Hydrocarbon Packer Setting Tool Combustion Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packer setting tools rely on high explosive charges, which are hazardous for transportation and operation, and lack efficient mechanisms for setting packers within wellbores.
Innovation Solution
A packer setting tool utilizing a liquid hydrocarbon power source, such as gasoline or diesel, is used, where the fuel is ignited within a piston chamber to generate pressure, moving a piston member and setting sleeve to set the packer device, with a fan for fuel dispersion and a spark plug for ignition, and optionally a frangible container for combustion gas expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high explosive charges are used to set packers, then sufficient setting force is achieved, but transportation and operation hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the power source from high explosive (solid, instantaneous detonation) to liquid hydrocarbon fuel (liquid, controlled combustion). This parameter change allows the same force-generating function to be achieved with significantly reduced hazards during transportation and operation, while maintaining sufficient setting force through controlled combustion pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/explosive system with a chemical combustion system. Instead of using high explosive charges that rely on detonation waves, the invention uses liquid hydrocarbon fuel combustion within a combustion chamber to generate pressure that drives the piston and setting mechanism, thereby eliminating the hazards associated with explosive materials.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid hydrocarbon fuel is used instead of high explosive, then transportation safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel delivery system into distinct functional components: fuel container, injection piston, fluid valve, nozzle, and combustion chamber. This segmentation allows for controlled fuel delivery and combustion while managing the complexity of the liquid hydrocarbon power system, making it safer for transportation compared to high explosives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary injection piston and fluid valve system between the fuel container and combustion chamber. This intermediary mechanism controls the timing and delivery of fuel, enabling safe handling of liquid hydrocarbon fuel while achieving the desired combustion effect, thereby improving transportation safety without excessive complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If fuel is dispersed and atomized before ignition, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nozzle that functions as a porous or atomizing structure to disperse and atomize the liquid hydrocarbon fuel before it enters the combustion chamber. This atomization increases the surface area of the fuel, improving combustion efficiency and energy release while keeping the device structure relatively simple through the use of a single integrated nozzle component.
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 solution reduces hazards associated with explosive materials, enabling safe transportation and efficient setting of packers within wellbores, with the liquid hydrocarbon fuel providing high energy density and minimal air requirements for combustion.
Implementation Method 1
Ignition of a liquid hydrocarbon power source within the setting tool generates setting pressure to move the piston member axially within the piston chamber
Implementation Method 2
An ignition source, such as a spark plug, is located within the piston chamber and is used to ignite dispersed fuel within the piston chamber
Implementation Method 3
a nozzle is provided through which the fuel is dispersed and/or atomized into the piston chamber from the container. Preferably also, the packer setting tool includes a fan to assist in dispersal of fuel within the piston chamber
Implementation Method 4
Ignition of the fuel will rupture the container and permit the resultant combustion gases to expand within the piston chamber and move the piston axially
Data Source
AI summary
A packer setting tool for setting a packer device within a wellbore. The packer setting tool includes an outer housing defining a piston chamber within. A piston member is disposed within the piston chamber and is moveable therein in response to ignition of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel source.