Downhole floating self-adapting regulating expansion device

Abstract

This invention relates to an expansion device, comprising a mandrel, an adjustment mechanism disposed on the mandrel, and an expansion mechanism connected to the adjustment mechanism on the mandrel. The adjustment mechanism is configured to cause the expansion mechanism to expand radially outward at a target position. Furthermore, this expansion device can automatically adjust the diameter of the expansion body when it encounters resistance, thanks to the automatic adjustment action of an elastic element, effectively preventing operational stagnation due to obstruction, greatly improving operational safety, adaptability, and smoothness, and more effectively solving complex downhole situations. Additionally, when the expansion body of the expansion device becomes stuck downhole, the shearing element is cut by lifting the mandrel, thereby releasing the device and preventing wellbore abandonment, significantly reducing operational risks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of well completion technology, and more specifically to a downhole floating adaptive adjustable expansion device. Background Technology

[0002] Expandable tubing technology is a technique for wellbore repair and reinforcement through controlled plastic deformation. Its principle involves using a highly plastic metal tube—an expandable tubing—which undergoes controlled plastic deformation downhole via mechanical or hydraulic drive. This radial expansion of the tubing allows it to adhere tightly to the wellbore or existing casing, forming a reliable seal and structural support. Compared to traditional technologies, expandable tubing technology maintains a large production diameter, facilitating high-speed fracturing operations while precisely and completely sealing existing perforations.

[0003] The expansion device plays an important role in the construction of expansion tubes and expansion tailpipe hangers. Its structural design and performance directly affect the mechanical properties of the expansion tube after expansion. It is necessary to precisely control the expansion force and expansion speed to ensure that the expansion tube deforms uniformly and forms a reliable seal and strength.

[0004] In existing technologies, the outer diameter of solid expansion devices is generally fixed and larger than the inner diameter of the expansion tube. Solid expansion devices, whether expanding the expansion tube from top to bottom or bottom to top, have significant drawbacks. During top-down expansion operations, if an irregular well diameter or a narrow wellbore is encountered, forcibly pulling it up can easily damage the inner wall of the casing. During bottom-up expansion operations, if obstruction is encountered, the expansion cone may get stuck downhole and cannot be pulled out normally, preventing subsequent operations. Hydraulic rolling expansion devices compensate for some of the shortcomings of solid expansion devices. When not expanding, the expansion cone is in a contracted state (smaller outer diameter). However, the expansion and contraction components of the expansion cone have high requirements for materials, surface treatment, and surface precision, making processing difficult, expensive, and lifespan uncertain. Ordinary variable-diameter expansion devices have complex hollow curved surface structures; under high hydraulic pressure and expansion resistance, parts of the structure must withstand enormous loads, compromising lifespan. If the expansion cone is damaged or foreign objects get stuck between the expansion blocks, the split expansion cone will not function and cannot be released or removed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the aforementioned problems in the existing technology, the present invention provides a downhole floating adaptive adjustment expansion device that can not only adaptively adjust its outer diameter to improve its downhole passability, but also release its handle when necessary.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: to provide an expansion device, including a mandrel, an adjustment mechanism disposed on the mandrel, and an expansion mechanism connected to the adjustment mechanism on the mandrel. The adjustment mechanism is configured to cause the expansion mechanism to expand radially outward at a target position.

[0007] Furthermore, the expansion mechanism includes an expansion body and a conical sleeve disposed between the expansion bodies. The expansion body includes a plurality of first expansion blocks connected to the adjustment mechanism and a plurality of second expansion blocks arranged alternately with the plurality of first expansion blocks. The conical sleeve is configured to maximize the outer diameter of the expansion body when the first expansion blocks and the second expansion blocks coincide in the axial direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the first expansion block is provided with a first limiting part, and the second expansion block is provided with a second limiting part that cooperates with the first limiting part. The first limiting part and the second limiting part are configured to allow the first expansion block and the second expansion block to move relative to each other in the axial direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the first expansion block and the second expansion block are respectively provided with a first connecting block and a second connecting block, and the first connecting block and the second connecting block are respectively located in the limiting grooves of the connecting sleeve and the support sleeve of the adjustment mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting groove extends circumferentially on the connecting sleeve and the supporting sleeve.

