Integrated Float Collar Assembly for Controlled Ball Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore cementing technologies face challenges in efficiently controlling fluid flow and securing cement liners, particularly in managing the release of setting and releasing balls, which can lead to premature movement or damage to components.

Innovation Solution

A combination landing and float collar with a float valve, receiver, and baffle system that includes a sheath-bonded receiver and float valve, a ball receptacle with a pressure-responsive seat, and a baffle to manage fluid flow and ball release, ensuring secure cementing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional float collar and landing collar are used separately, then the components can be individually optimized, but the device complexity increases and the reliability of ball release control decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of ball release controlVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the float collar and landing collar into a single integrated assembly. The float collar includes a float valve body with a landing cavity that receives a landing ball, and a release cavity that receives a release ball. The sheath structure integrates both the float valve and landing collar functions, eliminating the need for separate components while improving reliability of ball release control through unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If balls are released without controlled mechanisms, then the operation is simpler, but premature movement and damage to components occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of ball release operationVSAvoidprotection from premature movement and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action through the sheath structure that initially contains both the landing ball and release ball in their respective cavities. The sheath is positioned to prevent premature release, and only after proper installation and positioning does the mechanism allow controlled release. This ensures components are protected from damage while maintaining ease of operation through systematic ball release sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath acts as an intermediary mechanism between the balls and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface for ball release, preventing direct exposure to turbulent fluid flow and premature activation. The sheath structure mediates the release process, ensuring balls are released only when appropriate conditions are met, thus protecting components while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the float valve and landing collar are not sheath-bonded, then manufacturing is simpler, but the securement of cement liners is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurement of cement linersVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening methods with sheath bonding technology. The sheath is bonded to the float valve body and landing collar components using chemical bonding processes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fasteners, threads, or welding operations. This substitution maintains strong structural integrity for securing cement liners while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the control of fluid flow and securement of cement liners by allowing controlled release of setting and releasing balls, preventing premature movement and damage, thus ensuring reliable wellbore cementing.

Implementation Method 1

a baffle disposed in the chamber and operable to prevent passage of the ball therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

having a blind annular recess extending from an end surface thereof such that an inner fragment of the seat is operable to fracture from an outer portion of the seat in response to a threshold pressure exerted on the ball seated therein, thereby releasing the ball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4660420A1Combination landing and float collar

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 DOWNHOLE PRODS UK

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A combination landing and float collar for use in a wellbore includes: a float valve; a receiver including a plug seat and a ball seat; a tubular housing having a coupling formed at a longitudinal end thereof for assembly as part of a downhole tubular; a first sheath bonding the receiver to an inner surface of the housing within a flow bore thereof; a second sheath bonding the float valve to the inner surface of the housing within the flow bore thereof; a chamber formed in the housing between the first and second sheaths and operable to keep a ball released from the ball seat; and a baffle disposed in the chamber and operable to prevent passage of the ball therethrough.