Down Well Pipe Cutter With Revolvable UHP Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-high pressure (UHP) cutting devices for sublevel use in dismantling oil, gas, and utility well bores require complex systems of connectors for rotatable movement, leading to potential failures and safety concerns in hot work environments due to the use of heat-based cutting tools.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device with a revolvable UHP hose that revolves around a longitudinal axis, featuring a cutting head with multiple nozzles directing UHP fluid at different angles to cut through pipes without requiring a full 360-degree rotation, reducing complexity and enhancing safety by minimizing the use of heat-based cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex system of connectors is used to enable rotatable movement of the UHP hose, then the cutting device can rotate 360 degrees to cut the pipe, but the reliability of the system decreases due to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex rotatable connector system from the UHP hose assembly. Instead of allowing the hose to rotate through connectors, the hose is extracted from the rotation mechanism entirely, leaving it stationary while only the cutting head rotates. This eliminates multiple potential failure points in the connector system while preserving the cutting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device is segmented into distinct functional components: a stationary UHP hose, a rotating cutting head assembly, and a support structure. This segmentation allows the hose to remain fixed and simple while the cutting head performs the rotation, separating the fluid delivery function from the cutting motion function.
2Productivity
If heat-based cutting tools are used in hot work areas, then cutting can be performed on pipe casings, but safety hazards increase due to the presence of ignition sources near flammable gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal/mechanical cutting systems (torch-based) with a hydraulic/UHP water jet cutting system. The cutting action is achieved through ultra-high pressure fluid injection rather than heat, eliminating the ignition source while maintaining effective cutting capability on pipe casings and cement liners.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting mechanism changes from thermal energy (high temperature) to hydraulic energy (ultra-high pressure fluid). This parameter change fundamentally alters the energy delivery method, removing the fire hazard while preserving the ability to cut through various materials including steel, concrete, and cement.
3Device complexity
If a single nozzle is used in the cutting head, then the construction is simpler, but the cutting efficiency decreases and requires full 360-degree rotation to complete the cut
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting head is segmented into multiple nozzle units arranged radially around the central axis. Each nozzle is responsible for cutting a specific sector of the pipe circumference. This segmentation allows the cutting head to achieve complete circumferential cutting without requiring a full 360-degree rotation, as multiple nozzles work simultaneously on different portions of the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring one nozzle to perform the complete 360-degree cutting action, multiple nozzles perform partial cutting actions simultaneously. Each nozzle contributes a portion of the total cutting task, and the combined effect achieves complete circumferential cutting with less than 360-degree rotation of the cutting head.
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 enables efficient cutting of pipes with reduced risk of failure and safety hazards by simplifying the construction of UHP cutting devices and allowing for complete cuts with less than a full rotation of the cutting head, thereby improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first nozzle to direct ultra-high pressure (UHP) fluid towards an inner surface of the down hole pipe; a second nozzle to direct UHP fluid towards a different portion of the inner surface of the down hole pipe; wherein the UHP fluid has a pressure when exiting the first nozzle and second nozzle sufficient to cut the down hole pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting head assembly uses multiple cutting heads directing ultra-high pressure fluid in different directions towards an inner surface of a pipe to be cut in order to complete a full cut of the pipe while rotating or revolving the multiple cutting heads less than 360 degrees relative to central axis. The ultra-high pressure fluid mixes with abrasive inside fittings on or near each of the nozzles to further assist with cutting through the pipe. Some cutting head assemblies have two nozzles, while other cutting head assemblies have three or four nozzles.