[0011] Furthermore, a shearing sleeve is provided between the tapered sleeve and the mandrel, and a shearing member is provided between the shearing sleeve and the mandrel. The mandrel is configured to cut the shearing member with the shearing sleeve when it is lifted.

[0012] Furthermore, the support sleeve is connected to the guide head, which is configured to cause the second expansion block and the first expansion block to be misaligned in the axial direction by the support sleeve under the action of the shearing member when the mandrel is pressed down.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower end of the mandrel is provided with an inner sleeve for fixing the shearing component onto the mandrel.

[0014] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism includes a drive sleeve disposed on the mandrel, a connecting sleeve disposed opposite to the drive sleeve, and an elastic element disposed between the drive sleeve and the connecting sleeve. The drive sleeve is configured to move relative to the mandrel in an axial direction so as to expand the expansion mechanism through the elastic element and the connecting sleeve.

[0015] Furthermore, the drive sleeve is provided with a groove for accommodating the protrusion on the mandrel, and the length of the groove is greater than the length of the protrusion.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention lie in providing an expansion device, including a mandrel, an adjustment mechanism disposed on the mandrel, and an expansion mechanism connected to the adjustment mechanism on the mandrel. The adjustment mechanism is configured to cause the expansion mechanism to expand radially outward at a target position. Furthermore, this expansion device can automatically adjust the diameter of the expansion body when it encounters resistance, thanks to the automatic adjustment action of an elastic element, effectively preventing operational stagnation due to obstruction, greatly improving operational safety, adaptability, and smoothness, and more effectively solving complex downhole situations. Additionally, when the expansion body of the expansion device becomes stuck downhole, the shearing element is cut by lifting the mandrel, thereby achieving release and preventing wellbore abandonment and other problems, significantly reducing operational risks. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 The image shown is a cross-sectional view of an expansion device.

[0019] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the expansion body of the expansion device.

[0020] Figure 3 As shown Figure 2 The diagram shows an exploded view of the structure of the expansion body.

[0021] In the figures, the reference numerals are as follows: 100, expansion device; 10, mandrel; 11, protrusion; 12, inner sleeve; 20, adjusting mechanism; 21, drive sleeve; 211, groove; 22, connecting sleeve; 221, connecting part; 222, limiting groove; 23, elastic element; 30, expansion mechanism; 31, expansion body; 311, first expansion block; 3111, first connecting block; 3112, first limiting part; 312, second expansion block; 3121, second connecting block; 3122, second limiting part; 32, conical sleeve; 33, shearing sleeve; 34, support sleeve; 35, shearing element; 36, guide head. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This drawing is a simplified schematic diagram, illustrating only the basic structure of the invention, and therefore only shows the components relevant to the invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0023] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the expansion device 100 provided by the present invention includes a mandrel 10, an adjustment mechanism 20 disposed on the mandrel 10, and an expansion mechanism 30 connected to the adjustment mechanism 20 on the mandrel 10. The adjustment mechanism 20 is configured to adjust the outer diameter of the expansion mechanism 30, so that the expansion mechanism 30 can expand radially outward at a target position. The adjustment mechanism 20 enables the expansion mechanism 30 to contract radially inward when encountering obstruction downhole, so that the expansion mechanism 30 can smoothly pass through the obstruction position during the descent process, thereby improving the passability of the expansion device 100.

[0024] In some embodiments, the upper end of the mandrel 10 is connected to a tubing string (not shown) so that the expansion device 100 can be lowered to a target location downhole via the tubing string.

