Shape Memory Fishing Guide for Skewed Fish Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fishing tools face challenges when retrieving a skewed fish from a wellbore with a larger diameter, as the tool cannot traverse the smaller dimension and engage the fish positioned against the larger borehole wall, especially when the fish is askew and the top is against the wall.
Innovation Solution
A shape memory guide that can be selectively actuated to expand past a restriction, using a shape memory alloy or resilient material with heaters, to surround and engage the skewed fish, allowing the fishing tool to align and grasp it for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the fishing tool is made small enough to traverse the restriction, then it can pass through the smaller dimension, but it cannot wash over or engage the skewed fish positioned against the larger diameter wall
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure transitions from a compressed low-profile state during traversal to an expanded high-profile state during fish engagement. The guide fingers are resilient and can be forced radially inward to reduce the outer dimension for passing through the restriction, then return to their biased outward position to wash over and engage the fish, providing dynamic adaptability to two different operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure nests within the fishing tool assembly during traversal, with the guide fingers compressed inward. After passing the restriction, the guide expands outward from its nested state to engage the fish. This nesting allows the guide to fit within the constrained dimensions during running while providing full engagement capability when needed
2Ease of operation
If the guide structure is expanded to engage the skewed fish, then it can wash over and surround the fish, but it cannot pass through the smaller dimension restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure dynamically changes its outer dimension based on operational phase. During traversal, the guide fingers are forced radially inward to minimize the outer dimension for passing through the restriction. After successful traversal, the fingers return to their biased outward position to expand the guide structure for fish engagement, resolving the dimensional conflict between traversal and engagement phases
3Adaptability or versatility
If a shape memory alloy guide is used that can change dimension, then it can traverse the restriction and expand to engage the fish, but it requires additional heating components and power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure utilizes temperature as a control parameter to trigger dimensional transformation. Shape memory alloy fingers change their physical state and dimension in response to temperature changes induced by heating elements. This parameter-based control allows the guide to transform from a low-profile traversal state to a high-profile engagement state through thermal activation, providing adaptability with relatively simple heating components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with a thermal-field-based actuation mechanism. Instead of using motors, linkages, or other mechanical systems to change the guide dimension, the invention uses shape memory alloys that respond to thermal input, substituting a mechanical control system with a thermal-field control system that is simpler and more reliable
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 the successful retrieval of skewed fish by expanding to wedge between the tubular wall and the fish, aligning it with the fishing tool for effective capture and removal from the wellbore.
Implementation Method 1
The guide can use shape memory fingers with heaters that can be selectively actuated to expand the outer dimension of the guide so as to be able to engage the skewed fish
Implementation Method 2
power to heaters on the fingers takes the material past its transition temperature to allow the guide's lower end to fan out and form a large-diameter guide
Data Source
AI summary
A guide has an open end and a finger structure preferably of a shape memory alloy. The guide is run in small-diameter configuration through a restriction with a fishing tool, such as an overshot, above it. Once through the restriction, power to heaters on the fingers takes the material past its transition temperature to allow the guide lower end to fan out and surround a skewed fish that is in a slanted position and leaning on a wall of a surrounding tubular that has a larger dimension than the restriction. The bottomhole assembly is then advanced until the fish is captured by the fishing tool and pulled out of the hole. The fingers are forcibly retracted as the assembly is pulled back through the restriction. The guide can use retained fingers with an outward bias to flare out after passing through a restriction, thus acting as a fish guide.