Setting Tool Power Charge Initiation

Abstract

A power charge for a packer setting tool includes an outer casing and an amount of flammable material within the casing. A heating igniter is retained within the outer casing in contact with the flammable material. The heating igniter is energized by electrical power to heat it to a temperature that is sufficient to ignite the flammable material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power charge for a packer setting tool, the power charge comprising:
 an outer casing, the casing being shaped and sized to reside within a power charge recess within a packer setting tool;   an amount of flammable material within the casing; and   a non-explosive heating igniter retained within the casing and in contact with the flammable material, the heating igniter being energizable by electric power to reach a temperature sufficient to ignite the flammable material.   
     
     
         2 . The power charge of  claim 1  wherein the heating igniter comprises a metallic resistive heating element. 
     
     
         3 . The power charge of  claim 1  wherein the heating igniter comprises a coil of wire. 
     
     
         4 . The power charge of  claim 1  wherein the heating igniter is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         5 . A packer setting tool for setting an associated packer device within a wellbore, the packer setting tool comprising:
 a setting tool housing;   a piston which is axially moveable with respect to the setting tool housing, movement of the piston being effective to set the associated packer device;   a power charge retained within the setting tool housing, the power charge having an outer casing, the casing being shaped and sized to reside within a power charge recess within a packer setting tool; an amount of flammable material within the casing; and a non-explosive heating igniter retained within the casing and in contact with the to flammable material, the heating igniter being energizable by electric power to reach a temperature sufficient to ignite the flammable material.   
     
     
         6 . The packer setting tool of  claim 5  further comprising an electrical conduit which interconnects the heating igniter with an electric power source. 
     
     
         7 . The packer setting tool of  claim 5  wherein the heating igniter comprises a metallic resistive heating element. 
     
     
         8 . The packer setting tool of  claim 5  wherein the heating igniter comprises a coil of wire. 
     
     
         9 . The packer setting tool of  claim 5  wherein the heating igniter is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         10 . A method of setting a packer device within a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
 disposing a packer device and associated packer setting device into a wellbore, the packer setting device including a power charge with a non-explosive heating igniter;   detonating the power charge by energizing the heating igniter with electric power.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the heating igniter is energized by a power source which is located at a surface location with respect to the wellbore.