Mechanical Stop Arrangement for Weld-Free Borehole Tool Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing borehole tools to tubulars require skilled labor and cumbersome bracketry, necessitating costly and time-consuming welding, which is not feasible for on-site modifications.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical stop arrangement using couplers and wedges that allow secure attachment of borehole tools to the outside diameter of tubulars without welding, enabling easy on-site modifications using unskilled labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding is used to secure borehole tools to tubulars, then the attachment strength and reliability are improved, but the skill requirement and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical system requiring skilled labor) with a purely mechanical coupling system using threaded connections and set screws. This substitution maintains secure attachment while eliminating the need for welding skills and specialized equipment, directly resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling device as an intermediary component between the borehole tool and tubular. This coupling acts as a mediator that provides a reliable mechanical connection without requiring direct welding, thereby maintaining attachment strength while simplifying the operational process to basic threading and screwing actions.
2Ease of operation
If bracketry with set screws or clamping arrangements is used, then welding skill requirements are reduced, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single compact component: it provides threading engagement with the tubular, tool connection interfaces, and positioning features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate brackets, support structures, and multiple fastening components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of brackets, support structures, and fastening mechanisms into a single integrated coupling device. By combining these previously separate components into one unit, the overall size and structural complexity are reduced while maintaining the ease of operation achieved by eliminating welding requirements.
3Reliability
If welding facilities and skilled labor are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but cost and time for modifications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming welding process with rapid mechanical assembly using threaded connections and set screws. This substitution maintains secure attachment while reducing modification time from hours (welding preparation, execution, and cooling) to minutes (threading and screwing operations), directly addressing the contradiction between attachment security and modification time.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is pre-manufactured with all necessary threading and connection features, allowing for rapid on-site installation without requiring preliminary welding preparations. This preliminary preparation of the coupling component enables quick deployment and modification, reducing both time and cost while maintaining reliable attachment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If on-site modifications are performed, then operational flexibility is improved, but the requirement for specialized facilities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces welding (requiring specialized facilities) with mechanical assembly operations that can be performed with basic hand or power tools. This substitution enables on-site modifications without needing welding shops or specialized equipment, thereby improving operational flexibility while simplifying manufacturing requirements to basic machining and assembly capabilities.
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
Facilitates secure, modular, and reconfigurable attachment of borehole tools to tubulars, reducing costs and enabling quick, local modifications without the need for skilled labor or specialized facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a wedge having a radially outside surface angle that is complementary to the frustoconical inside diameter surface
Implementation Method 2
jamming the wedge against the tubular with the interconnecting
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical stop arrangement includes a first coupler having a tool connection segment, and an arrangement connection segment, a second coupler having a first connection segment connectable with the arrangement connection section, and a frustoconical inside diameter surface, and a wedge having a radially outside surface angle that is complementary to the frustoconical inside diameter surface. A method for connecting a borehole tool to an outside surface of a tubular, including connecting the borehole tool to a first coupler either before or after disposing the coupler on the tubular, disposing the first coupler on the tubular, disposing a wedge on the tubular, disposing a second coupler on the tubular, interconnecting the first coupler and the second coupler, and jamming the wedge against the tubular with the interconnecting. A wellbore system, including a borehole, a string in the borehole, and an arrangement, disposed within or as a part of the string.