Breaking Object for a Frangible Plug

Abstract

A plug assembly including a breaker object and a plug, having a first position in which the breaker object is not in contact with the plug and a second position where the breaker object is in contact with the plug, wherein the movement from the first position to the second position initiated by pressure applied to the plug, wherein: the breaker object includes an impact surface where the impact surface is the projection of the plug surface onto the breaker object, and the impact surface includes an impact point wherein: the impact point is the portion of the plug which makes contact with the breaker object when the plug assembly is in the second position; and the impact surface has the cross sectional shape of a portion of a conic section.

Claims

1. A plug assembly (100) comprising a breaker object (20) and a plug (10), having a first position in which the breaker object (20) is not in contact with the plug (10) and a second position where the breaker object is in contact with the plug (20), wherein the movement from the first position to the second position is initiated by pressure applied to the plug (10), wherein: the breaker object (20) comprises an impact surface (22), where the impact surface is the projection of the plug (10) surface onto the breaker object (20), the impact surface (22) comprises an impact point (221) wherein: the impact point (221) is the portion of the plug (10) which makes contact with the breaker object (20) when the plug assembly (100) is in the second position; and the impact surface (22) has the cross-sectional shape of a portion of a conic section.

2. The plug assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the impact surface (22) has a cross sectional shape of a portion of a circle or an ellipse or a parabola.

3. The plug assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the breaker object (20) is a sphere or hemisphere.

4. The plug assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the breaker object (20) is a pin comprising an elongated body with a distal end, wherein the distal end has a cross sectional shape of a conic section, wherein the pin is preferably at an angle.

5. The plug assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the breaker object (20) is arranged in a breaker holder (31), or the assembly (100) further comprises a breaker assembly (30), wherein a breaker holder (31) is arranged on the breaker assembly (30).

6. The plug assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein: the impact point (211) is contained on an impact subsurface (222), the impact subsurface (222) bounded by a first subsurface edge (221) and a second subsurface edge (223), wherein: the first subsurface edge (221) is a point where the impact surface (22) is first discontinuous on one side of the impact point (211) and the second subsurface edge (223) is a point where the impact surface (22) is first discontinuous on the other side of the impact point (221); and the impact subsurface (222) has a cross sectional shape of a portion of a conic section.

7. A plug tubular (200) system comprising: a tubular body (312) comprising a housing (311); and a plug assembly (100) comprising a breaker object (20) arranged in a breaker holder (31), a breaker retainer (24), and a plug (10); wherein: the plug assembly (100) is arranged with the housing (311); the plug assembly has a first position where the plug (10) is not in contact with the breaker object (20) and a second position where the plug (10) is in contact with the breaker object (20); the breaker object (20) is arranged to break the plug (10) in the second position; the breaker object (20) is arranged in the breaker holder (31); and the breaker retainer (24) is arranged to hold the breaker object (20) in the breaker holder (31) when in the second position, wherein: the breaker object (20) comprises an impact surface (22), where the impact surface is the projection of the plug (10) surface onto the breaker object (20), the impact surface (22) comprises an impact point (221), wherein: the impact point (221) is the portion of the plug (10) which makes contact with the breaker object (20) when the plug assembly (100) is in the second position; and the impact surface (22) has the cross-sectional shape of a portion of a conic section.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the assembly (100) further comprises a breaker assembly (30), wherein the breaker holder (31) is arranged on the breaker assembly (30).

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the breaker holder (31) is a pocket arranged in the housing (311).

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein the breaker retainer (24) is a shaped portion of the breaker holder (31).

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the breaker retainer (24) is a separate component and arranged to be affixed to a portion of the breaker holder (31).

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the plug assembly further comprises a breaker assembly (30), wherein the breaker holder (31) is arranged in the breaker assembly (30), and wherein the breaker assembly (30) is not part of the tubular body (312).

13. The system according to claim 7, wherein the breaker holder (31) is arranged in a through hole between the inside of the tubular body (312) and the outside of the tubular body, wherein preferably the breaker object (20) is in contact with an object holder (25), and the object holder (25) provides a fluid seal between the breaker object (20) and the outside of the tubular body (312).

