Electrohydraulic Spark Gap Actuator for Downhole Component Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The drilling and completion industry faces inefficiencies in moving downhole components due to high energy consumption and wasted energy, which increases costs and potentially damages other components in the downhole environment.

Innovation Solution

An electrohydraulic movement arrangement utilizing a spark gap device and an energy source to generate a pressure wave, allowing for efficient movement of components within a borehole by vaporizing a dielectric fluid and directing the pressure wave to effect movement, with configurations including encapsulated or unencapsulated spark gap devices and various positioning strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional actuators are used to move downhole components, then movement can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and wasted energy damages other components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddamage to downhole components

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the energy delivery mechanism by using multiple spark gap devices positioned at different locations around the component. Each spark gap device independently generates a pressure wave, allowing the total energy required for movement to be distributed across multiple localized energy sources rather than one large energy input, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and minimizing damage to surrounding components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating energy delivery precisely at the interface between the spark gap device and the component to be moved. The pressure wave is generated locally at the spark gap and directed specifically at the target component, ensuring that energy is applied only where needed for movement while avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure and damage to other downhole components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If more energy is used to ensure reliable movement, then movement reliability improves, but cost increases and other components may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement reliabilityVSAvoidwasted energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuators with an electrohydraulic system based on pressure wave generation. Electrical energy is converted into a pressure wave through the spark gap device, which then moves the component. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages and reduces energy loss through friction and mechanical inefficiencies, improving movement reliability while reducing wasted energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transitions of the dielectric fluid in the spark gap device. The electrical discharge causes rapid heating and vaporization of the fluid, creating a high-pressure plasma channel that generates the pressure wave. This phase transition mechanism provides a reliable and controllable method for generating movement with efficient energy utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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

This approach reduces energy consumption and minimizes damage to downhole components by focusing energy use, enabling efficient and controlled movement of components through the generation of pressure waves, allowing for precise deformation or positional changes without excessive energy expenditure.

Implementation Method 1

actuating the spark gap device, generating a pressure wave with the spark gap device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 2

generating a pressure wave with the spark gap device, and moving the component with the pressure wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure wave generation: Shock Wave

Data Source

PatentUS10822929B2Electrohydraulic movement of downhole components and method

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A downhole electrohydraulic movement arrangement including a spark gap device positioned and configured to move a separate component, and an energy source electrically connected to the spark gap device. A method for moving a component in a downhole environment including disposing an electrohydraulic arrangement having a spark gap device and an energy source electrically connected to the spark gap device operably proximate a component, actuating the spark gap device, generating a pressure wave with the spark gap device, and moving the component with the pressure wave. A downhole system including a borehole, a component moved within the borehole by an electrohydraulic arrangement.