Nested Tubing Hanger Radial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellhead assemblies face challenges in efficiently supporting and securing nested tubing hangers, which can lead to instability and difficulties in maintenance and removal.
Innovation Solution
A nested tubing hanger system featuring a wellhead housing with a support shoulder, an outer hanger with a radially moveable hanger engagement, and an inner hanger with an engagement profile, where the hanger engagement can be actuated to secure or release the inner hanger within the outer hanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a nested hanger system is installed to reduce wellhead size, then the wellhead assembly size is reduced, but the complexity of securing and removing the nested hanger increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hanger system where an inner hanger is placed within an outer hanger, both supported by a parent bowl in the wellhead assembly. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall wellhead size while maintaining separate functional hangers for different tubing strings.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a radially moveable hanger engagement that can transition between a release position (allowing removal) and an engagement position (securing the inner hanger). This dynamic positioning simplifies the locking process compared to complex threaded or multi-step securing mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented for the inner hanger, then the stability of the nested hanger system is improved, but the ease of operation for installation and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger engagement is designed to move radially between a release position and an engagement position. In the engagement position, it secures the inner hanger firmly; in the release position, it allows easy removal. This dynamic mechanism provides both stability during operation and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism allows the hanger engagement to be moved between positions through a simple actuating motion, enabling operators to secure or release the inner hanger without complex procedures or special tools.
3Reliability
If the hanger engagement is made radially moveable for locking, then the reliability of the locking mechanism is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger engagement is designed as a radially moveable component that can shift between release and engagement positions. This radial movement provides a reliable locking action through a single degree of freedom, avoiding the need for multiple locking elements or complex securing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is integrated with the hanger engagement such that a single actuating motion simultaneously controls the radial movement of the engagement. This merging of the actuator and engagement components simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A nested tubing hanger has a wellhead housing that defines a wellhead bore, an outer hanger installed within the wellhead bore of the wellhead housing that has a parent bowl that supports an inner hanger. A hanger engagement carried by the outer hanger is radially moveable between a release position and an engagement position. In the engagement position, the hanger engagement engages an engagement profile on an outer surface of the inner hanger to lock the inner hanger in the outer hanger. With the hanger engagement in a release position, the inner hanger is removable from the outer hanger.