Rotating Cement Head with Integrated Plug Launcher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil well cementing devices are difficult to assemble from the bottom up, require workers to support components during assembly, are costly due to complexity, and struggle with efficiently injecting cement into rotating and oscillating casing strings, while also needing significant rig downtime for plug launching.
Innovation Solution
An oil well cementing head with a combined swivel assembly and plug launcher assembly that allows for cement injection during rotation and oscillation, featuring a modular design with a swivel shaft and plug launcher assembly that includes a resettable indicator for plug release, enabling efficient plug launching and cement distribution without the need for extensive rig downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional cementing head is used, then cement can be injected into the casing string, but the device is complex and costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the swivel assembly and plug launcher assembly into a single integrated cementing head unit. The swivel shaft and plug launcher are merged into one compact device that performs both cement injection and plug launching functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate assemblies and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cementing head is designed as a multi-functional device that can both inject cement into the rotating casing string and launch plugs to seal the annular gap. The single device performs multiple operations (cement injection, rotation, plug launching) that would traditionally require separate equipment, thereby simplifying the overall system
2Ease of operation
If workers assemble the cementing device from the bottom up, then the device can be constructed, but workers must support components during assembly which is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cementing head is designed as a modular segmented device with distinct components (swivel assembly, plug launcher assembly, indicator mechanism) that can be assembled in a logical sequence from the top down. Each segment is self-contained and can be independently positioned, making assembly easier and more systematic compared to traditional bottom-up construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional assembly sequence by designing the device to be assembled from the top down rather than bottom up. The swivel assembly and plug launcher are assembled in reverse order of installation, eliminating the need for workers to support heavy components during assembly and significantly reducing assembly time
3Productivity
If a plug launcher assembly is connected to the casing string, then plugs can be launched, but the rig must stop rotation and oscillation which causes significant downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The cementing head is designed to allow continuous rotation and oscillation of the casing string throughout the entire cementing process, including during plug launching operations. The integrated design enables plugs to be launched without interrupting the rotational motion, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating rig downtime that would occur with traditional separate plug launching equipment
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the plug launcher assembly with the rotating swivel assembly, the device enables plug launching to occur during continuous rotation. The integrated mechanism allows the plug to be launched while the casing string maintains its rotational and oscillating motion, eliminating the need to stop the rig and maintaining operational efficiency
4Reliability
If the cementing head allows rotation and oscillation during cement injection, then cement distributes evenly, but it is difficult to inject cement into the rotating and oscillating casing string
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel assembly is designed as a dynamic mechanism that rotates and oscillates with the casing string during cement injection. The rotating swivel shaft and flexible connections allow cement to be injected into the moving, rotating, and oscillating casing string, maintaining reliable cement distribution and sealing quality while accommodating the dynamic motion of the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
An oil well rotating cement head includes a swivel assembly and a plug launcher assembly. The swivel assembly includes a swivel shaft and a collar-shaped, outer swivel subassembly. The swivel shaft has an internal through bore and windows extending through the swivel shaft, and extends through the outer swivel subassembly. The swivel shaft and outer swivel subassembly enclose an inner annular gap in fluid communication with the windows of the swivel shaft. A material inlet formed in the outer swivel subassembly is in fluid communication with the inner annular gap. The plug launcher assembly is affixed to the swivel shaft and releasably holds one or more oil well cementing plugs. The plug launcher assembly provides fluid communication from the internal through bore of the swivel shaft to a bottom end of the plug launcher assembly.