flow into the bore 22a will impinge upon corresponding flow from the oppos-ite port 22b for minimizing flow turbulence and flow cut-ting or erosion of the seat 22.
The tubular flow closure element is movable from the first or fully open position illustrated in Fig~
1 for enabling flow of fluid through the ports 22b to the second or closed position illustrated in Fig. 3 for blocking flow through the port 22b. Intermediate these two limit positions, the flow closure element 22 partial-ly covers the ports 22b for regulating the rate of fluid flow through the valve 22. While a triangular port opening 22b is illustrated, it is understood that the shape of the ports 22a will determine the flow response operating characteristics o the valve 10 and that ports 22a of other shapes may also be employed.
The erosion contro] nozzle 20 is secured by the 3~ seat 22 and seal ring 24 engaging the bonnet 12 as des-cxibed above. The collar 20a formed on the erosion con-trol nozzle 20 engages corresponding annular shoulder ~ormed by the valve body 10 to provide the lower stop for the erosion control nozz~e. When secured in the out-let portion 18b, a pair of longitudinally spaced seals30 and 32 effect longitudinally spaced seals between the - valve body 10 and the erosion control nozzle 20. The -- ~L,'~9~6~
spaced seals efEected by the O-rings 30 and 32 create an operating fluid pressure excluded or isolated area between the valve body 10 and the erosion contxol noz-zle 20. Should the erosion control nozzle 20 develop 5 a leak such as caused by flow erosion or other undesired consequences of the throttled operating fluid flow, fluid pressure in the area between the seals 30 and 32 will increase to the operating fluid pressure level.
The presence of such fluid pressure would slgnal that 10 the erosion control nozzle 20 has failed and that erosion damage to the valve body 10 is about to occur from the throttled flow.
The valve body 10 has a leakage port lOc formed therein which communicates with the normally fluid 15 pressure isolated area between the O-rings 30 and 32.
Should the operating fluid pressure enter the isolated area, such pressure will also be co~nunicated through the leakage port lOc. An indicator or signal apparatus gen-erally designated 36 is mounted with the valve body 10 20 by threadedly engaging threads lOd formed in the outer portion of the leakage ports lOc. The indicator appara-tus 36 includes an outer housing member 38 and a closure cap 40 that are secured together by threaded engagement at 41. The outer housing 38 and cap 40 form a central 25 cavity 42 which is placed in communication with the leak-age port lOc and isolated area.
Disposed within the central cavity 42 is a fluid responsive piston 44 and a biasing spring 46. The biasing spring 46 urges the fluid piston 44 to the nor-30 mal or inactive position toward the valve body 10. Asignal member 48 is operably associated with the fluid responsive piston and when the fluid responsive piston is in the inactive position illustrated in Fig. 1, the sig-nal member 48 is substantially retracted within the outer 35 housing 38 and end cap 40. When operating fluid pressure comanunicated through the leakage ports lOc urges on the fluid responsive piston 44 for effecting its movement, the piston will overcome the urging of spring 46 and move 956~
the signal member 48 to an indicating position extending from the end cap 40 for providing a signal that the ero-sion control nozzle 20 is leaking and incipient failure condition exists in the valve body. In the illustrated embodiment the signal member ~8 is provided with a bleed closure cap 48a which closes off pneumatic bleed line 50 when moved to the extended or indicating posi-tion. With the bleed line 50 closed the pressure will increase in the bleed line 50 for giving a remote indica-tion or signal that incipient failure conditions existin the valve.
