Multi-Arm Latch Anchor for Low-Rotation Borehole Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional latch and anchor mechanisms in boreholes require significant rotation of the latch, leading to torsional stress, wear, and a high risk of improper engagement due to a single point of contact, which is undesirable and costly.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a latch and anchor system with multiple keys and slots to allow for multiple angles of engagement, reducing the required rotation to a fraction of the conventional system, thereby minimizing torsional stress and eliminating improper engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single key and slot system is used for latch and anchor alignment, then the alignment can be achieved at a single angle, but the latch must rotate ±180° (or nearly 360°) causing significant torsional stress and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment reliabilityVSAvoidtorsional stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single alignment point into multiple alignment points by providing multiple keys (at least two) on the latch and multiple corresponding slots on the anchor. This segmentation allows the latch to engage the anchor at multiple discrete angular positions, reducing the rotation range from ±180° to a much smaller angle, thereby minimizing torsional stress on the latch and attached tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single key and slot system is used, then the structure is simple, but there is a high risk of improper engagement due to single point of contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidengagement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the latch (multiple keys at different angular positions) have different engagement characteristics. Each key is positioned to engage with its corresponding slot at a specific angle, creating multiple localized engagement points. This ensures that even if one engagement point fails or is misaligned, other points can still provide proper engagement, significantly reducing the risk of improper engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stress or pressure

If multiple keys and slots are provided for multiple alignment angles, then the required rotation is reduced to a fraction, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorsional stressVSAvoidnumber of keys and slots

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the multiple keys and slots serve a universal function of alignment and engagement. Each key-slot pair is designed with the same basic geometry and engagement mechanism, allowing them to perform the same alignment function at different angular positions. This multi-functionality approach reduces the need for completely different alignment mechanisms for different angles, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the goal of reduced rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12516579B2Anchor with multiple arms for minimal rotation of latch during guided orientation

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A system that includes an anchor that includes a first slot and a second slot, and a latch that includes a first key and a second key, where while the latch undergoes latch translation, the first key and the second key are adapted to translate into the first slot and the second slot, respectively.