Non-explosive power charge ignition
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorRichard J. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wellbore tool is provided to perform work in a wellbore by converting a chemical pressure source into a force exerted over a distance. The wellbore tool includes a pressure chamber sealed by a firing head and containing a power charge which includes a plurality of chemical components which are burned in a combustion reaction to generate gas. The combustion reaction of the power charge is initiated by a resistance heater which directly initiates the combustion reaction by receiving electrical energy and generating heat. The combustion reaction generates gas within the pressure chamber, the gas having a pressure which pushes a pressure responsive member into movement relative to the pressure chamber for providing a force over a distance to operate a downhole tool.
Claims20
A wellbore tool for use to perform work in a wellbore by converting a chemical pressure source into a force exerted over a distance, said wellbore tool comprising:
- a pressure chamber within which a plurality of chemical components are selectively initiated to interact in a chemical reaction for generating a gas having a pressure;
- a power charge packaged in a singular container for storing, transporting and inserting into said wellbore tool, said power charge including:
- said plurality of chemical components which are selectively initiated to interact in said chemical reaction for generating said gas having said pressure within said pressure chamber;
- a resistance heater for converting an electrical energy into heat for directly initiating said chemical reaction for generating said gas having said pressure;
- an electrical power supply and electrical conductor for transmitting said an electrical energy to said resistance heater;
- a pressure responsive member which is selectively moved by said gas having said pressure pushing against said pressure responsive member with at least part of said force to urge a volumetric expansion within a volume which includes, at least in part, said pressure chamber;
- and
- a driven member to which said pressure responsive member is connected for transferring from said pressure at least part of said force over at least part of said distance.
A wellbore tool for use to perform work within a wellbore by converting a chemical pressure source into a force exerted over a distance, said wellbore tool comprising:
- a pressure chamber within which a plurality of chemical components are selectively initiated to interact in a slow chemical reaction for generating a gas having a pressure;
- a power charge which includes a plurality of chemical components which are selectively initiated to interact in a slow chemical reaction which generates said gas having said pressure, said slow chemical reaction for generating said gas taking at least one second to generate a maximum level of said pressure within said wellbore tool;
- a resistance heater for converting an electrical energy into heat for directly initiating said chemical reaction for generating said gas having said pressure;
- an electrical power supply and electrical conductor for transmitting said an electrical energy to said resistance heater;
- a pressure responsive member which is selectively moved by said gas having said pressure pushing against said pressure responsive member with at least part of said force to urge a volumetric expansion within a volume which includes, at least in part, said pressure chamber;
- and
- a driven member to which said pressure responsive member is connected for transferring from said pressure at least part of said force over at least part of said distance.
An apparatus for use in a wellbore to operate a downhole tool by providing a force to move a sleeve relative to a mandrel, said apparatus comprising:
- a pressure chamber within which a plurality of chemical components are selectively initiated to interact in a slow chemical reaction for generating a gas having a pressure;
- a plurality of chemical components which are selectively initiated to interact in a slow chemical reaction which generates said gas having said pressure within said apparatus;
- a resistance heater for converting an electrical energy into heat for directly initiating said chemical reaction for generating said gas having said pressure;
- an electrical power supply and electrical conductor for transmitting said an electrical energy to said resistance heater;
- a pressure responsive member which is selectively moved by said gas having said pressure pushing against said pressure responsive member with at least part of said force to urge a volumetric expansion within a volume which includes, at least in part, said pressure chamber;
- and
- said sleeve to which said pressure responsive member is connected for transferring from said pressure at least part of said force over at least part of said distance.
A setting tool for converting a self-contained solid propellant into work for urging a settable wellbore tool into a gripping and sealing engagement within a wellbore, said setting tool including:
- a pressure chamber within which at least a portion of a self-contained solid propellant is selectively initiated to react in a chemical reaction for generating a pressurized gas;
- a power charge which includes said self-contained solid propellant within at least a singular package for storage, transport and insertion of said self-contained solid propellant into said setting tool;
- a resistance heater for converting an electrical energy into heat for directly initiating said chemical reaction for converting at least a portion of said self-contained solid propellant into said pressurized gas;
- an electrical power supply and electrical conductor for transmitting said an electrical energy to said resistance heater;
- a pressure responsive member which is moved by said pressurized gas pushing against said pressure responsive member with a force which moves said pressure responsive member over a distance for a volumetric expansion of a volume which includes, at least in part, said pressure chamber;
- and
- wherein said pressure responsive member transmits at least a portion of said force over at least a portion of said distance for setting said settable wellbore tool in said gripping and sealing engagement within said wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.