[0025] In some embodiments, a hydraulic mechanism (not shown) is also provided at the upper wellhead of the tubing string. This hydraulic mechanism is configured to transmit the hydraulic pressure of the downhole fluid to the regulating mechanism 20, ensuring that the regulating mechanism 20 can cause the expansion mechanism 30 to expand radially outward at the target location. The specific mechanism of the hydraulic mechanism is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

[0026] Combination Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the adjusting mechanism 20 includes a drive sleeve 21 disposed on the spindle 10, a connecting sleeve 22 disposed opposite to the drive sleeve 21, and an elastic element 23 disposed between the support sleeve 34 and the connecting sleeve 22. The drive sleeve 21 is configured to move axially relative to the spindle 10 so that the drive sleeve 21 can compress the elastic element 23 under the action of the hydraulic mechanism. The connecting sleeve 22 is connected to the expansion mechanism 30 so that the connecting sleeve 22 can use the elastic force of the elastic element 23 to expand the expansion mechanism 30 in a radially outward direction. The elastic element 23 serves to transmit force between the drive sleeve 21 and the connecting sleeve 22, and also serves to adjust the expansion mechanism 30 when it encounters resistance, ensuring that the expansion device 100 can smoothly pass through the obstructed part.

[0027] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the drive sleeve 21 is provided with a radially outwardly extending groove 211 for accommodating the protrusion 11 on the mandrel 10. The axial length of the groove 211 is greater than the axial length of the protrusion 11, so that the drive sleeve 21 can move a certain distance axially relative to the mandrel 10. In the initial state, the protrusion 11 is close to the lower end of the groove 211. During the expansion operation, the drive sleeve 21 moves toward the elastic member 23 under the driving action of the hydraulic mechanism. At this time, the protrusion 11 moves toward the upper end of the groove 211 relative to the drive sleeve 21.

[0028] In some embodiments, the lower end of the connecting sleeve 22 is provided with a connecting portion 221 for connecting the expansion mechanism 30.

[0029] In some embodiments, the elastic element 23 is a disc spring assembly.

[0030] Combination Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the expansion mechanism 30 includes an expansion body 31 connected to the connecting sleeve 22, a tapered sleeve 32 disposed between the expansion body 31 and the mandrel 10, a shearing sleeve 33 disposed between the tapered sleeve 32 and the mandrel 10, and a support sleeve 34 connected to the expansion body 31. The expansion body 31 is configured to cooperate with the tapered sleeve 32 under the action of the adjusting mechanism 20 to expand in a radially outward direction. The shearing sleeve 33 is configured to provide radially outward support to the tapered sleeve 32, ensuring that the expansion body 31 can expand smoothly. Furthermore, the shearing sleeve 33 can also lift and cut the shearing member 35 between the shearing sleeve 33 and the mandrel 10 when the expansion device 100 jams, for emergency release. The support sleeve 34 can provide axial support to the expansion body 31 during expansion operation, ensuring that the expansion body 31 can expand in a radially outward direction. The support sleeve 34 can also cause the expansion body 31 to contract radially inward when the expansion mechanism 30 encounters resistance, allowing the expansion mechanism 30 to pass through the resistance position.

[0031] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the expansion body 31 includes a plurality of first expansion blocks 311 connected to the connecting sleeve 22 and a plurality of second expansion blocks 312 connected to the support sleeve 34. The plurality of first expansion blocks 311 and the plurality of second expansion blocks 312 are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction.

[0032] In some preferred embodiments, each first expansion block 311 has a first connecting block 3111 at its upper end for connecting the connecting portion 221 of the connecting sleeve 22. Furthermore, each first expansion block 311 has a first limiting portion 3112 extending radially inward on its inner surface. Each second expansion block 312 has a second connecting block 3121 at its lower end for connecting the support sleeve 34. Furthermore, each second expansion block 312 has a second limiting portion 3122 on its circumferential sidewall. The first limiting portion 3112 and the second limiting portion 3122 are configured to allow relative movement between the first expansion block 311 and the second expansion block 312 in the axial direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, both the first connecting block 3111 and the second connecting block 3121 extend radially outward. The first connecting block 3111 is located in the limiting groove 222 between the connecting portion 221 and the connecting sleeve 22, thereby limiting the first expansion block 311 and the connecting sleeve 22 in the axial direction. Similarly, the second connecting block 3121 is located in the limiting groove 222 on the support sleeve 34, thereby limiting the second expansion block 312 and the support sleeve 34 in the axial direction. Preferably, the limiting grooves 222 on both the connecting sleeve 22 and the support sleeve 34 extend circumferentially, so as to allow the expansion body 31 composed of the first expansion block 311 and the second expansion block 312 to move in the circumferential direction. This can increase the flexibility of the expansion body 31 to a certain extent and reduce the risk of the expansion body 31 getting stuck.

