U.S. patent application number 13/016566 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for fluid path between the outer surface of a tool and an expandable blade.
Invention is credited to Scott Dahlgren, David R. Hall, Jonathan Marshall.
Application Number | 20120193147 13/016566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46576415 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120193147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
August 2, 2012 |
Fluid Path between the Outer Surface of a Tool and an Expandable
Blade
Abstract
In one aspect of the invention, an expandable tool for an earth
boring system comprises a through bore configured to accommodate
drilling fluid. A blade is configured to extend and retract out of
an outer surface of the tool. A secondary fluid pathway connects
the bore with an interface between the outer surface of the tool
and a surface of the blade. The secondary pathway directs drilling
fluid through the interface.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Dahlgren; Scott; (Alpine, UT) ;
Marshall; Jonathan; (Provo, UT) |
Family ID: |
46576415 |
Appl. No.: |
13/016566 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/266 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 10/60 20130101;
E21B 17/1014 20130101; E21B 10/322 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/266 |
International
Class: |
E21B 10/32 20060101
E21B010/32 |
Claims
1. An expandable tool for an downhole tool string component,
comprising; a through bore configured to accommodate drilling
fluid; a blade configured to extend and retract out of an outer
surface of the tool; and a secondary fluid pathway connects the
bore with an interface between the outer surface of the tool and a
blade surface; wherein the secondary pathway directs drilling fluid
through the interface.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the bore is formed in a mandrel and
the secondary fluid pathway connects an inner and outer
circumference of the mandrel.
3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the secondary fluid pathway travels
along the outer circumference of the mandrel to the interface.
4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the secondary pathway comprises an
outlet formed in the bore.
5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the pathway extends from the outlet
to an outer sleeve.
6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the outer sleeve is configured to
slide along the mandrel, wherein sliding the sleeve along the
mandrel is configured to extend the blade.
7. The tool of claim 5, wherein an inside face of the sleeve and
the outer circumference of the mandrel direct fluid to the
interface.
8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the secondary pathway is configured
to direct drilling fluid to clear debris from the interface.
9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the blade is configured to expand
independently of drilling fluid movement.
10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the blade is configured to connect
to the outer surface of the tool through a groove, wherein the
groove is incorporated in the interface.
11. The tool of claim 1, wherein a piston assembly lies in the
secondary fluid pathway.
12. The tool of claim 11, wherein a piston chamber is formed in the
piston assembly, wherein the piston chamber comprises a nozzle
ring.
13. The tool of claim 12, wherein an aperture lies within the
secondary fluid pathway, wherein the aperture directs the fluid to
the piston chamber located within the thickness of the mandrel
wall.
14. The tool of claim 12, wherein an internal nozzle is formed in
the nozzle ring, wherein the internal nozzle is configured to allow
fluid to exit the piston chamber through the nozzle ring.
15. The tool of claim 14, wherein the internal nozzle comprises a
stopping mechanism configured to halt fluid flow through the
piston.
16. The tool of claim 12, wherein the piston chamber is configured
to hold a portion of the drilling fluid.
17. The tool of claim 12, wherein the nozzle ring is configured to
travel along the outer surface of the mandrel.
18. The tool of claim 12, wherein the nozzle ring is configured to
increase a pressure in the drilling fluid.
19. The tool of claim 12, wherein the piston assembly comprises a
seal located on an outside width of the nozzle ring configured to
stop fluid flow between the piston's width and an inner surface of
the piston chamber.
20. The tool of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
secondary fluid pathway is protected by a wear resistant material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of downhole oil,
gas, and/or geothermal exploration and more particularly to the
fields of expandable tools for downhole exploration. A variety of
expandable tools are to enlarge the diameter of a wellbore and/or
to stabilize a tool string during drilling operations. Expandable
tools of this type may contain arms or blades which extend from the
sides of a tool string and contact an earthen formation. Examples
of these types of expandable tools are described in the following
prior art documents.
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,099 to Dewey et al., which is herein
incorporated by reference for all it contains, discloses an
expandable downhole tool comprising a tubular body having an axial
flow bore extending there through, at least one moveable arm, and a
selectively actuatable sleeve that prevents or allows the at least
one moveable arm to translate between a collapsed position and an
expanded position. A method of expanding the downhole tool
comprises disposing the downhole tool within the wellbore, biasing
the at least one moveable arm to a collapsed position corresponding
to an initial diameter of the downhole tool, flowing a fluid
through an axial flow bore extending through the downhole tool
while preventing the fluid from communicating with a different flow
path of the downhole tool, allowing the fluid to communicate with
the different flow path by introducing an actuator into the
wellbore, and causing the at least one moveable arm to translate to
an expanded position corresponding to an expanded diameter of the
downhole tool.
