Cageless Slip Assembly Bonded Segments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional slip assemblies used in well operations require cage or spring systems to prevent premature actuation, which occupy valuable annular space and reduce the cross-sectional area for tool deployment.

Innovation Solution

A cageless slip assembly comprising a plurality of bonded slip segments with teeth at the ends and a transition section, where the segments are divided and bonded in place, allowing radial expansion without the need for a cage or spring system, and are deployed by breaking the bonds at the desired depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cage or spring systems are used to prevent premature actuation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and annular space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of premature actuationVSAvoidcage and spring systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the cage and spring systems entirely from the slip assembly design. Instead of using these mechanical retention systems, the invention bonds the slip segments directly to the tubular in a restrained configuration, eliminating the need for separate cage and spring components while maintaining prevention of premature actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of the cage, springs, and slip retention mechanism into a single bonding system. The bonding substrate integrates the structural support and retention functions that were previously separated into multiple components, simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If cage or spring systems are used to prevent premature actuation, then reliability is improved, but the cross-sectional area for tool deployment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of premature actuationVSAvoidannular space and cross-sectional area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the cage and spring systems that occupied significant annular space. By eliminating these external retention structures and bonding the slips directly to the tubular, the design maximizes the available cross-sectional area for tool deployment while maintaining the necessary retention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If bonded slip segments are used without cage or spring systems, then device complexity and annular space are reduced, but the mechanism to prevent premature actuation must be alternative

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of cage and spring systemsVSAvoidbonding process requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cage and spring retention system with a chemical bonding system. The bonding substrate creates a chemical bond between the slip segments and the tubular, substituting mechanical retention with chemical adhesion, thereby eliminating complex mechanical components while providing reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10400531B2Slip assembly

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and apparatus associated with a slip assembly. The slip assembly comprises a plurality of slip segments, wherein each of the plurality of slip segments and a bonding substrate. The slip segments comprise: a first end having a plurality of teeth; a second end opposite the first end; and a transition section between the first end and the second end. The bonding substrate is disposed within the transition sections. The disclosed methods pertain to the manufacture and deployment of such an apparatus.