Patent Grant
10246961
The present invention relates, generally, to the field of downhole tools and methods of setting such downhole tools within a well bore. More particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a non-explosive, gas-generating setting tool usable for downhole applications.
Many wellbore operations necessitate anchoring a tool within the wellbore. Such tools can include plugs, packers, hangers, casing patches, and the like (collectively referred to herein as downhole tools).
Downhole tool 100 includes a mandrel 104 having cone-shaped protrusions 105 and 106 and a sealing section 107. Cone-shaped protrusions 105 and 106 can slide over the mandrel 104 and make contact with sealing section 107 via surfaces 108 and 109, respectively. Sealing section 107 is typically made of a deformable or otherwise malleable material, such as plastic, metal, an elastomer or the like.
Downhole tool 100 further includes a base section 110 attached to the mandrel 104 via a threaded section 111. Base section 110 can apply pressure to cone-shaped protrusion 105 via slips 112 when the mandrel 104 is moved in an upward direction 113. Cone-shaped protrusion 105 consequently slides up and over the mandrel 104, applying pressure to the sealing section 107. Downward pressure 114 to slips 115 (usually exerted by a sleeve 120) likewise transfers pressure to the sealing member 107 as the cone-shaped protrusion 106 slides downward. Sealing member 107 deforms and expands due to lateral pressure 116 (with force line indicated), as the sealing member 107 is squeezed between the cone-shaped protrusions 105 and 106. Ultimately, the sealing member expands to form a seal with the ID 103 of tubular member 102.
Once the lateral pressure 116 of the sealing member 107 against the ID 103 exceeds a certain calibrated value, continued squeezing (i.e., 113 and 114) causes the slips 112 and 115 to ride up on the cone-shaped protrusions 105 and 106, respectively. Slips 112 and 115 are also commonly referred to in the art as “dogs.” Upwardly stroking of the bottom dog (i.e., slip 112) causes the dog to ride up the cone-shaped protrusion 105 and to deform outwardly, indicated by the illustrated force arrow 117. Ultimately, the dog (i.e., slip) 112 will deform outwardly enough that the teeth 112a of the dog (i.e., slip) will bite into the ID 103. Likewise, continued downward pressure 114 on the slip 115 will cause the slip 115 to deform outwardly (indicated by the illustrated force arrow 118). Thus, downwardly stroking the top dog (top slip 115) causes it to bite into the ID 103 with teeth 115a. In the deployed configuration, the downhole tool 100 is anchored within the wellbore 101 by lateral pressure of the sealing section 107 and by the friction of the slips 112 and 115 biting into the ID 103 (via teeth 112a and 115a, respectively).
Tools, such as the generic downhole tool 100, must be deployed within a wellbore using a setting tool. (Note the distinction between the term “setting tool” and the term “downhole tool.” As used herein, a “setting tool” refers to a tool that is used to deploy a “downhole tool” within a wellbore). The setting tool carries the downhole tool 100 to the desired location within the wellbore and also actuates the mechanisms (e.g., applies forces 113 and 114) that anchor the downhole tool within the wellbore. To deploy a downhole tool within a wellbore, a setting tool is typically connected to the downhole tool and the pair of tools (i.e., setting tool and downhole tool) is run down the wellbore using a slickline, coiled tubing, or other conveying method. Once the pair of tools reaches the desired depth within the wellbore, the setting tool deploys the downhole tool by actuating the forces described above.
A variety of types of setting tools that operate according to a variety of designs are known in the art. Setting tools differ from one another with regard to the method by which they produce the output needed to actuate the downhole tools and, consequently, the amount of force they are capable of producing. Examples of force generating methods include hydraulic, electromechanical, mechanical, and pyrotechnic (explosive) methods. Each type of setting tool has associated advantages and disadvantages. For example, a disadvantage of hydraulic setting tools is that they generally require that fluid be pumped to the tool from the surface to pressurize and actuate the tool's setting mechanisms. By contrast, a pyrotechnic-based setting tool may be actuated using a timer or condition sensor that is contained within the setting tool itself, allowing the setting tool to operate without communicating with the surface to activate the setting tool. Examples of condition sensors include sensors that monitor acceleration, hydrostatic pressure, temperature, or a combination of these or other conditions. Once the requisite programmed conditions are met, a detonator within the setting tool can activate, and deploy the downhole tool, without needing to receive instructions from the surface.
