One-Way Mandrel Clutch for Torque Isolation in Drilling Strings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional drilling systems face challenges in allowing a mandrel to freely rotate in one direction relative to a housing while the housing is rotationally locked in the opposite direction, particularly in situations where high torque and friction necessitate rotating the drill pipe string above lower completion components, leading to sub-optimal cement jobs and compromised wellbore integrity.
Innovation Solution
A deployment swivel is positioned above a non-rotating part of the string, allowing the mandrel to freely rotate in a first direction while the housing is locked, activated via rotational, axial, hydraulic, or electronic means, and includes a clutch with radially expandable members and keys that align with indicators on the housing to transmit torque in the opposite direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drill pipe string is rotated to overcome static friction in long string situations, then the string can be moved through the wellbore, but torque is transferred to the lower completion components which should remain stationary, compromising wellbore integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the drilling string into two functional segments: an upper rotating section (drill pipe string) and a lower stationary section (lower completion components). The deployment swivel acts as the segmentation interface, allowing independent rotational behavior of each segment. This enables the upper string to rotate for overcoming friction while the lower completion remains locked stationary, preventing torque transfer that would compromise wellbore integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment swivel serves as an intermediary device between the rotating drill pipe string and the stationary lower completion components. It mediates the torque and rotation forces by allowing free rotation in one direction (to overcome friction) while blocking torque transfer to the lower completion. The clutch mechanism within the swivel acts as the specific intermediary element that enables selective torque transmission based on rotational direction.
2Reliability
If the housing is locked to prevent rotation of lower completion components, then wellbore integrity is maintained, but the mandrel cannot rotate freely to enable efficient cement placement and zonal isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment swivel incorporates a dynamic clutch mechanism that changes its torque transmission characteristics based on the direction of rotation. When the mandrel rotates in the first direction (e.g., clockwise), the clutch allows free rotation, enabling efficient cement placement and zonal isolation operations. When rotated in the opposite direction (e.g., counter-clockwise), the clutch engages to lock the housing, maintaining wellbore integrity. This dynamic response allows the system to optimize for productivity during cementing while maintaining reliability during other operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between two operational states: a free-rotation state for cement placement operations and a locked state for maintaining wellbore integrity. The clutch mechanism periodically engages and disengages based on operational requirements, allowing the mandrel to rotate freely during cement placement (improving productivity) while locking during other phases (maintaining reliability). This periodic action between locked and free states resolves the contradiction between maintaining integrity and enabling efficient cement placement.
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 rotation of the mandrel relative to the housing in one direction without transferring torque, while locking in the other, thereby improving cement placement and zonal isolation, enhancing wellbore integrity and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch that is configured to allow for free one-way rotation of a mandrel relative to a housing
Data Source
AI summary
A mandrel that includes a keyed outer diameter, wherein the keyed outer diameter are configured to interface with indicators on an inner diameter of housing when rotated in a first direction and freely slide over the indicators when rotated in a second direction.