Torque limiting device
First Claim
1. A torque limiting apparatus for a work string of an oil or gas well, the torque limiting apparatus comprising a body having an axial bore therethrough for fluid flow;
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
the first and second members being interconnected by a torque limiting device adapted to transfer torque between the first and second members up to a threshold torque value, thereby rotationally coupling the first and second members together at torque levels below the threshold torque value, and wherein the torque limiting device is adapted to disengage the connection between the first and second members when torque applied across the body is greater than the threshold torque value, whereby after disengagement of the torque limiting device at least a portion of the first member can rotate relative to at least a portion of the second member, wherein the torque limiting device comprises at least one frangible elongate plate restrained between the first and second members to transfer torque between the first and second members below the threshold torque value and configured to break when the torque transferred through the elongate plate exceeds the threshold torque value, wherein the first member comprises a housing with an inner surface, and the second member comprises a shaft with an outer surface, and wherein the at least one frangible elongate plate is held between a first groove in the inner surface of the housing and a second groove in the outer surface of the shaft, wherein the first and second grooves are arranged on opposing surfaces of the body.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A work string assembly for an oil or gas well has a first and second tubulars, and a torque limiting device connected in the work string. The torque limiting device has a body with an axial bore and two interconnected members that can disconnect to be relatively rotatable. The interconnected members can be repeatedly re-engageable when the torque levels drop below a torque threshold value, or can be connected by a frangible member that is broken when the interconnected members disconnect. A selectively actuable circulation port provided in the string adjacent to and above the torque limiting device allows the annulus between the work string and the casing to be flushed with fluid from the port.
116 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A torque limiting apparatus for a work string of an oil or gas well, the torque limiting apparatus comprising a body having an axial bore therethrough for fluid flow;
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
the first and second members being interconnected by a torque limiting device adapted to transfer torque between the first and second members up to a threshold torque value, thereby rotationally coupling the first and second members together at torque levels below the threshold torque value, and wherein the torque limiting device is adapted to disengage the connection between the first and second members when torque applied across the body is greater than the threshold torque value, whereby after disengagement of the torque limiting device at least a portion of the first member can rotate relative to at least a portion of the second member, wherein the torque limiting device comprises at least one frangible elongate plate restrained between the first and second members to transfer torque between the first and second members below the threshold torque value and configured to break when the torque transferred through the elongate plate exceeds the threshold torque value, wherein the first member comprises a housing with an inner surface, and the second member comprises a shaft with an outer surface, and wherein the at least one frangible elongate plate is held between a first groove in the inner surface of the housing and a second groove in the outer surface of the shaft, wherein the first and second grooves are arranged on opposing surfaces of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
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27. A method of operating a work string assembly in a wellbore in an oil or gas well, where the wellbore has an upper portion and a lower portion, the method comprising inserting the work string assembly into the wellbore being treated, the work string assembly having first and second tubular members, and a first torque limiting apparatus comprising a body having an axial bore therethrough for fluid flow;
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
the first and second members being interconnected by a torque limiting device adapted to transfer torque between the first and second members up to a threshold torque value, thereby rotationally coupling the first and second members together at torque levels below the threshold torque value, and wherein the torque limiting device is adapted to disengage the connection between the first and second members when torque applied across the body is greater than the threshold torque value, whereby after disengagement of the torque limiting device at least a portion of the first member can rotate relative to at least a portion of the second member, wherein the torque limiting device comprises at least one frangible elongate plate restrained between the first and second members to transfer torque between the first and second members below the threshold torque value and configured to break when the torque transferred through the at least one frangible elongate plate exceeds the threshold torque value; and
wherein the method includes the step of injecting fluids through the work string assembly to displace fluids in the wellbore and allowing relative movement of the upper and lower portions of the work string assembly when the torque between the upper and lower portions of the work string assembly exceeds the threshold torque value and breaks the at least one frangible elongate plate, wherein the work string assembly comprises a second torque limiting apparatus, the first and second torque limiting apparatus are connected within the work string assembly and spaced apart along the work string assembly, the first torque limiting apparatus is connected between the first and second tubular members, the second torque limiting apparatus is disposed between the second tubular member and a third tubular member, whereby upon disengagement of the torque limiting apparatus located below the second tubular member, the second tubular member is rotationally coupled to a portion of the work string assembly above the second tubular member, and rotationally de-coupled from a portion of the work string assembly below the torque limiting apparatus located below the second tubular member, and wherein the method includes the step of rotating the second tubular member with a portion of the work string assembly above the second tubular member after disengagement of the torque limiting apparatus located below the second tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
