Setting tool igniter system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10472939-B2
Application number	US-201816019767-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2018
Priority date	Aug 9, 2017
Publication date	Nov 12, 2019
Grant date	Nov 12, 2019

Abstract

There is a downhole tool that includes a switch sub having a bore and a bulkhead extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the bulkhead has a bulkhead bore that fluidly communicates with (i) the bore and (ii) an outside of the switch sub; and an igniter system located inside the bulkhead. The igniter system is configured to ignite an energetic material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A downhole tool comprising:
a switch sub having a body extending along a longitudinal axis, the body having (1) a bore at a first end and (2) a bulkhead at a second end, wherein the bulkhead has a bulkhead bore that fluidly communicates with (i) the bore and (ii) an outside of the switch sub;
an igniter system located entirely inside a housing, the housing being configured to slide inside the bulkhead bore, wherein the igniter system has a ground wire and a signal wire that are configured to extend through the bore of the switch sub; and
a nut that attaches to the bulkhead, at the second end of the body, and prevents the housing of the igniter system to slide out of the bulkhead bore,
wherein the igniter system is configured to ignite an energetic material located inside the housing.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the entire igniter system is located within the switch sub.

3. The downhole tool of claim 1 , further comprising:
an adapter that connects the switch sub to a setting tool,
wherein the igniter system is located partially in the switch sub and partially in the adapter.

4. The downhole tool of claim 3 , wherein the setting tool is connected to the adapter, and wherein no part of the igniter system is located inside the setting tool.

5. The downhole tool of claim 4 , wherein the setting tool is connected to a plug, and wherein the plug is set by the setting tool to close a well.

6. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the igniter system comprises:
an igniter housing the energetic material and configured to ignite the energetic material; and
wherein the housing comprises:
a first igniter housing; and
a second igniter housing that connects to the first housing,
wherein the igniter is fully contained inside the first and second igniter housings and the first and second igniter housings fit inside of the bulkhead.

7. The downhole tool of claim 6 , wherein the first and second igniter housings are made out of aluminum.

8. The downhole tool of claim 6 , wherein the igniter system further comprises:
a seal element that insulates an interior of the first igniter housing from an interior of the second igniter housing.

9. The downhole tool of claim 8 , wherein the seal element has a glass and/or metal composition.

10. The downhole tool of claim 8 , wherein the ground wire and the signal wire are connected to the igniter.

11. The downhole tool of claim 1 , further comprising:
a switch located inside the bore of the switch sub,
wherein the igniter system is electrically connected to the switch, and
the switch is an addressable switch that includes at least an integrated circuit.

12. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the housing extends partially inside the bulkhead and partially inside a bore of an adapter,
wherein the adapter attaches to the switch sub.

13. The downhole tool of claim 12 , wherein the igniter system further comprises:
a first thread adapter that attaches to an inside of the housing; and
an igniter that attaches to an inside of the first thread adapter.

14. The downhole tool of claim 13 , wherein the igniter system further comprises:
a second thread adapter that attaches to the inside of the housing,
wherein the second thread adapter abuts the first thread adapter.

15. The downhole tool of claim 14 , wherein the second thread adapter, the first thread adapter and the igniter are located in this order inside the housing.

16. The downhole tool of claim 14 , wherein the nut slides over a part of the housing for attaching to the switch sub to hold the igniter system within the switch sub.

17. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein a setting tool is being directly attached to an end of the switch sub where the igniter system is located.

18. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein a setting tool is attached to the switch sub and houses a power charge to be ignited by the energetic material, wherein the energetic material is partially located within the switch sub.

19. A downhole tool comprising:
a switch sub configured to be connected between (i) a perforating gun assembly and (ii) an adapter or a setting tool,
the switch sub having a body extending along a longitudinal axis, the body having (1) a bore at a first end and (2) a bulkhead at a second end, wherein the bulkhead has a bulkhead bore that fluidly communicates with (i) the bore and (ii) an outside of the switch sub;
an igniter system located entirely inside a housing, the housing being configured to slide inside the switch sub; and
a nut that directly attaches to the bulkhead, at the second end of the body, and prevents the housing of the igniter system to slide out of the bulkhead bore,
wherein the igniter system is configured to ignite an energetic material located inside the housing.

20. The downhole tool of claim 19 , wherein the igniter system is located within a bulkhead bore formed in a bulkhead of the switch sub.

21. The downhole tool of claim 20 , wherein the igniter system is entirely located inside the switch sub.

22. A method for manufacturing an igniter system for a downhole tool, the method comprising:
placing the entire igniter system inside a housing;
sliding the housing in a bulkhead of a switch sub, the switch sub having (1) a bore at a first end and (2) the bulkhead at a second end, and the bore and the bulkhead extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein a bulkhead bore of the bulkhead fluidly communicates with (i) the bore and (ii) an outside of the switch sub;
attaching a nut directly to an inside wall of the bulkhead to hold the igniter system within the bulkhead bore and to prevent the housing to slide out of the bulkhead bore; and
igniting with the igniter system an energetic material located inside the housing.

23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising:
electrically connecting an igniter of the igniter system to a switch located inside the switch sub,
wherein the switch is configured to control the igniter and a detonator.

24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the entire igniter system is located within the switch sub.

25. The method of claim 22 , further comprising:
sealing around the igniter system.

Assignees

• Geodynamics Inc

Inventors

• Sullivan Shelby L
• Joslin Johnny
• Davis Robert E
• Hardesty John T

Classifications

• E21B23/065 Primary

  setting tool actuated by explosion or gas generating means · CPC title

• E21B23/06

  for setting packers · CPC title

• E21B43/11855 Primary

  mechanically actuated, e.g. by movement of a wireline or a drop-bar (E21B43/11852 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F42D3/04

  for rock blasting · CPC title

• F42D1/02

  Arranging blasting cartridges to form an assembly (adaptation of blasting cartridges therefor F42B3/02) · CPC title