Patent Publication Number: US-10760365-B1

Title: Fluid driven jarring device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Tools used in oil and gas drilling, particularly jarring devices (“jars” see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,038,744; 8,151,910, respectively entitled: “Jet Hammer” and “Drilling Jar,” both incorporated by reference) are usually part of the bottom hole assembly (BHA). The BHA is at the lower-end of a drill-string (which is referred to herein as a work string, including both coil tubing and pipe strings; and both as a “string” and a “drill string”). The BHA consists of (from the bottom up in a vertical well) the drill bit, the drill bit sub, optionally, a mud motor (used for driving of the bit hydraulically without rotating the work string), as well as stabilizers, which keep the assembly centered in the hole, a drill collar (heavy, thick-walled tubes used to apply weight to the drill bit) and preferably jars and, as needed, crossovers (adaptors) for fitting together different thread forms on the various components. 
     Directional drilling is now commonplace, and allows turning a vertical drill string and boring horizontally, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical. Some wells now extend over 10 km from the surface start location, but at a true vertical depth of only 1,600-2,600 m. With directional drilling, and with very deep wells, it&#39;s often preferable to place jars at intervals along the string, as well as at the BHA. During drilling of such wells, the drill-string often sticks, and needs to be jarred loose. 
     Following or in conjunction with the initial drilling, hollow metallic tubes (known as “casings”) may be inserted within the bore to prevent walls of the bore from collapsing. Usually, multiple hollow casings are installed vertically one above the other by screwing ends of adjacent casings with each other. The entire assembly of attached casings is commonly known as a “bore casing.” Once a bore casing is formed, a variety of equipment (including crude oil pumping equipment, preferably coil tubing, as well as sensor equipment) can be installed within the bore casing. In an operational oil well, crude oil is pumped to the surface of the earth from the buried crude oil deposits with the help of pumping equipment installed in the bore casing. 
     Even inside a casing, however, the coil tubing may bind against the casing inner walls, especially in a deep well. Also, the performance and efficiency of the production is vulnerable to failure of equipment installed within bore casing, or changed conditions within the well bore. Troubleshooting of such problems often requires liberating stuck equipment with a jar, which may be followed by retrieval (or fishing) of equipment within the bore casing. 
     The coiled tubing rides out on a powered drum and is movable vertically within the bore casing. The jarring device is capable of providing a striking impact (or a shock wave) in both upwards and downwards directions, in order to free trapped equipment or bound tubing. 
     Often, installed equipment within a well bore casing is held together by interlocking friction fittings. For successful separation of such installed equipment assembly, it is important that the jarring impact is strong enough to overcome shock absorption which may occur due to movement at the friction fittings. 
     In the jarring device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,151,910 (the &#39;910 Patent), one exerts, from the surface, either stretch or compression forces on a mandrel, and uses mechanical friction in order to load the potential energy of the stretch or compression forces. Overcoming the friction leads to a sudden release of the mandrel, which generates a significant striking impact against an anvil; which in turn generates a shock wave along the coil tubing, which travels to the stuck equipment or stuck tubing portion. 
     Another jarring device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,267,114 (the &#39;114 Patent; incorporated by reference) uses the principle of sudden release of pressurized fluid to generate mechanical movement and a striking impact. The fluid flow is initially blocked by a deformable sphere, and released when the sphere deforms and travels through the blocked channel in the device. Though this is principle of operation is advantageous in not requiring stretching or compression of the drill string (which may be somewhat more likely to affect the string or other equipment, such as the BHA) the &#39;114 Patent device does not provide storage of a substantial amount of potential energy before release, and would be expected not to generate a significant, or adequate, jarring impact to release highly bound tubing or stuck equipment. 
     While using the principle of a deformable or dispensable sphere to block fluid flow is a simple, feasible method of jar operation, there is a need for an improved jarring device which provides a stronger jarring impact than the&#39;114 Patent device. 
     SUMMARY 
     The jarring device of the invention generates strong jarring impacts by first compressing a spring to slide a hammer assembly under the pressure generated by obstructing the flow path of pressurized fluid using a deformable sphere, and then causing rapid spring decompression, resulting in a rapid reverse slide of the hammer assembly, by opening the obstructed flow path by deforming or slicing the deformable sphere. 
