Safety vent valve

Abstract

A perforating system connection sub comprising a vent valve for providing fluid flow communication through the connection sub wall. The vent valve is selectively opened and may include a frangible member. The frangible member is rupterable by the shock wave produced by ignition of an associated detonation cord.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway side view of a perforating system.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a partial cutaway of a portion of a perforating string.

FIG. 2 b depicts a partial cutaway of a portion of a perforating string.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of a segment of a perforating string in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cutaway of a vent valve.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of a segment of a perforating string in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present disclosure comprises a safety vent valve useful for relieving fluid pressure within a downhole tool. With reference now to FIG. 3 one example of a downhole tool with a vent valve is illustrated. More specifically, the embodiment shown is a segment of a perforating string 31 that comprises a connector sub 28 and gun bodies 32, where the gun bodies 32 are disposed on both ends of the connector sub 28. The embodiment of the connector sub 34 of FIG. 3 comprises a housing 39 having a cavity 48 formed therein and configured on both of its ends for coupling with a perforating gun 32. One example of a coupling means comprises threads 41 disposed on the outer surface of the ends of the housing 39 formed to mate with corresponding threads on the inner circumference of the end of the gun bodies 32. A recess 35 is provided within the wall of the connector sub 28 extending from the outer surface of the connector sub 28 into a cavity 48 residing within the body of the cavity 48. While the recess 35 is shown in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the axis of the connector sub 28, it is not limited to this configuration but instead can be formed at any other angle between the outer surface of the connector sub 28 and the cavity 48. In the embodiment of the connector sub 28 of FIG. 3, the cavity 48 is sealed and thus not in fluid communication with either the gun bodies 32 or its outer surface. Bulkheads at the mating edges of both the connector sub 28 and the gun bodies 32 are formed of rigid non-porous material, thereby creating a fluid flow barrier. Additionally, as discussed in more detail below, the presence of a vent valve 34 in the recess 34 prevents fluid flow therethrough when the vent valve 34 is in the closed configuration.

The recess 35 provided in the connector sub 28 is formed to receive the vent valve 34. The vent valve 34 as illustrated comprises a body 38 formed into a generally annular configuration. An embodiment of the vent valve 34 is provided in a cross sectional view in FIG. 4. However the vent valve 34 of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment of FIG. 4, but can instead include any suitable cross sections such as rectangular, oval, a multi-sided configuration (hexagonal, octagonal, etc), or any other suitable form. The vent valve 34 shown also includes a membrane 40 disposed within its body 38 that lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the vent valve 34. The vent valve 34 can be a uni-body construction machined from a single piece of stock material, or can be comprised of two separate segments joined together proximate to the location of the membrane 40.

The membrane 40 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 fully encompasses the annular region within the body 38 thereby preventing fluid flow through the vent valve 34—when in this configuration. However the membrane 40 is frangible and thus when ruptured, can allow fluid through the vent valve 34. One example of a suitable membrane for use with the present device is a rupture disk. An example of a suitable material for the vent valve 34 and sub is any alloy steel capable of withstanding the expected downhole conditions. Other alternatives include glass, ceramic, aluminum, cast iron, plastics, and articles formed from NYLON®. Proper choice of material is well within the scope of those skilled in the art.

The body 38 further comprises a skirt section 44 extending downward from the membrane 40; optionally included within the skirt 44 is an opening 46 that provides a passageway through the skirt 44. The opening 46 is aligned generally perpendicular to the axis of the housing 38. The opening 46 should have dimensions sufficient to accommodate the detonating cord 36 to pass therethrough. One embodiment of the vent valve 34 may include a shoulder stop 45 formed on the outer circumference of the body 38 in an orientation generally coaxial to the body 38. In the embodiment including the shoulder stop 45, the recess 35 will have an increased diameter proximate to its opening to receive the shoulder stop 45 therein. A ridge 47 formed by a reduction in the recess diameter should be included in cooperation with the shoulder stop 45, proper placement of the shoulder stop 45 in conjunction with the ridge 47 can situate the opening 46 within the cavity 48 for proper placement of the detonating cord 36 therethrough. Once spatially aligned, the vent valve 34 can be rotated (if needed) for alignment with the detonating cord 36.

