Inflatable Bore Hole Plug with Nested Reagent Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable bags for drill holes face challenges due to the space required for separating reagents, which interferes with their dimensions, making them unsuitable for certain hole sizes and complicating transport and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-sealed inflatable bag design that separates reagents within a sealed body, using a pocket and container with a release mechanism to allow contact only upon activation, producing an inflation fluid and minimizing pre-deployment space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reagents are kept separate in existing inflatable bags, then the inflation medium can be produced on demand, but the overall dimensions of the bag increase, preventing use in certain size holes and requiring additional transport space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the second substance (acid) inside a container that is positioned within the inflatable bag's interior cavity. The container is nested among the first substance (carbonate/bicarbonate salt) particles, allowing both reagents to be stored in a compact configuration without increasing the overall bag dimensions. This nested arrangement enables on-demand inflation while maintaining small transport dimensions.
2Reliability
If reagents are kept separate in existing inflatable bags, then inflation can be controlled, but the space required for separation interferes with the ability to manoeuvre the bag into place within the drill hole
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the container holding the second substance within the bag's interior cavity among the first substance particles, the patent eliminates the need for separate reagent compartments that would increase the bag's external dimensions. This allows the bag to be manoeuvred into tight drill holes while maintaining controlled inflation capability through the sealed container design.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is pre-positioned within the bag during manufacturing, with the second substance already contained and ready for release. The bag structure is pre-configured with the first substance distributed around the container, so that upon deployment, the system is ready for immediate controlled inflation without requiring additional space or complex assembly maneuvers.
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 the inflatable bag to be maneuvered into tight spaces and deployed efficiently, providing a platform for supporting loads within drill holes while maintaining compactness during transport.
Implementation Method 1
the sealed inflatable body being vacuum sealed so as to hold in place one or both of the first and second substances prior to the release of the second substance
Implementation Method 2
a first substance within the sealed inflatable body; a second substance separated from the first substance within the sealed inflatable body; wherein release of the second substance causes an inflation fluid producing reaction within the sealed inflatable body
Implementation Method 3
Inflatable bags are known to have reagents, such as a carbonate or bicarbonate salt and an acid, which produce an inflation medium (typically CO2) for inflating the bag
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable down hole bag for insertion in a bore hole, comprising a sealed inflatable body for holding an inflation fluid; a first substance within the sealed inflatable body; a second substance separated from the first substance within the sealed inflatable body; and a release for allowing the second substance to contact the first substance; wherein release of the second substance causes an inflation fluid producing reaction within the sealed inflatable body, thereby inflating the inflatable body, the sealed inflatable body being vacuum sealed so as to hold in place one or both of the first and second substances prior to the release of the second substance.