Downhole hydraulic power source

• US 6,253,857 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Gano, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Petravick, Meredith C.
• Application Number:
  US09/184,789
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 166/65.1, 166/66.6, 166/319, 166/321, 166/324, 166/386, 166/373, 166/374
• US Class Current: 166/386
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1243 with inflatable sleeves

Abstract

Apparatus and corresponding methods are disclosed for controlling operation of well tools within a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a remotely controllable actuator includes a pressurized fluid source and a chamber containing gas at a relatively low pressure. The actuator is operated by alternately connecting each of two chambers of the actuator to one of the low pressure chamber and the pressurized fluid source. In another described embodiment, a fluid containing chamber is connected to a low pressure chamber of an actuator to thereby bias one member to displace relative to another member.

Claims

1. A remotely controllable apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:

first and second chambers;

first and second members, the first member displacing relative to the second member in a first direction in response to pressure in the first chamber greater than pressure in the second chamber, and the first member displacing relative to the second member in a second direction in response to pressure in the second chamber greater than pressure in the first chamber;

a third chamber containing fluid at a relatively low pressure;

a source of fluid at a pressure elevated relative to that of the fluid in the third chamber; and

at least one remotely controllable valve selectively permitting communication between each of the first and second chambers and one of the fluid source and the third chamber.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one valve is connected to a receiver, the receiver operating the at least one valve in response to a remotely transmitted signal.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one valve includes a first valve connected between the first chamber and the fluid source, a second valve connected between the first chamber and the third chamber, a third valve connected between the second chamber and the fluid source, and a fourth valve connected between the second chamber and the third chamber.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and third valves are open and the second and fourth valves are closed when the first member is displaced in the first direction relative to the second member, and wherein the first and third valves are closed and the second and fourth valves are open when the first member is displaced in the second direction relative to the second member.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third chamber includes a generally tubular inner housing, a generally tubular outer housing, and a series of circumferentially spaced apart ribs disposed in an annular space between the inner and outer housings.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ribs radially outwardly support the outer housing against pressure applied externally to the outer housing.

7. A remotely controllable apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:

a first chamber formed between first and second members, the first chamber containing fluid preventing relative displacement between the first and second members;

a second chamber containing fluid at a relatively low pressure;

a remotely controllable first valve connected between the first chamber and the second chamber;

a third chamber formed between third and fourth members, the third chamber containing fluid preventing relative displacement between the third and fourth members.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a receiver connected to the first valve, the first valve being operable in response to a signal remotely transmitted to the receiver.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a remotely controllable second valve connected between the third chamber and the second chamber.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first valve is a solenoid valve.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first valve is a fusible plug-type valve.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first valve is a combined valve/choke.

13. A remotely controllable actuator operatively positionable in a subterranean well, the actuator comprising:

a first chamber formed between first and second members;

a second chamber;

a first valve connected between the first and second chambers; and

a third chamber, differential pressure between the first and third chambers biasing the first member to displace relative to the second member,

the first chamber containing a fluid preventing relative displacement between the first and second members.

14. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the first valve selectively permits the fluid to flow from the first to the second chamber, thereby selectively permitting relative displacement between the first and second members.

15. The actuator according to claim 14, wherein the first valve is operable to permit fluid flow therethrough when a remotely transmitted signal is received by a receiver connected to the first valve.

16. A remotely controllable actuator operatively positionable in a subterranean well, the actuator comprising:

a first chamber formed between first and second members;

a second chamber;

a first valve connected between the first and second chambers;

a third chamber, differential pressure between the first and third chambers biasing the first member to displace relative to the second member; and

a second valve connected between the third chamber and a pressurized fluid source.

17. The actuator according to claim 16, wherein each of the first and second valves is operable to permit fluid flow therethrough when a remotely transmitted signal is received by a receiver connected to the first and second valves.