Drilling Diverter Packer Assembly for Variable-Diameter Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional diverters for drilling operations lack effective sealing mechanisms to manage high-pressure fluids and accommodate varying drill string diameters, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety hazards during wellbore drilling.
Innovation Solution
A diverter assembly with an upper packer assembly featuring inflatable outer and inner seals that form fluid seals between the diverter body and the drill string, allowing for simultaneous or independent inflation to accommodate different drill string diameters and provide reliable sealing, coupled with a breach lock mechanism for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional diverters are used without inflatable seals, then the device structure is simpler, but the sealing reliability is insufficient to manage high-pressure fluids and accommodate varying drill string diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inflatable seals that can dynamically adjust their configuration by inflating or deflating. The seals transition from a compressed transport state to an expanded sealing state when needed, allowing the diverter to adapt to different drill string diameters and maintain reliable sealing under high-pressure conditions without requiring multiple fixed-size sealing components
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable seals change their physical parameters (volume, shape, pressure) in response to operational needs. By controlling the inflation pressure and volume of the seals, the system can accommodate varying drill string diameters and maintain effective sealing against high-pressure fluids, transforming the sealing mechanism from static to variable
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inflatable seals are used to accommodate varying drill string diameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple segmented inflatable seals (first inflatable seal, second inflatable seal, etc.) that can be independently controlled. Each seal can be inflated or deflated separately based on the required drill string diameter, allowing precise adaptation without requiring the entire sealing system to be complex or oversized
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable seal system serves multiple functions: sealing against different drill string diameters, withstanding high-pressure fluids, and providing a barrier to prevent fluid escape. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components into a single adaptable sealing system
3Reliability
If the upper packer body is securely locked to the packer sleeve, then the reliability of engagement is improved, but the ease of operation for insertion and removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The breach lock mechanism operates in periodic cycles: during insertion, the breach lock tabs are retracted to allow the upper packer body to slide into the packer sleeve; once positioned, the tabs engage with the slots to lock the assembly securely; for removal, the locking action is reversed. This periodic engagement and disengagement provides both secure operation during use and ease of installation/removal
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 diverter assembly effectively diverts high-pressure fluids away from the drilling floor, ensuring safety and efficiency by maintaining a reliable fluid seal across various drill string diameters and allowing for easy maintenance and seal replacement.
Implementation Method 1
at least two inflatable outer seals (141), the inflatable outer seals (141) positioned on an outer surface of the upper packer body (136) such that the inflatable outer seals (141) form a fluid seal between the upper packer body (136) and the diverter body (125) or packer sleeve (132), the inflatable outer seals (141) adapted to be inflated simultaneously or selectively independently; and, characterised in that the upper packer assembly (131) further comprises at least two inflatable inner seals (143), the inflatable inner seals (143) positioned on an inner surface of the upper packer body (136) such that the inflatable inner seals (143) form a fluid seal between the upper packer body (136) and multiple diameters or pipe sizes of a drill string
Data Source
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AI summary
A diverter for a drilling operation includes a diverter support housing, a diverter body assembly, and an upper packer assembly. The diverter body assembly couples to the diverter support housing by a breach lock system. The upper packer assembly couples to the diverter body assembly by a breach lock system. The upper packer includes at least two outer seals to seal between the upper packer and the diverter body and at least two inner seals to seal between the upper packer and a drill string. The seals may be fluid actuated. The diverter may couple to an overshot assembly by one or more breach lock locking rings. The overshot assembly may include a plurality of seals adapted to engage the outer surface of a riser, casing, or mandrel.