Methods and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool
First Claim
1. An apparatus for activating a downhole tool in a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool has an actuated and unactuated positions, comprising:
- an actuator for operating the downhole tool between the actuated and unactuated positions that control fluid flow through the downhole tool;
a controller for activating the actuator;
a tag that is fixed relative to casing in the wellbore, wherein the downhole tool is passable through the casing and by the tag; and
a sensor disposed on the downhole tool for detecting the tag in the wellbore, wherein the sensor comprises a radio frequency tag reader and detection of the tag is transmitted to the controller, thereby causing the actuator to operate the downhole tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for remotely actuating a downhole tool. In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for activating a downhole tool in a wellbore, the downhole tool having an actuated and unactuated positions. The apparatus includes an actuator for operating the downhole tool between the actuated and unactuated positions; a controller for activating the actuator; and a sensor for detecting a condition in the wellbore, wherein the detected condition is transmitted to the controller, thereby causing the actuator to operate the downhole tool. In one embodiment, conditions in the wellbore are generated at the surface, which is later detected downhole. These conditions include changes in pressure, temperature, vibration, or flow rate. In another embodiment, a fiber optic signal may be transmitted downhole to the sensor. In another embodiment still, a radio frequency tag is dropped into the wellbore for detection by the sensor.
179 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for activating a downhole tool in a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool has an actuated and unactuated positions, comprising:
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an actuator for operating the downhole tool between the actuated and unactuated positions that control fluid flow through the downhole tool; a controller for activating the actuator; a tag that is fixed relative to casing in the wellbore, wherein the downhole tool is passable through the casing and by the tag; and a sensor disposed on the downhole tool for detecting the tag in the wellbore, wherein the sensor comprises a radio frequency tag reader and detection of the tag is transmitted to the controller, thereby causing the actuator to operate the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for activating a downhole tool, comprising:
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providing the downhole tool with a sensor; providing a tag fixed relative to casing in the wellbore; detecting the tag with the sensor while running the downhole tool through the casing;
signaling detection of the tag andoperating an actuator based on the signaling of the tag being detected, wherein the actuator activates the downhole tool between actuated and unactuated positions that control fluid flow through the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification