US20130299191A1 - Long thin structures for generating an entangled flow restricting structure - Google Patents
Long thin structures for generating an entangled flow restricting structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130299191A1 US20130299191A1 US13/893,227 US201313893227A US2013299191A1 US 20130299191 A1 US20130299191 A1 US 20130299191A1 US 201313893227 A US201313893227 A US 201313893227A US 2013299191 A1 US2013299191 A1 US 2013299191A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wire
- entanglement
- stinger
- promoting
- promoting features
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910001285 shape-memory alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000003746 surface roughness Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004820 Pressure-sensitive adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 3
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910001000 nickel titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- -1 pieces of rope Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- HLXZNVUGXRDIFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N nickel titanium Chemical compound [Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ti].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni].[Ni] HLXZNVUGXRDIFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000012766 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012765 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. spontanea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920000271 Kevlar® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000237983 Trochidae Species 0.000 description 1
- HZEWFHLRYVTOIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N [Ti].[Ni] Chemical compound [Ti].[Ni] HZEWFHLRYVTOIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000009120 camo Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000005607 chanvre indien Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000000739 chaotic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011487 hemp Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004941 influx Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004761 kevlar Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006223 plastic coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000036316 preload Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000247 superabsorbent polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/08—Controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid, e.g. automatic filling of boreholes, automatic control of bottom pressure
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
- E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to wire and leading end structures for injecting into a flow stream to controllably create a flow resistance.
- the technology disclosed can be used, among other ways, with the techniques described in U.S. Pat. App. 61/646,319, filed May 13, 2012, and co-pending patent application Ser. No. 13/893,152, filed May 13, 2013 by the inventors of the current application. The entireties of both of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- the present disclosure relates to shapes, structures, and configurations of continuous media (including but not limited to wire) to promote entanglement in a flowing medium (i.e. liquid, gas, and combination thereof) to create in a controlled manner a flow resistance.
- a flowing medium i.e. liquid, gas, and combination thereof
- blowout preventers are the primary safety device for controlling an oil well in the case of an unwanted influx of formation fluids entering the well.
- BOPs blowout preventers
- the main recourses are to either inject a “junk shot” below the BOP to plug the flow through the BOP, or drill a relief well to pump in concrete into the well to seal the high pressure region.
- the junk shot injects (pumps) large quantities of discrete pieces of material (e.g.
- an object of the present disclosure is to provide a long thin structure, such as (but not limited to) a wire, for incrementally reducing uncontrolled flow in a device by feeding a wire into a flow device, by entangling to form a structure that grows as more is fed into the flow until the desired flow resistance is achieved.
- a long thin structure such as (but not limited to) a wire
- Another object is to provide continuous structural connectivity through the resultant plug, as opposed to a plug created from discrete elements, to provide strength to the plug and resist breakup and failure of the plug due to high pressure fluid acting the plug.
- Another object is to provide deforming features that can interact (e.g. creep (i.e., flow together to close gaps), fuse, melt, etc.) to make the entanglement a cohesive plug to block the flow of fluid and gas.
- deforming features e.g. creep (i.e., flow together to close gaps), fuse, melt, etc.
- a wire in general, in one aspect, includes a plurality of units. Each unit has a relatively stiff region joined to an intermediate region. The intermediate region has a varying stiffness along its length. The intermediate region is joined to a relatively pliable region.
- a wire having a distal end and a body includes a stinger coupled to the distal end.
- the body has a varying stiffness.
- the stinger includes a flexible body.
- the stinger includes a pair of flexure legs.
- the flexure legs comprise a shape memory alloy.
- the stinger includes a trigger switch that, when activated, causes the stinger to deploy.
- the stinger includes a torsion spring and a shell, in which activating the trigger switch causes the torsion spring to rotate the shell.
- the wire also includes a plurality of entanglement-promoting features disposed along a body of the wire.
- the entanglement-promoting features include a hook, a deformable bead, a region of varying surface roughness, a coating, and a barb.
- the wire includes a creep-capable material.
- the creep-capable material coats the wire.
- the creep-capable material is contained in a hollow portion of the wire.
- the creep-capable material is a thermoplastic, a thermoresin, a heat activated polymer, or a pressure and/or temperature sensitive adhesive, or a polymer that flows at temperatures above 50 degrees C.
- FIG. 1 a shows a wire with integral features in the cross section
- FIG. 1 b shows a wire with features to promote entanglement cohesion
- FIG. 1 c shows a wire bundle with discrete features intertwined along the length
- FIG. 1 d shows a chain structure that can feed into the flow stream
- FIG. 2 a shows a flat ribbon wire
- FIG. 2 b shows a flat ribbon in a collapsed configuration
- FIG. 2 c shows a helical ribbon wire
- FIG. 3 a shows a ribbon wire whose thickness varies along its length
- FIG. 3 b shows a cylindrical wire with varying features along its length
- FIG. 3 c shows a pipe where a stiff wire provides structural support and a flexible wire fills in the open regions to provide a seal
- FIG. 3 d shows a series of stiff and flexible sections used to create a fused entanglement plug
- FIG. 4 a shows wires with spherical elements along its length
- FIG. 4 b shows wires with cylindrical elements along its length
- FIG. 4 c shows wires with barbed elements along its length
- FIG. 4 d shows barbed wire strand as part of a pair of coated wire bundles
- FIG. 5 shows feeding rollers for wires with inclusions along its length
- FIG. 6 shows a parallel wire bundle that can be fed simultaneously into the wellbore
- FIG. 7 shows feeding mechanism pulling a parallel wire bundle from a wire spool
- FIG. 8 a shows a stinger at the tip of the wire to guide the wire into a wellbore
- FIG. 8 b shows a stinger that guides wire into wellbore and with a flexible body and features along length of body used for entangling
- FIG. 8 c shows a stinger with a rigid body and features along the body for generating entangling
- FIG. 9 shows a flexural stinger at the tip of the wire
- FIG. 10 a shows an isometric view of a deployable stinger
- FIG. 10 b shows a cross sectional image of the unit mention in FIG. 10 a
- FIG. 10 c shows a deployable singer in the deployed configuration
- one approach to limiting fluid flow through a pipe, conduit, or other flow device involves continuously feeding a long, thin structure into the flowing medium.
