Hydraulic Pressure Counter for Delayed Downhole Tool Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the resource recovery industry, existing mechanisms for managing pressure up events in the hydrocarbon recovery sector lack versatility and often result in unintended actuation of tools during preliminary testing, necessitating innovative configurations to separate testing from actual tool actuation.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic counter system comprising a housing with a tubular space, a piston responsive to pressure up events, and fluid chambers that allow sequential pressure events to compress and transfer fluid from a supply chamber to a trigger chamber, with an activation member that blocks or unblocks a fluid port to control tool actuation based on threshold pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing counter mechanisms (J slots, metering devices) are used to allow pressure up events before tool actuation, then preliminary testing capability is improved, but device versatility and control precision deteriorate due to fixed configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The counter mechanism transitions from fixed configurations to dynamic, adjustable settings. The piston displacement volume can be modified by changing the area of the piston or the stroke length, allowing the counter to adapt to different pressure thresholds and event counts without requiring different physical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing operational parameters such as the number of pressure events required for actuation and the pressure threshold levels. This is achieved through adjustable piston areas and stroke lengths, enabling the same device to function under varying operational conditions and testing requirements.
2Ease of operation
If pressure events are allowed to accumulate before tool actuation, then testing control is improved, but risk of unintended actuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter provides feedback on the number of pressure events that have occurred by incrementing a count with each event. This feedback mechanism allows operators to monitor the accumulation of pressure events and understand when the tool will be actuated, improving control while preventing unintended actuation through clear status indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary counting of pressure events before triggering tool actuation. Each pressure event increments the counter, and only when the predetermined number of events is reached does actuation occur. This preliminary action separates testing from actual tool deployment, enhancing both control and reliability.
3Device complexity
If fixed threshold pressures are used for tool actuation, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different testing scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure threshold parameter can be changed by modifying the piston area or stroke length, allowing the same physical device to operate at different pressure levels. This parameter adjustability provides scenario flexibility without increasing device complexity, as the changes are made through configurable parameters rather than hardware modifications.
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 actuation of tools by allowing preliminary pressure testing without immediate tool activation, providing greater control and sequencing of tool actuation through adjustable threshold pressures and the use of incompressible and compressible fluids to prevent hydraulic locking.
Implementation Method 1
sequential pressure events cause the piston to move fluid from the supply chamber to the trigger chamber
Implementation Method 2
a piston disposed in the space and responsive to pressure up events in the tubular to compress a transfer chamber
Implementation Method 3
the activation member having a first position where a fluid port is blocked and a second position where the fluid port is unblocked, the fluid port being fluid pressure connected to a tool to be actuated when the activation member is in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A counter including a housing disposed about a tubular creating a space therebetween, a piston disposed in the space and responsive to pressure up events in the tubular to compress a transfer chamber, a supply chamber fluidly attached to the transfer chamber; a trigger chamber fluidly attached to the transfer chamber wherein sequential pressure events cause the piston to move fluid from the supply chamber to the trigger chamber. A counter including a fluid incrementing configuration, an activation member in fluid force communication with the fluid incrementing configuration, the activation member having a first position where a fluid port is blocked and a second position where the fluid port is unblocked, the fluid port being fluid pressure connected to a tool to be actuated when the activation member is in the second position.