U.S. patent application number 12/649313 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for system, method, and device for actuating a downhole tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to David E. McCalvin, Geoffrey Pinard.
Application Number | 20110155396 12/649313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44186059 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110155396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pinard; Geoffrey ; et
al. |
June 30, 2011 |
SYSTEM, METHOD, AND DEVICE FOR ACTUATING A DOWNHOLE TOOL
Abstract
An actuating component for a downhole tool is provided that
includes a main actuating bore and an actuating liner configured to
be accommodated within the main actuating bore. The actuating
component may further include a piston configured to sealingly and
translatably fit within the actuating liner and be coupled to the
downhole tool wherein movement of the piston relative to the
actuating liner actuates the downhole tool. A method of actuating a
downhole tool is also provide that may include installing an
actuating liner within a main actuating bore and providing a piston
configured to translatably and sealably be accommodated within the
actuating liner. The method may further comprise coupling the
piston to an operative component of the downhole tool and applying
pressure to a surface of the piston, thereby moving the piston
relative to the actuating liner.
Inventors: |
Pinard; Geoffrey; (Missouri
City, TX) ; McCalvin; David E.; (Missouri City,
TX) |
Assignee: |
SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATION
SUGAR LAND
TX
|
Family ID: |
44186059 |
Appl. No.: |
12/649313 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/386 ;
166/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 23/04 20130101;
E21B 41/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/386 ;
166/321 |
International
Class: |
E21B 33/126 20060101
E21B033/126; E21B 34/06 20060101 E21B034/06 |
Claims
1. An actuating component for a downhole tool comprising: a main
actuating bore, an actuating liner configured to be accommodated
within the main actuating bore; a piston configured to sealingly
and translatably fit within the actuating liner and coupled to the
downhole tool; and wherein movement of the piston relative to the
actuating liner actuates the downhole tool.
2. The actuating component as recited in claim 1, in which the
actuating liner is threadably coupled to the main actuating
bore.
3. The actuating component as recited in claim 1, in which the
actuating liner is adhered to the main actuating bore.
4. The actuating component as recited in claim 1, in which the
actuating liner is press fit into the main actuating bore.
5. The actuating component as recited in claim 1, in which the
actuating liner comprises Inconel 718.
6. The actuating component as recited in claim 1, in which the
downhole tool is a valve.
7. The actuating component as recited in claim 1, in which the main
actuating bore comprises a first material; and the actuating liner
comprises a second material not identical in composition to the
first material.
8. The actuating component as recited in claim 7, in which the
second material comprises a higher cost per pound than the first
material.
9. The actuating component as recited in claim 7, in which the
second material comprises a higher corrosion resistance than the
first material.
10. A system for actuating a downhole tool comprising: a source of
hydraulic pressure; a main actuating bore; an actuating liner
configured to be accommodated within the main actuating bore; a
piston ultimately coupled to an operative component of a downhole
tool and configured to sealingly and translatably fit within the
actuating liner; and wherein the source of hydraulic pressure is
applied to at least one surface of the piston resulting in
translation of the piston relative to the actuating liner; and
wherein the translation of the piston relative to the actuating
liner corresponds to movement of the operative component of the
downhole tool.
11. The system recited in claim 10 wherein the main actuating bore
comprises a first material; and the actuating liner comprises a
second material.
12. The system recited in claim 11 wherein the second material has
a higher degree of corrosion resistance than the first
material.
13. The system recited in claim 10 wherein the source of hydraulic
pressure is supplied via a hydraulic pump located downhole.
14. The system recited in claim 10 wherein the actuating liner is
threadably coupled to the main actuating bore.
15. The system recited in claim 10 wherein the actuating liner is
adhered to the main actuating bore.
16. A method of actuating a downhole tool comprising: installing an
actuating liner within a main actuating bore; providing a piston
configured to translatably and sealably be accommodated within the
actuating liner; coupling the piston to an operative component of
the downhole tool; and applying pressure to a surface of the
piston, thereby moving the piston relative to the actuating liner;
wherein the movement of the piston relative to the actuating liner
actuates the downhole tool via corresponding movement of the
operative component.
17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the main actuating
bore comprises a first material; and the actuating liner comprises
a second material.
18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the second material
comprises a higher degree of corrosion resistance than the first
material.
19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the second material
comprises a greater cost per pound than the first material.
20. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the actuating liner
is adhered to the main actuating bore.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
actuating components used for downhole well system tools, and more
particularly to hydraulically actuated downhole tools and
devices.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to
be prior art by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
[0005] Well systems generally comprise wellbores drilled into the
surface of the earth at a terrestrial or subsea level in order to
extract desirable fluids such as hydrocarbons. Completion equipment
comprising downhole tools such as valves, screens, sensors, etc.,
are then run in-hole to control the rate of fluid production. The
downhole tools are typically designed with regard to reliability
while operating under long term exposure to hazardous and/or
corrosive environments. Unfortunately, in order to manufacture a
tool out of the high strength, corrosive resistant material
required for a wellbore environment, the completed tool may become
prohibitively expensive.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an
actuating component for a downhole tool may comprise a main
actuating bore and an actuating liner configured to be accommodated
within the main actuating bore. In addition, the actuating
component may further include a piston configured to sealingly and
translatably fit within the actuating liner and coupled to the
downhole tool, in which movement of the piston relative to the
actuating liner actuates the downhole tool.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
method of actuating a downhole tool may comprise installing an
actuating liner within a main actuating bore and providing a piston
configured to be translatably and sealably accommodated within the
actuating liner. In addition, the method may further comprise
coupling the piston to an operative component of the downhole tool
and applying pressure to a surface of the piston, thereby moving
the piston relative to the actuating liner. The movement of the
piston relative to the actuating liner may actuate the downhole
tool via corresponding movement of the operative component.
[0008] Other or alternative features will become apparent from the
following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood,
however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only the various
implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the
scope of various technologies described herein. The drawings are as
follows:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a well system, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a downhole tool
actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-section views of downhole tool
actuators, in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for implementing an
actuating liner in a downhole tool actuator, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without these details and that
numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments
may be possible. In the specification and appended claims: the
terms "connect", "connection", "connected", "in connection with",
"connecting", "couple", "coupled", "coupled with", and "coupling"
are used to mean "in direct connection with" or "in connection with
via another element"; and the term "set" is used to mean "one
element" or "more than one element". As used herein, the terms "up"
and "down", "upper" and "lower", "upwardly" and downwardly",
"upstream" and "downstream"; "above" and "below"; and other like
terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or
element are used in this description to more clearly describe some
embodiments of the invention.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an
actuating component such as an actuating liner may be configured as
a metallic sleeve that provides a corrosion resistant and
preventative sealing surface and the required applicable internal
diameter (ID) surface finish for dynamic fluid (e.g., such as
hydraulic) sealing systems for use with a variety of downhole
tools. One example is a rod piston bore that is typically integral
within the body material of the downhole components. The
utilization of a high nickel type of inserted sleeve, for example,
would allow the material of the related housing to be of a reduced
cost (such as 4140), which may be more corrosion tolerant than the
dynamic sealing surface finish. Therefore, the combined assembly
may be provided at a reduced overall cost as compared to
manufacturing the entire component out of the higher grade of
material.
[0016] Referring generally to FIG. 1, a well system 10 may be
provided at the surface 15 of a site in order to access desirable
fluids such as a hydrocarbon bearing formation 50. The well system
10 may comprise a well bore 20 drilled below the surface 15.
Although the surface 15 is depicted as a terrestrial surface, the
surface 15 may be a sea-bed surface. In addition, although the well
system 10 is shown as a horizontal, single zone well, applications
of embodiments of the present invention may be applied to vertical,
deviated, and multi-zone wells, among others. In some cases, the
well bore 20 may be at least partially lined with a liner or casing
25.
[0017] A completion system 30 may be installed within the well bore
20 in order to control the production of desirable fluids to the
surface 15 of the well system 10. As an illustrative example, a
completion system 30 may comprise tubulars and a variety of
downhole components, such as downhole tools 35 and/or packers, such
as the openhole packer 37 illustrated in the drawing. The openhole
packer 37 may restrict or inhibit desirable fluid from flowing
around the annulus of the tubular to the surface 15 of the well
system 10.
[0018] The downhole tool 35 may be a valve (such as a formation
isolation valve (FIV), inflow control device (ICD), or flow control
valve (FCV), among others), sampling device, setting device (e.g.,
such as for packers), switch, sensor, motor, choke, nozzle control,
or other operative components in single or multiple quantities as
provided in a well system 10. As shown in this illustrative
example, the downhole component 35 may be represented by an ICD
configured to control the flow of desirable fluid into an interior
bore of the completion 30. The ICD may be operated from the surface
15 via a hydraulic control line 70 provided with hydraulic pressure
from a hydraulic pressure source 60. In some cases, the hydraulic
pressure source 60 may be provided downhole and include an electric
motor pumping fluid from a downhole reservoir in order to control
the downhole tool 35. In these cases, the hydraulic control line 70
may be replaced by an electric line. In still other cases, the
electric line may be replaced with some form of downhole power
generation and/or storage, such as a turbine generator and/or
batteries for example.
