Inflatable Downhole Bag With Staged Chemical Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable blast hole plugs have uncontrolled inflation reactions that limit the operator's time to position the bag correctly, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste due to incorrect placement or slow inflation.
Innovation Solution
Inflatable down hole bags with tablets containing a second substance that react with a first substance to produce inflation fluid, where the tablets are configured to fragment at controlled rates, allowing for a predictable inflation profile and increased time for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the inflation reaction is made fast and uncontrolled, then the bag inflates quickly, but the operator has limited time to place the bag at the correct height and cannot stop or slow the reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation reaction is segmented into two distinct stages: an initial slow inflation stage that allows operator positioning, followed by a faster inflation stage that completes the filling. This is achieved by using tablets that fragment over time, releasing gas at different rates in controlled sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflation rate is made dynamic rather than static, transitioning from slow to fast as the reaction progresses. The tablet fragmentation process naturally creates this variable rate, allowing the system to adapt its inflation speed based on the operational needs at different stages.
2Ease of operation
If the inflation reaction is made slow, then the operator has more time to position the bag, but the bag requires manual holding or waiting for self-support
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation process uses periodic action through tablet fragmentation, where gas is released in controlled bursts rather than continuously. This creates distinct inflation phases that naturally progress without requiring continuous manual intervention, combining operator positioning time with automated progression.
Solution Approach 2:
The system becomes self-servicing as the tablet fragmentation process automatically progresses the inflation without requiring continuous manual holding. Once initiated, the chemical reaction self-regulates through tablet disintegration, eliminating the need for operator intervention during the inflation process itself.
3Productivity
If multiple blast holes are prepared simultaneously, then productivity increases, but the time required for preparation of each hole accumulates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bag and tablets are pre-assembled in a sealed container before insertion into the blast hole. This preliminary preparation eliminates on-site assembly time, allowing operators to simply insert the pre-configured unit and activate the reaction, significantly reducing the time required per hole when preparing multiple holes simultaneously.
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 controlled inflation profile enables efficient and precise placement of the bag in blast holes, reducing waste and increasing operational efficiency by allowing operators more time to position the bag correctly.
Implementation Method 1
contact between the first substance and the second substance causes an inflation fluid producing reaction within the sealed inflatable body, thereby inflating the inflatable body
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable down hole bag for insertion into a blast hole, comprising: a sealed inflatable body; a first substance within the sealed inflatable body; a plurality of tablets separated from the first substance within the sealed inflatable body; and a release for allowing the first substance to contact the tablets; wherein the tablets comprise a second substance, and wherein contact between the first substance and the second substance causes an inflation fluid producing reaction within the sealed inflatable body, thereby inflating the inflatable body, wherein the tablets are configured to fragment after contact with the first substance.