Swellable Downhole Trigger for Timed Well Tool Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation systems for downhole well tools have distinct disadvantages, necessitating advancements for more effective and versatile control of tool activation.
Innovation Solution
A downhole activated trigger device utilizing a swellable material that swells in response to well fluids to control the actuation of well tools, featuring a pivot arm mechanism and biasing device to displace an actuation sleeve, allowing for delayed and controlled activation of various well tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If electrical, hydraulic or mechanical actuators are used to actuate downhole well tools, then delayed actuation of the well tool can be achieved, but each system has distinct disadvantages including complexity and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuation function from complex electrical, hydraulic or mechanical systems and implements it through a simple swellable material that automatically responds to fluid contact. The swellable material is placed inside the tubular string, and when fluid reaches it, the material swells and mechanically actuates the tool, eliminating the need for complex actuator systems while maintaining delayed actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The swellable material serves itself by automatically swelling when it contacts the well fluid, without requiring external control systems, power sources, or complex mechanisms. The material self-actuates the well tool simply by changing its volume in response to fluid exposure, providing a self-service solution that avoids the complexity and reliability issues of traditional actuator systems.
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional actuation systems are used, then tool activation can be delayed, but manipulation of the tubular string is required which reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The swellable material automatically actuates the well tool when the predetermined fluid reaches it, eliminating the need for operators to manipulate the tubular string. The system self-regulates the actuation timing based on fluid flow, improving operational efficiency while maintaining precise timed actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The swellable material acts as an intermediary between the well fluid and the well tool actuation. Instead of directly manipulating the tubular string, the fluid activates the swellable material, which then mechanically transfers the actuation force to the tool, providing an indirect but efficient actuation mechanism that simplifies operation.
3Reliability
If chemical treatments are applied early, then treatment effectiveness may be reduced, but delaying treatment application reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The swellable material is pre-positioned inside the tubular string before chemical treatment application. When the predetermined fluid reaches the swellable material at the desired time, it triggers the actuation of the well tool for chemical treatment application. This preliminary positioning ensures that treatment is applied at the optimal time for maximum effectiveness while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the arrival of predetermined fluid as a feedback signal to trigger chemical treatment application. The swellable material detects when the fluid reaches it and automatically initiates the actuation sequence, creating a feedback-based timing mechanism that optimizes treatment effectiveness based on actual downhole conditions rather than fixed timing.
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
Enables precise and timed actuation of well tools, such as valves and anchors, without requiring manipulation of the tubular string, enhancing operational efficiency and extending the effectiveness of chemical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
A swellable material 30 is disposed in the body 26 below the release sleeve 24
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole activated trigger device can include a swellable material, a pivot arm, an actuation sleeve and a release sleeve configured to displace from a run-in position to an actuated position in response to swelling of the swellable material. A system can include a downhole activated trigger device comprising a swellable material configured to swell in response to contact with a well fluid, and a well tool configured to actuate in response to swelling of the swellable material. A method of actuating a well tool can include connecting the well tool and a downhole activated trigger device in a tubular string, positioning the tubular string in the well, contacting a swellable material of the downhole activated trigger device with a well fluid, and the well tool actuating in response to the swellable material contacting the well fluid.