Rigidized Seal Assembly With Ramp Ring for Single-Trip Wellhead Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellhead systems face issues with tubing and casing hangers moving axially due to thermal expansion, leading to unreliable sealing and the need for time-consuming installation processes involving multiple trips into the wellhead.
Innovation Solution
A tubing hanger system with a space-out mechanism that allows for a single-trip installation, using a ramp ring and piston to rigidize the system within the wellhead housing, ensuring proper sealing and locking without the need for additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lead impression tool is used to measure the distance between the top of the casing hanger and the housing locking profile, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple trips into the wellhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-assembled spacer component with a known, precise length that provides the required spacing between the casing hanger and locking profile. This eliminates the need for on-site measurements and adjustments, as the spacer is manufactured to exact specifications and installed as a complete unit, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and installation time
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary component that provides the necessary axial distance between the casing hanger and the locking profile without requiring direct measurement or adjustment. The spacer's predetermined dimensions serve as a built-in reference, eliminating the need for lead impression tools and multiple measurement trips
2Manufacturing precision
If the tubing hanger is adjusted at the surface to provide a zero-gap connection, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is pre-manufactured with precise dimensions that inherently provide the zero-gap connection when assembled. The precise spacing is built into the spacer component itself during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex field adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer component self-provides the required spacing and zero-gap connection through its predetermined dimensions. The component is designed to automatically achieve the correct position and connection without requiring external adjustment mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall device while maintaining precision
3Stability of the object's composition
If the casing hanger is prevented from moving axially by rigidizing the system, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the space-out mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The space-out function is segmented into a separate, dedicated spacer component rather than being integrated into the main tubing hanger or casing hanger structures. This modular approach provides axial stability through a simple, focused component that can be easily installed and removed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer serves as an intermediary element that provides the necessary axial spacing and stability without requiring complex locking or rigidizing mechanisms. The simple spacer component fills the space and prevents axial movement through its physical presence alone, achieving stability with minimal 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 a single-trip installation process, reducing time and cost by eliminating the need for lead impression tools and ensuring reliable sealing against axial movement.
Implementation Method 1
a ramp ring configured to rotate relative to the upper body and the lower body. The upper body has at least one tapered surface configured to interface with the at least one tapered surface of the ramp ring, wherein the ramp ring is configured to rotate relative to the upper body and the lower body, and wherein the at least one tapered surface of the ramp ring and the at least one tapered surface of the upper body are configured to bear against each other
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly is provided. The seal includes an upper body; a lower body having a seal for sealing between a first wellhead system component and a second wellhead system component; and a space-out mechanism disposed between the upper body and the lower body, the space-out mechanism comprising a ramp ring having at least one tapered surface. The upper body has at least one tapered surface configured to interface with the at least one tapered surface of the ramp ring, the ramp ring is configured to rotate relative to the upper body and the lower body, and the at least one tapered surface of the ramp ring and the at least one tapered surface of the upper body are configured to bear against each other to rigidize the system.