Pressure biased shuttle valve

• US 6,257,268 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Proserv Gilmore Valves, LLC
• Original Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Hollister, F. Harold, Hope, Rodney C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krishnamurthy, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US09/653,415
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 137/111, 137/112, 137/113, 251/332, 251/333
• US Class Current: 137/112
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/06 Blow-out preventers , i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers rotating blow-out preventers E21B33/085
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/028 Shuttle valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2013/006 Modular components with multiple uses, e.g. kits for either normally-open or normally-closed valves, interchangeable or reprogrammable manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/0473 Multiple-way safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/103 the sensing element placed between the inlet and outlet multiple-way valve G05D16/101
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2564 Plural inflows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2567 Alternate or successive inflows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2569 Control by depletion of source

Abstract

The pressure biased shuttle valve assembly in the pressure biased shuttle valve operates in conjunction with a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate blow-out preventers and thus shut in the well during emergency situations. The pressure biased shuttle valve assembly opens in response to fluid pressure from the ROV. It requires little or no flow to open. These pressure biased shuttle valves are typically located subsea on a lower marine riser platform (LMRP). These platforms are sometimes brought to the surface for a periodic testing and maintenance. The pressure biased shuttle valve assembly is also used as a repair kit which facilitates easy maintenance and repair when the LMRP is brought to the surface. In one embodiment, the shuttle is rigidly connected to a piston rod. In another embodiment, there is a flexible connection between the piston rod and shuttle. The purpose of the flexible connection is to encourage a better seal in smaller size valves.

Claims

1. A valve to direct fluid flow from two different pressurized fluid sources through the valve to a downstream apparatus, the valve comprising:

a body having a pair of opposing coaxial adapter ports, a transverse function port, and a passageway allowing fluid communication between all of the ports, each adapter port in fluid communication with one of the fluid sources and the function port in fluid communication with the downstream apparatus;

an adapter threadibly engaging one of said adapter ports, the adapter having a first valve seat on one end and a inlet port on the other end, with a bore in between to permit fluid flow from the inlet port past the first valve seat;

a pressure biased shuttle assembly including;

i. an elongate tubular adapter engaging the other adapter port, the elongate tubular adapter having a second valve seat on one end and an inlet port on the other end with a central bore in between to permit fluid flow from the inlet port past the second valve seat;

ii. an elongate shuttle coaxial with the first valve seat and the second valve seat, the shuttle slidably moving from alternative sealing engagement with the first valve seat to sealing engagement with the second valve seat;

iii. a piston traveling in said elongate tubular adapter, the piston having a diameter larger than a diameter of said shuttle and the piston having a central aperture to allow fluid to flow from the inlet port on the elongate tubular adapter through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter past the second valve seat;

iv. an elongate piston rod passing through the central aperture in the piston, the rod connected on one end to said shuttle and having an enlarged valve on the other end, the enlarged valve engaging a valve seat on the piston to selectively block fluid flow through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter; and

v. a spring positioned in the elongate tubular adapter in contact with the piston and surrounding a portion of the piston rod, the spring selectively urging the piston and the valve seat into sealing engagement with the valve of the piston rod in response to fluid pressure in the inlet port of the elongate tubular adapter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enlarged valve is formed in a frustro-conical shape and the valve seat is formed on a frustro-conical depression in the piston, the frustro-conical valve adapted to contact the valve seat to progressively coin the valve seat and create a metal to metal seal between the valve and the valve seat.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston rod is rigidly connected to the shuttle by threads.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston rod is flexibly connected to the shuttle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the piston rod has an abutment formed on the end opposite the valve, the abutment having an oversize transverse aperture that receives a crosspin to connect the piston rod to the shuttle.

6. A valve to direct fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source and a remote operated vehicle (ROV) through the valve to a blowout preventer (BOP) to actuate the BOP, the valve comprising:

a body having an adapter port, an opposing coaxial ROV port, a transverse function port, and a passageway allowing fluid communication between all of the ports, the adapter port in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source, the ROV port in fluid communication with the ROV and the function port in fluid communication with the BOP;

an adapter threadibly engaging the adapter port, the adapter having a first valve seat on one end and a inlet port on the other end, with a bore in between to permit fluid flow from the inlet port past the first valve seat;

a pressure biased shuttle assembly including;

i. an elongate tubular adapter engaging the ROV port, the elongate tubular adapter having a second valve seat on one end and a inlet port on the other end with a central bore in between to permit fluid flow from the ROV port past the second valve seat;

ii. an elongate shuttle coaxial with the first valve seat and the second valve seat, the shuttle slidably moving from alternative sealing engagement with the first valve seat to sealing engagement with the second valve seat;

iii. a piston traveling in said elongate tubular adapter, the piston having a diameter larger than a diameter of said shuttle and the piston having a central aperture to allow fluid to flow from the ROV port through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter past the second valve seat.

