Downhole Delay Valve Piston and Disk Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole tools face challenges in efficiently actuating and sealing wellbores due to limitations in pressure differential responses, which affect the reliability and effectiveness of fluid flow control.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool design featuring a piston, locking mechanism, and disk that actuate in response to pressure differentials, allowing the disk to break and enable fluid flow through the axial bore, utilizing a support ring and shear ring to facilitate this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disk is used to prevent fluid flow through the axial bore, then fluid flow control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic pressure differentials to actuate the piston and locking mechanism. Fluid pressure is used to move the piston from a first position to a second position, which in turn actuates the locking mechanism to release the disk, allowing it to break and permit fluid flow. This hydraulic actuation system provides reliable fluid flow control while managing device complexity through the use of pressure-driven mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to control piston position, then the reliability of sealing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the pressure differential. When fluid pressure is applied, it automatically moves the piston and engages the locking mechanism without requiring external control systems. The locking mechanism locks the piston in its second position after the disk breaks, providing reliable sealing automatically. This self-service approach improves sealing reliability while minimizing the addition of complex external control systems.
3Productivity
If the disk is designed to break in response to pressure differential, then the productivity of wellbore opening is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disk is pre-designed with a specific break point or weakness that allows it to fracture predictably when exposed to a predetermined pressure differential. This preliminary design of the break point ensures that the disk will break at the correct moment when the pressure differential reaches the required level, enabling rapid wellbore opening. The manufacturing precision is focused on creating this controlled weakness in the disk rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire component.
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 design effectively controls fluid flow by actuating the piston and locking mechanism in response to pressure changes, ensuring reliable sealing and unsealing of the wellbore, enhancing the tool's functionality in well control and hydraulic setting applications.
Implementation Method 1
The piston is configured to actuate from a first piston position into a second piston position at least partially in response to a pressure differential
Implementation Method 2
The disk is configured to break at least partially in response to the pressure differential while the locking mechanism is in the second locking mechanism position, thereby permitting fluid flow through the axial bore
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool includes a housing defining an axial bore. The downhole tool also includes a piston positioned at least partially within the housing. The piston is configured to actuate from a first piston position into a second piston position at least partially in response to a pressure differential. The downhole tool also includes a locking mechanism positioned at least partially within the housing. The locking mechanism is configured to actuate from a first locking mechanism position into a second locking mechanism position at least partially in response to the pressure differential while the piston is in the second piston position. The downhole tool also includes a disk positioned at least partially within the housing. The disk prevents fluid flow through the axial bore. The disk is configured to break at least partially in response to the pressure differential while the locking mechanism is in the second locking mechanism position.