Inline fracturing valve systems and methods
AssigneeCameron International Corporation
InventorsMichael Krejci, Pheng Aun Soh, Stuart Robinson, Edward L. Ganzinotti, III
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Abstract
Fracturing systems with frac valves for controlling flow of fracturing fluid are provided. In one embodiment, a fracturing apparatus includes a frac valve having a housing with a bore to convey fracturing fluid, a seal disposed within the bore, and an actuator coupled to control movement of the seal. The actuator can be disposed within the bore so as to move the seal between a closed position in which the seal blocks fracturing fluid flow through the bore and an open position that allows fracturing fluid flow through the bore. Additional systems, devices, and methods for fracturing are also disclosed.
Claims19
A fracturing apparatus comprising:
- a frac valve to control flow of fracturing fluid through the frac valve, the frac valve comprising:
- a housing having a bore to convey the fracturing fluid, wherein the bore has a central axis extending from an inlet of the housing to an outlet of the housing;
- a seal disposed within the bore;
- and
- an actuator coupled to control movement of the seal, wherein the actuator is disposed within the bore so as to move the seal between a closed position in which the seal blocks fracturing fluid flow through the bore and an open position that allows fracturing fluid flow through the bore, the actuator includes flow-by conduits that permit fracturing fluid flow past the actuator when the seal is in the open position, and the actuator is positioned inline with the inlet of the housing and the outlet of the housing such that the central axis extending from the inlet of the housing to the outlet of the housing intersects the actuator.
A method of controlling flow of fracturing fluid in a fracturing apparatus, the method comprising:
- routing the fracturing fluid into a frac valve of the fracturing apparatus, the frac valve including:
- a housing having a bore to convey the fracturing fluid, wherein the bore has a central axis extending from an inlet of the housing to an outlet of the housing;
- a seal disposed within the bore;
- and an actuator coupled to control movement of the seal, wherein the actuator is disposed within the bore so as to move the seal between a closed position in which the seal blocks fracturing fluid flow through the bore and an open position that allows fracturing fluid flow through the bore, the actuator includes flow-by conduits that permit fracturing fluid flow past the actuator when the seal is in the open position, and the actuator is positioned inline with the inlet of the housing and the outlet of the housing such that the central axis extending from the inlet of the housing to the outlet of the housing intersects the actuator;
- and
- closing the frac valve to block fracturing fluid flow through the frac valve, wherein the seal includes an elastomer seal and closing the frac valve includes operating the actuator to compress the elastomer seal against an opposing surface to block fracturing fluid flow through the frac valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.