Destructible frac-ball and device and method for use therewith

Abstract

A destructible frac-ball is provided that includes a body and a rupture mechanism, and a method for selectively initiating fluid flow within a casing segment is provided that utilizes one or more of the aforesaid frac-balls. The rupture mechanism is in communication with the body, and is operable to selectively initiate and break the body into the plurality of discrete pieces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frac-ball, comprising:
 a body;   a rupture mechanism in communication with the body, which rupture mechanism is operable to selectively initiate and break the body into the plurality of discrete pieces.   
     
     
         2 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a core encased within a shell. 
     
     
         3 . The frac-ball of  claim 2 , wherein the core comprises a fluid soluble material. 
     
     
         4 . The frac-ball of  claim 3 , wherein the shell comprises a fluid non-soluble material. 
     
     
         5 . The frac-ball of  claim 2 , wherein the shell comprises a fluid soluble material. 
     
     
         6 . The frac-ball of  claim 2 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes an energetic material. 
     
     
         7 . The frac-ball of  claim 2 , wherein the core comprises a fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the body is a solid body substantially consisting of a homogeneous material. 
     
     
         9 . The frac-ball of  claim 8 , wherein the homogeneous material is a fluid soluble material. 
     
     
         10 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes a trigger mechanism having a sensor, and the trigger mechanism is operable to cause the rupture mechanism to initiate based on input from the sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The frac-ball of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is operable to sense at least one of pressure, temperature, or conductivity proximate the frac-ball. 
     
     
         12 . The frac-ball of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is operable to sense at least one of magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, electrical, RF, or ultrasonic signals. 
     
     
         13 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes a trigger mechanism that includes a timer. 
     
     
         14 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes a trigger mechanism that includes a first metallic alloy and a second metallic alloy, wherein the first metallic alloy has a first melting temperature and the second metallic alloy has a second melting temperature, which second melting temperature is higher than the first melting temperature, and wherein the first metallic alloy and the second metallic alloy are exothermically reactive with one another. 
     
     
         15 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes a receiver operable to receive at least one of a radio frequency energy type signal, or an acoustic energy type signal, an electrical energy type signal, or a pressure pulse type signal. 
     
     
         16 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes a trigger mechanism that is operable to be selectively deployed into a state where it may be activated to selectively cause the rupture mechanism to initiate and break the body into the plurality of discrete pieces. 
     
     
         17 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes a trigger mechanism that is operable to be selectively activated via electromagnetic inductive coupling. 
     
     
         18 . The frac-ball of  claim 1 , further comprising a safety inhibit operable to prevent the rupture mechanism from initiating and breaking the body into the plurality of discrete pieces unless a predetermined condition is met. 
     
     
         19 . A segmentation device for use within a casing, comprising:
 a seat for receiving a frac-ball;   at least one rupture mechanism disposed relative to the seat, which rupture mechanism is operable to act upon a frac-ball disposed within the seat and cause the frac-ball to rupture into discrete pieces.   
     
     
         20 . The segmentation device of  claim 19 , wherein the rupture mechanism includes a mechanical feature operable to strike the frac-ball and thereby cause the frac-ball to rupture into the discrete pieces. 
     
     
         21 . A method for selectively initiating fluid flow within a casing segment, comprising:
 providing a segmentation device operable to be disposed within the casing, which segmentation device includes a seat for receiving a frac-ball;   providing a frac-ball having a body and a rupture mechanism in communication with the body, which rupture mechanism includes a trigger mechanism operable to selectively cause the rupture mechanism to initiate and break the body into the plurality of discrete pieces;   causing the rupture mechanism to initiate and break the frac-ball body into the plurality of discrete pieces based on input from the trigger mechanism, and thereby selectively initiating fluid flow through the segmentation device.