Downhole Anchor Tool Radial Blades Groove Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for positioning and maintaining downhole tools in wellbores lack precision and stability, particularly due to the elasticity of lowering materials and difficulties in determining exact tool location, leading to errors in cutting operations and tool placement.
Innovation Solution
A downhole anchor tool with radially movable blades and a locking mechanism that engages with corresponding grooves in an anchor sub receptacle, allowing for precise positioning and secure locking to maintain the tool's location, utilizing a shear pin system for axial alignment and a spring for radial biasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If downhole tools are lowered using elastic materials (slickline, wireline, coiled tubing), then the tools can be positioned and retrieved, but the elasticity causes unacceptably large errors in calculated depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical positioning system consisting of anchor subs with grooves and tool blades with keys. This mechanical intermediary directly establishes precise positional relationships without relying on elastic material measurements, thereby eliminating depth calculation errors caused by material elasticity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the elastic mechanical system (slickline, wireline, coiled tubing) with a rigid mechanical positioning system. The rigid anchor subs and tool blades create fixed geometric relationships that eliminate the measurement errors inherent in elastic materials
2Measurement precision
If cutting operations are performed in deviated wells using elastic lowering materials, then tools can be deployed, but depth errors are significantly exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical intermediary system of anchor subs and tool blades provides direct physical positioning that is independent of wellbore deviation. The grooves and keys create fixed geometric relationships that remain accurate regardless of the well's orientation or curvature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional depth measurement along the elastic material to a three-dimensional mechanical positioning system. The anchor subs and tool blades establish precise spatial relationships in multiple dimensions, making the system robust against wellbore deviation
3Measurement precision
If no-go shoulders are used to position tools, then tool location can be controlled, but an undesirable restriction is created in the downhole conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the conduit wall itself (no-go shoulders) and implements it through separate, removable anchor subs. This allows precise positioning without creating permanent restrictions in the conduit, maintaining full flow capacity when the tool is not positioned
4Productivity
If cutting torches operate at high pressure, then cutting efficiency is improved, but fluid imbalance causes axial tool movement and undesirable cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning action by engaging the anchor subs and tool blades before initiating the cutting operation. This pre-positioning ensures tool stability is established beforehand, preventing axial movement during high-pressure cutting operations
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
Enables precise and stable positioning of downhole tools, ensuring accurate placement and maintaining the tool's location throughout operations, reducing errors and fluid imbalance issues.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a shear pin system for axial alignment and a spring for radial biasing
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a shear pin system for axial alignment
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring tool for positioning a downhole tool within a wellbore conduit is described herein. The anchor tool uses replaceable blades having protrusions that are configured to align with corresponding grooves in an anchor sub receptacle that is located at a known position along the wellbore conduit. The blades of the anchor tool are configured to move radially relative to the anchor tool body until the anchor tool is aligned with a compatible anchor sub. When the anchor tool and the compatible anchor sub are aligned, the protrusions of the anchor tool blade extend into the grooves of the anchor sub receptacle and a locking mechanism within the anchor tool inhibits further radial movement of the blades. A downhole tool connected to the anchor tool can therefore be positioned at a precise location relative to the known location of an anchor sub receptacle.