Wellbore Tractor Independent Drive Control Through Hydraulic Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore tractors with multiple hydraulic lines face challenges in navigating through narrowing sections of a wellbore, as closing selected drives on a shared hydraulic line often results in unintended closure of other drives, hindering forward movement.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore tractor system with independent drive control (IDC) using electrically-controlled solenoid valves creates varied pressure zones within a single hydraulic line, allowing individual drives or pairs of drives to be opened or closed independently, enabling navigation through narrowing sections without affecting other drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single shared hydraulic line is used to control multiple drives, then device complexity is reduced, but independent control of individual drives is lost causing unintended closure of drives
Solution Approach 1:
The single hydraulic line is segmented into multiple zones using remotely operated valves (ROVs) positioned at different locations along the line. Each valve controls hydraulic pressure to a specific drive independently, allowing selective activation or deactivation of individual drives without affecting others. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplicity of a single hydraulic line while achieving independent control through strategic placement of control valves.
Solution Approach 2:
Remotely operated valves (ROVs) serve as intermediary devices between the single hydraulic line and multiple drives. These valves act as mediators that can isolate or connect specific sections of the hydraulic line to specific drives, enabling independent control of each drive while using a shared hydraulic line. The ROVs resolve the contradiction by providing a control interface that allows selective pressure distribution without requiring separate hydraulic lines for each drive.
2Ease of operation
If multiple hydraulic lines are used for each drive, then independent control of drives is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hydraulic lines that would traditionally serve separate drives are merged into a single shared hydraulic line. Remotely operated valves are positioned at different locations along this single line to distribute hydraulic pressure to specific drives as needed. This merging approach reduces device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining independent drive control through the strategic use of control valves at key locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hydraulic line performs multiple functions by serving different drives at different locations through the use of remotely operated valves. Instead of requiring dedicated hydraulic lines for each drive, the single line can selectively supply pressure to any drive along its length, making it a universal control medium that replaces multiple specialized lines, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drives are closed to navigate narrowing sections, then the tractor can pass through constrictions, but forward movement is hindered when other drives close unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into independent zones using remotely operated valves, allowing selective closure of specific drives located at narrowing sections while maintaining pressure and operational status of other drives. This segmentation enables the tractor to navigate constrictions by closing only the necessary drives without inadvertently closing others, thus maintaining forward movement capability through proper drive coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic pressure control is applied locally at specific locations along the hydraulic line using remotely operated valves positioned near specific drives. This allows local closure of drives at narrowing sections without affecting the pressure status of distant drives, enabling the tractor to adapt to local geometric constraints while maintaining overall system functionality and forward movement through non-constrained sections.
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 system enables the wellbore tractor to maintain operational continuity by independently controlling drives, reducing design and manufacturing costs, and optimizing conveyance jobs without requiring individual hydraulic lines for each drive.
Implementation Method 1
A wellbore tractor system with independent drive control (IDC) using electrically-controlled solenoid valves creates varied pressure zones within a single hydraulic line
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic control unit coupled to the hydraulic line, the hydraulic control unit operable to add hydraulic fluid to and/or remove the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic line
Implementation Method 3
a first pair of drives in fluid communication with a first section of the hydraulic line, each of the first pair of drives operable to move radially with respect to the body between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore tractor is provided. The wellbore tractor includes a single hydraulic line and at least one valve disposed along the single hydraulic line. At least two pairs of drives hydraulically coupled with the single hydraulic line such that the single hydraulic line can control the drives to open and/or close. A valve can be disposed along the single hydraulic line between each pair of drives. By controlling the opening and/or closing of each valve, along with controlling the inflow or removal of fluid in the hydraulic line, each pair of drives can be individually controlled to maneuver the wellbore tractor.