Downhole Tool Locking Sleeve for Mudline Cap Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole tools lack a reliable mechanism to securely engage and disengage temporary abandonment caps in mudline suspension systems, leading to potential cap loss and costly retrieval operations.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a locking sleeve mechanism that adjusts to lock the abandonment cap into a slot, utilizing hydraulic or electric retention assemblies to ensure secure engagement and release, preventing cap loss and facilitating easy installation and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to securely engage abandonment caps, then reliability of cap retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking sleeve is nested within the housing and can move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the slot. The abandonment cap pin is received within the slot, and the locking sleeve envelops the pin when engaged, creating a nested configuration that provides secure retention without requiring external locking components
Solution Approach 2:
The locking sleeve is designed to be moveable between a locked position (where it engages the pin in the slot) and an unlocked position (where it disengages). This dynamic capability allows the tool to securely retain the abandonment cap during operation while enabling easy installation and removal when needed
2Ease of operation
If a moveable locking sleeve is used to secure the abandonment cap, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the slot (which receives the pin), the locking sleeve (which moves to engage/disengage the pin), and the retention sub-assembly (which actuates the locking sleeve). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The locking sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the slot and the pin. Rather than directly fixing the pin to the slot, the movable locking sleeve mediates the engagement, providing a simple mechanical interface that enables easy operation through minimal actuation force
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
Ensures secure engagement and release of abandonment caps, preventing cap loss and enabling reusable wellbores by providing a positive indication of cap status, thus reducing expensive fishing operations.
Implementation Method 1
the piston is configured to move, based on an increase of fluid pressure in the cylinder, from a first position apart from the one or more stops to a second position in contact with the one or more stops to move the locking sleeve from an unlocked position disengaged with the slot and the mudline abandonment cap to a locked position engaged with the slot and the mudline abandonment cap
Implementation Method 2
the piston is urged by the biasing member, based on a decrease of fluid pressure in the cylinder, the piston from the second position to the first position to move the locking sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position
Implementation Method 3
the plunger is configured to move, based on an electrical current applied to the coil winding, from a first position to a second position at a maximum stroke length of the plunger to move the locking sleeve from an unlocked position disengaged with the slot and the mudline abandonment cap to a locked position engaged with the slot and the mudline abandonment cap
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool includes a top sub-assembly configured to couple to a downhole conveyance operable to move the downhole tool through a wellbore; a housing coupled to the top sub-assembly and including a retention sub-assembly mounted in the housing and a slot formed in a downhole end of the housing and shaped to engage a mudline abandonment cap; and a locking sleeve coupled to the retention sub-assembly and moveable, by the retention sub-assembly, to adjustably lock the slot to the mudline abandonment cap.