High pressure ball valve
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- locating a flow control assembly in a portion of an axial fluid flow bore disposed through a valve body, the axial fluid flow bore having an inlet end located opposite an outlet end, the flow control assembly comprising a flow control element disposed between, and having an outer surface in sealing contact with an inner annular surface of an inlet valve seat and an inner annular surface of an outlet valve seat, wherein the flow control element is rotatable between an open and a closed position;
wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a sealing face dimensioned and arranged to sealingly engage a portion of the outer surface of the fluid flow control element;
wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a plurality of support surfaces dimensioned and arranged in physical contact with the outer surface of the fluid flow control element adjacent the sealing face;
wherein the inlet valve seat, the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof comprise a plurality of vent grooves laterally disposed into the inner annular surface of the valve seat between the plurality of support surfaces;
rotationally engaging an inner end of a valve stem in a corresponding recess of the flow control element, the valve stem extending from an outer end through a packing bore disposed radially around the valve stem in the valve body to an inner end of the valve stem, wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a plurality of sides, the recess having a corresponding number of sides, wherein a distance between the sides of the recess are dimensioned relative to a distance between the plurality of sides of the first end of the valve stem to allow for an amount of lateral movement of the flow control element between the fluid flow bore inlet end and the fluid flow bore outlet end;
applying a pressurized fluid to the inlet end of the fluid flow bore to laterally move the flow control assembly towards the outlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the outlet valve seat with a portion of the valve body;
applying a pressurized fluid to the outlet end of the fluid flow bore to laterally move the flow control assembly towards the inlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the inlet valve seat and a portion of the valve body;
rotating the valve stem such that the flow control element is in the closed position prior to or after the application of the pressurized fluid to the inlet or outlet end of the flow bore, the pressurized fluid having a pressure of greater than 275.8 MPa (40,000 psi) and a temperature of greater than or equal to about 200°
C.; and
maintaining the pressure of greater than 275.8 MPa (40,000 psi) and temperature of greater than or equal to about 200°
C. for at least 1 hour, wherein the fluid is maintained by the valve without leaking past the flow control element into the respective inlet or outlet end of the fluid flow bore.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bidirectional ball valve for ultra-high pressure applications wherein the inner end of the valve stem has sides dimensioned to rotationally engage a corresponding recess in the flow control element having larger corresponding sides disposed to allow for lateral movement of the flow control element, and wherein the inner annular surface of a valve seat has an annular sealing face in sealing engagement with the flow control element, support surfaces adjacent the sealing face in contact with the flow control element, and lateral vent grooves between the support surfaces. A method to utilize the bidirectional ball valve involves rotating the valve stem and control element and maintaining a pressure of 275.8 MPa (40,000 psi) or more for at least 1 hour without leaking before opening or after closing the valve.
25 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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locating a flow control assembly in a portion of an axial fluid flow bore disposed through a valve body, the axial fluid flow bore having an inlet end located opposite an outlet end, the flow control assembly comprising a flow control element disposed between, and having an outer surface in sealing contact with an inner annular surface of an inlet valve seat and an inner annular surface of an outlet valve seat, wherein the flow control element is rotatable between an open and a closed position; wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a sealing face dimensioned and arranged to sealingly engage a portion of the outer surface of the fluid flow control element; wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a plurality of support surfaces dimensioned and arranged in physical contact with the outer surface of the fluid flow control element adjacent the sealing face; wherein the inlet valve seat, the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof comprise a plurality of vent grooves laterally disposed into the inner annular surface of the valve seat between the plurality of support surfaces; rotationally engaging an inner end of a valve stem in a corresponding recess of the flow control element, the valve stem extending from an outer end through a packing bore disposed radially around the valve stem in the valve body to an inner end of the valve stem, wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a plurality of sides, the recess having a corresponding number of sides, wherein a distance between the sides of the recess are dimensioned relative to a distance between the plurality of sides of the first end of the valve stem to allow for an amount of lateral movement of the flow control element between the fluid flow bore inlet end and the fluid flow bore outlet end; applying a pressurized fluid to the inlet end of the fluid flow bore to laterally move the flow control assembly towards the outlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the outlet valve seat with a portion of the valve body; applying a pressurized fluid to the outlet end of the fluid flow bore to laterally move the flow control assembly towards the inlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the inlet valve seat and a portion of the valve body; rotating the valve stem such that the flow control element is in the closed position prior to or after the application of the pressurized fluid to the inlet or outlet end of the flow bore, the pressurized fluid having a pressure of greater than 275.8 MPa (40,000 psi) and a temperature of greater than or equal to about 200°
C.; andmaintaining the pressure of greater than 275.8 MPa (40,000 psi) and temperature of greater than or equal to about 200°
C. for at least 1 hour, wherein the fluid is maintained by the valve without leaking past the flow control element into the respective inlet or outlet end of the fluid flow bore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A bidirectional valve comprising:
