Downhole Tool Coupling Clamps for Bi-Directional Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for coupling top drives to tools in drilling operations are time-consuming, dangerous, and lack efficient bi-directional torque transmission, often relying on friction-based solutions that provide limited torque resistance and require additional costly components.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool coupling system featuring a drive stem, a longitudinally movable sleeve, and a plurality of locking clamps that rotate and radially move between open and locked positions, enabling secure bi-directional torque transmission with reduced component complexity and increased efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction-based locking methods (lock washers, thread locking compounds) are used to achieve bi-directional torque capabilities, then the connection can resist torque in both directions, but the torque resistance is limited and additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking function and torque transmission function into a single integrated locking clamp structure. The locking clamp has a body that directly engages with both the drive stem and tool stem, eliminating the need for separate lock washers, thread locking compounds, or other auxiliary components. This merging of functions achieves bi-directional torque capability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the locking function from traditional multi-component systems and consolidates it into a single locking clamp that performs both locking and torque transmission. By taking out the unnecessary intermediate components (lock washers, compounds, etc.), the design achieves simplified bi-directional torque capability with fewer parts.
2Reliability
If positive locking methods (keys, clutches, cross/through-bolting) are used to achieve high bi-directional torque capabilities, then high torque resistance is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking clamp merges the locking mechanism and torque transmission mechanism into a single integrated component. The body of the locking clamp contains features that provide positive locking engagement while simultaneously serving as the torque transmission path, eliminating the need for separate keys, clutches, or cross/through-bolting arrangements. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high bi-directional torque capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking clamp is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides locking engagement, torque transmission, and structural support. The single clamp structure performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying the overall assembly while achieving high bi-directional torque capability.
3Force
If traditional threaded connections are used to connect tool string sections, then load transfer is achieved, but bi-directional torque transmission is not possible without additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking clamp merges the load-bearing function and bi-directional torque transmission function into a single integrated structure. The clamp body simultaneously supports axial loads and transmits torque in both directions through its engagement features with the drive stem and tool stem, eliminating the limitation of traditional threaded connections that require separate locking mechanisms for torque resistance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A downhole tool coupling system (100), comprising a drive stem (102), a sleeve (104), and a plurality of locking clamps (106). The sleeve is longitudinally movable relative to the drive stem. The locking clamps are at least partially encompassed by the sleeve. The locking clamps are adjustable between an open position and a locked position. The sleeve is oriented relative to the locking clamps to adjust the locking clamps from the open position to the locked position as the sleeve moves longitudinally from an upper position to a lower position. Each locking clamp has an interior recessed region (114) configured to clamp the drive stem to a tool stem (103) when in the locked position.