Removably mounted on the valve bonne~ 20 is a valve remote actuator or operator, generally designated 60~ It is to be understood, however, that a manual valve actuator is equally well suited for operation of the valve apparatus A. Such a remote valve actuator 60 is well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in extensive detail. In general, the actuator 60 is provided with a fluid responsive piston 62 that is operably connected with -the valve stem 28 to effect its reciprocating motion and thereby effect the operating movement of the flow closure element 26 relative to the flow ports 22 in the usual manner. In the illustrated embodiment fluid pressure acting on the lower side 62a of the piston 62 will urge the piston 62 to move upward-ly. This will move the flow closure element 26 upwardly to the open position. Fluid pressure introduced above the operating piston 62 will act on the pressure respon-sive surface 62b and will urge the piston 62 and stem 28 with the flow closure element 26 downwardly to the closed position for shutting off flow through the valve apparatus A in the usual manner. Suitable operating condition position indicator mechanism, generally desig-nated 6~, may be connected with stem extension 28a for providing a remote signal of the operating condition of the valve A to ensure that it is properly responding to remote commands.
g In the use and operation of the present inven-tion the valve A is assembled in the manner indicated and connected in the flow conduit for controlling the flow of fluid. Control fluid pressure urging on the actuator piston 62 will control movement of the valve stem 28 and the connected flow closure element 26 to control flow through the port 22b in the usual manner.
When the flow closure element 26 is in the open or par-tially open position operating fluid flow will pass through the inlet portion 18 and through the flow port 22b of the tubular seat 22 into the central cavity 22a.
The flow is then downwardly through the erosion control nozzle 22 and out of the valve A.
When the operating fluid flow throttled through the flow port 22 erodes or otherwise causes leakage of fluid into the isolated area between the seals effected by the O~ring 30 and 32 with the erosion control nozzle 20, the increased fluid pressure will be communicated through the leakage port lOc to the fluid responsive piston 44. Movement of the fluid responsive piston 44 overcomes the urging of the biasing spring 46 for extend-ing the signal member 48 to provide a signal that the incipient failure or leakage condition exists. When the remote indicator bleed line 50 is employed, the ~losure 48a will enable pressure build-up in the remote indicator line 50 to remotely indicate the leakage condition exists at the valveO
The ~oregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and 3n various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
This invention is generally directedtoflUldflow control valves and, in particular, to drilling choke type valves for controlling drilling fluid circulation flow during well drilling operations.
The control of the circulation of drilling fluids during hydrocarbon well drilling operations has presented a number of unique f low control problems. The presence of the earth cuttings and other highly abrasive solids in the drilling fluids have frequently interfered lQ with or damaged the valve sufficiently to block operating movement of the flow closure elements. The presence in the drilling fluid of corrosive fluids that are encount-ered in the earth formations during drilling has in many instances resulted in sufficient corrosion of the valve working parts to render th~ valve ineffective. The valves were also extremely difficul-t to operate at the high working pressures unless a complicated arrangement for balancing urging of operating fluid pressure on the movable flow control components was provided. In addi-tion, the high operating pressure of the drilling fluidoften resulted in the restricted or throttled flow ero-ding or cutting the flow control components such as valve seats and can in time create a leakage flow path in the valve body itself.
Many drilling choke valves of rugged and simple construction and design have been developed in the past for use during drilling operations. Most drilling choke ~ , , valves have also been made relatively easy to repair or otherwise maintain in the field. Despite such ease of maintenance, there has remained a need for a drilling choke valve that will indicate a failure condition i5 about to occur in order that preventative-type attention w.ill be performed prior to failure. As valve failure would ordi.narily result in loss of drilliny fluid control and could ultimately result in loss of the well itself, such an indication of an incipient failure condition is a highly desirable valve characteristic or featureA
