Expandable Cementing Tool Outer Mandrel Plastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In deep well drilling, inflatable packers used in cementing tools often have limited flow areas, leading to inadequate hydraulic pressure and the need to wait for cement to harden, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A cementing tool with an inner and outer mandrel, featuring a central flow passage and annular space, where fluid pressure causes the outer mandrel to radially expand and deform, creating a hydraulic seal that allows immediate cementing above the tool without waiting for cement below to harden, using an expansion cone to ensure sealing engagement with the well casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inflatable packers are used to seal against the well, then sealing is achieved, but the flow area is limited and hydraulic pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into an inner mandrel and an outer mandrel separated by an annular space. The expansion cone moves through this annular space, forcing the outer mandrel to radially expand and plastic deform to engage the well casing. This segmentation allows the cementing tool to achieve both sealing and adequate flow area by distributing functions across separate components.
2Reliability
If inflatable packers are used, then sealing is provided, but cementing must wait for cement below to harden
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion cone is pre-positioned in the annular space between the inner and outer mandrels. When fluid is pumped through the tool, the expansion cone automatically moves through the annular space, forcing the outer mandrel to radially expand and plastic deform to engage the well casing and create a hydraulic seal. This preliminary positioning and automatic activation eliminates the need to wait for cement to harden, as the sealing action occurs immediately upon fluid injection.
3Reliability
If the outer mandrel radially expands to engage the well, then a hydraulic seal is created, but the structure must accommodate large radial deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The outer mandrel is designed to undergo radial expansion and plastic deformation when fluid pressure is applied through the annular space. The expansion cone, with its width greater than the annular space, forces the outer mandrel to change its radial dimension, engaging the well casing and creating a hydraulic seal. This parameter change approach allows the structure to achieve sealing through controlled deformation rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
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
Enables immediate cementing above the tool without waiting for cement below to harden, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs by maintaining a reliable hydraulic seal through plastic deformation of the outer mandrel.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid pressure communicated through the at least one fluid port from the central flow passage into the annular space will cause the outer mandrel to radially expand
Implementation Method 2
the outer mandrel will radially expand and preferably to plastically deform radially outwardly so that the at least one sealing element engages a previously installed casing in the well
Implementation Method 3
create a hydraulic seal such that cementing thereabove can occur
Data Source
AI summary
A cementing tool for cementing a casing in a well has an inner mandrel that defines a central flow passage and has at least one fluid port defined through a wall thereof. An outer mandrel is disposed about the inner mandrel and the inner and outer mandrels define an annular space therebetween. The outer mandrel has at least one sealing element affixed thereto. An opening sleeve is positioned in the inner mandrel and is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the fluid port is uncovered. An expansion cone is positioned in the annular space. Fluid pressure applied through the central flow passage, and the fluid port will pass into the annular space and will urge the expansion cone through the annular space which will plastically deform the outer mandrel so that sealing elements affixed to the outer mandrel engage a previously installed casing in the well to seal thereagainst.