Methods and apparatus to control downhole tools

• US 6,655,460 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Nero, Michael, Wilson, Timothy L., Bailey, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOMAR, THOMAS S
• Application Number:
  US09/976,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20030070842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 166/301, 166/178, 166/65.1, 166/66, 166/66-- 6, 175/297, 175/55, 175/73
• US Class Current: 166/301
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 31/107 using impact means for releasing stuck parts, e.g. jars
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 31/113 hydraulically-operated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 31/1135 Jars with a hydraulic impedance mechanism, i.e. a restriction, for initially delaying escape of a restraining fluid
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/06 Deflecting the direction of boreholes

Abstract

The present invention generally provides a downhole tool with an improved means of transmitting data to and from the tool through the use of wired pipe capable of transmitting a signal and/or power between the surface of the well and any components in a drill string. In one aspect, a downhole tool includes a body, and a mandrel disposed in the body and movable in relation to the body. A conducive wire runs the length of the body and permits signals and/or power to be transmitted though the body as the tool changes its length.

Claims

1. A downhole tool comprising:

a housing;

a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;

an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;

means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool; and

a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool, wherein the path for the signal and/or power includes an induction means between the tubular string and the tool.

2. A downhole tool comprising:

a housing;

a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;

an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;

an electromagnetic sub including a signal boosting member disposed at first and second ends of the tool for carrying a signal and/or power from the first to the second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool; and

a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.

3. A downhole tool comprising:

a housing;

a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;

a hammer formed on a surface of the mandrel for contacting a shoulder formed on an inner wall of the housing, the hammer contacting the shoulder to produce a jarring force, wherein the hammer is adjustable along the mandrel to change a free striking range measured between the hammer and the shoulder;

an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;

means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool; and

a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the free striking range is adjustable in the well through the use of an actuator disposed proximate the hammer, the actuator causing the hammer to move along a threaded portion of the mandrel.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the actuator is electric and operates with a battery located adjacent the actuator.

6. A downhole tool comprising:

a housing;

a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;

a hammer formed on a surface of the mandrel for contacting a shoulder formed on an inner wall of the housing, the hammer contacting the shoulder to produce a jarring force;

an orifice through which fluid passes to cause the hammer to strike the shoulder at a predetermined time, wherein the orifice can be moved between an open and a closed position, the tool non-operable in the closed position;

an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;

means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool; and

a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the orifice includes multiple positions between the open and closed position permitting the orifice to assume a plurality of sizes.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the position of the orifice can be controlled from the surface of the well by a signal.

9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the orifice is moved with the use of a solenoid disposed adjacent the orifice and powered by a battery in the tool.

10. A downhole tool comprising:

a housing;

a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;

an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing, wherein the actuation mechanism is electronic and is operated with a signal from a surface of a well;

means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between the surface of the well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool; and

a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.

11. A method of operating a jarring tool comprising:

lowering the jarring tool in a wellbore disposed on a string comprising a signal transmitting tubular;

sending a signal from a surface of the wellbore to adjust a free striking range of the jarring tool, the free striking range measured between a hammer and shoulder of the jarring tool; and

sending a signal from the surface of the wellbore to the jarring tool to actuate the jarring tool, the signal traveling through the signal transmitting tubular.

12. A downhole tool comprising:

a housing;

a mandrel at least partially disposed within the housing, the mandrel and the housing being relatively movable with respect to each;

a plurality of radially formed contacts on an outer surface of the mandrel and at least one radial contact formed on an inner surface of the housing for transmitting a signal and/or power between the housing and the mandrel, the signal and/or power transmittable before and after the relative movement and the signal and/or power extending between a location in a well above the tools and at least one other below the tool; and

couplings on the housing and the tool providing signal and/or power transmitting connections between the tool and the location in the well above the tool and at least one other component below the tool.

13. A downhole tool comprising:

a housing;

a mandrel at least partially disposed within the housing, the mandrel and the housing being relatively movable with respect to each;

a plurality of radially formed contacts on an inner surface of the housing and at least one radial contact formed on an outer surface of the housing for transmitting a signal and/or power between the housing and the mandrel, the signal and/or power transmittable before and after the relative movement and the signal and/or power extending between a location in a well above the tools and at least one other below the tool; and

couplings on the housing and the tool providing signal and/or power transmitting connections between the tool and the location in the well above the tool and at least one other component below the tool.