SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEFORMING A TUBE WITHIN A CAP
Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for coupling a cap with tubing utilizing a linear actuator configured to deform metal from a perforation gun tube into holes within the cap, wherein the deformed metal is configured to secure the tube and the cap.
Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for a perforating gun end cap attachment system. More particularly, embodiments relate to an actuator configured to deform and displace metal from a tube within a cap, wherein the deformed metal is configured to secure the tube and the cap.
BackgroundA perforation in the context of oil wells refers to a hole punched in a casing or liner of an oil well to connect it to the reservoir. In cased hole completions, the well is drilled past a section of the formation desired for production. The well will have a casing or liner run in that separates the formation from the well bore. Perforating guns may be position down to a desired depth, and fired. This will perforate the casing or the liner.
Perforating guns are conventionally assembled using screws to couple caps to the end of tubing. However, the process to manually insert the screws into the tubing and caps is slow. Furthermore, the cost of screws can become a concern as well.
Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods for coupling a cap with tubing utilizing an actuator configured to deform metal from a tube into holes or grooves within the cap, wherein the deformed metal is configured to couple the tube and the cap.
SUMMARYEmbodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for coupling a cap with tubing utilizing an actuator configured to deform metal from a perforation gun tube into recess, holes, or grooves (which are used interchangeably) within the cap, wherein the deformed metal is configured to secure the tube and the cap.
Embodiments may include a perforation gun cap (referred to hereinafter as “cap”), perforation gun tubing (referred to hereinafter as “tubing”), and deforming tool.
The cap may be configured to be positioned on an end of the tubing. The cap may include a first end, a second end, and holes, recesses or grooves. The first end of the cap may have a first diameter, and the second end may have a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The first end of the cap may be configured to be positioned outside of the tubing. The second end of the cap may be configured to be encompassed by the tubing. The holes may be orifices extending through the second end of the cap, wherein a first hole is vertically offset from a second hole.
The tubing may be a cylindrical shaft with a hollow interior. In embodiments the tubing may have metal sidewalls, which originally have a uniform thickness. However, in other embodiments, the sidewalls may be formed of different rigid materials.
The deforming tool may a linear actuating device, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, configured to deform the metal sidewalls of the tubing. Responsive to deforming the metal sidewalls, portions of the metal sidewalls are positioned within the holes, recesses or grooves in the cap. The deforming tool may have a tip, shaft, and body. The tip may have a sharp edge that is configured to pierce through the sidewalls of the tubing. The shaft may have a length that is greater than the thickness of the sidewalls of the tubing, wherein the top may be positioned on a first end of the shaft and the body may be positioned on a second end of the shaft. Responsive to inserting the dimple tool through the sidewall of the tubing, the shaft may push portions of the side wall to deform the sidewall around the shaft. This may displace portions of the sidewall of the tubing within the holes to be positioned adjacent to an inner circumference of the hole.
To this end, embodiments may be configured to couple caps with tubing without the use of fasteners or additional materials. Portions of the sidewall of the tubing may be configured to be deformed and displaced within holes, recesses or grooves in the cap to secure the tubing with the cap. Furthermore, by deforming portions of the tubing within the holes, recesses or grooves, the sidewalls of the tubing may no longer form a continuous surface.
These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.
Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for coupling a cap with tubing utilizing a linear actuator configured to deform metal from a perforation gun tube into holes within the cap, wherein the deformed metal is configured to secure the tube and the cap.
Cap 110 may be configured to be coupled with a distal end of tubing 120. Cap 110 may include a first portion 112 and a second portion 114. First portion 112 of cap 110 may have a larger outer diameter than second portion 114. First portion 112 may have a lower surface that is configured to be positioned directly adjacent and over to a rim of a distal end of tubing 120. The lower surface of first portion 112 may also create an overhang that projects away from the distal end of tubing 120.
Second portion 114 may be configured to be positioned within an inner diameter of tubing 120, such that the sidewalls 122 of tubing 120 encompass the outer surface of second portion 114. Second portion 114 may include holes 116.
Holes 116 may be positioned on the outer circumference of second portion 114, extend through the entirety of the sidewalls associated with second portion 114 towards the longitudinal axis of cap 110. First hole 116 positioned on a first side of cap 110 may be vertically offset from a second hole 116 positioned on a second side of cap 110. In embodiments, holes 116 may be defined by sidewalls 118 that create a hollow passageway through holes 116.
Tubing 120 may be a cylindrical shaft with a hollow interior. Tubing 120 may include metal sidewalls 122. The metal sidewalls 122 may initially extend from a proximal end to a distal end of tubing 120 forming a continuous outer circumference of tubing. Initially, sidewalls 122 may be formed of a uniform thickness, which may create a substantially constant inner diameter across the hollow interior.
Dimple tool 130 may be a device configured to deform sidewalls 122, such that portions 124, 126 of sidewalls 122 are positioned within hole 116. For example, dimple tool 130 may be configured with a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuator, or any device configured to create compressive forces, such as a scissor action pinching device. Dimple tool 130 may include a tip 132, a shaft 134, and body 136.