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 2, this drawing shows an illustrative
embodiment of a downhole tool actuator 100 according to some
aspects of the present invention. The downhole tool actuator 100
may comprise a main actuating bore 110 and an actuating bore liner
120 accommodated within the main actuating bore 110. The actuating
bore liner 120 may be retained within the main actuating bore 110
via a variety of methods. For example, in some cases, the actuating
bore liner 120 may be threadably coupled to the main actuating bore
110, either by an end cap 115 threadably secured to an end of the
downhole tool actuator 100, by corresponding threads on the
exterior of the actuating bore liner 120 and the interior of the
main actuating bore 110 (not shown), or by the use of one or more
set screws (not shown). In other situations, the actuating bore
liner 120 may be retained within the main actuating bore 110
through welding, spin welding, press fit interference, frictional
forces, chemical adhesive, or plastic deformation of material,
among other methods not specifically identified.
[0020] A piston 130 may be translatably accommodated within the
actuating bore liner 120. Additionally, the piston 130 may be
sealably accommodated within the actuating bore liner 120 via one
or more seals 133 provided around the circumference of the piston
130. Movement of the piston 130 may be either directly coupled to
an operative component 140 (e.g., such as a sliding sleeve of a
variable choke for an ICD controlling access to the interior bore
33 of the downhole tool 35, among others) of a downhole tool 35 or
via one or more linking members 135. A hydraulic or fluid pressure
source may provide a motive force to a surface of the piston 130
via a hydraulic control line 70, for example. Although only one
hydraulic pressure source is shown in this figure, other
embodiments may have two or more hydraulic lines or pressure
sources configured to move the piston 130 is more than one
direction relative to the actuating bore liner 120.
[0021] The main actuating bore 110 of the downhole tool actuator
100 may be made from a lower level of material (e.g., with regard
to costs, corrosion resistance, surface finish, etc.) than the
actuating bore liner 120. Use of a limited amount of a high quality
material, such as Inconel 718 for the actuating bore liner 120, may
provide the downhole tool actuator 100 with a relatively reliable
level of surface finish for sealing with a corresponding piston
130. The sealing between the piston 130 and the ID of the actuating
bore liner 120 may exist even while the exterior and general
housing material of the main actuating bore 110 and downhole tool
actuator 100 suffer from the corrosive effects of being exposed to
a corrosive environment. The ability to use lower cost material
such as 4130 and 4140 for the housing instead of a high nickel type
of material may help to lower the overall costs of downhole tool
actuator 100 as well as the corresponding downhole tool 35.
[0022] Referring generally to FIG. 3A, this drawing shows an
exemplary embodiment in which the downhole tool actuator 200 is
integral to the downhole tool 35. In this case, a main actuating
bore 210 may be provided with an actuating bore liner 220 spin
welded together to form a joint 205. The end of the main actuating
bore 210 may be sealed with an end cap 215 threadably engaged with
the main actuating bore 210. The end cap 215 may further provide a
seal about a linking member coupled to the piston 230 sealably and
translatably provided within the actuating bore liner 220. In some
cases, the end cap 215 may contain an additional orifice to couple
with a second source of hydraulic pressure that may provide a
motive force to the piston 230 in another direction other than the
initial source of hydraulic pressure. Of course, in other cases a
resilient member such as a mechanical or gas spring may be used to
provide an opposing force on the other side of the piston 230
opposite to the side interacting with the initial source of
hydraulic pressure. The application of force and the movement of
the piston 230 has been simplified for the purposes of explanation
in this non-limiting description, other methods and more complex
methods are considered within the scope of the appended claims.
[0023] Turning now to FIG. 3B, this figure illustrates another
exemplary embodiment in which the downhole tool actuator 300 is
integral to the downhole tool 35. However, in this case, the
actuating bore liner 320 may be sealably coupled to the main
actuating bore 310 via one or more seals 305. The use of the one or
more seals 305 may inhibit or prevent fluid leakage between the
actuating bore liner 320 and the main actuating bore 310. The
actuating bore liner 320 may be retained within the main actuating
bore 310 via previously described methods.
[0024] In the situation shown in FIG. 3B, the hydraulic pressure
source may be provided by an electro-hydraulic pump 360 fluidly
coupled to the downhole tool actuator 300. The electro-hydraulic
pump 360 may be powered via an electric cable 370, stored energy
source (e.g., such as batteries)(not shown), or some form of
downhole power generation (e.g., such as turbine generators,
piezo-electric generators, etc.)(not shown).
[0025] Referring generally to FIG. 4, this drawing illustrates a
flow chart of a method of actuating a downhole tool 400 according
to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 400 may
comprise installing an actuating liner within a main actuating bore
410 and providing a piston configured to be translatably and
sealably accommodated within the actuating liner 420. The method
400 may further comprise coupling the piston to an operative
component of the downhole tool 430 and applying pressure to a
surface of the piston, thereby moving the piston relative to the
actuating liner 440.
[0026] Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either
the articles "a" or "an." The articles are intended to mean that
there are one or more of the elements. The terms "including" and
"having" are intended to be inclusive such that there may be
additional elements other than the elements listed. The term "or"
when used with a list of at least two elements is intended to mean
any element or combination of elements.
[0027] While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications
and variations there from. It is intended that the appended claims
cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *