Anti-Hooping Band for Split Foldback Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-extrusion devices for sealing tools in oil and gas wells are prone to damage during deployment and use due to radial expansion, leading to potential failure and leakage, as they lack sufficient protection against mechanical stresses and forces within the wellbore.
Innovation Solution
An anti-extrusion device featuring a slotted foldback ring with a reinforcing band on its distal edge, which is designed to prevent damage by allowing radial expansion while maintaining structural integrity, composed of materials like metal or plastic with slots or burst lines to facilitate expansion and prevent snagging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the anti-extrusion device allows radial expansion to prevent extrusion, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates due to damage from mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-extrusion device is divided into multiple segments or petals that can independently expand radially. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural integrity of individual segments while enabling collective radial expansion for sealing, resolving the contradiction between maintaining strength and achieving sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite material construction combining rigid materials for structural integrity and flexible materials for radial expansion capability. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of strength maintenance and sealing effectiveness through material property differentiation.
2Strength
If the anti-extrusion device is made robust to resist mechanical stresses, then structural integrity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to expand radially
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static robust structure to a dynamic structure that can change its configuration. The rigid segments are connected through flexible joints or hinges that enable radial expansion when needed, while maintaining structural integrity during non-expansion phases, thus achieving both strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in material properties or structural configuration. The rigid segments may employ materials or structures that can temporarily change their mechanical parameters (such as flexibility or stiffness) to enable radial expansion while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between robustness and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the anti-extrusion device is made flexible to allow expansion, then adaptability is improved, but strength deteriorates due to vulnerability to damage
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flexible structure into multiple rigid or semi-rigid petals connected by flexible joints, the device achieves both flexibility for expansion and strength for damage resistance. Each segment maintains structural integrity while the collective structure provides adaptability through radial expansion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs flexible connections or thin film joints between rigid segments, allowing radial expansion while maintaining overall structural strength. The flexible elements are strategically placed to enable adaptability without compromising the strength of the primary load-bearing structures.
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 anti-extrusion device effectively limits longitudinal extrusion of the sealing element, maintains structural integrity during tool deployment and operation, and prevents damage from mechanical stresses, ensuring reliable sealing and tool functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Most sealing elements are an elastomeric material, such as rubber. When compressed longitudinally, the sealing element tends to then expand radially to form a seal with the well or casing wall.
Implementation Method 2
The anti-extrusion device effectively limits longitudinal extrusion of the sealing element, maintains structural integrity during tool deployment and operation, and prevents damage from mechanical stresses
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device and method prevent damage to an anti-extrusion device on a tool, such as a plug or a packer, prior to and during setting of the tool. Typically, the upper or outer edges of the anti-extrusion device are relatively delicate. A reinforcing band on the device's sheath strengthens or armors the upper or outer edge of the anti-extrusion device so the anti-extrusion device may be protected while running the tool into the well or casing. Longitudinal slots on the sheath allow the sheath to expand at least partially with the expansion of the sealing element, while the reinforcing band resists expansion of the distal edge of the sheath.