Systems and methods for steering a downhole tool
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsEdward Richards, Blaine Dow, Jean-Marie Degrange, Sonu Poulo Jose, Edward George Parkin, Stephen Louks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device may include a body having a rotational axis. A device may include a steering pad, the steering pad being movable radially outward relative to the body at a hinge. A device may include a bore formed in the body, the bore having a bore longitudinal axis that is at least partially radially relative to the rotational axis of the body. A device may include a piston in the bore and movable in the bore to apply a radially outward force to the steering pad.
Claims25
A device for steering a downhole tool, the device comprising:
- a body having a rotational axis;
- a steering pad, the steering pad being movable radially outward relative to the body at a hinge, the hinge including:
- a central lug integrally formed with the body;
- an arm of the steering pad;
- and
- a hinge pin extending through the central lug integrally formed with the body and through the arm of the steering pad;
- a bore integrally formed in the body from a single piece of material of the body, the bore having a bore longitudinal axis that is at least partially radially relative to the rotational axis of the body, and the bore further having an inner diameter that tapers along at least 25% of the bore longitudinal axis toward a radially outward end of the bore;
- and
- a piston in the bore and movable in the bore to apply a radially outward force to the steering pad.
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A device for steering a downhole tool, the device comprising:
- a body having a rotational axis;
- a steering pad, the steering pad being movable radially outward relative to the body at a hinge;
- a bore being integrally formed in the body from a single piece of material of the body, the bore comprising:
- a circular cross-section;
- a bore longitudinal axis that is at least partially radially relative to the rotational axis of the body;
- and
- a hemispherical base at a radially inward end of the bore;
- a cylindrical sleeve positioned in the bore between the piston and an inner wall of the bore;
- and
- a piston in the sleeve and movable in the sleeve to apply a radially outward force to the steering pad, wherein the piston and sleeve are configured to receive a piston fluid therebetween and contacting the piston and the sleeve.
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A device for steering a downhole tool, the device comprising:
- a body having a rotational axis and a body radius, the body radius extending from the rotational axis to a radially outward portion of the body;
- a steering pad, the steering pad being movable radially outward relative to the body at a hinge, the hinge including:
- a central lug integrally formed with the body;
- an arm of the steering pad;
- and
- a hinge pin extending through the central lug integrally formed with the body and through the arm of the steering pad;
- a bore integrally formed in the body from a single piece of material of the body, the bore having a bore longitudinal axis that is at least partially radially relative to the rotational axis of the body;
- and
- a piston in the bore and movable in the bore to apply a radially outward force to the steering pad, the piston having a diameter no less than 35% of the body radius.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.