The present invention relates to a fluid flow control valve adapted for use in severe operating condi-tions encountered during earth drilling operations, said valve including a valve housing having a valve body and a valve bonnet, said valve body having means for connecting in a flow containing conduit to-form a portion thereof, said valve body having a flow passage formed therethrough which is secured by said connecting means in flow commun-ication with the flow containing conduit for enabling the flow of contained fluid through said flow passage, said flow passage having an inlet portion defining an inlet longitudinal axis and an outlet portion defining an out-let longitudinal axis, said valve bonnet releasably se-cured to said valve body and having an opening formed therethrough to provide clearance for a valve stem means to extend from said flow closure element exteriorly of said valve housing, tubular seat means having a central opening, said seat means disposed in said ~low passage for forming a sealable flow port through which fluid flow through said flow passage is directed, said flow port arranged in said tu~ular seat means for directing the flow of throttled fluid radially inwardly into said central opening of said tubular seat means when flowing through said flow passaye, a flow closure element dis-posed in said flow passage Eor operating movernent to andfrom a first position sealing with said seat means for blocking flow of fluid through said flow port and a sec-ond position for enabling ~low of fluid through said flow port, an erosion control nozzl.e disposed in said flow ~9~
passage adjacent said tubular seat means, said erosion control nozzle protecting said valve housing from the damaging effects of the throttled flow of flow from said central opening of said tubular seat means, said tubular seat means and/erosion control nozzle disposed in said outlet portion, means sealing said erosion control nozzle with said valve housing at spaced locations to isolate said housing from contact with the throttled fluid flow-ing through said flow passage, indicator means communica-ting with said flow passage isolated by said means forsealing between said erosion control nozzle and said valve housing at spaced locations for signaling fluid leakage adjacent said erosion control nozzle, valve stem means operably mounted with said housing and operably connected with said flow closure element for moving said flow clo-sure element to and from the first and second positions for controlling flow of fluid through said flow passage, said valve stem means includes a rod extending through said opening ln said bonnet and sealed with said bonnet to block leakage of fluid therebetween, and actuator means mounted with said housing for operating said valve stem means to move said flow closure element to and from the first and second position in response to command signals tra~smitted to said actuator means wherein said actuator means controls the position of said flow closure element to control the flow of fluid through said flow port.
The preferred embodiment utilizes a right an-gled valve body or housing having flanged end connectors.
A bolted bonnet that is easily removed to permit access to the valve interior for maintenance and assembly purposes is preferably utilized.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the following descrip-tion of a preferred embodimen-t of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. l is a side view in section of a fluid flow - control valve of the present invention operated to the S6~
open or flow enabling position;
Fig. 2 is an exterior view of the valve of Fig. 1 taken from a different angle; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the valve operated to the closed or flow blocking position.
The valve apparatus of the present invention, generally designated A in the Figs., is utili~ed for controlling flow of fluids through a fluid containing conduit (not illustrated) in the usual manner. Prefera-bly, the fluid flow control valve apparatus A of the pre-sent invention is used in controlling the flow of dril-ling fluids under the severe operating conditions usual-ly encountered during earth drilling operations.
The valve apparatus A includes a valve housing, generally designated H formed by a Tee-angled valve body member 10 and valve bonnet 12 which is releasably se-cured thereto in the usual flanged manner by equi-circum-ferentially spaced helically threaded bolting 14 (Fig. 2) receiving rotatable securing nuts 16. An O-ring 11 seals between the bod~ 10 and bonnet 12 to prevent leakage of fluid therebetween in the usual manner. The body 10 is preferably of the right-angled Tee-type provided with a flanged inlet end connection lOa and a corresponding flanged outlet end connection lOb for securing with the fluid containing conduit in the usual manner. It is, of course, understood -that any other known suitable end con-nections may be formed on the valve body 10 without de-parting from the spirit of the present invention.
The valve body 10 has a fluid flow passage 18 formed therethrough which is secured by the end connec-tion flangQs lOa and lOb in flow communication,,with the flow conduit in order that the valve body 10 will form a portion of the fluid containing conduit. The internal flow passage 18 has a regular cylindrical inlet flow portion 18a disposed adjacent the inlet flange lOa and a regular cylindrical outlet flow portion 18b disposed adjacent the outlet flanye lOb. The normal or desired flow direction of the fluid is from the inlet passage - f ~ 9S6~
~ 5 18a into the outlet passage 18b which are arranged in flow communication and at right angles to each other.
The longitudina]. axes (not illustrated) defined by the cylindrical inlet portion 18a and the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical outlet portion 18b also preferably intersect at right angles to each other.
