Smooth Bore Latch for Tie Back Receptacle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In subterranean well operations, the challenge is to securely install a tie back receptacle extension in an expandable liner hanger without compromising its expansion capability or reducing the through bore, as conventional latches require grooves or increased wall thickness, which are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A smooth bore latch assembly using a wedge and ramp arrangement secures the stinger within a smooth bore, employing a spiral wound spring and biasing device to grip the bore without engaging any recesses, allowing for secure extension without altering the liner hanger's properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional latch is used to secure the tie back receptacle extension, then the extension can be securely fastened, but grooves or threads must be cut into the thin-walled liner hanger, which weakens its expansion capability
Solution Approach 1:
A latch assembly with a body and arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the tie back receptacle extension and the liner hanger. The latch arm engages with a ramp on the extension and biases against the smooth bore of the liner hanger, providing secure fastening without requiring grooves, threads, or modifications to the liner hanger wall
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly concentrates the securing function in a localized manner where the latch arm contacts only the smooth bore surface of the liner hanger. This localized contact provides sufficient holding force without compromising the overall structural integrity or expansion capability of the thin-walled liner hanger
2Reliability
If the wall thickness of the liner hanger is increased to accommodate conventional latch features, then the latch can be securely installed, but the through bore is reduced and expansion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly serves as an intermediary securing mechanism that requires no modification to the liner hanger wall thickness. The latch body and arm mechanism provides secure installation by engaging the smooth bore surface, maintaining the original through bore dimensions and expansion characteristics of the thin-walled liner hanger
3Reliability
If grooves or threads are cut into the tie back receptacle for conventional latch engagement, then the latch can be securely fastened, but the smooth bore integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly acts as an intermediary that secures the tie back receptacle extension without compromising the smooth bore integrity. The latch arm contacts only the external smooth bore surface of the liner hanger, eliminating the need to cut grooves or threads into the bore, thereby maintaining its integrity for seal assembly displacement
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism concentrates its fastening function at the external surface contact point where the latch arm biases against the smooth bore. This localized external engagement provides secure fastening while leaving the internal smooth bore geometry unchanged and intact
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
This solution enables secure installation of tie back receptacle extensions without weakening the liner hanger, maintaining its expansion capability and preventing upward displacement of the stinger, thus addressing the need for large seal assembly displacement in subterranean well operations.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is received in at least one recess. The recess and the spring therein extend circumferentially relative to a stinger. A ramp is operative to outwardly displace the spring relative to the recess in response to displacement of the spring relative to the ramp.
Data Source
AI summary
A tie back receptacle extension includes a stinger having a smooth bore latch assembly carried thereon which includes a wedge device and a ramp, and the ramp outwardly displaces the wedge device to secure the stinger within a substantially smooth bore. A smoothbore latch assembly includes a spiral wound spring received in a recess, and the recess and the spring extending circumferentially relative to a stinger. A ramp outwardly displaces the spring relative to the recess in response to displacement of the spring relative to the ramp. A method of securing a stinger within a substantially smooth bore includes: providing a latch assembly on the stinger; inserting the stinger into the bore; and engaging the latch assembly with the bore, thereby securing the stinger relative to the bore, without the latch assembly engaging any recess formed in the bore.