Apparatus for selectively actuating well tools
First Claim
1. Well bore apparatus cooperatively arranged for suspension in a well bore and comprising:
- a tool body;
an impact-actuated explosive on said body;
a detonating member arranged on said body for striking said impact-actuated explosive with sufficient force to detonate said impact-actuated explosive;
an impact-attenuating barrier between said impact-actuated explosive and said detonating member which is formed of a heat-responsive substance rendering said barrier effective to at least attenuate the striking force of said detonating member so long as the temperature of said heat-responsive substance remains below a predetermined temperature and rendering said barrier ineffective to attenuate the striking force of said detonating member after said heat-responsive substance is heated above said predetermined temperature by elevated well bore temperatures exterior of said well bore apparatus; and
means selectively initiated from the surface only after said impact-attenuating barrier is rendered ineffective and operable for driving said detonating member into said ineffective barrier with sufficient striking force to detonate said explosive.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the representative embodiments of the several methods and apparatus of the invention disclosed herein, a movable detonating member is arranged to be selectively impelled against an impact-responsive detonator on a well tool having one or more explosive devices. The movable detonating member is initially restrained from moving in relation of the tool body by a heat-responsive material which, in one embodiment, is operative to release the detonating member when an electrical heater on the tool is initiated from the surface for melting the bonding material or, in another embodiment, releases the detonating member when the material is melted by elevated well bore temperatures. Other safety measures disclosed herein include temperature-sensitive barriers which, in one embodiment, prevents the movement of the detonating member against the explosive detonator until the material in the barrier is changed by elevated well bore temperatures as well as a second embodiment that precludes the transmission of detonating forces from the detonator and other explosives in the train of explosives on the tool.
143 Citations
23 Claims
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1. Well bore apparatus cooperatively arranged for suspension in a well bore and comprising:
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a tool body; an impact-actuated explosive on said body; a detonating member arranged on said body for striking said impact-actuated explosive with sufficient force to detonate said impact-actuated explosive; an impact-attenuating barrier between said impact-actuated explosive and said detonating member which is formed of a heat-responsive substance rendering said barrier effective to at least attenuate the striking force of said detonating member so long as the temperature of said heat-responsive substance remains below a predetermined temperature and rendering said barrier ineffective to attenuate the striking force of said detonating member after said heat-responsive substance is heated above said predetermined temperature by elevated well bore temperatures exterior of said well bore apparatus; and means selectively initiated from the surface only after said impact-attenuating barrier is rendered ineffective and operable for driving said detonating member into said ineffective barrier with sufficient striking force to detonate said explosive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Well bore apparatus cooperatively arranged for suspension in a well bore and comprising:
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a tubular tool body defining an enclosed chamber; an impact-actuated explosive mounted within said chamber; detonating means selectively operable from the surface and including an elongated detonating member in said tubular body arranged for moving in said chamber from an inactive position to an active position to strike said explosive with sufficient impact for detonating said explosive; and a barrier in said tubular body formed of a fusible metal alloy operable only at temperatures less than its predetermined melting temperature for preventing said detonating member from detonating said explosive and responsive to elevated well bore temperatures exterior of said tubular body greater than said predetermined melting temperature of said fusible metal alloy to render said barrier ineffective for thereafter preventing said detonating member from detonating said explosive. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. Well bore apparatus cooperatively arranged for suspension in a well bore and comprising:
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a tubular tool body having a longitudinal bore defining an enclosed chamber; an impact-actuated explosive mounted within said chamber; detonating means selectively operable from the surface and including an elongated detonating member in said tubular body arranged for moving longitudinally in said chamber from an inactive position to an active position to strike said impact-actuated explosive; biasing means arranged within said tubular body for driving said detonating member from its said inactive position toward its said active position to strike said impact-actuated explosive with sufficient impact for detonating said explosive; and impact-absorbing barrier means in said chamber between said explosive and said detonating member including a heat-responsive substance operable only at temperatures less than a predetermined temperature for absorbing impacts of said detonating member and responsive to elevated well bore temperatures exterior of said tubular body above said predetermined temperature for rendering said impact-absorbing barrier means ineffective to absorb impact forces of said detonating member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification