Treatment Plug Anchoring and Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring and sealing systems for tubular systems in industries like carbon dioxide sequestration and completion require improvements in positional fixation and sealing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A treatment plug with radially movable slips that perimetrically wedge between fingers to anchor and a deformable metal seal that radially deforms for sealing engagement, allowing for secure anchoring and sealing within tubular structures, enabling effective fluid treatment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing anchoring and sealing systems are used, then the system can perform basic anchoring and sealing functions, but the positional fixation and sealing efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plug is divided into distinct functional segments: radially movable slips for anchoring, non-movable fingers for structural support, and a separate deformable metal seal for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, improving overall anchoring and sealing efficiency without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates radially movable slips that can transition from a retracted state during deployment to an expanded state for anchoring. This dynamic capability allows the anchor to adapt to the borehole geometry and achieve reliable positional fixation, while the deformable metal seal provides dynamic sealing by deforming radially outward to contact the borehole wall
2Productivity
If a large bore dimension is maintained, then operational efficiency and flexibility are enhanced, but structural strength and sealing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plug features local quality enhancement through the use of a deformable metal seal with specific material properties optimized for sealing. The metal seal can be elastically or plastically deformed to create a reliable seal against the borehole wall, providing localized high strength and sealing capability at the sealing interface while maintaining a large bore dimension elsewhere in the structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines different materials with complementary properties: the deformable metal seal provides high strength and elasticity for sealing, while the slips and fingers are constructed from materials optimized for anchoring and structural support. This composite approach allows the structure to maintain large bore dimensions while having localized high-strength regions for sealing and anchoring
3Reliability
If radially movable slips are used for anchoring, then reliable positional fixation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radially movable slips are designed to automatically expand and engage with the borehole wall through self-service mechanisms. The slips utilize elastic deformation and friction forces to maintain anchoring without requiring additional actuation systems or complex control mechanisms, achieving reliable positional fixation while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The non-movable fingers serve as intermediaries between the radially movable slips and the borehole wall. The fingers provide structural support and guidance for the slips during the anchoring process, and may also directly engage with the borehole wall to distribute loads, simplifying the overall anchor mechanism while maintaining reliable positional fixation
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 treatment plug achieves reliable anchoring and sealing, allowing for efficient fluid treatment and operation with a large bore dimension, reducing the need for pre-drilling and supporting high loads with minimal structural deformation, thus enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least one seal having a deformable metal member configured to radially deform into sealing engagement with the structure in response to being deformed radially outwardly
Implementation Method 2
the at least one slip being perimetrically wedged between fingers of the treatment plug that are not radially movable
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment plug includes an anchor runnable and settable within a structure having, at least one slip movably engaged with the anchor to move radially into engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal movement of the at least one slip relative to surfaces of the treatment plug, the at least one slip being perimetrically wedged between fingers of the treatment plug that are not radially movable, at least one seal having a deformable metal member configured to radially deform into sealing engagement with the structure in response to being deformed radially outwardly, and a seat that is sealingly receptive to a plug.