Mechanical RCD Latch Assembly Gravity Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Rotating Control Devices (RCDs) in oilfield operations face inefficiencies due to bulky designs, insufficient seals, and the need for tight tolerances and pristine sealing surfaces, which are challenging to maintain, especially in offshore drilling conditions where access is limited and environmental conditions are harsh.
Innovation Solution
The RCD system incorporates a mechanical RCD control tool with a drive cylinder, rotational cylinder, and guide cylinder that interact to adjust the sealing element and latch between settings using mechanical engagement, allowing for reliable sealing without supplemental power and repeated actuation without redressing, using a packer element and rotary cam latch for remote and mechanical operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional RCD systems use shear pin mechanisms or external power sources to set and unset components, then the RCD can be actuated, but the system becomes bulky and requires supplemental power
Solution Approach 1:
The RCD system uses the drill string's own weight and gravitational force to actuate the latch mechanism. The ball valve assembly automatically sets and unsets components through the natural movement of the drill string, eliminating the need for external power sources or bulky actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the supplemental power source and complex actuation mechanisms from the RCD system. By extracting these unnecessary components, the system becomes more compact while retaining full actuation capability through the simplified gravity-based mechanism.
2Reliability
If conventional RCD systems use tight tolerances and pristine sealing surfaces, then sealing reliability is improved, but maintenance becomes difficult in offshore conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the sealing parameters by using a ball valve assembly design that tolerates wider dimensional variations and less pristine sealing surfaces. The spherical geometry and corresponding receptacle design maintain reliable sealing even with relaxed tolerances, making the system more suitable for offshore maintenance conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional RCD systems require tool-specific running and retrieving instruments, then precise installation and removal are achieved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve assembly design incorporates universal features that allow standard drilling tools to install and retrieve the RCD components. The standardized interface and gravity-based actuation mechanism enable a single tool to perform multiple functions, eliminating the need for specialized running and retrieving instruments while improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely and mechanically actuated RCD control tool adjusts at least one component of an RCD latch assembly between at least two settings. The mechanical RCD control tool comprises a rotational cylinder and a guide cylinder, the rotational cylinder configured to rotate in a rotational direction to adjust the RCD latch assembly from a first setting to a second setting and from the second setting to the first setting based on movement of the drive cylinder in a selected direction. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.