Symmetrical-Tooth Internal Slip for Packer Backlash Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal slips in sealing/anchoring subassemblies suffer from backlash and set back issues, leading to loss of setting force and relaxation of packer elements, which affects sealing performance, particularly in large size packers.
Innovation Solution
The development of internal slips with symmetrical teeth, where one or more of the set of teeth are generally, substantially, or ideally symmetrical about the centerline, enhancing geometrical constraint and reducing backlash, thereby improving sealing performance and stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional internal slips are used in sealing/anchoring subassemblies, then the structure is simple, but backlash and set back occur leading to loss of setting force and relaxation of packer elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry principle by designing teeth that are symmetrical about a centerline, which is an asymmetric feature compared to conventional random or asymmetric tooth configurations. This symmetrical tooth design creates geometrical constraint that prevents backlash and set back, thereby improving sealing performance and eliminating the technical contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Reliability
If internal slips with more teeth are used to reduce backlash, then sealing performance improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the teeth by making them symmetrical about a centerline, which is a parameter change in the tooth configuration. This parameter change achieves backlash reduction while maintaining manufacturing feasibility, as the symmetrical design can be produced using standard machining processes without requiring excessive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an internal slip, a sealing/anchoring subassembly, a well system, and method. The internal slip, in one aspect, includes a tubular, the tubular having a tubular inner diameter (IDt) and a tubular outer diameter (ODt). The internal slip, in this aspect, further includes a first set of teeth disposed along the tubular inner diameter (IDt), the first set of teeth configured to engage with base teeth disposed on a base outer diameter (ODB) of a base positioned radially inside of the tubular. The internal slip, in this aspect, further includes a second set of teeth disposed along the tubular outer diameter (ODt), the second set of teeth configured to engage with stroke sleeve teeth disposed on a stroke sleeve outer diameter (ODSS) of a stroke sleeve positioned radially outside of the tubular, wherein one or more of the second set of teeth are generally symmetrical about a centerline thereof.