Miniature component specialists LEE PRODUCTS have developed a reduced diameter solenoid valve which will help oil tool designers meet the challenges of incorporating all the required components into the smallest space envelope. This new high pressure micro solenoid valve has a maximum outside diameter of 0.550” (14mm) and will be particularly beneficial in the design of Completion Tools for oil wells where all the components have to be fitted into an annulus of the tool.
Today, a large majority of completion and intervention tools are self-powered so they do not need electrical or hydraulic power to be transmitted from the surface down hole on an umbilical cable. The power source is usually a number of AA size batteries (cells) and designers have to be able to package these power sources into the component. This means designers really want a solenoid valve to be no larger in diameter than these batteries and this is where this reduced diameter valve really ticks all the right boxes.
The combination of a reduced outside diameter with the largest possible inside diameter will enable operators to use a wider range of intervention tools, as well as increasing the flow rate of oil being produced. Also, like all Lee Products solenoid valves, this model incorporates the innovative MultiSeal™.
This feature radically simplifies the port layout and allows total porting flexibility 360º around the seal, without the need for O-Rings or anti-extrusion rings. The result is significant space savings, reduced machining costs and improved reliability compared to traditional sealing methods.
The solenoid valve is a single coil, 3 way, normally closed device, capable of operating up to 5,000psid at a maximum voltage of 32vdc and typically flowing 0.12USGPM at 200psid, but could easily be designed as a normally open version. In order to maintain the same power delivered by the coil, the length of the coil has been increased to 68mm.
Further details on Lee Products High Pressure Micro Solenoid Valve are available from: Mike Stott, Lee Products Ltd,
3 High Street, Chalfont St. Peter, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, SL9 9QE
Tel: +44 (0) 1753 886664 Fax:+44 (0)1753 889588