Disposed within the outlet portion 18b of the flow passage 18 is a tubular erosion con-trol nozzle 20 and a tubular flow control seat 22. The flow control seat seal ring 24 engages the seat 22 for securing the seat 22 and erosion control nozzle 20 in the outlet portion 18b when the bonnet 12 is installed using the bolts 14 and nuts 16. An outwardly projecting collar 20a of the erosion control nozzle 20 limits movement Of the nozzle 20 through the outlet portion 18b in the usual manner while a central passage 20b forms the de-sired path for the outlet flow. An O-ring 21 blocks leakage of fluid between the sea~ 22 and nozzle 20. The upper seal ring 24 carries alignment and anti~rotation pins 24a and 24b to prevent its relative rotational move-ment with either the seat 22 or bonnet 12, respectively.
The seal ring 24 also carries O-rings 24c and 24d for sealing with the flow closure element 26 and bonnet 12, respectively, to control leakage of fluid therebe-tween.
, ~eciprocally disposed within the seat 22 andseal ring 24 is a sleeve or tubular flow closure element 26 that is operably connected with the valve stem 28 by threads 28a and lock nut 29. The valve stem 28 ex-tends upwardly from the flow closure element 26 througha sealed opening 12a formed in the removable valve bonnet 12. The stem 28 is used to control the operating move-ment of the flow closure element 26 from exteriorly of the valve housing H in the usual manner. In the present instance~ the stem 28 reciprocates the flow closure ele-ment 26 within the fixed seat 22 in the valve body 10 for controlling flow of fluid through the valve apparatus A.
~95610 The valve seat 22 is provided with a central passage 22a in which the flow control element 28 reci-procates and through which the fluid from the inlet por-tion 18a of the flow passage 18 flows into before flowing outwardly into passage 20b through the outlet portion 18b of the valve body 10. One or more flow throttling ports 22b are formed through the wall of the tubular seat member 22 for enabling communication from exterior-ly of the seat 22 radially inwardly to the central por-tion 22a where it commlmicates in turn with the outletportion 18b. Preferably, the ports 22b are radially opposed or oppositely positioned on the tubular seat member 22 in order that the inwardly flow into the bore 22a will impinge upon corresponding flow from the oppos-ite port 22b for minimizing flow turbulence and flow cut-ting or erosion of the seat 22.
The tubular flow closure element is movable from the first or fully open position illustrated in Fig~
1 for enabling flow of fluid through the ports 22b to the second or closed position illustrated in Fig. 3 for blocking flow through the port 22b. Intermediate these two limit positions, the flow closure element 22 partial-ly covers the ports 22b for regulating the rate of fluid flow through the valve 22. While a triangular port opening 22b is illustrated, it is understood that the shape of the ports 22a will determine the flow response operating characteristics o the valve 10 and that ports 22a of other shapes may also be employed.
The erosion contro] nozzle 20 is secured by the 3~ seat 22 and seal ring 24 engaging the bonnet 12 as des-cxibed above. The collar 20a formed on the erosion con-trol nozzle 20 engages corresponding annular shoulder ~ormed by the valve body 10 to provide the lower stop for the erosion control nozz~e. When secured in the out-let portion 18b, a pair of longitudinally spaced seals30 and 32 effect longitudinally spaced seals between the - valve body 10 and the erosion control nozzle 20. The -- ~L,'~9~6~
spaced seals efEected by the O-rings 30 and 32 create an operating fluid pressure excluded or isolated area between the valve body 10 and the erosion contxol noz-zle 20. Should the erosion control nozzle 20 develop 5 a leak such as caused by flow erosion or other undesired consequences of the throttled operating fluid flow, fluid pressure in the area between the seals 30 and 32 will increase to the operating fluid pressure level.
The presence of such fluid pressure would slgnal that 10 the erosion control nozzle 20 has failed and that erosion damage to the valve body 10 is about to occur from the throttled flow.
The valve body 10 has a leakage port lOc formed therein which communicates with the normally fluid 15 pressure isolated area between the O-rings 30 and 32.
