Downhole Roller Tool Sleeve Retention Against Roller Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller tools for downhole applications in oil or gas wells are prone to component detachment due to ballistic events, leading to potential catastrophic failures and increased operational risks and costs, as fixed components can fall off and get lost in the wellbore.
Innovation Solution
A roller tool design featuring at least two rollers with sleeves that eclipse their outer circumferential portions, ensuring rotation while preventing detachment, and a hub with bearing assemblies that securely hold the rollers in place, reducing the risk of components falling off by using annular recesses and seals to maintain the rollers within the tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fixed components (wheels, screws, bolts) are used in roller tools, then the structural stability is improved, but the risk of component detachment increases due to ballistic events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wheel and hub into a unified structure where the wheel is press-fitted onto the hub, eliminating separate fastening components. This merging reduces the number of potential detachment points while maintaining structural stability through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the wheel is fitted onto the hub, and the entire assembly is retained within the roller tool housing. This nested arrangement ensures that even if the wheel-hub connection is compromised, the wheel remains contained within the tool, preventing complete loss.
2Reliability
If more fixing components are added to secure rollers, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening function into the press-fit interface between the wheel and hub, eliminating the need for separate screws, bolts, or locking mechanisms. This single integrated solution maintains reliability while significantly reducing component count and overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If rollers are securely retained within the tool, then component loss is prevented, but the ease of maintenance and replacement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roller tool into distinct modular components: the hub, the wheel, and the roller tool housing. The press-fit connection provides secure retention during operation but allows for relatively simple separation when maintenance is required, enabling quick roller replacement without complex disassembly procedures.
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 design effectively prevents roller detachment and loss, reducing the risk of catastrophic failures and maintaining tool integrity during downhole operations, while allowing for efficient deployment and retrieval by minimizing friction and contact with the wellbore.
Implementation Method 1
the roller tool(s) reduce or minimise the friction that would otherwise occur between the string and the wellbore in order to ease deployment and or recovery of the string into/from the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
an outer circumferential portion of each roller is eclipsed by the at least two sleeves such that in use each roller may rotate while being restrained from detachment from the roller tool by the sleeves
Data Source
AI summary
A roller tool 1 that can be connected into a string for deployment into an oil or gas well includes at least two rollers or wheels 10 located on each side of the roller tool 1, with axes of rotation that are perpendicular to the axis of the roller tool 1. The roller tool further includes at least two interconnecting tubular portions, where one tubular portion 41 comprises a mandrel 45 that connects to another tubular portion 42. An annular hub 20 is fitted over the mandrel 45 and the rollers 10 are connected onto the hub 20. The tubular portions 41, 42 comprise circumferential sleeve sections 56a, 56b that partially extend over the rollers 10 and resist detachment of the rollers 10 from the roller tool 1. The roller tool 1 can aid passage of a string through a well by holding the string away from the walls of the well and reducing frictional contact.