iv. an elongate piston rod passing through the central aperture in the piston, the rod connected on one end to said shuttle and having an frustro-conical valve on the other end, the frustro-conical valve engaging a valve seat on the piston to selectively block fluid flow through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter; and

v. a spring positioned in the elongate tubular adapter in contact with the piston and surrounding a portion of the piston rod, the spring selectively urging the piston and the valve seat into sealing engagement with the valve of the piston rod in response to fluid pressure in the inlet port of the elongate tubular adapter.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the valve seat on the piston is formed in a frustro-conical depression and the angle of the depression is mismatched from the angle of the frustro-conical valve on the piston rod.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the piston rod is rigidly connected to the shuttle by threads.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the piston rod is flexibly connected to the shuttle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the piston rod has an abutment formed on the end opposite the valve, the abutment having an oversize transverse aperture that receives a crosspin to connect the piston rod to the shuttle.

11. A valve to direct fluid flow from a plurality of different pressurized fluid sources to a downstream apparatus, the valve comprising:

a body having a first port, a plurality of adapter ports, a supply port and a function port, the function port in fluid communication with the downstream apparatus, the inlet port, adapter ports and supply port each in fluid communication with a different fluid source;

an adapter threadibly engaging each of said adapter ports, each adapter having a valve seat on one end and an inlet port on the other end, with a bore in between to permit fluid flow from each inlet port past each valve seat;

a passageway in said body in fluid communication with the first port, each inlet port on the adapers, the supply port and the function port, allowing fluid to move from the fluid sources through said passageway, through the function port to the downstream apparatus;

a plurality of elongate shuttles, each one coaxial with an adapter port slidably moving from sealing engagement with the valve seat on the adapter to sealing engagement with an opposing valve seat in response to fluid flow from the different fluid sources;

a pressure biased shuttle assembly including;

i. an elongate tubular adapter engaging said supply port, the adapter having a valve seat on one end and a inlet port on the other end with a bore in between to permit fluid flow from the inlet port past the valve seat;

ii. an elongate shuttle coaxial with the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter, the shuttle slidably moving from sealing engagement with the valve seat at one end of the elongate tubular adapter to sealing engagement with an opposing coaxial valve seat in said body;

iii. a piston traveling in said elongate tubular adapter, the piston having a diameter larger than a diameter of said shuttle and the piston having a central aperture to allow fluid to flow from the inlet port on the elongate tubular adapter through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter past the valve seat;

iv. an elongate piston rod passing through the central aperture in the piston, the rod connected on one end to said shuttle and having an enlarged valve on the other end, the valve engaging a valve seat on the piston to selectively block fluid flow through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter; and

v. a spring positioned in the elongate adapter in contact with the piston and surrounding the piston rod, the spring urging the piston and the valve seat into selective sealing engagement with the valve of the piston rod in response to fluid pressure in the inlet port of the elongate tubular adapter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said enlarged valve is formed in a frustro-conical shape and the valve seat is formed on a frustro-conical depression in the piston, the frustro-conical valve adapted to contact the valve seat to progressively coin the valve seat and create a metal to metal seal between the valve and the valve seat.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the piston rod is rigidly connected to the shuttle by threads.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the piston rod is flexibly connected to the shuttle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the piston rod has an abutment formed on the end opposite the valve, the abutment having an oversize transverse aperture that receives a crosspin to connect the piston rod to the shuttle.

16. A valve to direct fluid flow from a plurality of different pressurized fluid sources and a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to a blowout preventer (BOP) to actuate the BOP, the valve comprising:

a body having a first port, a plurality of adapter ports, a ROV port and a function port, the function port in fluid communication with the BOP, the inlet port and adapter ports each in fluid communication with a different fluid source and the ROV port in fluid communication with the ROV;

an adapter threadibly engaging each of said adapter ports, each adapter having a valve seat on one end and an inlet port on the other end, with a bore in between to permit fluid flow from each inlet port past each valve seat;

a passageway in said body in fluid communication with the first port, each inlet port on the adapers, and the ROV port, allowing fluid to alternatively move from the fluid sources and the ROV through said passageway, and the function port to the BOP;

a plurality of elongate shuttles, each one coaxial with an adapter port slidably moving from sealing engagement with the valve seat on the adapter to sealing engagement with an opposing valve seat in the body in response to fluid flow from the different fluid sources;

a pressure biased shuttle assembly including;