     In one embodiment of the jarring device, a deformable sphere is pumped down into the jarring device together with pressurized fluid. The deformable sphere obstructs a narrow fluid flow path, and causes a sudden rise in fluid pressure upstream, which causes compression of a spring and movement of a hammer assembly downstream to generate a first jarring impact. The fluid pressure is increased until the sphere deforms sufficiently to enter and travel through the narrowed fluid flow path and get ejected out the lower end thereof. Upon ejection, there is a rapid drop in fluid pressure which leads to decompression of the spring, whereby the hammer assembly slides upstream to generate a second, far stronger jarring impact. 
     This and other details of the embodiments of the invention are explained in the detailed description below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a first embodiment of a jarring device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled said first embodiment of the jarring device, in position prior to inserting a sphere to block fluid flow. 
         FIG. 3A  shows the same view as  FIG. 2 , but with deformable sphere  158  traveling further downstream and towards the inlet  138  to block the fluid flow. 
         FIG. 3B  shows the position of the device shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3A , following blocking of the inlet  138  by deformable sphere  158 , thereby initiating partial compression of spring  116 . 
         FIG. 3C  shows the position of the device after that in  FIG. 3B , wherein the deformable sphere  158  has been forced past the inlet  138  and into channel  166 . 
         FIG. 3D  shows the position of the device after that in  FIG. 3C , wherein the deformed sphere  158  has been forced past channel  166  and into the filter  168 . 
         FIG. 4 . illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lower sub  118  and an unscrewed filter  168  for use in the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an assembled second embodiment of the jarring device, in position prior to inserting a deformable sphere to obstruct fluid flow. 
         FIG. 6A  shows the same view as  FIG. 5 , but with deformable sphere  258  traveling further downstream and towards the inlet  238  to obstruct the fluid flow. 
         FIG. 6B  shows the position of the device shown in  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6A , following obstructing of the inlet  238  by deformable sphere  258  thereby initiating partial compression of spring  216 . 
         FIG. 6C  shows the position of the device after that in  FIG. 6B , wherein the deformable sphere  258  has been sliced and flushed into channel  266 . 
         FIG. 6D  shows the position of the device after that in  FIG. 6C , wherein the slices of deformed sphere  258  have been forced past channel  266  and into the filter  268 . 
     
    
    
     It is to be noted that in the accompanying figures, the sphere (in its normal, deformed or sliced form) and the spring are shown in perspective and not in sectional view. 
     The drawings and the associated description below are intended and provided to illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Also, it should be noted that the drawings are not be necessarily drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A first embodiment of a jarring device  100  and its operation is shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A to 3D and 4 . In jarring device  100 , pressurized fluid pumped from the surface enters through fluid inlet end  104  of the upper sub  102  and exits through end  120  of the lower sub  118 . Throughout the description provided herein the term “downstream” refers to the direction from the upper sub  102  towards the lower sub  118 , and the term “upstream” is the opposite direction. 
     The upper sub  102  is concentric with a funneled fluid inlet  138  of a pressurizing insert  112  and is screwed to inner surface of upper barrel  106 . The upper sub  102  includes central bore  126  aligning with the widest end of fluid inlet  138 . The pressurizing insert  112  further includes a seat  122  for spring  116  at its lower end, and an externally threaded shaft  124  extending through the center of spring  116 . 
     A channel  166  which extends through shaft  124  (and partially through seat  122 ) is aligned with the lower end of fluid inlet  138  and, at its lower end it aligns with the central bore of a lower hammer head  134 . The lower end of the externally threaded shaft  124  and an externally threaded extension  148  of the lower hammer head  134  are both screwed into an internally threaded bore of an upper hammer head  132 . The assembly of upper hammer head  132 , the lower hammer head  134 , the pressurizing insert  112  and the spring  116  move together and are herein referred to as the hammer assembly of the jarring device  100 . 
     The upper sub  102  further includes an emergency pressure release vent  172  interconnecting the central bore  126  to the exterior of jarring device  100 . A rupture disc  174  is screwed into the internally threaded exit of the pressure release vent  172 . The rupture disc  174  creates a leakproof plugging of the emergency pressure release vent  172 , prior to over-pressure causing rupture and pressure release. 