[0003] U.S. Patent App. 2008/0128175 to Radford, et al., which is
herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains,
discloses an expandable reamer apparatus for drilling a
subterranean formation including a tubular body, one or more
blades, each blade positionally coupled to a sloped track of the
tubular body, a push sleeve and a drilling fluid flow path
extending through an inner bore of the tubular body for conducting
fluid there through. Each of the one or more blades includes at
least one cutting element configured to remove material from a
subterranean formation during reaming. The push sleeve is disposed
in the inner bore of the tubular body and coupled to each of the
one or more blades so as to effect axial movement thereof along the
track to an extended position responsive to exposure to a force or
pressure of drilling fluid in the flow path of the inner bore.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the invention, an expandable tool for an
earth boring system comprises a through bore configured to
accommodate drilling fluid. A blade is configured to extend and
retract out of an outer surface of the tool. A secondary fluid
pathway connects the bore with an interface between the outer
surface of the tool and a surface of the blade. The secondary fluid
pathway directs drilling fluid through the interface.
[0005] The bore may be formed in a mandrel and the secondary fluid
pathway may connect an inner and outer circumference of the
mandrel. The secondary fluid pathway may comprise an outlet formed
in the bore, which may extend from the outlet to an outer sleeve.
The pathway may travel along the outer circumference of the mandrel
to the interface. The pathway may also be configured to direct
drilling fluid to clear debris from the interface. The outer sleeve
is configured to slide along the mandrel, wherein sliding the
sleeve is configured to extend the blade. An inside face of the
sleeve and the outer circumference of the mandrel direct fluid to
the interface.
[0006] The blade may be configured to connect to the outer surface
of the tool through a groove, wherein the groove is incorporated in
the interface. The secondary fluid pathway may direct drilling
fluid through the groove. The blade may be configured to expand
independently of drilling fluid movement.
[0007] A piston assembly may reside in the secondary fluid pathway
with a piston chamber formed in the piston assembly. The piston
chamber may comprise a nozzle ring which may be configured to
travel along the outer surface of the mandrel. Sliding the nozzle
ring may expand the blade. An internal nozzle may be formed in the
nozzle ring configured to allow fluid to exit the piston chamber
through the nozzle ring. The internal nozzle comprises a stopping
mechanism configured to halt fluid flow through the piston. The
piston chamber is configured to hold a portion of the drilling
fluid. An aperture may lie within the secondary fluid pathway,
wherein the aperture may direct the fluid to the piston chamber
located within the thickness of the mandrel wall. The piston
assembly may comprise a seal located on an outside width of the
nozzle ring configured to stop fluid flow between the piston's
width and an inner surface of the chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 discloses an orthogonal view of an embodiment of a
tool string.
[0009] FIG. 2a discloses a perspective view of an embodiment of an
expandable tool.
[0010] FIG. 2b discloses a perspective view of an embodiment of an
expandable tool.
[0011] FIG. 3 discloses a cross-sectional view of a secondary fluid
path.
[0012] FIG. 4 discloses a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
an expandable tool.
[0013] FIG. 5 discloses a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of an expandable tool.
[0014] FIG. 6a discloses a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of an expandable tool.
[0015] FIG. 6b discloses an orthogonal view of an embodiment of a
nozzle ring.
[0016] FIG. 7 discloses a perspective view of another embodiment of
an expandable tool.
[0017] FIG. 8 discloses a perspective view of another embodiment of
an expandable tool.
[0018] FIG. 9 discloses a perspective view of another embodiment of
an expandable tool.
[0019] FIG. 10 discloses a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of an expandable tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
[0020] FIG. 1 discloses an orthogonal view of an embodiment of a
drilling operation comprising a drilling derrick 101 that is
supporting a tool string 100 inside a borehole 102. The tool string
100 may comprise an expandable tool configured to rotate in the
borehole 102. Rotating the tool string 100 may also rotate a drill
bit 104 and cause the drill bit 104 to degrade a bottom of the
borehole 102. Degrading the borehole 102 may shake the tool string
100 and accompanying parts about an interior of the borehole 102.
