Wireline Pressure Setting Barrier for Horizontal Power Charge Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In horizontal wellbores, the power charge in wireline pressure setting assemblies loses viscosity and can escape from its cartridge due to high temperatures, leading to inconsistent ignition and pressure generation, which affects the tool's ability to set and release properly.
Innovation Solution
A porous or breakable barrier is placed around the power charge to centralize it within the pressure chamber, preventing leakage and ensuring proper ignition by maintaining alignment with the igniter and allowing for pressure transmission or disintegration upon ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the power charge is placed in a horizontal wellbore, then the tool can be deployed in horizontal applications, but the power charge material flows out of the cartridge into the pressure chamber due to loss of viscosity at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
A flow management mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the power charge cartridge and the pressure chamber. This mechanism selectively allows power charge material to remain contained during horizontal deployment while permitting its release into the pressure chamber during the setting operation, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of horizontal adaptability and material containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow management mechanism utilizes a flexible diaphragm or membrane that can adapt to horizontal orientations while maintaining containment of the power charge material. The flexible nature of this barrier allows it to conform to the horizontal wellbore configuration while still preventing unwanted material flow, resolving the contradiction between horizontal application capability and material containment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the power charge is placed horizontally, then the tool can operate in horizontal wellbores, but the power charge positions itself on the low side of the pressure chamber, reducing ignition probability
Solution Approach 1:
The flow management mechanism is pre-configured to actively position the power charge material on the high side of the pressure chamber before ignition occurs. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when ignition is initiated, the power charge is already in the optimal location for reliable ignition, thereby resolving the contradiction between horizontal operation and ignition reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow management mechanism creates a counterbalancing force or structural arrangement that counteracts the gravitational effect causing the power charge to settle on the low side in horizontal orientations. By providing this counteracting influence, the mechanism ensures the power charge remains in the optimal ignition position despite horizontal wellbore orientation.
3Loss of substance
If a barrier is placed around the power charge to contain it, then material flow is prevented, but the barrier must be consumed or disabled upon ignition to allow normal functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The flow management mechanism is designed as a temporary, consumable component that is discarded after serving its containment function. Upon ignition, the mechanism is intentionally destroyed or disabled, allowing the power charge to freely interact with the pressure chamber for normal tool operation. This discarding approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex recovery or reuse mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow management mechanism utilizes inexpensive, single-use materials that can be easily discarded after their containment function is fulfilled. This disposable approach reduces device complexity by avoiding the need for durable, reusable containment structures, while still providing effective material containment during the critical horizontal deployment phase.
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 effectively centralizes the power charge, ensuring consistent ignition and pressure generation, even in horizontal applications, by preventing leakage and maintaining alignment with the igniter, thus enhancing the reliability of the tool's setting and release functions.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism or mechanisms are needed and provided by the present invention to centralize the power charge in the pressure chamber, allow for the management of the material that may flow into the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
The barrier can be porous or impervious to contain as much of the power charge in a small sub-chamber in the pressure chamber defined by the barrier
Implementation Method 3
Once the barrier is placed on/around the power charge, the power charge is inserted into the pressure chamber of the WLPSA and the outside diameter of the barrier has full contact with the inside diameter of the pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The power charge of a wireline pressure setting assembly includes a barrier located adjacent an open upper end of the power charge. The barrier centralizes the power charge in horizontal applications to ensure the associated tool properly sets. The barrier also limits how much of the power charge can flow out of its housing in a horizontal application. The barrier can be porous or impervious to contain as much of the power charge in a small sub-chamber in the pressure chamber defined by the barrier. Once ignition starts in the power charge the barrier can be consumed or otherwise disabled for the normal functioning of the setting device to set a tool and release from the set tool in a normal manner.