Downhole Tool Tiling With Tortuous Paths for Leakage and Erosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Erosion-resistant tile-based seal rings and bearings face issues with fluid leakage and erosion between tiles, leading to premature wear and failure in high-pressure, high-temperature applications.

Innovation Solution

The use of adjacent tiles forming tortuous paths between them, where one tile's protrusions fit snugly into the other's cavities, slows down abrasive fluid flow and reduces erosion, thereby enhancing the durability of the seal rings and bearings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If tiles are mated together to form seal rings or bearings, then erosion resistance is improved, but fluid leakage and erosion between tiles occur leading to premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerosion resistanceVSAvoidfluid leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by forming tortuous paths between adjacent tiles using protrusions and cavities. Instead of straight linear interfaces, the curved/complex geometry of the tortuous path creates multiple erosion barriers that deflect abrasive fluid flow, preventing direct linear erosion channels between tiles while maintaining erosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If straight-ended tiles are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but erosion fluid flows parallel to tile ends creating gaps between tiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetile fabrication simplicityVSAvoiderosion damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces straight tile ends with curved/tortuous paths formed by protrusions and cavities. This curved geometry disrupts parallel fluid flow, creating a more complex erosion path that is harder for abrasive fluids to penetrate, thereby reducing erosion damage while remaining manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful direct fluid flow between tiles into a beneficial tortuous path. By intentionally designing protrusions and cavities, the harmful abrasive flow is forced to follow a longer, more complex path, which dissipates its erosive energy and protects the tile interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If tiles are secured with common processes (press fit, shrink fit, epoxy, braze), then assembly is simplified, but erosion works its way between tiles causing detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidtile attachment longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tortuous path geometry with protrusions and cavities creates a mechanical interlock that complements the attachment method. The curved complex interface increases the effective bonding area and creates multiple load paths, enhancing the longevity of the attachment while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining tiles with protrusions and cavities that form an integrated tortuous path system. This composite geometry works synergistically with the attachment method to prevent erosion penetration, extending the service life of the tiled assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12116844B2Tiling for downhole tool

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Interfacing surfaces of adjacent tiles in a downhole tool may combine to form a tortuous path therebetween. In various embodiments, this tortuous path may run generally parallel and/or perpendicular to a top surface of the tiles. One example of such a tortuous path may be created by a protrusion extending from an interfacing surface of one of the tiles that may fit snugly within a cavity receding into an interfacing surface of another of the tiles.