Resettable Pressure Activated Device Piston Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure-activated equipment in wellbore applications, such as packers and valves, often activate prematurely due to bore pressures lower than intended, leading to inefficiencies in stimulating multiple zones during a single trip.
Innovation Solution
A resettable pressure-activated device featuring a piston with a radially extending area, a return spring, and a resilient element, which allows activation at a predetermined release pressure and returns to an idle position when pressure drops below a reset level, ensuring accurate activation and deactivation of equipment like packers, valves, or anchors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure-activated device is used in a wellbore, then the device can be activated at a predetermined release pressure to stimulate reservoir zones, but the device may activate prematurely at lower bore pressures before the intended activation pressure is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by setting the piston to move at a predetermined release pressure before the intended activation pressure is reached. This preliminary piston movement triggers the activation mechanism, ensuring that the packer, valve, or anchor activates at the correct pressure and preventing premature activation during string movement in the wellbore.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes by detecting changes in bore pressure and converting them into mechanical displacement of the piston. The piston moves in response to pressure changes, and this displacement is used to trigger the activation of the pressure-activated equipment, providing precise control over the activation pressure threshold.
2Productivity
If the string moves in the wellbore during multi-zone stimulation, then the equipment can be transported to different zones, but pressure-activated equipment may activate prematurely due to pressure fluctuations during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements feedback by continuously monitoring bore pressure and using this information to control the activation state of the equipment. The piston movement in response to pressure changes provides a feedback mechanism that ensures activation only occurs when the predetermined release pressure is reached, preventing premature activation during string movement between zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary element between the bore pressure and the activation mechanism. The piston translates pressure changes into mechanical displacement, which then triggers the activation of the packer, valve, or anchor. This intermediary mechanism ensures that activation is controlled and occurs only at the intended pressure threshold, even during movement between zones.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a standard device for setting release pressure is provided, then the device can be used across different string diameters and applications, but the device complexity increases to accommodate various configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves universality by designing a standardized pressure-activated mechanism that can be applied across different string diameters and wellbore applications. The core components, including the piston, resilient element, and activation mechanism, are designed to work with various packers, valves, and anchors, providing a multi-functional solution that reduces the need for application-specific custom designs.
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 prevents premature activation of pressure-activated equipment, allowing for precise control of release pressure and efficient operation across varying bore pressures, thereby optimizing the stimulation of multiple well zones during a single trip.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring configured to provide a return force that is directed opposite the activation direction and has a magnitude sufficient to return the piston to an idle position when the bore pressure drops below a predetermined reset level
Implementation Method 2
The resilient element provides a retaining force equal to the difference between the release force and the return force
Implementation Method 3
the piston moves in an activation direction when a bore pressure within the central bore exceeds the pressure around the device by a predetermined release pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A resettable pressure activated device, comprises an inner wall, a return spring, a resilient element and an axially movable piston arranged around the inner wall. The piston comprises a radially extending piston area in fluid communication with a central bore within the inner wall such that the piston moves in an activation direction when a bore pressure within the central bore exceeds the pressure around the device by a predetermined release pressure.