# US 10,309,174 B2 · Automated remote actuation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,174 B2 - Document ID: US10309174B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/408,273 - Filed: 2013-06-06 - Published: 2015-05-21 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-28 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Rex Burgos; Douglas A. Pipchuk; Larry J. Leising - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309174B2 ## CPC - E21B 23/00: Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells (setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10) - E21B 23/08: Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems - E21B 23/10: Tools specially adapted therefor - E21B 41/00: Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A technique provides an actuation system employed to actuate a tool, such as a downhole tool. The tool is actuated by an actuator element, e.g. a ball, which is selectively releasable from a remote location for interaction with the tool. A carrier is used to hold the actuator element at the remote location until its desired release for interaction with the tool. The carrier may comprise an electro-mechanical actuator mechanism positioned to control release of the actuator element upon receipt of an appropriate control signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for use in a well, comprising: a downhole tool actuated by an actuator element; a downhole carrier to carry a plurality of the actuator elements from a well surface to a position in the well, the downhole carrier comprising an electro-mechanical actuator mechanism selectively operable, from the well surface, to control release of each actuator element, at least one of the actuator elements being provided for actuation of the downhole tool; and coiled tubing to convey the downhole carrier into the well; and a control line routed along a flow path of the coiled tubing from a surface location to the downhole carrier to control operation of the electro-mechanical actuator mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuator element comprises a ball. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power source coupled to the electro-mechanical actuator mechanism, the power source being at a surface location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power source coupled to the electro-mechanical actuator mechanism, the power source comprising a downhole battery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical actuator mechanism releases the actuator element directly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical actuator mechanism releases a locking mechanism to enable release of the actuator element upon a second input. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises one of a tool that is coupled to the downhole carrier and a tool permanently installed in the wellbore. ### Claim 8 A method for use in a well, comprising: coupling a ball actuatable tool into a tool string; positioning a ball carrier in the tool string; positioning a ball in the ball carrier; delivering the tool string, the ball actuatable tool, the ball, and the ball carrier downhole into a wellbore; sending a control signal downhole, via a communication line deployed in a flow path of the tool string, to a receiver/controller of the ball carrier; based on the control signal, enabling an electro-mechanical device to release a ball from the ball carrier; and providing a secondary input to the ball carrier to cause release of the ball from the ball carrier. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, wherein actuating comprises actuating a solenoid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, wherein sending comprises sending the control signal via an optical fiber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, wherein sending comprises sending the control signal via an electrical conductor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising using the ball to actuate the ball actuatable tool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising selectively releasing a plurality of balls to actuate a plurality of ball actuatable tools. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the tool string comprises coiled tubing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising performing at least one intervention operation with the tool string in the wellbore. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the ball actuatable tool comprises at least one of a disconnect tools, a release joint, a circulation valve, a perforating firing head, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 17 A system, comprising: a carrier that is part of a bottom hole assembly deployable, via a coiled tubing, in a wellbore, the carrier being sized to carry a plurality of actuator elements which are releasable to actuate at least one downstream tool, the carrier comprising an electro-mechanical actuator mechanism positioned to control release of at least one of the actuator elements from the carrier upon receipt of a control signal from the wellbore surface, the release of the actuator elements controlled by control signals sent along a control line disposed in a flow path of the coiled tubing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one actuator element comprises a ball. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the electro-mechanical actuator mechanism comprises a solenoid. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the downstream tool comprises one of a tool that forms part of the bottomhole assembly and a tool permanently installed in the wellbore.