Pyrotechnic-based setting tools have several problems. One problem is that the highly explosive materials they require to operate are generally dangerous and are typically subject to import/export and travel restrictions. Also, the setting tool can remain pressurized following detonation and must be depressurized by bleeding off pressure from the tool, by rupturing a bleed off mechanism at the surface—an operation that can be hazardous. Still further, and as explained in more detail below, pyrotechnic-type setting tools produce pressure in an explosive manner. The impulse generated by the rapid expansion of gases upon detonation in such a setting tool may not generate the optimum pressure for deploying downhole tools. Basically, the explosion may generate too much over pressure, over too short of a time, to properly set the downhole tool. Consequently, the force of the explosion must be throttled or dampened—a function typically performed using an internal hydraulic transducing mechanism. But such tools are limited in their application because they can only produce adequate force over short distances.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a more versatile setting tool.
The present invention relates to a non-explosive, gas-generating setting tool usable for setting downhole tools, such as a include a packer, a bridge plug, a fracturing plug, or other similar downhole tools, within a well bore.
The embodiments of the present invention include a well tool that can include a chamber comprising side walls and an activator disposed at a first end of the chamber. The chamber can be configured to contain a non-explosive gas and plasma-generating fuel, and a liner can be configured to protect the side walls of the chamber from the plasma of the non-explosive gas and the plasma-generating fuel. The well tool can further include a tool body that can comprise a cavity configured to receive pressure from the chamber, a bleed sub that can be positioned between the chamber and the tool body and configured to control pressure from the chamber as it is applied to the cavity, and a piston that is disposed within the cavity and oriented to stroke in a first direction in response to a pressure increase in the cavity. The piston can be mechanically connected to a shaft that can stroke in the first direction, with the piston, in response to the pressure increase in the cavity. The mechanical connection between the piston and the shaft creates a linkage between the two such that the actuation of the piston causes the actuation of the shaft and vice versa. The embodiments of the well tool are configured so that pressurizing the chamber, by activation of the non-explosive gas and plasma-generating fuel, can cause the piston and shaft to stroke.
In an embodiment, the well tool comprises a mechanical linkage between the shaft and an extendable sleeve, wherein the extendable sleeve is configured to actuate when the shaft is stroked in the first direction.
In an embodiment, the well tool can comprise a mandrel, which can be configured to receive the shaft when the shaft is stroked in the first direction. The mandrel can comprise a slot having a cross member disposed therein, and the cross member can be pushed by the shaft when the shaft is stroked in the first direction.
In an embodiment, the shaft, which is connected to the piston, can configured so that the shaft is a first shaft that can be exchanged for a second shaft of a different length than the first shaft. In an embodiment, the second shaft can be at least twice as long as the first shaft.
The well tool comprises a non-explosive gas and a plasma generating fuel, which can comprise a quantity of thermite that is sufficient to generate a thermite reaction when heated in excess of an ignition temperature, and a polymer that is disposed in association with the thermite. The polymer can produce a gas when the thermite reaction occurs, wherein the gas slows the thermite reaction, and wherein pressure is produced by the thermite reaction, the gas, or the combinations thereof.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the well tool further comprises a compressible member that can be configured in relationship with the shaft, such that the compressible member is compressed by the piston when the piston is stroked in the first direction, thereby decelerating the piston and shaft.
In an embodiment of the well tool, the tool body comprises a first inside diameter and a second inside diameter longitudinally disposed with respect to the first inside diameter, wherein the second inside diameter can be greater than the first inside diameter. One or more o-rings can be disposed upon the piston to form a gas-tight seal between the piston and the first inside diameter. In an embodiment, when the piston strokes in the first direction from the first inside diameter to the second inside diameter, the one or more o-rings do not form a gas-tight seal between the piston and the second inside diameter.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the well tool further comprises a shaft sub, wherein the shaft can slide through the shaft sub in the first direction when stroked, and one or more o-rings can be disposed within the shaft sub to form a gas-tight seal between the shaft sub and the shaft. In an alternate embodiment, the shaft can comprise a fluted section, wherein the intersection between the fluted section and the shaft sub can prevent one or more o-rings from forming a gas-tight seal between the shaft sub and the shaft.