14. The system according to claim 7, further comprising: an object lock (25) which is arranged to move the breaker object (20) toward, or in contact, with a breaker retainer (24), wherein the breaker retainer (24) has a smaller diameter than the largest of the breaker object (20), or a breaker retainer (24), wherein the breaker object (20) is arranged at least partially within the breaker retainer (24) and the breaker retainer is arranged in the breaker holder (31).

15. The system according to claim 7, wherein the impact surface (22) has a cross sectional shape of a portion of a circle or an ellipse or a parabola.

16. The system according to claim 7, wherein the breaker object (20) is a sphere or hemisphere.

17. The system according to claim 7, wherein the breaker object (20) is a pin comprising an elongated body with a distal end, wherein the distal end has a cross sectional shape of a conic section, wherein the pin is preferably at an angle.

18. The system according to claim 7, wherein the breaker object (20) is arranged in a breaker holder (31), or the assembly (100) further comprises a breaker assembly (30), wherein a breaker holder (31) is arranged on the breaker assembly (30).

19. The plug assembly (100) according to claim 7, wherein: the impact point (211) is contained on an impact subsurface (222), the impact subsurface (222) bounded by a first subsurface edge (221) and a second subsurface edge (223), wherein: the first subsurface edge (221) is a point where the impact surface (22) is first discontinuous on one side of the impact point (211) and the second subsurface

20. The system according to claim 7, wherein: the impact point (211) is contained on an impact subsurface (222), the impact subsurface (222) bounded by a first subsurface edge (221) and a second subsurface edge (223), wherein: the first subsurface edge (221) is a point where the impact surface (22) is first discontinuous on one side of the impact point (211) and the second subsurface edge (223) is a point where the impact surface (22) is first discontinuous on the other side of the impact point (221); and the impact subsurface (222) has a cross sectional shape of a portion of a conic section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0056] The above and further features of the invention are a set forth with particularity in the appended claims and advantages thereof will become clearer from consideration of the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

[0057] FIGS. 1A-1D disclose the plug tubular during operation in a longitudinal cross-sectional view

[0058] FIG. 1E discloses an embodiment of the plug tubular

[0059] FIGS. 2A-2E disclose the impact surface geometry for different breaker objects in different positions in cross section

[0060] FIGS. 3A and 3B disclose a plug tubular with parabolic breaker objects

[0061] FIGS. 4A and 4B disclose a plug tubular with pin breaker objects

[0062] FIGS. 5A and 5B disclose a plug tubular with circular breaker objects

[0063] FIG. 5C discloses a plug tubular with a breaker object with a circular impact surface

[0064] FIG. 6 discloses a breaker object mounted directly to the tubular body

[0065] FIG. 7 discloses a breaker object mounted in a breaker assembly

[0066] FIGS. 8A and 8B disclose a breaker object that is arranged in the tubular body

[0067]

TABLE-US-00001 Reference numbers and corresponding elements 10 Plug 10 11 Plug Impact Point 11 12 First Plug Edge 12 13 Second Plug Edge 13 14 Plug Impact Section 14 15 Plug Sealer 15 20 Breaker Object 20 21 Impact Section 21 211 Impact Point 211 212 First Breaker Edge 212 213 Second Breaker Edge 213 22 Impact Surface 22 24 Breaker Retainer 24 25 Object Lock 25 26 Sealer 26 221 First Subsurface Edge 221 222 Impact Subsurface 222 223 Second Subsurface Edge 223 30 Breaker Assembly 30 31 Breaker Holder 31 40 Seat 40 41 Bearing Ring 41 42 Breaker Pocket 42 50 Shear Ring 50 51 Shear Ring Body 51 52 Shear Ring Lip 52 100 Plug Assembly 100 310 Plug Tubular 310 311 Housing 311 312 Tubular Body 312 313 Upstream Tubular Connection 313 314 Downstream Tubular Connection 314 315 First Tubular Section 315 316 Second Tubular Section 316

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Alternative embodiments will also be presented. The drawings are intended to be read in conjunction with both the summary, the detailed description, and an any preferred and/or particular embodiments, specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided by way of illustration only. Several further embodiments, or combinations of the presented embodiments, will be within the scope of one skilled in the art.

