Circulating Sub with Erodible Ball Seat for Repeated Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional circulating subs can only be operated between open and closed positions a limited number of times due to the filling of drop ball chambers, restricting their repeated use without increasing object size.

Innovation Solution

A circulating sub apparatus with a displacement mechanism allowing the inner body member to move between open and obturated configurations, featuring a seat member that permits fluid flow past a dropped object, and using erodible balls that can be repeatedly used to open and close the sub without increasing size, with the seat member located upstream of the holes to facilitate fluid flow and object erosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional circulating subs use drop balls to open and close the sub, then the sub can be operated between open and closed positions, but the sub can only be operated a limited number of times because drop balls fill up a catching chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of operationsVSAvoiddrop ball catching chamber capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the drop ball catching chamber from the circulating sub design. Instead of having a chamber to collect drop balls, the system uses a seat member that temporarily holds the ball during operation, allowing the ball to be released and reused without requiring a collection chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables recovery and reuse of the same drop ball multiple times. The ball is released from the seat member after serving its purpose of opening the sub, and can be dropped again for subsequent operations, eliminating the need to discard balls after a single use or after filling a chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Productivity

If conventional circulating subs use larger drop balls for repeated operation, then the sub can be operated multiple times, but the object size must increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated operation capabilityVSAvoiddrop ball size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a dynamic seat member mechanism that can release the drop ball after it has served its purpose. This dynamic release allows the same ball to be reused for multiple operations without needing to increase in size, as the ball is temporarily held and then released for subsequent use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the seat member is located downstream of the holes, then the dropped object can block the throughbore, but fluid cannot flow past the object effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject blocking capabilityVSAvoidfluid flow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the seat member upstream of the holes rather than downstream. This inversion allows the dropped object to be held on the seat member while fluid flows past it through the holes, enabling both the blocking function and fluid flow simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 repeated operation of the circulating sub without the need for larger objects, maintaining functionality through the erosion of erodible balls, allowing for efficient fluid flow and operation in both open and closed configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The ball is eroded by the passing fluid and is subsequently flushed through the seat member and circulating sub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectErosion: Erosion

Implementation Method 2

The inner body member is movable relative to the outer body member and is movable from one position to another in response to fluid pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

the seat member is adapted to permit at least a proportion of fluid to flow past the dropped object when it is seated thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS8657018B2Circulating sub

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 CORPRO SYST

AI summary

A circulating sub apparatus including a substantially tubular outer body member having a throughbore formed therein and a substantially tubular inner body member. The outer body member having at least one hole formed therein and a displacement mechanism for producing movement of the inner body member relative to the outer body member such that the inner body member is moveable between an open configuration and an obturated configuration. The inner body member includes a seat member adapted to catch a dropped object, the seat member is located upstream of the hole(s) of the outer body member in both the open and obturated configurations, and wherein the seat member is adapted to permit at least a proportion of fluid to flow past the dropped object when it is seated thereon.