Hydraulic packer

Abstract

FIELD: construction.SUBSTANCE: invention can be used to strengthen the soil foundations of existing buildings and structures or to transform the properties of soils for objects under construction, such as linear ones. The hydraulic packer comprises an injector, two elastic membranes with the formation of an injection zone between the elastic membranes, a hydraulic system including a hydraulic oil supply channel, a power hydraulic chamber with the possibility of supplying hydraulic oil into its cavity through the said hydraulic oil supply channel, a piston configured to move when hydraulic oil is supplied into the cavity of the power hydraulic chamber and compressing the elastic membranes, seals inside and outside the piston adapted for preventing leakage of hydraulic oil outside the power hydraulic chamber. The elastic membranes form an anchor-sealing module, in which each elastic membrane comprises a spring located inside the elastic membrane, which is secured on both sides by fixing washers. The hydraulic packer also comprises an inlet tube adapted for connecting a high-pressure hose for supplying a hardening solution, the inlet tube is in communication with the main channel for supplying a hardening solution, located inside a hydraulic power chamber comprising a piston. The main channel for feeding the hardening solution has a removable plug at the end and openings adapted for hardening solution exiting into the injection chamber with openings adapted for hardening solution exiting through them into the injection zone.EFFECT: improved hydraulic system that will facilitate the uniform expansion of elastic membranes to create a sealed chamber and secure the packer itself in the injector.1 cl, 8 dwg

Description

[0001] The invention relates to construction and can be used to strengthen the soil foundations of existing buildings and structures and to perform soil foundation cementation using cuff technology, or to transform the properties of soils for construction, for example, of linear objects.

[0002] A known packer design (patent for utility model RU 178974, IPC E21B 33 / 12, published April 24, 2018, Bulletin No. 12) is adopted as a prototype. The working module consists of one working section and two hollow end sections, freely extendable in length by means of threaded connections using a central section. The end sections are divided into fixing and pressure fittings. In the working sections, at the point where the elastic membranes are secured with fixing fittings, rounded flanges are formed on the surface, the protrusion of which is determined depending on the required degree of compression of the elastic membranes at the connection point.

[0003] The main disadvantages of the prototype are:

[0004] - insufficient tightness of the blocked intra-pipe space of the injector pipe or casing string due to the limited contact surface between the elastic membrane and the injector pipe or casing string at the point where the injection solution exits inside the sealing module and, as a consequence, slippage of the packer during operation;

[0005] - uneven opening of the elastic membranes of the working sections depending on their location in depth (lower-located elastic membranes open faster under injection pressure), which prevents the packer from operating properly.

[0006] The objective of the claimed technical solution is to develop a hydraulic packer design that can eliminate the identified deficiencies, namely, insufficient tightness of the injection chamber and uneven opening of the elastic membranes.

[0007] The technical result of the proposed invention consists in improving the hydraulic system, which will facilitate the uniform expansion of elastic membranes to create a sealed chamber and fix the packer itself in the injector.

[0008] The said technical result is achieved in that the hydraulic packer contains an injector, two elastic membranes with the formation of an injection zone between the elastic membranes, has a hydraulic system including a channel for supplying hydraulic oil, a power hydraulic chamber with the possibility of supplying hydraulic oil into its cavity through the said channel for supplying hydraulic oil, a piston made with the possibility of moving when hydraulic oil is supplied into the cavity of the power hydraulic chamber and compressing the elastic membranes, seals inside and outside the piston with the possibility of preventing leakage of hydraulic oil outside the power hydraulic chamber, wherein the elastic membranes form an anchor-sealing module, in which each elastic membrane contains a spring located inside the elastic membrane, which is fixed on both sides by locking washers,wherein the hydraulic packer also comprises an inlet tube with the possibility of connecting a high-pressure hose for feeding a hardening solution, the inlet tube is connected to the main channel for feeding the hardening solution, located inside the hydraulic power chamber containing a piston, wherein the main channel for feeding the hardening solution has a removable plug at the end and openings with the possibility of the hardening solution exiting into the injection chamber with openings with the possibility of the hardening solution exiting through them into the injection zone.

[0009] The specified technical result is achieved by separating the hardening solution supply channel and the hydraulic oil supply channel with the expansion of elastic membranes, through the use of a piston system and a spring mechanism, forming a hydraulic system.

[0010] The essence of the invention is explained by drawings.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows a general view of the design of a hydraulic packer in its initial state, when the elastic membranes are not expanded.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows a section 1-1 of the hydraulic packer in its original state.

[0013] Fig. 3 shows a section 2-2 of the hydraulic packer in its original state.

[0014] Fig. 4 shows a general view of the design of the hydraulic packer in working condition, when the elastic membranes are expanded and the packer is fixed in the injector.

[0015] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view 1-1 of the hydraulic packer in working condition.

[0016] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view 2-2 of the hydraulic packer in working condition.

[0017] Fig. 7 shows a 3D model of the hydraulic packer in its original state.

