Slimline Stop Collar With Compressible Slip Ring for Tubular Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stop collars for downhole tubulars lack efficient mechanisms for secure mounting and longitudinal stabilization, particularly in unstable or depleted formations, leading to potential collapse and fluid loss during drilling.
Innovation Solution
A slimline stop collar design featuring a cylindrical housing with threaded and tapered surfaces, a compressible slip ring with teeth, and a cam ring, which are compressed by a bolt to securely engage the tubular, providing bidirectional gripping and longitudinal stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional stop collar design is used, then the structure is simple, but the mounting security and longitudinal stabilization are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stop collar is divided into distinct functional segments: a compressible slip ring with teeth for gripping, a cam ring for mechanical advantage, and a threaded bolt for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip ring is designed to be compressible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the tubular surface. The compression mechanism transforms rotational motion of the bolt into radial compression force, creating a dynamic gripping action that enhances mounting security while using a relatively simple actuation system.
2Force
If the slip ring is compressed tightly onto the tubular, then the gripping force increases, but the ability to accommodate deformation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The slip ring is designed as a compressible element that can deform radially to conform to the tubular surface. This flexibility allows the teeth to engage securely with the tubular while the overall structure can still accommodate axial deformation and buckling of unstable formations through controlled compression and relaxation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stop collar prevents collapse of unstable formations, then the formation stability improves, but the fluid flow may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The stop collar applies compression force only where needed - locally at the engagement point with the tubular - rather than restricting the entire bore. This partial action provides sufficient formation stabilization while leaving the majority of the bore open for fluid flow, balancing formation support with hydraulic efficiency.
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 slimline stop collar effectively secures the tubular by compressing the slip ring's teeth onto the tubular's periphery, enhancing stability and preventing collapse, while allowing for rotation and accommodating deformation in unstable formations.
Implementation Method 1
Screwing the threaded surfaces of the housing and the bolt is operable to drive the tapered surfaces together
Implementation Method 2
compressing the slip ring such that the teeth engage a periphery of the tubular
Implementation Method 3
the teeth engage a periphery of the tubular
Implementation Method 4
a compressible slip ring having teeth formed in an inner surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A stop collar for mounting to a downhole tubular includes: a cylindrical housing having a threaded inner surface and a tapered inner surface; a compressible slip ring having teeth formed in an inner surface thereof and a pair of tapered outer surfaces; a compressible cam ring having a tapered inner surface; and a cylindrical bolt having a threaded outer surface. A natural outer diameter of each ring is greater than a minor diameter of the threaded surfaces. Screwing the threaded surfaces of the housing and the bolt is operable to drive the tapered surfaces together, thereby compressing the slip ring such that the teeth engage a periphery of the tubular.