Crimped End Wrapped Pipe Well Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

In subterranean wellbores, existing filtration methods struggle to effectively prevent the ingress of debris such as formation sand and particulates into production equipment while maintaining sufficient fluid flow pathways, leading to equipment erosion and blockages, which are costly and time-consuming to repair.

Innovation Solution

A well screen assembly with an elongate tubular base pipe and a helically wrapped screen layer, secured by a crimp ring that is plastically deformed and welded to the base pipe, along with an optional end ring, to filter out particulates of specified sizes and prevent their passage into the production string.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If perforations are provided in the tubing string to allow fluid flow from formation, then fluid flow is improved, but particulate contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flowVSAvoidparticulate contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration system is divided into multiple functional segments: the base pipe with aperture segments for fluid flow, the wrapped screen layer with wire segments for particulate filtration, and the crimp ring segments for securing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to resolve the contradiction between fluid flow and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapped screen layer acts as an intermediary element between the base pipe apertures and the formation. It allows fluid to pass through while blocking particulate matter, thus mediating the contradiction by enabling fluid flow while preventing contamination. The crimp ring serves as another intermediary to secure the screen layer in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a wrapped-on-pipe screen layer is used to filter particulates, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen layer is wrapped around the base pipe in a preliminary step before final assembly. The crimp ring is positioned and secured in advance to hold the screen layer in place. By performing these actions in a predetermined sequence, the manufacturing process becomes more manageable despite the added complexity of the wrapped screen layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The crimp ring undergoes plastic deformation as a parameter change to securely hold the screen layer. This deformation process simplifies the securing mechanism while maintaining reliability. The transition from a loose wrapped state to a tightly secured state through crimping reduces the overall complexity of maintaining the screen layer in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If crimp ring is plastically deformed to secure screen layer, then securing reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoidcrimp ring deformation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The crimp ring is designed to undergo plastic deformation as a controlled parameter change to securely hold the screen layer. By accepting this permanent deformation as a normal part of the manufacturing process rather than requiring precise dimensional control, the system achieves high securing reliability without excessively high manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The crimp ring design anticipates and accommodates the deformation process in advance. By designing the crimp ring to naturally deform during installation rather than requiring precision fitting, the system cushiones against the complexity of precise manufacturing while ensuring reliable securing of the screen layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution provides a robust filtration system that effectively filters out sand and gravel-sized particulates, reducing equipment damage and maintenance costs by ensuring the integrity of production equipment and maintaining fluid flow pathways.

Implementation Method 1

The crimp ring is plastically deformed about an outer surface of the screen layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

Weld is applied to affix the crimp ring to the base pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS8291971B2Crimped end wrapped on pipe well screen

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A well screen is constructed by positioning a crimp ring encircling and over an end of a wrapped-on-pipe screen layer on a tubular base pipe. The crimp ring is plastically deformed about an outer surface of the screen layer. A bead of weld is applied to affix the crimp ring to the base pipe.