Downhole Tool Movable Sleeve Guide for Angled Well Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole cleaning tools face inefficiencies in fluid flow due to step changes in internal diameter and non-laminar flow, which can cause dropped balls to deviate from the central path, especially in angled wells, leading to incomplete cleaning and operational interference.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool design featuring a movable sleeve member with guide means and retention mechanisms to maintain the sleeve in specific positions, ensuring consistent fluid flow and central guidance of dropped balls, while allowing torque transmission and fluid passage adjustments without requiring casing or drill string movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If step changes in internal diameter are provided in the tool structure, then the tool can be collapsed to allow fluid flow through transverse ports, but the step changes cause non-laminar flow and deviation of dropped balls from the central path
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into multiple cylindrical sections (body, mandrel, sleeve) with uniform diameters that fit together without step changes. This segmentation allows the tool to collapse for fluid flow while maintaining smooth, continuous bore surfaces that prevent ball deviation and ensure reliable operation.
2Productivity
If the drill string is lowered to collapse the tool and enable fluid flow through transverse ports, then cleaning fluid can flow through the tool, but the drill string must be moved which complicates the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The tool incorporates a dynamic collapse mechanism where the sleeve can move axially relative to the mandrel in response to pressure differential across the tool. This allows the tool to transition between extended and collapsed states without requiring drill string movement, improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tool structure includes sliding components for collapse mechanism, then the tool can change position to control fluid flow, but step changes in internal diameter interfere with dropped ball operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding sleeve mechanism is designed with a longitudinal groove that maintains a constant, smooth internal diameter throughout the tool structure. This local quality ensures uniform laminar flow and proper ball trajectory while still allowing the sleeve to slide for fluid flow control, eliminating the harmful step changes.
4Reliability
If the tool is designed with uniform cylindrical sections, then dropped balls can flow consistently through the tool, but the tool cannot collapse to allow fluid flow through transverse ports
Solution Approach 1:
The tool employs a nested structure where the collapsible sleeve is positioned within the uniform-diameter body and mandrel sections. This nesting allows the outer uniform sections to guide balls reliably while the inner collapsible sleeve can move to control fluid flow through transverse ports, achieving both objectives simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool for use within a well has a body with a first downhole fluid passage provided in the body. The first downhole fluid passage has an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A first sleeve member is slidably mounted to the body such that the first sleeve member is movable between a first position in which the first sleeve member extends from the body and a second position in which the first sleeve member is substantially retracted into the first downhole fluid passage of the body. A guide adapted to guide an object travelling within the first downhole fluid passage to the first sleeve member is provided.