JP2793752B2 - Throttle valve - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a throttle valve, and can be used for a communication device or the like for performing communication using a pressure pulse generated by changing a flow rate of a fluid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a downhole information collecting apparatus that collects data on the bottom of a vertical pit which becomes an oil well when drilling an oil well or the like. Such a downhole information collecting apparatus is provided with a mud pulse generator for transmitting information to the ground.
The mud pulse generator transmits data to the ground using a pressure pulse that propagates in muddy water flowing inside an excavation pipe. For this purpose, the device is provided with a throttle valve that generates a pressure pulse by rapidly reducing the flow rate of the muddy water with the throttle valve. As the throttle valve, a mechanical open / close valve that opens and closes a port through which a fluid passes with a plug is employed.

[0003]

However, the conventional mechanical throttle valve requires a large port and a plug to obtain a sufficient flow rate, so that the weight of the plug and the resistance of the fluid received by the plug are increased. Due to the effects of the above, there is a problem that the transmission rate of the pressure pulse is reduced and the power consumption for driving the throttle valve is large. In addition, since the port and the plug have a minute opening just before and after the full closure,
The problem is that a high-speed muddy stream is partially generated, and the surface is significantly worn by the high-speed muddy stream. In addition, when the muddy water is closed with particles interposed therebetween, a drill bit or the like is damaged by shock or vibration generated. There is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a throttle valve which can generate a pressure pulse at a high transmission rate with low power consumption and has high durability.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a throttle valve for restricting a flow rate of a fluid flowing therein, wherein an open flow path along the flow of the fluid and an outlet thereof are connected to the open flow path. An interference flow path that generates an interference flow that interferes with the fluid in the open flow path, and a switching unit that switches a main flow of the fluid is provided in one of the open flow path and the interference flow path. Here, as the switching means, a semi-fluidic type having a deflection rod or the like which can be protruded and retracted from the upstream side wall of the two flow paths, or an all-fluidic type using a side wall adhesion phenomenon of fluid. Things can be adopted.

The interference flow path may be a fluid diode type in which the outlet is connected to the open flow path with the outlet facing in the upstream direction and generates a reverse flow as the interference flow, or the open flow path may be such that the flow directions of the fluids intersect. An eddy current resistance type that is connected to a path and generates a vortex as an interference flow can be employed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a large flow resistance can be obtained by generating an interference flow by the open flow path and the interference flow path. By switching the main flow of the fluid from one of the open flow path and the interference flow path to the other by the switching means, it is possible to switch from a state in which almost no interference flow is generated to a state in which the interference flow is significantly generated. Thus, the flow rate of the fluid can be greatly reduced. At this time, since it is not necessary to completely switch the flow of the fluid from one side to the other side, a semi-fluidic type having a small movable portion that protrudes and retracts from the side surface of the flow path can be adopted as the switching means. According to the switching unit of the semi-fluidic type, the size and the moving amount of the switching unit are reduced, so that the switching operation can be driven at high speed and the driving load thereof can be reduced. In addition, since the movable part does not block the fluid flow path, the flow path is restricted, and high-speed fluid is partially generated, and particles in the fluid are not interposed. There is no failure due to pinching of particles.

Further, if all fluidics type switching means is employed, a completely fluid type switching means having no mechanically movable portion in the flow path can be constructed. For this reason, the throttle valve is further reduced in wear and failure. According to the all-fluidics type, a large flow rate fluid can be controlled by handling a small flow rate fluid. Can be adopted, and high-speed fluid switching can be performed with a small power, thereby achieving the above object.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a throttle valve 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The throttle valve 1 has two flow paths, an open flow path 11 and an interference flow path 12, between an inlet 1A and an outlet 1B. A road is provided. The open channel 11 has a small channel resistance that extends linearly. The interference flow path 12 has a V-shape communicating between two points upstream and downstream of the open flow path 11. Interference channel
The inlet 12A and the outlet 12B of the 12 are both open toward the upstream side, so that the mud entering the inlet 12A flows backward from the outlet 12B toward the upstream.

A deflecting rod 13 serving as a switching means is provided on the lower side wall 1C of the entrance 1A in the drawing so as to be able to protrude and retract. The deflecting rod 13 has a deflecting surface 14 inclined in a direction for guiding the fluid toward the inlet 12A of the interference flow channel 12.
The lower base 15 of the deflection rod 13 in the figure is driven up and down by a solenoid 16 embedded in the side wall 1C. Here, when the deflection rod 13 is immersed in the side wall 1C, the fluid flowing inside the throttle valve 1 flows straight from the inlet 1A and is guided to the open flow channel 11, and the flow resistance of the throttle valve 1 is reduced. Is configured to be smaller.

On the other hand, when the deflection rod 13 is protruding, the deflection surface 14 of the deflection rod 13 guides the fluid and
Leads to 12 entrances 12A. The fluid that has exited from the outlet 12B of the interference flow path 12 has a reverse flow toward the upstream of the open flow path 11, and
It interferes with the fluid at the outlet of 11. Due to this interference, the flow path resistance of the throttle valve 1 is configured to be extremely larger than when the deflection rod 13 is submerged.

According to the present embodiment as described above, the following effects can be obtained. That is, a large flow resistance can be obtained by providing two flow paths of the open flow path 11 and the interference flow path 12 in the throttle valve 1 and causing the fluids flowing out of these flow paths 11 and 12 to interfere with each other. As a result, a pressure pulse having a large amplitude level can be generated by driving the throttle valve 1.

