Jarring Tool Micro Adjustment Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling operations in harsh environments face challenges with tools getting stuck in well bores, leading to equipment damage and operational interruptions, and existing solutions may damage the well bore during retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A jarring tool with a latching mechanism that uses tensile force to unlatch and produce a jarring impact, featuring a retainer with adjustable restrictive and open regions, a washer stack for controlled compression, and a sliding intermediate shaft to generate a controlled jarring force, allowing for micro-adjustments and safe operation in downhole conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a jarring tool is used to free stuck tools, then the stuck tools can be freed, but the well bore may be damaged during retrieval operations
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer allows dynamic adjustment of the restrictive region position along the shaft, enabling the jarring force application point to be varied. This dynamic positioning capability allows optimization of the jarring force distribution to effectively free stuck tools while controlling the impact on the well bore structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the retainer restrictive region is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the jarring force cannot be micro-adjusted for different stuck tool conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into first and second pieces that can move relative to each other along the shaft. This segmentation allows the restrictive region position to be adjusted independently, providing micro-adjustability for different stuck tool conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Ease of operation
If the inner latch piece is easily movable, then the jarring tool activates easily, but the tool may activate unintentionally during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer's restrictive region is positioned to pre-restrain the inner latch piece, preventing it from moving prematurely. The adjustable restrictive region allows optimization of this preliminary restraint to ensure the tool requires a specific activation force while preventing unintentional activation during handling and deployment.
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 tool effectively frees stuck tools with adjustable jarring force, minimizing damage to equipment and well bores, while maintaining a protected passageway for safe operation and fluid control, enabling reliable and prolonged use in harsh drilling conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a cap on a second end of the upper shaft retaining a washer stack against the upper stop
Implementation Method 2
The tensile force required to unlatch the first and second latch pieces may be controlled by moving the first retainer piece relative to the second retainer piece
Implementation Method 3
The tensile force required to unlatch the first and second latch pieces may be controlled by moving the first retainer piece relative to the second retainer piece by a threading engagement
Implementation Method 4
The inner latch piece may be biased against movement through the retainer by a shaft attached to a spring washer stack
Data Source
AI summary
A jarring tool is disclosed. The tool has a segment of sub housing containing an upper stop proximate a first end thereof. An outer latch piece is connected to an upper end of the lower shaft inside the sub housing, and an upper shaft passes through the stop and connects on a first end thereof to an inner latch piece. A cap is on a second end of the upper shaft retaining a washer stack against the upper stop. A retainer is inside the sub housing and has an first piece providing a restraining region and an open region and a second piece attached to the sub housing. The retainer retains the inner and outer latch pieces in a latched position in the restraining region until the latch pieces are displaced toward the second end of the sub housing through the retainer to the open region as a result of a tensile force on the outer latch piece.