Selective Sleeve System Preventing Unintended Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tubular systems with shifting mechanisms often experience unintended actuation or release due to exposed shoulders being inadvertently engaged with devices passing through, leading to undesirable shifting or release of components.
Innovation Solution
A selective sleeve system featuring a movable sleeve and radially biased dogs that displace into a recess to move the sleeve relative to the tubular, with a release mechanism ensuring intentional actuation, preventing unintentional movement by devices passing through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an exposed shoulder is used for latching in shifting mechanisms, then the mechanism can be actuated or shifted as intended, but the exposed shoulder can be inadvertently engaged with devices being run through the tubular causing actuation at undesirable times
Solution Approach 1:
A movable member with radially biased dogs acts as an intermediary between the actuating force and the sleeve. The dogs must be intentionally loaded radially outward to engage the sleeve's shoulder, preventing inadvertent engagement by devices passing through the tubular while still allowing controlled actuation when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is segmented into distinct components: the movable member with dogs, the sleeve with shoulder, and the radially biased spring. This segmentation allows the dogs to be selectively engaged only when intentional force is applied, isolating the latching function from inadvertent contact by passing devices
2Reliability
If a movable member with radially biased dogs is used to control sleeve movement, then intentional actuation is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radially biased spring provides self-service by automatically returning the dogs to their retracted position after actuation and maintaining constant radial pressure on the dogs to ensure they remain engaged with the sleeve shoulder. This eliminates the need for additional locking mechanisms or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member with radially biased dogs introduces dynamic elements that allow the mechanism to transition between locked and actuated states. The radial bias provides continuous force to maintain engagement, while the movable nature allows intentional displacement to control sleeve position
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 system effectively prevents unintended actuation or release of the sleeve, ensuring controlled operation by requiring intentional loading and distributing forces symmetrically for reliable actuation of tools, such as packers, in applications like downhole hydrocarbon recovery.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radially biased dog (26) configured to be radially displaceable into a recess (30)
Data Source
AI summary
A selective sleeve system includes, a tubular, a sleeve movably disposed at the tubular, and a movable member having at least one dog radially biased and configured to be radially displaceable into a recess. The at least one dog is positionable perimetrically adjacent to at least one tab, subsequent displacement into the recess to radially overlap with the sleeve sufficiently to move the sleeve relative to the tubular upon movement of the movable member relative to the tubular.