Extendable Probe Piston Volume Balance for Formation Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole formation testing tools are complex, expensive, and prone to maintenance issues due to reliance on hydraulic fluid pressure for extension and retraction, introducing uncertainty in measurements and increasing downtime.
Innovation Solution
An extendable probe with a piston housing and sealed components of different diameters maintains constant volume and balanced pressure, allowing for simplified extension and retraction using a single fluid source, eliminating the need for compensating fluid pressure and reducing tool complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic fluid pressure is used to extend and retract the probe, then the probe can be actuated, but the tool complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex ported hydraulic piston system from the tool design. Instead of using hydraulic fluid pressure to extend and retract the probe, the invention uses a simpler mechanical or alternative actuation mechanism that eliminates the need for hydraulic ports, seals, and associated control systems, thereby reducing complexity and maintenance while preserving probe actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The probe design incorporates features that allow it to extend and retract using forces generated during normal operation or through simple mechanical means rather than requiring an active hydraulic system. The tool serves itself by utilizing operational forces or simplified mechanisms instead of complex external hydraulic control
2Ease of operation
If ported hydraulic fluid is used for piston chambers, then probe actuation is achieved, but reliability decreases due to multiple failure opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the ported hydraulic fluid system and piston chambers from the design, removing multiple potential failure points including hydraulic seals, ports, and fluid pathways. This extraction of the problematic subsystem directly improves reliability while maintaining the essential probe actuation function through alternative means
Solution Approach 2:
The invention may employ simpler, potentially disposable or easily replaceable components for probe actuation rather than investing in a complex, high-maintenance hydraulic system. This approach trades initial component simplicity for long-term reliability by avoiding the inherent failure modes of ported hydraulic systems
3Ease of operation
If complex piston systems are used, then probe extension is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex ported hydraulic piston system and associated components, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The alternative actuation mechanism uses fewer precision components, eliminates hydraulic system fabrication, and reduces assembly complexity, thereby lowering overall tool manufacturing cost while preserving probe extension functionality
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 solution enables more accurate and reliable fluid mobility measurements by maintaining constant volume and force balance, simplifying calculations and reducing maintenance requirements, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of formation testing tools.
Implementation Method 1
a packer 44 sealed to the extendable probe 10
Implementation Method 2
An extendable probe with a piston housing and sealed components of different diameters maintains constant volume and balanced pressure, allowing for simplified extension and retraction using a single fluid source
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An extendable probe for a formation testing tool includes a piston housing having a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion thereof. A piston including a piston base and a piston conduit. A piston base seal disposed between the piston base and the first diameter portion of the piston housing. The piston base seal representing an area; a piston conduit seal disposed between the piston conduit and the second diameter portion, the piston conduit seal representing an area. A pin in operative communication with the piston housing and extending though the piston; a pin seal disposed between the pin and the piston base, the pin seal representing an area; and wherein the piston conduit seal. Piston base seal and pin seal each are configured to adhere to the equation: piston conduit seal area = piston base seal area pin seal area. A method for querying a formation fluid.