System for a downhole string with a downhole valve

• US 8,365,820 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novatek IP, LLC (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: David R. Hall
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Marshall, Jonathan, Scott, Dahlgren
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P
• Application Number:
  US12/915,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20120103593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 175/231, 175/232, 175/317, 166/194, 166/330, 166/334.4
• US Class Current: 166/194
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0406 for rotary valves

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention, a system for a downhole string comprises a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a tubular component. A reciprocating valve is located within a wall of the bore hydraulically connecting the bore with a fluid passage. The valve comprises a substantially cylindrical shaped housing. First and second ports are disposed on a circumference of the housing, and a fluid pathway is disposed intermediate the first and second ports. The valve comprises an axially slidable spool disposed within and coaxial with the housing and comprises a blocker. The blocker is configured to slide axially so to block and unblock the fluid pathway to control a flow from the bore to the fluid passage. The valve comprises a plurality of seals. Each seal is disposed opposite of the blocker causing pressure to be equally applied to the blocker and the plurality of seals.

Claims

1. A system for a downhole string, comprising;

a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a tubular component;

a reciprocating valve located within a wall of the bore and which hydraulically connects the bore with a fluid passage;

the valve comprising a housing comprising a substantially cylindrical shape wherein first and second ports are disposed on a circumference of the housing and a fluid pathway is disposed intermediate the first and second ports;

the valve also comprising an axially slidable spool disposed within and coaxial with the housing and comprising a blocker;

the blocker is configured to slide axially so to block and unblock the fluid pathway to control a flow from the bore to the fluid passage; and

the valve also comprising a plurality of seals wherein each seal is disposed opposite of the blocker causing pressure to be equally applied to the blocker and the plurality of seals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the blocker is disposed intermediate a first seal and a second seal wherein the first seal is disposed on a first end of the housing and the second seal is disposed on a second end of the housing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first seal comprises a surface area substantially similar to a surface area of the second seal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the blocker comprises a first face opposite of the first seal and a second face opposite of the second seal wherein each face comprises a surface area substantially similar to the surface area of each of the plurality of seals causing pressure to be applied equally to opposing surface areas efficiently.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of seals are disposed on the spool and configured to axially slide within the housing causing pressure to be constantly applied to each of the plurality of seals.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first port and the second port each comprise a fluid compartment configured to distribute the flow around the blocker.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second ports, fluid compartments, passage, spool, blocker, and each of the plurality of seals comprise a superhard material layer to reduce erosion due to the flow.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow comprises drilling fluid.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the tubular component is a downhole tool string component.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow through the fluid passage actuates an expandable tool, piston, jar, motor, turbine, or directional drilling device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the reciprocating valve is an entrance reciprocating valve hydraulically connecting the bore to a first fluid passage, and an exit reciprocating valve hydraulically connects a second fluid passage to an annulus of a wellbore.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second ports are disposed on opposite sides of the circumference.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second ports are axially offset.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a linear actuator rigidly connected to the spool and configured to slide the spool wherein the linear actuator comprises a linear solenoid, a mud motor, or a hydraulic motor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the linear actuator is in communication with a telemetry system or an electronic circuitry system.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a transmission medium of the telemetry system connecting the linear actuator and a plurality of other actuation devices wherein each actuation device comprises a unique identifier signal receiver.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a unique identifier signal sent through the transmission medium to independently instruct at least one actuation device.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the electronic circuitry system comprises a feedback circuitry configured to send an electrical signal through the transmission medium indicating a position of the spool by comprising;

a solenoid connected to a constant voltage source and comprising a first length and a core wherein the core comprises a permeability;

a plunger, controlled by the spool, comprising a second length disposed coaxial with the solenoid wherein the plunger changes the permeability of the core by moving in and out of the solenoid;

a voltage feedback measuring the voltage decay of the solenoid to determine the position of the rotor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plunger comprises a magnetic permeable material.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second length is substantially similar to or greater than the first length.