Further, since the deflection rod 13 only needs to change the flow direction of the fluid and does not need to close the flow path, the size and the movement amount of the deflection part rod 13 can be small, and the solenoid
16 allows the deflection rod 13 to be driven at high speed,
The power required for driving can also be reduced. Thus, if the throttle valve 1 is used, a pressure pulse with a high transmission rate can be generated with low power.

Further, since the deflection rod 13 is slightly protruded and retracted from the side wall 1C, a high-speed fluid is not partially generated even in the protruding state. Therefore, wear due to the high-speed fluid can be prevented. Further, since the deflection rod 13 does not block the flow path of the fluid, the particles and the like included in the fluid are not sandwiched between the deflecting rod 13 and the opposing side wall, and the failure due to the sandwiching of the particles does not occur.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the fluid-diode-type interference flow path 12 allows the fluid to flow backward at the outlet 12B.
Is an eddy current resistance type interference flow path 22 that generates eddy currents. That is, an open channel, one of the two channels
On the outlet side of 21, a cylindrical chamber 21B wider than the open flow path 21 is provided. A vortex generator 23 disposed in the chamber 21B is attached to the outlet 22B of the interference channel 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the vortex generator 23 is provided with a nozzle 24 for ejecting a fluid along the circumferential direction of the chamber 21B. With this eddy current generator 23,
The fluid that has flowed out of the interference flow path 22 generates a vortex flow 25, whereby a very large flow resistance can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since a very large flow resistance can be obtained by the eddy current, a pressure pulse having an extremely large amplitude level can be produced. An effect that can be generated can be added.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the deflection rod 13 which is a semi-fluidic switching means in the first embodiment is replaced with a side wall attaching element 30 which is an all-fluidic switching means. That is, an orifice 33 is provided at the inlet 3A of the throttle valve 3 to make the fluid a jet. Immediately after the orifice 33, control ports 34A and 34B formed by piercing the side wall 3C are vertically opposed in the figure.

The control ports 34A, 34B are connected to pressure guiding tubes 35A, 35B for guiding the pressure at the outlet 3B. Impulse tube
Solenoid-driven valves 36A and 36B are provided in the middle portions of the 35A and 35B, respectively. Here, when one valve 36B is closed and the other valve 36A is open, the pressure at the outlet 3B is guided to the lower control port 34A in the figure, and the fluid ejected from the orifice 33 is It adheres to the side wall 3D and flows into the open channel 31. On the other hand, when the valve 36A is closed and the valve 36B is open, the pressure of the outlet 3B is guided to the upper control port 34B in the figure, and the fluid ejected from the orifice 33 adheres to the upper side wall 3E and interferes. It flows into the flow path 32. These control ports 34A, 34B and the like constitute a side wall attachment element 30.

In this embodiment as well, the first and second first and second embodiments are described.
In addition to achieving the same effects as the embodiment, since all fluidics are used, the pressure guiding tubes 35A and 35B can be very thin, and the driving power of the valves 36A and 36B is extremely small.
The effect that the electric power required for the operation can be reduced can be added.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the reverse flow path of the third embodiment is replaced by a vortex flow path similar to that of the second embodiment.
That is, in the chamber 41B on the outlet side of the open flow path 41, a vortex generator 43 connected to the interference flow path 42 is disposed. The vortex generator 43 generates a vortex in the chamber 41B as in the second embodiment.

In this embodiment as well, the above-described first to third embodiments
In addition to the effect similar to that of the embodiment, the effect that a pressure pulse having an extremely large amplitude level can be generated with extremely small power consumption can be added.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the following modifications. That is, the switching means of the semi-fluidic type is not limited to a configuration including a rod-shaped deflection rod, but may be, for example, a planar vane or a flap that changes the direction of fluid flow.

The backflow type interference flow path is not limited to the V-shaped interference flow paths 12 and 32, but may be, for example, a U-shaped interference flow path. In other words, if a reverse flow can be generated by changing the direction of the flow. Good.

Further, the eddy current generator of the eddy current resistance type is not limited to the eddy current generator having the eddy current generator 23 at the outlet portion 22B shown in the second embodiment. 6 and 7
As shown in the figure, the outer shape is formed as a conch and the inner peripheral surface
The vortex generator 53 in which the pipe 50 is formed into a spiral shape may be used. In short, the specific shape and structure are not limited as long as the flow resistance can be increased by the generation of the vortex.

Further, the actuator for driving the deflection rod 13 of the first embodiment or the valve 36A,
The actuator that drives 36B is not limited to a solenoid, and may be, for example, a motor. When using a motor, pressure pulse communication can be performed by FM-modulating the signal and controlling the rotation speed of the motor with the modulated signal.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, a pressure pulse having a high transmission rate can be generated with low power consumption, and the durability can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-4 Throttle valve 11, 21, 31, 41 Open flow path 12, 22, 32, 42 Interference flow path 13 Deflection rod, which is a semi-fluidic switching means 30 Side wall attachment element, which is a full-fluidic switching means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideyuki Miyaji 3-3-9-803 Tobi, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F16K 47/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A throttle valve for restricting a flow rate of a fluid flowing inside, comprising an open flow path along the flow of the fluid, and an outlet connected to the open flow path to interfere with the fluid in the open flow path. A throttle valve comprising: an interference flow path for generating an interfering flow; and switching means for switching the main flow of the fluid to one of the open flow path and the interference flow path.