No-Rotation Latch Coupling for Precise Downhole Window Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Achieving proper alignment between tubing strings and casing strings in wellbores is difficult, especially at great depths, requiring substantial rotation that can damage components and control lines.

Innovation Solution

A latch assembly with latch keys and guide features that allow for minimal rotation (less than 180°) to align tubing string windows with downhole tubular windows, using unique key configurations and guide features to secure the alignment without damaging components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional alignment tools are used to align tubing strings with casing strings, then alignment can be achieved, but substantial rotation (more than 180°) is required which can damage control lines and components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddamage to control lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the tubing string to achieve alignment, the latch coupling features (guide features and key profiles) are configured to automatically orient the latch assembly to a predetermined angular position during the setting process. The guide features extend radially inward and engage with alignment features on the latch assembly, guiding it into the correct angular position without requiring substantial rotation of the tubing string.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch coupling mechanism is designed to self-align and self-orient the latch assembly to the predetermined angular position through the interaction between guide features and key profiles. The system automatically achieves proper alignment through its own structural features during the normal setting operation, without requiring external rotation tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If substantial rotation of tubing string is performed to achieve alignment, then proper alignment can be achieved, but the operation becomes more difficult especially at depths greater than 10,000 feet and in deviated or extended reach well geometry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidease of alignment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment function is inverted from an active rotation process to a passive guidance process. The guide features and key profiles are configured so that the latch assembly automatically orients itself to the predetermined angular position during setting, eliminating the need for difficult rotation operations at depth or in deviated well geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide features and key profiles act as intermediary elements that mediate between the latch assembly and the latch coupling. These features transmit and constrain the angular position during setting, providing a mechanical guidance system that simplifies the alignment operation without requiring substantial rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If latch assembly is configured to require minimal rotation (less than 180°), then ease of operation improves and damage risk reduces, but alignment precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of alignment operationVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The latch coupling features include asymmetric key profiles and corresponding latch keys with specific geometric configurations. The guide features have predetermined angular orientations that are asymmetric relative to the central bore, ensuring that the latch assembly can only engage at the correct predetermined angular position, thereby maintaining alignment precision despite minimal rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The guide features and key profiles are pre-configured with specific geometric relationships that predetermined the angular position before engagement. The alignment features on the latch assembly are designed to mate with these pre-configured features, ensuring precise angular orientation is achieved automatically during the setting process without requiring high-precision manual alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12352114B2No-rotation latch coupling and latch for casing assemblies

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A system includes a downhole tubular and a latch assembly securable to a conveyance that is configured to lower the latch assembly into a central bore of the downhole tubular. The latch assembly includes a tubular body portion, a plurality of latch keys secured to the tubular body portion, and at least one alignment feature secured to the tubular body portion. The system further includes a latch coupling formed on the downhole tubular. The latch coupling includes a plurality of key profiles configured to engage corresponding key profiles of the plurality of key profiles in response to proper angular orientation of the latch assembly with respect to the latch coupling. Additionally, the system includes at least one guide feature configured to rotate the latch assembly to angularly align the plurality of latch keys with the plurality of key profiles in response to contact with the at least one alignment feature.