Slip Assembly Ridge Segmentation for Downhole Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slip assemblies for downhole tools face challenges in consistently anchoring frac plugs in wellbores due to fin destruction and uneven break-up of slip rings, leading to inconsistent contact pressure and potential tool movement.
Innovation Solution
A slip assembly design featuring a cone with setting ramps and alternating ridges and splitting fins that fracture the slip ring into aligned segments, ensuring predictable fracturing and improved contact with the wellbore surface, utilizing flexible and breakable webbed interfaces for reliable anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external fins are used on the cone to guide slip segments, then the slip ring break-up is facilitated, but the fins are destroyed by slip movement and proper setting becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The cone is segmented into multiple ridges spaced around its circumference, with each ridge corresponding to a slip segment. This segmentation allows each ridge to independently guide its corresponding slip segment during break-up, ensuring consistent and reliable setting without the destruction of single large fins.
2Ease of operation
If numerous weak points are created in the slip ring for break-up, then the slip ring can fracture into segments, but the break-up is not repeatable and contact pressure becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The ridges on the cone are positioned asymmetrically relative to the slip ring's weak points, with each ridge aligned to fracture a specific segment. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the slip ring breaks at predetermined locations, creating repeatable and homogeneous contact pressure distribution across all segments during setting.
3Ease of manufacture
If the slip ring is designed as a single continuous structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but controlled break-up into aligned segments cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Weak points are pre-positioned in the slip ring at specific locations that correspond to the ridge positions on the cone. These pre-positioned weak points enable the slip ring to break-up in a controlled manner during setting, ensuring that segments align properly with the ridges while maintaining simple continuous manufacturing.
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 design achieves consistent break-up of the slip ring into segments that maintain circumferential alignment, enhancing load transfer and contact pressure, thereby improving the reliability of downhole tool anchoring and preventing tool movement.
Implementation Method 1
a cone for expanding the slip ring into engagement with the surface of the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
the ridge being wider than the through... the ridge having a height and a base, wherein an aspect ratio of the depth by the span being greater than an aspect ratio of the height by the base
Data Source
AI summary
A slip assembly for downhole tools comprises a slip ring for engaging a surface of a wellbore and a cone for expanding the slip ring into engagement with the surface of the wellbore. The slip ring has an interior surface defining a trough. The cone has an exterior surface defining a ridge. The ridge is wider than the trough, whereby the slip ring can unbend over a top of the ridge.