The expandable tool may be configured to limit the shaking by
extending and stabilizing the tool string 100.
[0021] FIG. 2a discloses an embodiment of the expandable tool 200
in a retracted position. The expandable tool 200 may need a blade
202 retracted during assembly of the tool string 100. An outer
diameter of the refracted tool 200 may be similar to an outer
diameter of the tool string 100. The expandable tool 200 may also
be retracted during insertion and withdrawal of the tool string 100
from the borehole 102. Also, when the expandable tool 200 is moving
through narrow portions of the borehole 102, the expandable tool
200 may retract to save the blade 202. This may protect the tool's
200 components.
[0022] FIG. 2b discloses an embodiment of the expandable tool 200
in an extended position. Stabilizing the tool string 100 may
dislodge debris or aggregate from the borehole wall 102. Some of
the debris may fall onto the expandable tool 200, more precisely
into an interface 321 between the blade 202 and a mandrel 203. This
may hinder the ability of the expandable tool 200 to extend the
blade 202 and stabilize the tool string 100. The tool string 100
may be configured to direct drilling fluid from a top to a bottom
of the tool string 100. In some embodiments the blade may be
configured to extend and retract independently of drilling fluid
movement. The expandable tool may be in contact with a moving
mechanism that causes the blade to extend and retract. In some
embodiments, surface equipment may be used to send commands to the
expandable tool that dictate the extension and refraction of the
tool's blade.
[0023] FIG. 3 discloses a cross-sectional view of the mandrel 203
and the blade 202. An interface 321 may be formed in a connection
between the blade 202 and the mandrel 203. Arrows 300 in the
interface 321 represent fluid that traverses through the expandable
tool 200. The fluid may exit the tool 200 through the interface 321
as depicted in FIG. 3. The fluid may be configured to expel debris
301 located in the interface 321 from the expandable tool 200.
[0024] FIG. 4 discloses a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
the expandable tool 200. A secondary fluid pathway 421 may be
formed in the expandable tool 200. The secondary fluid pathway 421
may be configured to route drilling fluid away from the through
bore 404 and into an interface 321 between the blade 202 and the
mandrel 203. The blade 202 may be configured to connect to the tool
200 through a groove 418 that may be located on an inside of the
blade 202 and on an outer surface of the mandrel 409. The drilling
fluid may be directed to the interface 321 and dislodge debris
trapped in the interface 321. This may result in the expandable
tool 200 extending the blade 202 and stabilizing the tool string
100 in the borehole 102.
[0025] A piston chamber may be located within the secondary fluid
pathway 421. The piston chamber may comprise a nozzle ring 425 and
an aperture 410. The nozzle ring 425 may be located radially
outward the aperture 410 and be configured to slide along the outer
circumference of the mandrel 409. The nozzle ring may be connected
to the plurality of blades wherein sliding the nozzle ring along
the mandrel 203 may extend the blade. Both the nozzle ring 425 and
the aperture 410 may be configured to contact the drilling fluid
flowing through the fluid pathway 421.
[0026] The secondary fluid pathway 421 may comprise an outlet 413
formed in the bore located in the mandrel 203. A ball may be
dropped into the drilling fluid from the top of the tool string 100
and descend through the tool string 100 until it reaches a ball
catch. The ball may engage the catch and open the outlet 413. The
outlet 413 may be configured where opening the outlet 413 directs
the drilling fluid from the bore 404. The drilling fluid may then
flow through the secondary fluid pathway 421.
[0027] In some embodiments, the outlet may open electronically. For
example, a downhole telemetry system, such as wire pipe, may be in
communication with the values or actuators controlling the valves.
Power and/or date controlling the valves or actuators may cause the
valves or open or close. Some embodiments may include downhole
power sources such as batteries or mud driven generators. In some
cases, downhole electronics or intelligence may control the
valves.
[0028] The secondary fluid pathway 421 may be configured to direct
the drilling fluid to clear debris 301 from the interface 321. The
fluid pathway 421 may direct the drilling fluid to travel through
the interface 321 between the mandrel 203 and the blade 202 and
contact any debris 301 fixed in the interface 321. The fluid and
the debris 301 may exit the expandable tool 200 through the
interface 321. The fluid may force the debris 301 out of the
interface 321, which may result in clearing the interface 321 and
allowing the expandable tool 200 to freely extend and retract the
blade 202.
