Downhole Quick Connect Assembly With Bulkhead Pressure Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connecting tools for downhole operations in the oil and gas field are damaged by high pressures generated during perforating and fracturing, requiring frequent rebuilding and are lengthy, necessitating a solution for a shorter, pressure-resistant connecting tool.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect system comprising a quick connect device with a mandrel, collar, and spring-loaded electrical contacts, along with a top sub featuring bulkhead elements to prevent high-pressure gas from reaching the device, allowing for a secure and efficient connection between downhole tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the connecting tool is designed to fit a variety of gun assemblies or setting tools, then the adaptability is improved, but the length of the tool increases and the electrical contacts are exposed to high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting tool is divided into separate functional components: a protective bulkhead element that isolates the electrical contacts from high pressure, and a collar mechanism that provides the connection function. This segmentation allows the electrical contacts to be protected while maintaining compatibility with various tools.
Solution Approach 2:
A bulkhead element is introduced as an intermediary component between the high-pressure environment (gun assembly) and the electrical contacts. This bulkhead acts as a protective barrier that prevents high pressure gas from damaging the electrical contacts, allowing the tool to maintain both protectability and versatility.
2Reliability
If the connecting tool is exposed to high pressure from shaped charges, then the electrical contacts are damaged, but protecting the contacts increases tool complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead element is designed as a simple, replaceable component that protects the more expensive and critical electrical contacts. When the bulkhead becomes damaged or compromised, it can be replaced without replacing the entire connecting tool, effectively sacrificing a simple component to protect the complex, valuable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead element serves as an intermediary protective barrier between the high-pressure environment and the electrical contacts. This simple structural component absorbs the environmental stress and prevents it from reaching the sensitive electrical contacts, thereby protecting them without requiring complex protective mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the connecting tool is repeatedly connected and disconnected, then the electrical contacts are damaged by high pressure, but a protected design would prevent this damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead element acts as a permanent protective intermediary that shields the electrical contacts from high pressure during all operations. This allows the connecting tool to be repeatedly connected and disconnected without the electrical contacts being exposed to damaging pressures, thereby extending the tool's operational life while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connect system for connecting a first downhole tool to a second downhole tool, the quick connect system including a quick connect device configured to be mechanically attached to the first downhole tool; and a top sub configured to be mechanically attached to the quick connect device and also to the second downhole tool. The top sub has a first bulkhead element that prevents a high pressure gas from the second downhole tool to damage the quick connect device.