EXPANDABLE REAMER APPARATUS
First Claim
1. An expandable reamer for an drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:
- a tubular body;
at least one blade carried by the tubular body; and
an actuation member selectively and repeatably positionable between a first position within the tubular body and a second position within the tubular body, and configured to maintain the expandable reamer in a first operating condition during a flow of drilling fluid through the tubular body when the actuation member is positioned in the first position and to maintain the expandable reamer in a second operating condition during a substantially identical flow of drilling fluid through the tubular body when the actuation member is positioned in the second position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole, wherein a laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body may be selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The laterally movable blade, held inwardly by blade-biasing elements, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith by way of an actuation sleeve disposed within the tubular body. Alternatively, a separation element may transmit force or pressure from the drilling fluid to the movable blade. Further, a chamber in communication with the movable blade may be pressurized by way of a downhole turbine or pump. A ridged seal wiper, compensator, movable bearing pad, fixed bearing pad preceding the movable blade, or adjustable spacer element to alter expanded blade position may be included within the expandable reamer. In addition, a drilling fluid pressure response indicating an operational characteristic of the expandable reamer may be generated.
84 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An expandable reamer for an drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:
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a tubular body; at least one blade carried by the tubular body; and an actuation member selectively and repeatably positionable between a first position within the tubular body and a second position within the tubular body, and configured to maintain the expandable reamer in a first operating condition during a flow of drilling fluid through the tubular body when the actuation member is positioned in the first position and to maintain the expandable reamer in a second operating condition during a substantially identical flow of drilling fluid through the tubular body when the actuation member is positioned in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating an expandable reamer, the method comprising:
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selectively and repeatably moving an actuation member between a first position and a second position relative to a tubular body of the expandable reamer while the expandable reamer is positioned downhole; operating the expandable reamer in a first operating condition while flowing drilling fluid through the tubular body at a first flow rate by maintaining the actuation member in the first position; and operating the expandable reamer in a second operating condition while flowing drilling fluid through the tubular body at a flow rate substantially the same as the first flow rate by maintaining the actuation member in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An expandable reamer for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:
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a tubular body; at least one blade carried by the tubular body, the at least one blade movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and an actuation member selectively and repeatably positionable between a first position within the tubular body and a second position within the tubular body, and configured to allow the pressure of drilling fluid passing through the tubular body to move the at least one blade to the extended position when positioned in the first position and to prevent the pressure of drilling fluid passing through the tubular body from moving the at least one blade to the extended position when positioned in the second position.
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Specification