Downhole Tool Connection with Elastic Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bolted connections in downhole tools, particularly in drilling and measurement tools, are troublesome due to the need for robust, non-standard alloys and expensive machining, especially when protecting bolts from fluid flow and ensuring high tension forces.
Innovation Solution
An externally threaded member and an internally threaded member are used to create a threadedly connected assembly with an elastic deformable sleeve, applying a defined tensile and compressive force at hard shoulders, allowing for interconnection of downhole tool sections with adjustable tension and reduced material stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolts are made robust using nonstandard exotic alloys to withstand high tension forces, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from exotic alloys to standard materials (aluminum bronze, stainless steel) while adjusting the connection geometry and stress distribution parameters. The threaded member design with hard shoulders and the elastic deformable sleeve allow standard materials to achieve sufficient connection strength through optimized structural parameters rather than relying on exotic material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standard, readily available materials (aluminum bronze, stainless steel) instead of expensive exotic alloys. The threaded members and elastic deformable sleeve are designed to be replaceable components that can be manufactured using conventional processes, reducing both material cost and manufacturing complexity while maintaining functional reliability.
2Reliability
If bolts are protected from fluid flow using fin shaped sections, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the fin-shaped protective sections from the design. Instead of adding complex protective structures, the invention uses the elastic deformable sleeve and threaded member configuration to inherently protect the connection interface from fluid flow effects, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective function into the existing connection components. The elastic deformable sleeve serves both as a tensioning element and as a protective barrier against fluid flow, while the threaded member design integrates the connection and sealing functions, eliminating the need for separate fin-shaped protective sections.
3Ease of operation
If threaded members are made rotatable about the downhole tool, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates rotational capability into the threaded members, allowing them to rotate about the downhole tool during installation and connection. This dynamic feature enables easier operation and alignment during field installation while the modular design keeps the overall system complexity manageable through standardized components and interfaces.
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
This solution provides a reliable and cost-effective connection that withstands high tension forces without the need for exotic alloys, using standard materials like aluminum bronze or stainless steel, and allows for secure electrical and hydraulic connections.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic deformable sleeve, applying a defined tensile and compressive force at hard shoulders
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance to an aspect a connection to attach a first downhole tool to a second downhole tool includes an externally threaded member positioned about the first downhole tool and an internally threaded member disposed with the second downhole tool to threadedly mate with the externally threaded member, wherein threadedly connecting the externally threaded member with the internally threaded member interconnects the first downhole tool and the second downhole tool with a defined tensile force and a compressive force at an interface between a hard shoulder of the first downhole tool and a hard shoulder of the second downhole tool.