Segmented Wellbore Anchor with Groove for Rotation Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore anchors often restrict access within the wellbore due to their design, which accommodates a significant portion of the inner diameter, making it difficult or impossible to pass tools or strings past the anchor, while also failing to effectively prevent rotation of the tubing string in low-pressure reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore anchor tool with a housing featuring multiple anchoring mechanisms and a longitudinally extending groove, allowing for axial space creation between the anchor and the well casing, enabling access while preventing rotation by using a biasing member to displace anchoring members between locking and non-locking positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the anchor body accommodates much of the inner diameter of the wellbore to provide reliable anchoring, then the anchoring reliability is improved, but access past the anchor is restricted and sometimes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor body is segmented into multiple sections with grooves that create axial spaces, allowing tools and strings to pass through while maintaining anchoring functionality. The anchoring mechanisms are distributed around the circumference rather than occupying the entire inner diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from radial occupancy (accommodating inner diameter) to axial spacing (creating passage ways), solving the access problem by utilizing the axial dimension rather than restricting radial space.
2Reliability
If the anchor prevents rotation of the tubing string effectively, then the anchoring reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple anchoring mechanisms and biasing members
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple anchoring mechanisms are merged into a single anchor body structure, sharing common components such as the housing and biasing members. The mechanisms work together as an integrated system rather than separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body serves multiple functions: it houses multiple anchoring mechanisms, provides structural support, creates axial spaces for access, and enables rotation prevention. The biasing members serve both to engage anchoring teeth and to allow disengagement when needed.
3Force
If the anchoring member is designed to bite into the well casing for secure anchoring, then the force transmission is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to precision requirements for the bite portion
Solution Approach 1:
The bite portion of the anchoring member has specialized geometry with teeth or edges optimized for engaging the well casing, while other portions of the member have simpler forms. This localized complexity only where needed improves force transmission without requiring the entire component to be difficult to manufacture.
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
The tool effectively anchors the tubing string against rotation in a predetermined direction, allowing for unobstructed access through the wellbore by maintaining a significant axial space, ensuring reliable operation and easy disengagement without damaging components.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member acting between the housing and the anchoring member for urging the bite portion into contact with the well casing
Implementation Method 2
the bite portion slides against the well casing in response to rotation of the housing in an opposite angular direction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a tubing string anchor for resisting angular rotation of the tubing string, as when undergoing pumping through the string. The anchor includes a plurality of anchoring members each rotatable about a fulcrum between a locking position and a non-locking position. The anchor housing has a groove formed between adjacent anchoring members through which a string may be run to access below the anchor when the anchor is installed.