# US 10,501,387 B2 · Pyrotechnic pressure generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,387 B2 - Document ID: US10501387B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/248,040 - Filed: 2019-01-15 - Published: 2019-06-13 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-23 - Assignees: Bastion Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Bastion Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Charles Don Coppedge; Dewey James Louvier; Anna Azzolari Ronalds; Hildebrand A. Rumann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501387B2 ## CPC - C06D 5/00: Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets (explosive compositions containing an oxidizer, fuels for rocket engines intended for reaction with an oxidant other than air C06B) - E21B 23/0414: {using explosives} - E21B 33/0355: {Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads} - E21B 34/04: in underwater well heads - E21B 41/0007: {for underwater installations (E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence)} - F15B 1/08: using a gas cushion; Gas charging devices; Indicators or floats therefor - F15B 1/24: with rigid separating means, e.g. pistons - F15B 15/19: Pyrotechnical actuators - F15B 2201/20: Accumulator cushioning means - F15B 2201/205: using gas - F15B 2201/411: having valve means - C06D: MEANS FOR GENERATING SMOKE OR MIST; GAS-ATTACK COMPOSITIONS; GENERATION OF GAS FOR BLASTING OR PROPULSION (CHEMICAL PART) (fuels C10) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An exemplary method of actuating an operational device includes activating a propellant in a pyrotechnic pressure generator, the pyrotechnic pressure generator comprising an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially from a barrier to the second end, a piston slidably disposed in the bore, the propellant located in a chamber between the first end and the barrier, a gas outlet orifice through the barrier providing gas communication between the chamber, and a port at the second end in communication with the operational device; producing a gas in the chamber in response to activating the propellant, the gas escaping through the gas outlet orifice into the bore and the gas applying a force to the piston; moving the piston in a stroke from a position proximate to the barrier to a position proximate to the second end; communicating a pressure to the operational device that is equal to or greater than an operating pressure of the operational device in response to moving the piston; and actuating the operational device in response to communicating the pressure to the operational device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of actuating an operational device that is associated with a well system and/or that is located subsea, the method comprising: activating a propellant in a pyrotechnic pressure generator, the pyrotechnic pressure generator comprising an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially from a barrier to the second end, a piston slidably disposed in the bore, the propellant located in a chamber between the first end and the barrier, a gas outlet orifice through the barrier providing gas communication between the chamber and the bore, and a port at the second end in communication with the operational device; producing a gas in the chamber in response to activating the propellant, the gas escaping through the gas outlet orifice into the bore and the gas applying a force to the piston; moving the piston in a stroke from a position proximate to the barrier to a position proximate to the second end; communicating, in response to moving the piston, a pressure to the operational device that is equal to or greater than an operating pressure of the operational device; and actuating the operational device in response to communicating the pressure to the operational device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure that is equal to or greater than the operating pressure is communicated throughout the stroke of the piston. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic fluid stored in the bore between the piston and the second end prior to the activating of the propellant, wherein the hydraulic fluid is stored at a pressure below the operating pressure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein substantially all of the hydraulic fluid stored in the pyrotechnic pressure generator is exhausted in response to actuating the operational device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic fluid stored in the bore between the piston and the second end prior to the activating of the propellant, wherein substantially all of the hydraulic fluid stored in the pyrotechnic pressure generator is exhausted during the stroke. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic fluid stored in the bore between the piston and the second end prior to the activating of the propellant, wherein substantially all of the hydraulic fluid stored in the pyrotechnic pressure generator is exhausted in response to actuating the operational device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the operational device is a blowout preventer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure that is equal to or greater than the operating pressure is communicated throughout the stroke of the piston. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising a hydraulic fluid stored in the bore between the piston and the second end prior to the activating of the propellant, wherein the hydraulic fluid is stored at a pressure below the operating pressure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising a hydraulic fluid stored in the bore between the piston and the second end prior to the activating of the propellant, wherein substantially all of the hydraulic fluid stored in the pyrotechnic pressure generator is exhausted during the stroke. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising a hydraulic fluid stored in the bore between the piston and the second end prior to the activating of the propellant, wherein substantially all of the hydraulic fluid stored in the pyrotechnic pressure generator is exhausted in response to actuating the operational device. ### Claim 12 A method of actuating a hydraulically operated device, comprising: exhausting through a discharge port of a pyrotechnic pressure generator, in response to a demand to actuate the hydraulically operated device, a discharged volume of hydraulic fluid that is pressurized to a working pressure in response to igniting a propellant, wherein the pyrotechnic pressure generator comprises an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially from a barrier to the second end, a piston slidably disposed in the bore, the propellant located in a chamber between the first end and the barrier, a gas outlet orifice through the barrier providing gas communication between the chamber and the bore, prior to igniting the propellant a stored volume of the hydraulic fluid disposed between the piston and the second end, and the discharge port at the second end in communication with the hydraulically operated device; and actuating the hydraulically operated device in response to receiving the discharged volume of hydraulic fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the stored volume of the hydraulic fluid is at a pressure less than the working pressure prior to igniting the propellant. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the discharged volume and the stored volume are substantially equal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the stored volume of the hydraulic fluid is at a pressure less than the working pressure prior to igniting the propellant; and the discharged volume and the stored volume are substantially equal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the discharged volume is exhausted in response to the piston moving during a stroke from a position proximate to the barrier to a position proximate to the second end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the stored volume of the hydraulic fluid is at a pressure less than the working pressure prior to igniting the propellant. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the stored volume of the hydraulic fluid is at a pressure less than the working pressure prior to igniting the propellant; and the discharged volume and the stored volume are substantially equal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the hydraulically operated device is a blowout preventer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the stored volume of the hydraulic fluid is at a pressure less than the working pressure prior to igniting the propellant; and the discharged volume and the stored volume are substantially equal.