Pivoting Bore Centralizer for Low-Friction Sensor Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centralization devices for sensor equipment in wellbores, particularly in deviated wells, face challenges such as increased friction, failure to center properly, and inefficiencies leading to data inaccuracies or tool descent issues, especially at high deviations and varying well diameters.

Innovation Solution

A centralizing device with pivotally connected arm assemblies and support members that allow axial and radial movement, featuring fork sections and pivot joints to maintain centering across varying well diameters, utilizing wheels to reduce friction and ensure precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed rigid centralizer is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying well diameters and deviated well conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying well diametersVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralizer employs movable arm assemblies with pivot joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the support members' positions. The arms can pivot relative to each other and to the central body, enabling the device to adapt its configuration to different well diameters and deviated well angles, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that responds to environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The centralizer is divided into multiple independent arm assemblies, each with its own pivot joints and support members. This segmentation allows each arm to independently adjust to the well conditions, providing adaptability to varying diameters while keeping individual component complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If traditional centralizer designs are used in deviated wells, then the device structure is straightforward, but friction increases and centering accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering accuracyVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable arm assemblies with pivot joints enable the support members to dynamically adjust their positions and orientations in response to deviated well conditions. This dynamic adaptation reduces contact friction by optimizing the contact points with the wellbore wall, while simultaneously maintaining precise centering accuracy through the geometric constraints of the pivot mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to improve adaptability, then adaptability to varying diameters improves, but device complexity and potential failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to deviated well conditionsVSAvoidreliability of centering function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot joints provide controlled degrees of freedom that enable adaptability to deviated well conditions through well-defined mechanical constraints. Rather than arbitrary adjustments, the pivot mechanism guides the movement along specific paths, ensuring reliable centering function while adapting to varying diameters and well angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If the centralizer is designed for high precision centering, then measurement accuracy improves, but the device becomes more complex and harder to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor assembly alignment precisionVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arm assemblies with pivot joints are designed to automatically adjust and self-center the sensor assembly through gravitational and elastic forces acting on the movable components. The system performs the centering function autonomously as it is deployed, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms while achieving high alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively centers sensor assemblies in wellbores, reducing friction and ensuring accurate data collection by maintaining tool alignment, even in deviated wells and varying diameters, thus enhancing operational efficiency and data validity.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing wheels to reduce friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12410664B2Device for centering a sensor assembly in a bore

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 PETROMAC IP

AI summary

A centraliser comprises arm assemblies pivotally connected between first and second support members. Each arm assembly comprises a first arm pivotally attached to one of the first and second support members by a first pivot joint having a first pivot axis, a second arm assembly pivotally attached to the other one of the first and second support members by a second pivot joint having a second pivot axis, the first and second arms pivotally attached together via a third pivot joint having a third pivot axis. The first arm comprises a fork section extending around opposite sides of the respective first or second support member to position the first pivot axis radially within an outer diameter of a mandrel on which one or both support members move.