Downhole tool with navigation system

• US 7,363,967 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Fripp, Michael L., Hales, John H., Rodgers, John, Towers, Darrin N., Schwendemann, Kenneth L., Burris, Wesley J. II, Starr, Phillip M., Goiffon, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell; David J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDREWS, DAVID L
• Application Number:
  US11/120,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20050241825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 166/255.1, 166/255.2, 166/254.1, 166/250.01, 166/66, 166/387, 166/120
• US Class Current: 166/66
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/10 Tools specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/119 Details, e.g. for locating perforating place or direction
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/04 Measuring depth or liquid level

Abstract

A downhole tool for use in a well bore comprises an onboard navigation system for determining the location of the tool within the well bore, wherein the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force. A method of locating a downhole tool in a well bore comprises deploying the tool along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force, and self-determining the location of the tool without receiving communications from the surface. In an embodiment, the tool is a well bore zonal isolation device.

Claims

1. A downhole tool for use in a well bore comprising:

an onboard navigation system for determining the location of the tool within the well bore; and

at least one activator for activating a functional component of the tool at one or more locations within the well bore;

wherein;

the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force;

the functional component comprises a brake operable to slow the tool, stop the tool, release the tool, or a combination thereof;

the brake is operable to set the tool against a casing or against an open hole wall in the well bore; and

the brake comprises a dissolvable component that is dissolved to unset the tool.

2. A well bore zonal isolation device comprising:

a navigation system for onboard determination of the location of the device within a well bore; and

a check valve operable to prevent flow downwardly through the device, and selectively operable to either allow flow upwardly through the device or prevent flow upwardly through the device;

wherein;

the device is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force; and

the device is operable to flow back to the surface of the well bore when the check valve prevents flow upwardly through the device.