Hydraulic Piston Tool Release System for High-Pressure Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-pressure environments, such as boreholes or subsea settings, existing tool connection release systems face challenges in disconnecting tools without relying on external pressure, as conventional methods like shear pins are prone to fatigue and corrosion, and require high force to overcome external pressures exceeding 24,000 psi.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic tool connection release system featuring a housing with a piston and fluid chambers, where pressurized fluids balance the piston's movement, allowing it to separate the housing portions independently of environmental pressure, and includes a secondary release mechanism using a slotted release nut and protection sleeve for reliable disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shear pins are used as disconnection means, then the tool can be disconnected in high pressure environment, but the shear pins are delicate and highly loaded, suffering fracture due to fatigue or localized corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shear pin disconnection system with a hydraulic piston system. The piston is actuated by pressurized fluid to push the housing first portion away from the housing second portion, eliminating the need for shear pins that are susceptible to fatigue and corrosion in high-pressure environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic system where pressurized fluid is introduced into a fluid chamber to actuate the piston. The piston responds to the pressurized fluid by moving axially to disconnect the housing portions, providing a more reliable disconnection mechanism that is not subject to the limitations of shear pins.
2Ease of operation
If conventional hydraulic release is used, then the tool can be released, but the piston must overcome external pressure of 24,000 psi or more, requiring line pressure higher than external pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pressure-balanced piston design where fluid chambers are positioned to counterbalance the external high pressure environment. The pressure-balanced piston experiences equal pressure on both sides during normal operation, eliminating the need to overcome 24,000 psi or more of external pressure during disconnection, thereby reducing the required line pressure.
3Productivity
If heavy lift capable equipment is deployed to recover the tool, then the tool can be recovered, but the tool must first be released allowing deployment of retrieval string
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the two-step process of releasing then retrieving with a direct hydraulic disconnection system. The pressure-balanced piston provides reliable disconnection that enables efficient recovery operations without the complications of traditional release mechanisms, reducing overall recovery time.
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 consistent and reliable disconnection of tools in high-pressure environments, reducing the risk of component failure and ensuring safe operation by balancing internal pressures, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid chamber including a first pressurized fluid acting on the piston
Implementation Method 2
a second fluid chamber including a second pressurized fluid acting on the piston to counterbalance the first pressurized fluid and pressure-balance the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A connection release system for the disconnection of various connections, such as electrical, hydraulic, optical, and/or multi-connector, to a service tool in a high pressure environment. An embodiment of the connection release system includes a first and second housing portion with a piston disposed partially within both the first and second housing portions, the piston having a plurality of threads at an exterior portion of a second end. The system further includes a plurality of fluid chambers disposed in the first housing portion, the fluid chambers are filled with fluid to pressure-balance the piston such that the addition of a pressurized fluid to the pressure-balanced piston causes the piston to move, the exterior threaded portion of the piston to disengage an interior threaded portion within the housing second portion, and allow the first housing portion to separate from the second housing portion.