Wellhead Torque Ring Eliminates Leak Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellhead assembly designs require holes in the wellhead housing for lock and alignment screws, which create potential leak paths and compromise the sealing of the production bore from the external environment.
Innovation Solution
The wellhead assembly incorporates a torque ring with protrusions that extend into mating grooves on the wellhead housing, allowing for axial and rotational retention of the tubing hanger or alignment shoulder without the need for additional holes, using a split ring design that deflects inward and biases radially outward to prevent rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lock screws and alignment screws are used to retain the tubing hanger, then axial retention and rotation prevention are achieved, but holes are created in the wellhead housing that compromise sealing integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The torque ring combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides axial retention through engagement with the wellhead housing, prevents rotation through its protrusion engaging with the tubing hanger, and eliminates the need for separate lock screws and alignment screws that would require additional holes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the holes from the wellhead housing by using a torque ring that engages with external features of the tubing hanger, removing the source of potential leak paths while maintaining all necessary retention and alignment functions
2Device complexity
If lock screws and alignment screws are used, then rotation prevention is achieved, but each screw requires a hole and sealing apparatus increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The torque ring merges the functions of multiple screws into a single component that provides both axial retention and rotation prevention through its geometric features, reducing the number of parts and potential failure points
Solution Approach 2:
The torque ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a retaining ring for axial positioning, provides anti-rotation features through its protrusion, and eliminates the need for separate sealing apparatus by requiring no holes in the housing
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
This solution effectively secures the tubing hanger or alignment shoulder to the wellhead housing without introducing leak paths, ensuring the wellbore remains isolated from the external environment while preventing rotation, thus enhancing the sealing integrity and reducing the risk of leaks.
Implementation Method 1
The torque ring may be deflecting inward until the protrusion is within the diameter of the inner bore of the wellhead housing
Implementation Method 2
biasing the protrusion radially outward into the mating groove. The protrusion may be biased radially outward into the mating groove
Data Source
AI summary
A wellhead assembly includes a wellhead housing; a tubing hanger, plug, back pressure valve, two-way check valve, BOP test plug, temporary abandonment plug, or other device; and a torque ring. The wellhead housing includes an inner bore. The wellhead housing has one or more mating grooves formed on an inner wall of the wellhead housing. The tubing hanger, plug, back pressure valve, two-way check valve, BOP test plug, temporary abandonment plug, or other device is positioned within the inner bore of the wellhead housing. The torque ring is positioned within a slot formed in the tubing hanger or other device. The torque ring includes a protrusion extending beyond the tubing hanger and into the mating groove.