# US 11,905,787 B2 · Degradable deformable diverters and seals > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,905,787 B2 - Document ID: US11905787B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/669,063 - Filed: 2022-02-10 - Published: 2022-07-28 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-18 - Assignees: Terves, LLC - Applicants: Terves LLC - Inventors: Andrew Sherman; Nicholas Farkas; Raghu Meesala - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11905787B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - C22C 23/00: Alloys based on magnesium - E21B 33/13: Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like - E21B 2200/08: Down-hole devices using materials which decompose under well-bore conditions - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - C22C: ALLOYS (treatment of alloys C21D, C22F) ## Abstract A variable stiffness engineered degradable ball or seal having a degradable phase and a stiffener material. The variable stiffness engineered degradable ball or seal can optionally be in the form of a degradable diverter ball or sealing element which can be made neutrally buoyant. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A degradable component having a variable stiffness and/or being deformable; said degradable component configured to form a temporary seal in a well formation; said degradable component includes a degradable metal and a stiffness component; said degradable metal forming a continuous phase in said degradable component; said stiffness component forming a discontinuous second phase in said degradable component; a stiffness or yield strength of said degradable component changes when said degradable component deforms; said degradable metal includes degradable magnesium alloy; said stiffness component includes non-degradable material; said non-degradable material includes micro balloons; said microballoons have a crush strength of 500-10,000 psi; said non-degradable metal constitutes20-90 vol. % of said degradable component; said degradable metal constitutes 40-80 vol. % of said degradable component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein said non-degradable material constitutes 20-60 vol. % of said degradable component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The degradable component as defined in claim 2, wherein a maximum stiffness and/or yield strength of said degradable component after deformation of said degradable component is at least 1.3 times a stiffness of said degradable component prior to deformation of said degradable component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The degradable component as defined in claim 3, wherein said stiffness component is uniformly dispersed in said degradable component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The degradable component as defined in claim 4, wherein 80-100% of said stiffness component is located inwardly from an outer surface of said degradable component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The degradable component as defined in claim 5, wherein said stiffness component includes one or more fillers selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, titanium ioxide, silica, talc, mica, sand, gravel, crushed rock, bauxite, granite, limestone, sandstone, glass beads, aerogels, xerogels, clay, alumina, kaolin, microspheres, hollow glass spheres, porous ceramic spheres, gypsum dihydrate, insoluble salts, magnesium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium aluminate, and/or magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The degradable component as defined in claim 6, wherein degradable component is in the form a ball; said ball has at least one dimension of 0.3-1.5 in. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The degradable component as defined in claim 7, wherein said stiffness component allows for deformation of said degradable component when said degradable component is exposed to a force that is 10-75% of a strength of said degradable component prior to being deformed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The degradable component as defined in claim 8, wherein said stiffness component further includes one or more of a flake, fiber, foil, ribbon, and/or sphere. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein a maximum stiffness and/or yield strength of said degradable component after deformation of said degradable component is at least 1.3 times a stiffness of said degradable component prior to deformation of said degradable component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffness component is uniformly dispersed in said degradable component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein 80-100% of said stiffness component is located inwardly from an outer surface of said degradable component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffness component includes one or more fillers selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, silica, talc, mica, sand, gravel, crushed rock, bauxite, granite, limestone, sandstone, glass beads, aerogels, xerogels, clay, alumina, kaolin, microspheres, hollow glass spheres, porous ceramic spheres, gypsum dihydrate, insoluble salts, magnesium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium aluminate, and/or magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein degradable component is in the form a ball; said ball has at least one dimension of 0.3-1.5 in. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffness component allows for deformation of said degradable component when said degradable component is exposed to a force that is 10-75% of a strength of said degradable component prior to being deformed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The degradable component as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffness component further includes one or more of a flake, fiber, foil, ribbon, and/or sphere.