Movable Cover for Downhole Tool Sensitive Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Downhole tools with sensitive components are exposed to harsh mechanical and chemical conditions during drilling operations, leading to damage and reduced effectiveness, as existing protection methods are inadequate for withstanding the severe drilling environment.

Innovation Solution

A movable cover system is introduced that can be activated to protect sensitive elements on downhole tools, made of materials like metal, plastic, or composite materials, which can be slidably moved to expose or conceal these elements as needed, using activation mechanisms such as hydraulic, electromechanical, or pyrotechnic systems, allowing for controlled protection and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If downhole tools are exposed to drilling operations, then operational functionality is achieved, but sensitive components suffer damage from mechanical and chemical influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidmechanical and chemical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective cover is pre-installed on the downhole tool before deployment. This cover is initially in a first position that exposes sensitive components during transportation and handling, then transitions to a second position that protects them during drilling operations. The system performs the protective action in advance, before the harmful drilling environment is encountered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover is designed as a movable component that can dynamically change position between a first state (exposing components) and a second state (protecting components). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational phases: exposure during handling, protection during drilling, and selective exposure during specific operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If protective covers are added to downhole tools, then component protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidcover mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover system is designed to automatically transition between exposed and protected states without requiring external intervention. The cover can be activated by downlink signals, pressure differentials, or mechanical triggers inherent in the drilling process, eliminating the need for complex manual control systems and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover may be actuated using pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms that leverage the drilling fluid pressure already present in the wellbore environment. This approach uses existing downhole resources to drive the cover mechanism, avoiding the need for separate power sources or complex actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Adaptability or versatility

If movable cover systems are implemented, then selective exposure capability is enhanced, but activation mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective exposure capabilityVSAvoidactivation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover may be activated by pyrotechnic mechanisms that replace complex mechanical actuation systems. These pyrotechnic initiators can be triggered by electrical signals from the surface and provide reliable, simple activation of the cover mechanism without requiring complex mechanical linkages or control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover system is designed to serve multiple functions: protecting components during transportation, protecting during drilling operations, and enabling selective exposure for specific downhole operations. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated cover mechanism that can be activated or deactivated as needed, rather than requiring separate protection systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3714127B1Downhole tool protection cover

Publication Date: 2023.02.22 BAKER HUGHES CO

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AI summary

Systems and methods to cover sensitive areas of downhole tools including a downhole tool having an outer surface including a first position and a second position on the outer surface of the downhole tool, the outer surface having a sensitive area, a downhole sensitive element positioned along the outer surface of the downhole tool at the sensitive area, a movable cover operatively connected to the downhole tool and movable relative to the sensitive area, a control unit configured to generate an activation signal, and an activation mechanism operable in response to the activation signal, the activation mechanism configured to move the movable cover relative to the sensitive area from the first position to the second position, wherein the movement of the movable cover from the first position to the second position one of increases or decreases a portion of the sensitive area covered by the movable cover.