Non-Explosive Downhole Setting Tool With Dampening Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pyrotechnic-based setting tools for downhole operations are hazardous due to explosive materials, require hazardous handling and transportation, and generate pressure impulses that may not optimally deploy downhole tools, limiting their application to short distances.
Innovation Solution
A non-explosive, gas-generating setting tool using a chamber with a non-explosive fuel that produces gas and plasma, featuring a piston with a dampening conduit to control the actuation force, allowing for precise deployment of downhole tools like packers and fracturing plugs without hydraulic damping systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If pyrotechnic-based setting tools are used, then the setting tool can operate autonomously without surface communication, but the tool generates hazardous explosive pressure impulses that limit deployment distance and require throttling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of pressure generation from explosive (pyrotechnic) to non-explosive (gas-generating chemical reaction). This allows the tool to maintain autonomous operation while eliminating the harmful explosive pressure impulse, enabling sustained force application over longer distances without requiring hydraulic throttling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful explosive pressure impulse into a beneficial controlled gas-generation process. The chemical reaction still provides autonomous force generation, but the pressure is applied in a controlled, sustained manner that benefits the deployment process rather than creating hazardous conditions.
2Force
If pyrotechnic-based setting tools are used, then the tool can generate high force, but the tool requires hydraulic transducing mechanisms to throttle the force, limiting application to short distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure application parameter from impulsive (explosive) to sustained (controlled gas generation). This enables the force to be applied over an extended duration and distance, eliminating the need for hydraulic transducing mechanisms and allowing deployment over longer distances while maintaining adequate actuation force.
3Duration of action of moving object
If non-explosive gas-generating fuel is used, then the tool provides controlled and sustained force over longer distances, but the tool requires a dampening conduit to control piston stroke speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dampening conduit as an intermediary element between the gas-generating chamber and the piston. This conduit controls the flow of gas to the piston, regulating the piston stroke speed and providing the necessary dampening function while maintaining the overall simplicity of the non-explosive system.
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 non-explosive setting tool provides controlled and sustained force over longer distances, enhancing the versatility and safety of downhole tool deployment, reducing handling risks and transportation constraints, and enabling precise actuation of downhole tools.
Implementation Method 1
a chamber within the tool body that can be configured to contain a non-explosive fuel, which can be configured to be initiated to generate gas and plasma
Implementation Method 2
The shaft can include a dampening conduit that can be configured to drain a fluid from the lower volume after the non-explosive fuel has been initiated
Data Source
AI summary
A setting tool having a tool body, a chamber configured to contain a non-explosive fuel configured to generate gas and plasma, a cavity, a bleed sub located between the chamber and the cavity. The bleed sub is configured to bleed pressure from the chamber to the cavity after the non-explosive fuel has been initiated. The setting tool also includes a piston disposed within the cavity oriented to stroke in a first direction after the non-explosive fuel has been initiated. The piston may divide the cavity into an upper volume that may receive the pressure increase from the bleed sub and a lower volume. The setting tool may also include a shaft mechanically connected to the piston within the lower volume of the cavity. The shaft may include a dampening conduit configured to drain a fluid from the lower volume after the non-explosive fuel has been initiated.