Should the operating fluid pressure enter the isolated area, such pressure will also be co~nunicated through the leakage port lOc. An indicator or signal apparatus gen-erally designated 36 is mounted with the valve body 10 20 by threadedly engaging threads lOd formed in the outer portion of the leakage ports lOc. The indicator appara-tus 36 includes an outer housing member 38 and a closure cap 40 that are secured together by threaded engagement at 41. The outer housing 38 and cap 40 form a central 25 cavity 42 which is placed in communication with the leak-age port lOc and isolated area.
Disposed within the central cavity 42 is a fluid responsive piston 44 and a biasing spring 46. The biasing spring 46 urges the fluid piston 44 to the nor-30 mal or inactive position toward the valve body 10. Asignal member 48 is operably associated with the fluid responsive piston and when the fluid responsive piston is in the inactive position illustrated in Fig. 1, the sig-nal member 48 is substantially retracted within the outer 35 housing 38 and end cap 40. When operating fluid pressure comanunicated through the leakage ports lOc urges on the fluid responsive piston 44 for effecting its movement, the piston will overcome the urging of spring 46 and move 956~
the signal member 48 to an indicating position extending from the end cap 40 for providing a signal that the ero-sion control nozzle 20 is leaking and incipient failure condition exists in the valve body. In the illustrated embodiment the signal member ~8 is provided with a bleed closure cap 48a which closes off pneumatic bleed line 50 when moved to the extended or indicating posi-tion. With the bleed line 50 closed the pressure will increase in the bleed line 50 for giving a remote indica-tion or signal that incipient failure conditions existin the valve.
Removably mounted on the valve bonne~ 20 is a valve remote actuator or operator, generally designated 60~ It is to be understood, however, that a manual valve actuator is equally well suited for operation of the valve apparatus A. Such a remote valve actuator 60 is well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in extensive detail. In general, the actuator 60 is provided with a fluid responsive piston 62 that is operably connected with -the valve stem 28 to effect its reciprocating motion and thereby effect the operating movement of the flow closure element 26 relative to the flow ports 22 in the usual manner. In the illustrated embodiment fluid pressure acting on the lower side 62a of the piston 62 will urge the piston 62 to move upward-ly. This will move the flow closure element 26 upwardly to the open position. Fluid pressure introduced above the operating piston 62 will act on the pressure respon-sive surface 62b and will urge the piston 62 and stem 28 with the flow closure element 26 downwardly to the closed position for shutting off flow through the valve apparatus A in the usual manner. Suitable operating condition position indicator mechanism, generally desig-nated 6~, may be connected with stem extension 28a for providing a remote signal of the operating condition of the valve A to ensure that it is properly responding to remote commands.
g In the use and operation of the present inven-tion the valve A is assembled in the manner indicated and connected in the flow conduit for controlling the flow of fluid. Control fluid pressure urging on the actuator piston 62 will control movement of the valve stem 28 and the connected flow closure element 26 to control flow through the port 22b in the usual manner.
When the flow closure element 26 is in the open or par-tially open position operating fluid flow will pass through the inlet portion 18 and through the flow port 22b of the tubular seat 22 into the central cavity 22a.
The flow is then downwardly through the erosion control nozzle 22 and out of the valve A.
