PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE ASSEMBLY AND METHODS

• US 20170067570A1
• Filed: 08/30/2016
• Published: 03/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SPM Flow Control Inc. (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Said, Nuder
• Granted Patent: US 10,677,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/106 Valve arrangements outside the borehole, e.g. kelly valves valves specifically for maintaining circulation of drilling fluid while connecting or disconnecting tubular joints E21B21/019
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/16 with fracturing diaphragm ; Rupture discs
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/1606 of the reverse-buckling-type F16K17/1633 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/1633 made of graphite
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/00 Construction of housing methods for welding housings B23K; Use of materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1692 Rupture disc

Abstract

According to one aspect, a pressure relief valve assembly includes a clamped rupture disc. The rupture disc is adapted to rupture when a pressure differential across the pressure relief valve assembly reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure differential. According to another aspect, there is provided a method of retrofitting a pressure relief valve assembly. According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a pressure relief valve assembly.

Claims

1. A pressure relief valve assembly defining a longitudinally-extending center axis, the pressure relief valve assembly comprising:

a first sub defining a first internal fluid passage, the first internal fluid passage being generally coaxial with the center axis, the first sub comprising a counterbore formed therein, a first internal annular shoulder defined by the counterbore, and an internal threaded connection formed in the interior of the first sub at the counterbore thereof;

a second sub connected to the first sub and defining a second internal fluid passage, the second internal fluid passage being generally coaxial with the center axis and thus with the first internal fluid passage, the second sub comprising an external threaded connection formed in the exterior thereof; and

a rupture disc clamped between the second sub and the first annular shoulder of the first sub so that the rupture disc is positioned axially between the first and second internal fluid passages, the rupture disc being adapted to rupture when a pressure differential across the pressure relief valve assembly reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure differential, so that the first and second internal fluid passages are in fluid communication;

wherein the first external threaded connection of the second sub is threadably engaged with the internal threaded connection of the first sub to connect the second sub to the first sub and clamp the rupture disc therebetween.

2. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure relief valve assembly further comprises a first annular groove formed in the first internal annular shoulder, and a sealing element extending within the first annular groove and sealingly engaging the rupture disc.

3. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sub further comprises an end face, a frusto-conical surface extending angularly from the end face, and an external annular shoulder axially positioned between the frusto-conical surface and the end face.

4. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the first sub further comprises:

a second external threaded connection formed in the exterior of the first sub at an end portion thereof that opposes the end face;

a second internal annular shoulder opposing the end face;

an annular groove adjacent the second internal annular shoulder; and

an internal seal ring engaged with the second internal annular shoulder and extending within the annular groove.

5. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the pressure relief valve assembly further comprises a frusto-conical surface formed in the interior of the first sub and axially between the first internal fluid passage and one of:

the end face and the second internal annular shoulder.

6. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc defines a third internal fluid passage through which the first and second fluid passages are in fluid communication when the rupture disc ruptures;

wherein the first, second, and third internal fluid passages define first, second, and third internal diameters, respectively; and

wherein the third diameter is smaller than at least one of the first and second diameters to increase the likelihood that shrapnel from the ruptured rupture disc will flow out of the first sub.

7. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second internal diameters is at least 25% greater than the third internal diameter.

8. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second internal diameters is about 25% to about 50% greater than the third internal diameter.

9. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 1,

wherein the pressure relief valve assembly further comprises a washer extending within the counterbore and adjacent the rupture disc so that both the washer and the rupture disc are clamped between the second sub and the first sub;

and

wherein the washer prevents, or at least obstructs, the external threaded connection of the second sub from threadably disengaging from the internal threaded connection of the first sub.