[0018] Fig. 8 shows a 3D model of the hydraulic packer in working condition.

[0019] The graphic materials indicate:

[0020] 1 - inlet tube;

[0021] 2 - piston;

[0022] 3 - locking washer;

[0023] 4 - hydraulic power chamber;

[0024] 5 - spring;

[0025] 6 - elastic membrane;

[0026] 7 - removable plug;

[0027] 8 - injection chamber;

[0028] 9 - main channel for supplying solution;

[0029] 10 - oil seal D40;

[0030] 11 - oil seal D23;

[0031] 12 - channel for supplying hydraulic oil;

[0032] 13 - hole for solution outlet;

[0033] 14 - holes in the injection module;

[0034] 15 - injector;

[0035] 16 - sealed chamber.

[0036] The claimed technical solution consists of the following main elements.

[0037] The hydraulic packer consists of a hollow inlet tube 1 which serves to connect high-pressure hoses with a mixing station (not shown in the figure) and supply hardening solution to the main channel 9 for supplying the solution, located inside the structure, and with an oil station for creating hydraulic pressure through hoses via a channel for supplying hydraulic oil 12.

[0038] The main channel 9 for supplying the solution has openings 13 for the solution outlet and is located inside the hydraulic power chamber 4 containing the piston 2. Using the oil station, hydraulic oil is supplied into the cavity of the hydraulic power chamber 4 through the channel 12 for supplying hydraulic oil, which drives the piston 2. Inside and outside the piston 2, sealing glands D40 10 and D23 11 are installed, preventing oil leakage outside the hydraulic power chamber 4 with hydraulic oil.

[0039] The anchor-sealing module of the hydraulic packer consists of springs 5 ​​located inside the elastic membrane 6, which is fixed on both sides by locking washers 3 and is compressed under the action of piston 2, which causes a uniform transverse expansion of the elastic membrane 6. Injection chamber 8 serves as an injection module and has openings 14 through which the solution enters the injection zone. Removable plug 7 prevents the solution from escaping through the end of the main inlet tube 1. Upon completion of the work, the oil pressure is released through the shut-off valve (not shown in the figure), which ensures the return of piston 2 to its original position due to the compression of spring 5 and the possibility of removing the hydraulic packer.

[0040] The power hydraulic chamber 4, the piston 2, the seals 10 and 11, and the springs 5 ​​together with the hydraulic oil form a hydraulic system that allows for uniform expansion of the elastic membranes 6 and creates a sealed chamber 16 from which the hardening solution cannot leak beyond the elastic membranes 6 and clog the injector 15, which includes a channel 12 for supplying hydraulic oil to the power hydraulic chamber 4 with the piston 2.

[0041] The design of the hydraulic packer provides for the following technological sequence of work.

[0042] Stage 1: Packer Preparation and Insertion. The assembled hydraulic packer is inserted into injector 15 to the required depth, corresponding to the intended injection interval. The packer is connected to the mixing station to supply the curing solution into the main solution supply channel 9 through inlet pipe 1, and to the hydraulic power unit to create hydraulic pressure through the hydraulic oil supply hoses via hydraulic oil supply channel 12. No solution is supplied at this stage.

[0043] Stage 2: Activation of the anchor-sealing module. Hydraulic oil is supplied from the oil station to the hydraulic power chamber 4. Under the action of the generated pressure, piston 2 performs a reciprocating movement and begins to compress springs 5, which leads to a uniform transverse expansion of elastic membranes 6. Elastic membranes 6 enter into forceful contact with the wall of injector 15, ensuring reliable fixation of the hydraulic packer and creating a sealed chamber 16 between elastic membranes 6, preventing the hardening solution from penetrating beyond their boundaries. After fixing and sealing the hydraulic packer, the hardening solution is supplied through high-pressure hoses (not shown in the figure) through inlet tube 1.

[0044] Stage 3: Injection cycle of the hardening mortar. The mortar enters the main mortar feed channel 9, then through the outlet openings 13 into the injection chamber 8 and through the openings 14 in the injection module into the injector 15. It is then injected into the subgrade through an opening in the injector (not shown in the figure) under pressure exceeding the structural strength of the soil, creating hydraulic fractures. At this point, the removable plug 7 hermetically seals the end of the main mortar feed channel 9.

[0045] Stage 4: Deactivating and moving the packer. Upon completion of the injection, the shut-off valve (not shown in the figure) is opened on the hydraulic power unit, releasing the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic power chamber 4. Under the action of the expanding springs 5, the piston 2 returns to its original position, and the elastic membranes 6 are transversely compressed, releasing contact with the wall of the injector 15. After this, the hydraulic packer is in a free position and can be removed from the injector 15 for subsequent use.

[0046] The claimed invention is explained by an example.

[0047] The implementation of the method using the claimed hydraulic packer, designed for installation in an injector 20 meters long with perforation holes spaced 1 meter apart, includes the following process steps.

