Rupture Disc Opening Line for Full-Bore Downhole Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rupture discs used in downhole applications often restrict fluid flow due to smaller opening diameters and leave remnants that impede tool passage, as the transition region between the bulged and flange sections is a weak area prone to further weakening, affecting burst characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A bulged, forward-acting rupture disc with a line of opening in the transition region, allowing the disc to tear and provide an opening diameter at least as large as the flange section, ensuring unimpeded fluid flow and tool passage, by removing material from the transition region to create a stress-concentrating feature that controls burst pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the line of opening is formed within the bulged section to minimize effect on burst pressure characteristics, then the opening diameter through the disc is smaller, but this restricts fluid flow and tool passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a stress-concentrating feature at a specific location (the transition region between the bulged section and flange) rather than uniformly modifying the entire disc. This localized modification allows the opening to form at the transition region, providing a larger opening diameter that matches the flange outer diameter, thereby enabling unrestricted fluid flow and tool passage while maintaining predictable burst characteristics through the controlled stress concentration point
2Ease of operation
If material is removed from the transition region to create a larger opening, then fluid flow and tool passage are improved, but the structural integrity of the transition region is further weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the inherent weakness of the transition region (caused by stress concentrations from the bulging process) into a beneficial feature. By deliberately placing the stress-concentrating feature at the transition region, the patent ensures that this area, which is already prone to stress concentrations, becomes the controlled failure point. This allows the disc to open reliably at the transition region, creating a large opening for fluid flow and tool passage, while the burst characteristics remain predictable because the stress concentration is localized and controlled
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 ensures a larger opening diameter for unimpeded fluid flow and tool passage without leaving remnants, maintaining predictable burst characteristics and preventing flow restriction in downhole operations.
Implementation Method 1
a line of opening that overlies the transition region. The line of opening comprises an area in which material making up the rupture disc has been removed thereby weakening the rupture disc such that when a pressure of a fluid acting upon a concave face of the dome reaches a predetermined threshold the rupture disc tears along the line of opening
Data Source
AI summary
A bulged, forward-acting rupture disc (10) and a pressure relief device (38) incorporating a rupture disc (10), having a line of opening (28) formed in the transition region (26) of the disc between the bulged section (12) and flange section (14) are provided. The line of opening (28) is a stress-concentrating feature that, in conjunction with a stress-intensifying edge (68) located on an associated outlet ring (42), facilitates opening of the disc (10) when exposed to a predetermined pressure acting upon the concave face (20) of the bulged section (12).