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34. An assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a workstring; an upper torque limiting apparatus comprising; a first member connected to a second member such that torque applied to the first member below a first threshold torque value is transferred to the second member, and wherein torque applied to the first member above the first threshold torque value is not transferred to the second member; and a lower torque limiting apparatus comprising; a third member connected to a fourth member such that torque applied to the third member below a second threshold torque value is transferred to the fourth member, and wherein torque applied to the third member above the second threshold torque value is not transferred to the fourth member, wherein the first threshold torque value is greater than the second threshold torque value. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A torque limiting apparatus for a work string of an oil or gas well, the torque limiting apparatus comprising:
- a body having an axial bore therethrough for fluid flow;
the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
the first and second members being interconnected by a torque limiting device adapted to transfer torque between the first and second members up to a threshold torque value, thereby rotationally coupling the first and second members together at torque levels below the threshold torque value, and wherein the torque limiting device is adapted to disengage the connection between the first and second members when torque applied across the body is greater than the threshold torque value, whereby after disengagement of the torque limiting device at least a portion of the first member can rotate relative to at least a portion of the second member, wherein the torque limiting device comprises at least one frangible elongate plate restrained between the first and second members to transfer torque between the first and second members below the threshold torque value and configured to break when the torque transferred through the elongate plate exceeds the threshold torque value;
the torque limiting device having at least one bearing device incorporating a bearing configured to reduce friction during relative rotation of the first and second members;
wherein the torque limiting apparatus incorporates fluid pathways to guide a proportion of the fluid conducted through the torque limiting device through the fluid pathways to lubricate the bearing using the fluids passing through the bore of the torque limiting apparatus.
- a body having an axial bore therethrough for fluid flow;
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37. A work string assembly for use in an oil or gas well, comprising:
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a work string having a first tubular member, and a second tubular member, and a third tubular member, and a first and a second torque limiting devices connected within the work string and spaced apart from one another along the work string; wherein the first torque limiting device is connected between the first and second tubular members, and the second torque limiting device is connected between the second and third tubular members, whereby upon disengagement of the torque limiting device located below the second tubular member, the second tubular member is rotationally coupled to a portion of the work string above the second tubular member and is rotationally de-coupled from a portion of the work string below the torque limiting device located below the second tubular member, wherein at least one of the first and second torque limiting devices is adapted to transfer torque to a threshold torque value, thereby rotationally coupling the connected tubular members together at torque levels below the threshold torque value, wherein the at least one of the first and second torque limiting devices comprises at least one frangible elongate plate restrained between the connected tubular members to transfer torque between the connected tubular members below the threshold torque value and configured to break when the torque transferred through the at least one frangible elongate plate exceeds the threshold torque value; and
wherein the at least one of the first and second torque limiting devices is adapted to disengage the connection between the connected tubular members when torque applied is greater than the threshold torque value, whereby after disengagement of the at least one of the first and second torque limiting devices at least portions of the connected tubular members can rotate relative to each other. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A torque limiting apparatus for a work string of an oil or gas well, the torque limiting apparatus comprising a body having an axial bore therethrough for fluid flow;
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
the first and second members being interconnected by a torque limiting device adapted to transfer torque between the first and second members up to a threshold torque value, thereby rotationally coupling the first and second members together at torque levels below the threshold torque value, and wherein the torque limiting device is adapted to disengage the connection between the first and second members when torque applied across the body is greater than the threshold torque value, whereby after disengagement of the torque limiting device at least a portion of the first member can rotate relative to at least a portion of the second member, wherein the torque limiting device comprises at least one frangible elongate plate restrained between the first and second members to transfer torque between the first and second members below the threshold torque value and configured to break when the torque transferred through the elongate plate exceeds the threshold torque value;
the torque limiting device having at least one bearing device incorporating a bearing configured to reduce friction during relative rotation of the first and second members, wherein the bearing device incorporates a resilient member configured to apply a compressive force between the first and second member to preload the bearing device.
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
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41. A torque limiting apparatus for a work string of an oil or gas well, the torque limiting apparatus comprising a body having an axial bore therethrough for fluid flow;
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
the first and second members being interconnected by a torque limiting device adapted to transfer torque between the first and second members up to a threshold torque value, thereby rotationally coupling the first and second members together at torque levels below the threshold torque value, and wherein the torque limiting device is adapted to disengage the connection between the first and second members when torque applied across the body is greater than the threshold torque value, whereby after disengagement of the torque limiting device at least a portion of the first member can rotate relative to at least a portion of the second member, wherein the torque limiting device comprises at least one frangible elongate plate restrained between the first and second members to transfer torque between the first and second members below the threshold torque value and configured to break when the torque transferred through the elongate plate exceeds the threshold torque value, wherein said at least one frangible elongate plate is restrained parallel to an axis of rotation of the first and second members.
- the body comprising a first member and a second member interconnected to be relatively rotatable;
Specification