Self-Cleaning Piston Grooves for Particulate Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydrocarbon well and other applications, pistons face issues with particulates from actuating fluids causing third body abrasion and jamming due to the inability of conventional seals to effectively exclude particulates from the piston-cylinder interface, leading to reduced operational reliability and potential fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with grooves on the piston and surrounding passage wall surfaces, formed from hardened materials, to collect and progressively move particulates away from the interface, reducing abrasion and jamming, and potentially eliminating the need for dynamic seals by maintaining low leak rates through optimized groove design and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seals (elastomeric dynamic seals or metal piston rings) are employed to exclude particulates, then the piston can contain pressure difference, but the particulates can still enter the clearance and cause third body abrasion and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts harmful particulates from the piston-cylinder clearance by introducing grooves that collect and remove particles from the interface. The grooves act as particle traps that prevent particulates from causing abrasion and jamming, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining pressure containment and preventing particulate damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves serve as an intermediary structure between the piston and cylinder wall, providing a dedicated space for particulate accumulation and removal. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain both pressure containment and particle-free operating surfaces.
2Reliability
If seals are used to prevent fluid leakage, then pressure containment is improved, but the seals can be damaged by particulates causing jamming and loss of function
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves extract particulates from the clearance before they can reach and damage the seals. By removing particles from the harmful environment, the seals are protected from abrasion and jamming, extending their operational life while maintaining pressure containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves provide beforehand protection by capturing particulates before they can cause damage to the seals. This preventive mechanism cushions the seals from particulate attacks, allowing them to maintain their sealing function over extended periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the piston operates in fluid with substantial particulates (e.g., drilling mud), then the application versatility is improved, but the particulates embed in surfaces causing jamming and reduced operation duration
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves continuously extract and remove particulates from the piston-cylinder interface during operation. This extraction mechanism allows the piston to operate indefinitely in particulate-containing fluids like drilling mud, resolving the contradiction between application versatility and operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove system provides continuous particle removal throughout the piston's operational life, enabling uninterrupted operation in challenging environments. This continuous action maintains the clearance free of embedded particulates, extending the duration of useful piston action.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates tool operation with mobile pistons submitted to differential pressure. The technique utilizes a mobile piston slidably mounted in a corresponding piston passage. The piston passage is defined by a passage wall surface, and the piston may be moved linearly along the piston passage under the influence of an actuating fluid or to pump a fluid. The exterior surface of the piston and/or the passage wall surface have a groove or a plurality of grooves located and arranged to collect particulates from the fluid. Removal of the particulates facilitates actuator piston function by reducing, for example, third body abrasion and jamming of the piston.