Wireline Cable Armor Structure for Torque Balance in Horizontal Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Torque imbalances in wireline cables cause cable stretch, core deformation, and reduced strength, making it difficult to advance tool strings and cables along horizontal well sections.
Innovation Solution
A wireline cable design featuring an electrically conductive core surrounded by an inner layer of first armor wires and an outer layer of second armor wires, where the outer layer's diameter is smaller than the inner layer's, achieving torque balance and minimizing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional wireline cable designs are used with equal or increasing outer layer diameter, then cable strength is maintained, but torque imbalance occurs causing cable stretch and core deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the outer layer of armor wires with a smaller diameter than the inner layer, creating an asymmetric cable structure. This asymmetric design generates a counteracting torque that balances the inherent torque from the inner layer, thereby achieving torque balance while maintaining cable strength through optimized wire dimensions and arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the diameter parameter of the outer layer armor wires to be smaller than the inner layer diameter. This parameter modification is specifically designed to create the necessary torque counterbalance while maintaining overall cable strength through compensated structural design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If outer layer diameter is reduced for torque balance, then torque imbalance is reduced, but cable strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the specific dimensions and arrangement of armor wires in different layers. The inner and outer layers have different diameters and configurations, with each layer locally optimized to contribute to both torque balance and overall cable strength through differentiated structural properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional cable designs are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but cable stretch and core deformation occur due to torque imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the armor structure into distinct inner and outer layers with different diameters and configurations. This segmented approach allows each layer to be independently optimized for torque balance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized assembly processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireline cable includes an electrically conductive cable core for transmitting electrical power. The wireline cable further includes an inner layer of a plurality of first armor wires surrounding the cable core and an outer layer of a plurality of second armor wires surrounding the inner layer, wherein a diameter of the outer layer of the plurality of second armor wires is smaller than a diameter of the inner layer of the plurality of first armor wires.