[0069] The present invention is a breaker object that is used to break a frangible plug. This is a part of a plug assembly which is inserted into a tubular in order to allow for a temporary flow barrier through the pipe. More particularly, it is the shape of the breaker object itself which is claimed. There are presented examples of spherical (circular cross section), ellipsoid (ellipse cross section), and paraboloid (parabola cross section) breakers. Most of the figures show 2D cross sections and the shapes of the breaker object will be discussed in terms of the 2D terms (conical shapes) with the 3D terms (conical shapes which have been revolved around an axis) used on occasion.

[0070] Reference is made to FIGS. 1A-1E. FIGS. 1A-1D disclose the plug tubular 310 during operation. The plug tubular 310 has an upstream tubular connection 313 and a downstream tubular connection 314. These connections allow for the plug tubular 310 to connect to other tubulars in the work string. There is a fluid connection between upstream tubular connection 313 and downstream tubular connection 314. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the plug tubular 310 comprises two tubulars, a first tubular section 315 and a second tubular section 316, which have been affixed together. The bodies of each of these forms the tubular body 312 of the plug tubular 310. A plug assembly 100 is arranged in a housing 311 in the tubular body 312. The plug assembly 100 comprises a frangible plug 10 which is supported by a seat 40. A breaker assembly 30 contains a breaker object 20. The plug assembly 100 is arranged such that when a predetermined threshold pressure differential or absolute pressure is applied to a surface of the plug 10, a shear ring 50 will break. This will bring the plug 10 into contact with the breaker object 20 and initiate the breaking process. This could be because the seat 40 moves and/or because the breaker object 20 moves to make contact. In the examples shown, it is the seat 40 which moves and the breaker object 20 remains stationary. The breaker object 20 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D is a pin type with an elongated body that is at an angle with respect to the axial axis of the plug tubular 310.

[0071] FIG. 1A discloses the first position in which the plug 10 and the breaker object 20 are not in contact. This is the initial state of the system. In this position, the fluid connection between the upstream tubular connection 313 and the downstream tubular connection 314 is blocked by the plug 10. FIG. 1B shows the second position in which the plug 10 has made initial contact with the breaker object 20. This is the start of the breaking process. In this position, there is still no fluid connection between the upstream tubular connection 313 and the downstream tubular connection 314. FIG. 1C shows the behavior of the plug 10 after the second position. The plug 10 will continue to travel and more of the breaker object 20 will be forced into the plug 10. Finally, FIG. 1D discloses the plug 10 as completely broken by the breaker object 20 and the fluid connection between the upstream tubular connection 313 and the downstream tubular connection 314 of the plug tubular 310 is restored.

[0072] FIG. 1E discloses an embodiment of the tubular 310. In this case the plug assembly 100 is arranged in a tubular body 312 that is different than that of FIGS. 1A-1D. In FIGS. 1A-1D, the tubular body 312 was comprised of a first tubular section 315 and a second tubular section 316. The plug assembly 100 is shown as resting on a portion of the second tubular section 316. However, in FIG. 1E, the tubular body 312 that is between the upstream tubular connection 313 and the downstream tubular connection 314 is made of a single continuous piece. This results in a tubular body 312 that is stronger. Such a tubular body 312 is also less likely to leak because there is no joint between a first tubular section 315 and a second tubular section 316 that requires welds and/or sealing elements.

[0073] The position of the plug tubular 310 as being in the first or second position is determined by the status of the plug 10 in the plug assembly 100.

[0074] Reference is made to FIGS. 2A-2E. All of these figures use the same reference numbers with the same meanings. FIGS. 2A-2E disclose the impact surface geometry and definitions for different breaker objects 20 in different positions. Note that in FIGS. 2A-2E, the relative sizes of the breaker 20 as compared to the plug 10 are not to scale. These breakers (particularly in FIGS. 2A-2C and 2E) are much larger than the plug 10.

