Remotely controlled apparatus for downhole applications and methods of operation

A method of performing a downhole operation, comprising:

• placing a downhole device configured to attain an activated state and a deactivated state in a wellbore, the downhole device having associated therewith an actuation device that includes a first chamber and a second chamber isolated from drilling fluid pressure and in selective communication with one another, wherein when a substantially non-compressible fluid is permitted to move substantially into the first chamber from the second chamber under applied force of drilling fluid flowing through a component of the actuation device, the drilling fluid is enabled to be supplied from the flow thereof through the actuation device to a location within the downhole device external to the actuation device and otherwise isolated from flow of the drilling fluid through the downhole device to actuate the downhole device, and when the substantially non-compressible fluid is permitted to move substantially into the second chamber from the first chamber under biasing force applied to the component in excess or absence of any force of the drilling fluid flowing through the component, the supply of the drilling fluid is stopped to enable the downhole device to deactivate;
• and
• moving the substantially non-compressible fluid between the first chamber and second chamber by selective application of the applied drilling fluid force in cooperation with permitted movement of the substantially non-compressible fluid to selectively activate and deactivate the downhole device.

A downhole tool, comprising:

• a housing including a chamber and a first port in fluid communication with a component of the downhole tool to be activated;
• a piston configured to move axially inside the housing, wherein the piston and the housing are mutually biased by a biasing member, the piston comprising:
• a bore for flow of drilling fluid through the piston;
• a second port configured to enable drilling fluid communication from the bore to the first port at a selected position of the piston;
• and
• a partition member within the chamber of the tubular housing dividing the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber;
• and
• a flow control device configured, in response to detected command patterns to respectively allow or prevent a respective amount of a substantially non-compressible fluid isolated from drilling fluid pressure within the downhole tool in the first chamber and the second chamber to change by allowing or preventing flow of the substantially non-compressible fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to application of longitudinal force to the piston by at least one of flow of drilling fluid through the piston or the biasing member;
• wherein, when the first chamber is substantially filled with the isolated substantially non-compressible fluid the second port is aligned with the first port, and when the second chamber is substantially filled with the isolated substantially non-compressible fluid, the second port is out of alignment with the first port.

An assembly for use downhole, comprising:

• a tubular body having a drilling fluid flow path therethrough;
• a first port in fluid communication with a chamber of the assembly outside the drilling fluid flow path;
• a locking device;
• and
• a piston configured to move axially within the tubular body, wherein the piston is axially biased with respect to the tubular body by a biasing member, the piston comprising:
• a bore in communication with the drilling fluid flow path for flow of drilling fluid through the piston;
• a restriction within the bore configured to utilize a flow of drilling fluid through the bore to provide an axial force to the piston;
• a second port configured to enable communication of drilling fluid from the drilling fluid flow path through the first port at a selected axial position of the piston;
• and
• a partition member positioned within another chamber of the tubular body and coupled to the piston, wherein the locking device is configured to control axial movement of the piston by selectively locking and unlocking movement of the partition member within the other chamber by selectively allocating a volume of substantially non-compressible fluid in isolation from drilling fluid within the tubular body to opposing sides of the partition member.

A downhole tool, comprising:

• a housing including a chamber and a first port in fluid communication with a bore of the downhole tool to be activated;
• a piston configured to move axially inside the housing, wherein the piston and the housing are mutually biased by a biasing member, the piston comprising:
• a bore for flow of drilling fluid through the piston;
• and
• a second port configured to enable drilling fluid communication from the bore to the first port at a selected position of the piston;
• and
• a flow control device configured, in response to detected command patterns to respectively align or misalign the first port and the second port to allow or prevent drilling fluid within the downhole tool to act against a lower surface of a push sleeve biased in an opposing direction;
• wherein the flow control device is configured, in response to the detected command patterns to respectively allow or prevent a respective amount of a substantially non-compressible fluid within the downhole tool in a first chamber and a second chamber thereof isolated from drilling fluid pressure within the downhole tool to change responsive to axial force applied to the piston by one or more of drilling fluid flow through the piston bore and the biasing member by allowing or preventing flow between the first chamber and the second chamber wherein, when the first chamber is substantially filled with the substantially non-compressible fluid the second port is aligned with the first port, and when the second chamber is substantially filled with the substantially non-compressible fluid, the second port is misaligned with the first port.