Tip 132 may be a sharp edge positioned on a distal end of dimple tool 130. Tip 132 may be configured to pierce, perforate, puncture, etc. sidewalls 122. In embodiments, tip 132 may be formed of any cutting surface.
Shaft 134 may be positioned between body 136 and tip 132. Shaft 134 may have a length that is longer than the thickness of sidewalls 122, and may have a width that is smaller than a diameter across holes 116. Based on the dimensions of shaft 134, shaft 134 may be configured to traverse sidewalls 122 and extend into holes 116. Responsive to tip 132 interfacing with sidewalls 122, shaft 134 may push and relocate upper overhang 124 and lower overhang 126 within the holes.
Body 136 may be positioned on a proximal end of dimple tool 130. Body 136 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to portions of sidewall 136 responsive to inserting shaft 134 through sidewalls 122. In embodiments, body 136 may have a width that is greater than that of shaft 134 and/or greater than a diameter of holes 116. As such, the inward movement of dimple tool 130 may be restricted by the sizing of body 136 in relating to holes 118.
In implementations, cap 110 may be configured to be inserted into tubing 120. Portions sidewalls 122 of tubing 120 aligned within the longitudinal axis of holes 116 may be hatched, such that the hatching is aligned with the center of holes 116. This may create vertically offset hatches on the opposite sides of tubing 120. Tip 132 of dimple tool 130 may be positioned adjacent to the hatchings, and inserted through sidewalls 122 to deform sidewall 122. Furthermore, holes 116 may be perforated, which may reduce the amount of stress and/or compressive forces necessary to deform sidewall 122.
The deformation of sidewall 122 may create an upper overhang 124 positioned over shaft 134 and adjacent to sidewall 118 of hole 110, and may create a lower overhang 126 positioned under shaft 134 and adjacent to sidewall 118 of hole 110. Upper overhang 124 and lower overhang 126 may be positioned within hole 110, wherein the thickness of upper overhang 124 and lower overhang 126 may be half of the thickness of sidewall 122 due to deformations. The deformation of upper overhang 124 and lower overhang 126 may secure cap 110 with tubing 120 without additional elements (i.e. screws) being necessary to couple to two parts together. This may reduce the costs and timing required to secure cap 110 with tubing 120.
Furthermore, the deformations of sidewalls 122 may occur in relation to both of the holes positioned within cap 110. Thus, sidewalls 122 may be deformed within cap at different vertical offsets. This may create points of friction between cap 110 and tubing 120 at different locations, which may assist in securing cap 110 with tubing 120.
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Furthermore, by creating upper overhang 124 and lower overhang 126 the surface area between tubing 120 and cap 110 may increase 110. Additionally, upper overhang 124 and lower overhang 126 may be created by forming continuous contact between an outer surface of cap 110 and portions of the sidewalls 118 of holes with the metal sidewall 122. This may assist in the semi-permanent securing of cap 110 and tubing 120. Whereas, if screws were utilized to couple the two elements together, the two elements could be decoupled by merely removing the screws.
At operation 310, a cap may be positioned on an end of tubing. A portion of the cap may be positioned within the tubing, such that metal sidewalls of the tubing encompass portions of the cap. Additionally, another portion of the cap may be positioned over the rim of the tubing to seal the end of the tubing.
At operation 320, portions of the metal sidewalls that are aligned with holes extending through the cap may be hatched, scored, notched, etc. The hatching may be located along a central axis of the holes.
At operation 330, a tip of a dimple tool may be aligned with the hatching, and the dimple tool may puncture, perforate, and/or deform the metal sidewalls of the tubing aligned with the holes. Specifically, the dimple tool may displace portions of the metal sidewalls within the holes, such that portions of the metal sidewalls are placed adjacent to the inner circumference of the holes. The deformed metal may extend in a direction that is perpendicular to that or the tubing, and in parallel to the central axis of the holes.
At operation 340, due to the deformation of the metal sidewalls, the cap and the tubing may be coupled together to form a unitary part. The deformed metal may couple the parts together by increasing the surface area of the metal positioned adjacent to the inner circumference of the hole.
At operation 350, the dimple tool may be removed from the cap and tubing, wherein the dimple tool may be utilized to couple a second cap and tubing together.
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Furthermore, there may be multiple pairs of parallel notches 505, 510 around the outer circumference of tube 500, The other pairs of parallel notches 505, 510 may allow for additional coupling points between tube 500 and the cap.
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Furthermore, deformation tool 900 may be formed of multiple parts that create with an inner circumference 910 having tapered sidewalls that correspond with the tapering of groove 810. Responsive to tube receiving the forces, the shape of inner circumference 910 may form deformation 710 with tapered sidewalls.
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Rotational locking system 1300 may include a set of locking members 1310 that project away from an end of tube 122. In embodiments, rotational locking members 1310 may be offset ninety degrees from deformations 124 within tube 122. Locking members 1310 may be configured to be inserted into lock receivers within a cap to limit the rotational movement of tube 122 when tube 122 is coupled with the cap. Furthermore, locking members 1310 may be utilized to align tube 122 with the cab to assist in the deformation of tube 122.
