Downhole Sensor Arm Radial Deployment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole logging tools in oil and gas production require multiple sensors deployed radially, leading to increased tool length and cost due to the need for multiple measurements along different locations and circumferential positions, making them unwieldy and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A system with extendable arms and a pivot block mechanism that allows sensors to be deployed radially from a work string, using biasing members like leaf springs to transition between stored and expanded positions, enabling measurements without increasing the tool's outer diameter, allowing insertion into smaller wellbores and providing comprehensive annulus coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed radially from the work string, then comprehensive measurements along different locations and circumferential positions are achieved, but the tool length and overall string length increase making it unwieldy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically extendable arms that can transition between a retracted configuration (during insertion) and an extended configuration (during measurement). This dynamic transformation allows the tool to achieve comprehensive radial measurements without permanently increasing its length, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement comprehensiveness and tool string length.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are designed to nest within the work string body when retracted, similar to a nested doll structure. This nesting mechanism allows the measurement components to be compact during insertion and deployment, enabling comprehensive measurements without increasing the overall tool string length that would make it unwieldy or expensive to deploy.
2Measurement precision
If multiple downhole tools are deployed to perform measurements at different locations, then comprehensive measurement coverage is achieved, but the overall length and cost of the tool string increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple measurement capabilities into a single downhole tool by incorporating multiple extendable arms with sensors that can be positioned at different radial locations and circumferential positions. This merging of multiple measurement functions into one tool eliminates the need for multiple separate downhole tools, thereby reducing tool string complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole tool is designed with universal multi-functionality, where a single tool can perform measurements at various locations and orientations through its extendable arm mechanism. This multi-functional design allows one tool to replace multiple specialized tools, reducing overall device complexity and cost while achieving comprehensive measurement coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the tool diameter is increased to accommodate multiple sensors, then comprehensive annulus coverage is achieved, but the tool cannot be inserted into smaller wellbores
Solution Approach 1:
The tool employs dynamically extendable arms that remain retracted during insertion to maintain a compact profile suitable for small wellbores, then extend during measurement to achieve comprehensive annulus coverage. This dynamic size adjustment resolves the contradiction between annulus coverage and wellbore size adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple independent extendable arms that can be deployed individually or in combination. This segmentation allows the tool to maintain a small overall diameter for insertion while providing the capability to achieve comprehensive annulus coverage when the arms are extended, thereby maintaining adaptability to various wellbore sizes.
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 efficient and cost-effective deployment of sensors in oil and gas formations by allowing individual arm movement to follow wellbore contours, reducing tool diameter during installation, and providing comprehensive measurements without the need for multiple tools, thus improving measurement accuracy and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot block includes a biasing member positioned at least partially within the slot and coupled to the pivot block and the arm, the biasing member driving the arm between the stored position and the expanded position
Data Source
AI summary
A system for driving an arm radially outward from a work string axis includes a pivot block coupled to the arm at a first coupling, the arm rotating about the first coupling in a first direction to move from a stored position to an expanded position, and about the first coupling in a second direction to move from the expanded position to the stored position. The system also includes a biasing member that drives movement of the arm in the first direction. The system further includes a chamber for storing the biasing member within a pivot block diameter when the arm is in the stored position.