- the long, thin structure is taken up by the fluid flow, and may interact with itself or other features in the environment to become tangled, thereby forming a plug that reduces fluid (i.e., liquid or gas) flow.
- fluid i.e., liquid or gas
- the size of the plug increases, and thus further reduces the fluid flow in the environment.
- the techniques and structures described below describe various designs of long, thin structures that promote self-interaction, thereby increasing the efficacy of plug formation in a flowing environment.
- wire is used for a long, thin structure. It should be understood, however, that the term “wire” cover any structure capable of being fed continuously into a flowing environment. This includes structures that may not ordinarily be considered “wires,” such as chains, and hollow tubing.
- a wire 1 can be constructed from any combination of suitably stiff and suitably flexible material to allow the formation of nest-like structures by entanglement.
- the wire 1 is constructed from a material sufficient to withstand the environment of a typical oil wellbore, which is typically hot (e.g., temperatures exceeding 60 degrees C.), hydro-carbon rich, varying fluid mixtures, and in high-pressure conditions (e.g., pressure exceeding 5000 psi).
- a wire 1 can be made from any of many types of metal including but not limited to steel, aluminum, brass, magnesium or other alloys such as Nitinol (Nickel Titanium) and or polymers including but not limited to polypropylene, nylon, Kevlar, PVC, silicone rubber, or blends thereof. Natural fiber, such as hemp, can also be employed as a rope that is fed into the wellbore.
- the wire can be made of a combination of materials, for example a brass wire with a silicone sheath that softens once deployed into the flow stream to create a binding material in the entanglement structure. The binding material further aids in the restriction of gaseous medium flow as well as liquid flow.
- a wire 5 has an irregular cross section with integral features 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d that help to give the wire 5 buckling resistance during insertion.
- these features help to increase turbulence and hence resistance to the flow which in turn helps to increase tangling of the wire 1 to create a blockage.
- these features can be designed to interact with other features along the wire 1 to promote entanglement strength.
- FIG. 1 b shows a wire 7 with integral features 8 a - 8 r to promote entanglement cohesion.
- the integral features 8 a - 8 r can interact with each other, thereby surrounding and interconnecting structure 9 b to promote a plug strength.
- the core 9 a of the wire 7 is hollow or filled with a medium (e.g. thermo resin, plastic, etc.) that is released into the flow to promote entanglement cohesion.
- the hollow body 9 b of the wire 7 can collapse in the wellbore.
- the medium may heat up in the wellbore environment to the extent where it can creep to help fill gaps in the entanglement structure or to help intra-wire cohesion, thereby strengthening the entanglement structure.
- a wire bundle 10 has discrete strands intertwined 11 a , 11 b , 11 c , 11 d , 11 e to form a cable.
- Each strand of can vary in material, yield criteria, surface friction, etc.
- the surface roughness of the wires can also vary amongst each strand and along their length 12 b , 12 c . For example, having small hooks oriented in one direction, such that the friction between individual strands of wire 10 increases thus further promotes generating a tangled nest-like structure.
- each interlocked region 14 a - 14 o can vary in each section.
- the interlocking regions 14 a - 14 o can also have features to promote entanglement.
- a wire 15 whose cross sectional area 16 is non-circular and whose stiffness along its length can vary along its length to encourage bending and twisting at specified sites 17 a , 17 b .
- the straight cross sections 18 a - 18 c collapse on each other to reduce the flow across the entanglement, as shown in FIG. 2 b.
- FIG. 2 c illustrates a wire 20 that is helically twisted along its length to promote flow reduction.
- the cross section 21 of the helical wire 10 can be irregular.
- Properties of the wire can be modified in a number of ways including but not limited: 1) heat treatment, 2) coating, 3) roughing purpose, 4) shielding, among other ways.
- Wires 25 and 28 with variable stiffness along their lengths are shown in FIGS. 3 a , and 3 b .
- stiffness in a ribbon wire 25 can be modified by changing the cross sectional surface 26 a , 27 a , 26 b , 27 b , material, dimensions, coating, etc.
- the physical structure of the wire 1 can be altered by heat treatment for different areas, which creates ductile and rigid sections. The wire 1 will then be more likely to buckle in regions of low yield stress.
- the wire 1 could be asymmetric 25 or symmetric 28 with varying cross sectional area.
- a wire 1 can be coated, or constructed at least in part from with any suitable material to promote entanglement.
- any suitable material to promote entanglement.
- any coating in the nature of a heat- or hydrocarbon-activated adhesive can be used at various sites along the wire 1 to promote cohesion and/or entanglement.
- a plain round wire 1 solid, braided or stranded
- a polymer such as one would find in electrical wire.
- any wire 1 e.g. commercial barbed wire
- a plastic such as polyurethane or PVC
- appropriate coatings can also include (but are not limited to) a pressure sensitive adhesive, a temperature sensitive adhesive, a thermoplastic, a thermoresin, a heat-activated polymer, or a polymer that can flow at the ambient temperature of the wellbore. Typically, such temperatures are at least 50 degrees C.
- such coatings can also be beneficial insofar as they may have a tendency to partially or totally melt, or otherwise become fluid like, in the relatively hot wellbore environment. Thus, such coatings may have a tendency to creep into gaps in the entanglement, thus further limiting the flow in the wellbore.
- the wire 1 can be coated with, or be constructed at least in part from, a swellable material.
- a swellable material include, but are not limited to, certain elastomeric matrix materials to which super absorbent polymer molecules have been added.
- Such particles can include starch systems, cellulose systems, and synthetic resin systems. Further description of other swellable materials can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/665,160, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
- FIG. 3 b illustrates a wire 28 whose cross sectional area varies along its length.
- the relatively thin regions 29 b , 29 e , 29 h provide a preferential regions to flex and buckle while the relatively thick regions 29 a , 29 d , 29 g deform but not as significantly.
- Intermediate regions of continuously-varying thickness 29 c , 29 f , 29 i can be used to provide a gradual transition to the flex region.
- a wire can have relatively stiff and relatively pliable regions, connected by intermediate regions of continuously-decreasing pliability.
