Wellbore Latch Assembly with Linear Actuator for Retrieval Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore tools face challenges in retrieving devices stuck or subject to significant hydrostatic head resistance, as they often require excessive force that exceeds the strength of wirelines or slicklines.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a linear actuator and latch assembly that engages with a sleeve's interior profile, using a tapered surface to protrude keys for secure engagement and a timer or hydraulic release for controlled latching and unlatching, allowing for reduced force transmission during device retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If mechanical apparatus or power unit exerts force to retrieve stuck devices, then device retrieval is achieved, but force exceeds wireline/slickline strength causing conveyance failure
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical advantage system acts as an intermediary between the power unit and the stuck device. The system includes a fixed anchor point in the wellbore, a movable pulley attached to the device, and a rope running between them. This intermediary mechanism multiplies the retrieval force while reducing the load on the wireline/slickline, allowing force to be amplified without exceeding conveyance strength limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval system transitions from static force application to dynamic mechanical advantage. The movable pulley system allows the retrieval force to be dynamically adjusted and multiplied as the device is pulled free, enabling the power unit to exert controlled force that is amplified through the mechanical system rather than directly transmitted through the conveyance.
2Force
If high-strength conveyances are used to retrieve stuck devices, then retrieval capability is improved, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using high-strength conveyances, the patent introduces a mechanical advantage system as an intermediary that provides force multiplication. This approach maintains simple, standard-strength wirelines or slicklines while adding a deployable mechanical system (pulley and anchor) that creates the necessary retrieval force capability without requiring stronger conveyance materials.
3Force
If mechanical advantage system is deployed, then force requirements are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical advantage system is segmented into distinct, simple components: a fixed anchor point, a movable pulley, and a rope. Each component is independently simple in design, but their combination creates the force multiplication effect. This segmentation allows the complex function of force reduction to be achieved through multiple simple elements rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic deployment of the mechanical advantage components. The anchor is set at the desired location, the pulley is attached to the device, and the rope is threaded through the system. This dynamic assembly allows the force multiplication capability to be activated only when needed, maintaining simplicity during normal operations while providing complex force management during retrieval operations.
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
Enables the retrieval of wellbore tools with reduced force requirements, facilitating the deployment and retrieval of various devices in wellbores without the need for high-strength conveyances, applicable to both onshore and offshore operations.
Implementation Method 1
a tapered surface of the linear actuator positioned within the bore of the outer housing and configured to engage the keys to protrude the keys through the outer housing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use with a device used in a well with a wellhead housing includes a sleeve comprising an interior profile that is configured to be coupled to the wellhead housing and an engagement assembly comprising an exterior profile that is configured to engage with the interior profile of the sleeve to prevent axial movement between the engagement assembly and the sleeve. The apparatus further includes a latch assembly coupled to the engagement assembly and configured to latch to the device.