Ball Activated Trigger Mechanism for Harsh Well Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball activated devices in the oil and gas industry face issues with activation due to high friction forces, contamination, scaling, and corrosion, which prevent proper operation, especially in environments with aggressive fluids and particles.
Innovation Solution
A trigger mechanism for ball activated devices featuring an inner sleeve and seat sleeve with radially moveable members that form a fluid-tight seal, using an alternating member to facilitate axial movement and radial expansion, while protecting against well fluids and particles with incompressible water-repelling fluids and seals to prevent corrosion and scaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball activated device uses a sliding sleeve valve with lugs expanding into a groove to close the valve, then the valve can be sealed, but high friction forces and contamination prevent proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a ball seat assembly with radially moveable members that can independently expand and contract, separated from the sliding sleeve valve mechanism. This segmentation allows the ball seat to operate independently without being affected by friction and contamination in the sliding sleeve, resolving the contradiction between sealing capability and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball seat function is extracted from the sliding sleeve valve and implemented as a separate radially moveable member assembly. This extraction removes the ball seat from the harmful environment of the sliding sleeve, eliminating the friction and contamination issues while maintaining the sealing function through the expandable radially moveable members.
2Reliability
If the seat is affixed to the sliding sleeve to form a fluid tight seal, then valve closure is achieved, but friction forces and particle deposition prevent proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid tight sealing function is segmented from the sliding sleeve and implemented through radially moveable members that expand radially to form seals. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be achieved without relying on the sliding sleeve, thereby eliminating friction and particle deposition issues while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball seat members are made radially moveable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically expand and contract in response to pressure differential. This dynamic capability enables the members to self-adjust and maintain fluid tight seals without being affixed to the sliding sleeve, ensuring easy activation while preventing particle deposition problems.
3Reliability
If lugs expand radially into a groove to hold the slide valve closed, then valve closure is achieved, but particle deposition in the groove prevents proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve closure function is extracted from the groove-based lug expansion mechanism and implemented through radially moveable members that expand radially to directly block fluid flow. This extraction eliminates the groove structure that traps particles, preventing particle deposition while maintaining reliable valve closure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a groove structure that is susceptible to particle deposition, the invention uses radially moveable members that expand outward to form seals. This converts the potential harm of particle accumulation in grooves into a beneficial smooth surface design that prevents particle trapping while achieving valve closure through radial expansion of the seat members.
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
Ensures reliable activation of ball activated devices by minimizing friction and preventing contamination, ensuring proper operation even in harsh well conditions by maintaining a fluid-tight seal and preventing particle entry, thus maintaining device functionality during cementing and fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The trigger mechanism is protected from well fluids and particles by filling spaces within the trigger mechanism with an incompressible water-repelling fluid
Implementation Method 2
When it is desired to activate the device, the drop ball is dropped or pumped down within the tubing until it lands on the ball seat. Then, pressure is applied behind or upstream from the ball. When the force exerted by the pressure on the piston area exceeds a predetermined level, the ball seat shifts downstream and activates the device
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger mechanism for a ball activated device comprises a seat sleeve with seat defining members forming a fluid seal between the ball and the seat in an initial state and allowing the ball to pass through the seat in a final state. An alternating member can move radially in an aperture through an inner sleeve and abuts an outer surface on the seat sleeve in the initial state, is received in a recess on the seat sleeve in an intermediate state, and is received in a groove in the outer sleeve in the final state. A protective sleeve may extend axially from the seat sleeve over a seat receiving area. The mechanism is suitable for cementing and fracturing as particles cannot penetrate to its moving parts.