In an embodiment of the well tool, a bleed sub is disposed between the chamber and the piston, and the bleed sub comprises a carbon-containing disk member that is configured to protect components of the bleed sub from gases generated within the chamber. The carbon disk of the bleed sub can be punctured to relieve pressure in the setting tool as needed, which is generally caused from the excitation or increased pressurization of gases within the setting tool.
Embodiments of the present invention include a self-bleeding well tool that comprises a tubular tool body, which can include a first inside diameter and a second inside diameter, wherein the second inside diameter can be greater than the first inside diameter, and a piston, which can comprise one or more o-rings about the piston's circumference and wherein the piston can be configured to stroke from a first position to a second position within the tubular tool body in a first direction. The one or more o-rings can form a gas-tight seal, with the first inside diameter, when the piston is positioned at the first position within the first inside diameter. Alternatively, the one or more o-rings do not form a gas-tight seal with the second inside diameter when the piston is positioned at the second position within the second inside diameter.
In an embodiment, the self-bleeding well tool further comprises a shaft that is mechanically connected to the piston and configured to stroke from the first position to the second position within the tubular tool body, in a first direction.
In an embodiment, the self-bleeding well tool further comprises a shaft sub, wherein the shaft can slide through the shaft sub when stroking from the first position to the second position, and one or more o-rings can be disposed within the shaft sub to form a gas-tight seal between the shaft sub and the shaft. In an embodiment of the self-bleeding well tool, the shaft can comprise a fluted section, and the intersection between the fluted section and the shaft sub can prevent the one or more o-rings from forming a gas-tight seal between the shaft sub and the shaft.
Embodiments of the present invention can include a modular well tool kit, which comprises a chamber that includes side walls, an activator disposed at a first end of the chamber, and a non-explosive gas and plasma-generating fuel disposed within the chamber. The modular well tool kit can further comprise a first tool body, which can include a cavity that is configured to receive pressure from the chamber and to contain a piston mechanically connected to one shaft of at least two interchangeable shafts.
The at least two interchangeable shafts can be of similar or different lengths. In an embodiment, each shaft, of the at least two interchangeable shafts, can be configured to mechanically connect to the piston and to stroke within the first tool body when the first tool body is operably connected with the chamber. In an embodiment, the modular well tool kit can further comprise a second tool body, wherein the exchanging of one shaft of the at least two interchangeable shafts for another of the at least two interchangeable shafts can comprise exchanging the second tool body for the first tool body.
The embodiments of the present invention can include a method of deploying a downhole tool within a wellbore that includes the steps of activating a non-explosive gas and plasma-generating fuel, which are contained within a chamber of a setting tool that is operatively connected to the downhole tool, and directing the non-explosive gas within the chamber to impinge directly on a piston. The downhole tool can include a packer, a bridge plug, a fracturing plug, or similar tools. The steps of the method can continue by actuating the piston to stroke within a tubular tool body, and mechanically actuating a setting mechanism of the downhole tool with the piston, wherein the plasma can be blocked from impinging on the piston by a filtering plug.
In an embodiment, the non-explosive gas and plasma-generating fuel can comprise a quantity of thermite, which can be sufficient to generate a thermite reaction. In an embodiment, the non-explosive gas and plasma-generating fuel can comprise a polymer. The polymer can be disposed in association with the thermite, and the polymer can produce a gas when the thermite reaction occurs, wherein the produced gas can slow the thermite reaction, such that pressure is produced by the thermite reaction, the gas, or the combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the step of mechanically actuating the setting mechanism can further comprise pushing a shaft that is mechanically linked to an extendable sleeve to actuate the setting mechanism of the downhole tool. In an embodiment, the shaft can be usable for pushing a crosslink key, which is disposed within a slot of a mandrel and mechanically linked to the extendable sleeve, for mechanically actuating the setting mechanism.
In an embodiment, the step of mechanically actuating the setting mechanism can comprise multiple sequential stages, wherein each sequential stage is essentially completed before the next sequential stage begins. The stages can comprise one or more of: anchoring a bottom set of slips to an inner diameter of a tubular with the wellbore, compressing a sealing section to form a seal between the downhole tool and the inner diameter of the tubular, anchoring a top set of slips to an inner diameter of the tubular, and/or shearing a shear stud.
