Profiled Plate Packoff Assembly for Thermal Expansion Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oilfield equipment, such as slip hangers and packoffs, require numerous components to manage thermal expansion and pressure, leading to installation errors and high material strain, especially with conical disc springs.

Innovation Solution

The use of profiled plates and load relief plates that induce shape changes under load, allowing for customizable compliance and deflection, reducing the number of parts and sensitivity to dimensional tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conical disc springs are used to manage thermal expansion and pressure, then the equipment can handle thermal and pressure changes, but the number of components increases and installation errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle thermal expansion and pressureVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (thermal expansion management, pressure handling, and sealing) into a single integrated packer assembly. The conical disc spring is integrated with the sealing element and positioning features, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing installation complexity while maintaining the ability to handle thermal and pressure changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are used in slip hanger or packoff, then the equipment can perform multiple functions, but installation errors increase and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The packer assembly is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions including sealing, thermal expansion compensation, pressure handling, and positioning. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining versatility across different well conditions and applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If conical disc springs are used to relieve load, then material strain is reduced, but the sensitivity to dimensional tolerances increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial strain reliefVSAvoidsensitivity to dimensional tolerances

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the conical disc spring, specifically optimizing the cone angle and thickness dimensions to reduce sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances. By adjusting these parameters, the spring maintains its load-relieving function while becoming less sensitive to variations in dimensional precision during manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This arrangement simplifies manufacturing, reduces sensitivity to thermal changes, and enhances compliance across a wide range of applications, minimizing installation errors and material strain.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more profiled plates include a profile that induces a change in shape in the one or more load relief plates under a load applied to the slip hanger or the packoff

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12584366B2Arranged profiled plates and load relief plates for oilfield equipment

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 BAKER HUGHES PRESSURE CONTROL LLC

AI summary

In at least one embodiment, a system for a slip hanger or packoff to be used with oilfield equipment is disclosed. The system includes an arrangement of one or more load relief plates to be above or below one or more profiled plates, the one or more profiled plates having a profile that induces a change in shape in the one or more load relief plates under a load applied to the slip hanger or the packoff.