Adjustable Coring Assembly Fluid Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole coring tools face challenges in adjusting for length variations and tolerances during subterranean sampling, leading to inefficiencies and potential loss of core samples due to fluid imbalance and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable coring assembly with a coring extender that includes a housing, a mandrel with a locking and coupling tube system, and fluid chambers, allowing for adjustable length adjustment and fluid balancing without requiring fluid removal, using a wrench to extend or retract the coupling tube and maintaining a self-contained fluid system for lubrication and hydraulic support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length coring assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adjust for length variations and tolerances during subterranean sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The coring assembly incorporates a movable coupling tube that can be adjusted along the housing to change the overall length of the assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different sampling conditions and tolerances while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel is divided into separate components including a locking tube and a coupling tube that can move independently. This segmentation enables the assembly to be adjusted in length by moving the coupling tube along the housing, providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
2Reliability
If fluid is removed to balance chambers, then fluid imbalance is corrected, but fluid loss occurs and surface servicing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a movable coupling tube that automatically balances the fluid chambers by moving fluid between them through a fluid communication passage. This self-balancing mechanism eliminates the need for surface servicing or fluid removal, as the system corrects its own fluid imbalance autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a hydraulic system where fluid flows between the fluid chambers through the coupling tube to balance pressure and volume. This hydraulic self-balancing approach allows the system to maintain fluid equilibrium without losing fluid to the surface or requiring external intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If the coupling tube is adjusted frequently, then length precision is maintained, but fluid flow balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid communication passage remains continuously open between the fluid chambers, allowing fluid to flow freely as the coupling tube moves. This continuous fluid communication ensures that length adjustments can be made without disrupting fluid flow balance, as the system continuously adapts to maintain equilibrium.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to dynamically accommodate both length adjustments and fluid flow balance simultaneously. The movable coupling tube can be adjusted along the housing while fluid continuously flows through the communication passage to maintain balance, allowing both precision adjustment and flow stability to coexist.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise length adjustment and fluid balancing, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of core sample collection by maintaining fluid flow and preventing fluid loss, allowing for repeated use without surface servicing.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid permitted to flow about the fluid pocket to balance between the fluid chambers
Implementation Method 2
The coupling tube may have threads about the outer surface thereof. The threads may be threadedly engageable with the housing to adjustably position the coupling tube about the housing
Implementation Method 3
maintaining a self-contained fluid system for lubrication and hydraulic support
Data Source
AI summary
A coring extender for a coring tool is provided. The coring tool is deployable by a downhole tool into a wellbore. The coring extender includes a housing operatively connectable to the downhole tool, a mandrel, and seals. The housing has fluid chambers therein. The mandrel is positionable in the housing, and includes a locking tube operatively connectable to the housing and a coupling tube operatively connectable to the coring tool. The coupling tube is adjustably positionable relative to the locking tube such that a length of the mandrel is adjustably defined therebetween. The coupling tube has an outer surface slidably positionable along an inner surface of the housing. Seals are positionable between the mandrel and the housing to define a fluid pocket to isolate the fluid therebetween as the coupling tube moves along the housing whereby the fluid permitted to flow about the fluid pocket to balance between the fluid chambers.