Patent ID: 12241324

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate to a wedge pin for a downhole tool. The downhole tool may be or include an imaging tool, a sensor tool, or any other suitable type of downhole tool that can be positioned in a wellbore. The downhole tool can include an outer component, such as an outer collar, and an internal component, which may include fragile equipment, sensitive equipment, and the like. The wedge pin can be positioned in the downhole tool to mitigate or eliminate damage to the internal component, or any sub-component included therein, and the wedge pin can be used apply a preload in at least two directions to the downhole tool. For example, the wedge pin can apply an axial preload, a torsional preload, or a combination thereof on the downhole tool. In some examples, the wedge pin can be compressed or otherwise deformed to control an amount of preload applied to the downhole tool.

A downhole tool can experience shock conditions, vibration conditions, and the like during operation such as in a wellbore. In a particular example, the downhole tool can be or include an imaging tool, such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tool, that can include a heavy cylindrical core with sensitive components. Shock forces, vibration forces, and the like can occur along a direction of an axis of the downhole tool, torsionally about the axis of the downhole tool, or in other directions. Internal components, such as heavy cylindrical components, sensitive imagery equipment, and the like, positioned in the downhole tool can be jarred loose, can be damaged, or may suffer other negative consequences of the shock forces, the vibration forces, etc. Additionally or alternatively, manufacturing tolerances may contribute to a risk associated with damage to the internal components of the downhole tool.

A downhole tool with a wedge pin can be used to reduce or mitigate damage to, or loosening of, internal components of the downhole tool. In some examples, the downhole tool may include an internal component and an external component such as an outer collar that may be positioned concentrically exterior with respect to the internal component. The outer component may be secured, for example using the wedge pin, to the internal component in such a way as to mitigate or eliminate torsional motion or shock, axial motion or shock, or a combination thereof. The wedge pin, and any other component used for securing the outer component to the internal component to resist torsional motion or axial motion, can be designed such that manufacturing variances may not alter a performance of the wedge pin, any other component, or a combination thereof.

The wedge pin may include one or more pins that can be sized, shaped, or a combination thereof to generate a preloaded coupling between the outer component and the internal component. The wedge pin can translate a radial force, which may be generated by its installation in the downhole tool, into an axial force that may be used to drive the internal component into the external component to establish an axial preload. The axial preload may resist axial forces that occur in the downhole tool and may provide frictional forces that resist torsional forces experienced downhole. Additionally or alternatively, the wedge pin may compress or otherwise deform under threshold amounts of pressure. In some examples, and instead of compressing the wedge pin, one or more disc springs can be used to apply compression force to the wedge pin.

A downhole tool can include an internal component and an outer component. Additionally or alternatively, the downhole tool can include a wedge pin, a preload cap, and any other suitable components for the downhole tool. In some examples, the outer component, the internal component, or a combination thereof may include the wedge pin, the preload cap, or a combination thereof. The internal component may include an axial shoulder that can define a surface against which at least a portion (e.g., a flange) of the outer component can be positioned. The wedge pin, the preload cap, or a combination thereof can be installed in the downhole tool such as via pressing the wedge pin through the outer component and the internal component to be seated against at least a portion (e.g., an angled seating surface) of the internal component, etc. The preload cap can thread onto the outer component to compress the wedge pin against one or more surfaces of the internal component. In some examples, the preload cap can be torqued to compress the wedge pin to a desired level of preload. Additionally or alternatively, the preload cap can be torqued or otherwise installed on the outer component to seat against a preload cap shoulder positioned on the outer component.

In some examples, the internal component may include an angled seating surface that can match a trajectory of a bottom surface of the wedge pin. When installed in the downhole tool, the wedge pin may seat against the angled seating surface and may be compressed by the preload cap against the angled seating surface. The angled seating surface can cause at least a portion of force applied by the wedge pin to be applied as an axial force along an axis, such as a longitudinal axis, of the downhole tool. The axial force can draw the internal component and the outer component together, which may result in an axial preload applied to the axial shoulder. The axial preload may be large enough to prevent or mitigate movement of the internal component when the downhole tool experiences shock forces or vibration forces. In some examples, one wedge pin and preload cap can be used, two wedge pins and preload caps can be used, three wedge pins and preload caps can be used, and so on.

In some examples, sufficient torsional preload may be applied to the wedge pin, for example via the preload cap, to resist torsional movement. The torsional preload may apply at least a frictional force to the axial shoulder to resist torsional movement. Additionally or alternatively, the internal component, the outer component, the wedge pin, and the preload cap, when installed together, may form a structure that may be resistant to rotation of the internal component about a longitudinal axis extending through the downhole tool.

These illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but, like the illustrative aspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.