[0034] Combination Figure 3 As shown, in some preferred embodiments, for each first expansion block 311, the first limiting portion 3112 has recesses on both sides for accommodating the second limiting portion 3122 of the adjacent second expansion block 312. The radially outward surface of the second limiting portion 3122 is an inclined slope so that when the second expansion block 312 and the first expansion block 311 coincide in the axial direction, the second limiting portion 3122 can jointly support the first expansion block 311 with the tapered sleeve 32, thereby maximizing the outer diameter of the expansion body 31.

[0035] In this embodiment, four first expansion blocks 311 and four second expansion blocks 312 are provided. Furthermore, the four first expansion blocks 311 and the four second expansion blocks 312 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0036] When the first expansion block 311 and the second expansion block 312 coincide in the axial direction, the tapered sleeve 32 is fully inserted between the expansion body 31 and the shear sleeve 33, as shown. Figure 1As shown. At this time, the second limiting part 3122 and the conical sleeve 32 jointly support the first expansion block 311, making the outer diameter of the expansion body 31 the largest. When the first expansion block 311 and the second expansion block 312 are misaligned in the axial direction, the second expansion block 312 moves away from the inclined surface of the conical sleeve 32. At this time, the second limiting part 3122 no longer supports the first expansion block 311. The first expansion block 311 can move toward the conical sleeve 32, making the outer diameter of the expansion body 31 the smallest.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, a shearing element 35 is provided between the shear sleeve 33 and the mandrel 10. When the expansion mechanism 30 is stuck downhole, the mandrel 10 can be lifted by the tubing string, so that the shearing force of the mandrel 10 and the shear sleeve 33 on the shearing element 35 reaches the shearing strength of the shearing element 35. At this time, the shearing element 35 is sheared off. Continue to lift the mandrel 10, leaving the elastic element 23, connecting sleeve 22 and expansion mechanism 30 downhole, thereby completing the emergency release. When the expansion mechanism 30 encounters obstruction downhole, the mandrel 10 can be pressed down by the tubing string, so that the mandrel 10 moves the second expansion block 312 away from the cone sleeve 32 through the support sleeve 34, thereby reducing the outer diameter of the expansion body 31 and ensuring that the expansion body 31 can pass through the obstruction position.

[0038] In this embodiment, an inner sleeve 12 is connected to the lower end of the mandrel 10 for fixing the shearing member 35 to the mandrel 10. Preferably, the mandrel 10 and the inner sleeve 12 are connected by threads.

[0039] In this embodiment, the shearing element 35 is a shearing ring.

[0040] In some embodiments, a guide head 36 is connected to the lower end of the support sleeve 34. The guide head 36 is connected to the shear sleeve 33, and the inner diameter of the guide head 36 is smaller than the inner diameter of the shear sleeve 33, so that the guide head 36 can protrude radially inward from the shear sleeve 33. Thus, when the mandrel 10 is pressed down by the tubing, the shearing member 35 can move the second expansion block 312 away from the tapered sleeve 32 through the guide head 36 and the support sleeve 34.

[0041] The following is combined Figure 1-3 The use of the expansion device 100 provided in this application will be described in detail.

[0042] In the initial state, the first expansion block 311 and the second expansion block 312 of the expansion body 31 are staggered in the axial direction, so that the outer diameter of the expansion block is minimized. After connecting the mandrel 10 of the expansion device 100 to the tubing string, the expansion device 100 is lowered downhole.

[0043] Once the expansion device 100 reaches the target position downhole, the hydraulic mechanism pushes the drive sleeve 21 toward the elastic element 23. The elastic element 23, through the connecting sleeve 22, pushes the first expansion block 311 and the conical sleeve 32 toward the second expansion block 312, causing the first expansion block 311 and the second expansion block 312 to coincide in the axial direction, and positioning the conical sleeve 32 between the expansion body 31 and the shear sleeve 33. During this process, the outer diameter of the expansion body 31 gradually increases, thereby achieving the expansion operation.

