Slotted Sponge Liner Sleeve for Core Barrel Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sponge coring methods experience significant frictional forces between the core and the sponge liner, leading to core damage, compaction, and reduced rate-of-penetration due to the rigid nature of the tubular sleeve, which does not accommodate the elasticity needed for effective fluid absorption and core preservation.
Innovation Solution
A sponge liner sleeve with slots formed through its wall, providing elasticity in the circumferential direction, allowing for increased flexibility and reduced friction during core extraction, while maintaining structural integrity and fluid absorption capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid tubular sleeve is used to support the sponge liner, then structural integrity is maintained, but frictional forces increase and core damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular sleeve is divided into multiple circumferential segments separated by slots, allowing each segment to move independently and reduce frictional contact with the core while maintaining overall structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic structure with slots that allow circumferential movement and elasticity, enabling the sleeve to adapt to core dimensions and reduce friction during core extraction
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid tubular sleeve is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to core dimensions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is segmented into multiple sections with slots between them, allowing the structure to expand and contract circumferentially to adapt to different core diameters while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve structure incorporates slots that change the physical parameters of rigidity and elasticity, allowing the sleeve to flex and adapt to varying core dimensions while preserving the basic tubular manufacturing approach
3Object-affected harmful factors
If slots are added to provide elasticity, then friction is reduced and core preservation is improved, but structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into segments by slots, creating a structure that maintains integrity through the segments themselves while the slots provide necessary flexibility and friction reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The slotted sleeve creates a flexible shell structure that can deform circumferentially to reduce friction and adapt to the core, while the material thickness and segment design maintain sufficient structural strength
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 elastic design of the sponge liner sleeve reduces frictional forces, minimizes core damage, and enhances the preservation of formation fluids, allowing for more accurate analysis and improved coring efficiency by maintaining contact with the core without compromising the structural integrity of the core sample.
Implementation Method 1
The annular sponge layer 12 is constructed of a material adapted to absorb a specified reservoir fluid of interest
Implementation Method 2
the sponge material approach, there are other ways to construct a material to absorb or adsorb formation fluids of interest
Implementation Method 3
an elastic element extending in a circumferential direction between the at least two circumferential segments
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4
AI summary
A liner tube for a core barrel assembly includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve having an inner surface configured to be coupled to a layer of material that is configured to absorb or adsorb formation fluids or parts of formation fluids. At every longitudinal location of the sleeve with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a transverse cross-section of a wall of the sleeve may include at least one gap extending radially through the entire wall of the sleeve, such that the at least one gap separates a portion of the sleeve wall on one circumferential side of the at least one gap from another portion of the sleeve wall on an opposite circumferential side of the at least one gap. The sleeve has flexibility in a circumferential direction greater than that of a sleeve without a gap extending radially through an entire wall of the sleeve at a transverse cross-section of the sleeve at every longitudinal location of the sleeve. The sleeve may include at least two circumferential segments in contact with an elastic element extending in a circumferential direction. Methods of forming a liner for a core barrel assembly, methods of building a coring tool with such a liner, and method of coring a formation material are also disclosed.