Solid-State Overvoltage Firing Switch for Well Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state overvoltage firing switches used in well systems become unreliable due to exposure to high or fluctuating environmental temperatures, pressures, and ambient light levels, affecting their ability to consistently detonate explosives.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state overvoltage firing switch design featuring a substrate with a conductive anode and cathode separated by a gap, covered by an insulator layer that breaks down under threshold voltage, allowing current flow and potentially including a reactive layer to generate thermal energy for detonation, enhancing reliability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional firing switches are used in well systems, then the device can detonate explosives, but the reliability deteriorates under high or fluctuating environmental temperatures, pressures, and ambient light levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical firing switch components with a solid-state device structure consisting of a substrate, conductive anode, conductive cathode, and insulator layer. This solid-state construction eliminates mechanical weaknesses and improves reliability under extreme environmental conditions by using materials and structures that are inherently more resistant to temperature, pressure, and light fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The firing switch employs a composite structure combining multiple materials with complementary properties: a substrate material providing structural stability, conductive materials for the anode and cathode ensuring electrical performance, and an insulator layer material providing electrical isolation. This composite approach allows each material to be optimized for specific environmental resistances, collectively enhancing overall device reliability.
2Reliability
If an insulator layer is introduced to improve reliability, then environmental resistance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical isolation between the conductive anode and cathode, protects the conductive layers from environmental degradation, and contributes to the overall structural integrity of the device. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single layer, the design achieves improved reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 provides a reliable and safer alternative for detonating explosives in well systems by ensuring consistent electrical breakdown and thermal energy generation, improving the switch's performance across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the insulator layer can be operable to cover a first portion of the conductive anode and a second portion of the conductive cathode. In some examples, the voltage can cause the insulator layer to electrically breakdown
Implementation Method 2
A reactive layer can be coupled to the insulator layer. The reactive layer can be operable to chemically react with the conductive anode or the conductive cathode to generate an amount of thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly can include solid-state overvoltage firing switch operable to control an explosive device. The solid-state overvoltage firing switch can include a substrate layer. The solid-state overvoltage firing switch can also include a conductive anode and a conductive cathode positioned on the substrate layer. A gap can physically separate the conductive anode from the conductive cathode. The conductive anode can be operable to receive a voltage from a power source. The solid-state overvoltage firing switch can further include an insulator layer adjacent to the conductive anode and the conductive cathode. At least part of the insulator layer can fill the gap. The insulator layer can cover a first portion of the conductive anode and a second portion of the conductive cathode.