US 11,988,058 B2
Radial cutting apparatus with swirl diverter
Michael C. Robertson, Mansfield, TX (US); and Antony F. Grattan, Arlington, TX (US)
Assigned to Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC, Mansfield, TX (US)
Filed by Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC, Arlington, TX (US)
Filed on Jul. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/856,709.
Prior Publication US 2024/0003211 A1, Jan. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 29/02 (2006.01); E21B 41/00 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 29/02 (2013.01) [E21B 41/0078 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for cutting a conduit in a borehole, comprising:
a body adapted to be lowered into the conduit and comprising a central axis;
combustible material located within the body;
a nozzle comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed therethrough;
a support element between the nozzle and the combustible material for supporting the combustible material in the body, the support element comprising a mixing cavity within the support element;
an activation device for igniting the combustible material to form a matrix of combustion products for passage toward the nozzle by way of the mixing cavity;
a slidable sleeve at a distal end of the apparatus that is configured to slide in a direction along the central axis; and
a swirl diverter comprising an outer surface facing the slidable sleeve and provided with a plurality of helical vanes which extend from one end of the swirl diverter toward an opposite end of the swirl diverter,
wherein the plurality of spaced apart apertures of the nozzle are configured to direct the matrix of combustion products from the mixing cavity to the helical vanes, and the helical vanes are shaped to rotate the matrix of combustion products and direct the matrix of combustion products radially outward of the body for cutting the conduit in the borehole.