Method and apparatus for setting downhole plugs and other objects in wellbores

A method for setting a downhole device in a wellbore, the method comprising:

• providing a setting tool comprising:
• a pressure sub having a first end, a second end, and an inner chamber defining a volume, wherein a power charge is disposed in the inner chamber;
• a mandrel operationally attached to the second end of the pressure sub;
• a setting sleeve slidably disposed on the mandrel, wherein the setting sleeve is configured to alternate between a first running position and a second setting position when axial force is applied to the setting sleeve;
• and
• a dampening assembly coupled to the setting sleeve, wherein the dampening assembly is configured to regulate the axial force applied to the setting sleeve, wherein the dampening assembly comprises:
• a housing having an aperture and defining an inner space;
• dampening material disposed within the inner space;
• and
• a plug configured to prevent the dampening material from flowing through the aperture toward the pressure sub, while allowing gas generated by combustion of the power charge to pass through the aperture toward the setting sleeve;
• positioning the setting tool and the downhole device within the wellbore;
• selectively igniting the power charge in the inner chamber of the pressure sub to generate gas;
• setting the downhole device in the wellbore in response to ignition of the power charge;
• and
• retrieving the setting tool from the wellbore after setting the downhole device in the wellbore.

An apparatus for setting a downhole plug in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

• a pressure sub having a first end, a second end, and an inner chamber defining a volume, wherein the inner chamber is configured to receive a power charge, and wherein the power charge is configured to generate pressurized gas;
• a mandrel coupled to the second end of the pressure sub;
• a setting sleeve having an upper end, a lower end, and a central bore extending from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the mandrel is disposed within the central bore of the setting sleeve, and wherein gas pressure from the pressurized gas generated by the power charge is configured to cause the relative positioning of the setting sleeve and the mandrel to shift from a first running position to a second setting position;
• an upper sealing member disposed between the setting sleeve and the mandrel, wherein the gas pressure is sealed by the upper sealing member in the first running position but the gas pressure is not sealed by the sealing member in the second setting position, and wherein a portion of the gas pressure bleeds off at the upper end of the setting sleeve in the second setting position;
• and
• a lower sealing member disposed between the setting sleeve and the mandrel, wherein the gas pressure is sealed by the lower sealing member in the first running position but the gas pressure is not sealed by the sealing member in the second setting position, and wherein a portion of the gas pressure bleeds off at the lower end of the setting sleeve in the second setting position;
• and
• a dampening assembly coupled to the setting sleeve and configured to regulate the axial force applied to the setting sleeve, wherein the dampening assembly comprises:
• a housing having an aperture and defining an inner space;
• dampening material disposed within the inner space;
• and
• a plug moveably disposed within the inner space.

A method for setting a downhole device in a wellbore, the method comprising:

• providing a setting tool comprising:
• a pressure sub having a first end, a second end, and an inner chamber defining a volume, a power charge disposed in the inner chamber;
• a mandrel coupled to the second end of the pressure sub;
• a setting sleeve having an upper end, a lower end, and a central bore, wherein the mandrel is disposed within the central bore;
• an upper sealing member disposed between the setting sleeve and the mandrel;
• a lower sealing member disposed between the setting sleeve and the mandrel;
• a dampening assembly coupled to the setting sleeve and configured to regulate the axial force applied to the setting sleeve, wherein the dampening assembly comprises:
• a housing having an aperture and defining an inner space;
• ii) dampening material disposed within the inner space;
• and
• a plug moveably disposed within the inner space;
• selectively igniting the power charge in the inner chamber of the pressure sub to generate pressurized gas in the inner chamber;
• shifting the relative positioning of the setting sleeve and the mandrel from a first running position to a second setting position, wherein the gas pressure from the pressurized gas is sealed by the upper sealing member and the lower sealing member in the first running position, but gas pressure from the pressurized gas is not sealed by the upper sealing member and the lower sealing member in the second setting position;
• bleeding off a first portion of the gas pressure at the upper end of the setting sleeve;
• and
• bleeding off a second portion of the gas pressure at the lower end of the setting sleeve.