Downhole Connector Speed Control via Fluid Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The precision in axial movement and speed of downhole pipe strings in subterranean wellbore environments is lacking, making it difficult to wet mate optical fibers effectively, which is crucial for maintaining communication and data transmission between downhole sensors and the surface.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that control the connection speed of downhole connectors by axially shifting an outer portion relative to an inner portion of a second assembly, using a resistance assembly with a transfer piston to meter fluid, ensuring precise alignment and connection of communication media like optical fibers, and allowing for controlled disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the production tubing string is installed by lowering the block at the surface, then the installation operation can be performed, but the precision in axial movement and speed at the downhole end becomes insufficient for wet mating optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a downhole connector assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the production tubing string and the completion string. This assembly includes alignment features and controlled movement mechanisms that mediate the connection process, allowing precise alignment of optical fibers despite the imprecise block lowering operation at the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary alignment and positioning actions before the actual connection. The downhole connector assembly includes pre-configured alignment features and guide mechanisms that establish precise axial alignment before the optical fibers are wet mated, compensating for the lack of precision in the block lowering operation.
2Productivity
If the block is moved at the surface to install the production tubing string, then the string can be lowered into the wellbore, but the speed and distance correlation at the downhole end is lost due to friction and gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical correlation between block movement and downhole position with a fluid-based control system. A downhole actuator uses fluid pressure transmitted through the completion string to control the movement speed and position of the downhole connector assembly, eliminating the loss of correlation caused by friction and gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic or pneumatic actuation mechanisms to control the downhole connector assembly. Fluid pressure transmitted through the completion string to a downhole actuator provides precise control over the connector's movement speed and position, replacing the unreliable mechanical correlation between surface block movement and downhole position.
3Reliability
If optical fibers are wet mated in the downhole environment, then communication can be maintained, but the lack of precision in axial movement makes sufficient alignment difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary alignment actions through the downhole connector assembly before wet mating the optical fibers. The assembly includes alignment features and guide mechanisms that establish precise axial alignment in advance, ensuring that when the fibers are wet mated, the required optical transmissivity is achieved despite the imprecise block lowering operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole connector assembly serves as an intermediary alignment mechanism between the production tubing string and completion string. It includes alignment features and controlled movement mechanisms that mediate the connection process, providing the precision needed for optical fiber wet mating while accommodating the imprecise block lowering operation at the surface.
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
This solution enables reliable and precise wet connection of downhole communication media, overcoming the challenges of imprecise movement, ensuring consistent optical transmissivity and data transmission, and facilitating the reuse of optical fibers during production operations.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the rate at which the outer and inner portions of the second assembly axially shift relative to one another with a resistance assembly and characterised in that controlling the rate at which the outer and inner portions of the second assembly axially shift relative to one another with a resistance assembly further comprises metering a fluid through a transfer piston
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100) for controlling the connection speed of first and second downhole connectors (316, 146) in a subterranean well. The apparatus (100) includes a first assembly that is positionable in the well. The first assembly includes the first downhole connector (316) and a first communication medium. A second assembly includes the second downhole connector (146) and a second communication medium. The second assembly has an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion is selectively axially shiftable relative to an inner portion, such that upon engagement of the first assembly with the second assembly, the outer portion of the second assembly is axially shifted relative to the inner portion of the second assembly allowing the first and second downhole connectors (316, 146) to be operatively connected to each other, thereby enabling communication between the first communication medium and the second communication medium.