Hydraulic actuator

• US 20020046845A1
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Rayssiguier, Christophe M., Vongphakdy, Vong
• Granted Patent: US 6,502,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/375
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/006 "J-slot" systems, i.e. lug and slot indexing mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/12 Packers; Plugs used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/16 Control means therefor being outside the borehole control systems for submerged well heads E21B33/0355
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/122 Gas lift
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/07 in distinct sequence

Abstract

The present invention provides a hydraulic actuator adapted for use in downhole well applications that enables control of several hydraulic devices from a single control line.

Claims

1. A hydraulic distributor, comprising:

(a) an inlet connected to a hydraulic control line supplying hydraulic fluid pressure,

(b) at least one primary outlet and at least one secondary outlet, and

(c) a valve having a first position in which the hydraulic fluid pressure is restricted from the at least one primary outlet, and having a second position in which the hydraulic fluid pressure is restricted from the at least one secondary outlet, the valve maneuverable between its first position and its second position by the hydraulic fluid pressure.

2. The hydraulic distributor of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic fluid pressure controls one or more hydraulic devices.

3. The hydraulic distributor of claim 2, wherein the one or more hydraulic devices are selected from sleeve valves, ball valves, packers, formation isolation valves, gas lift valves, locks, sliding sleeves, and hydraulic distributors.

4. The hydraulic distributor of claim 2, wherein the hydraulic distributor is provided in a wall of the one or more hydraulic devices.

5. The hydraulic distributor of claim 2, wherein the hydraulic devices are part of a tool string.

6. The hydraulic distributor of claim 5, wherein the hydraulic distributor is provided in a wall of the tool string.

7. The hydraulic distributor of claim 1, wherein the valve is moved between its first and second positions by a mandrel.

8. The hydraulic distributor of claim 7, wherein the mandrel is manipulated by hydraulic pressure.

9. The hydraulic distributor of claim 7, wherein the mandrel is manipulated mechanically.

10. The hydraulic distributor of claim 7, further comprising an indexer assembly moveable through a plurality of positions to manipulate the mandrel.

11. The hydraulic distributor of claim 7, further comprising a lock assembly to fixedly engage the mandrel.

13. The hydraulic distributor of claim 12, wherein the hydraulic pressure controls one or more hydraulic devices.

14. The hydraulic distributor of claim 13, wherein the one or more hydraulic devices are selected from sleeve valves, ball valves, packers, formation isolation valves, gas lift valves, locks, sliding sleeves, and hydraulic distributors.

15. The hydraulic distributor of claim 13, wherein the hydraulic distributor is provided in a wall of the one or more hydraulic devices.

16. The hydraulic distributor of claim 13, wherein the hydraulic devices are part of a tool string.

17. The hydraulic distributor of claim 16, wherein the hydraulic distributor is provided in a wall of the tool string.

18. The hydraulic distributor of claim 12, wherein the mandrel is manipulated mechanically.

19. The hydraulic distributor of claim 12, further having a lock assembly hydraulically activated to fixedly engage the mandrel.

20. The hydraulic distributor of claim 12, further having an indexing assembly for manipulating the mandrel.

12. A hydraulic distributor, comprising:

(a) an inlet port adapted for receipt of hydraulic pressure,

(b) one or more first outlet ports and one or more second outlet ports,

(c) a valve, and

(d) a mandrel having a first position and a second position, the mandrel affixed to the valve such that, with the mandrel in its first position, the valve restricts the hydraulic pressure to the one or more first outlet ports and with the mandrel in its second position, the valve restricts the hydraulic pressure to the one or more second outlet ports, the mandrel moveable between its first position and its second position by the hydraulic pressure.

21. A hydraulic distributor, comprising:

(a) a housing defining an inlet and a plurality of outlets,

(b) a valve moveably positioned in the housing adapted to selectively close the plurality of outlets, and

(c) a pressure responsive indexer connected to the valve adapted to control the position of the valve.

22. The hydraulic distributor of claim 21, wherein the pressure responsive indexer has a mandrel affixed to the valve.

23. The hydraulic distributor of claim 22, wherein the pressure responsive indexer has a lock assembly to fixedly engage the mandrel.

24. The hydraulic distributor of claim 22, wherein the pressure responsive indexer has an indexer assembly to manipulate the mandrel.

25. The hydraulic distributor of claim 22, wherein the pressure responsive indexer is activated mechanically.

27. The hydraulic distributor of claim 26, wherein the at least one outlet is in communication with the one or more hydraulic devices.