[0048] The hydraulic packer, in its transport position, with elastic membranes 6 in their initial state and springs 5 ​​uncompressed, is installed in the mouth of injector 15, previously driven into the ground to a depth of 3 meters using horizontal drilling. Inlet tube 1 of the hydraulic packer is connected to main channel 9 for supplying mortar from the mixing station, and channel 12 for supplying hydraulic oil is connected to the oil station. The hydraulic packer is then placed inside injector 15 at the first point. To activate the anchor-sealing module, the operator sends a command to the oil station. Pressurized working fluid (oil) enters the cavity of hydraulic power chamber 4, acting on the end surface of piston 2. Piston 2 moves reciprocatingly, transmitting force to springs 5.Compression of springs 5 ​​initiates the uniform transverse expansion of two elastic membranes 6, which engage with the inner surface of injector 15, ensuring its secure fixation and creating a sealed chamber 16 between the elastic membranes 6. Seals 11 and 12 on piston 2 prevent hydraulic fluid leakage. Fixation is confirmed by stabilizing the pressure in the hydraulic system. After confirming fixation and sealing, the operator turns on the mixing station. The hardening solution, under a pressure of 0.1-10 MPa, enters the main channel 9 for the hardening solution through inlet tube 1. Through outlet openings 13 in the main channel for hardening solution 9, the solution enters the injection chamber 8, from where it enters the sealed chamber 16 through openings 14 in the injection module, and then through an opening in the injector (not shown in the figure) under pressure exceeding the structural strength of the soil, it is pumped into the soil base, forming hydraulic fractures.A removable plug 7 at the end of the main channel 9 for supplying the solution prevents the solution from leaking outside the injection zone.

[0049] The injection process at one point continues until the specified solution flow volume or controlled pressure is reached. Upon completion of the injection at the current point, the operator shuts off the solution flow and releases the pressure in the hydraulic packer's hydraulic system through the shut-off valve (not shown in the figure). When the pressure is released, springs 5 ​​are compressed, returning piston 2 to its original position. Elastic membranes 6, relieved of the load, return to their original state, breaking contact with the wall of injector 15. The hydraulic packer is moved to the transport position and moved along the axis of injector 15 to the next position (in 1-meter increments), after which the cycle is repeated. After processing all target points along the length of injector 15, the hydraulic packer is completely removed from injector 15. The tightness and operability of the sealing elements - seals 10, 11 - are checked, and the equipment is prepared for subsequent operation.

[0050] Thus, the claimed design of the hydraulic packer allows for localized injection of the solution at multiple points within a single injector due to the cyclic activation and deactivation of the anchor-sealing module of the hydraulic packer, ensuring controlled and resource-saving reinforcement of soil massifs.

[0051] The technical result is achieved through the use of a hydraulic system, including a hydraulic power chamber, a piston, seals, springs and hydraulic oil, which allows the elastic membranes to expand uniformly, helping to create a sealed chamber from which the hardening solution cannot leak beyond the elastic membranes and clog the injector.

[0052] This hydraulic packer design allows for injection of hardening solution when using:

[0053] 1. Vertical injectors with an outer pipe diameter of 57-63 mm;

[0054] 2. Horizontal injectors with an outer pipe diameter of 57-63 mm;

[0055] 3. Bent injectors with a minimum bending radius of more than 30 m and an outer pipe diameter of 63 mm.

[0056] The specified range of diameters is primarily due to the fact that when the elastic membrane expands, there are no gaps between the injector wall and the membrane itself, that is, to maintain tightness.

[0057] The minimum bending radius of the injector is to ensure that the hydraulic packer can move freely along the entire length of the injector and not get stuck in it.

[0058] The hydraulic packer allows solving the problem of strengthening soil foundations using hydraulic fracturing during the injection of hardening solution through vertical and horizontal injectors, as well as bent injectors with a minimum bending radius of more than 30 m.

[0059] The main positive effect of this packer is that it can be used in bent injectors while maintaining the tightness of the work.

Claims

A hydraulic packer comprising an injector, two elastic membranes with the formation of an injection zone between the elastic membranes, characterized in that it has a hydraulic system including a channel for supplying hydraulic oil, a power hydraulic chamber with the possibility of supplying hydraulic oil into its cavity through the said channel for supplying hydraulic oil, a piston configured to move when hydraulic oil is supplied into the cavity of the power hydraulic chamber and compressing the elastic membranes, seals inside and outside the piston with the possibility of preventing leakage of hydraulic oil outside the power hydraulic chamber, wherein the elastic membranes form an anchor-sealing module, in which each elastic membrane contains a spring located inside the elastic membrane, which is fixed on both sides by locking washers, and the hydraulic packer also contains an inlet tube with the possibility of connecting a high-pressure hose for supplying a hardening solution,the inlet tube is connected to the main channel for feeding the hardening solution, located inside the hydraulic power chamber containing the piston, wherein the main channel for feeding the hardening solution has a removable plug at the end and openings with the possibility of the hardening solution exiting into the injection chamber with openings with the possibility of the hardening solution exiting through them into the injection zone.

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