Slip Subsystem Angled Wickers Borehole Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor systems in the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries face challenges in efficient setting and retrieval within boreholes, particularly in preventing scoring of the borehole wall during movement and allowing for reset capabilities without causing further damage.
Innovation Solution
A slip subsystem with angled wickers and a biasing mechanism, including a power spring and engager components, allows for selective engagement with the borehole wall, enabling secure setting and controlled retrieval by switching between different wicker orientations, and a method involving a drive plate and activation block to manage the anchor's position and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the anchor is moved within the borehole for retrieval or resetting, then the anchor can be repositioned, but scoring and damage to the borehole wall occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The slip subsystem employs dynamic elements including movable wickers that can rotate and engage/disengage from the borehole wall, and a biasing mechanism that allows the slip to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic design enables the anchor to be retrieved by rotating the slip to disengage wickers from the wall, preventing scoring during movement while maintaining secure anchoring when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip is divided into multiple independent wickers (first set and second set) that can engage independently with the borehole wall. This segmentation allows selective engagement of different wicker sets during setting and retrieval operations, enabling controlled movement without continuous wall contact that would cause scoring.
2Strength
If the anchor is set securely against the borehole wall, then anchoring strength is improved, but retrieval and reset operations become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism creates a dynamic system where the slip can be forced against the wall for strong anchoring, but can also be rotated to disengage wickers for easy retrieval. The biaser maintains engagement force during setting while allowing controlled disengagement during retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wickers are arranged in asymmetric sets (first set and second set) with different orientations. This asymmetry allows the anchor to engage strongly in the setting direction while providing a clear disengagement path during retrieval by rotating the slip to the opposite orientation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the anchor allows reset capabilities, then operational flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the slip subsystem increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slip subsystem with its biasing mechanism and multiple wicker sets serves multiple functions: initial setting against the borehole wall, secure anchoring during operation, controlled retrieval by rotation, and resetting to a new position. This multi-functionality achieves reset capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism automatically maintains engagement of the wickers with the borehole wall during setting and operation, and the rotation mechanism itself facilitates both engagement and disengagement. The system largely self-regulates the engagement state based on operational phase without requiring additional complex control systems.
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 secure anchoring with reduced borehole wall scoring during retrieval and allows for reset capabilities, improving operational efficiency and minimizing damage to the borehole.
Implementation Method 1
a power spring disposed between the housing and the drive plate to bias the drive plate
Implementation Method 2
a biaser operably connected to the engager and configured to bias the engager into engagement with the first set of wickers or the second set of wickers
Data Source
AI summary
A slip subsystem, including a slip having wickers angled in a first direction and wickers angled in a second direction opposite the first direction, an engager disposed adjacent the slip to selectively engage the wickers, and a biaser to bias the engager into engagement with the wickers. An anchor including a housing having a slip ramp, a drive plate, a power spring to bias the drive plate, a slip subsystem operably connected with the housing. A method for setting an anchor in a borehole, including driving a drive plate into a slip, forcing the slip to climb a housing, engaging an activation block with the slip to prevent slip movement relative to the housing in an anti-setting direction. A borehole system, including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a slip subsystem disposed within or as a part of the string.