Wellbore Tool Housing Snap Coupling for Shorter Tool Strings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore tool strings are limited in length by surface hardware constraints, and operations are time-consuming and labor-intensive, necessitating the development of shorter tool housings that can be efficiently coupled and aligned for improved efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A tool housing design with varying outer diameters, bias members, snap connectors, and release openings that facilitate secure coupling and alignment, allowing for efficient assembly and connection of wellbore tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the length of tool housing is reduced to achieve greater length optimization in the tool string, then more perforating guns can be included in a tool string, but the coupling strength and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The snap connector is received within a recess in the housing body, creating a nested structure where the connector fits inside the housing rather than being externally mounted. This nesting allows the connection mechanism to be compact while maintaining structural integrity and coupling reliability despite the reduced overall housing length.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias member is pre-loaded to automatically engage the snap connector with the adjacent tool housing upon insertion. This preliminary action ensures that the coupling is securely established before the tool string is fully assembled, maintaining reliability without requiring additional length for manual adjustment or verification mechanisms.
2Reliability
If traditional coupling mechanisms are used to ensure secure connection of wellbore tools, then reliability is maintained, but assembly time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bias member automatically applies force to engage the snap connector with the recess of the adjacent housing when the tool housings are brought together. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual tightening, threading, or complex fastening operations, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining secure and reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (such as threaded connections or multiple fasteners) with a spring-loaded snap-fit mechanism. This substitution simplifies the coupling process to a single insertion motion while maintaining connection reliability through the elastic force of the bias member.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment features are added to ensure proper orientation of adjacent tools, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snap connector and recess are positioned asymmetrically within the circular cross-section of the housing, creating a unique orientation that must be matched during assembly. This asymmetric arrangement provides inherent alignment guidance without requiring additional external alignment features, maintaining precision while avoiding increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is merged into the connection mechanism itself. The snap connector and recess serve dual purposes: they provide the mechanical coupling between tool housings and simultaneously ensure proper alignment through their asymmetric positioning. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment features, maintaining precision without adding complexity.
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 design enables secure, efficient coupling of wellbore tools, reducing operational time and costs while allowing for more perforations in a single run, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A bias member may be provided within the bias member channel. A snap connector may be engaged with the bias member such that the bias member biases the snap connector outward in the radial direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool housing for use in a wellbore tool string may include a housing body having a first housing region and a second housing region. The tool housing may include a bias member channel provided in the first housing region and extending inward in a radial direction. A bias member may be provided within the bias member channel and engaged with a snap connector. The bias member may bias the snap connector outward in the radial direction. A connector groove may be provided in a hollow interior of the second housing region and extend outward in the radial direction. A first housing region of a second tool housing of a wellbore tool string may be inserted into a hollow interior of a first tool housing. A snap connector of the second tool housing may be coupled with a connector groove of the first tool housing.