- a wire 1 can be comprised of several “units,” with each unit having a relatively thick (or stiff) region, followed by an intermediate region of continuously-decreasing thickness (or stiffness), followed by a relatively thin (or pliable) region.
- the term “relatively” connotes the fact that, when compared to each other, the various sections are thicker/stiffer or thinner/more pliable than other sections. In particular, the term does not imply the exercise of any judgment to decide what qualifies as thick, thin, stiff, or pliable.
- feeding wires 68 and 69 of different stiffness into the flow 4 inside a flow device (e.g., a pipe) 2 leads to an anchoring feature that provides support for a relatively pliable wire 69 to pack and seal the gaps left by the stiffer wire 68 .
- Variability along the length of the wire 1 can also be used to create an entanglement that is periodic in nature going from stiffer wire 68 a to less stiff wire 69 a , 69 b , back to stiffer wire regions 68 b , 68 c , and so forth, as shown in FIG. 3 d .
- a wire includes a relatively thick and/or stiff region at a distal end (i.e., the end of the wire that first enters the wellbore), and a relatively thin and/or pliable region thereafter (i.e., in the middle of the wire or at a proximal end of the wire).
- the thickness and/or stiffness of a wire 1 decreases monotonically along the longitude of the wire 1 from one end to another (e.g., from the distal end to the proximal end).
- Wires 1 with periodic or aperiodic entanglement-promoting features along their length could also be used to promote entanglement.
- An “entanglement-promoting feature” is any structure or element along the wire 1 that potentially may interlock or stick, even temporarily; with another such feature at another location along the wire 1 or with the wire 1 itself.
- a wire 30 with beads of varying diameter 31 a , 31 b , 31 y could be used to promote entanglement.
- the beads 31 a , 31 b , 31 y can deform and the intermediate sections 32 a , 32 b allow for the beads to compress into an entangled nest.
- wires 35 with beads 36 a , 36 b , 36 y which can be partially composed of a binding compound that is gradually melted to fill in gaps and solidify to form a solid entangled plug.
- FIG. 4 c is a continuous structure similar to a barbed wire 32 e with barbs 41 a , 41 b , 41 y that can interact with each other, the surroundings, and any other structure.
- Other types of features such as hooks can also be used.
- a wire 42 that consists of two bundles with integrated barbs 41 c , 41 d , 41 e , 41 f .
- the individual strands 44 a , 44 b , 44 c , 44 d , 44 e , 44 f that make up the bundles have coatings 43 a , 43 b , 43 c , 43 d , 43 e , 43 f that can deform or partially melt.
- FIG. 4 d only two bundles are shown in FIG. 4 d , in general any number can be used.
- feeding a wire 45 with periodic features 46 could be done using drive wheels 48 that have recesses (pockets) 47 to accommodate the periodic features 46 .
- the feeding system can feed wires with non-periodic features.
- the drive wheel can include a compliant channel that deforms around such features during the feeding process.
- multiple wire group 70 with individual wires 71 a , 71 b , 71 c , 71 d , 71 e that are not bonded together can be fed with rollers 49 simultaneously from a spool 71 into a wellbore.
- the gripping surfaces 72 of the drive system are modified to maintain the wire group 70 from traversing off the rollers 49 .
- the feeding mechanism for the wires 1 is not limited to drive wheels but can also include the use of drive belts, gripping pads, etc.
- features on the wire 1 can include pocket like structures to push the wire 1 into the wellbore hydrodynamically.
- Stingers at the tip of the wire 1 can be used to assist the wire 1 to initially go through valves and other channels prior to entering a wellbore into the flow stream.
- a “stinger” is a structure that helps a wire 1 get taken up in the flow of the surrounding fluid and then later gets entangled in a discontinuity in the flow path and thus helps to promote formation of the wire 1 tangle to control the flow.
- the length and flexibility of the stinger varies and features as described above are included to further promote entanglement.
- FIG. 8 a shows a simple stinger 50 in the shape of a bullet, with a conical head 51 and a cylindrical body 52 .
- the rear of the stinger 3 is connected to the wire 1 that is being fed into the flow cavity.
- the body 52 of the stinger 50 can have entanglement promoting features as described above.
- the stinger 55 illustrated in FIG. 8 b , has features on the body 56 a which can include a flexible or semi-flexible core that has hooks 57 for entangling.
- a stinger 60 whose body 63 has region 62 that includes barbs 61 a , 61 b .
- the body 63 can either be rigid or allowed to flex to promote wire entanglement.
- FIG. 9 shows a passively activated flexural stinger 75 operable to expand once it is in the wellbore to create turbulence and act as a seed to make an entangled nest.
- the flexural stinger 75 can be fed through a small aperture.
- the preload on the flexure legs 76 is released thus changing shape to promote entanglement in the wellbore. This can be accomplished by the flexure legs 76 being held closed before it is fed into the wellbore, or the flexure legs 76 can be made of a shape memory alloy, that is activated by an environmental factor (e.g., heat, chemical composition) of a wellbore.
- an environmental factor e.g., heat, chemical composition
- Nitonol when it is injected into the wellbore, the hot oil flow causes it to change shape.
- the body of the stinger 77 is attached via a structure 3 , which could use a crimp or braze, to the wire 1 being fed into the wellbore.
- the anchor 75 can serve to both guide the wire 1 into the wellbore and to move in a chaotic motion when inside the wellbore; thus, bending, twisting, and deforming the wire 1 to initiate and enhance entanglement.
- FIGS. 10 a , and 10 b show a deployable stinger 80 that activates via a trigger switch 76 to deploy.
- the deployable stinger 80 includes two half shells 82 , and 83 that can rotate about a given section 85 with the assist of a torsion spring 86 .
- the deployment of the stinger 80 is initiated when the trigger switch 76 is pushed in when the tip 81 bangs against something such as the opposite wall of the wellbore, which moves the trigger switch 76 from the locked region 76 b into the unlocked region 76 a .
- the top shell 83 is caused to rotate, e.g., by the torsion spring 86 , around the common center held together via a pin 84 .
- a clearance channel 83 b allows the top half to move rotate.
- the activation of the stinger can be performed with a chemical interaction, temperature change (e.g. via Nitinol components), mechanical (as illustrated), etc.
- FIG. 10 c shows the deployable stinger 80 in a deployed state 80 a .
