Mechanical Stepper Sleeve for Incremental Tubular Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the resource recovery industry, there is a need to control and regulate the flow of fluid through tubulars to manage the amount of fluid being transported from a formation to the surface effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical stepper system is introduced, comprising a housing with a cavity and a stepper sleeve, featuring first and second stop members with different equilibrium diameters, and an insert with protrusions that interact to incrementally change the diameter of these stop members, allowing controlled movement of the insert and thus regulating fluid flow by altering the number of ports open for fluid passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical stepper system with stop members and protrusions is used to incrementally actuate the insert, then the fluid flow control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is segmented into discrete components: the insert with protrusions, the stepper sleeve with stop members, and the housing with cavities. Each component has a specific function, and their interaction creates incremental motion steps. The protrusions on the insert engage with the stop members at specific equilibrium positions, creating discrete, controlled movement increments that enable precise fluid flow regulation without requiring a completely complex actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop members act as intermediaries between the insert's protrusions and the housing. They mediate the interaction by providing equilibrium positions that guide the incremental movement of the insert. The stop members translate the mechanical interaction between protrusions and cavities into controlled positional changes, enabling precise flow control while simplifying the overall actuation mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the insert is made movable with respect to the housing to regulate fluid flow, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the reliability of the sealing and positioning may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The housing contains pre-formed cavities at specific positions that correspond to the protrusions on the insert. The stop members are pre-positioned within these cavities at equilibrium positions. When the insert moves, the protrusions automatically engage with the pre-positioned stop members, ensuring reliable positioning without requiring complex sealing mechanisms. The preliminary arrangement of cavities and stop members guarantees consistent, repeatable positioning across multiple actuation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable insert and stepper sleeve are designed with specific local features: protrusions at defined positions on the insert, corresponding cavities in the housing, and stop members with specific equilibrium positions. These localized features create discrete, reliable interaction points that ensure consistent positioning. The local quality of these features— their precise geometry and positioning—ensures reliable engagement while allowing the overall system to remain adaptable through incremental motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical stepper and method of incrementally actuating a device. An insert is placed within a housing. The housing has a cavity and a stepper sleeve located within the cavity. The stepper sleeve includes a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first equilibrium diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second equilibrium diameter less than the first equilibrium diameter. The insert including a first protrusion. The insert moves through the housing, and motion of the insert through the housing is incrementally restricted by changing a diameter of the first stop member and a diameter of the second stop member via the first protrusion.