Threadless Downhole Tool Anchoring via Rotating Sleeve and Buttons
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oil and gas industry faces challenges in securely anchoring downhole tool components to tubing strings without relying on traditional threads, which increases costs and time due to the need for specially manufactured threads.
Innovation Solution
An anchoring assembly that includes a body, housing, installation sleeve, and anchoring buttons, where the buttons circumvolve around a pin and lockingly engage with the tubing string's inner diameter, eliminating the need for threads by using a rotating sleeve and frangible devices for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threads are used to anchor downhole tool components to tubing strings, then secure anchoring is achieved, but manufacturing costs and time increase due to the need for specially manufactured threads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the thread component from the anchoring system. Instead of using traditional threaded connections that require specially manufactured threads, the invention uses a threadless anchoring mechanism with anchoring buttons that engage directly with the tubing string inner diameter, thereby removing the need for expensive specialized threading operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive anchoring buttons made from readily available materials that can be easily manufactured and installed. These buttons serve as temporary or disposable anchoring elements that provide sufficient functionality without requiring expensive, complex thread structures, aligning with the principle of using cost-effective simple components
2Reliability
If specially manufactured threads are used for anchoring, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threading operation from the installation process entirely. The threadless anchoring design allows for direct engagement of anchoring buttons with the tubing string, eliminating the time-consuming steps required for thread cutting, tapping, or threading operations during well site installations
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring buttons are pre-configured and ready for immediate installation without requiring preliminary thread preparation. The components are designed to be installed in their final functional state, eliminating the need for on-site thread manufacturing or preparation activities that would extend installation time
3Ease of manufacture
If a rotating sleeve and frangible devices are used instead of threads, then threadless anchoring is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the anchoring function into separate, simple components: anchoring buttons, a rotating sleeve, and frangible devices. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble while achieving threadless anchoring, despite the increased number of parts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including a rotating sleeve that can rotate during installation and frangible devices that can fail or release under certain conditions. These dynamic features enable the anchoring mechanism to adapt during installation and operation, providing flexibility and reliability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to traditional threaded systems
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 allows for secure anchoring of downhole tool components to various tubing strings without threads, reducing costs and time, while maintaining stability during well operations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of anchoring buttons located within a plurality of cutouts on the housing, wherein the plurality of anchoring buttons circumvolve around a pin, and wherein an edge on the plurality of anchoring buttons lockingly engages with the inner diameter of the tubing string
Data Source
AI summary
A method of anchoring a housing to an inner diameter of a tubing string can include: installing an anchoring assembly at an end of the tubing string, the anchoring assembly comprising: a body; the housing; an installation sleeve; a rotating sleeve in threaded connection with the housing and the installation sleeve; and a plurality of anchoring buttons located within a plurality of cutouts on the housing; causing movement of the body along a longitudinal axis of the tubing string towards the end of the tubing string that causes the plurality of anchoring buttons to circumvolve around a pin and an edge of the anchoring buttons lockingly engages with the ID of the tubing string after circumvolving; releasing both of the installation sleeve and the rotating sleeve from engagement with the tubing string, the body, and the housing; and removing the installation sleeve and the rotating sleeve from the anchoring assembly.