Morphable Packer with Inverted Gripping Slips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional packers in wellbore applications often suffer from leak paths due to non-uniform expansion of tapered slips, which compromises anchoring effectiveness and creates fluid flow issues across the seal.

Innovation Solution

A morphable packer design featuring a tubular member with a central section and tapered recesses, where gripping elements with inclined edges are positioned within the recesses to ensure radial outward movement during morphing, preventing longitudinal movement and maintaining a uniform seal without leak paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If tapered slips are used in traditional packers, then anchoring capability is improved, but non-uniform expansion creates leak paths that worsen sealing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring capabilityVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional slip design by placing the gripping surface on the inner circumference rather than the outer circumference. This reversal allows the slip to be pushed radially outward by expansion while the gripping surface remains in contact with the borehole wall, preventing longitudinal movement and ensuring uniform expansion without leak paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the slip: the inner circumference has a gripping surface for anchoring, while the outer circumference is smooth for uniform radial expansion. This local differentiation allows the slip to simultaneously achieve strong anchoring and uniform expansion without creating leak paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If end pieces are used to prevent slip movement, then anchoring stability is improved, but morphing uniformity deteriorates due to fixed outer edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidmorphing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for end pieces by inverting the slip orientation. The gripping surface on the inner circumference naturally prevents longitudinal movement through radial expansion alone, without requiring external constraint structures that would interfere with uniform morphing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If gripping elements are arranged on tapered surfaces, then anchoring engagement is improved, but radial movement uniformity deteriorates causing inconsistent seal quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring engagementVSAvoidradial movement uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the gripping surface on the inner circumference of the slip rather than the outer circumference. This inversion allows the entire outer surface to be smooth and tapered for uniform radial expansion, while the inner gripping surface engages the borehole wall through the radial movement generated by expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The slip is designed with differentiated surfaces: the outer surface is smooth and tapered for uniform radial expansion, while the inner surface has the gripping texture for anchoring engagement. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between anchoring strength and expansion uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides a reliable and leak-proof anchoring mechanism by ensuring uniform radial expansion of gripping elements, enhancing the sealing and anchoring performance of the packer within wellbores.

Implementation Method 1

The central portion is arranged to undergo elastic and plastic deformation when morphed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The central portion is arranged to undergo elastic and plastic deformation when morphed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 3

the at least one gripping element is moved radially outwards by the morphing action on the tubular to engage with the outer tubular or borehole wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10428617B2Packer

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 VERTICE OIL TOOLS INC

AI summary

A morphable packer and method of setting the packer to anchor one tubular within another tubular or borehole, and create a seal across an annulus in a well bore. The packer is formed as a single tubular member having a central section between end sections. Undulations are formed on the tubular member to create recesses in which annular slips having oppositely arranged inclined surfaces and an outer gripping surface are located to provide an anchoring arrangement. When morphed the slips move uniformly radially outwards and anchor to an outer tubular. Embodiments include pairs of reversed slips located in the recess, pairs of anchoring arrangements located along the tubular member and a gasket seal arranged around the tubular member.