Expandable Reamer Blade Actuation via Fluid Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing expandable reamers face limitations in enlarging boreholes due to reduced diameter constraints, which impede the production flow rate of hydrocarbons, as they require blades to be retracted during initial passage through casing and extended afterwards, complicating the drilling process.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a housing with movable blades, a travel sleeve, and a trigger sleeve that allow for selective extension and retraction of blades using fluid pressure, enabling the blades to be locked in a retracted position during initial passage and extended during drilling, and then retracted again upon completion, using a mechanism of obstruction engagements and fluid flow redirection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If blades are retracted during initial passage through casing, then the tool can pass through tight spots and existing casing, but the borehole diameter cannot be enlarged simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pass through casingVSAvoidborehole diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer blades are designed to be dynamically adjustable between retracted and extended positions. During initial passage, blades remain retracted to fit through existing casing. After passing through, blades can be extended to enlarge the borehole diameter, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of passage and borehole enlargement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reamer assembly is segmented into movable blade components that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the blades to be retracted during insertion and extended during the reaming operation, enabling both functions to be performed in sequence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If blades are extended to enlarge borehole diameter, then production flow rate improves, but the tool cannot pass through existing casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveborehole diameterVSAvoidability to pass through casing

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer employs a dynamic blade positioning system that allows transition from retracted to extended state. This enables the tool to first pass through the casing with blades retracted, then extend blades to enlarge the borehole for improved production flow rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If manual intervention is used to actuate blade positions, then blade control is precise, but the drilling process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade position controlVSAvoiddrilling process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer incorporates an automated actuation system that uses drilling fluid pressure to automatically extend and retract the blades. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, maintaining precise blade position control while simplifying the drilling process and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic actuation through drilling fluid pressure to control blade positions. Fluid pressure automatically extends blades when needed and retracts them during passage, providing precise control without manual intervention and reducing overall process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

This solution allows for efficient enlargement of boreholes by enabling blades to be extended and retracted selectively, improving hydrocarbon production flow rates and simplifying the drilling process by utilizing fluid pressure to actuate blade positions without manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing fluid pressure to actuate blade positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9719305B2Expandable reamers and methods of using expandable reamers

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

Expandable reamers may include a housing and at least one blade supported by the housing. The at least one blade may be movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The at least one blade may be in the retracted position when a first actuation member is in a first longitudinal position and a second actuation member sleeve is affixed to the first actuation member. The at least one blade may be movable to the extended position when the first actuation member is in a second longitudinal position and the second actuation member is affixed to the first actuation member. The at least one blade may be in the retracted position when the first actuation member is in the second longitudinal position and the second actuation member obstructs an opening in a sidewall of the first actuation member.