[0075] This is done for illustration purposes. The plug 10 is shown without resting upon a seat 40 and the different breaker objects 20 is not shown in any type of breaker assembly 30. As before, this is for illustration purposes. The projection of the plug 10 surface onto the breaker object 20 is the impact surface 22. The figures show that the impact surface 22 is the projection in a longitudinal direction with respect to the tubular 310, but this projection could also be in the transverse direction. This is for the case where the breaker object 20 projects from the housing 311 with the plug 10 moving in an axial (longitudinal) direction when going from the first position to the second position.

[0076] Also, FIGS. 2A-2E are shown as 2D cross sections. It is to be understood that these are cross sections of a 3D object. This impact surface 22 has the shape of a portion of a circle. A discussed previously, the more general ellipse would also work.

[0077] FIG. 2A shows a plug 10 that is not in contact with a breaker object 20. As discussed above, this occurs when the plug has not begun to break. The breaker object is a sphere that is arranged toward the inner wall of the plug tubular 310 (not shown).

[0078] Of importance to understanding this invention is to understand the points (in the 2D cross section) where the breaker object 20 and the plug 10 can overlap. The impact section 21 is the portion of the breaker object 20 that is directly underneath the plug 10. The portion of the breaker object 20 that projects into the inner diameter of the plug tubular 310 (not shown) is the first breaker edge 212. During the plug 10 breaking process, this will make contact to the first plug edge 12 of the plug 10. The portion of the plug 10 that is closest to the tubular body 312 (not shown) is the second plug edge 13.

[0079] During the plug 10 breaking process, the tubular body 312 makes contact with the second breaker edge 213. The breaker object 20 will first make contact with the plug 10 at the impact point 211. It is preferable that impact point 211 makes a single point of contact in order to maximize the contact force upon the plug 10 to make it break. The plug impact section 14 is the surface of the plug 10 that contains the first plug edge 12 and second plug edge 13 and includes the plug impact point 11. The impact surface 22 is the curve of the breaker object 20 that lies between the first breaker edge 212 and second breaker edge 213 on the surface of the breaker object 20. It should be noted that the impact point 211 is located in between the first breaker edge 212 and the second breaker edge 213.

[0080] FIG. 2B discloses a hemispheric breaker, but otherwise is the same as shown in FIG. 2A. The impact surface 22 also has the same shape as a portion of a circle.

[0081] FIG. 2C discloses a pin type breaker object 20 which is arranged so that the second plug edge 13 and second breaker edge 213 are not at the edge of the plug 10. The breaker object 20 in this case is a pin which has an end that is shaped to form the desired impact surface 22 (half circle in this example).

[0082] FIG. 2D discloses a pin type breaker object 20 similar to FIG. 2C which is arranged at an angle. While this changes which portion of the breaker object 20 which acts as the impact surface 22, no other modifications to the pin type breaker object 20 is needed. This remain true for any arbitrary angle.

[0083] FIG. 2E discloses a spherical breaker object 20 which has had portions of it milled out so that the surface is no longer entirely spherical. Note that it has portions which still have a spherical (circular in FIG. 2E) shape. As in FIGS. 2A-2D, the impact surface 22 is between the first breaker edge 212 and the second breaker edge 213 (and contains the impact point 211). However, in FIG. 2E the impact surface 22 does not have a conic shape. This will be referred to as discontinuous (where continuous is the case where the entire impact surface 22 is a conical shape).

[0084] Note that the impact surface 22 is the portion of the plug 10 which faces the breaker object 20. As such, it is not on the opposite side of the breaker object 20. Thus, it is possible for only the impact surface 22 to have the conical shape, and for the other surfaces to not be conical. For example, in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sphere (or hemisphere) could be flat on the bottom side of the breaker object 20.

