Wellbore Setting Tool With Dampened Piston Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore setting tools face issues with complex designs, high costs, potential for human error during assembly, and damage from excessive force or sudden accelerative forces during plug setting, necessitating a need for a safe, predictable, and economical solution.

Innovation Solution

A disposable setting tool with a compact power charge and piston system that utilizes a dampening medium to control the actuation force, reducing sudden accelerative forces and incorporating a single-use design to eliminate assembly errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a power charge is used to exert substantial force on the piston to actuate the plug, then the plug setting force is sufficient to set the plug, but excessive force may damage the setting tool, other downhole tools or the wellbore itself

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug setting forceVSAvoidtool damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dampening medium is introduced between the piston and the plug to absorb and control the force transmission. This cushioning element prevents excessive force from damaging the setting tool or wellbore while still providing sufficient force to actuate the plug, resolving the contradiction between adequate setting force and prevention of tool damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The dampening medium serves as an intermediary between the piston and the plug, mediating the force transmission. It allows the system to transmit necessary force while filtering out harmful excessive forces, thus protecting the setting tool and wellbore from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If a power charge delivers force over a short time duration to actuate the tool, then the tool can be actuated, but such a set-up is not ideal and may cause sudden accelerative forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation speedVSAvoidaccelerative force

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dampening medium is positioned to absorb sudden accelerative forces generated during rapid plug actuation. By providing this cushioning before the harmful effects occur, the system can maintain fast actuation speed while preventing damage from excessive accelerative forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If a reusable setting tool is used to reduce costs, then the tool can be reset and reused, but the tool may be damaged by excessive force or sudden accelerative forces during plug setting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool reusabilityVSAvoidtool integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dampening medium provides protective cushioning that prevents damage to the reusable setting tool during plug actuation. This allows the tool to be safely reused multiple times while maintaining its integrity, resolving the contradiction between tool reusability and tool reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Force

If the piston is constrained to movement in a single direction to generate substantial force, then the plug can be actuated, but the sudden detachment may impart drastic accelerative force to the piston in the opposite direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiston forceVSAvoidkick force

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dampening medium is positioned to cushion the piston against sudden reverse accelerative forces when the plug detaches. This prevents the 'kick' force from damaging the setting tool or piston, allowing the system to maintain effective single-direction force generation while protecting against harmful reverse forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 controlled and predictable plug setting, minimizing tool damage and assembly errors while being cost-effective and reusable, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

activation of the power charge results in a substantial force by means of combustion being exerted on the setting tool piston

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

A disposable setting tool with a compact power charge and piston system that utilizes a dampening medium to control the actuation force, reducing sudden accelerative forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDampening: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12571272B2Setting tool for actuating a tool in a wellbore

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 DYNAENERGETICS EURO GMBH

AI summary

A disposable setting tool may include an outer housing and a piston. The outer housing may have a proximal end portion defining a power charge chamber and a distal end portion. The outer housing may define a longitudinally-extending bore configured for holding a medium therein. The bore and the power charge chamber may be divided from one another by a proximal wall. The piston may be configured for receipt in the bore and to move axially relative to the outer housing.