Self Venting Setting Tool That Utilizes Wellbore Fluid to Dampen Setting Motion

Abstract

A setting tool for setting a device within a wellbore. The setting tool includes first and second chambers within a housing. A piston separates the chambers and is moveable within the second chamber. The piston is initially positioned adjacent a first end of the second chamber. The setting tool includes a first aperture in communication with the second chamber. Wellbore fluid may enter the second chamber through the first aperture. As the piston moves towards the second end of the second chamber, wellbore fluid within the second chamber is forced out of the second chamber through the first aperture. Pressure within the first chamber vents from the first chamber through the first aperture when the piston moves past the first aperture within the second chamber. The housing may include a second aperture adjacent to the second end of the second chamber that permits wellbore fluid to enter and exit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A setting tool comprising:
 a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber;   a piston positioned within the housing, the piston separates the first chamber from the second chamber, the second chamber having a first end and a second end, wherein the piston is initially positioned adjacent to the first end of the second chamber and wherein the piston is moveable within the second chamber;   a rod connected to the piston;   a first aperture through the housing in between the first and second ends of the second chamber, the first aperture in communication with the second chamber;   wherein wellbore fluid may enter the second chamber through the first aperture;   wherein as the piston moves from the first end of the second chamber towards the second end of the second chamber, wellbore fluid within the second chamber is forced out of the second chamber through the first aperture; and   wherein pressure within the first chamber vents from the first chamber through the first aperture when the piston moves past the first aperture within the second chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The setting tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a second aperture through the housing, the second aperture in communication with the second chamber, wherein wellbore fluid may enter the second chamber through the second aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , wherein as the piston moves from the first end of the second chamber towards the second end of the second chamber, wellbore fluid within the second chamber is forced out of the second chamber through the second aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The setting tool of  claim 3 , wherein pressure within the first chamber does not vent through the second aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The setting tool of  claim 3 , wherein the second aperture is positioned between the first aperture and the second end of the second chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The setting tool of  claim 3 , wherein the second aperture is positioned adjacent to the second end of the second chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The setting tool of  claim 3 , wherein the rod is connected to a device. 
     
     
         8 . The setting tool of  claim 7 , wherein the device comprises a packer, bridge plug, or cement retainer. 
     
     
         9 . The setting tool of  claim 7 , wherein movement of the piston within the second chamber in a direction away from the first chamber sets the device in a wellbore. 
     
     
         10 . A system for setting a device within a wellbore comprising:
 a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber;   a power charge positioned within the first chamber;   a piston positioned within the housing, the piston separates the first chamber from the second chamber, the second chamber having a first end and a second end, wherein the piston is initially positioned adjacent to the first end of the second chamber and wherein the piston is moveable within the second chamber;   a rod connected to the piston;   a first aperture through the housing, the first aperture in communication with the second chamber;   wellbore fluid within the second chamber, wherein wellbore fluid entered the second chamber through the first aperture;   wherein upon detonation of the power charge, pressure from the detonation moves the piston from the first end of the second chamber towards the second end of the second chamber, wellbore fluid within the second chamber dampens movement of the piston and is forced out of the second chamber through the first aperture as the piston moves from the first end to the second end of the second chamber; and   wherein pressure within the first chamber from the detonation of the power charge vents from the housing through the first aperture when the piston moves past the first aperture within the second chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a second aperture through the housing, the second aperture in communication with the second chamber, wherein a portion of the wellbore fluid within the second chamber entered into the second chamber through the second aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein as the piston moves from the first end to the second end of the second chamber, wellbore fluid within the second chamber is forced out of the second chamber through the second aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein pressure within the first chamber from the detonation of the power charge does not vent through the second aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second aperture is positioned between the first aperture and the second end of the second chamber and wherein the second aperture is positioned adjacent to the second end of the second chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a device connected to the rod, wherein the device is set within the wellbore upon movement of the piston from the first end to the second end of the second chamber. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 providing a setting tool having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a piston moveable within the second chamber, wherein the piston separates the first chamber from the second chamber;   providing a first aperture in the setting tool in communication with the second chamber, wherein the first aperture permits wellbore fluid to enter into the second chamber;   moving the piston from a first end to a second end of the second chamber to set a device within the wellbore;   dampening the movement of the piston with wellbore fluid within the second chamber, wherein wellbore fluid exits the second chamber through the first aperture as the piston moves toward the second end of the second chamber; and   venting the first chamber as the piston moves past the first aperture.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing a second aperture in the setting tool in communication with the second chamber; and   isolating the second aperture from the first chamber, wherein the second aperture permits wellbore fluid to enter into the second chamber and wherein wellbore fluid exits the second chamber through the second aperture as the piston moves toward the second end of the second chamber.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing a power charge within the first chamber of the setting tool; and   detonating the power charge within the first chamber to move the piston from the first end to the second end of the second chamber, wherein pressure created from the detonation of the power charge vents from the setting tool as the piston moves past the first aperture.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising controlling a velocity of the piston as it moves within the second chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein controlling the velocity of the piston further comprises configuring a first area of the first aperture and configured a second area of the second aperture to control the velocity of the piston.