Movable Core Shear Component for Downhole Tool Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Shear components used in downhole tools lack selective strengthening mechanisms to prevent premature failure under varying conditions, leading to potential unintentional release and loss of control during operations.
Innovation Solution
A shear component design featuring a core that shifts between aligned and non-aligned positions with a shear plane, providing enhanced strength when aligned and reduced failure force when non-aligned, allowing for selective strengthening based on core location, facilitated by a compressive member and corrodible material to manage alignment and failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shear component is used without selective strengthening, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of premature failure under varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The shear component is divided into a body and a separate core element that can move independently within the body. The core is segmented from the body structure, allowing it to be positioned selectively to provide strengthening at the shear plane only when needed, rather than requiring the entire component to be complex and heavy-duty throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The core element is made movable within the body cavity, transitioning between a first position where it strengthens the shear plane and a second position where it does not. This dynamic repositioning capability allows the shear component to adapt its strength characteristics based on operational conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a shear component with fixed strength is used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates due to inability to prevent premature failure under varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The movable core element provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the shear component to adjust its effective strength based on operational conditions. The core can be repositioned between a first position (providing strengthening) and a second position (not providing strengthening), enabling the same component to adapt to varying load conditions without requiring multiple precision-manufactured components.
Solution Approach 2:
The shear strength parameter of the component can be changed by repositioning the core element. When the core is in the first position, the shear strength is increased; when in the second position, the shear strength is reduced. This parameter change capability provides adaptability to varying operational conditions without requiring high manufacturing precision for multiple components.
3Strength
If the core is always in alignment with the shear plane, then the strength is increased, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to release when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The core element's position is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be positioned in the first location to provide strengthening when high strength is needed, and repositioned to the second location when release is required. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the operator to adjust the core position based on operational needs, making the component both strong when needed and easily operable when release is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The shear component can be designed with mechanisms (such as corrodible members or compressive members as mentioned in the summary) that allow the core to reposition itself automatically in response to environmental conditions or operational stimuli, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving ease of operation while maintaining strength when needed.
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 shear component ensures reliable retention of downhole tools until a controlled stimulus triggers release, enhancing operational safety and precision by managing shear strength dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
a core disposed within the cavity and in sliding engagement with the inner wall surface of the body
Implementation Method 2
facilitated by a compressive member and corrodible material to manage alignment and failure
Data Source
AI summary
A shear component for releasably securing a first component to a second component, the shear component comprising a body having a first end, a second end, an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface defining a cavity, a shear plane, and a core disposed within the cavity and in sliding engagement with the inner wall surface of the body. The core comprises a first position in which the core is disposed in alignment with the shear plane, and a second position in which the core is disposed out of alignment with the shear plane. The shear component can be included in a downhole tool to maintain the downhole tool in the run-in or initial position until being compromised by a stimulus.