Loading patent…
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsJames Edward Goodson JR., Michael Carmody
Estimating the term…
Downhole wellbore tools are actuated by electrically controllable fluids energized by a magnetic field for example. When energized, the viscosity state of the fluid may be increased by a degree depending on the fluid formulation. Reduction of the controllable fluid viscosity by terminating a magnetic field acting upon the fluid may permit in situ wellbore pressure to displace a tool actuating piston. Displacement of the tool actuating piston is prevented by the controllable fluid in a viscous state. The viscous state of the fluid is energized by a magnetic field environment. When the field is de-energized, the controllable fluid viscosity quickly falls thereby permitting the fluid to flow through an open orifice into a low pressure receiving volume. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an expandable volume fluid may be used against a slip actuating element in the same manner as a fluid pressure motor. A magnetic field, aligned to act upon the controllable fluid, causes the fluid to volumetrically expand and thereby displace a slip actuating piston. Other embodiments of the invention include valve flapper actuating motors and valve flapper locking sleeves.
A downhole wellbore tool having a positionally displaced actuation element werein said actuation element is responsive to an electrically controllable fluid.
A wellbore packer having an expandable packing element for sealing a well annulus, an actuator for expanding said packing element into operative engagement across said annulus and an electrically controllable fluid for controlling the operation of said actuator.
A fluid flow valve comprising a pivotable flapper element for selectively obstructing fluid flow through a flow channel within a valve body, a piston element for turning said flapper in a first direction about a pivot axis under the bias of a resilient element, said piston being operative within a chamber that is charged with controllable fluid, an electromagnet winding proximate of said chamber and an electrical circuit for selectively energizing said electromagnet winding to modify the viscosity of said controllable fluid for accommodating displacement of said piston against said fluid under the bias of said resilient element.
A fluid flow valve comprising a pivotable flapper element for directionally controlling fluid flow through a flow channel within a valve body by rotating between first and second flow control positions, a selectively engaged blocking element for preventing rotational movement of said flapper element from a first position, said blocking element including a resilient bias thereon toward disengagement from said flapper element and a controllable fluid block opposing said resilient bias.
A pipe plug assembly comprising a plug retainer channel substantially encompassing a fluid flow bore, an electromagnetic winding proximate of said retainer channel and a flow bore plug element meshed within said retainer channel, said plug element comprising a quantity of controllable fluid encapsulated by a flexible membrane.
A hydraulically actuated well tool that is operatively controlled by a flow of electrically controllable fluid carried within hydraulic conduits, said conduits having electromagnetic windings disposed proximately of said conduits to selectively provide a magnetic field within a sectional increment of said conduits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Use of special fluids, e.g. liquid metal; Special adaptations of fluid-pressure systems, or control of elements therefor, to the use of such…
Operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion: specially adapted for anchoring tools or the like to the borehole wall or to well tube
Operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion: using particular fluids, e.g. electro-active liquids
Operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion: using a single piston or multiple mechanically interconnected pistons
Term end not estimated
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the art of earth boring. In particular, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for remotely controlling the operation of downhole tools.
2. Description of Related Art
For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal half-section of a well tool actuation piston in which an MR fluid functions as a valve to release the actuating piston of a pipe slip for displacement under the drive force of in situ wellbore pressure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal half-section of a remotely actuated flapper valve;
Referring to FIG. 1, the slip actuating section of a downhole tool is illustrated in schematic quarter section. Typically, the tool is assembled within a casement or housing pipe 10. Concentrically within the casement is an internal mandrel 12 around a central fluid flow bore 14. Slip wickers 17 are distributed around the mandrel circumference to overlie the ramped face 19 of an actuating cone 18. The cone 18 is secured to the mandrel 12. The slip wickers 17 are translated axially along the mandrel by the ram edge of a piston 16. As the piston 16 advances axially along the mandrel surface against the wickers 17, the wickers slide along the face of ramp 19 for a radially outward advancement against a well bore wall or casing.
One face of the piston 16 is a load bearing wall of a wellbore pressure chamber 32. One or more flow ports 34 through the casement wall 10 keep the chamber 32 in approximate pressure equilibrium with the wellbore fluid pressure. The opposing face of piston 16 is a load bearing wall of the electrically controlled fluid chamber 30. An orifice restrictor 42 is another load bearing wall of the controlled fluid chamber 30 and is designed to provide a precisely dimensioned orifice passageway 40 between the restrictor and the piston 16 sleeve.
Constructed into the outer perimeter of the casement 10 adjacent to the controlled fluid chamber 30 is an electromagnet winding 20. Typically, the winding is energized by a battery 24 carried within the tool, usually near an axial end of the tool. A current controller 22 in the electromagnet power circuit comprises, for example, a signal sensor and a power switching circuit. The signal sensor may, for example, be responsive to a coded pulse sequence of pressure pulsations transmitted by well fluid as a carrier medium.