SPLIT GATE VALVE

• US 20160076659A1
• Filed: 11/28/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Hoang, Loc Gia, Gerace, Christopher Jude
• Granted Patent: US 10,337,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 15/001 valves or valve housings welding B23K; valve housings per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/0254 being operated by particular means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/18 by movement of the closure members
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/047 characterised by mechanical means between the motor and the valve, e.g. lost motion means reducing backlash, clutches, brakes or return means F16K31/043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/12 actuated by fluid fluid-actuated lift valves F16K1/126 ; fluid-actuated check valves F16K15/00; fluid-actuated safety valves F16K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/508 the actuating element being rotatable, non-rising, and driving a non-rotatable axially-sliding element

Abstract

Provided in some embodiments is a system that includes a split gate valve including first and second gate sections coupled together and configured to move together within a cavity of the split gate valve between an open position and a closed position. The split gate valve includes a rolling actuator to reduce friction and to convert a rotational input into a linear motion to move the first and second gate sections between the open and closed positions. In other embodiments is provided a method that includes converting a rotational input into a linear motion to activate a split gate valve via a rolling actuator. The method also includes seating first and second gate sections of the split gate valve against opposite first and second seats to provide a double seal.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a valve assembly, comprising;

a valve body having a fluid passage that intersects with a valve cavity; and

a valve disposed in the valve cavity, wherein the valve is split into first and second valve sections that are biased apart from one another against opposite sides of the valve cavity; and

a rolling actuator coupled to the valve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rolling actuator comprises a plurality of rolling members configured to reduce friction during actuation of the valve.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of rolling members comprises a plurality of rollers or a plurality of balls.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of rolling members are disposed along a spiraling path.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 15,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a valve bore extending through the first and second valve sections, wherein the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the valve relative to the fluid passage by positioning the valve bore in or out of the fluid passage.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the valve bore is at least approximately 5 inches in diameter.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the valve bore is at least approximately 4 inches in diameter, and the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the valve bore is at least approximately 9 inches in diameter, and the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

12. The system of claim 1, comprising a drive coupled to the rolling actuator.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the drive comprises a manual drive.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the drive comprises a powered drive.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the powered drive comprises an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, or a hydraulic motor.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is coupled to a component of a mineral extraction system configured to extract petroleum or natural gas.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve cavity has four interior sides extending along an axis of the valve cavity, and the valve comprises four sides extending along and contacting the four interior sides of the valve cavity.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a gate valve, the first valve section comprises a first gate section, and the second valve section comprises a second gate section.

19. A system, comprising:

a valve assembly, comprising;

a valve body having a fluid passage that intersects with a valve cavity, wherein the valve cavity has four interior sides extending along an axis of the valve cavity; and

a gate valve disposed in the valve cavity, wherein the gate valve is split into first and second gate sections, and the gate valve comprises four sides extending along and contacting the four interior sides of the valve cavity; and

a rolling actuator coupled to the valve.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the rolling actuator comprises a plurality of rolling members configured to reduce friction during actuation of the gate valve.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the gate valve comprises a valve bore extending through the first and second gate sections, wherein the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the gate valve relative to the fluid passage by positioning the valve bore in or out of the fluid passage.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the valve bore is at least approximately 4 inches in diameter, and the rolling actuator is configured to open or close the valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

23. A method, comprising:

biasing first and second valve sections of a split valve against opposite sides of a valve cavity within a valve body, wherein the valve body has a fluid passage that intersects with the valve cavity; and

moving the split valve between open and closed positions relative to the fluid passage via a rolling actuator.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein moving the split valve comprises reducing resistance to movement with the rolling actuator to enable movement of the split valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

25. The method of claim 23, wherein moving the split valve comprises reducing resistance to movement with the rolling actuator to enable movement of the split valve relative to the fluid passage at fluid pressures of at least approximately 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi).