Downhole tool actuation

• US 8,365,843 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2009
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Dahlgren, Scott, Marshall, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomar, Shane
• Assistant Examiner(s): GITLIN, ELIZABETH C GOTTLIEB
• Application Number:
  US12/391,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20100212965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 175/107, 175/267, 175/273, 175/406
• US Class Current: 175/273
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/322 cutter shifted by fluid pressure E21B10/345 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/60 characterised by conduits or nozzles for drilling fluids for roller bits E21B10/18; for percussion drill bits E21B10/38
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/006 Mechanical motion converting means, e.g. reduction gearings E21B4/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/02 Fluid rotary type drives
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/02 Adaptations for drilling wells

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a downhole tool string component has at least one end adapted to connect to an adjacent tool sting component and a bore adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid. A turbine is disposed within the bore and an actuating assembly is arranged such that a clutch may mechanically connect and disconnect with the turbine.

Claims

1. A downhole drill string component, comprising:

a connection for attaching said drill string component to an adjacent drill string component;

a bore in said drill string component for receiving drilling mud;

a turbine disposed within said bore configured to be rotated by drilling mud passing through said bore;

a centrifugal clutch that includes a gripper attached to a spring, said centrifugal clutch being connected to said turbine and operable by the rate of rotation of said turbine between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and

,

a linear actuator aligned with a central axis of said drill string component, said linear actuator being coupled to said centrifugal clutch when said centrifugal clutch is in said engaged position and decoupled from said centrifugal clutch when said clutch is in said disengaged position, said linear actuator including;

a driving gear;

a cam; and

,

a switch plate coupled to said driving gear, said switch plate configured to move when said cam rotates and thereby causing said driving gear to selectively engage a plurality of gears mechanically connected to said driving gear, said plurality of gears configured to convert said rotation of said turbine into an axial motion in a direction parallel to said central axis.

2. A downhole drill string component, comprising:

a connection for attaching said drill string component to an adjacent drill string component;

a bore in said drill string component for receiving drilling mud;

a turbine disposed within said bore configured to be rotated by drilling mud passing through said bore;

a clutch connected to said turbine and operable by the rate of rotation of said turbine between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and

,

a linear actuator aligned with a central axis of said drill string component, said linear actuator being coupled to said clutch when said clutch is in said engaged position and decoupled from said clutch when said clutch is in said disengaged position, said linear actuator including;

a driving gear;

a collar with a structure extending from said collar;

a cam;

a mount configured to be engaged by said clutch, said mount including a pivot bracket having a plurality of weights attached to a distal end of said pivot bracket and a proximal end of said pivot bracket in contact with said collar; and

,

a switch plate coupled to said driving gear, said switch plate configured to move when said cam rotates and thereby causing said driving gear to selectively engage a plurality of gears mechanically connected to said driving gear, said plurality of gears configured to convert said rotation of said turbine into an axial motion in a direction parallel to said central axis.

3. The downhole drill string component of claim 2, wherein said bore has an inner surface, and wherein said linear actuator further comprises a sleeve that includes at least one port movable to align and not align with a channel formed within a wall of said bore.

4. The downhole drill string component of claim 2, wherein said linear actuator further comprises a cam housing with a guide slot formed in said cam housing, said structure of said collar interacting with said guide slot to rotate said cam.

5. The downhole drill string component of claim 2, wherein said plurality of gears is a planetary gear system.

6. The downhole drill string component of claim 2, wherein said linear actuator is connected to a reamer blade and operable to move said blade between a first position and a second position.

7. The downhole drill string component of claim 2, further comprising a screw connected to said plurality of gears and configured for connection to another component in the drill string, said screw being rotatably operable by said linear actuator when said clutch is in said engaged position.

8. The downhole drill string component of claim 7, wherein said another component further includes at least one of a reamer blade, an indenting member in a drill bit, and an in-line vibrator and wherein said linear actuator is operable to move said at least one of a reamer blade, an indenting member in a drill bit, and an in-line vibrator between a first position and a second position.

9. A method of operating a downhole drill string component in a drill string positioned in a well-bore, said method comprising:

positioning said drill string component in said drill string, said drill string component having;

a connection for attaching said drill string component to an adjacent drill string component;

a bore in said drill string component for receiving drilling mud;

a turbine disposed within said bore configured to be rotated drilling mud passing through said bore;

a clutch connected to said turbine and operable by the rate of rotation of said turbine between an engaged position and a disengaged position;

a linear actuator aligned with a central axis of said drill string component, said linear actuator being coupled to said clutch when said clutch is in said engaged position and decoupled from said clutch when said clutch is in said disengaged position, said linear actuator including;

a driving gear;

a collar with a structure extending from said collar;

a cam;

a mount configured to be engaged by said clutch, said mount including a pivot bracket having a plurality of weights attached to a distal end of said pivot bracket and a proximal end of said pivot bracket in contact with said collar; and

,

a switch plate coupled to said driving gear, said switch plate configured to move when said cam rotates and thereby causing said driving gear to selectively engage a plurality of gears mechanically connected to said driving gear, said plurality of gears configured to convert said rotation of said turbine into an axial motion in a direction parallel to said central axis;

positioning said drill string in said well-bore;

supplying drilling mud at a flow rate to said bore of said drill string component; and

,

varying said flow rate of said drilling mud between a first rate to cause said turbine to operate at a rate to cause said clutch to move toward said engaged position to cause said plurality of gears and said linear actuator to operate and a second rate in which said turbine is operating at a rate to cause said clutch to disengage and in turn cause said plurality of gears and said linear actuator to not operate.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said component further comprises a screw connected to said plurality of gears and configured for connection to another component in the drill string, said screw being rotatably operable by said linear actuator when said clutch is in said engaged position.