Frangible Disk Sub With Movable Breaker Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frangible disks used for pressure integrity in resource recovery and fluid sequestration require excessive pressure to rupture, which can impact other operations and strain equipment.
Innovation Solution
A frangible disk sub with a movable disk carrier and breaker mechanism, featuring a breaker housing inhibitor that collapses or degrades upon exceeding a threshold pressure, allowing the disk to rupture by contacting a hard point within the breaker housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible disk is used to provide pressure integrity, then pressure containment is achieved, but excessive pressure is required to rupture the disk which impacts other operations and strains equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the pressure containment function into two parts: the frangible disk provides the pressure integrity barrier, while the breaker mechanism with hard point provides the rupture function. This segmentation allows the disk to be optimized for containment without needing to be designed for easy rupture, resolving the contradiction between maintaining pressure integrity and enabling controlled rupture at lower pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The breaker mechanism acts as an intermediary between the pressure source and the frangible disk. When pressure exceeds the threshold, the breaker mechanism activates and uses the hard point to puncture the disk, mediating the rupture process to occur at a controlled, lower pressure level rather than requiring the full rupture strength of the disk itself.
2Ease of operation
If the breaker mechanism is made movable to expose the hard point, then controlled rupture is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breaker mechanism transitions from a static, concealed state to a dynamic, exposed state when pressure exceeds the threshold. The inhibitor holds the breaker in place during normal operation, and when pressure overcomes the inhibitor, the breaker moves to expose the hard point. This dynamic behavior enables controlled rupture while keeping the mechanism simple and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard point is pre-positioned within the breaker mechanism housing before operation. The breaker mechanism is pre-configured with the inhibitor that will fail at the threshold pressure. This preliminary arrangement allows the system to transition smoothly to the rupture state without complex real-time control, reducing overall device complexity.
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
Enables controlled and efficient rupture of the frangible disk at a predetermined pressure, reducing operational strain and improving pressure integrity without excessive pressure requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the breaker mechanism including a breaker housing movable within the sub housing, and a breaker concealed within the breaker housing
Implementation Method 2
a breaker housing movement inhibitor disposed to inhibit movement of the breaker mechanism relative to the housing
Implementation Method 3
driving the disk into the hard point
Data Source
AI summary
A frangible disk sub includes a housing, a carrier movably disposed in the housing, and a frangible disk sealedly disposed in the carrier. The sub further includes a breaker concealed within a breaker housing and a breaker housing movement inhibitor. A method includes pressuring the disk to exceed a threshold pressure, moving the disk, carrier and breaker mechanism relative to the housing. The method further includes causing the breaker to contact the stop, exposing a hard point of the breaker, and driving the disk into the hard point.