Fluid exchange devices and related systems, and methods
AssigneeFlowserve Management Company
InventorsScott Judge, Nathan Terwilliger, A.K. Necioglu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and systems for exchanging properties between at least two fluid streams and related methods may include a valve device comprising a valve actuator configured to move at variable rates in order to selectively fill and empty at least one tank. Devices for exchanging properties between at least two fluid streams may include a valve device comprising staggered and overlapping openings positioned along a path of a valve actuator. The staggered and overlapping openings may be configured to selectively and gradually place an inlet in communication with at least one tank.
Claims22
A device for exchanging pressure between at least two fluid streams, the device comprising:
- at least one high pressure inlet for receiving a first fluid at a first higher pressure;
- at least one low pressure inlet for receiving a second fluid at a first lower pressure;
- at least one high pressure outlet for outputting the second fluid at a second higher pressure that is greater than the first lower pressure;
- at least one low pressure outlet for outputting the first fluid at a second lower pressure that is less than the first higher pressure;
- at least one tank positioned between the at least one high pressure inlet and the at least one high pressure outlet;
- and
- a valve device comprising a valve actuator, the valve device comprising staggered and overlapping openings positioned along a path of the valve actuator, the staggered and overlapping openings configured to selectively and gradually place the at least one high pressure inlet in communication with the at least one tank.
A device for exchanging at least one property between at least two fluid streams, the device comprising:
- at least one high pressure inlet for receiving a fluid at a first higher pressure;
- at least one low pressure inlet for receiving a downhole fluid at a first lower pressure;
- at least one high pressure outlet for outputting the downhole fluid at a second higher pressure that is greater than the first lower pressure;
- at least one low pressure outlet for outputting the fluid at a second lower pressure that is less than the first higher pressure;
- a valve device comprising a valve actuator configured to move at variable rates in order selectively fill and empty at least one tank in communication with the at least one low pressure outlet and the at least one high pressure inlet, the valve actuator configured to:
- selectively place the fluid at the first higher pressure in communication with the downhole fluid at the first lower pressure in order to pressurize the downhole fluid to the second higher pressure;
- and
- selectively output the fluid at the second lower pressure through the at least one low pressure outlet.
A method of operating a device for exchanging pressure between at least two fluid streams, the method comprising:
- receiving a fluid at a first higher pressure into a high pressure inlet of the device;
- receiving a downhole fluid at a first lower pressure into a low pressure inlet of the device;
- placing the fluid at the first higher pressure in communication with the downhole fluid at the first lower pressure by moving an actuator of the device in order to pressurize the downhole fluid to a second higher pressure that is greater than the first lower pressure;
- moving the actuator of the device at a first speed as a valve member of the actuator approaches an opening between the high pressure inlet and the low pressure inlet;
- and
- reducing a velocity of the actuator of the device from the first speed to a second, lower speed as the valve member of the actuator traverses the opening.
A method of operating a device for exchanging pressure between at least two fluid streams, the method comprising:
- receiving a fluid at a first higher pressure into a high pressure inlet of the device;
- receiving a downhole fluid at a first lower pressure into a low pressure inlet of the device;
- placing the fluid at the first higher pressure in communication with the downhole fluid at the first lower pressure by moving an actuator of the device in order to pressurize the downhole fluid to a second higher pressure that is greater than the first lower pressure;
- moving the actuator of the device along staggered openings between the high pressure inlet and the low pressure inlet;
- and
- intersecting only a minor portion of leading ends of the staggered openings at a time as a valve member of the actuator traverses the staggered openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.