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a valve body comprising an axial fluid flow bore disposed therethrough having an inlet end located opposite an outlet end and a flow control assembly located within a portion of the fluid flow bore; the flow control assembly comprising a flow control element disposed between, and having an outer surface in sealing contact with an inner annular surface of an inlet valve seat and an inner annular surface of an outlet valve seat, wherein the flow control element is rotatable between an open and a closed position; wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a sealing face dimensioned and arranged to sealingly engage a portion of the outer surface of the fluid flow control element; wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a plurality of support surfaces dimensioned and arranged in physical contact with the outer surface of the fluid flow control element adjacent the sealing face, and a plurality of vent grooves laterally disposed between each of the plurality of support surfaces; wherein the inlet valve seat, the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof comprise a plurality of vent grooves laterally disposed into the inner annular surface of the valve seat between the plurality of support surfaces; a valve stem extending from an outer end through a packing bore disposed radially around the valve stem in the valve body to an inner end of the valve stem, wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a plurality of sides dimensioned and arranged to rotationally engage a corresponding recess having a corresponding number of sides disposed into the flow control element, wherein a distance between the sides of the recess are dimensioned relative to a distance between the plurality of sides of the first end of the valve stem to allow for an amount of lateral movement of the flow control element laterally between the fluid flow bore inlet end and the fluid flow bore outlet end such that a pressure applied to the inlet end of the fluid flow bore results in lateral movement of the flow control assembly towards the outlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the outlet valve seat with a portion of the valve body, and such that a pressure applied to the outlet end of the fluid flow bore results in lateral movement of the flow control assembly towards the inlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the inlet valve seat and a portion of the valve body, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. A valve comprising:
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a valve body comprising an axial fluid flow bore disposed therethrough having an inlet end located opposite an outlet end and a flow control assembly located within a portion of the fluid flow bore; the flow control assembly comprising a flow control element disposed between, and having an outer surface in sealing contact with an inner annular surface of an inlet valve seat and an inner annular surface of an outlet valve seat, wherein the flow control element is rotatable between an open and a closed position; a valve stem extending from an outer end through a packing bore disposed radially around the valve stem in the valve body to an inner end of the valve stem, wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a plurality of sides dimensioned and arranged to rotationally engage a corresponding recess having a corresponding number of sides disposed into the flow control element, wherein a distance between the sides of the recess are dimensioned relative to a distance between the plurality of sides of the first end of the valve stem to allow for an amount of lateral movement of the flow control element laterally between the fluid flow bore inlet end and the fluid flow bore outlet end such that a pressure applied to the inlet end of the fluid flow bore results in lateral movement of the flow control assembly towards the outlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the outlet valve seat with a portion of the valve body, and such that a pressure applied to the outlet end of the fluid flow bore results in lateral movement of the flow control assembly towards the inlet end of the fluid flow bore in an amount sufficient to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the inlet valve seat and a portion of the valve body, or a combination thereof; wherein the valve stem further comprises a shoulder with an enlarged outer diameter formed on the valve stem wherein the outside diameter of the shoulder is greater than an inside diameter of a portion of the valve body, a portion of a bracket attached to the valve body, a bushing attached to the valve body, or a combination thereof disposed around the valve stem between the outer end of the valve stem and the shoulder.
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18. A valve comprising:
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a valve body comprising an axial fluid flow bore disposed therethrough having an inlet end located opposite an outlet end and a flow control assembly located within a portion of the fluid flow bore; the flow control assembly comprising a flow control element disposed between, and having an outer surface in sealing contact with an inner annular surface of an inlet valve seat and an inner annular surface of an outlet valve seat, wherein the flow control element is rotatable between an open and a closed position; a valve stem extending from an outer end through a packing bore disposed radially around the valve stem in the valve body to an inner end of the valve stem, wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a plurality of sides dimensioned and arranged to rotationally engage a corresponding recess having a corresponding number of sides disposed into the flow control element, wherein a distance between the sides of the recess and the first end of the valve stem is dimensioned to allow for lateral movement of the flow control element between the fluid flow bore inlet end and the fluid flow bore outlet end such that a pressure applied to the inlet end of the fluid flow bore produces sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the outlet valve seat with a portion of the valve body, and such that a pressure applied to the outlet end of the fluid flow bore produces sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the inlet valve seat and a portion of the valve body, or a combination thereof; wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the fluid flow control element, the fluid flow bore, the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the outer annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, the outer annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof includes a spray and fuse coating comprising metals from Groups 6-12 of the periodic table of the elements alone, or in compounds comprising elements from Groups 13-16 of the period table of the elements. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A valve comprising:
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a valve body comprising an axial fluid flow bore disposed therethrough having an inlet end located opposite an outlet end and a flow control assembly located within a portion of the fluid flow bore; the flow control assembly comprising a flow control element disposed between, and having an outer surface in sealing contact with an inner annular surface of an inlet valve seat and an inner annular surface of an outlet valve seat, wherein the flow control element is rotatable between an open and a closed position; a valve stem extending from an outer end through a packing bore disposed radially around the valve stem in the valve body to an inner end of the valve stem, wherein the inner end of the valve stem comprises a plurality of sides dimensioned and arranged to rotationally engage a corresponding recess having a corresponding number of opposing sides disposed into the flow control element, wherein a distance between the sides of the recess are dimensioned relative to a distance between the plurality of sides of the first end of the valve stem to allow for an amount of lateral movement of the flow control element between the opposing sides of the inner end of the valve stem and the recess to produce sealing contact between an outer annular surface of the inlet valve seat and a portion of the valve body; wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a sealing face dimensioned and arranged to sealingly engage a portion of the outer surface of the fluid flow control element, and wherein at least a portion of the inner annular surface of the inlet valve seat, the inner annular surface of the outlet valve seat, or a combination thereof, comprise a plurality of support surfaces dimensioned and arranged in physical contact with the outer surface of the fluid flow control element adjacent the sealing face, and a plurality of vent grooves laterally disposed between each of the plurality of support surfaces.
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Specification