     The lower external surface of the upper barrel  106  is threaded to the upper inner surface of a center sub  108 , and the upper external surface of lower barrel  110  is threaded to the lower inner surface of the center sub  108 . The lower inner surface of lower barrel  110  is threaded to the outer upper surface of lower sub  118 . The outer lower end of lower sub  118  attaches to the drill string (not illustrated), as does the inner upper end of upper sub  102  (not illustrated). 
     A contiguous longitudinal bore in lower sub  118  is formed by two interconnected sub-bores  162  and  136  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). The diameter and length of sub-bore  136  is greater than the diameter of sub-bore  162 . A filter  168  is installed within the sub-bore  136  by screwing its externally threaded lower end with the internally threaded lower end of sub-bore  136  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3D ). Filter  168  includes a capture cup  130 , a drain bore  128 , and flow channels  146  interconnecting the capture cup  130  and the drain bore  128 . 
     The inner surface of the lower end of upper barrel  106  is threaded to a cylinder  114  having a flange  144  at its upper end. The lumen of upper barrel  106  includes a narrowed region (where the wall has greater thickness) bounded by an upper end  140  and a lower end  142 . Cylinder  114  extends through the upper barrel  106  lumen within the narrowed region, while flange  144  of the cylinder  114  is above and positioned on upper end  140 . Externally threaded shaft  124  extends through the bore of cylinder  114 . 
     The lumen of center sub  108  also varies along its length. As illustrated, the portion of center sub  108  between the upstream end  146  and the strike receiving end  150  has a narrowed lumen (and the wall has greater thickness) than the portion between the strike receiving end  150  and the downstream end  152 . 
     In an assembled jarring tool  100 , spring  116  lies between seat  122  and flange  140 . The upper sub  102 , the upper barrel  106 , the center sub  108 , the lower barrel  110 , the pressurizing insert  112 , the upper hammer head  132 , the lower hammer head  134  and the lower sub  118 , all include longitudinal bores extending in axial alignment with channel  166 . Lumens of the upper barrel  106 , the lower barrel  110 , and the lower hammer head  134  are illustrated as lumens  164 ,  160 , and  170  respectively. 
     The internal/external diameter of mentioned threaded portions of each component match to mate with external/internal diameters of threaded portions of its corresponding adjacent component to form an assembled jarring device  100 . 
     To assemble jarring device  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2, 3A-3D ), the spring  116  is slipped over the threaded shaft  124  and is placed adjacent to the seat  122 . Thereafter, cylinder  114  is slipped over the threaded shaft  124  in a manner such that spring  116  rests on flange  144 . The pressurizing insert  112  is then inserted into the upper barrel  106  from its upper e end such that the seat  122  lies within upper barrel  106 , and threaded shaft  124  extends beyond the lower end of upper barrel  106 . The uncovered length of threaded shaft  124  is passed through the lumen of center sub  108 , and the upper end of center sub  108  is screwed with the lower end of upper barrel  106 . Some length of threaded shaft  124  extends beyond the lower end  152  of center sub  108 . 
     Thereafter, threaded extension  148  of lower hammer head  134  is screwed into the internally threaded bore of upper hammer head  132 . The other end of upper hammer head  132  is screwed over threaded shaft  124  whereby the remaining length of the internally threaded bore of upper hammer head  132  resides over threaded shaft  124 . As a result of this assembly, upper hammer head  132  is placed adjacent to, and is in contact with the strike receiving end  150  of center sub  108 . Then, the externally threaded lower end of upper sub  102  is screwed into the internally threaded upper end of upper barrel  106 , the upper end of lower barrel  110  is screwed over the lower end of center sub  108 , and the lower end of lower barrel  110  is screwed over the upper end of lower sub  118 . When upper barrel  106  is screwed to upper barrel  102 , the lower end of upper barrel  102  is placed adjacent to seat  122 . Finally, filter  168  is installed within the sub-bore  136  by screwing its externally threaded lower end into the internally threaded lower end of sub-bore  136  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3D ). 
     In the assembled jarring device  100  (as shown in  FIGS. 2 to 3D ), upper barrel  106  connects upper sub  106  and center sub  108 , and lower barrel  110  connects center sub  108  and lower sub  118 . Further, on compression or de-compression of spring  116 , the pressurizing insert  112  along with the upper hammer head  132  and the lower hammer head  134  slide within the lumens of upper barrel  106  and lower barrel  110 . To provide a leakproof interface between the outer surface of seat  122  and the inner surface of upper sub  106 , two O-rings  154  surround the outer surface of seat  122 . Similarly, to avoid pressurized fluid leaks through interface between upper sub  102  and upper barrel  106 , an O-ring  156  surrounds the lower end of upper sub  102 . 
