Exploding Bridge Wire Detonation Wave Shaper for Tubular Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaped charge jet cutters in the oil industry often produce curved or cupped cuts due to longitudinal deflection of the detonation wave, reducing their effectiveness in cutting tubulars efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A detonation wave shaper comprising an explosive pellet and an exploding bridge wire, where the bridge wire is contained within the pellet and extends through most of its length, allowing for simultaneous detonation along the entire length of the booster, ensuring radial expansion and uniform compression of the liners for a straight cut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the booster is detonated from the top causing a detonation wave to travel down the booster longitudinally, then the shaped charge can be initiated, but the longitudinal component of the detonation causes deflection of the shaped charge jet from the ideal radial direction, reducing cutting effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetonation initiationVSAvoidcut straightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single longitudinal detonation wave into multiple simultaneous detonation points arranged circumferentially around the booster. This segmentation allows each segment to generate a radial detonation wave that combines to form a perfectly radial overall detonation pattern, eliminating the longitudinal deflection component while maintaining effective initiation of the shaped charge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent places detonators at specific circumferential locations around the booster rather than using a single longitudinal detonation source. Each local detonation point is positioned to generate a radially outward detonation wave, ensuring that the detonation energy is distributed uniformly in the radial direction at each location, which collectively produces a straight cut.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a conventional single-point detonation method is used, then the device structure is simple, but the detonation wave produces longitudinal deflection causing curved or cupped cuts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetonation structureVSAvoidcut quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detonation system is segmented into multiple independent detonators positioned circumferentially around the booster. Each detonator independently initiates a local detonation that propagates radially outward, and the combination of these segmented detonation sources creates a uniform radial detonation wave front that eliminates longitudinal deflection and produces straight, high-quality cuts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If the detonation wave travels longitudinally down the booster, then the explosive energy is delivered, but the jet of high energy plasma is deflected from the ideal radial direction reducing cutter effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosive energy deliveryVSAvoidcutting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local detonation quality control by positioning detonators at specific circumferential points around the booster. Each detonator creates a locally optimized radial detonation wave that directs explosive energy purely in the radial direction. This local quality control ensures that the resulting plasma jet is perfectly radial and focused, maximizing cutting efficiency and effectiveness without longitudinal deflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution achieves a straight cut in tubulars, enhancing the cutting efficiency and reducing flare, allowing for more precise and deeper cuts in thicker pipes by ensuring simultaneous detonation of the explosive materials and liners.

Implementation Method 1

A detonation wave shaper comprising an explosive pellet and an exploding bridge wire... When the jet cutter is detonated, it will generate a jet of high energy plasma

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 2

A shaped charge is a term of art for a device that when detonated generates a focused explosive output. This is achieved in part by the geometry of the explosive in conjunction with a liner in the explosive material. When the explosive detonates the liner metal is compressed into a super heated, super pressurized jet that can penetrate metal, concrete, and rock.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShaped charge: Shaped Charge

Data Source

PatentEP3167147B1Exploding bridge wire detonation wave shaper
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 HUNTING TITAN INC
  • EP3167147B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3167147B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3167147B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A jet cutter apparatus and method for using a single bridge wire or a plurality of bridge wires to uniformly detonate a booster and thereby cause a uniform detonation of the explosives adjacent to the liners, thereby causing a uniform compression of the liners to form a uniform plasma jet that is substantially radially perpendicular to the jet cutter.