Conical Shaped Charges for Tubular Severance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear shaped charges used for severing tubular elements in hydrocarbon extraction operations lose energy when passing through mediums and result in uneven cutting due to non-simultaneous detonation of multiple charges, leading to inefficient and costly procedures with safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A severance tool with aligned shaped charges that release energy tangentially to the target's internal surface, utilizing perforating charges to create a spear-like jet of material that maximizes energy transfer and minimizes energy loss, allowing for simultaneous detonation and improved cutting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If linear shaped charges are used to sever tubular elements, then the charges can create a blade of plasticised metal to cut the target, but the charges lose energy passing through the medium and result in uneven cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the shaped charges from linear configuration to conical configuration. This parameter change allows the charges to focus energy more effectively on the target while reducing energy loss in the medium, thereby achieving more uniform cutting without sacrificing precision.
2Power
If multiple shaped charges are used to sever tubular elements, then more cutting power is available, but detonation problems occur where charges are in close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the severance system into multiple independent conical shaped charges positioned around the tubular target. Each charge is independently detonable through separate trigger mechanisms, allowing controlled sequential or simultaneous detonation that avoids the reliability issues of conventional multiple charge systems while maintaining high cutting power.
3Manufacturing precision
If high amounts of explosives are used to overcome energy loss and achieve consistent cutting, then cutting consistency improves, but the procedure becomes more dangerous and costly
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the geometric parameters from linear to conical shapes, the patent achieves more efficient energy concentration and better cutting consistency with reduced explosive quantities. This parameter optimization lowers both the safety risks and costs associated with handling large amounts of explosives while maintaining reliable cutting performance.
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 effectively severs tubular elements by maximizing energy utilization and ensuring consistent cutting, reducing the need for high explosive amounts and minimizing safety risks, while allowing for easier detachment and closure of blowout preventers.
Implementation Method 1
Upon detonation, the energy released by each energetic may be in the form of a shockwave
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of shaped charges, each shaped charges are adapted to release energy in a preferred direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A severance tool for severing a target is described. The severance tool comprises a housing, a plurality of focused energetics, each focused energetic adapted to release energy in a preferred direction and a trigger mechanism adapted to detonate the focused energetics. The focused energetics are aligned such that, on impact with a target comprising a material, the energy released by one of said focused energetics cooperates with the energy released by another of said focused energetics to establish a separating force within the target material.