Well Pipe Cutting Unit with Spring-Loaded Tool Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting tools for well pipes, particularly in deviated and horizontal wells, face challenges such as inaccurate positioning, damage to external equipment, and difficulty in releasing from the cut due to shear displacement, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A cutting unit with a tool housing that is axially displaceable and rotatable, featuring a conical leading end, a springable tool mount, and a restricting face to control cutting depth and prevent further cutting once the downward-facing portion is complete, along with a cone body and actuator for radial displacement, ensuring easy release and minimizing material removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cutting tool is positioned in the cut during well pipe cutting, then the cutting operation can be completed, but the tool may get pinched and stuck between the upper and lower portions due to creep and shear displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool is mounted on a radially displaceable tool mount that can dynamically adjust its position. The tool transitions between a retracted position (when not in use) and an extended cutting position (during operation). This dynamic positioning allows the tool to be withdrawn from the cut, preventing it from being pinched and stuck when shear displacement occurs between pipe sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting tool assembly is segmented into separable components: the cutting tool itself, the tool mount, and the actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows the cutting tool to be independently positioned and retracted from the cut, enabling it to avoid being trapped between pipe sections while maintaining cutting effectiveness when extended.
2Productivity
If a rotating cutting tool is used in deviated wells, then cutting can be performed, but the tool may cut through the tubing wall in the downward-facing portion before completing the upward-facing portion due to centering difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
A restricting face is introduced as an intermediary element between the cutting tool and the pipe wall. This restricting face acts as a mechanical stop that prevents the cutting tool from extending beyond a predetermined safe depth. By positioning the restricting face appropriately, the system ensures that even if centering is imperfect in deviated wells, the cutting tool cannot cut through the entire wall thickness and damage external equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting face is pre-positioned on the tool mount before the cutting operation begins. This preliminary positioning establishes a maximum cutting depth limit in advance, ensuring that the cutting tool cannot exceed the safe cutting depth regardless of centering accuracy or pipe orientation during the cutting process.
3Productivity
If high-pressure water-cutting with abrasive particles is used, then cutting can be performed, but there is little control of cut depth and external equipment may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-pressure water-jet cutting mechanism with a mechanical rotating cutting tool. This substitution provides precise mechanical control over cutting depth through the tool mount's radial displacement mechanism and the restricting face, eliminating the uncontrolled depth penetration issue inherent in water-jet methods while maintaining effective cutting capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If chipping tools are used for well pipe cutting, then cutting can be performed, but accurate positioning is required and the tools are unsuitable for deviated wells
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool assembly is designed with universal adaptability to function effectively in various well configurations including vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells. The rotating cutting mechanism combined with the radially displaceable tool mount and restricting face provides a versatile solution that does not require the precise positioning needed for chipping tools, making it suitable for complex well geometries while maintaining cutting precision.
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 solution ensures precise cutting with even depth, easy release from the cutting site, and reduced material removal, addressing the inefficiencies and damage issues in existing tools, especially in deviated and horizontal wells.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated springable tool mount with a first end portion, a second end portion and a resilient portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the elongated tool mount being positioned in an external recess in the tool housing, and the second end portion being positioned at the leading end portion, and the tool mount being tensioned towards the centre axis
Implementation Method 2
a push rod connected to a cone body, the cone body resting against the first bevel. While rotating the cutting unit in the well pipe, displacing the cone body in an axial direction brings the cutting tool from a passive, radially retracted position into an active, radially extended position
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a cutting unit for a well pipe. The cutting unit includes a tool housing axially displaceable and rotatable in the well pipe, arranged in the tool housing at least one cutting tool displaceable in a radial direction, the unit connected to a rotary adapter for rotation around a center axis, and the tool housing provided with a leading end portion and a coupling portion, the leading end portion being conical, sloping towards the center axis and away from the coupling portion; and the cutting unit provided with an elongated springable tool mount with a first end portion, a second end portion and a resilient portion between first end portion and second end portion, elongated tool mount positioned in an external recess in the tool housing, and the second end portion positioned at the leading end portion, and the tool mount tensioned towards the center axis; a sleeve positioned around the coupling portion, the first end portion attached to the sleeve; at least one shear body fixing the sleeve to the tool housing; an internal first bevel on the second end portion of the tool mount; a cutting unit attached to the second end portion on the opposite side of the internal first bevel; and a push rod connected to a cone body, cone body resting against the first bevel.