[0085] As mentioned previously, the breaker object 20 of FIG. 2E has portions of it which are still a conical shape and contain the impact point 211. There is an impact subsurface 222 which is a subsurface of the impact surface 22. The impact subsurface 222 is defined between the first subsurface edge 221 and second subsurface edge 223. These are the end points where the impact surface 22 transitions from continuous to discontinuous and the impact point 211 is located between the first subsurface edge 221 and the second subsurface edge 223.

[0086] It is the impact subsurface 222 which has a conical shape (circular in this example). The impact subsurface 222 also contains the impact point 211 (as does the impact surface 22). In this way, a breaker object 20 could be made in a discontinuous shape and still obtain the point contact which is desired on the plug 10 during breaking.

[0087] Unlike FIGS. 2A-2E, FIGS. 3A-5C are to scale. Note that the arrangement of the breaker object breaker object 20 and breaker holder 31 as shown in the figures allow for the full restoration of the plug tubular's inner diameter after the plug 10 breaks. This is not a requirement, but it is preferred for most applications. If the arrangement of the housing 311 was different, then there may not be a full restoration of the inner diameter.

[0088] Reference is made to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIGS. 3A and 3B disclose a plug tubular 310 with a parabolic breaker object 20. It is shown as a portion of a longitudinal cross section view. The plug 10 is shown at a distance from the breaker object 20. The projection of the plug 10 surface onto the breaker object 20 is the impact surface 22. The impact surface 22 contains the impact point 211. The impact point 211 is the portion of the breaker 20 that makes first contact with the plug 10. The impact surface is bounded by the second breaker edge 213 toward the center of the tubular 310 and the first breaker edge 212 toward the edge of the tubular body 312. The seat 40 supports the plug 10 and rests upon the shear ring 50. There is a breaker pocket 42 in the seat 40 which allows for the breaker object 20 to move through the seat 40 when the plug assembly 100 is moving from the first to second position. The breaker assembly 30 is responsible for supporting the breaker object 20 and prevent it from falling into the well during operation. The breaker holder 31 is the portion of the breaker assembly 30 that holds the breaker object 20 in place. It can also be a pocket in the tubular body 312 that contains the breaker object 20. A bearing ring 41 is arranged between the seat 40 and the plug 10. This helps to support the plug 10 and is often made of a soft material. A plug sealer 15 (often an o-ring) helps prevent fluid from going around the plug 10 when the plug 10 moves from the first to the second position.

[0089] In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the breaker holder 31 is an opening in breaker assembly 30 that keeps the breaker object 20 in place. In FIG. 3A, the breaker holder 31 is not a portion of a separate breaker assembly 30. Rather it is a pocket in which the breaker object 20 is affixed. Both FIGS. 3A and 3B have a parabolic impact surface 22.

[0090] Reference is made to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIGS. 4A and 4B disclose a plug tubular 310 with a pin breaker object 20. This type of breaker object 20 is characterized by an elongated body with a tip of a conical section. The impact surface 22 of the shown pin breaker object 20 is circular, but the other types of impact surface 22 discussed previously are also possible. The breaker pocket 42 in the seat 40 allows for the breaker object 20 to move through the seat 40 when the plug 10 moves from the first to the second position.

[0091] In FIG. 4A, the breaker holder 31 is arranged in the breaker assembly 30 and keeps the breaker object 20 parallel to the axial axis of the plug tubular 310 (not shown). FIG. 4B discloses a similar pin breaker object 20 as that of FIG. 4A. Unlike in FIG. 4A, the breaker holder 31 keeps the breaker object 20 at an angle. The breaker holder 31 is arranged in a breaker assembly 30 which is arranged in a housing 311 in the plug tubular 310 (not shown). As discussed under FIGS. 2C and 2D, there is no need to adjust the shape of the end of the breaker object 20 to match the angle. As the impact surface 22 is a conical surface (circular in this case), it will break the plug 10 through a point contact at the impact surface 22.