[0044] During this process, if the expansion body 31 encounters obstruction due to the necking position downhole, the mandrel 10 can be pressed down through the tubing string. On one hand, the mandrel 10, through the protrusion 11, causes the drive sleeve 21 to compress the elastic element 23, thereby causing the connecting sleeve 22 to abut against the tapered sleeve 32 and the first expansion block 311 under the elastic force of the elastic element 23. On the other hand, the mandrel 10, through the shearing element 35, causes the guide head 36 and the support sleeve 34 to move the second expansion block 312 downward. The second expansion block 312 moves away from the tapered sleeve 32, and the second expansion block 312 is offset from the first expansion block 312 in the axial direction. In this way, the second limiting part 3122 of the second expansion block 312 no longer supports the first expansion block 311, and the first expansion block 311 can move toward the tapered sleeve 32, so that the outer diameter of the expansion body 31 is minimized, so that the expansion device 100 can pass through the obstruction position.

[0045] If the expansion device 100 becomes stuck downhole due to a foreign object entering between the first expansion block 311 and the second expansion block 312, the mandrel 10 can be lifted up through the tubing so that the mandrel 10 and the shear sleeve 33 can jointly cut the shearing member 35. In this way, the mandrel 10, the inner sleeve 12, and the drive sleeve 21 can be pulled out from downhole, thus completing the emergency release.

[0046] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front and back", "left and right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0048] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An expansion device, comprising: mandrel (10); Adjustment mechanism (20) is provided on the spindle (10); and An expansion mechanism (30) is connected to the adjustment mechanism (20) on the spindle (10). wherein The adjustment mechanism (20) is configured to cause the expansion mechanism (30) to expand radially outward at the target position.

2. The inflation device of claim 1, wherein, The expansion mechanism (30) includes an expansion body (31) and a tapered sleeve (32) disposed between the expansion bodies (31). The expansion body (31) includes a plurality of first expansion blocks (311) connected to the adjustment mechanism (20) and a plurality of second expansion blocks (312) arranged alternately with the plurality of first expansion blocks (311). The tapered sleeve (32) is configured to maximize the outer diameter of the expansion body (31) when the first expansion blocks (311) and the second expansion blocks (312) coincide in the axial direction.

3. The expansion device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first expansion block (311) is provided with a first limiting part (3112), and the second expansion block (312) is provided with a second limiting part (3122) that cooperates with the first limiting part (3112). The first limiting part (3112) and the second limiting part (3122) are configured to allow the first expansion block (311) and the second expansion block (312) to move relative to each other in the axial direction.

4. The expansion device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first expansion block (311) and the second expansion block (312) are respectively provided with a first connecting block (3111) and a second connecting block (3121), and the first connecting block (3111) and the second connecting block (3121) are respectively located in the limiting groove (222) of the connecting sleeve (22) and the support sleeve (34) of the adjustment mechanism (20).

5. The expansion device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting groove (222) extends circumferentially on the connecting sleeve (22) and the supporting sleeve (34).

6. The expansion device according to claim 4, characterized in that, A shearing sleeve (33) is provided between the cone sleeve (32) and the mandrel (10), and a shearing member (35) is provided between the shearing sleeve (33) and the mandrel (10). The mandrel (10) is configured to cut the shearing member (35) with the shearing sleeve (33) when it is lifted.

7. The expansion device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support sleeve (34) is connected to the guide head (36), which is configured to cause the second expansion block (312) to be axially offset from the first expansion block (311) by the support sleeve (34) under the action of the shearing member (35) when the mandrel (10) is pressed down.

8. The expansion device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower end of the mandrel (10) is provided with an inner sleeve (12) for fixing the shearing piece (35) on the mandrel (10).

9. The expansion device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The adjusting mechanism (20) includes a drive sleeve (21) disposed on the mandrel (10), a connecting sleeve (22) disposed opposite to the drive sleeve (21), and an elastic element (23) disposed between the drive sleeve (21) and the connecting sleeve (22). The drive sleeve (21) is configured to move relative to the mandrel (10) in an axial direction so that the expansion mechanism (30) can be expanded by the elastic element (23) and the connecting sleeve (22).

10. The expansion device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The drive sleeve (21) is provided with a groove (211) for accommodating the protrusion (11) on the mandrel (10), and the length of the groove (211) is greater than the length of the protrusion (11).

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