Slip Ring Radially Offset Slot 360-Degree Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical c-ring slip rings do not provide 360-degree contact between the packer and the surrounding tubular when in a radially enlarged state, leading to cantilever effects and misalignment, which are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A slip ring design with a slot that is misaligned with the centerline, such as a non-linear or linear slot extending between the first and second opposing ends, radially offset by at least 15-degrees, allowing for 360-degree contact without the need for a full barrel style external slip ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical c-ring slip ring design with a single axial slot is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simpler, but the contact between the packer and surrounding tubular is not 360-degree, leading to cantilever effects and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the slot at a radial offset from the centerline of the slip ring, creating an asymmetric configuration that enables 360-degree contact between the packer and surrounding tubular while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The slot is deliberately placed off-center to achieve the desired contact geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single axial slot configuration to a radially offset slot configuration, adding a dimensional aspect (radial offset) to the slot positioning. This dimensional change allows the slot to serve dual purposes: maintaining axial flexibility while enabling 360-degree radial contact.
2Reliability
If a full barrel style external slip ring is used to achieve 360-degree contact, then contact completeness is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of 360-degree contact from the complex full barrel style external slip ring and achieves it through a simpler radially offset slot configuration in a conventional c-ring slip ring. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive full barrel external slip rings while maintaining the desired contact completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the full barrel style external slip ring's functional outcome (360-degree contact) using a radially offset slot in a conventional c-ring slip ring. This copy achieves the same contact completeness at lower manufacturing cost and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the slot is positioned to allow radial expansion, then the sealing assembly can function properly, but 360-degree contact is not achieved, causing cantilever effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric slot positioning (radially offset from centerline) to simultaneously achieve both radial expansion capability and 360-degree contact. The asymmetric position allows the slot to accommodate radial movement while maintaining continuous contact around the entire circumference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic configuration where the radially offset slot allows the slip ring to expand radially while maintaining 360-degree contact with the surrounding tubular. The slot's asymmetric positioning enables the structure to adapt to radial expansion without compromising contact completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a slip ring for use with a sealing assembly, a sealing tool, and a method for sealing an annulus within a wellbore. The slip ring, in at least one aspect, includes a ring member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a wall thickness (t). The slip ring, in this aspect, may additionally include a slot located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the first end and the second opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to move between a radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a first portion of the slot located at the first end and a second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees.