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US 6,655,460 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus to control downhole tools
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsThomas F. Bailey, Michael Nero, Timothy L. Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention generally provides a downhole tool with an improved means of transmitting data to and from the tool through the use of wired pipe capable of transmitting a signal and/or power between the surface of the well and any components in a drill string. In one aspect, a downhole tool includes a body, and a mandrel disposed in the body and movable in relation to the body. A conducive wire runs the length of the body and permits signals and/or power to be transmitted though the body as the tool changes its length.
Claims13
A downhole tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;
- an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;
- means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool;
- and
- a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool, wherein the path for the signal and/or power includes an induction means between the tubular string and the tool.
3 more elements
A downhole tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;
- an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;
- an electromagnetic sub including a signal boosting member disposed at first and second ends of the tool for carrying a signal and/or power from the first to the second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool;
- and
- a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.
3 more elements
A downhole tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;
- a hammer formed on a surface of the mandrel for contacting a shoulder formed on an inner wall of the housing, the hammer contacting the shoulder to produce a jarring force, wherein the hammer is adjustable along the mandrel to change a free striking range measured between the hammer and the shoulder;
- an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;
- means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool;
- and
- a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.
4 more elements
A downhole tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;
- a hammer formed on a surface of the mandrel for contacting a shoulder formed on an inner wall of the housing, the hammer contacting the shoulder to produce a jarring force;
- an orifice through which fluid passes to cause the hammer to strike the shoulder at a predetermined time, wherein the orifice can be moved between an open and a closed position, the tool non-operable in the closed position;
- an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing;
- means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between a surface of a well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool;
- and
- a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.
5 more elements
A downhole tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a mandrel at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in relation to the housing;
- an actuation mechanism, causing the mandrel to move from a first to a second position within the housing, wherein the actuation mechanism is electronic and is operated with a signal from a surface of a well;
- means for carrying a signal and/or power from a first to a second end of the tool whether the mandrel is in the first or second position within the housing, the signal and/or power running between the surface of the well and at least one other component on a tubular string below the tool;
- and
- a coupling at the first and second ends of the tool, the coupling providing a physical connection between the tool and the tubular string and a path for the signal and/or power between the tubular string and the tool.
3 more elements
A method of operating a jarring tool comprising:
- lowering the jarring tool in a wellbore disposed on a string comprising a signal transmitting tubular;
- sending a signal from a surface of the wellbore to adjust a free striking range of the jarring tool, the free striking range measured between a hammer and shoulder of the jarring tool;
- and
- sending a signal from the surface of the wellbore to the jarring tool to actuate the jarring tool, the signal traveling through the signal transmitting tubular.
1 more element
A downhole tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a mandrel at least partially disposed within the housing, the mandrel and the housing being relatively movable with respect to each;
- a plurality of radially formed contacts on an outer surface of the mandrel and at least one radial contact formed on an inner surface of the housing for transmitting a signal and/or power between the housing and the mandrel, the signal and/or power transmittable before and after the relative movement and the signal and/or power extending between a location in a well above the tools and at least one other below the tool;
- and
- couplings on the housing and the tool providing signal and/or power transmitting connections between the tool and the location in the well above the tool and at least one other component below the tool.
2 more elements
A downhole tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a mandrel at least partially disposed within the housing, the mandrel and the housing being relatively movable with respect to each;
- a plurality of radially formed contacts on an inner surface of the housing and at least one radial contact formed on an outer surface of the housing for transmitting a signal and/or power between the housing and the mandrel, the signal and/or power transmittable before and after the relative movement and the signal and/or power extending between a location in a well above the tools and at least one other below the tool;
- and
- couplings on the housing and the tool providing signal and/or power transmitting connections between the tool and the location in the well above the tool and at least one other component below the tool.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.