Composite cable gripper
An apparatus includes a housing. The apparatus includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus includes a first wedge having a first groove. The first wedge is contained in the housing. The apparatus includes a second wedge having a second groove. The second wedge is contained in the housing and is positioned adjacent the first wedge. A gripper profile is formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.
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Composite wireline cable or slickline cable is used in the oil field to convey tools and instruments to depths of interest in a borehole. The temperature in such depths of interest may be high. Gripping a composite wireline or slickline cable at high temperatures is a challenge.
While this disclosure describes a land-based slickline system, it will be understood that the equipment and techniques described herein are applicable in sea-based systems, multilateral wells, and similar environments. Further, while this disclosure describes a gripper for a slickline cable, it will be understood that the techniques described herein can be used with any type of cable.
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, the housing 302 includes a first end 306. In one or more embodiments, the housing 302 includes a second end 308. In one or more embodiments, the housing 302 includes a wall 310 (best seen in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, attachment of the gripper 106 to the slickline cable 104, described in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
Thus, in one or more embodiments, from the perspective of carbon fiber matrix jacket 604 wear, an elliptical gripper profile, as illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, mating surfaces on each wedge, such as wedges 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, match mating surfaces on adjacent wedges. In one or more embodiments, each wedge provides its respective portion of the gripper profile 1002.
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, mating surfaces on each segment, such as segments 1402a, 1402b, 1402c, 1404a, 1404b, 1404c, 1406a, 1406b, and 1406c, 1408a, 1408b, and 1408c, match mating surfaces on adjacent segments and/or one or more of the wedges. In one or more embodiments, each segment provides its respective portion of the gripper profile 1002.
In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, the gripper 106 is assembled by positioning the springs 1514 as shown in
It will be understood that the technique illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, the gripper 106 is an “active grip” device. That is, in one or more embodiments, the greater the pull in a load bearing direction (i.e., in the direction of the surface), the greater the grip exerted by the gripper 106. In one or more embodiments, the tapering channel tapers substantially linearly. In one or more embodiments, illustrated in
In one or more embodiments, the first groove tapers substantially linearly. In one or more embodiments, as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the channel tapers substantially linearly. In one or more embodiments, the channel tapers substantially non-linearly. In one or more embodiments, the tapering channel tapers in a substantially step-like fashion.
In one or more embodiments, designing the tapering channel to achieve the determined shear strain profile means achieving a substantially uniform shear strain profile. In one or more embodiments, designing the tapering channel to achieve the determined shear strain profile means achieving a substantially non-uniform shear strain profile.
References in the specification to “one or more embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
In one aspect, an apparatus includes a housing. The apparatus includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus includes a first wedge having a first groove. The first wedge is contained in the housing. The apparatus includes a second wedge having a second groove. The second wedge is contained in the housing and is positioned adjacent the first wedge. A gripper profile is formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.
Implementations may include one or more of the following. The first shape may be selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. The second shape may be selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. The gripper profile may taper substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The gripper profile may taper substantially non-linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The gripper profile may taper along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. The first groove may taper substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The first groove may taper substantially non-linearly along the length of the first edge from the first end to the second end. The first groove may taper along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth.
In one aspect, an apparatus includes a housing. The housing includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus includes a first wedge having a first groove. The first wedge is capable of being positioned into the housing. The apparatus includes a second wedge having a second groove. The second wedge is capable of being positioned into the housing adjacent the first wedge. A gripper profile is formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along the length of the first wedge and second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.
Implementations may include one or more of the following. The first shape may be selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. The second shape may be selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. The gripper profile may taper substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The gripper profile may taper substantially non-linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The gripper profile may taper along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. The first groove may taper substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The first groove may taper substantially non-linearly along the length of the first edge from the first end to the second end. The first groove may taper along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth.
In one aspect, an apparatus includes a wedge. The wedge includes a side, a first end of the side, and a second end of the side. The second end is opposite the first end. A groove runs from the first end of the side to the second end of the side. The groove tapers toward the second end of the side.
Implementations may include one or more of the following. The groove may taper substantially linearly from the first end of the side to the second end of the side. The groove may taper substantially non-linearly from the first end of the side to the second end of the side. The first groove may taper from the first end of the side to the second end of the side in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth.
