Force Breaker Assembly for Retractable Drill Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole drilling components face challenges with axial, torsional, and lateral loads, leading to vibrations and issues like stick-slip, string whirl, and buckling, particularly in directional wellbores, where existing stabilizers either get stuck or fail to maintain centralization due to geometric limitations and harmonic movements.
Innovation Solution
A force breaker assembly with a housing, force resistance body, return force member, and resistance ring that maintains a stabilizing surface in an extended position until a preset load is reached, at which point it depresses to relieve the load, allowing retraction and minimizing reactive movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring or hydraulic pressure is used behind stabilizer blades to enable them to reach out to the wellbore wall, then the stabilizer can maintain contact with the wellbore wall, but the stabilizer enters into harmonic lateral movement and constantly moves in response to lateral loads
Solution Approach 1:
The force breaker assembly employs a dynamic mechanism where the force resistance body can transition between extended and depressed positions based on applied load thresholds. This dynamic positioning allows the stabilizer to maintain contact with the wellbore wall under normal conditions while allowing controlled retraction when excessive lateral loads are detected, eliminating the harmonic movement problem of spring-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical state parameter of the force resistance body from extended to depressed position when a predetermined load threshold is reached. This parameter change is achieved through the force resistance ring expanding or compressing in response to load changes, providing a threshold-based response rather than continuous movement.
2Reliability
If near full hole gauge stabilizers are used in assemblies to drill the curve section, then the assembly can be stabilized during curve drilling, but the assembly must be tripped out and stabilizers replaced with smaller diameter stabilizers to reduce torque and drag in the lateral section
Solution Approach 1:
The force breaker assembly enables a single stabilizer configuration to dynamically adapt its effective diameter. During curve section drilling, the force resistance bodies remain in extended positions providing full gauge stabilization. When lateral loads increase in the horizontal section, the force breakers allow the stabilizer blades to retract, effectively reducing the assembly diameter without requiring physical replacement of stabilizers.
Solution Approach 2:
The force breaker assembly provides multi-functionality by enabling the same stabilizer configuration to serve both curve section drilling (with full gauge contact) and lateral section drilling (with reduced gauge contact). This eliminates the need for separate stabilizer sets for different wellbore sections, reducing trips and increasing productivity.
3Force
If significantly under gauge stabilizers are used, then torque and drag are reduced, but the assembly fails to keep the assembly centralized and fails to touch the wellbore wall where and when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The force breaker assembly enables undergauge stabilizers to dynamically adjust their positioning. Under normal lateral loads, the force resistance bodies remain extended allowing the stabilizer to maintain reduced gauge clearance for lower torque and drag. When excessive lateral loads are detected, the force breakers allow the stabilizer blades to extend further, increasing contact with the wellbore wall to maintain centralization and prevent assembly deviation.
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 force breaker assembly effectively limits reactive movement and maintains stabilization until a predetermined load, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and enhancing drilling efficiency by allowing the stabilizing surface to retract under high loads, thus addressing the limitations of existing stabilizers in directional drilling.
Implementation Method 1
When a load is applied to the force resistance engagement surface that is at or above the preset limit, the force resistance ring is expanded out of the second channel and into the first channel or the force resistance ring is compressed out of the first channel and into the second channel
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for a force breaker assembly. The assembly includes a housing having a first channel, a body within the housing and including an engagement surface. A second channel is formed in the body. A spring is positioned adjacent the body. A snap ring is positioned within the housing and about the body. When a load is applied to the engagement surface that is below a preset limit, the ring remains engaged within the first and second channel, retaining the body in an extended position. When a load is applied to the engagement surface that is at or above the preset limit, the ring is expanded out of the second channel and into the first channel or is compressed out of the first channel and into the second channel, such that the body is forced into a depressed position.