28. The hydraulic distributor of claim 27, wherein the one or more hydraulic devices are selected from sleeve valves, ball valves, packers, formation isolation valves, gas lift valves, locks, sliding sleeves, and hydraulic distributors.

29. The hydraulic distributor of claim 27, wherein the hydraulic distributor is provided in a wall of the one or more hydraulic devices.

30. The hydraulic distributor of claim 27, wherein the hydraulic devices are part of a tool string.

31. The hydraulic distributor of claim 30, wherein the hydraulic distributor is provided in a wall of the tool string.

32. The hydraulic distributor of claim 26, wherein the valve is moveably positioned by a mandrel.

33. The hydraulic distributor of claim 32, wherein the mandrel is manipulated by hydraulic pressure.

34. The hydraulic distributor of claim 32, wherein the mandrel is manipulated mechanically.

35. The hydraulic distributor of claim 32, further comprising an indexer assembly moveable through a plurality of positions to manipulate the mandrel.

36. The hydraulic distributor of claim 32, further comprising a lock assembly to fixedly engage the mandrel.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the valve is mechanically shiftable.

26. A hydraulic distributor, comprising:

(a) a housing defining an inlet connected to a hydraulic control line and at least one outlet, the inlet adapted for receipt of pressurized fluid from the hydraulic control line;

(b) a valve moveably positioned in the housing adapted to selectively close the at least one outlet to selectively control the flow of pressurized fluid from the inlet to the at least one outlet; and

(c) an indexer connected to the valve adapted to control the position of the valve in response to the pressurized fluid.

37. A method of distributing a hydraulic fluid, comprising:

(a) providing a pressure responsive toggle valve having an inlet and a plurality of outlets;

(b) changing the pressure supplied to the inlet to shift the toggle valve to selectively close at least one of the plurality of outlets.

38. A method of providing hydraulic fluid pressure from a single source to a plurality of hydraulic devices, the method comprising:

(a) providing a hydraulic distributor having an inlet port and one or more first outlet ports and one or more second outlet ports,

(b) supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to the inlet port sufficient to activate the hydraulic distributor to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid pressure to the one or more first outlet ports,

(c) varying the hydraulic fluid pressure supplied to the inlet port to activate the hydraulic distributor to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid pressure to the one or more second outlet ports.

39. A system for distributing a hydraulic fluid, comprising:

(a) a hydraulic control line;

(b) a distributor having an inlet in fluid communication with the hydraulic control line;

(c) the distributor comprising at least two outlets and a valve moveable in the distributor to control the flow from the inlet to the at least two outlets;

(d) the valve shiftable in response to pressure supplied to the inlet.

41. A system for distributing a hydraulic fluid, comprising:

(a) a hydraulic control line;

(b) a first distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the hydraulic control line;

(c) a second distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the at least one first outlet of the first distributor, the at least one first outlet in communication with a first hydraulic device, and the at least one second outlet in communication with a second hydraulic device; and

(d) a third distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the at least one second outlet of the first distributor, the at least one first outlet in communication with a third hydraulic device, and the at least one second outlet in communication with a fourth hydraulic device.

42. A system for distributing a hydraulic fluid, comprising:

(a) a hydraulic control line;

(b) a first distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the hydraulic control line, and the at least one first outlet in communication with a first hydraulic device; and

(c) a second distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the at least one second outlet of the first distributor, the at least one first outlet in communication with a second hydraulic device, and the at least one second outlet in communication with a third hydraulic device.

43. A system for distributing a hydraulic fluid, comprising:

(a) a hydraulic control line;

(b) a first distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the hydraulic control line;

(c) a second distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the at least one first outlet of the first distributor, the at least one first outlet in communication with a hydraulic device, and the at least one second outlet in communication with the hydraulic device; and

(d) a third distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the at least one second outlet of the first distributor, the at least one first outlet in communication with the hydraulic device, and the at least one second outlet in communication with the hydraulic device.

44. A system for distributing a hydraulic fluid, comprising:

(a) a hydraulic control line;

(b) a first distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the hydraulic control line;

(c) a second distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the at least one first outlet of the first distributor, the at least one first outlet in communication with a first hydraulic device, and the at least one second outlet in communication with the first hydraulic device; and

(d) a third distributor having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet, the at least one inlet in communication with the at least one second outlet of the first distributor, the at least one first outlet in communication with a second hydraulic device, and the at least one second outlet in communication with a third hydraulic device.