Burst Disc Sub with Radial Pin Rupture for Predictable Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing burst disc subs in hydrocarbon production are unpredictable in rupture pressure and often require complex mechanical tools, adding cost and time to the process.

Innovation Solution

A downhole tool with a piston and breaking pin mechanism that applies a radially inward force to a frangible disc made of brittle material, such as tempered glass, to efficiently rupture the disc and open the tubing string.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure is used to rupture the disc, then the tool can be opened, but the rupture pressure becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepredictability of rupture pressureVSAvoidrupture pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying axial force perpendicular to the disc surface (conventional method), the invention applies radial inward force on the disc circumference through the breaking pin mechanism. This inverted approach to force application direction provides predictable rupture pressure while maintaining tool opening functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If mechanical tools are used to break the disc, then the disc can be ruptured, but the tools become complicated and add cost and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of toolVSAvoidtime to rupture disc

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The breaking pin is pre-positioned within the piston structure before the tool is deployed. When pressure is applied, the piston automatically moves the breaking pin to apply radial force and rupture the disc. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex external mechanical tools and reduces activation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The breaking pin is nested within the piston, and the piston is nested within the tool body. This compact nested arrangement integrates the disc-breaking function into the existing tool structure without adding external complexity or requiring separate mechanical devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 tool provides predictable and efficient actuation of the tubing string by ensuring consistent rupture of the frangible disc, reducing complexity and cost compared to existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

at least one breaking pin provided in an aperture extending through a wall of the piston and located adjacent the circumference of the frangible disc when the piston is in the first position, the at least one breaking pin being adapted to apply a radially inward force against the outer circumference of the frangible disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial force application: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a frangible disc provided adjacent to the first end of the piston and being adapted to prevent fluids from passing through the lumen of the tool... efficient rupture of the frangible disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture of brittle material: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentUS12553311B1Burst disc sub

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 TRYTON TOOL SERVICES LLP

AI summary

A downhole tool is provided, which comprises burst or rupture disc sub for use in wellbore tubing strings is provided. The burst disc sub includes a frangible disc that, in the initial or closed state of the sub, prevents the flow fluids. The sub includes one or more breaking pins that are adapted to apply a radially inward force against the disc one the sub is pressurized, with such force being capable of shattering the disc and thereby place the sub in its open state.