Collapsible Junk Catching Device for Oil Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing junk catching devices in oil and gas wells have limitations in preventing junk from passing through and are difficult to retrieve after use, often requiring interruption of operations due to weather conditions or issues with solid matter accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A funnel-shaped junk guiding device made of semi-rigid materials that can compress into a cylindrical shape for easy insertion and expand to a funnel shape for high catch efficiency, combined with a slips device for anchoring and a sleeve device for easy retrieval, ensuring effective junk capture and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a junk catching device is set in the well to prevent junk from passing through, then the catch rate for junk is improved, but the device becomes difficult to retrieve after use
Solution Approach 1:
The junk guiding device is designed to change its shape dynamically between a compressed cylindrical configuration for running and a expanded funnel shape for catching junk. This dynamic transformation allows the device to achieve high catch efficiency when set while maintaining ease of retrieval by compressing back to cylindrical form
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a collapsible junk guiding device, a slips device for anchoring, and a retrieval mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while facilitating easier retrieval operations
2Reliability
If the junk guiding device is made funnel-shaped to increase catch efficiency, then the catch rate is improved, but the device cannot be easily inserted into the well
Solution Approach 1:
The junk guiding device transforms from a compressed cylindrical shape during insertion to an expanded funnel shape during operation. This dynamic shape change enables the device to be easily run into the well while maintaining high catch efficiency when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible junk guiding device is designed to nest within itself or within the outer housing when in the compressed cylindrical state, similar to nested dolls. This nesting capability allows the large funnel-shaped structure to be compacted for easy insertion while expanding to full size for operation
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 device achieves a high catch rate for junk, prevents junk from entering the annular space, and can be easily retrieved, minimizing operational disruptions and facilitating safe well operations.
Implementation Method 1
A funnel-shaped junk guiding device made of semi-rigid materials that can compress into a cylindrical shape for easy insertion and expand to a funnel shape for high catch efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a junk catching device (1) for catching junk traveling into a well. The device comprises an outer housing (10) comprising an upper end (10a) and a lower end (10b), a bore (11) provided inside the housing (10), a receiving device (20) provided in the upper end (10a) of the housing (10). The receiving device (20) comprises a receiving opening (21) providing an opening into the bore (11) and a junk guiding device (22) for guiding junk into the bore (11) via the receiving opening (21). The junk guiding device (22) is configured to be provided in a run state, in which the outer diameter of a guiding section (22A) of the junk guiding device (22) is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the housing (10), and in a set state, in which the outer diameter of the guiding section (22A) of the junk guiding device (22) is larger than the outer diameter of the housing (10).