Abrasive Jet Cutter Nozzle Angle for Inner Pipe Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional abrasive jet cutters and perforators often cause unwanted perforation or cutting of outer pipes or casings when attempting to cut or perforate inner pipes, leading to damage and inefficiency in oilfield operations.
Innovation Solution
An abrasive jet cutting tool with a nozzle positioned at a non-normal angle to the target surface, combined with a radial distance control mechanism, reduces the effective cutting distance and time for the outer pipe while maintaining efficient cutting of the inner pipe, thereby minimizing damage to the outer casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional abrasive jet cutters are used to cut inner pipes, then cutting efficiency is improved, but unwanted perforation or cutting of outer pipes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the jet nozzle orientation specific to the task at hand. For inner pipe cutting, the nozzle is positioned at a non-normal angle to achieve limited depth cutting, while for outer pipe cutting, the nozzle is positioned at a normal angle for full penetration. This localized adaptation of nozzle orientation resolves the contradiction between cutting efficiency and preventing outer pipe damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the jet nozzle to resolve the technical contradiction. By adjusting the nozzle angle from normal (perpendicular) to non-normal (at an angle), the cutting depth and penetration capability are modified. This parameter change allows efficient inner pipe cutting while limiting erosion of the outer pipe, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If jet nozzle is positioned at non-normal angle for limited depth cutting, then outer pipe damage is reduced, but cutting time for inner pipe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the jet nozzle orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The nozzle can be dynamically repositioned between normal and non-normal angles depending on the operational requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize between cutting speed and outer pipe protection by selecting the appropriate nozzle orientation for each specific task.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radial distance between nozzle and target surface is increased, then outer pipe is protected, but cutting effectiveness on inner pipe is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by utilizing the angular orientation dimension in addition to the radial distance dimension. Instead of only adjusting the radial distance between nozzle and target surface, the invention introduces nozzle orientation angle as an additional control dimension. This allows independent optimization of cutting effectiveness (through angle) and outer pipe protection (through controlled radial distance), resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
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
The tool effectively cuts or perforates the inner pipe within a reasonable time while significantly reducing or delaying erosive action on the outer pipe, allowing for successful operation without substantial damage to the outer casing.
Implementation Method 1
Abrasive jet cutting of pipe is carried out by pumping a stream of abrasive fluid through an orifice or jet nozzle that is near to and oriented normal to the ID (internal diameter) of the pipe being cut. The abrasive fluid typically comprises a mixture of sand and water so that a high pressure jet will rapidly erode the target surface until it is perforated.
Implementation Method 2
a high pressure jet will rapidly erode the target surface until it is perforated
Data Source
AI summary
Tools and methods for abrasively cutting downhole pipes and casing. The tools and methods are ideally suited for situations where the pipe to be cut or perforated is positioned partly or wholly inside another pipe and damage to the outer pipe must be avoided. The jet nozzles are positioned at a non-normal angle to the target surface to reduce the jets' effective cutting distance. While pumping the abrasive fluid, the jets are supported at a selected radial distance from the target surface so that within a predetermined operating time the jets will cut or perforate the inner pipe but leave the outer pipe substantially intact. The tool may be rotated with a motor to perform cutoff operations or held in a fixed position for perforating.