Offset Stinger Design for Downhole Fluid Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering control fluids to downhole tools through tubing strings face issues with flow restriction and turbulence due to internal obstructions, and existing seals have shorter lifespans due to direct pressure and disconnection challenges.
Innovation Solution
A stinger apparatus with a body that inserts into the tool bore, featuring a flow passage with external stinger ports and multi-seal seals, and a lock mechanism that engages with the tool's internal groove to minimize flow obstruction and enhance sealing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stinger or receptacle is positioned in the center of the flow bore to deliver fluid to the downhole tool, then fluid communication is established, but the internal flow area is restricted and flow becomes turbulent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stinger from the center of the flow bore and repositions it to the outer peripheral region. The stinger body is positioned such that its longitudinal axis is offset from the central axis of the flow bore, allowing production fluid to flow through the center while the stinger delivers control fluid through its port to the tool's port, thereby eliminating flow restriction and turbulence caused by central positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional central positioning approach to a multi-dimensional arrangement where the stinger is positioned both radially offset from the center and with its longitudinal axis at an angle to the flow bore axis. This dimensional change allows simultaneous achievement of fluid communication and minimal flow interference
2Device complexity
If a single seal is used in the stinger connection, then the structure is simple, but the seal lifespan is short due to direct pressure and disconnection challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple seals arranged in series along the stinger body. Instead of relying on a single seal, the invention uses a first seal and a second seal positioned at different locations, where each seal handles portions of the hydraulic pressure independently. This segmentation distributes the pressure load and provides redundancy, extending seal lifespan while managing the complexity through a modular sealing approach
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A stinger is stabbed into a bore opening of a downhole tool to communicate fluid from a fluid line to the downhole tool. The stinger body defines a bore that communicates with the bore opening of the tool when the stinger body is installed in the downhole tool. An external surface of the stinger body can seal and lock inside an inside surface of the tool's bore opening when the stinger body is installed therein. The stinger body has a flow passage connected to the fluid line. A stinger port in the external surface of the stinger body is in communication with the flow passage and positions in fluid communication with a tool port inside the tool's bore opening so fluid can be communicated to the downhole tool.