Spring Loaded Downhole Scraping Tool for Deviated Casing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wellbore cleaning tools face challenges in effectively cleaning casing surfaces due to limitations in tubular coverage, engagement, and internal bore diameter, particularly in deviated casing sections, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of tool failure.

Innovation Solution

A downhole tool with a mandrel and interchangeable inserts, including spring-loaded scraping and brushing inserts, designed for enhanced tubular coverage and independent extension, featuring contoured blade designs and adaptable construction to accommodate various wellbore profiles, reducing tool failure and improving cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wellbore cleaning tools are used, then basic cleaning function is provided, but tubular coverage and engagement are insufficient leading to poor cleaning effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidtubular coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool is divided into multiple modular inserts including scraping inserts with contoured blades and brushing inserts with wire bristles, each segment designed to contact specific portions of the casing interior surface. These segmented cleaning elements can be independently positioned and replaced, improving overall tubular coverage and cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning elements are designed with three-dimensional contoured blade profiles and radial wire bristle arrangements that extend outward from the mandrel in multiple directions. This dimensional configuration enables the cleaning tool to engage with the casing interior surface at various angles, significantly increasing the effective contact area and tubular coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed cleaning elements are used, then simple construction is maintained, but adaptability to deviated casing sections is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to deviated casingVSAvoidtool construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning inserts are designed with spring-loaded mounting mechanisms that allow the scraping blades and wire brushes to dynamically adjust their position and orientation in response to casing deviations and irregularities. This dynamic capability enables the tool to adapt to deviated casing sections without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tool allows for changing cleaning parameters by replacing inserts with different blade contours, wire bristle densities, and engagement forces depending on the specific wellbore conditions. This parameter variability provides adaptability to different casing configurations and contamination types without fundamentally redesigning the entire tool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of stationary object

If standard inserts are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but internal bore diameter enlargement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal bore diameterVSAvoidinsert manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The scraping inserts feature contoured blade profiles with curved surfaces designed to contact and scrape the casing interior wall while allowing the mandrel to pass through. These curved geometries effectively enlarge the internal bore diameter by removing material and smoothing the surface, while the blades themselves are manufactured using standard contouring processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 tool provides superior casing cleaning by ensuring comprehensive tubular coverage and enlarged internal bore diameters, allowing for efficient removal of debris and reducing tool failure rates, especially in deviated casing sections, while maintaining adaptability for diverse wellbore conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a first insert with a passageway therehtrough is operatively received within the first slot and a second insert with a passageway therehtrough is operatively received within the second slot. In varying embodiments, the first and/or the second insert is either a spring loaded scraping insert or a spring loaded brush insert

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

enhanced casing cleaning by at least one of contoured blade design(s) to provide superior tubular coverage, engagement and/or contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical abrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3372779B1Mproved downhole scraping and/or brushing tool
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC
  • EP3372779B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3372779B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3372779B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An improved and enhanced spring loaded downhole tool (1) for cleaning well casing bores comprising a mandrel (10), at least a first insert having a passageway therethrough, and at least a second insert, wherein both the first insert and the second insert are selected from at least one of a spring loaded scraper insert and at least one wire brush insert, and further wherein the first insert and the second insert are slidingly received within a slot on a first mounting portion on the mandrel and a slot on a second mounting portion on the mandrel, from the outermost respective ends, and wherein the first insert is secured by a first retaining sleeve (30) and the second insert is secured by a second retaining sleeve (30). Also disclosed is a unique method for cleaning a section of casing with a downhole tool, as herein disclosed.