Before describing selected embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein. The disclosure and description herein is illustrative and explanatory of one or more presently embodiments and variations thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in the design, organization, means of operation, structures and location, methodology, and use of mechanical equivalents may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
As well, it should be understood that the drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose embodiments to one of skill in the art, but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views to facilitate understanding or explanation. As well, the relative size and arrangement of the components may differ from that shown and still operate within the spirit of the invention.
Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “top”, “left”, “right”, and so forth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with the drawings, and that components may be oriented differently, for instance, during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.
Pyrotechnic-based setting tool 200 includes a pressure chamber 201 that is in gas communication with a top piston 202. Pressure chamber 201 is configured to contain an explosive power charge that provides the power that drives piston 202 of the setting tool 200. The explosive power charge is typically ignited using an igniter contained in an isolation sub disposed upward of the pressure chamber 201. Pressure chamber 201 is typically configured with a bleed off valve 203 for bleeding off gases after the tool has been used and is returned to the surface of the wellbore.
Upon ignition, rapidly expanding gases exert pressure on the top piston 202, which in turn compresses hydraulic fluid that is contained within reservoir 204. The pressurized hydraulic fluid, which is choked somewhat by a cylindrical connector 205, applies pressure to a bottom piston 206. As the bottom piston is pressurized, it moves in a downhole direction, bringing with it a piston rod 207. Head 207a of the piston rod 207 is configured with a crosslink key 208. As the piston rod 207 strokes downward, the crosslink key 208 engages and pushes a sleeve 120 that is configured upon a setting mandrel 209. Although not shown, the setting mandrel 209 can be temporarily affixed to the mandrel 104 of the downhole tool 101, typically via a shear pin. The sleeve 120 applies downward pressure 114 to the slips 115 of the downhole tool 100 (not shown here, but depicted in
As mentioned previously, the rapid expansion of gases and pressurization within the setting tool upon detonation requires that the generated pressure be throttled back and applied to the actuating mechanism (i.e., piston rod 207) in a controlled manner. That throttling function is performed by the hydraulic system, shown schematically as reservoir 204 and the cylindrical connector 205 of the setting tool 200.
The inventors have discovered that by using a non-explosive gas-generating material as the power source, the benefits of a pyrotechnic-type setting tool can be realized, but without the associated drawbacks. Namely, the setting tool described herein does not require a hydraulic damping system to transfer power from the power source to the actuating mechanism. Also, the non-explosive gas-generating material is safer to handle and transport and generally does not require the same shipping and import/export controls as do the explosive materials used with pyrotechnic-type setting tools. Easier transporting and shipping requirement is valuable; it can result in a setting tool being available at a well-site within a day or two, as opposed to within a week or two—a difference that can equate to hundreds of thousands of dollars to the well owner.
Non-explosive gas-generating setting tool 300 includes a power source body 301 that contains a power source 302. Power source 302 is capable of producing gas in an amount and at a rate sufficient to operate the non-explosive gas-generating setting tool 300. Power source 302 is referred to as an “in situ” power source, meaning that it is contained within the setting tool downhole during operation. The in situ power source can be activated from the surface, via wireline, for example, or may be activated using a timer or sensor downhole.
As used herein, the term “power source” refers to a non-explosive gas-generating source of gas. Examples of suitable power source materials and construction are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,381, issued Jul. 2, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Power source materials typically utilize thermite or a modified thermite mixture. The mixture can include a powdered (or finely divided) metal and a powdered metal oxide. The powdered metal can be aluminum, magnesium, etc. The metal oxide can include cupric oxide, iron oxide, etc. A particular example of thermite mixture is cupric oxide and aluminum. When ignited, the flammable material produces an exothermic reaction. The material may also contain one or more gasifying compounds, such as one or more hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon compounds, particularly polymers.
Power source 302 can be activated (ignited) using an activator 303 contained within an isolation sub 304. Examples of suitable activators include Series 100/200/300/700 Thermal Generators™ available from MCR Oil Tools, LLC, located in Arlington, Tex.
Once activated, the power source 302 generates gas, which expands and fills a chamber 301a of the power source body 301. The chamber 301a may be protected by a coating or liner 301b that is resistant to high temperatures that the power source 302 may reach as the gas expands. The liner 301b may also include a ceramic coating that is painted into the chamber 301a during manufacture. The liner 301b may also include a carbon sleeve into which the power source 302 is inserted as the setting tool 300 is prepared for operation at the surface of the well. The liner 301b may include other materials such as PVC, plastic, polymers, and rubber. The liner 301b enables a broader range of materials to be used for construction of the power source body 301. For example, without the liner 301b, the power source body 301 would be restricted to materials that did not corrode, melt, or otherwise react with the power source 302 and the resulting high temperature gases.
