Ball Seat Actuation via Pressure Pulse and Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for remotely actuating downhole tools in hydrocarbon wells require high fluid pressure to release a ball from a ball seat, which can cause damage to formations due to pressure surges or water hammer effects.
Innovation Solution
A downhole device with a ball seat and valve assembly that uses a pressure transducer and Kevlar fuse to control fluid flow, allowing the ball seat to shift from a smaller to a larger diameter without relying on pressure differentials, enabling controlled release of the ball without high pressure surges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high fluid pressure is used to blow out the ball seat, then the ball can be released from the seat, but the hydrocarbon-bearing formations can be damaged through shock loading or water hammer effect
Solution Approach 1:
The ball seat diameter is changed dynamically by moving the ball seat relative to the ball using a piston actuated by fluid pressure. The piston moves the ball seat from a first position where the diameter matches the ball (blocking flow) to a second position where the diameter is larger than the ball (allowing flow), enabling controlled release without pressure surges
Solution Approach 2:
A piston is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the fluid pressure source and the ball seat. The piston converts fluid pressure into mechanical motion to move the ball seat, indirectly controlling the ball release process and avoiding direct high pressure application to the ball-seat interface
2Productivity
If high fluid pressure is applied to the ball seat, then the ball can be blown out, but water hammer effect occurs causing shock loading
Solution Approach 1:
The ball seat is preliminarily positioned in the first position with diameter matching the ball to block flow and build pressure. The piston is pre-positioned to enable controlled movement. When release is desired, the piston moves to gradually transition the ball seat to the second position, preventing sudden pressure release and water hammer effect
Solution Approach 2:
The ball seat release is achieved through periodic or controlled incremental movement of the piston rather than a single sudden pressure change. This controlled progression allows the system to transition smoothly from blocked to open state, avoiding shock loading
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the controlled release of the ball from the ball seat, preventing damage to hydrocarbon-bearing formations by avoiding high pressure surges and allowing for safe reopening of the bore without fluid pressure differentials.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the bore at a first location and with a pressure transducer at a second location, the transducer constructed and arranged to measure pressure of the fluid and provide a signal to circuitry controlling a valve upon reception of a predetermined pressure pulse sequence
Implementation Method 2
When the pulse sequence is delivered, the valve opens, placing a source of pressurized fluid in communication with an actuator that shifts the component
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole device shifts a component from a first state to a second state. The device includes a body having the component in a bore thereof and an annular space formed within an inner and outer wall of the body. The annular space includes a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the bore at a first location and with a pressure transducer at a second location, the transducer constructed and arranged to measure pressure of the fluid and provide a signal to circuitry controlling a valve upon reception of a predetermined fluid pressure pulse sequence. When the pulse sequence is delivered, the valve opens, placing a source of pressurized fluid in communication with an actuator that shifts the valve.