System for controlling flow of an actuating fluid
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsNOBUYOSHI NIINA, Oleg Polyntsev
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique utilizes a simplified valve system structure to facilitate actuation of tools, such as actuating pads in a steering section of a wellbore drilling assembly. A valve system may comprise a bi-stable actuator which controls two double-stage valves. Each of the double-stage valves is able to perform both charging and dumping functions which facilitate use of the valve system in a variety of downhole applications. In drilling applications, a single valve system is able to operate a plurality of actuating pads.
Claims24
A system for facilitating a downhole operation, comprising:
- a downhole tool actuated by an actuating fluid;
- and
- a valve system coupled to the downhole tool to control flow of the actuating fluid with respect to the downhole tool, the valve system comprising:
- a bi-stable actuator;
- a first valve section coupled to the bi-stable actuator by a plunger;
- a second valve section coupled to the bi-stable actuator by the plunger, wherein movement of the plunger via the bi-stable actuator in a first direction opens flow to the downhole tool through the first valve section and closes flow to the downhole tool through the second valve section, further wherein movement of the plunger via the bi-stable actuator in a second direction closes flow to the downhole tool through the first valve section and opens flow to the downhole tool through the second is valve section.
A system for controlling fluid flow, comprising:
- a bi-stable valve system having:
- a single manifold which houses a first valve section and a second valve section;
- and an actuator to simultaneously actuate the first valve section and the second valve section between open and closed positions with a single plunger, each valve section comprising an inlet chamber for receiving an actuating fluid under pressure, a charging chamber through which the actuating fluid may be delivered to a tool;
- and a dumping chamber.
A method for controlling the flow of drilling fluid downhole, comprising:
- providing a valve system with an actuator coupled to a first valve section and a second valve section via a plunger;
- coupling the valve system with a steering tool;
- opening the first valve section to deliver drilling fluid to a first actuating member of the steering tool and simultaneously closing the second valve section by moving the plunger in a first direction via the actuator;
- and
- subsequently opening the second valve section to deliver drilling fluid to a second actuating member of the steering tool and simultaneously closing the first valve section by moving the plunger in a second direction via the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.