10. A pressure relief valve assembly defining a longitudinally-extending center axis, the pressure relief valve assembly comprising:

a first sub defining a first internal fluid passage that is generally coaxial with the center axis, the first sub comprising a counterbore formed therein and a first internal annular shoulder defined by the counterbore;

a second sub connected to the first sub and defining a second internal fluid passage that is generally coaxial with the center axis and thus with the first internal fluid passage;

a rupture disc clamped between the second sub and the first annular shoulder of the first sub so that the rupture disc is positioned axially between the first and second internal fluid passages, the rupture disc being adapted to rupture when a pressure differential across the pressure relief valve assembly reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure differential, so that the first and second internal fluid passages are in fluid communication;

wherein the rupture disc defines a third internal fluid passage through which the first and second fluid passages are in fluid communication when the rupture disc ruptures;

wherein the first, second, and third internal fluid passages define first, second, and third internal diameters, respectively; and

wherein the third diameter is less than at least one of the first and second diameters to increase the likelihood that shrapnel from the ruptured rupture disc will flow out of the first sub.

11. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second internal diameters is at least 25% greater than the third internal diameter.

12. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second internal diameters is about 25% to about 50% greater than the third internal diameter.

13. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the pressure relief valve assembly further comprises a first annular groove formed in the first internal annular shoulder, and a sealing element extending within the first annular groove and sealingly engaging the rupture disc.

14. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the first sub further comprises an end face, a frusto-conical surface extending angularly from the end face, and an external annular shoulder axially positioned between the frusto-conical surface and the end face.

15. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the first sub further comprises:

an external threaded connection formed in the exterior of the first sub at an end portion thereof that opposes the end face;

a second internal annular shoulder opposing the end face;

an annular groove adjacent the second internal annular shoulder; and

an internal seal ring engaged with the second internal annular shoulder and extending within the annular groove.

16. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 15, wherein the pressure relief valve assembly further comprises a frusto-conical surface formed in the interior of the first sub and axially between the first internal fluid passage and one of:

the end face and the second internal annular shoulder.

17. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 10,

wherein the pressure relief valve assembly further comprises a washer extending within the counterbore and adjacent the rupture disc so that both the washer and the rupture disc are clamped between the second sub and the first sub;

and

wherein the washer prevents, or at least obstructs, the external threaded connection of the second sub from threadably disengaging the internal threaded connection of the first sub.

18. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 10, wherein an internal threaded connection is formed in the interior of the first sub at the counterbore thereof;

wherein an external threaded connection is formed in the exterior of the second sub; and

wherein the first external threaded connection of the second sub is threadably engaged with the internal threaded connection of the first sub to connect the second sub to the first sub and clamp the rupture disc between the second sub and the first annular shoulder of the first sub.

19. A pressure relief valve assembly defining a longitudinally-extending center axis, the pressure relief valve assembly comprising:

opposing first and second end portions,

wherein each of the first and second end portions comprises one of a first element combination and a second element combination;

wherein the first element combination comprises;

a first end face;

a frusto-conical surface extending angularly from the first end face; and

an external annular shoulder axially positioned between the frusto-conical surface and one of the first and second end portions; and

wherein the second element combination comprises;

a second end face;

a first external threaded connection proximate the second end face;

a first internal annular shoulder axially positioned between the second end face and at least a portion of the first external threaded connection;

a first annular groove adjacent the first internal annular shoulder; and

an internal seal ring engaged with the first internal annular shoulder and extending within the annular groove;

a first counterbore positioned axially between the first and second end portions, the first counterbore defining a second internal annular shoulder;

an axially-facing surface positioned axially between the second internal annular shoulder and one of the first and second end portions; and

a rupture disc clamped between the second internal annular shoulder and the axially-facing surface, the rupture disc being adapted to rupture when a pressure differential across the pressure relief valve assembly reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure differential.

20. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

a first sub, the first sub comprising the first end portion; and

a second sub connected to the first sub, the second sub comprising the second end portion;

wherein the first counterbore is formed in the first sub so that the first sub comprises the first internal annular shoulder;

wherein a second counterbore is formed in the second sub, the second counterbore defining the axially-facing surface; and

wherein the connection between the first and second subs clamps the rupture disc between the second internal annular shoulder and the axially-facing surface.

21. The pressure relief valve assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

a body, wherein the body comprises the first and second end portions, and wherein the first counterbore is formed in the body so that the body comprises the first internal annular shoulder; and

a retainer nut connected to the body, the retainer nut defining the axially-facing surface;

wherein the connection between the retainer nut and the body clamps the rupture disc between the second internal annular shoulder and the axially-facing surface.