Downhole Tool Scale Removal Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tools, particularly seals, face issues with frictional increases and reduced functionality due to scale and sand depositions on the cone, which can impede movement and compromise sealing integrity.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a settable member featuring a radially inwardly extending protrusion for scale removal, which deflects and forcibly contacts the cone surface to remove debris, ensuring unimpeded contact and improved sealing competency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal expands radially to set the downhole tool, then sealing competency is achieved, but scale and sand depositions on the cone increase friction and impede movement
Solution Approach 1:
The scale removal protrusion performs scale and sand removal actions before the seal expands and before the setting process occurs. By cleaning the cone surface in advance during the running-in phase, the protrusion prevents debris from interfering with subsequent sealing and setting operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable sealing and preventing friction from depositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal structure incorporates an integrated scale removal protrusion that automatically cleans the cone surface during its own running-in process. The resilient nature of the seal allows the protrusion to deflect and forcibly contact the cone surface, removing debris without requiring external intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains low friction while ensuring reliable sealing competency.
2Reliability
If the settable member expands to engage the cone, then setting is achieved, but debris accumulation compromises the interface and reduces pressure sustaining properties
Solution Approach 1:
The scale removal protrusion extracts and removes scale and sand debris from the cone surface during the running-in phase. By taking out the harmful debris before the seal sets and before the tool engages normal operation, the protrusion prevents contamination of the seal-cone interface, thereby maintaining optimal differential pressure sustaining properties without compromise from accumulated debris.
3Ease of operation
If the seal moves relative to the cone during setting, then positioning is achieved, but sand depositions increase friction beyond expectation
Solution Approach 1:
The scale removal protrusion performs preliminary cleaning of the cone surface before the seal begins its relative movement during setting. By removing sand and scale depositions in advance during the running-in phase, the protrusion ensures that the subsequent relative movement occurs on a clean surface, maintaining friction within expected levels and ensuring ease of operation during the setting process.
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 integrated scale removal feature effectively prevents sand and scale accumulation, maintaining unimpeded movement and enhancing sealing reliability by ensuring clean contact between the settable member and the cone, thereby improving the differential pressure sustaining properties of the seal.
Implementation Method 1
the protuberance 20 when the settable member 12 is positioned on the surface 16 is forced to deflect along the feature 18 resulting in the protuberance 20 being forcibly biased into contact with the surface 16 by the resilience of the material of the feature itself
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool including a settable member, a scale removal feature depending from the settable member, the scale removal feature including a protrusion extending radially inwardly from an inside dimension of the settable member.