Combustion Tool for Downhole Target Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tools for manipulating targets, such as tubulars, in remote locations like oil or gas wells are inefficient, costly, and cumbersome, often requiring ancillary equipment that complicates logistics and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
A tool that utilizes combustion products from a propellant to manipulate targets, featuring a housing with a chamber, a propellant source, an ignition mechanism, and automatically opening chamber outlets to direct the combustion products for tasks like cutting, cleaning, or removing obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional tools are used to manipulate targets in remote locations, then operations can be performed, but the tools are inefficient, costly, and require cumbersome ancillary equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the propellant source, ignition mechanism, and chamber outlets into a single integrated tool assembly that can be deployed independently in remote locations. This merging eliminates the need for separate ancillary equipment and supports high-speed operations through unified combustion-driven manipulation of targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is designed to be self-contained with an onboard propellant source and ignition mechanism that automatically activates upon deployment. The combustion process self-generates the necessary force and energy for target manipulation without requiring external power sources or additional equipment, enabling autonomous operation in remote environments.
2Loss of time
If conventional tools are used for target manipulation, then operations can be completed, but the process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The tool employs periodic combustion cycles where propellant is ignited in controlled intervals to perform sequential operations on targets. This periodic action enables rapid, repetitive manipulation tasks such as cutting or cleaning multiple sections of tubulars, significantly reducing total operational time compared to conventional continuous or manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of propellant from solid/liquid state to gaseous combustion products, generating rapid expansion and high-velocity flow. This phase change creates instantaneous high-energy output that accelerates target manipulation operations, reducing the time required for cutting, cleaning, or other mechanical operations on downhole equipment.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If chamber outlets remain closed during propellant ignition, then containment is maintained, but combustion products cannot be directed at the target
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber outlets are pre-positioned and designed to open automatically at predetermined moments following propellant ignition. This preliminary arrangement ensures that combustion products are directed at the target with precise timing and directionality, while the chamber maintains sealing integrity during the critical ignition and pressure buildup phase before outlet opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber outlets transition from a closed static state to an open dynamic state in response to combustion pressure. This dynamic opening mechanism allows the system to maintain reliable sealing during containment while enabling controlled release of combustion products toward the target, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and product directionality.
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 enables faster and more efficient manipulation of targets compared to conventional methods, reducing time and resource costs while minimizing logistical and regulatory complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a tool for manipulating a target with combustion products from a propellant
Implementation Method 2
The combustion products produced following ignition of propellant generate pressure and/or heat. The pressure and/or heat of these combustion products can cause the automatic opening of the chamber outlet
Implementation Method 3
When a chamber outlet is opened the combustion products from the propellant can exit, as a stream of combustion products. The speed at which the propellant combustion products exit the tool may be subsonic, sonic or supersonic
Data Source
AI summary
A tool (1) for manipulating a target with combustion products from a propellant, includes a housing (2) defining a chamber (12), a propellant source located within the chamber (12), an ignition mechanism (28) for igniting propellant (26) at the propellant source, and at least one chamber outlet (30) for combustion products from the propellant source. The tool (1) is configured to automatically open the chamber outlet (30) from a closed condition, following ignition of the propellant (26) at the propellant source. Methods of manipulating a target using the tool are also described.