     A deformable sphere  158  (which in the current embodiment is spherical in shape) is essential for operating the jarring device  100 . In the normal or undeformed state, the diameter of sphere  158  is small enough to allow it to pass through all longitudinal bores except bore  166 , bore  170  and flow channels  146 . In the current embodiment, channels  166  and  170  have equal diameter, and the diameter of flow channels  146  is significantly less than that of bores  166  and  170 . In the present embodiment the deformable sphere  158  is preferably made of Nylon. However, based on requirements of degree of deformability and suitability of the working environment, other materials may be used. 
     Operation of the jarring device  100 , for producing jarring impacts will now be explained with help of accompanying  FIGS. 2 to 3D . It is to be noted that in addition to the fluid flow described below for an operational jarring device  100 , there may be minor flows (or leakage) of fluid, particularly through gaps between outer surface of slidable components and their surrounding surfaces. Any such flows which would not affect operation of device  100  are not addressed. 
     During operation of jarring device  100  (which can take place sub-surface and preferably in conjunction with coiled tubing drilling operations), pressurized fluid is pumped into upper sub  102 . An initial positioning of the tool components is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Pressurized fluid flows into the bore  126  of the upper sub  102 , and gets delivered into the longitudinal fluid inlet  138  of the pressurizing insert  112 . After traveling through fluid inlet  138 , and after travelling through the bores in seat  122  and in externally threaded shaft  124 , the pressurized fluid gets delivered into longitudinal bore  170  of lower hammer head  134 . From longitudinal bore  170  the pressurized fluid gets delivered into sub-bore  162  of lower sub  118 . After travelling through the filter  168  (i.e. through capture cup  130 , flow channels  146  and drain bore  128 ) the pressurized fluid finally exits end  120 . 
     For generating jarring/hammer impacts in an operational jarring device  100 , deformable sphere  158  is pumped into the jarring device  100  through fluid inlet end  104 . The deformable sphere  158  travels through central bore  126  of upper sub  102  (illustrated in  FIG. 3A ) and gets delivered into fluid inlet  138  of pressurizing insert  112 . The deformable sphere  158  travels further through the upper part of the funnel shaped fluid inlet  138  and then jams at the inlet of channel  166  (note that the inner diameter of channel  166  is smaller than the outer diameter of deformable sphere  158 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B ). As deformable sphere  158  jams and sticks on the inlet of channel  166 , it blocks the downstream flow of pressurized fluid further into jarring device  100 , and thereby also blocks downstream flow of pressurized fluid in the drill string. Such blockage generates increased fluid pressure upstream of the blockage. Such increased pressure pushes pressurizing insert  112  and spring  116  downstream. Since downstream displacement of spring  116  is blocked by flange  144  (held against upper end  140 ), spring  116  gets compressed, and pressurizing insert  112  slides downstream causing lower hammer head  134  to strike the upper end of lower sub  118  (illustrated in  FIG. 3B ) to generate a first jarring impact. So, an obstruction in flow of pressurized fluid, caused by the deformable sphere  158 , through channel  166  results in compression of string  116  and sliding of the hammer assembly in the downstream direction to generate a first jarring impact. 
     As the fluid pressure is increased by the pump operator, and once the fluid pressure passes a threshold, the sphere  158  gets deformed and is pushed into channel  166  (illustrated in  FIG. 3C ). Maintenance of the pressure causes the deformed sphere to travel through and eventually exit channel  166 , and pass into sub-bore  162  of lower sub  118 . As soon as deformed sphere  158  enters sub-bore  162  (which has a significantly greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of deformed sphere  158 ), the blockage in the flow path is cleared, and fluid gushes out of the end  120  (after travelling through filter  168 ). Since the diameter of flow channels  146  is significantly less than that of channels  166  and  170 , the ejected deformed sphere  158  (which after deformation likely resembles an elongated cylinder with an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of channels  166  and  170 ) becomes trapped in the capture cup  130  (to be removed later). 
