Fracking Plug Telescopic Cone Anchoring Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fracking plugs experience loss of anchoring under high pressure due to unloading of anchoring components, leading to potential plug failure.
Innovation Solution
A fracking plug with a telescopic cone configuration, comprising a sealing cone and an anchoring cone that move together during deployment, allowing the sealing cone to relax and pull away from the anchoring cone after deployment, maintaining the anchoring cone's position and preventing disengagement from the well casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the plug uses a conventional anchoring component that relaxes after deployment, then the plug can be easily deployed and set, but the anchoring component disengages from the well casing under high pressure, leading to loss of anchoring
Solution Approach 1:
The cone is divided into two separate components: an anchoring cone and a sealing cone. The anchoring cone remains stationary to maintain anchoring stability, while the sealing cone is allowed to move and relax independently to maintain ease of deployment and sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing cone is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to move in the proximal direction relative to the anchoring cone during relaxation. This dynamic behavior enables the sealing cone to accommodate pressure changes while the anchoring cone maintains fixed position for stable anchoring.
2Reliability
If the sealing cone is allowed to move relative to the anchoring cone, then the seal can relax properly after deployment, but the anchoring cone may be subjected to uneven forces
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cone into anchoring and sealing portions, the patent isolates the relaxation movement to the sealing cone only, preventing uneven forces from affecting the anchoring cone. Each segment performs its specific function independently with optimized force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the anchoring cone and sealing cone, allowing controlled relative movement while maintaining force transmission. This intermediary structure enables the sealing cone to relax without transferring excessive uneven forces to the anchoring cone.
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 telescopic cone configuration effectively prevents the disengagement of the anchoring ring from the well casing, ensuring stable anchoring even under high pressure, thereby reducing the likelihood of plug failure.
Implementation Method 1
as the seal is allowed to relax after deployment, the seal pulls the sealing cone away from the anchoring cone
Data Source
AI summary
An example plug assembly includes: a telescopic cone comprising a sealing cone and an anchoring cone, wherein the sealing cone and the anchoring cone are configured to move together in a distal direction, while the sealing cone is allowed to move relative to the anchoring cone in a proximal direction; a seal mounted to the sealing cone; and an anchoring ring mounted to the anchoring cone and comprising a plurality of segments disposed in a circular array, wherein during deployment of the plug assembly, the telescopic cone is driven in the distal direction, thereby expanding the anchoring ring and the seal, and wherein as the seal is allowed to relax after deployment, the seal pulls the sealing cone away from the anchoring cone, which remains in position relative to the anchoring ring.