Removable Optical Tip Probe for Downhole Fluid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole optical analysis probes face challenges in replacing the optical tip without disassembling the entire probe, due to complex and difficult-to-dismantle assembly designs, especially in harsh downhole environments with high pressure, temperature, and corrosive conditions.
Innovation Solution
A removable and watertight coupling system using a protective tube with ring bulges and a heat-shrinkable sheath allows for easy replacement of the optical tip by sliding and heating the sheath to create a seal, enabling the optical tip to be swapped without disassembling the probe, utilizing a sapphire rod optical tip and an optical fibers bundle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex assembly design is used to secure the optical tip in a watertight manner, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tube is divided into two separate portions: a first portion enclosing the optical link and a second portion enclosing the optical tip. This segmentation allows the optical tip to be replaced independently by removing only the second portion, while the first portion remains attached to the probe body, enabling easy repair without compromising the watertight connection of the optical link.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical tip is extracted as a separate, removable component from the probe assembly. The second portion of the protective tube containing the optical tip can be completely removed and replaced, while the optical link and its protective housing remain in place. This extraction principle enables maintenance without dismantling the entire probe from the downhole measuring tool.
2Ease of repair
If a removable coupling design is used to ease optical tip replacement, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly uses a nested structure where the second portion of the protective tube fits within the first portion, and both are secured by a coupling tube. The coupling tube acts as a parent structure that holds the two protective tube portions as nested components. This nesting approach creates a removable coupling mechanism that is relatively simple compared to traditional complex assembly designs.
3Ease of repair
If the probe is dismantled to replace the optical tip, then the optical tip replacement is possible, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tube is divided into two separate portions that can be independently handled. The second portion containing the optical tip can be removed and replaced without affecting the first portion that remains attached to the probe. This segmentation enables tip replacement without complete probe dismantling, significantly reducing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling tube is pre-installed on the probe body with the first portion of the protective tube already attached. This preliminary preparation allows the second portion to be quickly swapped by simply coupling it to the pre-positioned coupling tube, eliminating the need for time-consuming complete probe disassembly during replacement operations.
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
Facilitates maintenance and cost-effective operation by allowing optical tip replacement without disassembling the probe, adapting to harsh downhole conditions and enabling retrofitting with new technology, particularly suitable for the oil and gas industry's pressure and size constraints.
Implementation Method 1
sliding the coupling and protecting sheath from the optical tip towards the coupling zone so as to cover said first ring bulge, said coupling tube and said second ring bulge; and a step of heating around the coupling and protecting sheath at least up to a temperature that causes shrinking of a heat shrink/retractable material forming the coupling and protecting sheath
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole fluid properties optical analysis probe (1) to analyze at least one property of a multiphase flow mixture (100) flowing in a hydrocarbon well (51) has an elongated cylindrical body shape. It comprises an optical tip (5) at one end of the elongated cylindrical body arranged to be in contact with the multiphase flow mixture (100). It further comprises an optical link (6) adapted for a connection with an electronics module (11) at another end of the elongated cylindrical body arranged to be separated from the multiphase flow mixture (100). The optical tip (5) is coupled to the optical link (6) through a removable and watertight coupling (7). The removable and watertight coupling comprises a first portion (9a) of a protective tube (9) resistant to downhole conditions, said first portion (9a) enclosing the optical link (6) and comprising at least one first ring bulge (22) close to a coupling interface (10), and a second portion (9b) of the protective tube (9) partially enclosing the optical tip (5) such as to let a distal end of the optical tip (5) in contact with the multiphase flow mixture (100), said second portion (9b) comprising at least one second ring bulge (23) close to the coupling interface (10). It further comprises a coupling tube (24) surrounding facing ends of the first portion (9a) and the second portion (9b), said coupling tube (24) being adjusted in size to fit in between said first and second ring bulges (22, 23), and a coupling and protecting sheath (25) enclosing said first ring bulge (22), coupling tube (24) and second ring bulge (23) in a watertight manner.