Downhole Nozzle Assembly Shear Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tools require frequent reassembly and reconfiguration to adapt to changing formation and fluid specifications, leading to increased manufacturing time and cost due to the need for disassembly and reinstallation of components.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly for downhole tools featuring a housing with an orifice and a release member that secures a nozzle within the orifice using a groove system, allowing for easy detachment by applying a force above a release threshold, enabling specification changes without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tool is disassembled and reassembled with correct parts to adapt to changing specifications, then the tool can be configured for different formations and fluids, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into modular components with standardized interfaces. The housing contains an orifice with a groove that receives a release member, which in turn secures a nozzle. This segmentation allows individual components (nozzles, orifices, release members) to be independently selected and replaced without disassembling the entire tool assembly, enabling rapid specification changes while minimizing manufacturing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The release member and groove system creates a universal connection interface that can accommodate different nozzle types and configurations. The standardized orifice with groove design allows the same housing structure to work with multiple nozzle variants, providing multi-functionality and adaptability across different formation and fluid conditions without requiring custom tool assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool is disassembled and reassembled with correct parts to adapt to changing specifications, then the tool can be configured for different formations and fluids, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tool into standardized modules (housing with orifice, release member, nozzle), each component can be manufactured independently using optimized processes. The release member with its specific groove geometry can be produced as a separate, reusable component that secures different nozzles, reducing the need for custom-matched part assemblies and lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal groove and release member interface allows a single housing design to accommodate multiple nozzle types. This multi-functionality reduces the variety of unique part combinations needed, simplifying the manufacturing supply chain and reducing costs associated with maintaining multiple specialized assembly procedures for different tool configurations.
3Reliability
If a secure connection is used to hold the nozzle in the orifice, then the nozzle remains stable during operation, but the nozzle cannot be easily removed for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The release member creates a dynamic connection system that transitions between two states: a locked state where the groove engages the orifice wall providing secure stabilization during operation, and an unlocked state where the connection can be easily released. This dynamic characteristic allows the same mechanical interface to provide both high stability during use and easy replaceability when needed, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and easy removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool, a nozzle assembly for the downhole tool and a nozzle. The nozzle assembly includes an orifice in a housing of the downhole tool. The orifice has a housing groove. A nozzle is insertable into the orifice, the nozzle including a nozzle groove. A release member secures the nozzle to the housing by disposing a first portion of the release member in the housing groove and a second portion of the release member in the nozzle groove. The first portion is removable from the second portion upon applying a force to the nozzle above a release threshold. The nozzle includes a body having an outlet end, a nozzle groove on a surface of the body for receiving a release member to secure the nozzle within a housing, and a seal groove for isolating the nozzle groove from an environment at the outlet end.