FIG.1is a sectional view of a wellbore100that has a downhole tool102that includes a wedge pin104according to one example of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.1, the wellbore100may be positioned adjacent to a first lateral wellbore101aand a second lateral wellbore101b, both of which may originate from a different point along the wellbore100, though the first lateral wellbore101aand the second lateral wellbore101bmay be optional. As illustrated inFIG.1, the downhole tool102can be positioned in the wellbore100and may be positioned in any suitable location within the wellbore100to perform one or more tasks such as imaging at least a portion of the wellbore100, measuring other parameters of the wellbore100, and the like. The downhole tool102can be positioned in the wellbore100using a work string108or using any other suitable conveyance tools or operations that can position the downhole tool102in the wellbore100.

The downhole tool102can include an internal component106, an outer component107, and any other suitable components for the downhole tool102. In some examples, the outer component107can be or include an outer collar or other outer component that can connect with the internal component106. Additionally or alternatively, the internal component106may be or include imaging equipment, sensors, detectors, or other sensitive or fragile equipment. In a particular example, the internal component106may be or include a heavy cylindrical component that may house magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment. The internal component106may be positioned concentrically interior with respect to the outer component107, and the wedge pin104may be used to connect the internal component106and the outer component107.

The wedge pin104may include one pin, two pins, three pins, four pins, and so on for connecting the internal component106and the outer component107and for applying a preload in at least one direction to the downhole tool102. Additionally or alternatively, the wedge pin104may be or include a combination of different types of parts such as a compressible pin, a preload cap, and the like. The wedge pin104may be installed in the downhole tool102prior to the downhole tool102being positioned in the wellbore100, substantially contemporaneously with respect to the downhole tool102being positioned in the wellbore100, etc. The wedge pin104may apply the preload to the downhole tool102to mitigate or eliminate shock forces in one or more directions, such as an axial direction, a torsional direction, etc., experienced by the downhole tool102to reduce or eliminate damage experienced by the internal component106.

FIG.2is an exploded perspective view of a downhole tool102that includes a wedge pin104according to one example of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.2, the downhole tool102can include the internal component106and the outer component107. The internal component106may include an axial shoulder202against which a flange204of the outer component107can be positioned, for example when at least a portion206of the internal component106is positioned concentrically interior with respect to the outer component107. The portion206of the internal component106can be positioned in the outer component107and can be secured in place using, for example, at least one wedge pin, such as wedge pin104, and at least one preload cap such as preload cap208.

As illustrated, three wedge pins104a-cand three preload caps208a-care used to secure the internal component106and the outer component107, though any other suitable number (e.g., less than three or more than three) of wedge pins or preload caps may be used to secure the internal component106and the outer component107. Each wedge pin of the three wedge pins104a-cmay be positioned through a corresponding opening of openings210a-cof the outer component107. Additionally or alternatively, each preload cap of the three preload caps208a-cmay be positioned over a corresponding wedge pin of the three wedge pins104a-cto apply pressure to the corresponding wedge pin, deform the corresponding wedge pin, compress the wedge pin, or the like.

FIG.3is a sectional side view of a downhole tool102that includes a wedge pin104according to one example of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.3, views300a-binclude the downhole tool102. The view300aillustrates an exploded, sectional, side view of the downhole tool102, and the view300billustrates a sectional side view of the downhole tool102with components installed therein. As illustrated in the view300a, the downhole tool102can include the internal component106, the outer component107, the wedge pin104, and the preload cap208, though the downhole tool102can include any other or additional components. The internal component106can be positioned concentrically interior with respect to the outer component107, and the internal component106can include an axial shoulder202and an angled seating surface302. The outer component107can include the flange204, the opening210, a cap seat304, and any other or additional subcomponents for the outer component107.

As illustrated in the view300b, the wedge pin104can be positioned through the opening210, which may be sized to receive the wedge pin104, at least a portion of the preload cap208, and the like. The wedge pin104can be positioned through the opening210to contact the angled seating surface302. Additionally or alternatively, the preload cap208can be positioned above the wedge pin104contacting the wedge pin104. The preload cap can be seated on the cap seat304of the outer component107. Additionally or alternatively, the preload cap208can be threaded, pressed, or the like into the outer component107to apply pressure to compress or otherwise deform the wedge pin104or to otherwise apply a preload to the downhole tool102. The preload may be applied in one or more directions with respect to the downhole tool. For example, the preload can be applied, for example via the angled seating surface302, along a longitudinal axis310that extends through the downhole tool102. In an additional example, the preload can be applied, for example, via compression of the wedge pin104, torsionally about the longitudinal axis310.

