Isolation Plug Ratchet Wedge for Stable Packing Element Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrocarbon well operations face challenges in effectively isolating multiple zones with packers and frac plugs, as they often fail to maintain secure fluid isolation and stable positioning of packing elements.
Innovation Solution
The use of isolation plugs equipped with ratchet systems, featuring ratchet wedges and shoes with engaging threads, allows for directional movement and secure engagement, expanding packing elements radially to create seals while preventing disengagement, aided by slips, collets, and lock rings for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packers and frac plugs are deployed to isolate zones, then fluid isolation between zones is achieved, but secure positioning and stable sealing are difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation plug is divided into distinct functional segments: a ratchet wedge with external threads, a ratchet shoe with internal threads, and a packing element. The threaded interface between the ratchet shoe and wedge creates a ratcheting mechanism that allows setting in one direction while preventing backflow, thereby maintaining both fluid isolation reliability and positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet system is designed to engage threads preliminarily during deployment, creating a mechanical lock before full sealing is achieved. The threaded engagement begins the locking process as the ratchet shoe engages the ratchet wedge, ensuring stable positioning is established before final sealing pressure is applied.
2Ease of operation
If a ratchet system with threaded engagement is used, then directional movement control and secure engagement are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded interface between the ratchet shoe and wedge serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the ratcheting mechanism for directional control, creates the mechanical engagement for secure positioning, and generates the radial force for sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the ratcheting mechanism and sealing mechanism into a single integrated system. The threaded engagement of the ratchet shoe with the ratchet wedge directly drives the radial expansion of the packing element, merging the positioning and sealing functions into one coordinated action, which simplifies the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If packing elements are expanded radially to create seals, then fluid isolation is improved, but maintaining seal stability and preventing disengagement becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet system is designed with threaded engagement that progressively loads the packing element during the setting process. The threads gradually engage and apply radial force to expand the packing element before full sealing is required, cushioning the transition and ensuring the seal is properly seated and stabilized for long-term durability.
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
This solution ensures reliable fluid isolation and stable positioning of packing elements, maintaining seals and preventing disengagement, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of well operations.
Implementation Method 1
a ratchet shoe that is configured to shift in the first direction to ratchet into the ratchet wedge to engage the ratchet wedge
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet wedge having a set of threads formed along an interior surface of the ratchet wedge, where the threads are configured to permit movement in a direction towards the ratchet wedge and to restrict movement in a second direction away from the ratchet wedge
Implementation Method 3
a packing element that is positioned in between the ratchet shoe and the ratchet wedge, where the packing element is configured to expand radially as the ratchet shoe is shifted in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An isolation plug includes a ratchet wedge having a set of threads formed along an interior surface of the ratchet wedge, where the set of threads are configured to permit movement in a first direction and restrict movement in a second direction. The isolation plug also includes a ratchet shoe configured to shift in the first direction to ratchet into the ratchet wedge to engage the ratchet wedge, where the ratchet shoe has a corresponding set of threads that are configured to engage the set of threads of the ratchet wedge to permit the ratchet shoe to shift in the first direction, and restrict movement in the second direction. The isolation plug further includes a packing element positioned in between the ratchet shoe and the ratchet wedge, the packing element configured to expand radially as the ratchet shoe is shifted in the first direction.