- the change in configuration can cause the stinger to spin, which twists the wire 1 and promotes further entanglement.
- FIGS. 9 , 10 , and 10 b illustrate particular implementations of a deployable stinger; i.e., a stinger which has both an undeployed state and a deployed state.
- the undeployed states in general, are characterized by relatively high maneuverability and controllability, relatively low cross section, relatively low drag coefficients, etc.
- the deployed states by contrast, are characterized by a relatively high propensity to undergo turbulent motion, a relatively high cross section, a relatively high drag coefficient, and more generally a relatively high tendency to promote entanglement of the wire 1 it carries.
- 12-20 gauge wire can be used as the basis for the nominal wire size, and solid wire, as opposed to stranded, is less likely to buckle in the feeding mechanism before entering the wellbore.
- Plane wire has relatively high friction with itself and thus entangles easily. Insulated wire packs well because the plastic insulation yields under increasing pressure to form a more solid ball.
- one embodiment involves a wire 1 with non insulated and insulated sections, or two or more different wires such as shown in FIG. 3 c , with one following the other.
Abstract
A wire includes a plurality of units. Each unit has a relatively stiff region joined to an intermediate region. The intermediate region has a varying stiffness along its length. The intermediate region is joined to a relatively pliable region.
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Pat. App. 61/646,328, filed May 13, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
- The present disclosure relates to wire and leading end structures for injecting into a flow stream to controllably create a flow resistance. The technology disclosed can be used, among other ways, with the techniques described in U.S. Pat. App. 61/646,319, filed May 13, 2012, and co-pending patent application Ser. No. 13/893,152, filed May 13, 2013 by the inventors of the current application. The entireties of both of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- The present disclosure relates to shapes, structures, and configurations of continuous media (including but not limited to wire) to promote entanglement in a flowing medium (i.e. liquid, gas, and combination thereof) to create in a controlled manner a flow resistance.
- Currently, blowout preventers (BOPs), are the primary safety device for controlling an oil well in the case of an unwanted influx of formation fluids entering the well. When a BOP fails, currently the main recourses are to either inject a “junk shot” below the BOP to plug the flow through the BOP, or drill a relief well to pump in concrete into the well to seal the high pressure region. The junk shot injects (pumps) large quantities of discrete pieces of material (e.g. pieces of rope, balls, etc.) with the intent that some of the materials will hang up on features inside the wellbore and then further bits of junk will build up behind; this approach is difficult because it can suddenly stop the flow and generate a pressure wave that can break the casing rupture disks and fracture the formation thus damaging the well and the reservoir. This can result in the entire reservoir being lost through the casing and fractured formation which then could catastrophically leak to the surface over a wide area. Drilling a relief well can take months to complete, during which time the well continues to produce out of control. Therefore, an alternative solution is needed to controllably close off uncontrolled flow through a damaged BOP.
- Among other things, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a long thin structure, such as (but not limited to) a wire, for incrementally reducing uncontrolled flow in a device by feeding a wire into a flow device, by entangling to form a structure that grows as more is fed into the flow until the desired flow resistance is achieved.
- Another object is to provide continuous structural connectivity through the resultant plug, as opposed to a plug created from discrete elements, to provide strength to the plug and resist breakup and failure of the plug due to high pressure fluid acting the plug.
- Another object is to provide deforming features that can interact (e.g. creep (i.e., flow together to close gaps), fuse, melt, etc.) to make the entanglement a cohesive plug to block the flow of fluid and gas.
- In general, in one aspect, a wire includes a plurality of units. Each unit has a relatively stiff region joined to an intermediate region. The intermediate region has a varying stiffness along its length. The intermediate region is joined to a relatively pliable region.
- In general, in another aspect, a wire having a distal end and a body includes a stinger coupled to the distal end. The body has a varying stiffness.
- Implementations may have one or more of the following features: the stinger includes a flexible body. The stinger includes a pair of flexure legs. The flexure legs comprise a shape memory alloy. The stinger includes a trigger switch that, when activated, causes the stinger to deploy. The stinger includes a torsion spring and a shell, in which activating the trigger switch causes the torsion spring to rotate the shell. The wire also includes a plurality of entanglement-promoting features disposed along a body of the wire. The entanglement-promoting features include a hook, a deformable bead, a region of varying surface roughness, a coating, and a barb. The wire includes a creep-capable material. The creep-capable material coats the wire. The creep-capable material is contained in a hollow portion of the wire. The creep-capable material is a thermoplastic, a thermoresin, a heat activated polymer, or a pressure and/or temperature sensitive adhesive, or a polymer that flows at temperatures above 50 degrees C.
-
FIG. 1 a shows a wire with integral features in the cross section; -
FIG. 1 b shows a wire with features to promote entanglement cohesion; -
FIG. 1 c shows a wire bundle with discrete features intertwined along the length; -
FIG. 1 d shows a chain structure that can feed into the flow stream; -
FIG. 2 a shows a flat ribbon wire; -
FIG. 2 b shows a flat ribbon in a collapsed configuration; -
FIG. 2 c shows a helical ribbon wire; -
FIG. 3 a shows a ribbon wire whose thickness varies along its length; -
FIG. 3 b shows a cylindrical wire with varying features along its length; -
FIG. 3 c shows a pipe where a stiff wire provides structural support and a flexible wire fills in the open regions to provide a seal; -
FIG. 3 d shows a series of stiff and flexible sections used to create a fused entanglement plug; -
FIG. 4 a shows wires with spherical elements along its length; -
FIG. 4 b shows wires with cylindrical elements along its length; -
FIG. 4 c shows wires with barbed elements along its length; -
FIG. 4 d shows barbed wire strand as part of a pair of coated wire bundles; -
FIG. 5 shows feeding rollers for wires with inclusions along its length; -
FIG. 6 shows a parallel wire bundle that can be fed simultaneously into the wellbore; -
FIG. 7 shows feeding mechanism pulling a parallel wire bundle from a wire spool; -
FIG. 8 a shows a stinger at the tip of the wire to guide the wire into a wellbore; -
FIG. 8 b shows a stinger that guides wire into wellbore and with a flexible body and features along length of body used for entangling; -
FIG. 8 c shows a stinger with a rigid body and features along the body for generating entangling; -
FIG. 9 shows a flexural stinger at the tip of the wire; -
FIG. 10 a shows an isometric view of a deployable stinger; -
FIG. 10 b shows a cross sectional image of the unit mention inFIG. 10 a; -
FIG. 10 c shows a deployable singer in the deployed configuration; - In the drawings, embodiments are illustrated by way of example, it being expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
- As described in the co-pending utility application described above, one approach to limiting fluid flow through a pipe, conduit, or other flow device involves continuously feeding a long, thin structure into the flowing medium. The long, thin structure is taken up by the fluid flow, and may interact with itself or other features in the environment to become tangled, thereby forming a plug that reduces fluid (i.e., liquid or gas) flow. As more of the long, thin structure (wire or various types and configurations as set forth herein) is fed in, the size of the plug increases, and thus further reduces the fluid flow in the environment. The techniques and structures described below, among other things, describe various designs of long, thin structures that promote self-interaction, thereby increasing the efficacy of plug formation in a flowing environment.
