Anchor Seal System Reducing Component Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The downhole industry requires diverse and cost-effective seal systems for various well stages, with existing solutions often involving complex and costly components that are not optimized for reduced component count and material strain.
Innovation Solution
An anchor and seal system with a slip, cone, element, and pusher configuration that radially expands and displaces components, eliminating the need for a body lock ring and backup ring on one side, using a helically cut backup ring for expansion without gaps and a textured pusher surface for retention, reducing friction and strain on the element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seal systems use multiple components including body lock rings and backup rings, then reliability of anchoring and sealing is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the body lock ring and one backup ring from the traditional seal system configuration. The element is retained solely by friction between the textured pusher surface and the element surface, eliminating the need for mechanical locking components while maintaining reliable anchoring and sealing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher component is given multiple functions: it provides the setting force to expand the element, retains the element through friction on its textured surface, and eliminates the need for separate body lock ring and backup ring components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Strength
If traditional seal systems use multiple rings and locking mechanisms, then anchoring strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the body lock ring and one backup ring, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining anchoring strength through the friction-based retention mechanism on the textured pusher surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of the body lock ring and backup ring are merged into the pusher component's textured surface, which provides both the setting force application and the element retention through friction. This consolidation reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the necessary anchoring strength.
3Device complexity
If element is retained by friction on textured pusher surface, then device complexity is reduced, but element strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from mechanical interlocking (body lock ring) to friction-based retention on a textured surface. The textured surface increases the coefficient of friction between the pusher and element, allowing reliable retention while distributing the stress more evenly across the element surface, thereby reducing peak strains.
4Ease of operation
If backup ring is made helically cut, then ease of expansion is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backup ring is designed with a helical cut that allows it to dynamically expand in a controlled manner during the setting operation. The helical geometry enables progressive expansion that is easier to control and more uniform, reducing the need for high manufacturing precision while improving ease of expansion during operation.
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 system achieves reliable anchoring and sealing with reduced component complexity and cost, minimizing element strain and enabling a wider range of material options while maintaining operational efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a cone in radially expanding communication with the slip
Implementation Method 2
activating a setting arrangement to anchor and seal the anchor and seal system
Implementation Method 3
a pusher configured to radially displace the element to reside on an element retention surface of the pusher
Implementation Method 4
a textured pusher surface for retention, reducing friction and strain on the element
Implementation Method 5
an element in loadable communication with the cone
Implementation Method 6
enabling a wider range of material options while maintaining operational efficiency and longevity
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor and seal system including a slip, a cone in radially expanding communication with the slip, an element in loadable communication with the cone, and a pusher configured to radially displace the element to reside on an element retention surface of the pusher. A method for treating a borehole including running an anchor and seal system above to depth, activating a setting arrangement to anchor and seal the anchor and seal system.