System and method for providing a downhole mechanical energy absorber
AssigneeStarboard Innovations, LLC
InventorJohn P. Rodgers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and a method are disclosed for providing a downhole mechanical energy absorber that protects downhole tools from impact loads and shock loads that occur during run-in contacts, tool drops, perforating blasts, and other impact events. A continuous localized inelastic deformation of a tube is a primary energy absorber in a load limiting design of the downhole mechanical energy absorber.
Claims56
A downhole apparatus that absorbs mechanical energy comprising:
- a first tubular member;
- a second tubular member slidably positioned relative to and coaxial with the first tubular member;
- and
- a plurality of radial members extending from the second tubular member such that relative movement of the second tubular member with respect to the first tubular member causes localized deformation of the first tubular member in a continuous fashion, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
An apparatus for absorbing mechanical energy in a downhole location, the apparatus comprising:
- a first tubular member disposed in said downhole location;
- a second tubular member slidably positioned within the first tubular member;
- and
- a plurality of radial members extending from the second tubular member such that movement of the second tubular member in a first direction relative to the first tubular member causes localized inelastic deformation of the first tubular member in a continuous fashion, thereby absorbing the mechanical energy.
A downhole tool assembly comprising:
- a perforating gun;
- and
- a mechanical energy absorber that comprises:
- a first tubular member disposed in a downhole location;
- a second tubular member slidably positioned relative to and coaxial with the first tubular member;
- and
- a plurality of radial members extending from the second tubular member such that movement of the second tubular member in a first direction relative to the first tubular member causes localized inelastic deformation of the first tubular member in a continuous fashion, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
A downhole tool assembly comprising:
- a downhole tool;
- and
- a mechanical energy absorber that comprises:
- a first tubular member disposed in a downhole location;
- a second tubular member slidably positioned relative to and coaxial with the first tubular member;
- and
- a plurality of radial members extending from the second tubular member such that movement of the second tubular member in a first direction relative to the first tubular member causes localized inelastic deformation of the first tubular member in a continuous fashion, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
An apparatus for absorbing a mechanical shock downhole comprising:
- a first tubular member disposed in a downhole location;
- a second tubular member slidably positioned relative to and coaxial with the first tubular member;
- and
- a plurality of features on the second tubular member such that movement of the second tubular member in a first direction relative to the first tubular member causes inelastic deformation of the first tubular member, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
An apparatus for absorbing mechanical energy downhole comprising:
- a first deformable member in a downhole location;
- a second member in a downhole location positioned to interfere with first deformable member during relative axial motion of the first deformable member and the second member;
- wherein an imparted mechanical load forces the second member to travel relative to first deformable member causing continuous localized inelastic deformation of first deformable member to absorb mechanical energy.
An apparatus for absorbing mechanical energy downhole utilizing a continuous localized inelastic deformation of a material.
An apparatus for absorbing mechanical energy downhole that provides a near zero effective spring rate when loaded.
A method of absorbing mechanical energy in a downhole location, the method comprising the steps of:
- slidably positioning a first tubular member relative to a second tubular member in a downhole location;
- radially extending a plurality of protrusions from the second tubular member;
- continuously locally deforming and rupturing the first tubular member as the second tubular member is moved in a first direction relative to the first tubular member, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
A method of absorbing mechanical energy in a downhole location, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a mechanical energy absorber in the downhole location;
- continuously applying localized inelastic deformation to a first member of the mechanical energy absorber as the first member is slidably moved relative to a second member of the mechanical energy absorber.
A method of absorbing mechanical energy in a downhole location, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a mechanical energy absorber in the downhole location;
- continuously applying inelastic deformation to a material of the mechanical energy absorber.
A method for absorbing mechanical energy in a downhole location, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a mechanical energy absorber in the downhole location;
- compressing the mechanical energy absorber wherein said mechanical energy absorber provides a near-constant force during compression.
An apparatus that absorbs mechanical energy comprising:
- a first tubular member;
- a second tubular member slidably positioned relative to and coaxial with the first tubular member;
- wherein the movement of the second tubular member in a first direction relative to the first tubular member causes localized inelastic deformation of the first tubular member in a continuous fashion, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
An apparatus that absorbs mechanical energy downhole comprising:
- a housing;
- an annular array of axially oriented members within the housing;
- an inner tubular member slidably positioned relative to and coaxial with the annular array members;
- wherein the movement of the inner tubular member in a first direction relative to the array of axially oriented members causes localized inelastic deformation of the array of axially oriented members in a continuous fashion, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
A method of controlling a dynamic response of a stationary downhole tool string, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a nonlinear stiffness device downhole as part of a tool string;
- and
- causing the device to stroke at a preset constant load.
A method of reducing stationary tool string stresses in response to dynamic loading, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a nonlinear stiffness device downhole as part of a tool string;
- reaching a preset load;
- reducing an effective stiffness and stroking the device when the preset load is reached.
An apparatus that absorbs mechanical energy downhole comprising:
- a housing;
- a first tubular member within the housing;
- a second tubular member slidably positioned relative to and coaxial with the first tubular member;
- wherein a movement of the second tubular member in a first direction relative to the housing causes deformation of the first tubular member in a continuous fashion, thereby absorbing mechanical energy.
A method of protecting a downhole tool string from dynamic loading events consisting of:
- placing one or more energy absorbers within a tool string such that the absorber strokes at a preset limit load.
An apparatus that absorbs mechanical energy downhole comprising:
- a first stage load limiting device that absorbs large amplitudes of mechanical energy;
- and
- a second stage small amplitude wave attenuating device;
- wherein the combination of the first stage load limiting device and the second stage small amplitude wave attenuating device provides enhanced performance for the apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.