Single-Use Wellbore Setting Tool With Shock-Absorbing Wedge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wellbore setting tools are complex, expensive, and require skilled operation for resetting, with a high risk of human error during assembly and maintenance, and they often cause damage due to excessive force or shock during plug actuation.

Innovation Solution

A single-use setting tool with a bi-directional gas-generating power charge and a shock-absorbing wedge, which eliminates the need for a separate firing head and allows for predictable and safe operation with fewer, less expensive components, reducing the complexity and cost of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a reusable setting tool is used, then cost savings can be achieved through repeated use, but the tool complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool reusabilityVSAvoidsetting tool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by designing a setting tool with a disposable power charge and initiator assembly that is replaced after each use, while the main tool body remains reusable. This resolves the contradiction by making the consumable parts simple and inexpensive, eliminating complex maintenance requirements for the entire tool while still achieving cost savings through reuse of the main assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Force

If a power charge is used to actuate the plug, then sufficient force can be generated, but excessive force may damage the setting tool or wellbore

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce applied to pistonVSAvoiddamage to setting tool

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a shock-absorbing element between the piston and the power charge that activates only when excessive force is generated. This cushioning element absorbs the excess energy and prevents damage to the setting tool and wellbore, while still allowing sufficient force to be applied during normal operation to actuate the plug effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If a complex resetting process is required, then the tool can be reused, but skilled operation is needed increasing risk of human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool reuse capabilityVSAvoidresetting operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the complex resetting requirements into a disposable power charge and initiator assembly that is simply replaced after each use, while the main tool body requires minimal maintenance. This resolves the contradiction by extracting the complex maintenance tasks from the reusable portion of the tool, reducing the skill level needed for operation while maintaining productivity through reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If fewer components are used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but the tool may lack necessary functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidtool functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the power charge, initiator, and shock-absorbing element into a single integrated disposable assembly that attaches to the reusable tool body. This resolves the contradiction by merging multiple functional components into one unit, reducing the total number of separate parts while maintaining all necessary functions including force generation, shock absorption, and plug actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 single-use setting tool provides a safe, predictable, and economical solution for actuating wellbore tools with reduced risk of human error and damage, enabling cost savings by eliminating the need for skilled resetting and complex maintenance processes.

Implementation Method 1

combustion of the power charge may generate gas pressure to urge the piston against a setting sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

A shock absorbing wedge may be positioned on the inner piston between the sleeve distal end and the piston distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11255147B2Single use setting tool for actuating a tool in a wellbore

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 DYNAENERGETICS EURO GMBH

AI summary

A single use setting tool and associated method for actuating a tool in a wellbore may include an inner piston with an annular wall defining a piston cavity. A portion of the inner piston including the piston cavity may be positioned within a central bore of an outer sleeve, and the inner piston and the outer sleeve may be slidable relative to one another. A portion of the inner piston may extend beyond an end of the outer sleeve and have a shock absorbing wedge positioned thereon, and the end of the outer sleeve may have a cutout for receiving the shock absorbing wedge. A bi-directional gas-generating power charge may be positioned in the piston cavity and include a power charge having a booster positioned in an indentation adjacent each of a first end and a second end of the power charge.