     Ejection of deformed sphere  158  from bore  170  results a sudden drop of fluid pressure and concomitant decompression of spring  116 . As spring  116  decompresses, it forces pressurizing insert  112  to rapidly slide upstream and carries upper hammer head  132  to forcefully strike the strike receiving end  150  of center sub  108  (illustrated in  FIG. 3D ) generating a second jarring impact. So, a release of obstruction in flow of pressurized fluid through channel  166 , caused by deformation of the deformable sphere  158 , results in decompression of string  116  and sliding of the hammer assembly in upstream direction to generate a second jarring impact. Thereafter, jarring device  100  is at its initial position (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) and is ready to receive another fresh deformable sphere for generating the next set of jarring impacts. 
     Over the time, multiple deformed spheres (after use for generation of jarring impacts) get captured in capture cup  130 . These captured deformed spheres can then be retrieved by separating filter  168  from lower sub  118  (by simply unscrewing it), and then be discarded as waste. It is to be noted that jarring device  100  can be used with equal efficiency and performance without filter  168  being installed in lower sub  118 . However, operating jarring device  100  without filter  168  in place would lead to deformed spheres delivered into the coiled tubing, and may result in blocking of the coiled tubing, the BHA or other equipment installed downstream. 
     During operation, use of a sphere which fails to sufficiently deform and pass through channel  166 , or any other defects in construction of bores or channels may result in a dangerous rise in fluid pressure to the point where it threatens the integrity of jarring device  100 . To provide protection against such over-pressure, a pressure release vent  172  is provided. During normal pressure and operation of jarring device  100 , pressure release vent  172  remains plugged by rupture disc  174  (as described above). However, once the pressure level within jarring device  100  exceeds a threshold, it causes rupturing of rupture disc  174 , and allows fluid to be released through pressure release vent  172 . A malfunctioning deformable sphere (which is unable to enter and traverse through channel  166 ) may be retrieved through an open pressure release vent  172 . 
     A second embodiment of the present invention, jarring device  200 , will now be described in conjunction with  FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6D . Structurally the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment described above, except that the second embodiment employs a slicer  276  (which includes an assembly of one or more blades) to slice a deformable sphere and initiate pressure release. Unless mentioned otherwise, all components of the jarring device  200  are similar in structure and function to corresponding components of the first embodiment. 
     Similar to the first embodiment, the jarring device  200  includes an upper sub  202 , an upper barrel  206 , a center sub  208 , a lower barrel  210 , a pressurizing insert  212 , spring  216 , an externally threaded shaft  224 , a cylinder  214  having a flange  244 , a pressure release vent  272 , a rupture disc  274 , a filter  268 , an upper hammer head  232 , a lower hammer head  234 , and a lower sub  218 . The assembly of upper hammer head  232 , lower hammer head  234  and pressurizing insert  212  along with spring  216 , is herein referred to as the hammer assembly of the jarring device  200 . 
     As mentioned earlier, the jarring device  200  further includes a slicer  276 . In the current embodiment, slicer  276  employs only a single blade. However, based on requirements, two or more blades may be used. As illustrated, slicer  276  is placed at the inlet of bore  266 . 
     Initial positioning of the components of jarring device  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . For generating jarring/hammer impacts in an operational jarring device  200 , a sphere  258  (which in the current embodiment is spherical in shape, and preferably, has a smaller diameter than the deformable sphere used in the first embodiment) is pumped down into jarring device  200  through upper sub  202  (illustrated in  FIG. 6A ). Sphere  258  travels into the funnel shaped fluid inlet  238  and then gets stuck onto the slicer  276 . Once stuck, it obstructs free flow of pressurized fluid through channel  266 , and causes a sharp reduction in the downstream flow of pressurized fluid, thus generating increased fluid pressure in the flow path upstream of sphere  258 . The pressure pushes the pressurizing insert  212  and the spring  216  downstream. Since downstream displacement of the spring  216  is blocked by flange  244  (held against upper end  240 ), the spring  216  gets compressed and the pressurizing insert  212  slides downstream causing the lower hammer head  234  to strike the upper end of the lower sub  218  (illustrated in  FIG. 6B ) to generate a first jarring impact. So, an obstruction in flow of pressurized fluid, caused by the deformable sphere  258 , through channel  266  results in compression of string  216  and sliding of the hammer assembly in the downstream direction to generate a first jarring impact. 
