Resettable actuator for downhole tool

• US 7,669,663 B1
• Filed: 04/16/2009
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Nelson, Nathan, Dahlgren, Scott, Lundgreen, David
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US12/424,853
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 166/65.1, 166/318, 166/381, 175/324, 175/57
• US Class Current: 166/381
• 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 accommodate a flow of drilling fluid and at least one mechanical actuation device;

a guide channel disposed within the through bore and comprising a geometry shaped to conduct the mechanical actuation device;

a mechanical switch disposed within the guide channel in an original position and actuatable by the mechanical actuation device to a subsequent position; and

a resettable mechanism in contact with the mechanical switch wherein the resettable mechanism returns the switch to its original position.

2. The component of claim 1, further comprising:

a shaft in mechanical communication with the switch wherein the shaft attains a new position when the switch is actuated; and

a ratcheting device that maintains the shaft in the new position when the switch is reset to its original position.

3. The component of claim 2, wherein the new position is an axial rotation from the original position.

4. The component of claim 1, wherein the guide channel comprises a plurality of entries into a receptacle with varying diameter.

5. The component of claim 1, comprising a funnel disposed within the through bore wherein the mechanical actuation device is funneled into the guide channel.

6. The component of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical actuation device is a ball, a dart, a plunger, a dissolvable object, a crushable object, or a combination thereof.

7. The component of claim 1, wherein the guide channel sits in a substantially radial orientation.

8. The component of claim 1, wherein the guide channel sits in a substantially axial orientation.

9. The component of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises an arm, bar, lever, turnstile, handle or knob.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein the resettable mechanism comprises a coiled spring, elastic member, compressible element, or a combination thereof.

11. The component of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle disposed within the through bore comprising a cylindrical trough shaped to accept the mechanical actuation device.

12. The component of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle disposed within the through bore comprising a bin shaped to accept the mechanical actuation device and stack it upon another mechanical actuation device.

13. The component of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle disposed within the through bore wherein the mechanical actuation device may be received within the receptacle and the drilling fluid may pass through the receptacle.

14. A method for actuating a downhole tool, comprising:

initiating travel of at least one mechanical actuation device within a through bore of a downhole tool string component;

directing the at least one mechanical actuation device to a switch within a guide channel disposed within the through bore;

actuating a downhole operation by contacting the switch with the mechanical actuation device; and

returning the switch to its original position with a resettable mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

providing a shaft in mechanical communication with the switch;

moving the shaft to a new position when the switch is contacted; and

holding the shaft in the new position with a ratcheting device when the switch is reset to its original position.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

directing a second mechanical actuation device into the guide channel;

actuating a similar downhole operation by contacting the switch with the second mechanical actuation device;

returning the switch to its original position with the resettable mechanism.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of stacking the mechanical actuation devices in a receptacle.