Downhole setting assembly with switch module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12404739-B2
Application number	US-202418610952-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2024
Priority date	May 11, 2021
Publication date	Sep 2, 2025
Grant date	Sep 2, 2025

Abstract

A system for plugging a wellbore includes a plug including an annular sealing element, a setting tool configured to couple with the plug and including an energetic element, the setting tool configured to shift the plug from an initial configuration to a set configuration in response to ignition of the energetic element, and a setting tool initiator including an addressable igniter switch and an igniter, wherein the igniter is configured to ignite the energetic element of the setting tool in response to the igniter switch receiving a firing signal addressed to the igniter switch, and wherein the setting tool initiator is configured to shift the igniter switch from an operational state to an inoperable state in response to the ignition of the igniter.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for plugging a wellbore extending from the surface and into a subterranean earthen formation, the system comprising:
a plug comprising an annular sealing element and having an initial configuration configured to permit fluid flow around the plug in the wellbore and a set configuration configured to plug the wellbore whereby fluid flow around the plug in the wellbore is restricted;
a setting tool configured to couple with the plug and comprising an energetic element received in a combustion compartment of the setting tool, the setting tool configured to shift the plug from the initial configuration to the set configuration in response to ignition of the energetic element; and
a setting tool initiator comprising an addressable igniter switch and an igniter, wherein the igniter is configured to ignite the energetic element of the setting tool from a location that is external the combustion compartment in response to the igniter switch receiving a firing signal addressed to the igniter switch;
wherein the igniter switch has an operational state in which the igniter switch is configured to receive electrical signals from the surface and an inoperable state in which the igniter switch is not configured receive electrical signals from the surface, and wherein the setting tool initiator is configured to shift the igniter switch from the operational state to the inoperable state in response to the ignition of the igniter.

2. The plugging system according to claim 1 , wherein the igniter switch comprises a digitally addressable switch.

3. The plugging system according to claim 1 , wherein the igniter switch comprises a processor and a memory device including instructions stored therein defining the operation of the igniter switch.

4. The plugging system according to claim 1 , wherein the setting tool initiator is configured to physically disable the igniter switch in response to the ignition of the igniter.

5. The plugging system according to claim 1 , wherein the setting tool initiator is configured to expose the igniter switch to combustion products generated by the igniter in response to the ignition of the igniter.

6. The plugging system according to claim 1 , wherein the setting tool initiator is configured to permanently shift the igniter switch from the operational state to the inoperable state.

7. The plugging system according to claim 1 , wherein the setting tool initiator comprises an initiator housing having a switch compartment in which the igniter switch is positioned, and an igniter compartment in which the igniter is located, and wherein a fluid flowpath extends from the igniter compartment to the switch compartment.

8. The plugging system according to claim 1 , wherein the setting tool initiator further comprises:
a switch chassis having an interior in which the igniter switch is positioned; and
an igniter adapter coupled to the switch chassis and having an interior in which the igniter is positioned.

9. A setting tool initiator for actuating a setting tool of a plugging system, the setting tool initiator comprising:
an addressable igniter switch having an operational state in which the igniter switch is configured to receive and transmit electrical signals and an inoperable state in which the igniter switch is not configured to transmit or receive electrical signals; and
an igniter ignitable by the igniter switch in response to the igniter switch receiving a firing signal addressed to the igniter switch, and configured to ignite an energetic element of the setting tool from a location that is external a combustion compartment of the setting tool in which the energetic element is received to actuate the setting tool in response to ignition of the igniter when the setting tool initiator is connected to the setting tool;
wherein the setting tool initiator is configured to shift the igniter switch from the operational state to the inoperable state in response to the ignition of the igniter.

10. The plugging system according to claim 9 , wherein the igniter switch comprises a digitally addressable switch.

11. The plugging system according to claim 9 , wherein the igniter switch comprises a processor and a memory device including instructions stored therein defining the operation of the igniter switch.

12. The setting tool initiator according to claim 9 , further comprising:
an initiator housing in which the igniter switch and the igniter are received;
a switch chassis positioned in the initiator housing and having an interior in which the igniter switch is positioned; and
an igniter adapter positioned in the initiator housing and coupled to the switch chassis, wherein the igniter adapter has an interior in which the igniter is positioned.

13. The setting tool initiator according to claim 12 , wherein the switch chassis positions the igniter switch at a predefined distance from the igniter.

14. The setting tool initiator according to claim 13 , wherein the predefined distance is 1.75 inches or less.

15. The setting tool initiator according to claim 12 , wherein the setting tool initiator further comprises an igniter spring positioned in the interior of the igniter adapter, wherein the igniter spring electrically connects the igniter switch with the igniter.

16. The setting tool initiator according to claim 9 , further comprising:
an initiator housing in which the igniter switch and the igniter are received, and wherein the initiator housing defines an igniter compartment in which the igniter is positioned and a switch compartment in which the igniter is positioned;
wherein a fluid flowpath is formed extending through the initiator housing from the igniter compartment to the switch compartment.

17. The setting tool initiator according to claim 16 , wherein the initiator housing has a maximum length of 6.5 inches or less.

18. The setting tool initiator according to claim 16 , wherein the switch compartment has a maximum inner diameter of 1.50 inches or less.

Assignees

• G&H Diversified Mfg Lp

Inventors

• Knight Benjamin Vascal
• Levine Charles
• Wells Joe Noel
• Lee Timmothy Alain
• Ward Ryan
• Caruana William

Classifications

• E21B23/065 Primary

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

• E21B23/04

  operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion (E21B23/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/13 Primary

  Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like · CPC title