     The operator increases the fluid pressure, and once pressure surpasses a threshold, the deformable sphere  258  gets pushed further into slicer  276 , which then slices sphere  258  into smaller parts, such that these parts can pass (or be flushed) through channel  266  the (illustrated in  FIG. 6C ) and later be captured at capture cup  230  (note that the diameter of flow channels  246  should be less than the outer diameter of the smallest slices). 
     Slicing of sphere  258  opens up the flow path of the pressurized fluid within jarring device  200 , and pressurized fluid exits end  220  (after travelling through filter  268 ). This results in a drop of fluid pressure and decompression of spring  216 . As spring  216  decompresses, it forces pressurizing insert  212  to slide rapidly upstream and it carries upper hammer head  232 , which forcefully strikes the strike receiving end  250  of center sub  208  (illustrated in  FIG. 6D ) generating a second jarring impact. So, a release of obstruction in flow of pressurized fluid through channel  266 , caused by slicing of the deformable sphere  258 , results in decompression of string  216  and sliding of the hammer assembly in upstream direction to generate a second jarring impact. Thereafter, jarring device  200  ends up at its initial position, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , ready to receive another sphere for generating the next set of jarring impacts. 
     Over the time, slices of multiple spheres (which have been used for generation of jarring impacts) get captured in the capture cup  230 . These captured spheres can then be retrieved and the filter can be cleaned, as explained above for the first embodiment. 
     Similar to the first embodiment, pressure vent  272  and rupture disc  274  provide protection against over-pressure. 
     Jarring device  200  can be also used without filter  268 , but with the same potential complications noted if filter  168  is eliminated in the first embodiment. 
     Though in slicer  276  of the current embodiment, only one blade is used, it is to be understood that in other embodiments of the invention, if an assembly of two or more blades is used, then the separation between blades should be small enough such that the generated slices of spheres are small enough to pass through channels  266  and  270 , but are large enough to not pass through flow channels  246 . Still further, in the current embodiment, though slicer  276  is placed at the inlet of channel  266 , in the other embodiments of the invention slicer  276  may well be placed anywhere within channel  266 . 
     In embodiments of the invention in which slicer is installed within a channel but not at its inlet, the compression of the spring would be generated by obstructing the channel using a deformable sphere. However, the decompression of the spring would be generated on releasing the obstruction on flow path by first deforming the sphere to allow it to be pushed into the slicer, and then as pressure is released through the sphere while it&#39;s being sliced and after it is dissected and flushed through the channel. 
     In the above described embodiments, though the deformable sphere is described as spherical in shape, other embodiments of the inventions, based on their requirements, may use deformable spheres having non-spherical shapes. For example: some embodiments of the invention may use deformable spheres which are shaped as a cone or a frustum or an ellipsoid or a cylinder or a cuboid. It is also to be understood that in embodiments of the present invention, the shape (including other than spherical) dimensions and materials of deformable spheres may be selected based on anticipated fluid pressure, usage environment, and overall dimensions of relevant components within the tool. As an example, various sizes of deformable spheres may be used to operate a given embodiment of jarring device which employs particular levels of operating pressure. Diameters of deformable spheres may be increased (i.e., made increasingly larger than the inner diameter of the channel  166 ) to operate at greater operating pressures, which can range, for example, from 800, to 6000, to 9000 or to 12,000 psi. 
     Similarly, the design of the type of slicer (including the number of blades used in it) in the second embodiment may also be varied based on the dimensions of slices required and desired ease of slicing. All such embodiments are within the scope of the invention. 
     Still further, it should be understood that in embodiments of the present invention, apart from the pressure release mechanisms (i.e. arrangements of the pressure release vents and corresponding rupture discs used in the embodiments above), and the filter types described above, various other types of pressure release mechanisms and filter types may be used. All such embodiments are within the scope of the invention. Further, it is to be understood that for a given fluid pressure the material of each component, its dimensions (such as diameters, lengths, thickness) and, orientation and dimensions of fluid flow passages of the embodiment of jarring device described above may be selectively chosen so as to vary timing and magnitude of jarring/hammering impacts. All such variations in embodiments of the present invention as well as all equivalents of the device and its variations, are within the scope of invention.