Back to results
US 6,695,061 B2Granted
Downhole tool actuating apparatus and method that utilizes a gas absorptive material
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsMichael L. Fripp, Neal G. Skinner, Roger L. Schultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator uses a gas absorptive material to produce displacement of a member of the actuator. In a described embodiment, an actuator includes a metal hydride powder. When the powder absorbs hydrogen gas, it expands and displaces a piston. When the powder discharges hydrogen gas, the powder contracts, displacing the piston in an opposite direction. Various methods of controlling gas absorption and discharge are provided.
Claims67
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a metal hydride material disposed therein;
- a hydrogen storage device;
- and
- a hydrogen flow controller controlling flow of hydrogen between the hydrogen storage device and the chamber, thereby controlling actuation of the downhole tool, the flow controller including a valve device selectively permitting and preventing hydrogen flow between the hydrogen storage device and the chamber.
1 more element
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a metal hydride material disposed therein;
- a hydrogen storage device;
- and
- a hydrogen flow controller controlling flow of hydrogen between the hydrogen storage device and the chamber, thereby controlling actuation of the downhole tool,
- wherein the flow controller causes hydrogen to flow from the hydrogen storage device into the chamber, thereby causing the metal hydride material to expand and actuate the downhole tool, and
- wherein the flow controller heats a hydrogen storing material in the hydrogen storage device, thereby discharging hydrogen from the hydrogen storing material and causing hydrogen to flow to the chamber.
3 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a metal hydride material disposed therein;
- a hydrogen storage device;
- and
- a hydrogen flow controller controlling flow of hydrogen between the hydrogen storage device and the chamber, thereby controlling actuation of the downhole tool,
- wherein the flow controller causes hydrogen to flow from the hydrogen storage device into the chamber, thereby causing the metal hydride material to expand and actuate the downhole tool, and
- wherein the flow controller includes a pump which pumps hydrogen from the hydrogen storage device into the chamber.
3 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a metal hydride material disposed therein;
- a piston, the piston displacing in response to at least one of expansion and contraction of the metal hydride material;
- a hydrogen storage device;
- and
- a hydrogen flow controller controlling flow of hydrogen between the hydrogen storage device and the chamber, thereby controlling actuation of the downhole tool,
- wherein displacement of the piston causes displacement of a fluid between the actuator and the downhole tool, the downhole tool being actuated in response to the fluid displacement.
3 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a metal hydride material disposed therein;
- a piston, the piston displacing in response to at least one of expansion and contraction of the metal hydride material;
- a hydrogen storage device;
- and
- a hydrogen flow controller controlling flow of hydrogen between the hydrogen storage device and the chamber, thereby controlling actuation of the downhole tool,
- wherein the piston is displaced repeatedly in alternating directions, thereby pumping fluid between the actuator and the downhole tool.
3 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- an actuator member which is displaceable to actuate the downhole tool;
- a chamber having a gas absorptive material disposed therein, the gas absorptive material changing volume in response to a change in volume of gas absorbed therein, and the actuator member being displaced by the gas absorptive material as the volume of the gas absorptive material changes;
- a gas storage device;
- and
- a gas flow controller controlling flow of gas between the gas storage device and the chamber,
- whereby the downhole tool is actuated in response to the change in volume of the gas absorptive material.
3 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a gas absorptive material disposed therein, the gas absorptive material changing volume in response to a change in volume of gas absorbed therein;
- a gas storage device;
- and
- a gas flow controller controlling flow of gas between the gas storage device and the chamber,
- whereby the downhole tool is actuated in response to the change in volume of the gas absorptive material,
- wherein the flow controller admits gas flow from the gas storage device into the chamber, thereby causing the gas absorptive material to expand and actuate the downhole tool, and
- wherein the flow controller heats a gas storing material in the gas storage device, thereby discharging gas from the gas storing material and causing gas to flow to the chamber.
