Field Removable Choke for Rotary Percussion Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percussion tools require cumbersome disassembly to replace or adjust chokes, leading to increased drilling time, operational costs, and risk of contamination, as the choke is typically located deep inside the tool and requires removal of the piston for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A field removable choke system that allows for replacement or adjustment without disassembling the percussion tool, by repositioning the check valve to provide access to the choke without dissembling the tool, enabling quick field maintenance and reducing operational disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the choke is located deep inside the percussion tool and requires removal of the piston for maintenance, then the tool structure is compact and integrated, but the maintenance time and operational downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The choke is extracted from its traditional location deep inside the percussion tool and repositioned to the top of the piston, where it is accessible for maintenance without removing the piston. This extraction allows the choke to be maintained independently while preserving the integrated tool structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A choke retainer mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component that secures the choke at the top of the piston and allows for easy removal and installation. This mediator enables quick maintenance operations without requiring full disassembly of the tool.
2Device complexity
If the choke is located deep inside the percussion tool, then the tool design is streamlined, but the risk of contamination during maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The choke is extracted from the deep internal location to the top of the piston, positioning it in a cleaner, more accessible area. This reduces the risk of contamination during maintenance operations while maintaining the streamlined design through proper integration of the choke retainer system.
3Reliability
If the choke requires removal of the piston for replacement, then the sealing and integration are maintained, but the operational costs and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The choke is extracted to the top of the piston where it can be replaced independently. This maintains sealing integrity through the choke retainer mechanism while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating the need to remove the piston for choke maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The choke retainer mechanism provides a dynamic solution that allows the choke to be easily removed and replaced while maintaining proper sealing when installed. This dynamic system enables quick changes without compromising the reliability of the overall tool assembly.
4Loss of time
If the choke is positioned at the top of the piston for easy access, then maintenance time is reduced, but the tool assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The choke assembly is segmented into the choke itself and the choke retainer mechanism. This segmentation allows the choke to be easily accessed and replaced at the top of the piston while keeping the retainer as a separate, manageable component that does not significantly increase overall assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A choke assembly for controlling air flow into a piston of a percussion tool for downhole drilling includes a choke and a choke adapter. The choke comprises a choke body and a choke opening in the choke body for fluid to flow therethrough. The choke further includes one or more arm slots formed into the choke body between an inner wall of the choke body and an outer wall of the choke body. The one or more arm slots are designed to receive one or more arms of a choke change tool. The choke adapter has an adapter opening extending through the choke adapter. The choke is sized to fit in the adapter opening. The choke is removable from the choke adapter after the choke is inserted into the adapter opening.