Radial Nozzle Head Cutting for Uniform Downhole Conduit Severing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting and severing apparatus for drill pipes in boreholes suffer from nozzle clogging and lack of uniformity in cutting procedures, leading to operational complexity and increased weight, necessitating a simpler and effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A radial cutting apparatus using a non-explosive combustible fuel with a nozzle head and ignition mechanism, which ignites a combustible charge to generate a flame and pressure, moving the nozzle head to expose apertures for cutting or severing conduits like drill pipes, production tubing, or casing, with modular nozzle heads and fuel adjustments for adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mixing chambers and structural features are added to cutting apparatus, then nozzle clogging is avoided, but device complexity and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing chamber and nozzle into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate mixing chambers while maintaining the function of preventing nozzle clogging. The mixing chamber is formed within the nozzle structure itself, simplifying the overall apparatus design.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mixing chamber and the cutting nozzle, and also provides structural support for the ignition mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the apparatus.
2Reliability
If separate mixing chambers and structural features are added to cutting apparatus, then nozzle clogging is avoided, but apparatus weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber and nozzle are merged into a single integrated component, eliminating the weight of separate mixing chamber structures while maintaining the clogging prevention function. This integration significantly reduces the overall apparatus weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing cutting apparatus design is used, then cutting function is provided, but uniformity of cutting procedure is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates specific local features in the nozzle design, such as strategically positioned apertures and optimized mixing chamber geometry, to ensure uniform fuel-air mixing and consistent flame distribution across the cutting surface, thereby improving cutting uniformity.
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 apparatus provides a non-explosive, efficient, and uniform cutting process, eliminating nozzle clogging and reducing operational complexity, while being adaptable to various cutting operations.
Implementation Method 1
igniting the combustible charge to create a flame and combustion products
Implementation Method 2
igniting the combustible charge to create a flame and combustion products, as well as pressure in the internal cavity, for moving the nozzle head
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2~3
Figure 6
AI summary
A severing apparatus is used for severing a conduit. The apparatus includes a main body section having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion. A combustible charge is located in the intermediate portion, and an ignition mechanism is coupled to the upper portion for igniting the combustible charge. A nozzle head is located in the lower portion and includes an internal cavity and a nozzle portion having apertures at spaced apart positions for providing passages from the internal cavity to outside of the nozzle head. The ignition mechanism is configured to ignite the combustible charge to create a flame and combustion products and pressure in the internal cavity for moving the nozzle head relative to the lower portion so that the nozzle portion protrudes out of the lower portion for passage of the flame and hot combustion products out of the apertures to sever the conduit.