In one aspect, a method includes entering a slickline cable into a composite grip tool. The composite grip tool includes a housing. The housing includes a first end and a second end. The composite grip tool includes a first wedge having a first groove. The first wedge is contained in the housing. The composite grip tool includes a second wedge having a second groove. The second wedge is contained in the housing and is positioned adjacent the first wedge. A gripper profile is formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along the length of the first wedge and second wedge to form a second shape at the second end. The method further includes compressing the slickline cable in the gripper profile.
Implementations may include one or more of the following. The first shape may be selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. The second shape may be selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. The gripper profile may taper substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The gripper profile may taper substantially non-linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The gripper profile may taper along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. The first groove may taper substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. The first groove may taper substantially non-linearly along the length of the first edge from the first end to the second end. The first groove may taper along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. The method may further include deploying the composite grip tool into a borehole.
In one aspect, a method includes selecting a slickline cable. The method includes determining a shear strain profile to be applied to the slickline cable. The method includes designing a tapering channel into which the slickline cable is to be inserted to achieve the determined shear profile. The method includes designing a first gripper block with a first groove. The method includes designing a second gripper block with a second groove, such that the first groove aligned with the second groove forms a channel matching the tapering channel.
Implementations may include one or more of the following. The tapering channel may taper substantially linearly. The tapering channel may taper substantially non-linearly. The tapering channel may taper in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. The first groove may taper substantially linearly. The first groove may taper substantially non-linearly. The first groove may taper in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. The channel may taper substantially linearly. The channel may taper substantially non-linearly. The tapering channel may taper in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. Designing the tapering channel to achieve the determined shear strain profile may include achieving a substantially uniform shear strain profile. Designing the tapering channel to achieve the determined shear strain profile may include achieving a substantially non-uniform shear strain profile.
In one aspect, a method includes selecting a slickline cable. The method includes determining the shear strain profile to be applied to the slickline cable. The method includes designing a first gripper block with a first groove. The method includes designing a second gripper block with a second groove. The method includes positioning the first gripper block adjacent to the second gripper block such that the first groove and the second groove align together to form a tapering channel into which the slickline cable is to be inserted to achieve the determined shear strain profile
Implementations may include one or more of the following. The tapering channel may taper substantially linearly. The tapering channel may tapers substantially non-linearly. The tapering channel may taper in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. The first groove may taper substantially linearly. The first groove may taper substantially non-linearly. The first groove may taper in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. Designing the tapering channel to achieve the determined shear strain profile may include achieving a substantially uniform shear strain profile. Designing the tapering channel to achieve the determined shear strain profile may include achieving a substantially non-uniform shear strain profile.
In one aspect, an apparatus includes a housing. The housing includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus includes a plurality of wedges, each having a groove and being contained in the housing. The apparatus includes a gripper profile formed along the length of the plurality of wedges by the grooves in the plurality of wedges. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.
Implementations may include one or more of the following. One of the wedges may be segmented into segments. The plurality of wedges may be secured together at the first end by an O-ring. The plurality of wedges may be secured together at the second end by screws.
The word “coupled” herein means a direct connection or an indirect connection.
The text above describes one or more specific embodiments of a broader invention. The invention also is carried out in a variety of alternate embodiments and thus is not limited to those described here. The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a housing comprising: a first end, a second end;
- a first wedge having a first groove, the first wedge contained in the housing;
- a second wedge having a second groove, the second wedge contained in the housing and positioned adjacent the first wedge; and
- a gripper profile formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove, wherein the gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripper profile tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first groove tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first groove tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first edge from the first end to the second end.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first groove tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth.
10. An apparatus comprising:
- a housing comprising: a first end, a second end;
- a first wedge having a first groove, the first wedge capable of being positioned into the housing;
- a second wedge having a second groove, the second wedge capable of being positioned into the housing adjacent the first wedge; and
- a gripper profile formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove, wherein the gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along the length of the first wedge and second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the gripper profile tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first groove tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end.
17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first groove tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first edge from the first end to the second end.
18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first groove tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth.
19. An apparatus comprising:
- a wedge comprising: a side; a first end of the side; a second end of the side, wherein the second end is opposite the first end; a groove running from the first end of the side to the second end of the side, wherein the groove tapers toward the second end of the side.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the groove tapers substantially linearly from the first end of the side to the second end of the side.
21.-57. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 15, 2015
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2018
Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Sean Gregory Thomas (Georgetown, TX), Pramod Chamarthy (Plano, TX), Jonathan Giddens (Anna, TX)
Application Number: 15/744,946