Pressure Isolation Ring for Hydraulic Packer Setting Chamber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulically actuated tools, such as hydraulic set packers, face increased wear and manufacturing costs due to high fluid pressures during wellbore operations, requiring robust components to withstand pressures higher than the setting pressure.
Innovation Solution
A pressure isolation assembly is introduced to isolate the setting chamber, allowing the system to operate under higher pressures while reducing the wall thickness and manufacturing costs of components, comprising a pressure isolation ring and piston that seals the setting chamber from the central bore after the tool is set, using a shear pin to secure the assembly in place until the sealing pressure is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components in the setting chamber are constructed with sufficient wall thickness and material properties to withstand pressures higher than the setting pressure, then the reliability of the hydraulic set packer is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The setting chamber is segmented into two pressure zones using a pressure isolation assembly. The first portion of the setting chamber withstands the setting pressure, while the second portion withstands the higher operating pressure. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific pressure requirement, reducing the need for expensive robust construction throughout the entire setting chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the setting chamber are designed with different pressure resistance characteristics. The first portion has construction optimized for setting pressure, while the second portion has construction optimized for higher operating pressures. This local differentiation of quality allows cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining reliability under high pressure conditions.
2Duration of action of moving object
If components in the setting chamber are constructed with sufficient wall thickness and material properties to withstand pressures higher than the setting pressure, then the lifespan of the tool is extended, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure isolation assembly divides the setting chamber into two portions that can independently withstand different pressure levels. This allows the tool to operate reliably under high pressure conditions for extended periods without requiring the entire setting chamber to be constructed with expensive high-pressure materials and thick walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion of the setting chamber is specifically designed with sufficient construction to withstand higher operating pressures, while the first portion uses construction optimized for setting pressure. This localized high-pressure capability extends tool lifespan during high-pressure operations without unnecessarily increasing manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If robust components with thick walls are used in the setting chamber to reduce failure risk under high pressure, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The setting chamber is divided into two pressure zones using a pressure isolation assembly with a piston and seals. This segmentation allows each zone to have optimized wall thickness, reducing the need for uniformly thick-walled robust construction throughout the entire setting chamber, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the setting chamber have different wall thicknesses and material properties matched to their specific pressure requirements. This local optimization reduces overall device complexity compared to a uniformly robust design, while still providing the necessary reliability under high pressure conditions.
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 solution enables the hydraulic set packer system to operate effectively under higher pressures without the need for excessively robust components, reducing manufacturing costs and extending tool lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a shear pin configured to restrain axial movement of the pressure isolation assembly until the sealing pressure exceeds the setting pressure
Implementation Method 2
the pressure isolation assembly configured to move axially in response to a pressure in the setting chamber exceeding a setting pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic set packer system includes an outer sleeve and a mandrel extending through the outer sleeve. The mandrel has a setting port extending through a radial wall of the mandrel, and the setting port is configured to provide fluid communication from a central bore of the mandrel to a setting chamber formed between the outer sleeve and the mandrel. The system also includes a piston configured to move axially along the mandrel in response to a setting pressure in the setting chamber. The piston is configured to drive at least one radially actuatable component to actuate in a radial direction to engage a wellbore wall. Further, the system includes a pressure isolation assembly disposed in the setting chamber. The pressure isolation assembly is configured to move axially with respect to the mandrel from a first position to a second position to seal the setting port.