Electronically Actuated Straddle Packer Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing straddle packer injection tools face challenges in efficiently isolating borehole sections for fluid treatment due to complex mechanical designs and the need for repeated manipulation of tubing/drill pipe to inflate, lock, open, close frac ports, and deflate packers, making multiple deployments downhole difficult.
Innovation Solution
A straddle fluid treatment apparatus with first and second packers, a flow unit, and control units that use RFID technology to electronically control packer and flow valves, allowing for automated inflation, pressure trapping, treatment fluid delivery, and packer unsetting, enabling efficient and repeated treatment of borehole sections without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical manipulation of tubing/drill pipe is used to inflate packers, lock pressure, open/close frac ports, and deflate elements, then the tool can function downhole, but the complexity of operation increases and multiple deployments become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of tubing/drill pipe with an electronically controlled system. A controller receives signals and automatically actuates the packer inflation/deflation mechanism, frac port opening/closing mechanism, and pressure locking mechanism through electronic valves and actuators, eliminating the need for complex manual operations while maintaining full functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically perform all operations without external intervention. Once deployed, the tool can independently inflate packers, lock pressure, open/close frac ports, and deflate elements based on electronic signals, enabling it to service itself and repeat operations multiple times without requiring complex manual reconfiguration
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool is designed to revert back to initial condition for multiple deployments, then the tool can be set multiple times downhole, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic control systems with solenoid valves and actuators to automatically reset the tool to its initial condition. The electronic system can remotely actuate packer deflation, frac port closing, and pressure release mechanisms, allowing the tool to revert to its deployment-ready state without complex manual manipulation and enabling multiple deployments
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is designed with multi-functional capabilities to perform inflation, deflation, pressure locking, frac port control, and automatic resetting through a single electronic control system. This universal design allows the same apparatus to be deployed repeatedly for multiple treatments without requiring different tools or complex procedural changes
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 apparatus allows for precise and efficient isolation and treatment of borehole sections, reducing the complexity of manual operations and enabling multiple deployments by automating valve operations based on RFID instructions, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of fluid treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
a packer valve biased to open fluid communication between the packers and the fill port
Implementation Method 2
a flow valve of the flow unit is biased to close fluid communication between the flow port and the borehole
Implementation Method 3
an RFID system can be used to send and receive instructions via RFID tag(s) to the one or more control units
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A straddle apparatus (100) deploys in a borehole with tubing (20) to treat different zones (15) of a formation (14). The apparatus has first and second packer elements (110 a-b) and a flow element (150) disposed on the apparatus. The first and second packer elements have fill ports (112) in fluid communication with the tubing and have packer valves (114). These packer valves are biased to open fluid communication between the packer elements and the fill port so the packer elements can be inflated to seal off a section of the borehole when fluid pressure is applied down the tubing string. The flow unit (150) has a flow port (152) in fluid communication with the tubing and has a flow valve (154) biased to close fluid communication between the flow port and the borehole. Once the elements inflate, one or more control units (200) on the apparatus electronically activate the at packer valves to close fluid communication between the packer elements and the fill ports. Then, the one or more control units electronically activate the flow valve to open fluid communication between the flow port and the borehole so treatment can be applied to the formation zone in the isolated borehole section.