Pressure Relief Valve Bridge Plug Retrieving System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole tools often experience decentralization issues, leading to the locking mechanism becoming stuck in the open position due to complex geometries and the need for expensive electrical discharge machining (EDM), which increases production costs and complicates oilfield retrieval operations.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool design utilizing pressure relief valves to configure unlocking pressures, with components machined using basic processes like lathes and mills, ensuring all parts are part of a single subassembly, preventing decentralization and allowing for the setting of tandem bridge plugs in a single downhole trip, featuring an outer sleeve, inner sleeve, sealing cap, and pressure relief valve to manage locking and unlocking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex geometry with interacting engaging components is used, then locking mechanism functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to EDM requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a bridge plug with external engaging features and a retrieving tool with internal engaging features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using basic machining processes rather than requiring complex EDM operations on integrated parts, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieving tool is designed to receive and engage the bridge plug, with the bridge plug nesting within the retrieving tool's internal cavity. This nested configuration allows the engaging components to interact through simple radial and axial movements rather than complex geometries, enabling manufacturing with basic lathes and mills while preserving reliable locking engagement.
2Reliability
If complex geometry with interacting engaging components is used, then locking mechanism functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a bridge plug with external engaging features and a retrieving tool with internal engaging features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using basic machining processes rather than requiring complex EDM operations on integrated parts, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex internal geometries within a single component, the invention inverts the approach by using simple external features on the bridge plug that engage with complementary simple internal features in the retrieving tool. This inversion simplifies the geometry of each individual component while maintaining the complexity of the interaction only where necessary for locking functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If locking mechanism components can decentralize, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but locking mechanism reliability deteriorates as it becomes stuck in open position
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging components of the locking mechanism are designed as integral parts of their respective assemblies - the bridge plug and retrieving tool - rather than separate decentralized components. This merging ensures proper alignment and prevents decentralization issues that could cause the mechanism to become stuck, while still allowing flexible manufacturing of the two main assemblies using basic machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a simplified intermediate engagement interface between the bridge plug and retrieving tool, using basic radial and axial moving components rather than complex decentralized parts. This intermediary design maintains reliability by ensuring consistent engagement while allowing each assembly to be manufactured with manufacturing flexibility using standard machining processes.
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 effectively prevents the locking mechanism from becoming stuck open, simplifies machining processes, reduces production costs, and enables efficient configuration for multiple pressure unlocking, facilitating the setting of tandem bridge plugs in a single downhole trip.
Implementation Method 1
a first return spring disposed in the chamber and configured to move the outer sleeve in a forward direction
Implementation Method 2
a second return spring disposed in the pocket and configured to move the spacer away from the ball
Implementation Method 3
a pressure relief valve in communication with the chamber and configured to pass fluid based on a threshold pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to shifting downhole tools based on pressure. A downhole tool comprises an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve including: a chamber and a pressure relief valve in communication with the chamber. A return spring is disposed in the chamber. The outer sleeve is movable in forward and backward directions relative to the inner sleeve. A ball is disposed between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. A spacer is adjacent to the ball and a groove is adjacent to the spacer. A pocket is configured to receive the spacer upon movement of the outer sleeve in a forward direction. The spacer is configured to travel to the ball from the pocket and from the ball to the pocket. The pressure relief valve is configured to pass fluid based on a threshold pressure to unlock and move the outer sleeve in a backward direction.