- In what follows, the term “wire” is used for a long, thin structure. It should be understood, however, that the term “wire” cover any structure capable of being fed continuously into a flowing environment. This includes structures that may not ordinarily be considered “wires,” such as chains, and hollow tubing.
- A wire 1 according to the techniques below can be constructed from any combination of suitably stiff and suitably flexible material to allow the formation of nest-like structures by entanglement. In some implementations, the wire 1 is constructed from a material sufficient to withstand the environment of a typical oil wellbore, which is typically hot (e.g., temperatures exceeding 60 degrees C.), hydro-carbon rich, varying fluid mixtures, and in high-pressure conditions (e.g., pressure exceeding 5000 psi). In some implementations, a wire 1 can be made from any of many types of metal including but not limited to steel, aluminum, brass, magnesium or other alloys such as Nitinol (Nickel Titanium) and or polymers including but not limited to polypropylene, nylon, Kevlar, PVC, silicone rubber, or blends thereof. Natural fiber, such as hemp, can also be employed as a rope that is fed into the wellbore. In some implementations, the wire can be made of a combination of materials, for example a brass wire with a silicone sheath that softens once deployed into the flow stream to create a binding material in the entanglement structure. The binding material further aids in the restriction of gaseous medium flow as well as liquid flow.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 a, a wire 5 has an irregular cross section withintegral features 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, 6 d that help to give the wire 5 buckling resistance during insertion. Inside an environment such as a wellbore, these features help to increase turbulence and hence resistance to the flow which in turn helps to increase tangling of the wire 1 to create a blockage. In some embodiments, these features can be designed to interact with other features along the wire 1 to promote entanglement strength. For example,FIG. 1 b shows awire 7 with integral features 8 a-8 r to promote entanglement cohesion. As thewire 7 buckles and bends the integral features 8 a-8 r can interact with each other, thereby surrounding and interconnectingstructure 9 b to promote a plug strength. For some embodiments, thecore 9 a of thewire 7 is hollow or filled with a medium (e.g. thermo resin, plastic, etc.) that is released into the flow to promote entanglement cohesion. Thehollow body 9 b of thewire 7 can collapse in the wellbore. In some embodiments, the medium may heat up in the wellbore environment to the extent where it can creep to help fill gaps in the entanglement structure or to help intra-wire cohesion, thereby strengthening the entanglement structure. - In another embodiment, shown in
FIG. 1 c, awire bundle 10 has discrete strands intertwined 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d, 11 e to form a cable. Each strand of can vary in material, yield criteria, surface friction, etc. The surface roughness of the wires can also vary amongst each strand and along theirlength wire 10 increases thus further promotes generating a tangled nest-like structure. - Referring to
FIG. 1 d, achain 13 having a series of interlockedregions 14 a-14 o that are connected to form a continuous structure. The shape, stiffness, of each interlockedregion 14 a-14 o can vary in each section. In some embodiments, the interlockingregions 14 a-14 o can also have features to promote entanglement. - Referring to
FIG. 2 a, awire 15 whose crosssectional area 16 is non-circular and whose stiffness along its length can vary along its length to encourage bending and twisting atspecified sites wire 15 bends along the specifiedsites FIG. 2 b. -
FIG. 2 c illustrates awire 20 that is helically twisted along its length to promote flow reduction. In some embodiments, thecross section 21 of thehelical wire 10 can be irregular. - Properties of the wire can be modified in a number of ways including but not limited: 1) heat treatment, 2) coating, 3) roughing purpose, 4) shielding, among other ways.
-
Wires FIGS. 3 a, and 3 b. For example, stiffness in aribbon wire 25 can be modified by changing the crosssectional surface 26 a, 27 a, 26 b, 27 b, material, dimensions, coating, etc. The physical structure of the wire 1 can be altered by heat treatment for different areas, which creates ductile and rigid sections. The wire 1 will then be more likely to buckle in regions of low yield stress. The wire 1 could be asymmetric 25 or symmetric 28 with varying cross sectional area. - A wire 1 can be coated, or constructed at least in part from with any suitable material to promote entanglement. For example, as discussed below, when an insulated wire (metal wire with plastic coating) is deployed in an environment containing relatively hot hydrocarbons, the plastic insulation may completely or partially melt, thereby becoming sticky and promoting intra-wire cohesion, which in turn promotes maintaining an entangled structure. More generally, any coating in the nature of a heat- or hydrocarbon-activated adhesive can be used at various sites along the wire 1 to promote cohesion and/or entanglement. For example, a plain round wire 1 (solid, braided or stranded) can be coated with a polymer, such as one would find in electrical wire. Another option is to coat any of the wire 1 variations disclosed herein, and still another option is coat any wire 1 (e.g. commercial barbed wire) with a plastic such as polyurethane or PVC. In general, appropriate coatings can also include (but are not limited to) a pressure sensitive adhesive, a temperature sensitive adhesive, a thermoplastic, a thermoresin, a heat-activated polymer, or a polymer that can flow at the ambient temperature of the wellbore. Typically, such temperatures are at least 50 degrees C.
