Downhole Driving Unit Spring Member Hydraulic Motor Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole tools face challenges in moving through horizontal wells and wells with small diameters, as they often struggle with maintaining footing on uneven surfaces and cannot pass gaps between well pipes, and the supply of hydraulic fluid to these tools is complicated by the risk of dirty well fluid entering the hydraulic system.
Innovation Solution
A downhole driving unit with a wheel assembly that includes a spring member connecting the stationary and rotational parts, forming a sealed hydraulic motor housing, and a planetary gearing system, which allows the wheel to function as both the wheel housing and hydraulic motor housing, preventing well fluid from entering and enabling movement in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a separate wheel housing and hydraulic motor housing are used, then the hydraulic system is well protected, but the device size increases and cannot pass through small diameter wells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wheel housing and hydraulic motor housing into a single integrated structure. The wheel assembly serves dual functions as both the wheel housing and hydraulic motor housing, eliminating the need for separate housings while maintaining protection of the hydraulic system. This integration reduces the overall device size enabling passage through small diameter wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it serves as both the wheel housing and the hydraulic motor housing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and decreases the overall device volume while maintaining all necessary protective functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wheel assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but they cannot maintain footing on uneven surfaces or pass gaps between well pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly incorporates a planetary gearing system that allows dynamic adjustment and movement. The planetary gears enable the wheel to adapt to uneven surfaces by providing mechanical advantage and flexibility in movement, allowing the wheel to maintain footing on irregular well surfaces and navigate gaps between pipes.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic fluid is supplied to moving parts in the well, then propulsion is achieved, but dirty well fluid can easily enter the hydraulic system
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the hydraulic motor housing with the wheel housing, the patent creates a unified sealed structure. This integration reduces the number of interfaces and potential entry points where well fluid could contaminate the hydraulic system, while maintaining the ability to supply hydraulic fluid to moving parts for propulsion.
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 enables the downhole driving unit to effectively move through all parts of a well, including those with small diameters, while maintaining a compact design and preventing contamination of hydraulic components by well fluid, thus ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the wheel assembly comprises a spring member assembling the hydraulic motor housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a downhole driving unit (11) for insertion into a well, comprising a driving unit housing (51), a hydraulic motor (23) comprising a hydraulic motor housing (93), a wheel assembly (90) comprising a stationary part (91) and a rotational part (92), the stationary part being connected with the driving unit housing and being rotatably connected with the rotational part, the stationary part and the rotational part constituting the hydraulic motor housing, the rotational part comprising a wheel ring (99) closed from one end, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a spring member (113) assembling the hydraulic motor housing. The present invention also relates to a downhole system comprising the driving unit according to the invention and an operational tool connected with the driving unit for being moved forward in a well or borehole as well as to a use of the driving unit according to the invention in a well or borehole for moving itself and/or an operational tool forward in a well or borehole.