Perforating Tool Adjustable Free Interior Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perforating tools for maximizing hydrocarbon recovery lack the ability to accurately simulate in-field explosive charge performance due to limited adjustment of free interior volume, which affects dynamic pressure responses during testing.
Innovation Solution
The perforating tool allows for adjustable free interior volume by inserting plates within the tool body, enabling precise control of pressure responses by creating desired dynamic underbalance or overbalance conditions, surpassing the limitations of loose particle packing and allowing for cost-effective and time-efficient adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If loose particles (ball bearings and/or sand) are packed into the interior cavity to adjust free interior volume, then the free interior volume can be reduced, but the adjustment precision is limited due to inherent porosity and the particles cannot be readily removed for different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The interior cavity is segmented into discrete regions by inserting plates at specific positions. These plates divide the continuous volume into controllable segments, allowing precise adjustment of the free interior volume by selecting which segments to fill with particles and which to leave empty. The plates act as physical dividers that create distinct zones within the cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
Plates are pre-positioned at predetermined locations within the interior cavity before testing. This preliminary placement establishes fixed reference points and volume boundaries, enabling consistent and reproducible free interior volume configurations. The plates are inserted through openings in the tool body and secured at specific positions to define the test geometry in advance.
2Volume of moving object
If a new tool body is machined to achieve a specific free interior volume, then the desired volume configuration can be obtained, but the cost and time required for tool modifications increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tool body is designed with dynamic adjustability through multiple openings in the tool body walls that allow plates to be inserted and removed. This transforms the free interior volume from a fixed geometric property (requiring new tooling) to a dynamically configurable parameter. The openings enable rapid reconfiguration of the interior volume by simply adding or removing plates without any machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The free interior volume parameter is changed by inserting plates at different positions and combinations rather than by modifying the tool body geometry itself. This parameter adjustment method allows the same tool body to achieve multiple volume configurations, eliminating the need to machine new tool bodies for each test condition.
3Measurement precision
If plates are inserted into the interior cavity to reduce free interior volume, then precise incremental adjustments can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The plates are simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and replaced. Each plate is a basic structural element with an opening that allows it to be inserted through the tool body wall. Their simplicity and low cost mean that even though multiple plates are used, the overall complexity increase is minimal compared to the precision benefits gained.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates serve multiple functions: they define volume boundaries, act as physical barriers to contain particles, provide structural support within the cavity, and serve as positioning references. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise volume control.
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 enables realistic simulation of field conditions, providing precise incremental adjustments to free interior volume, enhancing the accuracy of explosive charge performance evaluation and reducing costs associated with tool modifications.
Implementation Method 1
the free interior volume inside the tool body can be adjusted by disposing various numbers of plates inside an interior cavity of the tool body. Adjustment of the free interior volume in turn changes the nature of the pressure response when an explosive charge inside the tool body is detonated
Data Source
AI summary
A perforating tool including a body, a first lid and a second lid, the first lid attachable to one end of the body and the second lid attachable to an opposite end of the body, to define an interior cavity of the body. The interior cavity has an air-tight seal with an exterior environment surrounding the body. In some aspects, one or more plates are disposable within the interior cavity such that the one or more plates are situated apart from an explosive charge when the explosive charge is disposed in the interior cavity, the one or more plates occupying part of a total interior volume of the interior cavity and thereby reducing a free interior volume inside the body. In some aspects, two or more plates are disposable within the interior cavity such that the two or more plates are situated apart from an explosive charge when the explosive charge is disposed in the interior cavity, the two or more plates occupying part of a total interior volume of the interior cavity and thereby reducing a free interior volume inside the body.