FIG.4is a sectional side view of a portion of a downhole tool102that includes a wedge pin104according to one example of the present disclosure. The downhole tool102can include the internal component106, the outer component107, the wedge pin104, and the preload cap208, though any other or additional components or parts can be included in the downhole tool102. As illustrated inFIG.4, the wedge pin104is installed in the downhole tool102, and the preload cap208is installed above the wedge pin104contacting the wedge pin104. In some examples, the wedge pin104can include a pair of sides402a-bthat may extend approximately perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis310when the wedge pin104is installed in the downhole tool102. The pair of sides402a-bmay additionally or alternatively be approximately (e.g., within 5%, 10%, 15%, etc.) parallel with respect to one another. Additionally or alternatively, the wedge pin104can include a seating side404that can be angled to contact the angled seating surface302. In some examples, the seating side404may have a first angle measured from the longitudinal axis310that may be similar or identical to a second angle of the angled seating surface302also measured from the longitudinal axis310.

In some examples, the outer component107can include a first set of threads406a, and the preload cap208can include a second set of threads406b. The first set of threads406amay be sized, shaped, and the like to receive the second set of threads406bto cause the preload cap208to be connected to the outer component107. The second set of threads406bof the preload cap208can be threaded into the first set of threads406ato control a preload applied by the wedge pin104. For example, the preload cap208can be threaded further into the second set of threads406bto increase a pressure on the wedge pin104to increase the preload applied by the wedge pin104to the downhole tool102. In other examples, the preload cap208can be threaded further out of the second set of threads406bto decrease a pressure on the wedge pin104to decrease the preload applied by the wedge pin104to the downhole tool102. In some examples, the preload cap208can include a seating compartment408that may correspond to a seating shoulder410of the wedge pin104. The seating compartment408may be sized, shaped, and the like to approximately match a trajectory of a surface of the seating shoulder410, which may be or include a tapered region extending from a first point along at least one side of the pair of sides402a-bto a second point adjacent to a compression side409, of the wedge pin104.

FIG.5is a sectional side view of a portion of a downhole tool102that includes a wedge pin104with a seating spring502according to one example of the present disclosure. The downhole tool102can include the internal component106, the outer component107, the wedge pin104, and the preload cap208, though any other or additional components or parts can be included in the downhole tool102. As illustrated inFIG.4, the wedge pin104is installed in the downhole tool102, and the preload cap208is installed above the wedge pin104contacting the wedge pin104. In some examples, the wedge pin104can include a pair of sides402a-bthat may extend approximately perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis310when the wedge pin104is installed in the downhole tool102. Additionally or alternatively, the wedge pin104can include a seating side404that can be angled to contact the angled seating surface302. In some examples, the seating side404may have a first angle measured from the longitudinal axis310that may be similar or identical to a second angle of the angled seating surface302also measured from the longitudinal axis310.

In some examples, the outer component107can include a first set of threads406a, and the preload cap208can include a second set of threads406b. The first set of threads406amay be sized, shaped, and the like to receive the second set of threads406bto cause the preload cap208to be connected to the outer component107. The second set of threads406bof the preload cap208can be threaded into the first set of threads406ato control a preload applied by the wedge pin104. For example, the preload cap208can be threaded further into the second set of threads406bto increase a pressure on the wedge pin104to increase the preload applied by the wedge pin104to the downhole tool102. In other examples, the preload cap208can be threaded further out of the second set of threads406bto decrease a pressure on the wedge pin104to decrease the preload applied by the wedge pin104to the downhole tool102. In some examples, the preload cap208can include a seating spring502that may correspond to the seating shoulder410of the wedge pin104. The seating spring502may be sized, shaped, and the like to approximately match a trajectory of a surface of the seating shoulder410of the wedge pin104. The seating spring502may apply force from the preload cap208to the wedge pin104to cause the wedge pin104to apply the preload to the downhole tool102.

In some aspects, systems and downhole tools for a wedge pin for a downhole tool are provided according to one or more of the following examples:

As used below, any reference to a series of examples is to be understood as a reference to each of those examples disjunctively (e.g., “Examples 1-4” is to be understood as “Examples 1, 2, 3, or 4”).

Example 1 is a system comprising: an internal component positionable in a downhole tool usable in a wellbore, the internal component comprising an axial shoulder and an angled seating surface; an outer component positionable in the downhole tool, the outer component comprising (i) an opening sized to receive a preload cap, and (ii) a flange positionable to contact the axial shoulder; and a wedge pin positionable in the opening and abutting the angled seating surface to apply a preload to the internal component and the outer component in response to the preload cap being positioned in the opening.

Example 2 is the system of example 1, wherein the wedge pin comprises: a pair of approximately parallel sides extending approximately perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer component when the wedge pin is installed in the system; and a seating side having a first angle measured from the longitudinal axis, the first angle being approximately the same as a second angle, measured from the longitudinal axis, of the angled seating surface.

Example 3 is the system of any of examples 1-2, wherein the wedge pin further comprises a tapered region that extends from a first point along at least one parallel side of the pair of approximately parallel sides to a compression side of the wedge pin, and wherein the compression side is positioned opposite the seating side about the wedge pin.

