Rotating Sleeve Ball Launcher for Sequential Frac Ball Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for introducing balls into wells, such as frac balls, often rely on pressurized fluids to return balls to the surface, which can be inefficient and may not ensure sequential and controlled deployment of balls of varying sizes for fracturing operations.
Innovation Solution
A ball launcher device with a hollow body and internal sleeve, featuring staggered ball chutes and rotating holes, allows balls to be sequentially dropped into the well using gravity and biasing devices, ensuring precise and efficient introduction of balls of different sizes for fracturing and other downhole operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressurized fluids are used to return balls to the surface, then balls can be retrieved from the well, but the process becomes inefficient and lacks control over sequential deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotatable sleeve with holes that can be dynamically positioned to align with different ball chutes. This dynamic mechanism allows controlled sequential deployment of balls by rotating the sleeve to match holes with specific chutes, replacing the static and uncontrolled pressurized fluid return method
Solution Approach 2:
The ball launcher is segmented into multiple ball chutes (first, second, third chutes) that can independently receive and deploy balls. Each chute is associated with a specific hole in the rotatable sleeve, enabling segmented and controlled ball deployment rather than bulk uncontrolled return
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple balls of varying sizes are deployed sequentially, then proper fracturing zones are targeted, but the deployment process becomes complex without a control mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable sleeve provides a simple dynamic control mechanism that manages the complexity of sequential ball deployment. By rotating the sleeve to align specific holes with corresponding ball chutes, the system achieves precise ball sizing and sequencing control without requiring complex automated systems
Solution Approach 2:
Balls of varying sizes are pre-loaded into specific ball chutes before deployment. The rotatable sleeve is then rotated to align holes with the appropriate chutes in sequence, enabling controlled deployment of pre-positioned balls according to the fracturing plan
3Productivity
If balls are dropped using gravity through a rotating sleeve, then efficient and controlled deployment is achieved, but the device requires precise alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable sleeve enables dynamic alignment between holes and ball chutes. By rotating the sleeve to specific positions, precise alignment is achieved between holes and corresponding chutes, allowing gravity-driven ball deployment with controlled precision
Solution Approach 2:
The ball chutes are arranged asymmetrically around the rotatable sleeve, with each chute positioned to align with a specific hole at a particular rotation position. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that when the sleeve is rotated to the correct position, only the intended chute aligns with its corresponding hole for precise ball deployment
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
Enables efficient and controlled deployment of balls into wells, facilitating effective fracturing by ensuring proper sizing and sequencing, which enhances production rates and operational efficiency in well extraction processes.
Implementation Method 1
The chutes can be formed at a declining angle into the body such that gravity biases balls in the chutes toward the rotatable sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A ball launcher system is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a ball launcher having a rotatable sleeve installed within an internal bore of a hollow body. The hollow body has ball chutes extending from an external surface to the internal bore. The rotatable sleeve has one or more holes that can be sequentially aligned with the ball chutes by rotation of the sleeve to enable balls within the ball chutes to pass sequentially into a well through the one or more holes. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.