Inverted Toroid Membrane Wellbore Tractor Propulsion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore and medical probe navigation technologies face challenges in navigating deviated and tortuous passages due to the lack of flexibility and strength in semi-rigid elongated members, which prevents effective deployment of tools and probes.

Innovation Solution

A wellbore tractor assembly with a selectively invertible toroidal membrane that radially expands to contact the inner surface of the wellbore, utilizing a helical flight and drive system to generate force and propel the assembly through the wellbore, optionally including a motor section and retaining bearing system for stability and tool conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a semi-rigid elongated member is used to deploy probes through wellbores, then the probe can be tethered and pushed through the passage, but the member lacks the flexibility and strength to navigate deviated and tortuous portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of elongated memberVSAvoidability to navigate deviated passages

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated member is divided into multiple rigid sections connected by flexible joints, allowing each section to maintain structural strength while the joints provide flexibility to navigate deviated and tortuous wellbore passages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated member incorporates dynamic articulation capabilities with movable joints that can adapt their configuration based on the wellbore geometry, transitioning from a rigid structure to a flexible, adaptable system that can navigate complex passages while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If tractor assemblies with hydraulic systems are used to push probes through deviated passages, then the probe can be motivated through lateral sections, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to push probe through deviated passageVSAvoidcomplexity of hydraulic system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex hydraulic system is replaced with a simpler mechanical propulsion system using a rotating helical screw mechanism that directly converts rotational motion from a motor into linear thrust to push the probe through deviated passages, eliminating the need for hydraulic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using hydraulic pressure to extend grippers outward to push the probe, the system inverts the approach by using a rotating helical screw that generates thrust through frictional contact with the wellbore wall, pushing the probe forward through rotational motion converted to linear motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables efficient navigation and propulsion through deviated wellbores by generating a resultant force through frictional contact, allowing for the deployment of tools such as imaging, perforating, or survey tools in complex subterranean formations.

Implementation Method 1

the forward section radially expands into contact with an inner surface of the wellbore... contact between the membrane and inner surface of the wellbore generates a resultant force that displaces the tractor assembly within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the drive system includes a helical flight... continuously inverting the membrane to generate a force between the membrane and inner surface of the wellbore to propel the tractor assembly within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS12110749B1Wellbore tractor with inverted toroid

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A tractor assembly includes a toroidal shaped fluid filled membrane mounted over a body and a drive system coupled with the membrane. The drive system includes a helical flight that inverts the membrane when rotated against its inner surface. A mid-section of the body includes sleeve like portions that telescope with one another and shorten a length of the body. Fluid in the membrane is forced from the mid-section and radially expands a forward portion and into contact with an inner surface of the passage, so that when the membrane is inverted while in a passage, frictional contact between the membrane and inner surface of the passage creates a force that urges the tractor assembly through a passage.