Frangible Disc Actuation via Through Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well plugging devices face issues with complex and unreliable breaking mechanisms, making it difficult to predict and safely remove the plugging device during pressure testing in oil and gas wells, often requiring bailing operations to access and actuate the breaking mechanism, which can be obstructed by debris and mud.
Innovation Solution
A well tool device with a frangible obstruction device made of materials like glass or ceramics, featuring an actuation device with a disintegration mechanism that includes a radially protruding disintegration device and O-rings to prevent fluid flow until a threshold force is applied, allowing for axial displacement and intentional disintegration of the obstruction device without the need for bailing, using a long actuation device to avoid debris obstruction and incorporating supporting elements to prevent unintentional disintegration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible disc with a breaking mechanism is used to prevent fluid flow, then fluid flow is blocked effectively, but the breaking mechanism becomes complex and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The breaking mechanism is extracted from the frangible disc itself and placed in a separate actuation device positioned in the through opening. The frangible disc is reduced to simply a sealing element, while the complex breaking mechanism resides externally in the actuation device. This separation simplifies the frangible disc structure and isolates the complexity to a dedicated actuation component.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuation device serves as an intermediary between the control system and the frangible disc. This intermediary contains the breaking mechanism and transmits the breaking action to the disc through the through opening, allowing reliable operation without requiring the frangible disc itself to contain complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the breaking mechanism is accessed through the housing, then the mechanism can be actuated, but bailing operations are required to remove debris and mud obstructing access
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation device utilizes the through opening dimension to access the frangible disc from the side rather than requiring access through the housing interior. By positioning the breaking mechanism in the through opening, the system allows actuation from the exterior without requiring interior access or bailing operations to clear debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation device is pre-positioned in the through opening during installation, with the breaking mechanism already in place and accessible. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for subsequent bailing operations to access the mechanism, as everything is ready for immediate actuation when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the actuation device extends through the frangible obstruction device, then direct actuation is possible, but debris and mud may obstruct the connection interface
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation device is nested within the housing structure, with the disintegration device positioned in the through opening. This nesting allows the actuation device to extend through the frangible obstruction device while being protected by the housing, preventing debris and mud from obstructing the connection interface while maintaining direct actuation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A well tool device includes a housing with a through bore having a first end and a second end. A frangible obstruction device is provided inside the longitudinal bore, where fluid flow between the first end and the second end is prevented due to the frangible obstruction device. The frangible obstruction device includes a through opening. The well tool device further includes an actuation device extending fluid-tight at least into the through opening. The actuation device includes an actuation tool connection interface and a disintegration device. The disintegration device is configured to be at least partially moved into the frangible obstruction device and thereby provide disintegration of the frangible obstruction device, hence allowing fluid flow between the first end and the second end of the through bore.