[0092] Reference is made to FIGS. 5A-5C. FIGS. 5A-5C disclose a plug tubular 310 with a breaker object 20 that has a circular impact surface 22. In each of these figures, a plug 10 is at a distance from a breaker object 20. The breaker object 20 is arranged in a breaker holder 31. In the case of FIG. 5A, this breaker holder 31 is arranged as part of a breaker assembly 30. There is a breaker pocket 42 in the seat 40 that allows for the breaker object 20 to make contact with the plug 10 when the plug assembly 100 moves from a first position to a second position.

[0093] In the case of FIG. 5B, the breaker holder 31 is in a pocket in the tubular body 312. The impact section 21 is shown and is the portion of the breaker object 20 that protrudes from the breaker holder 31. In this arrangement, the circular breaker object 20 is held in the breaker holder 31 in a loose manner. This will be discussed in more detail shortly.

[0094] FIG. 5C is the same as FIG. 5B, except for the breaker object 20 has a circular impact surface 22 but has an enlarged portion that is within the breaker holder 31. This allows for more rotational movement when the plug 10 is in contact with the impact section 21 when in the second position. The big backside of the breaker object 20 allows it to rotate more and holds it in place better.

[0095] Reference is made to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 discloses a breaker object 20 mounted directly to the tubular body 312. The breaker object 20 is arranged in a breaker holder 31. In particular, the breaker object 20 is arranged in a breaker holder 31 in the tubular body 312. In the figure, there are threads on the outside of the breaker retainer 24 which allow it to be screwed into matching threads on a surface of the breaker holder 31. In the figure, as the breaker retainer 24 is screwed into place in the breaker holder 31, the back of the breaker object 20 makes contact with a portion breaker holder 31. This forces the breaker object 20 into contact with the shoulder of the breaker retainer 24 and holds the breaker object 20 in place. The breaker object 20 could also be held in place using a breaker retainer 24 that would expand to fit into the breaker holder 31. Another way to do this would be to have threads on the breaker object 20 and matching threads in the breaker holder 31. Another way of holding the breaker object 20 in place is that the breaker retainer 24 itself is sufficient to keep the breaker object 20 in place when it is inserted into the breaker holder 31.

[0096] Reference is made to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 discloses a breaker object 20 mounted in a breaker assembly 30. The breaker object 20 is shown with a portion of the breaker object 20 makes contact with a breaker retainer 24. In this case the breaker retainer 24 is a portion of the breaker holder 31. In this manner the breaker object 20 is held in place. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the breaker object 20 does not extend into the tubular body 312. This makes it easier during assembly of the breaker assembly 30 in the plug assembly 100. The object lock 25 is not required in this case because the breaker object 20 was pushed into the breaker retainer 24 to fix the breaker object 20 in place. However, an object lock 25 could be used if needed. The breaker object 20 could be installed either before or after the insertion of the breaker assembly 30 into the housing 311.

[0097] Reference is made to FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIGS. 8A and 8B disclose a breaker object that is arranged in the breaker holder 31. The breaker assembly 30 comprises a through hole in the tubular body 312. Note that this through hole has a shape to it. In this instance, through hole means that there is a fluid connection between the inside of the tubular body 312 and the outside of the tubular body 312. The breaker object 20 is held in place by a breaker retainer 24. The breaker object 20 can be screwed in place using an object lock 25. The object lock 25 could also be arranged to force the breaker object 20 forward until a portion of the breaker object 20 makes contact with the breaker retainer 24. In this case that is a shoulder in the tubular body 312. Another way to hold the breaker object 20 in place is though using threads on the surface of the breaker object 20 and the through hole of the tubular body 312. Another way is to use the same principle as disclosed in the discussion of FIG. 6, wherein the breaker object 20 is put into a breaker retainer 24 before insertion into the tubular body 312.

[0098] Shown in FIG. 8B is a different type of object lock 25. This type is not present in FIG. 8A. This object lock 25 provides a fluid seal in the through hole of the tubular body 312. In FIG. 8B, this is accomplished through the use of a sealer 26 around a portion of the object lock 25. The example shown is an O-ring arranged in a groove in the object lock 25. In both FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B the object lock 25 is shown with a slot in it for a hex key to tighten it. However, this is not a requirement. The object lock 25 could be inserted and have a portion of it that locks it in place. It could also have another shape (e.g. Philips head) to be tightened into place.