- Moreover, such coatings can also be beneficial insofar as they may have a tendency to partially or totally melt, or otherwise become fluid like, in the relatively hot wellbore environment. Thus, such coatings may have a tendency to creep into gaps in the entanglement, thus further limiting the flow in the wellbore.
- Similarly, the wire 1 can be coated with, or be constructed at least in part from, a swellable material. Such materials include, but are not limited to, certain elastomeric matrix materials to which super absorbent polymer molecules have been added. Such particles can include starch systems, cellulose systems, and synthetic resin systems. Further description of other swellable materials can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/665,160, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
-
FIG. 3 b illustrates awire 28 whose cross sectional area varies along its length. The relativelythin regions thick regions thickness 29 c, 29 f, 29 i can be used to provide a gradual transition to the flex region. Similarly, in some implementations a wire can have relatively stiff and relatively pliable regions, connected by intermediate regions of continuously-decreasing pliability. Thus, a wire 1 can be comprised of several “units,” with each unit having a relatively thick (or stiff) region, followed by an intermediate region of continuously-decreasing thickness (or stiffness), followed by a relatively thin (or pliable) region. Here, the term “relatively” connotes the fact that, when compared to each other, the various sections are thicker/stiffer or thinner/more pliable than other sections. In particular, the term does not imply the exercise of any judgment to decide what qualifies as thick, thin, stiff, or pliable. - Referring to
FIG. 3 c, feedingwires pliable wire 69 to pack and seal the gaps left by thestiffer wire 68. Variability along the length of the wire 1 can also be used to create an entanglement that is periodic in nature going from stiffer wire 68 a to lessstiff wire stiffer wire regions FIG. 3 d. The stiffness between the different sections ofstiff wire stiff wire - Wires 1 with periodic or aperiodic entanglement-promoting features along their length could also be used to promote entanglement. An “entanglement-promoting feature” is any structure or element along the wire 1 that potentially may interlock or stick, even temporarily; with another such feature at another location along the wire 1 or with the wire 1 itself. For example as shown in
FIG. 4 a, awire 30 with beads of varyingdiameter beads intermediate sections FIG. 4 b, arewires 35 withbeads FIG. 4 c, is a continuous structure similar to abarbed wire 32 e withbarbs 41 a, 41 b, 41 y that can interact with each other, the surroundings, and any other structure. Other types of features such as hooks can also be used. - Referring to
FIG. 4 d, awire 42 that consists of two bundles withintegrated barbs individual strands coatings FIG. 4 d, in general any number can be used. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , feeding awire 45 withperiodic features 46 could be done usingdrive wheels 48 that have recesses (pockets) 47 to accommodate the periodic features 46. In some embodiments, the feeding system can feed wires with non-periodic features. For example, the drive wheel can include a compliant channel that deforms around such features during the feeding process. - As shown in
FIGS. 6 an 7,multiple wire group 70 withindividual wires rollers 49 simultaneously from aspool 71 into a wellbore. In some embodiments, the grippingsurfaces 72 of the drive system are modified to maintain thewire group 70 from traversing off therollers 49. The feeding mechanism for the wires 1 is not limited to drive wheels but can also include the use of drive belts, gripping pads, etc. In some embodiments, features on the wire 1 can include pocket like structures to push the wire 1 into the wellbore hydrodynamically. - Stingers at the tip of the wire 1 can be used to assist the wire 1 to initially go through valves and other channels prior to entering a wellbore into the flow stream. A “stinger” is a structure that helps a wire 1 get taken up in the flow of the surrounding fluid and then later gets entangled in a discontinuity in the flow path and thus helps to promote formation of the wire 1 tangle to control the flow. In some embodiments, the length and flexibility of the stinger varies and features as described above are included to further promote entanglement.
-
FIG. 8 a shows asimple stinger 50 in the shape of a bullet, with aconical head 51 and acylindrical body 52. The rear of thestinger 3 is connected to the wire 1 that is being fed into the flow cavity. In some embodiments, thebody 52 of thestinger 50 can have entanglement promoting features as described above. For example thestinger 55, illustrated inFIG. 8 b, has features on the body 56 a which can include a flexible or semi-flexible core that has hooks 57 for entangling. In another embodiment, shown inFIG. 8 c, astinger 60 whosebody 63 hasregion 62 that includes barbs 61 a, 61 b. Thebody 63 can either be rigid or allowed to flex to promote wire entanglement. -
FIG. 9 shows a passively activatedflexural stinger 75 operable to expand once it is in the wellbore to create turbulence and act as a seed to make an entangled nest. In the undeployed configuration theflexural stinger 75 can be fed through a small aperture. When theflexural stinger 75 enters the wellbore the preload on theflexure legs 76 is released thus changing shape to promote entanglement in the wellbore. This can be accomplished by theflexure legs 76 being held closed before it is fed into the wellbore, or theflexure legs 76 can be made of a shape memory alloy, that is activated by an environmental factor (e.g., heat, chemical composition) of a wellbore. One such alloy is Nitonol; when it is injected into the wellbore, the hot oil flow causes it to change shape. The body of thestinger 77 is attached via astructure 3, which could use a crimp or braze, to the wire 1 being fed into the wellbore. Theanchor 75 can serve to both guide the wire 1 into the wellbore and to move in a chaotic motion when inside the wellbore; thus, bending, twisting, and deforming the wire 1 to initiate and enhance entanglement. -
FIGS. 10 a, and 10 b show adeployable stinger 80 that activates via atrigger switch 76 to deploy. Thedeployable stinger 80 includes twohalf shells section 85 with the assist of atorsion spring 86. The deployment of thestinger 80 is initiated when thetrigger switch 76 is pushed in when thetip 81 bangs against something such as the opposite wall of the wellbore, which moves thetrigger switch 76 from the lockedregion 76 b into theunlocked region 76 a. Once triggered, thetop shell 83 is caused to rotate, e.g., by thetorsion spring 86, around the common center held together via apin 84. Aclearance channel 83 b allows the top half to move rotate. In some embodiments, the activation of the stinger can be performed with a chemical interaction, temperature change (e.g. via Nitinol components), mechanical (as illustrated), etc. -
FIG. 10 c shows thedeployable stinger 80 in a deployed state 80 a. The change in configuration can cause the stinger to spin, which twists the wire 1 and promotes further entanglement. - The examples of
FIGS. 9 , 10, and 10 b, illustrate particular implementations of a deployable stinger; i.e., a stinger which has both an undeployed state and a deployed state. The undeployed states, in general, are characterized by relatively high maneuverability and controllability, relatively low cross section, relatively low drag coefficients, etc. The deployed states, by contrast, are characterized by a relatively high propensity to undergo turbulent motion, a relatively high cross section, a relatively high drag coefficient, and more generally a relatively high tendency to promote entanglement of the wire 1 it carries. - In practice, 12-20 gauge wire can be used as the basis for the nominal wire size, and solid wire, as opposed to stranded, is less likely to buckle in the feeding mechanism before entering the wellbore. Plane wire has relatively high friction with itself and thus entangles easily. Insulated wire packs well because the plastic insulation yields under increasing pressure to form a more solid ball. Hence one embodiment involves a wire 1 with non insulated and insulated sections, or two or more different wires such as shown in
FIG. 3 c, with one following the other. - Further modifications will also occur to persons skilled in the art, and all such are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (33)
1. A wire comprising:
a plurality of units, each unit having:
a relatively stiff region joined to an intermediate region, the intermediate region having a varying stiffness along a length of the wire, and the intermediate region being joined to a relatively pliable region.
