Compact Downhole Tool Single Frustoconical Member Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole tools for sealing wellbores often require multiple frustoconical members and slips, which increase complexity and size, limiting their ability to withstand high pressures and flow rates while maintaining a compact design.
Innovation Solution
A compact downhole tool design featuring a single frustoconical member, a single set of slips with internal buttons, and a dissolvable sealing element, allowing for high-pressure and high-flow-rate performance with a compact form factor, utilizing a wireline adapter kit for setting and degradable materials for environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple frustoconical members and slips are used, then the downhole tool can withstand higher pressures and maintain reliability, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple frustoconical members into a single integrated frustoconical member with multiple inclined surfaces, and merges multiple slips into a single set of slips. This consolidation maintains the pressure withstanding capability through the distributed inclined surfaces while reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single frustoconical member serves multiple functions by having multiple inclined surfaces that can engage with different sets of slips, allowing one component to perform the work that would traditionally require multiple separate frustoconical members. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple frustoconical members and slips are used, then the downhole tool can withstand higher pressures, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple frustoconical members into one integrated component with multiple inclined surfaces, and consolidating multiple slips into a single set, the patent reduces the overall volume of the downhole tool while maintaining the pressure withstanding capability through the distributed engagement surfaces.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is used, then the device size is reduced, but the ability to withstand high pressures and flow rates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastomeric element that acts as a flexible sealing component, allowing the compact design to maintain high pressure and flow rate withstanding capability. The elastomeric material can deform to seal against the wellbore while the single frustoconical member with multiple inclined surfaces provides structural support for pressure containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The consolidation of multiple frustoconical members into a single integrated member with multiple inclined surfaces allows the compact design to maintain pressure withstanding capability by distributing the mechanical loads across multiple engagement surfaces within a single compact component.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If degradable materials are used for environmental sustainability, then environmental harm is reduced, but the strength and durability of the downhole tool may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs degradable materials that change their properties over time - maintaining full strength and structural integrity during the operational phase to withstand high pressures and flow rates, then degrading after completion of function. This parameter change allows the material to provide both environmental sustainability and necessary mechanical strength at different stages of its lifecycle.
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 tool effectively isolates wellbore zones, withstanding pressures up to 12 kpsi and flow rates of 80 MMSCFD, while maintaining a compact size and enabling production through a central opening, with degradable components ensuring environmental responsibility.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomeric element may form a concentric seal with the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
slips to contact casing in the wellbore with sufficient friction under pressure to hold the downhole tool in place
Data Source
AI summary
A compact downhole tool, such as a frac plug, may include a single frustoconical member and a single set of slips. The slips may further include an internal button that engages with the frustoconical member. Various elements in the downhole tool may be dissolvable or degradable.