[0029] The secondary fluid pathway 421 may be configured to
continually contact the drilling fluid while the expandable tool
200 is extended. The drilling fluid may comprise a variety of
abrasive particles. A wear resistant material may be applied to the
secondary fluid pathway 421 to help reduce wear. The wear resistant
material may increase the endurance of the secondary fluid pathway
421.
[0030] An aperture 410 may be formed in the mandrel 203. The
secondary fluid pathway 421 may comprise the aperture 410,
configured to lead the drilling fluid from the inner 411 to the
outer circumference 411. The aperture 410 may be formed in the
expandable tool 200 above the blade 202. The nozzle ring 425 may be
configured to direct the drilling fluid to the outer circumference
of the mandrel 409. After contacting the nozzle ring, the secondary
fluid pathway 421 may lead the drilling fluid from the outer
circumference of the mandrel 409 to the interface 321. The
interface 321 formed between the expandable tool 200 and the blade
202 may be adjacent to the mandrel 203.
[0031] An outer sleeve 217 may be disposed on the outer
circumference of the mandrel 409 with the blade 202 formed in an
opening of the sleeve 217. The outer sleeve 217 may assist in
extending and retracting the blade 202. The secondary fluid pathway
421 formed in the tool 200 may connect the outlet 413 formed in the
bore 404 to the outer sleeve 217. The drilling fluid that exits the
bore 404 through the outlet 213 may travel through the secondary
fluid pathway 421 until reaching the sleeve 217.
[0032] The outer sleeve 217 may be configured to slide along the
outer circumference of the mandrel 409, wherein sliding along the
mandrel 203 engages the groove 418 on the outer sleeve 217 and on
the blade 202. Engaging the groove 418 may extend the blade
202.
[0033] FIG. 5 discloses a cross-sectional view of the expandable
tool 200 with the secondary fluid pathway 421 formed in the tool
200. Arrows 503, 504 represent the flow of drilling fluid as it
travels along the secondary fluid pathway 421 toward the interface
321. The drilling fluid may continuously exit the interface 321
during the expandable tool's 200 operation.
[0034] An inner face of the outer sleeve 217 and the outer
circumference of the mandrel 409 may also form a portion of the
secondary fluid pathway 421. This portion of the fluid pathway 421
may be located adjacent to the interface 321, extending from a
bottom of a nozzle ring 501 to the interface 321. The outer surface
of the mandrel 409 and the inner face of the outer sleeve 217 may
be configured to direct drilling fluid to the interface 321.
[0035] FIGS. 6a and b collectively discloses a piston assembly 625
disposed about the outer circumference of the mandrel 409. The
piston assembly 625 may comprise a piston chamber 601. A nozzle
ring 425 may be disposed within the piston chamber 601. The piston
chamber 601 may be configured to hold a portion of the drilling
fluid. A seal 603 may be located on an outside width of the nozzle
ring 425. The nozzle ring 425 may comprise a plurality of openings
604 evenly spaced along the inner diameter of the nozzle ring 425
corresponding to the aperture 410 in the mandrel 203. An internal
nozzle 606 may be placed in the nozzle ring 425 and traverse
through the nozzle ring 425.
[0036] The nozzle ring 425 may be configured to increase a pressure
in the drilling fluid. Drilling fluid may enter the piston chamber
601 until sufficient pressure is built up to force the nozzle ring
425 along a span of the expandable tool 200. The nozzle ring 425
may expand the piston chamber 601 by shifting along the mandrel
203. An equilibrium pressure may eventually be reached on two sides
of the nozzle ring 425 and reaching the equilibrium pressure causes
the shifting to halt. The blade 202 may be connected to the nozzle
ring 425 such that shifting the nozzle ring 425 along the mandrel
203 may force the expandable tool 200 to extend the blade 202. When
the outlet 413 is closed and the drilling fluid stops flowing
through the secondary fluid pathway 421, external forces on the
blade 202 may cause the blade 202 to retract into the outer sleeve
217.
[0037] The nozzle ring 425 may be placed within a section of the
secondary fluid pathway 421. The nozzle ring 425 may be positioned
on the outer circumference of the mandrel 409, contacting the
mandrel 203 and forming a wall in the piston chamber 601. A
plurality of openings 604 may be formed in the nozzle ring 425 and
configured to receive the drilling fluid exiting the aperture 410.
