Downhole Tool Trigger Redundancy with Pressure-Balanced Piston Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formation isolation valves lack redundancy in remote actuation mechanisms, leading to potential reliability issues in actuating downhole tools and devices.
Innovation Solution
A redundant trigger system is introduced, comprising two independent triggers, such as hydraulic and electronic triggers, to ensure reliable remote actuation of downhole tools, including a first housing with a membrane and a piston, and a second housing with a rupturing member to balance pressures and shift the piston for actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single trigger mechanism is used for remote actuation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of actuating downhole tools deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger system is divided into two independent trigger mechanisms (first trigger and second trigger) that can operate separately. Each trigger has its own housing, membrane, and actuation pathway, allowing independent failure modes and ensuring that one trigger can compensate for the other's potential failure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different triggers may have different local characteristics (e.g., hydraulic vs. electronic) optimized for specific downhole conditions. The system allows selection and placement of trigger types with different local qualities to match specific operational requirements and environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If two independent triggers are implemented, then the reliability of remote actuation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both triggers share common structural elements including the same housing configuration, membrane arrangement, and integration with the downhole tool actuation mechanism. This merging of common components reduces the overall complexity increase while maintaining the redundancy benefits of having two independent actuation pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger system design allows either trigger to independently perform the complete function of actuating the downhole tool. Both triggers are designed with universal compatibility to work with the same piston and actuation mechanism, providing multi-functionality that justifies the added complexity through enhanced reliability.
3Stress or pressure
If a membrane is used to separate pressure chambers, then the pressure control is improved, but the risk of pressure imbalance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes a rupture disk or rupturing member positioned to intentionally fail the membrane seal under extreme pressure conditions. This beforehand cushioning mechanism ensures that if the membrane does fail, the system has a predetermined safety release point that prevents catastrophic pressure imbalance and protects the downhole tool from damage.
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 redundant trigger system enhances the reliability and efficiency of actuating downhole tools by providing dual redundant actuation pathways, ensuring consistent operation even in challenging downhole conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first rupturing member is positioned within the second housing and operable to pierce the first membrane to balance the pressures within the first housing and the second housing and shift the piston from the initial position to the actuated position
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger system for use with a downhole tool. The trigger system may include a first housing forming a first pressure chamber at a first pressure and including a membrane positioned in a wall of the first housing, a piston disposed at least partially within the first housing and shiftable from an initial position to an actuated position to actuate the downhole tool, and a trigger. The trigger may include a second housing sealed against the first housing proximate the membrane to form a second pressure chamber at a second pressure and a rupturing member positioned within the second housing and operable to pierce the membrane to balance the pressures within the first housing and the second housing and shift the piston from the initial position to the actuated position.