Composite Cables for Wellbore Tools
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional braided metal cables used in wellbore operations face issues with strength-to-weight ratio, leading to cable failure and tool release or severance at greater depths due to the weight of metal, which is not adequately addressed by existing composite cables.
Innovation Solution
The development of composite cables with a polymer composite structure that includes continuous fibers and dopants dispersed in a polymer matrix, allowing for tailored properties such as increased or decreased density, ferromagnetism, and hydrogen getter capabilities, to enhance strength-to-weight ratio and operational performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If braided metal cables are used to support wellbore tools, then the cable has sufficient strength to support the weight, but the weight of the metal causes the strength-to-weight ratio to become too low at greater depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer matrix with high-strength fibers (such as aramid, carbon, or glass fibers) to create a cable structure that provides both the necessary strength and reduced weight. This composite construction allows the cable to maintain high strength-to-weight ratio while supporting wellbore tools at greater depths, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from traditional metal cables to polymer-composite cables with specific fiber orientations and compositions. By adjusting the fiber type, density, and arrangement within the polymer matrix, the cable achieves optimized strength-to-weight ratio, allowing deployment at greater depths without cable failure.
2Weight of moving object
If composite cables with polymer composites are used to address strength-to-weight ratio, then the weight is reduced, but additional properties such as density control, ferromagnetism, and hydrogen getter capability are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by incorporating multiple types of fibers and additives within the polymer composite structure. Different fiber types (aramid, carbon, glass) provide both structural strength and additional properties such as ferromagnetism, while metal powders or hydrogen getter materials are embedded to provide density control and hydrogen mitigation capabilities. This allows a single cable design to fulfill multiple functional requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions within the cable with different fiber compositions and concentrations. Specific sections or layers of the composite cable contain different fiber types or additives to provide localized functions such as ferromagnetic properties for tool retrieval or hydrogen getter capabilities in areas prone to hydrogen accumulation, while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Strength
If traditional composite cables are used, then strength-to-weight ratio is improved, but drag forces increase and retrieval capabilities are reduced at greater depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible polymer composite structure with smooth outer surfaces that reduce friction and drag forces during cable deployment and retrieval. The polymer matrix and fiber arrangement are designed to minimize surface roughness and optimize the cable's interaction with wellbore environments, thereby reducing drag forces and improving retrieval capabilities at greater depths while maintaining high strength-to-weight ratio.
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 composite cables achieve improved strength-to-weight ratios, enabling deeper wellbore tool deployment with reduced drag forces and enhanced retrieval capabilities, while maintaining structural integrity and mitigating hydrogen-induced degradation of optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer composite that includes continuous fibers and dopants dispersed in a polymer matrix
Implementation Method 2
dopants dispersed in a polymer matrix
Implementation Method 3
at least some of the dopants are ferromagnetic
Implementation Method 4
at least some of the dopants are hydrogen getters
Data Source
AI summary
Composite cables suitable for use in conjunction with wellbore tools. One cable may include a polymer composite that includes dopants dispersed in a polymer matrix and continuous fibers extending along an axial length of the cable through the polymer matrix, wherein the cable is characterized by at least one of the following: (1) at least a portion of the cable having a density greater than about 2 g/cm3, wherein at least some of the dopants have a density of about 6 g/cm3 or greater, (2) at least a portion of the cable having a density less than about 2 g/cm3, wherein at least some of the dopants have a density of about 0.9 g/cm3 or less, (3) at least some of the dopants are ferromagnetic, or (4) at least some of the dopants are hydrogen getters.