The gas expands via a conduit 305a of a bleed sub 305 and applies pressure to a piston 306, which is contained within a tool body 307. To protect the conduit 305a, the power source body 301 may also include a filtering plug 305b to filter the expanding gases from the solid particulates that are also produced by the power source 302. When the power source 302 is activated, the solid fuel is rapidly transformed into gases that power a reaction, as explained in detail below. In addition to these gases, however, the power source 302 may also include hot plasma or solids that can burn or otherwise damage the components of the setting tool 300. The filtering plug 305b may comprise a graphite disk or block with a number of holes that are sized to allow gases to pass through without allowing the plasma or solids to pass through. The gases that are allowed to pass through are not as damaging to the bleed sub 305 or the tool body 307 as the plasma or burning solids.
Under pressure produced by the expansion of gases from the power source 302, the piston 306 moves (i.e. strokes) in the direction indicated by arrow 308. As piston 306 moves, it pushes a shaft 309, which is connected to the tool body 307 via a shaft sub 310. The shaft 309 strokes within a mandrel 311, pushing a crosslink key 312 that is set in a slot 311a within the mandrel 311. Crosslink key 312 is configured to engage a crosslink adapter 313 and an extension sleeve 120. The cros slink key 312 pushes the crosslink adapter 313 and the extension sleeve 120, causing the sleeve to apply the actuating force (113, 114) to deploy a downhole tool. Piston 306, shaft 309, crosslink key 312 and sleeve 120 are therefore a power transfer system that delivers force generated by the combustion of the power source 303 to actuate/deploy a downhole tool.
Embodiments of non-explosive gas-generating setting tool 300 may include a snubber 316, which is a compressible member configured to be impacted by the piston 306 as the piston completes its stroke, thereby decelerating the piston stroke and dissipating energy from the piston and shaft. Snubber 316 is configured upon the shaft 309 and within tool body 307 and is made of a compressible material, for example, a polymer, plastic, PEEK™, Viton™, or a crushable metal, such as aluminum, brass, etc. The controlled deformation of snubber 316 decelerates the moving piston 306 and shaft 309, absorbing energy in the traveling sub assembly and preventing damage due to rapid deceleration. The material of the snubber 316 may be chosen to adjust the deceleration and provide differing values of energy damping based on tools size, setting force, etc. Should additional damping be required, the cavity 307a within the tool body 307 can be pressurized with a secondary gas to provide additional resistance to the motion of the piston 306. Accordingly, the tool body 307 may be fitted with a valve (not shown) for introducing such pressurized gas.
Several differences between the setting tool, illustrated in
In addition, embodiments of non-explosive gas-generating setting tool 300 can include only a single piston/shaft, wherein the shaft is mechanically connected to the piston, and as such, the non-explosive gas-generating setting tool 300 does not require multiple pistons (202, 206) to achieve a long stroke length. As used herein, the term stroke length refers to the length over which useful force can be applied, as explained in more detail below.
Non-explosive gas-generating setting tool 300 features two mechanisms for bleeding off gases that are generated during the ignition of the power source 302. The first bleed off feature 314 (
Referring to
Shaft sub 310 also includes o-rings 310a, which are capable of forming a gas-tight seal between the shaft 309 and the shaft sub 310 along the initial majority of its length. However, the proximal end of the shaft 309 can be configured with a fluted section having flutes 309a, which prevent the shaft sub o-rings 310a from forming a gas-tight seal between the shaft sub 310 and the shaft 309 when the shaft 309 nears completion of its stroke. Thus, at the end of the stroke, gas overpressure within the chamber 307a has a conduit (i.e., an “escape route”) by which to bleed into the wellbore by first escaping into the spacer 307b through the area of contact 315 and then into the wellbore through the flutes 309a.
