Plugging Device Packer Supporting Chain Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plugging devices for sealing pipes often suffer from material extrusion issues due to the use of coil springs, which can lead to increased outer diameters during retrieval, causing sticking and damage, and are complex to produce.

Innovation Solution

A plugging device with a packer body and a supporting assembly that uses a chain of interconnected chain elements with outwardly and inwardly curved ends, maintaining the same circumference in both retracted and expanded states, preventing material extrusion and allowing for efficient sealing and retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a coil spring is used as a supporting device to support the packer body in the expanded state, then the packer body can be supported during expansion, but the distance between spring turns increases allowing material extrusion and the outer diameter increases during retrieval causing sticking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupporting capabilityVSAvoidmaterial extrusion and sticking

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting device is segmented into multiple discrete support elements (protrusions or ribs) distributed around the circumference of the packer body, rather than using a continuous coil spring structure. This segmentation prevents material extrusion between turns while maintaining supporting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a flexible spring that expands and contracts, the invention uses a rigid or semi-rigid supporting structure with fixed geometry that maintains constant circumference. The support is inverted from a spring-based flexible support to a structurally rigid support that prevents extrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If a coil spring is used to support the packer body, then expansion support is provided, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupporting capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting device is divided into multiple simple protrusions or ribs that can be easily molded or formed as integral parts of the packer body, eliminating the need for complex spring assembly and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is merged with the packer body as an integral component, eliminating the need for separate spring parts and their associated assembly operations, thereby simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the packer body is expanded for sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but material extrusion occurs between the openings of the supporting device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidmaterial extrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting device uses segmented protrusions that create discrete support points without continuous openings, preventing material extrusion while still allowing the packer body to expand for sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure uses simple geometric forms (protrusions or ribs) that are easier to manufacture than complex springs, accepting some material deformation as tolerable in exchange for manufacturing simplicity and reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution effectively prevents material extrusion and maintains a consistent diameter, ensuring reliable sealing and easy retrieval of the plugging device, reducing the risk of sticking and material damage, while being simpler to produce than previous designs.

Implementation Method 1

The packer device comprises a packer body made of an elastic or ductile material in order to be brought between the retracted and the expanded states

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the first and second sides of the packer device and/or the supporting device have the same circumference in the retracted state and the expanded state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric constraint: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2715050B1Plugging device

Publication Date: 2020.01.01 INTERWELL TECH

Figure 1~4
Figure 5a~5b
Figure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a plugging device (1) comprising a housing (10), a packer device (2), a first supporting assembly (3) supporting a first side (2a) of the packer device (2) in the expanded state and a second supporting assembly (4) supporting a second side (2b) of the packer device (2) in the expanded state. The packer device (2) is provided circumferentially around the housing (10); where the packer device (2) is configured to be provided in a retracted state and an expanded state, where the radial radius (R2) of the packer body (20) in the expanded state is larger than the radial radius (R1) of the packer body (20) in the retracted state. The packer device (2) comprises a packer body (20) and a supporting device (30) for supporting the packer body (20) in the expanded state. The first and second sides (2a, 2b) of the packer device (20) and/or the supporting device (30) have the same circumference (C) in the retracted state and the expanded state, where the circumference (C) is larger than the circumference(C10) of the housing (10).