[0099] The object lock 25 shown in the FIGS. 6-8B is threaded on at least part of the outer surface and has a portion in the middle of the outer portion which is adapted to receive a tool that allows for the object lock 25 to be screwed into place. Other methods could also be used. Examples include a portion of the object lock 25, or a separate element, which expands into a portion of the breaker holder 31, housing 311, or tubular body 312. The figures show that the object lock 25 is used to press the breaker object 20 into the breaker retainer 24. However, this is not a requirement. It is possible for there to be a gap between the right portion (as shown in the figures) of the breaker object 20 and the breaker holder 31. In such a case, this allows for a small bit of extra tolerance during assembly and operation of the breaker assembly 30. As long as all of the breaker object 20 is prevented from falling into the internal diameter of the plug tubular 310 when the breaker assembly 30 moves into a position that breaks the plug 10. This is because the breaker retainer 24 is smaller than the largest diameter of the breaker object 20.

[0100] A breaker object 20 can be affixed in the plug assembly 100 such that it is fixed and unable to move in the breaker holder 31. One way to do this is to simply insert a screw through the breaker object 20 into the housing 311. Another way to fix the breaker object 20, is to put threads on the outside of the breaker object 20 with corresponding receiving threads in the housing 311.

[0101] The breaker object is prevented from entering the inside of the plug tubular 310. In the examples provided in the figures, this is accomplished by having at least a portion of the breaker object 20 in contact with a breaker retainer 24. This breaker retainer 24 can be for example a separate piece or how a portion of the breaker holder 31 is shaped. The object lock 25 is not an essential component. Other components could be used to make a strong connection between the breaker object 20 and the breaker retainer 24 if desired. For example, springs could be used in the breaker holder 31. In other cases, connection between the breaker retainer 24 and the breaker object 20 is sufficient and some rotation of the breaker object 20 is acceptable.

[0102] A breaker object 20 can also be held in place in the breaker holder 31 such that it can at least partially rotate and/or translate. This will be referred to as “loosely mounted”. This is not to be confused with a state of the plug tubular 310 where the breaker object 20 breaks away from the breaker holder 31 and is now freely moving within the plug tubular 310.

[0103] Under a high differential pressure, it is possible for the released plug 10 to be moving with a lot of force. It may be high enough to impact the breaker object 20 hard enough to flatten the impact point 211 on the breaker object 20. The breaker object 20 would still manage to break the plug 10 as intended, but it may take longer or result in larger pieces of the plug 10 than intended after breakage. One possible advantage of a loosely mounted breaker object 20 is that the breaker object 20 may be able to move (by rotation and/or translation) to bring a “fresh” (unflatten) surface into contact with the plug 10. This would result in a cleaner plug 10 break under high pressures.

[0104] The sphere is a good shape for a breaker object 20. However, there are advantages to not using a sphere, or other solid 3D ellipsoid shape, as a breaker object 20. By that it is meant that the breaker object 20 has only a portion of it that is a conic section in cross section. For example, it may be easier to affix a hemisphere into the breaker assembly 30, breaker holder 31, or the housing 311. That is because a non-spherical surface makes it easier to keep it in place. Another example is that a pin with an impact surface 22 that has a conical cross section, but is elongated, may be easier to install in a breaker holder 31 and provide a better breaking of the plug 10 if it is moving at a high speed when going from position one to position two (normally due to a high differential pressure across the plug 10).

[0105] Please note that “step of” is not to be interpreted as “step for”. By “comprised of”, “comprising”, “comprises” etc. we are referring to an open set and by “consisting of” we are referring to a closed set.

[0106] Modifications to the embodiments previously described are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Numerals included within parentheses in the accompanying claims are intended to assist understanding of the claims and should not be construed in any way to limit the subject matter claimed. Reference to the singular is also to be construed as relating to the plural unless expressly stated otherwise. Any reference numbers in the claims are provided as a courtesy and are not to be interpreted as limiting the claim in any way.