Contraction Joint System for Downhole Tool Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well completion systems face challenges in efficiently conveying tools downhole, particularly when encountering obstructions that cause high axial loading, and in aligning devices at precise locations within wellbores.
Innovation Solution
A contraction joint system is introduced, comprising an outer housing and a mandrel with a resettable locking member that contracts under sufficient axial loading to facilitate alignment and then resets to its original position, allowing continued tool deployment without surface retrieval, using components like bearing balls and a spring member to manage axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tool string is conveyed downhole to deploy completion components, then tool deployment capability is improved, but the system cannot efficiently handle obstructions causing high axial loading
Solution Approach 1:
The contraction joint incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with movable locking members that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The locking members are positioned to engage with corresponding features on the mandrel and outer housing, allowing the joint to dynamically adapt to axial loading conditions by contracting when locked members disengage, thereby handling obstructions without compromising tool deployment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The contraction joint is divided into separable components including an outer housing, a mandrel, and locking members that can independently move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the locking members to disengage and engage independently, enabling the joint to contract in response to axial loading while maintaining overall structural integrity for tool deployment
2Measurement precision
If devices are aligned downhole using a contraction joint, then alignment precision is improved, but the system requires surface retrieval for resetting
Solution Approach 1:
The contraction joint incorporates a self-resetting mechanism where the locking members automatically return to their engaged position after contraction. The spring member or biasing mechanism automatically pushes the locking members back into their locked positions after the mandrel contracts, eliminating the need for surface retrieval and resetting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The contraction joint operates in periodic cycles of contraction and expansion. The locking members repeatedly engage and disengage in response to axial loading conditions, allowing multiple alignment operations to be performed without interrupting the tool string at the surface, thereby reducing total operation time
3Productivity
If a resettable locking mechanism is implemented in the contraction joint, then repeated contraction-reset cycles are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting function is extracted as a separate, independent mechanism within the contraction joint. The spring member or biasing element is positioned to independently act on the locking members, providing the resetting force without interfering with the contraction mechanism. This separation allows repeated operations while keeping each component relatively simple
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
Enables precise alignment and repeated contraction-reset cycles, ensuring tool placement accuracy and reliability in the presence of obstructions, and allows continued operation without needing to pull the system back to the surface for resetting.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member to bias the locking member in the second position
Implementation Method 2
using components like bearing balls and a spring member to manage axial movement
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methodology facilitates conveyance of a tool, e.g. a downhole completion or completion component, via a tool string. The tool string comprises a contraction joint designed to contract if the tool incurs sufficient axial loading. The contraction joint may comprise an outer housing and a mandrel slidably received in the outer housing. The contraction joint also comprises a resettable locking member which selectively releases the mandrel with respect to the outer housing to contract the contraction joint when under sufficient axial loading.