The vent valve 34 can be retained within the recess 35 with a retaining ring 50. The ring 50 can be disposed within the recess in any number of ways, such as threaded, press fit, snap ring, welded, or any other suitable manner.

It should be pointed out that the vent valve 34 of the present device is not limited to those having a frangible member such as the membrane, but instead can include any device or apparatus responsive to shock waves. One additional example could be that of a sliding manifold having strategically placed ports such that the member when pushed upward in response to a shock wave, the ports could be situated to allow fluid communication from the cavity 48 of the connector sub 28 to the outer surroundings of the connector sub 28. Another alternative embodiment includes a spring-loaded relief valve that is responsive to a pressure differential between the cavity and ambient conditions, and opens when the cavity pressure exceeds ambient pressure by some set amount. The spring loading could then reseat the valve for repeated uses and or repeated pressure loadings.

A portion of a detonating system 33 is shown within the connector sub 28 and gun bodies 32. The portion of the detonating system 33 shown comprises, detonating cords 36 and transfer charges 37 and extends through the gun bodies 32 as well as into the connector sub 28. As previously discussed, initiation of detonation systems typically occurs on the section of the detonating system closest to the surface 9. Initiation of the detonating system 33 produces a shock wave within the detonating cord 36 that propagates downward through the detonating system 33 (and cord 36). Moreover, the shockwave is transferred between successive segments of the gun string (i.e. adjacent gun bodies 32 and the connector sub 28) by virtue of the transfer charges 37 provided at the terminating point of each end of the detonating cord 36 within segment. The detonating cord 36 can be of any shape (i.e. round, flat, smaller, larger diameter, and varying diameter), the chemical composition of the detonating cord is also not limited to a single composition. The detonating cord for use with the device and apparatus herein described can include any cord useful in transferring a shock wave along a string wherein the shock wave can activate a vent device. Additionally, electrical detonators may be used as a means for producing the aforementioned shock wave.

Optionally, the rupturing step may be accomplished by pressure formed by combustion of a material, such as the combustion of a propellant. The combustible material could be situated proximate to the frangible portion of the vent valve wherein the high pressure resulting from the ensuing combustion exerts a sufficient force on the frangible portion to cause it to rupture. Optionally, the region housing the combustible material could be sealed thereby allowing the pressure to build in order to cause the rupture of the frangible portion. Thus instead of an instantaneous micro-second event, the device of the present disclosure could be activated with a combusting compound acting on a millisecond time basis.

In operation, a perforating string having the segment 31 of FIG. 3 is disposed in a wellbore 1 for perforating the wellbore 1. As previously discussed, perforating the wellbore 1 is accomplished by activating a detonation system of the perforating string that in turn detonates the shaped charges 30 associated with the perforating system. Detonation of the shaped charges occurs in response to the shock wave of the detonation system. Activation of the detonation system is accomplished by actuating a firing head. As is known, firing heads are typically included with the perforating string in its uppermost segment and are in electrical or mechanical communication with the detonating cord. Upon activation of the detonating system, the resulting shock wave travels along the length of the detonation system and passes through each segment of the detonating cord 36. The membrane 40 of FIG. 3 is frangably configured to burst in response to exposure of the pressure formed due to the shock wave passing through detonating cord 36. Bursting the membrane 40 removes the fluid flow barrier of the vent valve 34 and in turn provides open fluid communication between the cavity 48 and the topside of the connector sub 28. Thus the same shock wave that causes detonation of the shock waves also allows venting between the cavity 48 and the region ambient to the connector sub 28.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the perforating string segment 31 a after detonation of the detonating system. Here the discharge of the shaped charge causes either fragmentation or disintegration of its individual elements, and is thus no longer present. Similarly, the detonating cord 36 and transfer charges 37 have been expended during use and are also not present. The resulting detonations of the shaped charges provide an aperture 54 through the wall of the gun body 32a and the discharge of the transfer charges 37 similarly produce passages 52 between the connector sub 28a and the adjacent gun bodies 32a thereby allowing fluid flow from the respective gun bodies 32a into the cavity 48a. This results in a fluid flow path Al from outside of the gun bodies 32a into the cavity 48a. Moreover, the rupture of the membrane 40a allows free flow of fluid from the cavity 48a to outside of the connector sub 28a. Accordingly, if during retrieval of the string segment 31a the passages 52 become blocked, the free flow of fluid through the now opened vent valve 34a prevents any pressure differential between the cavity 48a and ambient to the connector sub 28a.

