Well tool actuation upon pressure decrease
AssigneeWeatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
InventorJames Glennie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A well tool can include a well tool component that actuates in response to application of pressure to the well tool component, and an actuator in fluid communication with the well tool component. The actuator can include an input line configured for connection to a fluid pressure source, a valve including opposing piston areas connected to the input line, and a flow restrictor connected between one of the piston areas and the input line. A method of actuating a well tool in a subterranean well can include increasing fluid pressure in the well, the increased fluid pressure being communicated to an actuation line of an actuator, and decreasing the fluid pressure in the well, the increased fluid pressure in the actuation line causing a valve of the actuator to open when the fluid pressure is decreased.
Claims20
A well tool for use with a subterranean well, the well tool comprising:
- a well tool component configured for actuation in response to application of fluid pressure to the well tool component;
- and
- an actuator connected to the well tool component via a fluid line, the actuator comprising:
- an input line configured for connection to a fluid pressure source,
- a first valve including first and second opposing piston areas connected to the input line, and
- a flow restrictor connected between the first piston area and the input line.
A method of actuating a well tool in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
- connecting an actuator to the well tool via a fluid line;
- increasing fluid pressure in the well, the increased fluid pressure being communicated to an actuation line of the actuator;
- and
- decreasing the fluid pressure in the well, the increased fluid pressure in the actuation line causing a first valve of the actuator to open when the fluid pressure is decreased, thereby permitting fluid flow through the fluid line and actuating the well tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.