Multi-piston Hydrostatic Setting Tool Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydrostatically operated subterranean tools face challenges in deep applications where high burst and collapse resistance is required, but space limitations prevent scaling up components to withstand increased pressure differentials, leading to component failure at depths beyond 5,000 meters.

Innovation Solution

The design features multiple pistons in pressure balance with a single locking mechanism exposed to annulus pressure, located outside atmospheric chambers, allowing for thicker components and reduced loading on the locking system, enabling operation at depths exceeding 8,000 meters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If components are scaled up to resist higher burst and collapse loads, then strength increases, but space requirements increase which is not allowed in deep applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburst and collapse resistanceVSAvoidcomponent dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tool divides the piston assembly into multiple smaller pistons (first piston and second piston) that share the load-bearing function. Each piston has its own atmospheric chamber, but the locking mechanism is shared and positioned outside both chambers. This segmentation allows the tool to withstand high pressure differentials without requiring each individual component to be oversized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If locking components are placed inside atmospheric chambers, then space is saved, but the locking system must withstand high differential pressures causing component failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoiddifferential pressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is extracted from the atmospheric chambers and positioned outside both the first and second atmospheric chambers. This allows the locking components to operate in a pressure-balanced environment rather than承受ing the full differential pressure load, enabling reliable operation at depths exceeding 8,000 meters without requiring the locking system to be located inside the pressurized atmospheric chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If a single locking mechanism retains multiple pistons, then device complexity is reduced, but the locking mechanism must withstand the combined load of all pistons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking system configurationVSAvoidlocking mechanism load

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second pistons are configured in pressure balance, meaning they experience equal and opposite forces from the pressure differential across their respective atmospheric chambers. This equipotential configuration ensures that the net force on the shared locking mechanism is minimized, allowing a single locking mechanism to reliably retain both pistons without requiring excessive strength to counteract unbalanced forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 configuration enhances the tool's ability to resist burst and collapse pressures while minimizing the locking system's load, ensuring reliable operation in ultra-deep environments by utilizing pressure-balanced pistons and relocating the locking mechanism away from atmospheric chambers.

Implementation Method 1

The pistons are initially in pressure balance to take a load off a single locking mechanism that retains all the pistons. The pistons are initially in pressure balance to take a load off a single locking mechanism that retains all the pistons.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure balance: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

opposite side exposed to atmospheric pressure. The locking member is exposed to the annulus and is located away from any atmospheric chambers associated with the pistons.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS9062506B2Multi-piston hydrostatic setting tool with locking feature outside actuation chambers for multiple pistons

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A hydraulically actuated setting tool has a plurality of pistons that move in tandem when unlocked. The pistons are initially in pressure balance to take a load off a single locking mechanism that retains all the pistons. The pistons move due to admission of hydrostatic and/or applied pressure from the annulus on one side of each piston with an opposite side exposed to atmospheric pressure. The locking member is exposed to the annulus and is located away from any atmospheric chambers associated with the pistons. In this manner the components can be made thicker to resist burst and collapse pressure and the loads on the locking member reduced due to initial piston pressure balance configuration. Depths of greater than 10,000 meters can be used due to one or more of the described design features.