i. an elongate tubular adapter engaging said ROV port, the adapter having a valve seat on one end and a inlet port on the other end with a bore in between to permit fluid flow from the ROV past the valve seat;

ii. an elongate shuttle coaxial with the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter, the shuttle slidably moving from alternative sealing engagement with the valve seat at one end of the elongate tubular adapter to sealing engagement with an opposing valve seat in said body;

iii. a piston traveling in said elongate tubular adapter, the piston having a diameter larger than a diameter of said shuttle and the piston having a central aperture to allow fluid to flow from the ROV port through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter past the valve seat on the tubular adapter;

iv. an elongate piston rod passing through the central aperture in the piston, the rod connected on one end to said shuttle and having a frustro-conical valve on the other end, the valve engaging a complementary frustro-conical valve seat on the piston to selectively block fluid flow through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter; and

v. a spring positioned in the elongate adapter in contact with the piston and surrounding the piston rod, the spring urging the piston and the valve seat into sealing engagement with the valve of the piston rod in response to fluid pressure in the inlet port of the elongate tubular adapter.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the valve seat on the piston is formed in a frustro-conical depression and the angle of the depression is mismatched from the angle of the frustro-conical valve on the piston rod.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein,

each of said shuttles includes a central flange with opposing sealing surfaces having opposing outward tapers to engage the valve seats, the shuttles further including opposing end portions, each with an axial bore and a plurality of perforations through the end portion to the bore; and

each of the opposing outward tapers of the sealing surfaces on the central flange of the shuttles is adapted to alternately contact the metal valve seats to progressively coin the valve seats and ensure a metal to metal seal between the tapers and the valve seats.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the piston rod is rigidly connected to the shuttle by threads.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the piston rod if flexibly connected to the shuttle.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the piston rod has an abutment formed on the end opposite the valve, the abutment having an oversize transverse aperture that receives a crosspin to connect the piston rod to the shuttle.

22. A valve repair kit comprising:

a pressure biased shuttle assembly including;

i. an elongate tubular adapter having a valve seat on one end and a inlet port on the other end with a central bore in between to permit fluid flow from the inlet port past the valve seat;

ii. an elongate shuttle coaxial with the inlet port, the shuttle slidably moving into engagement with the valve seat;

iii. a piston traveling in said elongate tubular adapter, the piston having a diameter larger than a diameter of said shuttle and the piston having a central aperture to allow fluid to flow from the inlet port on the elongate tubular adapter through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter past the valve seat;

iv. an elongate piston rod passing through the central aperture in the piston, the rod connected on one end to said shuttle and having an enlarged valve on the other end, the valve engaging a valve seat on the piston to selectively block fluid flow through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter; and

v. a spring positioned in the elongate tubular adapter in contact with the piston and surrounding a portion of the piston rod, the spring selectively urging the piston into sealing engagement with the valve of the piston rod in response to fluid pressure in the inlet port of the elongate tubular adapter.

23. A valve to direct fluid flow from two different pressurized fluid sources through the valve to a downstream apparatus, the valve comprising:

a body having a pair of opposing coaxial adapter ports, a transverse function port, and a passageway allowing fluid communication between all of the ports, each adapter port in fluid communication with one of the fluid sources and the function port in fluid communication with the downstream apparatus;

an adapter threadibly engaging one of said adapter ports, the adapter having a first valve seat on one end and a inlet port on the other end, with a bore in between to permit fluid flow from the inlet port past the first valve seat;

a pressure biased shuttle assembly including;

i. an elongate tubular adapter engaging the other adapter port, the elongate tubular adapter having a second valve seat on one end and an inlet port on the other end with a central bore in between to permit fluid flow from the inlet port past the second valve seat;

ii. an elongate shuttle coaxial with the first valve seat and the second valve seat, the shuttle slidably moving from alternative sealing engagement with the first valve seat to sealing engagement with the second valve seat;

iii. a piston traveling in said elongate tubular adapter, the piston having a diameter larger than a diameter of said shuttle and the piston;

iv. an elongate piston and passing through the central aperture in the piston, the rod having an abutment on one end and a valve on the other end, the valve engaging a valve seat on the piston to selectively block fluid flow through the central bore in the elongate tubular adapter; and

v. a spring positioned in the elongate tubular adapter in contact with the piston and surrounding a portion of the piston rod, the spring selectively urging the piston and the valve seat into sealing engagement with the valve of the piston rod in response to fluid pressure in the inlet port of the elongate tubular adapter; and

vi. the abutment having an oversize transverse aperture that receives a crosspin to achieve a flexible connection between the piston rod and the shuttle.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the abutment has a rounded terminus that pivots against the shuttle, to achieve a flexible connection between the piston rod and the shuttle.