Pressure Activated Contingency Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore disengagement mechanisms often fail to operate as intended, requiring completion assemblies to be removed with tools or leaving tools in the wellbore, due to inability to apply necessary forces for disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A release mechanism featuring a shifting sleeve and collet prop system that torsionally locks and then longitudinally translates using a rotational force to disengage the collet prop from the collet, allowing for effective release of downhole components from tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard disengagement mechanisms are used, then the tool can be operated, but the mechanisms fail to operate as intended requiring completion assemblies to be removed with tools or leaving tools in the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional axial force application mechanism with a rotational force mechanism. The release mechanism includes a mandrel that rotates a collet prop, which in turn actuates the collet to disengage from the downhole component. This substitution of axial actuation with rotational actuation provides a more reliable disengagement method that overcomes the failures of standard mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shifting sleeve as an intermediary component between the rotational input and the collet actuation. The shifting sleeve converts the rotational movement of the mandrel into longitudinal movement of the collet prop, which then pushes the collet to disengage. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable force transmission and disengagement operation.
2Ease of operation
If rotational force is applied to convert to longitudinal translation, then controlled disengagement is achieved, but the mechanism complexity increases with shifting sleeve and collet prop system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic components including a rotating mandrel, a movable collet prop, and a shifting sleeve that changes position during operation. The shifting sleeve moves from an initial position where it engages the collet prop to a final position where it has pushed the collet prop longitudinally to disengage the collet. This dynamic operation provides controlled disengagement through a relatively compact mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts rotational movement (circular dimension) into longitudinal movement (linear dimension) through the shifting sleeve and collet prop mechanism. The mandrel rotates in a circular path, and this rotational energy is transformed into axial displacement of the collet prop via the shifting sleeve, which then pushes the collet in a straight line to achieve disengagement. This dimensional transformation enables controlled disengagement while managing mechanism complexity.
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
Enables reliable and controlled disengagement of downhole components from tools, even when standard mechanisms fail, by converting rotational force into longitudinal translation, ensuring safe retrieval of tools while leaving components in the wellbore.
Implementation Method 1
the collet prop is disengaged from the shifting sleeve and configured to longitudinally translate in response to a rotational force applied to the mandrel or the collet prop
Data Source
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AI summary
A release mechanism for use with a downhole component in a wellbore environment comprises a shifting sleeve disposed about a mandrel, where the shifting sleeve is torsionally locked with respect to the mandrel, a collet prop disposed about the mandrel and engaged with the shifting sleeve, where the engagement between the collet prop and the shifting sleeve is configured to torsionally lock the collet prop with respect to the shifting sleeve, and a collet engaged with the collet prop, wherein the collet couples the mandrel to the downhole component.