Downhole Valve Slip Joint for Tool Joint Spacing Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of mud pulse telemetry valves into MWD/LWD systems is cumbersome and expensive due to tight mechanical spacing tolerance requirements, mechanical wear from abrasive drilling fluids, and potential thread damage in drill stem members, which often necessitates costly repairs and modifications to existing drill pipe and collars.

Innovation Solution

A downhole valve design featuring a slip joint mechanism that allows for rotational and longitudinal movement between the pilot valve section and the tool section, enabling fluid communication while accommodating misalignment and length adjustments, thereby reducing the need for re-tooling and maintaining compatibility with existing drilling equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mud pulse telemetry valve is integrated into an MWD/LWD system with tight mechanical spacing tolerance requirements, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidmechanical spacing tolerance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a slip joint mechanism that allows relative longitudinal movement between the pilot valve section and tool section. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the valve to accommodate variations in mechanical spacing tolerances while maintaining proper component alignment and functionality, thereby reducing installation difficulty without compromising data transmission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the downhole valve into separate modular sections (pilot valve section and tool section) connected by a slip joint. This segmentation allows each section to be independently positioned and adjusted, making it easier to meet tight mechanical spacing tolerance requirements during assembly while maintaining the integrated functionality needed for reliable data transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If interchangeable components are configured for specific drilling fluid flow rates, then telemetry performance is improved, but adaptability to varying flow conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetelemetry performanceVSAvoidadaptability to varying flow conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The slip joint mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the valve's position and orientation relative to the drill string axis. This allows the valve to adapt to varying drilling fluid flow conditions and rates by optimizing its alignment with the flow path, thereby maintaining effective telemetry performance across different operational scenarios without requiring multiple specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If drill stem members are re-machined to restore damaged threads, then member lifespan is extended, but mechanical spacing between system components changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemember lifespanVSAvoidmechanical spacing between components

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The slip joint provides a dynamic adjustment mechanism that compensates for changes in the overall length of the drill stem assembly caused by re-machining operations. By allowing relative movement between sections, the slip joint maintains the correct mechanical spacing between critical components even when the total assembly length changes, enabling extension of member lifespan through re-machining without compromising valve functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If heavy machinery is used to handle and torque drill stem members, then assembly is completed, but risk of thread damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidthread damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The slip joint mechanism allows for gradual assembly and adjustment, reducing the need for extreme torquing forces that would require heavy machinery. The flexible connection enables sections to be brought together more gently and positioned correctly through controlled movement rather than high-force tightening, thereby reducing the risk of thread damage while still achieving proper assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11365596B2Downhole valve spanning a tool joint and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 BENCH TREE GROUP LLC

AI summary

A downhole valve is described. The downhole valve has a pilot valve section and a tool section. The pilot valve section has a first tube. The tool section has a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube of the pilot valve section so as to provide fluid communication between the pilot valve section and the tool section. The tool section can be in the form of a signal valve section of a mud pulse telemetry valve, a reamer, a vertical steerable tool, a rotary steerable tool, a by-pass valve, a packer, a whipstock, or stabilizer.