When the operating fluid flow throttled through the flow port 22 erodes or otherwise causes leakage of fluid into the isolated area between the seals effected by the O~ring 30 and 32 with the erosion control nozzle 20, the increased fluid pressure will be communicated through the leakage port lOc to the fluid responsive piston 44. Movement of the fluid responsive piston 44 overcomes the urging of the biasing spring 46 for extend-ing the signal member 48 to provide a signal that the incipient failure or leakage condition exists. When the remote indicator bleed line 50 is employed, the ~losure 48a will enable pressure build-up in the remote indicator line 50 to remotely indicate the leakage condition exists at the valveO
The ~oregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and 3n various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (4)
1. A fluid flow control valve adapted for use in severe operating conditions encountered during earth drilling operations, said valve including a valve housing having a valve body and a valve bonnet, said valve body having means for connecting in a flow containing conduit to form a portion thereof, said valve body having a flow passage formed therethrough which is secured by said con-necting means in flow communication with the flow contain-ing conduit for enabling the flow of contained fluid through said flow passage, said flow passage having an inlet portion defining an inlet longitudinal axis and an outlet portion defining an outlet longitudinal axis, said valve bonnet releasably secured to said valve body and having an opening formed therethrough to provide clear-ance for a valve stem means to extend from said flow closure element exteriorly of said valve housing, tubular seat means having a central opening, said seat means dis-posed in said flow passage for forming a sealable flow port through which fluid flow through said flow passage is directed, said flow port arranged in said tubular seat means for directing the flow of throttled fluid radi-ally inwardly into said central opening of said tubular seat means when flowing through said flow passage, a flow closure element disposed in said flow passage for opera-ting movement to and from a first position sealing with said seat means for blocking flow of fluid through said flow port and a second position for enabling flow of fluid through said flow port, an erosion control nozzle disposed in said flow passage adjacent said tubular seat means, said erosion control nozzle protecting said valve housing from the damaging effects of the throttled flow of flow from said central opening of said tubular seat means, said tubular seat means and erosion control nozzle disposed in said outlet portion, means sealing said erosion control nozzle with said valve housing at spaced locations to isolate said housing from contact with the throttled fluid flowing through said flow passage, indicator means com-municating with said flow passage isolated by said means for sealing between said erosion control nozzle and said valve housing at spaced locations for signaling fluid leakage adjacent said erosion control nozzle, valve stem means operably mounted with said housing and operably con-nected with said flow closure element for moving said flow closure element to and from the first and second positions for controlling flow of fluid through said flow passage, said valve stem means includes a rod extending through said opening in said bonnet and sealed with said bonnet to block leakage of fluid therebetween, and actua-tor means mounted with said housing for operating said valve stem means to move said flow closure element to and from the first and second position in response to command signals transmitted to said actuator means wherein said actuator means controls the position of said flow closure element to control the flow of fluid through said flow port.
2. The fluid flow control valve of claim 1, wherein said tubular seat means is secured in said outlet portion of said flow passage by said valve bonnet, and said flow closure element moves along said longitudinal axis of said outlet portion for controlling the size of said sealable flow port through which fluid may flow in-wardly into said central opening of said tubular seat means whereby the flow of fluid through said flow port is regulated.
3. The fluid flow control valve of claim 1, wherein said indicator means has a housing releasably secured to said valve body, said housing forming a cen-tral cavity and carrying a movable signal member, said valve body has a leakage port for communication said central cavity with the housing area isolated by the spaced seals with the erosion control nozzle, and said indicator means has a fluid pressure responsive piston and a biasing spring disposed in said central cavity, said piston operably connected with said signal member for moving said signal member, said biasing spring urging said piston to retract said signal member from a signal-ing position, said piston responsive to leakage of fluid into said housing area isolated by the spaced seals with the erosion control nozzle to move said signal member to the signaling position for indicating the undesired leak-age.
4. The fluid flow control valve of claim 3, wherein said signal member in the signaling position actuates an indicating means for detecting at a location remote from the valve housing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000441666A CA1209560A (en) | 1983-11-22 | 1983-11-22 | Drilling choke |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000441666A CA1209560A (en) | 1983-11-22 | 1983-11-22 | Drilling choke |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1209560A true CA1209560A (en) | 1986-08-12 |
Family
ID=4126576
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000441666A Expired CA1209560A (en) | 1983-11-22 | 1983-11-22 | Drilling choke |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1209560A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5090450A (en) * | 1990-12-05 | 1992-02-25 | Frontier Business Ltd. | Plug valve |
-
1983
- 1983-11-22 CA CA000441666A patent/CA1209560A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5090450A (en) * | 1990-12-05 | 1992-02-25 | Frontier Business Ltd. | Plug valve |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |