# US 2013/0153236 A1 · Subterranean Tool Actuation Using a Controlled Electrolytic Material Trigger

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- Number: US 2013/0153236 A1
- Document ID: US20130153236A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/331,045
- Filed: 2011-12-20
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20
- Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated
- Inventors: David S. Bishop
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153236A1

## CPC

- E21B 23/00: Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells (setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10)
- E21B 41/00: Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- 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

## Abstract

A reactant fluid is retained in an isolated state from another reactant using a barrier made of a controlled electrolytic material (CEM). The isolated reactant degrades the CEM barrier in a predetermined time to let another reactant that is preferably well fluid pass through a housing port to reach the formerly isolated reactant. The mixing of the reactants creates pressure that is transmitted to a subterranean tool to set the tool.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An actuation apparatus for a subterranean tool, comprising:
at least one housing defining a chamber therein and at least one wall opening for selective communication to a surrounding annular space at a subterranean location;
a cover mounted over said wall opening retaining a first material in said chamber and interacting with said cover to weaken said cover in a predetermined time to allow fluid communication through said wall opening and into said chamber for actuation of the subterranean tool.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said cover is made from a controlled electrolytic material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said wall opening comprises a restriction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
fluid from the annular space reacts with or promotes a reaction with said first material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
said restriction comprises a one way valve.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
fluid from the annular space creates pressure in said chamber for actuating the tool.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said chamber further comprises a screen.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said chamber comprises an orifice in an outlet connected to the tool for actuation of the tool.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said at least one housing comprises multiple housings each having an outlet connected in parallel to the tool for actuation.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:
fluid from said annular space reacts with or promotes a reaction with said first material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said at least one housing comprises multiple housings each having an outlet connected in series to the tool for actuation.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
said chambers are connected through at least one force multiplying piston.

### Claim 13 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:
said wall opening comprises a restriction.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:
fluid from the annular space reacts with or promotes a reaction with said first material.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:
said restriction comprises a one way valve.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
fluid from the annular space creates pressure in said chamber for actuating the tool.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:
said chamber further comprises a screen.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:
said chamber comprises an orifice in an outlet connected to the tool for actuation of the tool.