To deploy a typical downhole tool, such as the downhole tool 100 illustrated in
Setting tools are often characterized according to their rated shear forces and stroke lengths. For example, an operator might need to deploy a downhole tool that requires a shear force of 9,000 kg (20,000 pounds) and a stroke length of 30 cm (12 inches). That operator would look for setting tool that is rated to provide 9,000 kg (20,000 pounds) of force at a stroke length of 30 cm (12 inches) at the particular hydrostatic pressure present at the depth within the wellbore the operator intends to deploy the tool. Standard rated stroke lengths may vary; examples values may comprise about 15, 30, 45, or 60 cm (6, 12, 18, or 24 inches). Rated shear forces may comprise about 9,000, 11,333, 13,500, 18,000, 22,500, 25,000 or 29,000 kg (20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 55,000, or 60,000 pounds). Setting tools may be rated at hydrostatic pressures comprising about, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, or 40,000 psi. A setting tool might be rated to provide 9,000 kg (20,000 pounds) of shear force at a 30 cm (12 inch) stroke length and at a hydrostatic pressure of 138 mPa (20,000 psi), for example. That same tool might not reliably provide 9,000 kg (20,000 pounds) of shear force if the hydrostatic pressure were increased to 172 mPa (25,000 psi) or if the stroke length were increased to 45 cm (18 inches).
As shown in
The value xn in
The ability to apply useful force over greater distances (greater standard stroke lengths) is advantageous because it significantly increases the versatility of the setting tool.
The non-explosive gas-generating setting tool, because of its force curve as illustrated in
Moreover, some downhole tools benefit when setting pressure is sustained or increased during the stroke of the non-explosive gas generating setting tool. Referring again to the generic downhole tool illustrated in
The explosive application of pressure (as illustrated by the dashed line of
The ability to deliver pressure in a sustained and/or increasing manner is due to the non-explosive generation of gas and also to the controlled rate at which that gas is produced. The gas production rate is a function of the burn rate of the material in the power source 302, which in turn is a function of the pressure within the power source body 301, as well as other factors, including temperature and the power source geometry (i.e., the burning surface area). To provide controllable increasing pressure, it can be beneficial to minimize changes in the variables that affect the burn rate so that the pressure within the power source body 301 is the primary determinant of the burn rate.
One way of minimizing changes in the burn rate due to changes in the burning surface area of the power source is to optimize the power source geometry so that the burning surface remains constant.
According to certain embodiments of the non-explosive gas-generating setting tools 300 described herein, a power source 302 having a cylindrical geometry, as illustrated in
r=ro+aPcn
wherein r is the burn rate, ro is typically 0, a and n are empirically determined constants, and Pc is the pressure within power source body 301.
Consider the multi-staged sequence described above for deploying a downhole tool. When the power source 302 is activated and piston the 306 and shaft 309 begin to stroke, the volume of power source body 301 expands against a pressure that is primarily determined by the hydrostatic pressure at the downhole position of the setting tool. As the first stage of tool setting is encountered (e.g., setting the bottom slips into the ID of the wellbore), the power source body 301 volume expansion will meet with the additional pressure needed to complete that stage. The burn rate of the power source therefore increases. Once the first stage is completed, the stroke will continue and the power source body volume will continue to expand until the second stage (e.g., compressing the sealing section) is encountered. Again, the burn rate of the power source will increase under the influence of the additional pressure. As each new pressure demand is placed on the non-explosive gas-generating setting tool, the burn rate of the power source increases to compensate for that demand.
As the stroke length and/or the force applied over the stroke length increases, a potential mode of tool failure is buckling of the shaft 309. To prevent such failure, also known as Euler failure, the non-explosive gas-generating setting tool can be configured with lateral supports 1001 within the tool body chamber 307a to prevent the shaft 309 from buckling, as shown in
The setting tools described herein can be provided in a variety of outside diameters to fit within a variety of tubular members. Typical diameters range from about 2 cm (0.75 inches) to about 15 cm (6 inches), or greater.
The foregoing disclosure and the showings made of the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.
The present application is a non-provisional application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/073,704, entitled “Setting Tool For Downhole Applications,” filed Oct. 31, 2014, and a is continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application having patent application Ser. No. 13/507,732, entitled “Permanent Or Removable Positioning Apparatus And Methods For Downhole Tool Operations,” filed Jul. 24, 2012, which are incorporated in their entireties herein.
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| 20160186513 A1 | Jun 2016 | US |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 13507732 | Jul 2012 | US |
| Child | 14930369 | US |
