System and method for electrical control of downhole well tools

A downhole well tool for use in a subterranean well, the downhole well tool comprising:

• an actuator assembly configured to displace a member of the downhole well tool, the actuator assembly comprising a first motor, a load yoke displaceable by the first motor, and an elongated position indicator bar having at least one profile formed thereon,
• in which friction between the load yoke and the position indicator bar is adapted to vary as the load yoke displaces relative to the position indicator bar, and
• in which the actuator assembly further comprises a bow spring carried on the load yoke, and the friction between the load yoke and the position indicator bar is adapted to change in response to engagement between the bow spring and the at least one profile.

A downhole well tool for use in a subterranean well, the downhole well tool comprising:

• an actuator assembly configured to displace a member of the downhole well tool, the actuator assembly comprising a first motor, a load yoke displaceable by the first motor, and an elongated position indicator bar having at least one profile formed thereon, the at least one profile being radially enlarged relative to a nominal diameter of the position indicator bar,
• in which friction between the load yoke and the position indicator bar is adapted to vary as the load yoke displaces from a first side of the at least one profile to a second side of the at least one profile opposite the first side, and
• in which a change in the friction causes a corresponding change in electrical current supplied to the first motor.

A downhole well tool for use in a subterranean well, the downhole well tool comprising:

• an actuator assembly configured to displace a member of the downhole well tool, the actuator assembly comprising a first motor, a load yoke displaceable by the first motor, and an elongated position indicator bar having at least one profile formed thereon, the at least one profile being radially enlarged relative to a nominal diameter of the position indicator bar,
• in which friction between the load yoke and the position indicator bar is adapted to vary as the load yoke displaces from a first side of the at least one profile to a second side of the at least one profile opposite the first side, and
• in which multiple changes in the friction cause a corresponding pattern of changes in electrical current supplied to the first motor.

A downhole well tool for use in a subterranean well, the downhole well tool comprising:

• an actuator assembly configured to displace a member of the downhole well tool, the actuator assembly comprising a first motor, a load yoke displaceable by the first motor, and an elongated position indicator bar having at least one profile formed thereon, the at least one profile being radially enlarged relative to a nominal diameter of the position indicator bar,
• in which friction between the load yoke and the position indicator bar is adapted to vary as the load yoke displaces from a first side of the at least one profile to a second side of the at least one profile opposite the first side, and
• in which the actuator assembly comprises a second motor, and a first ball screw, and in which the first and second motors are connected to respective opposite ends of the first ball screw.

A downhole well tool for use in a subterranean well, the downhole well tool comprising:

• an actuator assembly configured to displace a member of the downhole well tool, the actuator assembly comprising a first motor, a load yoke displaceable by the first motor, and an elongated position indicator bar having at least one profile formed thereon, the at least one profile being radially enlarged relative to a nominal diameter of the position indicator bar,
• in which friction between the load yoke and the position indicator bar is adapted to vary as the load yoke displaces from a first side of the at least one profile to a second side of the at least one profile opposite the first side, and
• in which the actuator assembly comprises a second motor, and first and second ball screws, and in which the first motor is connected to the first ball screw, the second motor is connected to the second ball screw, and the load yoke is displaceable by rotation of the first and second ball screws by the first and second motors.