Pivoting Antenna Shield for Downhole Logging Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and maintenance of antenna shields on wellbore tools are cumbersome due to their round ring design, which makes it difficult to install or remove them, especially when the antenna is positioned far from the longitudinal end, prolonging maintenance and repair efforts.
Innovation Solution
An antenna shield with pivotally coupled radial sections that can move between open and closed configurations, allowing for installation at any longitudinal position on the mandrel and providing robust protection to the antenna, along with a similar latch mechanism for stabilizers, facilitating easy maintenance and reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a round ring antenna shield design is used, then the antenna shield provides continuous protection around the tubular body, but it becomes difficult to install or remove, especially when the antenna is positioned far from the longitudinal end
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna shield is divided into multiple radial sections that can move relative to each other. These sections are coupled through pivot pins, allowing the shield to be segmented into an open configuration for easy installation/removal and a closed configuration for complete protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna shield transitions from a static round ring design to a dynamic structure with movable radial sections. The pivot pins enable the sections to rotate between open and closed positions, making the shield adaptable during installation, operation, and maintenance phases.
2Reliability
If the antenna shield is designed as a fixed round ring, then it provides robust protection, but maintenance and repair efforts are prolonged due to difficulties in installing or removing the shield
Solution Approach 1:
The shield's segmentation into radial sections allows it to be quickly opened for antenna access during maintenance and closed for protection during operation, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining protection robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna shield can be easily removed and reinstalled multiple times without damage, allowing the antenna to be accessed for maintenance while the shield itself is recovered and reused, reducing overall maintenance time and cost.
3Ease of operation
If the antenna shield sections are pivotally coupled, then the shield can move between open and closed configurations for easy installation, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
While segmentation increases the number of parts, each section is a simple radial segment connected by pivot pins, avoiding the need for complex mechanisms. The segmented design simplifies installation compared to a fixed one-piece shield.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial sections nest together when closed, forming a compact circular shield. The pivot pins are positioned to allow the sections to nest efficiently, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while enabling easy configuration changes.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna shield latches around a mandrel or wellbore tubular to protect an antenna carried by the mandrel. The antenna shield opens to facilitate installation over the mandrel, and closes the around the antenna to provide robust protection from the downhole environment. Radial sections of the antenna shield are coupled to one another such that the antenna shield maintains a one piece construction, and the sections may pivot to move the antenna shield between open and closed configurations. Readily opening and closing the antenna shield facilitates maintenance and repair of the antenna and reusability of the antenna shield. Other components of a logging tool system, e.g., stabilizers, may also be provided with a similar latch mechanism for coupling to an outer diameter of the wellbore tubular.