Valve gate eutectic lock
AssigneeCameron International Corporation
InventorsJermetris McLin, Mark McGilvray, Jr., Ovidiu Zorca
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A valve gate assembly with a eutectic implement configured to degrade in response to a force imparted along a non-parallel load path. The unique architecture employed for various embodiments ensures a non-parallel load path is employed in triggering the shift in position for a valve gate. This enhances the integrity of the eutectic implements such that a wider variety of valve gate assembly dimensions may be utilized. This, in turn, allows for such assemblies to be utilized with larger production line volumes without compromise to safety measures afforded by such safety valves.
Claims20
A eutectic lock for retaining an actuator at a vertical position, the lock comprising:
- a lock housing;
- a lock head disposed in the lock housing;
- an extension disposed within the lock housing and the lock head, the extension including a first end engaged with the actuator in a locked position;
- a first biasing member biasing the extension to the locked position, the first biasing member disposed around the extension between the first end and the lock head;
- a second biasing member disposed around the first biasing member;
- and
- a eutectic implement coupled to the lock housing, wherein the second biasing member is configured to move the extension to an unlocked position to disengage the actuator after the eutectic implement fails in response to a disintegrating temperature.
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve gate at a flowline for governance of a fluid flow through the flowline;
- an actuator located within a housing adjacent the flowline and coupled to the valve gate, an axial position of the actuator controls a position of the valve gate to determine the governance of the fluid flow with the valve gate;
- and
- a lock coupled to the housing, the lock including:
- a eutectic cap;
- an extension that in a locked position holds the actuator in a first position to allow the fluid flow through the flowline;
- a first biasing member disposed around the extension biasing the extension to the locked position;
- a second biasing member disposed around the first biasing member, wherein the second biasing member is configured to move the extension to an unlocked position upon a failure of the eutectic cap to release the actuator which moves to a second position to stop the fluid flow through the flowline.
A method of governing a flow of production fluid from a well with a gate valve assembly, the method comprising:
- flowing the fluid through an orifice of a gate;
- and
- holding the gate open during the flowing by retaining an actuator in a first position with an extension biased to a locked position by a first biasing member, wherein a second biasing member disposed around the first biasing member is configured to move the extension to an unlocked position after a eutectic implement deteriorates when exposed to an elevated temperature to allow the actuator to move to a second position to close the gate and stop the flowing of the fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.