Ball operated J-slot
AssigneeHalliburton Services
InventorHarold K. Beck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A downhole tool includes inner and outer telescoping cylindrical members. The inner cylindrical member has a cylindrical indexing sleeve disposed thereabout. A groove having a semi-circular cross section is disposed in a cylindrical outer surface of the indexing sleeve. Connected to the outer cylindrical member is an apparatus for holding a spherical ball so that approximately one-half the ball is engaged with the semi-circular cross section groove and the other of the ball is disposed within a radial bore in the outer cylindrical member. Relative movement between the inner and outer cylindrical members is defined by engagement of the spherical ball with the groove. The spherical ball is biased toward the groove by a compression spring or a displaceable fluid under pressure.
Claims24
In a lug and slot assembly for guiding a relative movement between first and second telescoping tubular members of a downhole tool, the improvement comprising:
- said slot having a semicircular cross section;
- said lug being a spherical ball approximately one-half of which is received in said slot;
- and
- biasing means for resiliently biasing said ball toward said slot, said biasing means including a displaceable fluid under pressure.
A guide apparatus, comprising:
- a first part having a groove disposed in a surface thereof;
- a spherical ball engaging said groove for movement along said groove;
- and
- a second part including a holding means for holding said spherical ball relative to said second part and a biasing means for resiliently biasing said spherical ball toward said groove, so that movement of said second part relative to said first part is guided by said engagement of said ball and groove, said biasing means including a displaceable fluid under pressure.
A downhole tool, comprising:
- an outer cylindrical member having a longitudinal passageway disposed therein, said outer cylindrical member including a cylindrical inner surface defining a portion of said longitudinal passageway;
- an inner cylindrical member having a cylindrical outer surface thereof closely received within said cylindrical inner surface of said outer cylindrical member;
- a groove disposed in said cylindrical outer surface of said inner cylindrical member;
- a spherical ball engaging said groove for movement along said groove;
- and
- a holding means for holding said spherical ball relative to said outer cylindrical member, said holding means including a radial bore disposed through a wall of said outer cylindrical member, said ball being disposed in said radial bore, so that movement of said outer cylindrical member relative to said inner cylindrical member is guided by engagement of said ball and groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.