Downhole Impact Tool Overcomes Static Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical valve shifting in wells is hindered by static friction from sand and contaminants, limiting the effectiveness of existing downhole stroker tools, which often require excessive push/pull forces to dislodge stuck valves or tools, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A downhole impact tool system that stores energy through compression or tension and releases it as a high-impact force, capable of delivering forces up to 150,000 pounds, to assist in shifting or dislodging stuck valves and tools, using a latching mechanism to selectively trigger the impact and overcome static friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional stroker tools are used to shift stuck valves, then the valve shifting operation can be performed mechanically, but the push/pull forces are limited and insufficient to overcome static friction from sand and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The impact tool delivers periodic high-magnitude impact forces to the stuck valve rather than continuous low-magnitude push/pull forces. The tool accumulates energy during a charging stroke and releases it in controlled impact cycles, creating periodic action that overcomes static friction from sand and contaminants more effectively than sustained mechanical force.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact tool changes the force parameter from continuous low-magnitude force to periodic high-magnitude impulse force. By transforming the force delivery mechanism from steady-state to transient high-peak forces, the tool achieves sufficient force to dislodge stuck valves while remaining within operational limits of the tool itself.
2Reliability
If coiled tubing is deployed to clean well debris and shift valves, then thorough cleaning and valve shifting can be achieved, but the cost, footprint, and operational time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The impact tool extracts the essential function of valve dislodging from the complex coiled tubing system. Instead of deploying entire coiled tubing units for cleaning and shifting operations, the patent isolates and applies only the necessary impact force function using a compact tool that can be deployed on standard wireline, eliminating the need for heavy coiled tubing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact tool serves as an intermediary between the wireline deployment system and the stuck valve. It translates the limited pull force available from wireline into high-magnitude impact forces through energy accumulation and release mechanisms, acting as a force amplifier that bridges the gap between available deployment capability and required valve-dislodging force.
3Force
If higher push/pull forces are applied to overcome static friction, then stuck valves can be dislodged, but the forces exceed operational limits of stroker tools
Solution Approach 1:
The impact tool delivers periodic high-magnitude impact forces to the stuck valve rather than continuous low-magnitude push/pull forces. The tool accumulates energy during a charging stroke and releases it in controlled impact cycles, creating periodic action that overcomes static friction from sand and contaminants more effectively than sustained mechanical force.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact tool performs preliminary energy accumulation during a charging stroke before delivering the impact force. By pre-storing energy in the impact mechanism during the charging phase, the tool prepares the necessary force magnitude in advance, allowing the valve to be dislodged with a single or few impacts rather than requiring sustained high forces that would exceed tool limits.
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
Enhances the ability to shift or dislodge stuck valves and tools by providing significantly higher forces than traditional stroker tools, reducing operational time and costs associated with coiled tubing deployments, while effectively addressing static friction challenges.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storing member operable to store and output mechanical energy
Implementation Method 2
stores energy through compression or tension and releases it as a high-impact force
Implementation Method 3
releases it as a high-impact force, capable of delivering forces up to 150,000 pounds, to assist in shifting or dislodging stuck valves and tools
Data Source
AI summary
An impact tool for coupling between opposing first and second portions of a downhole tool. The impact tool may include a housing having opposing first and second ends, a first shaft extending from within the housing at the first end of the housing, a second shaft extending from within the housing at the second end of the housing, an energy storing member disposed within the housing, and a latching mechanism operable to selectively permit relative motion between the housing and the second shaft to release energy stored in the energy storing member to impart an impact to the downhole tool string.