The plurality of openings 604 may direct the drilling fluid into
the piston chamber 601.
[0038] The internal nozzle 606 located in the nozzle ring 425 may
be configured to contact the drilling fluid. The internal nozzle
606 may be located inward the seal 603. The internal nozzle 606 may
connect an inside of the piston chamber 601 with a part of the
secondary fluid pathway 421 that continues on an outside of the
piston chamber 601. A portion of the drilling fluid that enters the
piston chamber 601 may exit the piston chamber 601 through the
internal nozzle 606. This may allow the drilling fluid to continue
through the secondary fluid pathway 421 toward the interface
321.
[0039] The seal 603 located on the outside of the nozzle ring 425
may assist in blocking the drilling fluid from exiting the piston
chamber 601 through an association between an outer width of the
nozzle ring 425 and an inner wall of the piston chamber 601. The
seal 603 may comprise an elastic substance configured to fluidly
seal the piston chamber 601 and the nozzle ring 425. The seal 603
may be configured to slide along the inner wall of the piston
chamber 409 adjacent to the sliding nozzle ring 400.
[0040] The piston assembly 625 may comprise a stopping mechanism.
The stopping mechanism may be configured to halt drilling fluid
flow through the nozzle 606. During operation the drilling fluid
may exit the piston chamber 601 through the nozzle 606 in the
nozzle ring 425 until the stopping mechanism is employed. The
stopping mechanism may be utilized when pressure is needed inside
the piston chamber 601 to extend the blade 202.
[0041] FIG. 7 discloses a perspective view of an embodiment of the
expandable tool 200 in a refracted position. The interface 321
between curved portions 700 on the blade 202 and the mandrel 203
may comprise a plurality of crevices 701. The secondary fluid
pathway 421 may be configured to direct drilling fluid through the
plurality of crevices 701, causing the drilling fluid to exit the
interface 321 by way of the plurality of crevices 701. The drilling
fluid may dispel debris that has entered into the plurality of
crevices 701.
[0042] The groove formed between the blade and the expandable tool
418 may be incorporated into the interface 321. The groove 418 may
be angled to assist in extending and/or retracting the blade 202.
In some embodiments, the groove may have a buttressing effect
configured to help lock the blade in the extended position.
[0043] FIG. 8 discloses a perspective view of an embodiment of the
tool 200. The interface 321 formed by the groove 418 may comprise a
plurality of crevices 700 where the plurality of crevices 700
consists of places where the groove does not fit together
perfectly. The plurality of crevices 700 may be located on sloped
portions of the plurality of crevices 700. The drilling fluid may
traverse through the secondary fluid pathway 421 and exit the
interface 321 through the plurality of crevices 700 located in the
sloped portions of the interface 321. The drilling fluid may force
out any loose debris or aggregate that may have entered into the
plurality of crevices 700.
[0044] FIG. 9 discloses a perspective view of an embodiment of the
expandable tool 200 and the drilling fluid exiting the tool 200. As
the fluid exits the interface 321 the fluid may force debris and
aggregate out of the interface 321. The interface 321 between the
blade 202 and the mandrel 203 may comprise adjacent surfaces 901,
902. The adjacent surfaces 901, 902 may allow easier production of
the expandable tool 200, a smoother exit for the drilling fluid,
and the extension and retraction of the blade 202 with less debris
wedging in the interface 321 between the surfaces 901, 902.
[0045] FIG. 10 discloses a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of the expandable tool 200. In this embodiment, the
secondary fluid pathway 1001 travels almost directly from the port
413 to the interface 321. The drilling fluid may flow through this
pathway 1001 with less force than in previous embodiment and still
expel debris from the interface 321. The length of the secondary
fluid pathway 1001 may be minimized to decrease manufacturing and
assembling complexity.
[0046] In some embodiments, the drilling fluid passes directly from
the outlet to the interface. The secondary fluid path, including at
the interface, may be coated, lined, titled, and/or protected by a
wear resistant material. This material may include a cemented metal
carbide, ceramics, boron cubic nitride, natural or synthetic
diamond, sintered, polycrystalline diamond, vapor deposited
polycrystalline diamond, aluminum oxide, or combinations
thereof.
[0047] Whereas the present invention has been described in
particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be
understood that other and further modifications apart from those
shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit
of the present invention.
* * * * *