Methods and apparatus for severing conduits
AssigneeJet Research Center, Inc.
InventorJohn A. Regalbuto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for severing a conduit along a plane generally transverse to the axis of the conduit which includes two confined explosive charges aligned axially with the conduit and terminating at opposed proximal convexly shaped ends facing each other across a space disposed in such transverse plane. A liner formed of high density ductile material having radially increasing thickness is attached to each of the proximal ends of the charges and detonation devices are disposed at the distal ends of the charges for originating simultaneous detonation of the charges. Methods of severing conduits using the apparatus are also provided.
Claims33
Apparatus for severing a conduit along a plane extending transversely through the conduit comprising:
- two aligned, confined cylindrical explosive charges positioned relative to each other for alignment along the longitudinal axis of the conduit and each including a distal end and a convexly shaped proximal end, said proximal ends facing each other and defining an explosive-free space separating the remaining portion of one of the charges from the remaining portion of the other charges;
- a liner formed of high density ductile material positioned adjacent each of said proximal ends of said charges, said liners having shapes conforming with the shapes of said proximal ends of said charges and having radially increasing thicknesses;
- and
- means at the distal ends of said charges for simultaneously initiating detonation of the charges at the distal ends thereof.
A downhole well conduit severing apparatus comprising:
- an elongated cylindrical housing;
- means connected to one end of said housing for lowering said housing to a downhole location in said conduit;
- first explosive charge means in the housing and having a first end and a convexly shaped second end;
- a liner formed of high density ductile material attached to the second end of said first explosive charge having a shape conforming with the shape of said second end and having a radially increasing thickness;
- second explosive charge means in the housing in axial alignment with said first explosive charge means and having a first end and a convexly shaped second end in proximity to the second end of said first explosive charge;
- a second liner formed of high density ductile material attached to the second end of said second explosive charge means having a shape conforming with the shape of said convex second end and having a radially increasing thickness;
- and
- a first detonator element at the first end of said first charge means and a second detonator element at the first end of said second charge means.
A method of severing a conduit along a plane extending normal to the axis thereof comprising:
- configuring two explosive charges as elongate bodies terminating in convexly shaped end portions;
- attaching a liner formed of high density ductile material to each of the convexly shaped end portions of said charges, said liners being convexly shaped to conform to the shapes of said end portions and having radially increasing thicknesses;
- confining the two charges in a closed, elongated housing sized for insertion in the conduit with the elongate bodies in longitudinal alignment and with the convexly shaped end portions thereof and liners attached thereto in close proximity with each other;
- positioning the housing inside the conduit with the convexly shaped end portions of said charges substantially in the desired plane of severance of said conduit;
- and
- simultaneously detonating said charges by initiating the explosive thereof at points therealong substantially equidistant from the convexly shaped end portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.