Example 4 is the system of any of examples 1-3, wherein the preload cap comprises a seating compartment that includes a second tapered region following a path of the tapered region of the wedge pin, and wherein the preload cap is installable in the system to cause the seating compartment to apply a preload force to the wedge pin.

Example 5 is the system of any of examples 1-4, wherein the wedge pin is compressible by the preload force to apply a preload comprising a friction force to the axial shoulder.

Example 6 is the system of example 1, wherein the opening of the outer component comprises a first set of threads sized to receive a second set of threads of the preload cap, and wherein the wedge pin is compressible in response to positioning the preload cap in the first set of threads to apply a preload force at least to the axial shoulder.

Example 7 is the system of example 1, wherein the internal component is a cylindrical internal component that comprises imaging equipment for performing magnetic resonance imaging operations in the wellbore.

Example 8 is a downhole tool comprising: a housing positionable in a wellbore and defining an outer component, the housing comprising (i) an opening sized to receive a wedge pin and a preload cap, and (ii) a flange positionable to contact an axial shoulder of an internal component; and the internal component positionable in the downhole tool, the internal component comprising the axial shoulder and an angled seating surface sized to receive the wedge pin to facilitate a preload to the internal component and the outer component in response to the preload cap being positioned in the opening.

Example 9 is the downhole tool of example 8, further comprising the wedge pin, wherein the wedge pin comprises: a pair of approximately parallel sides extending approximately perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer component when the wedge pin is installed in the downhole tool; and a seating side having a first angle measured from the longitudinal axis, the first angle being approximately the same as a second angle, measured from the longitudinal axis, of the angled seating surface.

Example 10 is the downhole tool of any of examples 8-9, wherein the wedge pin further comprises a tapered region that extends from a first point along at least one parallel side of the pair of approximately parallel sides to a compression side of the wedge pin, and wherein the compression side is positioned opposite the seating side about the wedge pin.

Example 11 is the downhole tool of any of examples 8-10, further comprising the preload cap, wherein the preload cap comprises a seating compartment that includes a second tapered region following a path of the tapered region of the wedge pin, and wherein the preload cap is installable in the downhole tool to cause the seating compartment to apply a preload force to the wedge pin.

Example 12 is the downhole tool of any of examples 8-11, wherein the wedge pin is compressible by the preload force to apply a preload comprising a friction force to the axial shoulder.

Example 13 is the downhole tool of example 8, wherein the opening of the outer component comprises a first set of threads sized to receive a second set of threads of the preload cap, and wherein the wedge pin is compressible in response to positioning the preload cap in the first set of threads to apply a preload force at least to the axial shoulder.

Example 14 is the downhole tool of example 8, wherein the internal component is a cylindrical internal component that comprises imaging equipment for performing magnetic resonance imaging operations in the wellbore.

Example 15 is a system comprising: an internal component positionable in a downhole tool usable in a wellbore, the internal component comprising an axial shoulder and an angled seating surface; an outer component positionable in the downhole tool, the outer component comprising (i) a preload cap positionable in an opening sized to receive the preload cap radially above a wedge pin, and (ii) a flange positionable to contact the axial shoulder; and the wedge pin positionable in the opening and abutting the angled seating surface to be compressed to apply a preload in at least two directions to the internal component and the outer component in response to the preload cap being positioned in the opening.

Example 16 is the system of example 15, wherein the wedge pin comprises: a pair of approximately parallel sides extending approximately perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer component when the wedge pin is installed in the system; and a seating side having a first angle measured from the longitudinal axis, the first angle being approximately the same as a second angle, measured from the longitudinal axis, of the angled seating surface.

Example 17 is the system of any of examples 15-16, wherein the wedge pin further comprises a tapered region that extends from a first point along at least one parallel side of the pair of approximately parallel sides to a compression side of the wedge pin, and wherein the compression side is positioned opposite the seating side about the wedge pin.

Example 18 is the system of any of examples 15-17, wherein the preload cap comprises a seating compartment that includes a second tapered region following a path of the tapered region of the wedge pin, wherein the preload cap is installable in the system to cause the seating compartment to apply a preload force to the wedge pin, and wherein the wedge pin is compressible by the preload force to apply a preload comprising a friction force to the axial shoulder.

Example 19 is the system of example 15, wherein the opening of the outer component comprises a first set of threads sized to receive a second set of threads of the preload cap, and wherein the wedge pin is compressible in response to positioning the preload cap in the first set of threads to apply a preload force at least to the axial shoulder.

Example 20 is the system of example 15, wherein the internal component is a cylindrical internal component that comprises imaging equipment for performing magnetic resonance imaging operations in the wellbore.

The foregoing description of certain examples, including illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.