Resettable actuator for downhole tool

• US 7,650,951 B1
• Filed: 04/16/2009
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Nelson, Nathan, Dahlgren, Scott, Lundgreen, David
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US12/424,901
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 175/57, 175/73, 175/267, 175/324, 175/325.1
• US Class Current: 175/57
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/322 cutter shifted by fluid pressure E21B10/345 takes precedence

Abstract

In one embodiment of the invention, a downhole tool string component comprising a through bore running there through formed to accept drilling fluid. At least one mechanical actuation device is also disposed within the through bore. A guide channel is disposed within the through bore and comprises a geometry shaped to conduct the at least one mechanical actuation device. A switch is disposed within the guide channel in an original position and actuatable by the at least one mechanical actuation device to a subsequent position. A resettable mechanism is in contact with the switch wherein the resettable mechanism returns the switch to its original position. A receptacle may also be disposed within the through bore comprising a geometry shaped to accept the at least one mechanical actuation device.

Claims

1. A downhole tool string component, comprising:

a through bore formed to accept drilling fluid;

a sealed chamber within the through bore;

a pump disposed within the sealed chamber;

a piston assembly comprising a piston with a head within a cylinder within the sealed chamber and an end extending beyond the sealed chamber;

the cylinder comprising at least one entry port fluidly connected to the pump and a plurality of exhaust ports; and

a valve mechanism that selectively opens at least one of the exhaust ports.

2. The component of claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism is actuated by a solenoid that is in electrical communication with a downhole network.

3. The component of claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism is actuated by a cam that is in mechanical communication with a ratcheting device.

4. The component of claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism is actuated by a motor in electrical communication with a telemetry network.

5. The component of claim 1, wherein the piston end is attached to an axially translatable sleeve within the through bore.

6. The component of claim 5, wherein the axially translatable sleeve comprises at least one port, wherein the at least one port is spaced on the sleeve to align with a channel formed within a wall of the through bore.

7. The component of claim 6, comprising a translatable plunger fluidly connected to the through bore when the at least one port is aligned with the channel.

8. The component of claim 7, wherein the translatable plunger is in mechanical communication with a reamer on an exterior of the component.

9. The component of claim 7, wherein the translatable plunger is in mechanical communication with a stabilizer on an exterior of the component.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism is a spool valve or a ball valve.

11. The component of claim 1, wherein the plurality of exhaust ports are fluidly connected to the pump.

12. The component of claim 11, wherein the valve mechanism is a multi-way valve that selectively opens the plurality of exhaust ports.

13. The component of claim 11, wherein the plurality of exhaust ports are spaced along the length of the cylinder.

14. The component of claim 1, wherein the pump is powered by a turbine disposed within the through bore and in mechanical communication with the pump.

15. The component of claim 1, wherein the pump is powered by a battery.

16. The component of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust reservoir fluidly connected to the cylinder.

17. The component of claim 16, wherein the exhaust reservoir comprises a spring loaded piston slidably disposed within the exhaust reservoir.

18. A method for incrementally moving a piston in a downhole tool string component, comprising the steps of:

providing a through bore formed in the downhole tool string component to accept drilling fluid, a sealed chamber disposed within the through bore, a pump disposed within the sealed chamber, and a piston assembly within the sealed chamber;

the piston assembly comprising a piston element disposed within a cylinder and forming a head and a piston element with an end extending beyond the sealed chamber;

pumping hydraulic fluid to a first end of the cylinder from the pump;

displacing the head a first distance from the first end of the cylinder toward a second end of the cylinder;

displacing the head a second distance from the first end of the cylinder toward the second end of the cylinder; and

exhausting hydraulic fluid from the second end of the cylinder.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of moving a reamer or stabilizer blade from the exterior of a downhole tool string component by moving the piston assembly.

20. A downhole tool string component, comprising:

a through bore formed to accept drilling fluid;

a pump disposed within the through bore;

a valve mechanism that selectively opens a hydraulic line in fluid communication with the pump; and

a gear motor in fluid communication with the hydraulic line wherein the pressure in the hydraulic line actuates the gear motor.