2. The wire of claim 1 , further comprising a stinger coupled to a distal end of the wire.
3. The wire of claim 2 , wherein the stinger further comprises a flexible body.
4. The wire of claim 2 , wherein the stinger further comprises a pair of flexure legs.
5. The wire of claim 4 , wherein the flexure legs comprise a shape memory alloy.
6. The wire of claim 2 , wherein the stinger includes a trigger switch that, when activated, causes the stinger to deploy.
7. The wire of claim 6 , wherein the stinger includes a torsion spring and a shell, in which activating the trigger switch causes the torsion spring to rotate the shell.
8. The wire of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of entanglement-promoting features disposed along a body of the wire.
9. The wire of claim 8 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes a hook disposed along the body of the wire.
10. The wire of claim 8 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes a deformable beads disposed along the body of the wire.
11. The wire of claim 8 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes regions of varying surface roughness along the body of the wire.
12. The wire of claim 8 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes an entanglement-promoting coating.
13. The wire of claim 12 , in which the entanglement-promoting coating is creep-capable.
14. The wire of claim 12 , in which the entanglement-promoting coating is swellable.
15. The wire of claim 8 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes a barb.
16. The wire of claim 1 , in which the wire is included as a discrete strand of a cable.
17. The wire of claim 1 , further comprising a creep-capable material contained in a hollow portion of the wire.
18. The wire of claim 13 , in which the creep-capable material is selected from the group consisting of: a thermoplastic, a thermoresin, a heat-activated polymer, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a temperature sensitive adhesive, and a polymer that can flow at temperatures above 50 degrees C.
19. A wire having a distal end and a body comprising:
a stinger coupled to the distal end of the wire, wherein the body of the wire has varying stiffness along the body.
20. The wire of claim 19 , in which the body includes at least two different materials.
21. The wire of claim 19 , in which the body includes a plurality of entanglement-promoting features.
22. The wire of claim 21 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes a hook disposed along the body of the wire.
23. The wire of claim 21 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes a bead disposed along the body of the wire.
24. The wire of claim 21 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes regions of varying surface roughness along the body of the wire.
25. The wire of claim 21 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes an entanglement-promoting coating.
26. The wire of claim 21 , in which the plurality of entanglement-promoting features includes a barb.
27. The wire of claim 19 , wherein the stinger further comprises a flexible body.
28. The wire of claim 19 , wherein the stinger further comprises a pair of flexure legs.
29. The wire of claim 28 , wherein the flexure legs comprise a shape memory alloy.
30. The wire of claim 19 , wherein the stinger includes a trigger switch that, when activated, causes the stinger to deploy.
31. The wire of claim 30 , wherein the stinger includes a torsion spring and a shell, in which activating the trigger switch causes the torsion spring to rotate the shell.
32. A method of controlling fluid flow in a wellbore comprising:
coating a wire with a coating selected from the group consisting of a creep-capable material and a swellable material, thereby forming a coated wire; and
continuously feeding the coated wire into the structure.
33. The method of claim 32 , in which the creep-capable material is selected from the group consisting of: a thermoplastic, a thermoresin, a heat-activated polymer, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a temperature sensitive adhesive, and a polymer that can flow at temperatures above 50 degrees C.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/893,227 US20130299191A1 (en) | 2012-05-13 | 2013-05-13 | Long thin structures for generating an entangled flow restricting structure |
PCT/US2014/037804 WO2014186341A1 (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-13 | Long thin structures for generating an entangled flow restricting structure |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261646328P | 2012-05-13 | 2012-05-13 | |
US13/893,227 US20130299191A1 (en) | 2012-05-13 | 2013-05-13 | Long thin structures for generating an entangled flow restricting structure |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130299191A1 true US20130299191A1 (en) | 2013-11-14 |
Family
ID=49547750
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/893,227 Abandoned US20130299191A1 (en) | 2012-05-13 | 2013-05-13 | Long thin structures for generating an entangled flow restricting structure |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130299191A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014186341A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108952605A (en) * | 2017-05-26 | 2018-12-07 | 中国石油化工股份有限公司 | Underground flow channel type pressure control device, underground managed pressure drilling system and its boring method |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108555891B (en) * | 2018-07-09 | 2021-12-31 | 玉环市梓鑫机械有限公司 | Underground excavation robot |
Citations (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US157124A (en) * | 1873-10-27 | 1874-11-24 | Joseph F. Glidden | Improvement in wire-fences |
US4556340A (en) * | 1983-08-15 | 1985-12-03 | Conoco Inc. | Method and apparatus for production of subsea hydrocarbons using a floating vessel |
US4821815A (en) * | 1986-05-22 | 1989-04-18 | Flowmole Corporation | Technique for providing an underground tunnel utilizing a powered boring device |
US5186410A (en) * | 1991-06-12 | 1993-02-16 | Toews Timothy R | Wire reel mechanism |
US5350398A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1994-09-27 | Dusan Pavcnik | Self-expanding filter for percutaneous insertion |
US5387179A (en) * | 1990-04-10 | 1995-02-07 | Crivellaro; Jurgen | Modified erection ring |
US5470625A (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-11-28 | Medtronic, Inc. | Strand-of-beads wound packing product |
US5547314A (en) * | 1995-06-08 | 1996-08-20 | Marathon Oil Company | Offshore system and method for storing and tripping a continuous length of jointed tubular conduit |
US5993377A (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 1999-11-30 | Hartwig; Lee Ann | Anal beads |
US6090063A (en) * | 1995-12-01 | 2000-07-18 | C. R. Bard, Inc. | Device, system and method for implantation of filaments and particles in the body |
US6723031B1 (en) * | 2002-09-04 | 2004-04-20 | Patricia A. Wild | Feminine toning balls |
US6775873B2 (en) * | 2000-02-09 | 2004-08-17 | Eugene H. Luoma | Apparatus for removing hair from a drain |
US20060037659A1 (en) * | 2002-09-04 | 2006-02-23 | Gillam Terence D | Inflatable pipe test probe |
US7497854B2 (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2009-03-03 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Method and instrument for effecting anastomosis of respective tissues defining two body lumens |
US20100160876A1 (en) * | 2008-12-24 | 2010-06-24 | Timothy Mark Robinson | Reduced-pressure wound treatment systems and methods employing manifold structures |
WO2010115076A2 (en) * | 2009-04-02 | 2010-10-07 | Endoshape, Inc. | Vascular occlusion devices |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2101155A (en) * | 1936-10-05 | 1937-12-07 | Alden E Osborn | Pipe joint |
US20060108015A1 (en) * | 2004-11-24 | 2006-05-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Seal or Fluid Barrier Using Strands |
-
2013
- 2013-05-13 US US13/893,227 patent/US20130299191A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2014
- 2014-05-13 WO PCT/US2014/037804 patent/WO2014186341A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US157124A (en) * | 1873-10-27 | 1874-11-24 | Joseph F. Glidden | Improvement in wire-fences |
US4556340A (en) * | 1983-08-15 | 1985-12-03 | Conoco Inc. | Method and apparatus for production of subsea hydrocarbons using a floating vessel |
US4821815A (en) * | 1986-05-22 | 1989-04-18 | Flowmole Corporation | Technique for providing an underground tunnel utilizing a powered boring device |
US5387179A (en) * | 1990-04-10 | 1995-02-07 | Crivellaro; Jurgen | Modified erection ring |
US5350398A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1994-09-27 | Dusan Pavcnik | Self-expanding filter for percutaneous insertion |
US5186410A (en) * | 1991-06-12 | 1993-02-16 | Toews Timothy R | Wire reel mechanism |
US5470625A (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-11-28 | Medtronic, Inc. | Strand-of-beads wound packing product |
US5547314A (en) * | 1995-06-08 | 1996-08-20 | Marathon Oil Company | Offshore system and method for storing and tripping a continuous length of jointed tubular conduit |
US6090063A (en) * | 1995-12-01 | 2000-07-18 | C. R. Bard, Inc. | Device, system and method for implantation of filaments and particles in the body |
US5993377A (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 1999-11-30 | Hartwig; Lee Ann | Anal beads |
US6775873B2 (en) * | 2000-02-09 | 2004-08-17 | Eugene H. Luoma | Apparatus for removing hair from a drain |
US6723031B1 (en) * | 2002-09-04 | 2004-04-20 | Patricia A. Wild | Feminine toning balls |
US20060037659A1 (en) * | 2002-09-04 | 2006-02-23 | Gillam Terence D | Inflatable pipe test probe |
US7497854B2 (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2009-03-03 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Method and instrument for effecting anastomosis of respective tissues defining two body lumens |
US20100160876A1 (en) * | 2008-12-24 | 2010-06-24 | Timothy Mark Robinson | Reduced-pressure wound treatment systems and methods employing manifold structures |
WO2010115076A2 (en) * | 2009-04-02 | 2010-10-07 | Endoshape, Inc. | Vascular occlusion devices |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108952605A (en) * | 2017-05-26 | 2018-12-07 | 中国石油化工股份有限公司 | Underground flow channel type pressure control device, underground managed pressure drilling system and its boring method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2014186341A1 (en) | 2014-11-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2965778B1 (en) | Medical instrument, catheter, and method for producing medical instrument | |
CN101808690B (en) | Braided occlusion device having repeating expanded volume segments separated by articulation segments | |
CN102573709B (en) | Tube with reverse necking properties | |
CA2860164C (en) | Method of terminating a stranded synthetic filament cable | |
US20210038412A1 (en) | Expansion ring for a braided stent | |
WO2018177735A1 (en) | Flexible pipe with layers of metal armour and layers of composite armour | |
RU2011113961A (en) | DEVICE FOR PROTECTING VESSEL DEFECTS | |
WO2006043311A1 (en) | Cable composed of high strength fiber composite material | |
KR20190088984A (en) | Catheter and method of manufacturing catheter | |
US20020007958A1 (en) | Fatigue-resistant conductive wire article | |
CN102439344B (en) | Metal cord reinforced flexible pipe | |
BR112015032914B1 (en) | fluid transport flexible conduit and a flexible conduit end assembly process | |
US11707370B2 (en) | Stents and related methods | |
JP2014523309A5 (en) | Device to assist heart valve function | |
US20130299191A1 (en) | Long thin structures for generating an entangled flow restricting structure | |
AU2011306055A1 (en) | Method of terminating a stranded synthetic filament cable | |
WO2012009286A4 (en) | Downhole cables for well operations | |
BR112016024796B1 (en) | General cable termination, for a synthetic cable having multiple strands and a free cable portion | |
JP2022166222A (en) | Embolization device and method of manufacturing embolization devices | |
US4596486A (en) | Cable termination | |
US9605778B2 (en) | Extruded encapsulated fillers to provide crush protection | |
WO2006037975A2 (en) | Elongate members such as cables and tubes, and methods of termination thereof | |
JP6983764B2 (en) | Security device and its manufacturing method | |
US20190346017A1 (en) | Potting Neck Enhancement | |
US9518433B2 (en) | Tubewire injection buckling mitigation |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |