Electric Dump Bailer Actuator Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art dump bailers face operational issues such as premature cement dumping due to explosive charges or pressurized chamber leaks, posing safety risks and leading to costly remedial jobs or well loss.
Innovation Solution
A dump bailer design featuring an actuator mechanism with a collet rod and nut assembly driven by an electric motor, which moves radially to disengage collet fingers, allowing a weight bar assembly to forcefully strike a swab piston and control the release of cement, eliminating the need for explosive charges and pressurized systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explosive charges are used to release the weight bar assembly, then the cement can be dumped reliably, but personnel safety is compromised and premature detonation risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the explosive charge mechanism with an electric motor-driven actuator system. The electric motor turns a threaded shaft that moves a collet rod, which in turn releases the weight bar assembly through a controlled mechanical process, eliminating the need for explosives and associated safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary actuator mechanism between the control system and the weight bar assembly release. This actuator uses an electric motor, threaded shaft, and collet rod as intermediate components to controllably release the weight bar, preventing direct exposure to explosive hazards
2Stability of the object's composition
If a pressurized chamber mechanism is used to retain the tool in a cocked position, then the tool remains stable, but leaks can cause premature triggering and cement dumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pressurized chamber mechanism with a mechanical latch system using collet fingers and a collet rod. The collet fingers engage with a profile in the bore to hold the tool in the cocked position, eliminating the need for pressurization and associated leak risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressurized chamber component from the system and replaces it with a purely mechanical retention mechanism. The collet finger assembly with external shoulders provides stability through mechanical engagement rather than pressurization, removing the source of premature triggering
3Productivity
If explosive charges or pressurized chambers are used, then cement dumping can be achieved, but costly remedial jobs or well loss may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes explosive and pressurized systems with a controlled electric motor-driven mechanical actuator. This provides reliable cement dumping capability while eliminating the unpredictable failures that lead to premature triggering and costly remedial operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates limit switches that provide feedback on the position of the collet rod and nut assembly. This feedback mechanism ensures the actuator operates within safe limits and prevents premature or unintended cement dumping, reducing the risk of well loss and remedial jobs
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 design ensures controlled and precise cement release, reducing the risk of premature dumping and associated costs, enhancing safety and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor turning a threaded shaft, on which rides a nut assembly connected to a push rod
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor turning a threaded shaft
Implementation Method 3
A weight bar assembly is attached to the collet finger assembly. When the collet rod is moved to the second, upper position, the collet fingers move radially inward and the shoulder profiles on the collet fingers disengage from the shoulder profile within the main bore, and the weight bar assembly is moved forcefully downward, striking a swab piston
Data Source
AI summary
A dump bailer actuator mechanism is disposed in a dump bailer having an elongated body and a longitudinal bore therethrough. The actuator mechanism has a collet rod which is moved longitudinally between a first, lower position and a second, upper position, by an electric motor turning a threaded shaft, on which rides a nut assembly connected to a push rod, which in turn contacts the collet rod. In the first, lower position, the collet rod keeps the collet fingers of a collet finger assembly, which have external shoulders, engaged with a shoulder profile within the bore of the main body. A weight bar assembly is attached to the collet finger assembly. When the collet rod is moved to the second, upper position, the collet fingers disengage from the profile, and the weight bar assembly is moved forcefully downward, striking a swab piston and forcing cement out of the dump bailer.