Pressure-Activated Down Hole Tool Rupture Member Piston
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing down hole tools, such as well packers, often require complex electronics or specialized devices to set, which can malfunction in corrosive environments and add unnecessary complexity and cost to the process.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing pressure differentials between fluid chambers to activate down hole tools, where a rupture member allows fluid communication only when a predetermined pressure threshold is reached, causing a piston to move and activate the tool without the need for electronics or mechanical means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex electronics are used to set down hole tools, then the setting function can be achieved, but the reliability decreases due to malfunction in corrosive environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic setting mechanisms with a purely mechanical pressure-activated system. A piston is moved by pressure differentials between fluid chambers to mechanically trigger the setting of down hole tools such as packers, eliminating electronics and improving reliability in corrosive environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure differentials between fluid chambers to activate the piston mechanism. By controlling fluid pressure, the system achieves reliable mechanical actuation of down hole tools without requiring electronic components that could malfunction in severe environments.
2Reliability
If specialized plugs or wellbore devices are used to set packers, then the setting function is reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for specialized setting plugs or devices by integrating the setting function directly into the down hole tool assembly. The pressure-activated piston mechanism is built into the tool itself, removing the requirement for separate setting devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal pressure-activated setting mechanism that can be applied to various down hole tools including packers, isolators, and other equipment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for tool-specific setting devices, reducing complexity and standardizing the setting process across different applications.
3Reliability
If specialized plugs or wellbore devices are used to set packers, then the setting function is reliable, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive components such as rupture members and basic piston mechanisms instead of expensive specialized setting devices. These components are designed to be simple and cost-effective, reducing the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable setting functionality.
4Measurement precision
If rupture members are used to control fluid communication, then the activation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses rupture members with specific burst pressure ratings to control fluid communication at precise pressure thresholds. By selecting rupture members with appropriate pressure ratings, the system achieves precise activation control without requiring complex sensing or control mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving activation precision.
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
Simplifies the setting process of down hole tools by using pressure differentials to activate them hydraulically, reducing the risk of malfunction and complexity, and effectively isolating the annulus to prevent fluid migration.
Implementation Method 1
The rupture member is configured to prevent fluid communication between the first chamber and the third chamber only until a pressure differential between the first chamber and the third chamber reaches a predetermined threshold value
Implementation Method 2
The piston moves in response to the pressure differential to activate the down hole tool
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A piston is moveable from a first position to a second position for activating the down hole tool. The piston includes a first side exposed to an activation chamber, and a second side operatively coupled to the down hole tool. A rupture member has a first side exposed to the activation chamber and a second side exposed to the interior of a base pipe. The rupture member is configured to rupture when a pressure differential between the activation chamber and the interior reaches a predetermined threshold value, at which point the rupture member allows fluid communication between the interior and the activation chamber to pressurize the activation chamber and move the piston, thereby activating the down hole tool.