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US 2021/0277725 A1Published application
Wheel Assembly
AssigneeImpact Selector International, LLC
InventorsBrandon Martin, James Patrick Massey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheel assembly and a method for detachably connecting the wheel assembly to a downhole tool to reduce friction between the downhole tool and a sidewall of a wellbore through which the downhole tool is conveyed. The wheel assembly may include an axle configured to contact a sidewall of the downhole tool, a wheel rotatably connected with the axle, and a fastener configured to extend into the sidewall of the downhole tool to detachably connect the axle to the downhole tool.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a wheel assembly configured to detachably connect to a downhole tool to thereby reduce friction between the downhole tool and a sidewall of a wellbore through which the downhole tool is conveyed, wherein the wheel assembly comprises:
- an axle configured to contact a sidewall of the downhole tool;
- a wheel rotatably connected with the axle;
- and
- a fastener configured to extend into the sidewall of the downhole tool to detachably connect the axle to the downhole tool.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- connecting a wheel assembly to a downhole tool to reduce friction between the downhole tool and a sidewall of a wellbore through which the downhole tool is conveyed, wherein the wheel assembly comprises an axle and a wheel rotatably connected with the axle, and wherein connecting the wheel assembly to the downhole tool comprises inserting a fastener at least partially into a sidewall of the downhole tool to connect the axle to the downhole tool.
An apparatus comprising:
- a wheel assembly for a downhole tool, wherein the wheel assembly is operable to reduce friction between the downhole tool and a sidewall of a wellbore through which the downhole tool is conveyed, and wherein the wheel assembly comprises:
- an axle comprising an outer circumferential groove and a passage extending though the axle;
- a wheel disposed around the axle and comprising an inner circumferential groove, wherein the outer circumferential groove and the inner circumferential groove collectively define a circumferential space between the axle and the wheel, and wherein the passage intersects the circumferential space;
- a plurality of ball bearings disposed within the circumferential space and configured to reduce friction between the axle and the wheel;
- and
- a blocking member disposed within the passage, wherein the blocking member is movable within the passage between a first position in which the ball bearings can be inserted into the circumferential space via the passage and a second position in which the blocking member prevents the ball bearings from exiting the circumferential space via the passage.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.