Downhole Anchor Tool Radial Blades Groove Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for positioning and maintaining downhole tools in wellbores lack precision and stability, often resulting in inaccurate placement and tool movement due to fluid imbalances and elasticity issues in lowering materials, especially in deviated wells.
Innovation Solution
The development of an anchor tool with radially movable blades and a locking mechanism that engages with corresponding grooves in the wellbore conduit, utilizing a key and pivoting protrusions to secure the tool in place, combined with a method of aligning shear pins for precise radial and axial positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If downhole tools are lowered using slickline, wireline, coiled tubing, or pipe, then the tools can be positioned in the wellbore, but the elasticity of the lowering material causes unacceptably large errors in calculated depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anchor tool as an intermediary device that mechanically couples the lowering material to a fixed reference point in the wellbore. This anchor tool acts as a mediator that eliminates the elasticity error by providing a rigid connection between the surface positioning system and the downhole tool, allowing precise depth measurement without being affected by the elastic properties of the lowering material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the elastic mechanical lowering material with a rigid mechanical anchoring system. Instead of relying on the flexible slickline, wireline, or coiled tubing to maintain position, the system uses a rigid anchor tool with keys that engage with grooves in the wellbore, substituting the elastic mechanical system with a rigid mechanical positioning system that eliminates elasticity-related depth errors.
2Manufacturing precision
If no-go shoulders are used to position downhole tools, then tool placement can be achieved, but an undesirable restriction is created in the downhole conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the conduit wall itself (which would require creating a no-go shoulder restriction) and transfers it to a separate, removable anchor tool. The anchor tool carries the positioning keys that engage with grooves, separating the positioning mechanism from the conduit structure and eliminating the need for restrictive modifications to the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor tool serves as an intermediary that provides the positioning function without requiring modifications to the conduit. Instead of creating a no-go shoulder in the conduit wall, the anchor tool carries the positioning keys that engage with grooves, acting as a mediator that enables precise tool placement while maintaining full conduit bore openness.
3Productivity
If cutting torches are operated to cut metallic objects, then the cutting operation can be performed, but fluid imbalance causes axial movement of the tool and undesirable cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the anchor tool and engaging the keys with the grooves before the cutting operation begins. This pre-positioning ensures that the tool is firmly anchored and cannot move axially when the cutting torch creates fluid imbalance, preventing undesirable cuts while maintaining cutting operation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the anchor tool to counteract the axial movement force that will be generated during cutting operations. The engaged keys provide a restraining force that opposes the fluid imbalance-induced axial movement, stabilizing the tool position during the cutting process.
4Reliability
If multiple trips are required for pre-cut and cutting operations, then fluid balancing can be achieved, but the time required for operations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning function and the cutting operation into a single trip by using the anchor tool to establish precise positioning before the cutting operation begins. This combination eliminates the need for separate pre-cut and cutting trips, reducing total operation time while maintaining the reliability of fluid balancing through the anchored position.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
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.