Downhole Pressure Pulse Device With Flexible Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transmitting pressure pulses down-hole face challenges due to particle accumulation, which can block the system and lead to loss of control, especially when using thin control lines and piston accumulators, as they are prone to blockages and contamination, affecting the functionality of hydraulically operated equipment.
Innovation Solution
The device features conical extended bores in the pipe section wall, allowing for easier passage of particles and reducing blockage, combined with a flexible sleeve-shaped membrane that transmits pressure changes between fluids, and a bellows mechanism that maintains fluid flow and prevents pressure differences, utilizing a clean liquid system with a pressure-sensitive valve for reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a thin control line is used to transmit pressure pulses down-hole, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to blockage risk from particle accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The control line is segmented into multiple parallel channels instead of a single thin line. This segmentation allows fluid to flow through multiple paths, reducing the risk that particle accumulation in one channel will completely block pressure transmission. The segmented structure maintains simplicity while improving reliability through redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a porous structure within the control line that allows fluid passage while filtering out particles. The porous material enables pressure pulse transmission while preventing particle accumulation that would otherwise block the line, thus maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
2Volume of stationary object
If a piston accumulator is used to accumulate pressure, then the volume of clean liquid can be limited, but the reliability deteriorates due to blockage of the piston by particles
Solution Approach 1:
The piston mechanism is extracted and replaced with a porous accumulation structure. This eliminates the moving piston component that is susceptible to blockage by particles, while maintaining the pressure accumulation function. The clean liquid volume is limited through the porous structure design, and reliability is improved by removing the blockage-prone piston.
Solution Approach 2:
A porous intermediary structure is introduced between the pressure source and the clean liquid storage. This porous mediator allows pressure transmission while filtering out particles, preventing blockage while maintaining the limited volume design of the accumulator.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a membrane with penetrating bores is used to transmit pressure pulses, then the flexibility and elasticity are improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to blockage of bores by particle accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is constructed with a porous structure that provides numerous interconnected channels for fluid passage. The porous nature maintains membrane flexibility while the high porosity and interconnected structure prevent complete blockage by particles, as fluid can bypass blocked pores through alternative paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The bore structure is extended from simple radial holes to three-dimensional interconnected porous channels. This dimensional transformation allows fluid to flow through multiple pathways and directions, preventing particle accumulation from completely blocking pressure pulse transmission while maintaining membrane flexibility.
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
This solution effectively prevents permanent blockage by loosening particles with reverse fluid flow and ensures consistent pressure transmission, maintaining equipment functionality despite particle accumulation, reducing the risk of system failure and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane, on account of its elasticity, conveys pressure changes (pressure pulses) in the fluid F1 in the pipe to the fluid F2 in the other canal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3B
AI summary
There is provided A device for conveying a pressure pulse for activating fluid- activated equipment in a pipe (12/27), wherein the device is characterized in that the pipe (27) comprises a flexible membrane (24) which isolates the fluid F1 in the fluid conveying pipe from a fluid F2 in another canal which is in fluid communication with the equipment, wherein the membrane, on account of its elasticity, conveys pressure changes (pressure pulses) in the fluid P1 in the pipe (12) to the fluid P2 in the other canal (30). Beneficially, the other canal (30) is fluidically coupled to a chamber (26) wherein the membrane (24) is located, and the membrane (a bellows) (24) is threaded to an exterior of the pipe section (27) and arranged in a chamber-forming (26) seat of the section of pipe (27), wherein the wall of the section of pipe includes a number of penetrating bored holes for providing fluid connection from the fluid F1 having a pressure P1 in the pipe (27) radially out towards the membrane lying against the outer wall. The membrane (24) is beneficially a sleeve-formed bellows, and the chamber forms a ring-formed arrangement surrounding the section of pipe, and the wall of the pipe comprises a number of penetrating bored holes completely around the pipe.