# US 2014/0190708 A1 · Annular barrier with axial force mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190708 A1 - Document ID: US20140190708A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/344,764 - Filed: 2012-09-12 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-13 - Assignees: Welltec A/S - Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbaek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190708A1 ## CPC - E21B 17/00: Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; {Cables;} Casings; Tubings - E21B 33/1277: {characterised by the construction or fixation of the sleeve} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone and a second zone of the borehole. The annular barrier comprises a tubular part extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure; an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular part and defining a space being in fluid communication with an inside of the tubular part; a first fluid passage for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve; and a connection unit comprising a connection part slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, wherein the connection unit further comprises a stationary part fixedly connected with the tubular part and an actuation mechanism adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An annular barrier (1) to be expanded in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (221) and a second zone (222) of the borehole, the annular barrier comprising: a tubular part (6) extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure (3), an expandable sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and defining a space (30) being in fluid communication with an inside (64) of the tubular part, a first fluid passage (11, 61) for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve, and a connection unit (120) comprising: a connection part (12) slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end (9) of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, a stationary part (16) fixedly connected with the tubular part, and an actuation mechanism (20) adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve, whereby the connection part is displaced in the longitudinal direction towards a second end (10) of the expandable sleeve connected with the tubular part, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pressure chamber (21) at least partly defined between a face (121) of the connection part and a face (161) of the stationary part, and a second fluid passage (62) for letting fluid into the pressure chamber to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the first fluid passage is provided in the connection part, thereby fluidly connecting the space defined by the expandable sleeve and the pressure chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid passage is provided with a pressure-regulated valve preventing fluid from flowing into the space defined by the expandable sleeve when the pressure inside the space exceeds a predetermined threshold value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, comprising two connection units, each comprising the connection part connected to a first and a second end of the expandable sleeve, respectively. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid bypass passage (63) for providing fluid communication between the pressure chamber and the space defined by the expandable sleeve when the connection part has been displaced in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a hydraulic pump (152) fluidly connected with the pressure chamber, the hydraulic pump being adapted to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction by pumping a hydraulic fluid into the pressure chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pressure-intensifying means (70) comprising an inlet (72a) being in fluid communication with the inside of the tubular part and an outlet (72c) being in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, whereby a hydraulic fluid is supplied to the pressure chamber to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pressure vessel (80) for containing a compressed propellant adapted to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction by providing an excess pressure in the pressure chamber upon activation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the annular barrier comprises a sensing mechanism (54) adapted to register when the pressure in the tubular part exceeds a predetermined threshold value in order to subsequently activate the actuation mechanism to induce an axial force on the connection part. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A well system comprising the well tubular structure and the annular barrier according to claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method for expanding an annular barrier according to claim 1, in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole, the method comprising the steps of: at least partly expanding the expandable sleeve by letting fluid into the space defined by the expandable sleeve, inducing an axial force on the connection part whereto one end of the expandable sleeve is connected, and expanding the expandable sleeve until the sleeve seals against the inside wall of the borehole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of monitoring the pressure built up inside the space defined by the expandable sleeve before and/or during application of an axial force on the connection part. ### Claim 12 An annular barrier (1) to be expanded in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (221) and a second zone (222) of the borehole, the annular barrier comprising: a tubular part (6) extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure (3), an expandable sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and defining a space (30) being in fluid communication with an inside (64) of the tubular part, a first fluid passage (11, 61) for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve, and a connection unit (120) comprising: a connection part (12) slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end (9) of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, a stationary part (16) fixedly connected with the tubular part, and an actuation mechanism (20) adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve, whereby the connection part is displaced in the longitudinal direction towards a second end (10) of the expandable sleeve connected with the tubular part, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pressure chamber (21) at least partly defined between a face (121) of the connection part and a face (161) of the stationary part, and a hydraulic pump (152) fluidly connected with the pressure chamber, the hydraulic pump being adapted to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction by pumping a hydraulic fluid into the pressure chamber. ### Claim 13 An annular barrier (1) for being expanded in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (221) and a second zone (222) of the borehole, the annular barrier comprising: a tubular part (6) extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure (3), an expandable sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and defining a space (30) being in fluid communication with an inside (64) of the tubular part, a first fluid passage (11, 61) for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve, and a connection unit (120) comprising: a connection part (12) slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end (9) of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, a stationary part (16) fixedly connected with the tubular part, and an actuation mechanism (20) adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve, whereby the connection part is displaced in the longitudinal direction towards a second end (10) of the expandable sleeve connected with the tubular part, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pressure chamber (21) at least partly defined between a face (121) of the connection part and a face (161) of the stationary part, and a pressure-intensifying means (70) comprising an inlet (72a) being in fluid communication with the inside of the tubular part and an outlet (72c) being in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, whereby a hydraulic fluid is supplied to the pressure chamber to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 14 An annular barrier (1) to be expanded in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (221) and a second zone (222) of the borehole, the annular barrier comprising: a tubular part (6) extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure (3), an expandable sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and defining a space (30) being in fluid communication with an inside (64) of the tubular part, a first fluid passage (11, 61) for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve, and a connection unit (120) comprising: a connection part (12) slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end (9) of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, a stationary part (16) fixedly connected with the tubular part, and an actuation mechanism (20) adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve, whereby the connection part is displaced in the longitudinal direction towards a second end (10) of the expandable sleeve connected with the tubular part, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pressure chamber (21) at least partly defined between a face (121) of the connection part and a face (161) of the stationary part, and a pressure vessel (80) containing a compressed propellant adapted to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction by providing an excess pressure in the pressure chamber upon activation. ### Claim 15 An annular barrier (1) to be expanded in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (221) and a second zone (222) of the borehole, the annular barrier comprising: a tubular part (6) extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure (3), an expandable sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and defining a space (30) being in fluid communication with an inside (64) of the tubular part, a first fluid passage (11, 61) for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve, and a connection unit (120) comprising: a connection part (12) slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end (9) of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, a stationary part (16) fixedly connected with the tubular part, and an actuation mechanism (20) adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve, whereby the connection part is displaced in the longitudinal direction towards a second end (10) of the expandable sleeve connected with the tubular part, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a rod (23) connected with the connection part to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) An annular barrier according to claims 12, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a hydraulic pump (52), the hydraulic pump being adapted to displace the rod by means of hydraulic pressure, whereby the connection part is pushed in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 17 An annular barrier (1) to be expanded in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (221) and a second zone (222) of the borehole, the annular barrier comprising: a tubular part (6) extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure (3), an expandable sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and defining a space (30) being in fluid communication with an inside (64) of the tubular part, a first fluid passage (11, 61) for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve, and a connection unit (120) comprising: a connection part (12) slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end (9) of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, a stationary part (16) fixedly connected with the tubular part, and an actuation mechanism (20) adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve, whereby the connection part is displaced in the longitudinal direction towards a second end (10) of the expandable sleeve connected with the tubular part, wherein the connection unit further comprises a piston part (14) slidably connected with the tubular part, the piston part being arranged between the connection part and the stationary part, the pressure chamber being at least partly defined between a face (141) of the piston part and the face of the stationary part, whereby the piston part is adapted to push the connection part in the longitudinal direction.