The membrane thickness can be reduced at strategically selected locations along the surface of the membrane 40 to ensure its rupturing in response to an applied shock wave. Optionally, the membrane 40 can include a scored portion 42 along the surface of one of its sides to facilitate bursting the membrane 40. Also alternatively, the coupling member for joining the detonating cord 36 with the vent valve is not limited to the opening 46 but may include a coupling member that is a J-shaped member for coupling the vent valve 34 with the detonating cord 36. Additionally, the coupling member may comprise multiple flexible elements for coupling with the cord 36. It should be pointed out that the generation of a shock wave is not limited to the use of a detonating cord.

The present invention described herein, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. For example, the invention described herein is applicable to any shaped charge phasing as well as any density of shaped charge. Moreover, the invention can be utilized with any size of perforating gun. These and other similar modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of the present invention disclosed herein and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connecting sub comprising: a housing;a pressure producing element; anda vent valve in operable communication with the pressure producing element, wherein the vent valve is selectively opened in response to activation of the pressure producing element.

2. The connecting sub of claim 1 wherein the pressure producing element is a shock wave producing member.

3. The connecting sub of claim 1 wherein the pressure producing element comprises a combustible propellant.

4. The connecting sub of claim 1 further comprising a cavity formed within the housing.

5. The connecting sub of claim 4, wherein when the vent valve is in the opened position it provides fluid communication between the cavity and the outside of the housing.

6. The connecting sub of claim 1, further comprising a frangible member within the vent valve.

7. The connecting sub of claim 2 wherein the shock wave producing member comprises a detonating cord.

8. The connecting sub of claim 7, further comprising a first end, a second end, a perforating gun attachable to the first end, a shock wave producing member disposed within the perforating gun, a first transfer charge combinable with the connection sub shock wave producing member and a second transfer charge combinable with the perforating gun shock wave producing member.

9. The connecting sub of claim 8, further comprising a second perforating gun attachable to the second end, a shock wave producing member disposed within the second perforating gun, a third transfer charge combinable with the connection sub shock wave producing member and a fourth transfer charge combinable with the second perforating gun shock wave producing member.

10. The connecting sub of claim 1, further comprising a retaining ring coupled to the housing and to the vent valve

11. The connecting sub of claim 2 further comprising a coupling member joined to the shock wave producing member.

12. The connecting sub of claim 11, wherein said coupling member is selected from the list consisting of an opening formed to receive the shockwave producing member therethrough, a hook shaped member, and opposing elements formed to receive the shockwave producing member therebetween.

13. A perforating system comprising: a connecting sub;a perforating gun coupled with the connector sub;a detonation system; anda vent valve disposed with said connector sub, wherein the vent valve is selectively opened in response to operation of the detonation system.

14. The perforating system of claim 13 further comprising an initiator in operative communication with the detonation system.

15. The perforating system of claim 14 further comprising a cavity formed within the connecting sub.

16. The perforating system of claim 15, wherein when the vent valve is in the opened position it provides fluid communication between the cavity and the outside of the connecting sub.

17. The perforating system of claim 13, further comprising a frangible member within the vent valve.

18. The perforating system of claim 13 wherein the detonation system comprises an initiator coupled with a detonating cord, wherein activation of the initiator commences a shock wave along the detonation system.

19. The perforating system of claim 13, further comprising a retaining ring coupled to the connecting sub and to the vent valve.

20. The perforating system of claim 13 further comprising a coupling member coupled to the detonation system.

21. The perforating system of claim 20, wherein said coupling member is selected from the list consisting of an opening formed to receive the detonation system therethrough, a hook shaped member, and opposing elements formed to receive the detonation system therebetween.