Slimline Stop Collar Seal for Micro-Annulus Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in preventing micro-annulus leakage in downhole applications, which can lead to fluid loss and reduced well performance.
Innovation Solution
A slimline stop collar with a seal is designed to prevent micro-annulus leakage, featuring a cylindrical housing, a compressible slip ring, a cam ring, a seal, and a bolt mechanism that compresses the seal and slip ring to engage with the downhole tubular, effectively sealing the micro-annulus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is added to the stop collar to prevent micro-annulus leakage, then fluid containment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stop collar and seal into a single integrated assembly. The seal is positioned within the stop collar housing, and both components work together as one unit to secure the centralizer and prevent micro-annulus leakage simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate annular seals or coatings on the downhole tubular.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop collar assembly serves multiple functions: it secures the centralizer in place on the downhole tubular and simultaneously prevents micro-annulus leakage through the integrated seal. This multi-functional design improves fluid containment without requiring additional separate components.
2Strength
If a compressible slip ring with teeth is used to engage the tubular periphery, then mechanical attachment strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slip ring features teeth only at specific locations where engagement with the tubular periphery is needed, rather than being uniformly toothed throughout. This localized feature provides the necessary mechanical attachment strength while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to a fully toothed design.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip ring is designed as a compressible component that can deform elastically under compression from the cam ring and bolt assembly. This flexibility allows the slip ring to engage the tubular periphery effectively while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and simplifying assembly.
3Volume of moving object
If the stop collar is designed as a slimline configuration, then installation space requirements are reduced, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The slimline stop collar achieves its compact profile by optimizing the dimensional distribution of its components. The cam ring and bolt mechanism provide structural strength in the radial dimension while maintaining a minimized axial length, allowing the assembly to fit in limited installation spaces without compromising engagement strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop collar assembly utilizes materials with high strength-to-volume ratios, such as metal alloys for the housing and slip ring, combined with elastomeric materials for the seal. This composite approach maintains structural strength while minimizing the overall volume and axial length of the assembly.
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 seals micro-annulus leaks, ensuring reliable fluid containment and enhancing well performance by eliminating the need for separate annular seals or coatings on the downhole tubular.
Implementation Method 1
Screwing the threaded surfaces of the housing and the bolt is operable to drive the tapered surfaces together and compress the seal, thereby compressing the slip ring such that the teeth engage a periphery of the tubular and energizing the seal into engagement with the periphery of the tubular
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric seal having a natural outer diameter greater than a minor diameter of the threaded surfaces
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 cam ring having a tapered inner surface; a seal receivable in the housing; 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 and compress the seal, thereby compressing the slip ring such that the teeth engage a periphery of the tubular and energizing the seal into engagement with the periphery of the tubular.