Electro-Optical Wireline Cable Armor for Torque-Balanced Erosion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireline fiber optic cables used in oilfield applications experience erosion of outer armor wires due to torque imbalance and fluid flow, leading to cable failure.

Innovation Solution

The proposed cable design includes an optical fiber loosely disposed within an enclosure, surrounded by a conductor layer, insulation layer, inner and outer layers of armor strength members, and an outer jacket. The outer layer of armor strength members is helically disposed in an opposite direction to the inner layer, and the outer jacket is designed to prevent the outer layer of armor strength members from opening during fluid pumping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional wireline fiber optic cables are used with outer armor wires, then the cable provides structural protection, but the outer armor wires tend to open due to torque imbalance and fluid flow causing erosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural protectionVSAvoidcable durability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the outer layer of armor strength members with opposite helix direction compared to the inner layer. This asymmetric arrangement creates torque balance that prevents the outer armor wires from opening under fluid flow conditions, thereby eliminating erosion while maintaining structural protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements counterweight by using the outer layer of armor strength members with opposite helix to counteract the torque imbalance that causes the outer armor wires to open. The opposing helical configuration acts as a mechanical counterbalance that neutralizes the opening forces during fluid pumping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Strength

If outer armor wires are applied to protect the cable, then structural integrity is improved, but torque imbalance causes the armor wires to open and erode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiderosion from fluid flow

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric configuration of the outer layer armor strength members with opposite helix direction creates torque balance that prevents opening under fluid flow, thereby eliminating the harmful erosion effect while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of fluid flow-induced torque imbalance into a beneficial balanced state by using opposite helix configuration. The same fluid flow that previously caused opening and erosion now operates on a balanced system where the opposing helices neutralize each other's opening forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional cable design with metallic enclosure and armor wires is used, then cable protection is achieved, but the outer layer of armor wires opens up during fluid pumping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from well fluidsVSAvoidarmor wire configuration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The opposite helix configuration of the outer layer armor strength members creates an asymmetric structure that is stable under fluid flow conditions. This asymmetric design prevents the armor wire configuration from opening or destabilizing during pumping operations while maintaining protection from well fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The outer layer armor strength members with opposite helix act as a counterbalancing mechanism that stabilizes the overall cable structure during fluid pumping, preventing the armor configuration from opening or becoming unstable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentUS12321028B2Electro-optical wireline cables

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Cables that include a conductor and an optical fiber. In some embodiments, the cable can include an optical fiber loosely disposed within an enclosure. A conductor layer can be disposed about the enclosure. An insulation layer can be disposed about the at least one conductor layer. An inner layer of armor strength members can be helically disposed about the insulation layer. An outer layer of armor strength members can be helically disposed about the inner layer of armor strength members. The armor strength members in the outer layer of armor strength members can be at an opposite helix compared to the armor strength members in the inner layer of armor strength members. An outer jacket can be disposed about the outer layer. In other embodiments, the cable can include an optical fiber in a coupled electro-optical package, where the conductor layer can be disposed about the electro-optical package.