4 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a gas absorptive material disposed therein, the gas absorptive material changing volume in response to a change in volume of gas absorbed therein;
- a gas storage device;
- and
- a gas flow controller controlling flow of gas between the gas storage device and the chamber,
- whereby the downhole tool is actuated in response to the change in volume of the gas absorptive material,
- wherein the flow controller admits gas flow from the gas storage device into the chamber, thereby causing the gas absorptive material to expand and actuate the downhole tool, and
- wherein the flow controller includes a valve device selectively permitting and preventing gas flow between the gas storage device and the chamber.
4 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a gas absorptive material disposed therein, the gas absorptive material changing volume in response to a change in volume of gas absorbed therein;
- a gas storage device;
- and
- a gas flow controller controlling flow of gas between the gas storage device and the chamber,
- whereby the downhole tool is actuated in response to the change in volume of the gas absorptive material,
- wherein the flow controller admits gas flow from the gas storage device into the chamber, thereby causing the gas absorptive material to expand and actuate the downhole tool, and
- wherein the flow controller includes a pump which pumps gas from the gas storage device into the chamber.
4 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a gas absorptive material disposed therein, the gas absorptive material changing volume in response to a change in volume of gas absorbed therein;
- a piston which displaces in response to at least one of expansion and contraction of the gas absorptive material;
- a gas storage device;
- and
- a gas flow controller controlling flow of gas between the gas storage device and the chamber,
- whereby the downhole tool is actuated in response to the change in volume of the gas absorptive material, and
- wherein displacement of the piston causes displacement of a fluid between the actuator and the downhole tool, the downhole tool being actuated in response to the fluid displacement.
4 more elements
An actuator for a downhole tool, the actuator comprising:
- a chamber having a gas absorptive material disposed therein, the gas absorptive material changing volume in response to a change in volume of gas absorbed therein;
- a piston which displaces in response to at least one of expansion and contraction of the gas absorptive material;
- a gas storage device;
- and
- a gas flow controller controlling flow of gas between the gas storage device and the chamber,
- whereby the downhole tool is actuated in response to the change in volume of the gas absorptive material, and
- wherein the piston is displaced repeatedly in alternating directions, thereby pumping fluid between the actuator and the downhole tool.
4 more elements
A method of actuating a downhole tool, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting the downhole tool to an actuator including a gas absorptive material disposed in a chamber;
- positioning the actuator and downhole tool in a wellbore;
- altering a volume of gas absorbed by the gas absorptive material, thereby changing a volume of the gas absorptive material;
- and
- actuating the downhole tool in response to the gas absorptive material changing volume.
2 more elements
A method of actuating a downhole tool, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an actuator including a gas absorptive material;
- connecting the actuator to the downhole tool;
- heating the gas absorptive material downhole, thereby causing the gas absorptive material to discharge gas;
- and
- actuating the downhole tool in response to the gas absorptive material discharging gas.
2 more elements
An actuator system, comprising:
- an actuator including:
- a chamber;
- a gas absorptive material in the chamber;
- and
- a member which is displaced by the gas absorptive material in response to at least one of expansion and contraction of the gas absorptive material.
2 more elements
An actuator system, comprising:
- an actuator including:
- a chamber;
- a gas absorptive material in the chamber;
- a gas storage device;
- a gas flow controller operative to control flow between the gas storage device and the chamber;
- and
- a member which is displaced in response to at least one of expansion and contraction of the gas absorptive material,
- wherein the gas flow controller includes a valve for selectively permitting and preventing gas flow between the chamber and the gas storage device.
5 more elements
An actuator system, comprising:
- an actuator including:
- a chamber;
- a gas absorptive material in the chamber;
- a gas storage device;
- a gas flow controller operative to control flow between the gas storage device and the chamber;
- and
- a member which is displaced in response to at least one of expansion and contraction of the gas absorptive material,
- wherein the gas storage device includes a gas storing material.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.