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Rotational locking system 1600 may include a set of locking members 1610 that are grooves, indentations, etc. into tube 122 from an end of tube 122. In embodiments, rotational locking members 1610 may be offset ninety degrees from deformations 124 within tube 122. Locking members 1610 may be configured to receive locking projections within a cap to limit the rotational movement of tube 122 when tube 122 is coupled with the cap. Furthermore, locking members 1610 may be configured to align holes within the cap with deformations 124.
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Cap 1800 may include an alignment orifice 1810 that is configured to assist in the alignment of cap 1800 with a deformation tool. Alignment orifice 1810 may be a hole, cavity, etc. positioned on a face of cap 1800. In embodiments, an angular offset between alignment orifice and holes 116 may be a known angular offset, such as ninety degrees.
First Alignment tool 1900 may be configured to assist in aligning cap 1800 and/or a tube with a deformation tool. First Alignment tool 1900 may include an inner projection 1905 and alignment projection 1905. Inner projection 1905 may be configured to be inserted into an inner circumference of cap 1800, and alignment projection 1905 may be configured to be positioned within alignment orifice 1810. This may limit the rotation of cap 1800 while a deformation tool, such as an actuator, deforms metal within hole 116.
Tube 2000 may include a second alignment orifice 2010, which is positioned through a circumference of tube 2000. Second alignment orifice 2010 may be positioned at a known angular offset from hatching 2015 where a deformation is made to tube 2000. For example, the angular offset may be ninety degrees. Second alignment orifice may be configured to receive a second alignment tool 2100, which may be coupled to first alignment tool 1900. In embodiments, second alignment orifice 2010 may extend in a plane that is perpendicular to that of alignment projection 1905. For example, second alignment orifice 2010 may extend along an x-axis, and alignment projection 1905 may extend in a y-axis. By aligning tube 2000 and cap 1900 in multiple axis via the coupled first alignment tool 1900 and second alignment 2100, a deformation tool 2105 may deform portions of tool aligned with hatching 2015 within hole 116.
Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and/or reference a single embodiment.
Claims
1. A deformation system comprising:
- tubing with a hollow inner diameter and an open first end;
- a cap configured to be inserted into the open first end, the cap having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter;
- a recess positioned within the first portion of the cap, the recess including a third diameter, the third diameter being smaller than the first diameter;
- a deformation tool that is configured to deform portions of the tubing within the recess.
2. The deformation system of claim 1, further comprising:
- locking members positioned on the open first end of the tubing, the locking members being projections extending away from the tubing.
3. The deformation system of claim 2, further comprising:
- locking receivers positioned within the recess of the cap, the locking receivers configured to receive the locking members to limit the relative rotation of the cap and tubing.
4. The deformation system of claim 1, further comprising:
- locking indentations positioned on the open first end of the tubing.
5. The deformation system of claim 4, further comprising:
- locking projections positioned within the recess of the cap, the locking projections being configured to be inserted into the locking indentations to limit the relative rotation of the cap and tubing.
6. The deformation system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first alignment orifice positioned on a first face of the second portion of the cap;
- a first alignment tool with a first alignment projection, the first alignment projection being configured to be coupled with the first alignment orifice.
7. The deformation system of claim 6, further comprising:
- a second alignment orifice positioned through the tubing;
- a second alignment tool configured to be coupled with the second alignment orifice.
8. The deformation system of claim 7, wherein the second alignment tool and the first alignment projection are positioned perpendicular to each other.
9. The deformation system of claim 8, wherein the second alignment tool and the first alignment projection are angularly offset from each other at a predetermined angle.
10. The deformation system of claim 9, wherein the deformation tool is configured to deform metal of the tubing at a location that is based on a positioning of the second alignment tool and the first alignment projection.
11. A method for deforming an objection comprising:
- inserting a cap into a first open end of a tubing with a hollow inner diameter, the cap having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter;
- applying a force, via a deformation tool, against the tubing towards a central axis of the tube;
- deforming the tube into a recess positioned within the first portion of the cap, the recess including a third diameter, the third diameter being smaller than the first diameter.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- forming locking members on the open first end of the tubing, the locking members being projections extending away from the tubing.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- forming locking receivers within the recess of the cap;
- positioning the locking members within the locking receivers to limit the relative rotation of the cap and tubing.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- locking indentations positioned on the open first end of the tubing.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- inserting locking projections positioned within the recess of the cap into the locking indentations to limit the relative rotation of the cap and tubing.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- coupling a first alignment orifice positioned on a first face of the second portion of the cap with a with a first alignment projection positioned on a first alignment tool
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- coupling a second alignment orifice positioned through the tubing with a second alignment tool.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second alignment tool and the first alignment projection are positioned perpendicular to each other.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second alignment tool and the first alignment projection are angularly offset from each other at a predetermined angle.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
- deforming the metal, via the deformation tool, of the tubing at a location that is based on a positioning of the second alignment tool and the first alignment projection.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 6, 2018
Publication Date: Oct 18, 2018
Inventor: Shawn Quick (Round Rock, TX)
Application Number: 15/913,604