Insulator Base Wire Routing for High-Pressure Antenna Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore logging tool antennas are prone to coil wire breakage due to elevated pressures downhole, which can cause the wire to short against the metal tool mandrel, leading to malfunction or failure.

Innovation Solution

An insulator base with recessed wire channels and a service loop region is integrated into the antenna assembly to provide a protected path for the coil wire, preventing damage during assembly and maintaining insulation under high pressure, and a protective layer is used to secure the components from downhole fluids and temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the coil wire is exposed during assembly, then the assembly process is simpler, but the wire is prone to breakage and shorting against the metal tool mandrel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidwire integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator base acts as an intermediary component between the coil wire and the metal tool mandrel. It provides a non-conductive pathway that guides the wire from the bobbin to the connection point while preventing contact with the conductive mandrel, thus eliminating the shorting risk without complicating the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator base is pre-installed on the tool mandrel before the coil wire is positioned. The wire channels are already formed and ready to receive the wire, and the service loop region is prepared to accommodate excess wire length, preventing damage during subsequent assembly steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the wire is tightly secured to prevent movement, then the connection is more stable, but the wire becomes more susceptible to breakage under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire positioning stabilityVSAvoidwire resistance to breakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator base provides a flexible yet stable pathway for the wire through its molded wire channels. These channels guide the wire securely while allowing it to maintain its natural flexibility and withstand pressure without rigid constraints that would cause breakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The service loop region is designed to accommodate excess wire length and act as a cushioning zone. This region absorbs mechanical stress and pressure variations, protecting the wire from sudden forces that could cause breakage while maintaining stable positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If no protective path is provided for the wire, then the device structure is simpler, but the wire is exposed to damage from downhole environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidwire exposure to downhole conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator base serves as a protective intermediary that shields the coil wire from harmful downhole environments including elevated pressures, temperatures, and corrosive fluids. The non-conductive material provides both mechanical protection and electrical isolation in a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire channels are nested within the insulator base structure, and the wire itself is nested within these channels. This nested arrangement provides protection without adding significant external complexity to the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3516167B1Insulator base for antenna assemblies
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC
  • EP3516167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3516167B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3516167B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Wellbore logging tools can include a coil antenna assembly that prevents breakage of a coil wire during downhole use under elevated pressure. The antenna assembly can include an insulator base used to help insulate the wires so elevated downhole pressures do not result in a short to a tool mandrel. The insulator base provides a recessed path for the in/out portions of the wire so manufacturing fixtures of the antenna assembly will not damage them.