Liner Hanger Slip Retention With Angled Interlocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liner hanger systems face challenges in securely retaining slips during the running-in-hole process, leading to potential loss or premature setting, which can result in mis-run operations and retrieval difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A liner hanger assembly comprising a mandrel, cone, slips, retention ring, and actuator, with angled surfaces and a sliding cylinder to prevent inadvertent decoupling of slips, ensuring secure retention during deployment and setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slips are retained securely during running-in-hole operations, then the reliability of the liner hanger system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The retention ring is nested within the hydraulic cylinder, with the retention ring positioned inside the cylinder bore. The slips are nested between the retention ring and the cone, creating a compact nested structure that provides secure retention without excessive complexity. The actuator piston is nested within the hydraulic cylinder, operating through fluid pressure to expand or contract the retention system.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration through hydraulic actuation. The hydraulic cylinder can expand or contract the retention ring radially, allowing the slips to be released or engaged dynamically. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between different operational states (running-in-hole vs. set) without requiring multiple separate components.
2Ease of operation
If the slips remain in a radially contracted position during running-in-hole, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential premature setting or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The retention ring is pre-positioned to engage with the slips before they can accidentally set or become detached. The angled surfaces of the retention ring are designed to contact the slips in a way that prevents premature radial expansion or decoupling during the running-in-hole operation, counteracting potential harmful forces before they can cause failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention ring acts as an intermediary component between the slips and the hydraulic cylinder. It transfers and distributes the retaining forces uniformly across the slips, mediating the interaction between the hydraulic actuation system and the slips. This intermediary structure ensures controlled engagement and disengagement while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the actuator is sized to slide over the retention ring, then the reliability of preventing inadvertent decoupling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator and retention ring are merged into a single integrated assembly where the actuator slides over the retention ring. This merging combines the functions of actuation and retention into one unified structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable prevention of inadvertent decoupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinder serves multiple functions: it provides hydraulic actuation for expanding/contracting the retention system, and simultaneously acts as a mechanical stop that slides over the retention ring to prevent decoupling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.
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 system effectively retains slips during running-in-hole operations, preventing loss and enabling retrieval in case of mis-run, by using angled surfaces and a sliding cylinder to maintain secure engagement with the casing.
Implementation Method 1
The liner hanger may be hydraulically operated via a hydraulic cylinder to set hanger slips
Implementation Method 2
The slips may each be configured with an upper retention end and a lower retention end having a plurality of angles which interlock with corresponding angles of the cone and the retention ring
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates deploying and setting a liner hanger assembly while securely retaining liner hanger slips during running-in-hole. The liner hanger assembly may comprise a variety of components such as a mandrel, a cone, a plurality of slips, a retention ring, and an actuator. The slips may each be configured with an upper retention end and a lower retention end having a plurality of angles which interlock with corresponding angles of the cone and the retention ring. Additionally, a portion of the actuator may be sized to slide over an axial end of the retention ring to prevent inadvertent decoupling of the slips after installing the slips along the exterior of the cone.