# US 7,610,957 B2 · Downhole debris catcher and associated mill

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- Number: US 7,610,957 B2
- Document ID: US7610957B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/029,228
- Filed: 2008-02-11
- Published: 2009-08-13
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2008-02-11
- Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated
- Inventors: John P. Davis; James S. Trahan; Paul L. Connell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610957B2

## CPC

- E21B 27/005: {Collecting means with a strainer}
- E21B 29/002: {Cutting, e.g. milling, a pipe with a cutter rotating along the circumference of the pipe}
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

A debris catching device for downhole milling features modular debris receptacles that are held in the housing in a manner that facilitates stacking and a generally undulating flow path to facilitate dropping of the debris into the receptacles as the remaining fluid travels up the tool for ultimate screening before the fluid exits the tool to flow up to the surface or in a reverse circulation pattern back to the mill below the debris catcher. The modules can also be aligned with flapper valves at the top of each module to prevent debris in the tool from falling to the mill if circulation is turned off. The mill is configured to have an off-center return path preferably as large as the passage through the mill body to aid circulation and cutting performance.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A debris catcher assembly for downhole use in a wellbore to separate debris from moving fluid, comprising:
an enclosed body located in the wellbore having a lower end and an upper end and comprising a plurality of enclosed modules arranged in series to define an inlet flow path internal to said enclosed body to accept fluid with debris therethrough into said flowpath and debris catchers located within said modules and offset from said flowpath for accumulation of debris as the fluid flows through said flowpath.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein:
said modules are removably mounted to each other.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2, wherein:
said modules are secured with at least one removable fastener extending through said body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The assembly of claim 3, wherein:
said body comprises a cleanout access adjacent said fastener.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2, wherein:
said flowpath bends or is aligned between at least two said modules.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5, wherein:
said flowpath is aligned as between at least two modules and said modules comprise a one way valve and an adjacent screen to allow bypass of said valve when it is in the closed position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5, wherein:
said modules are secured with at least one set screw extending through said body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein:
said flowpath bends between modules.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein:
at least two modules define a passage and an aligned debris collection component.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein:
said flowpath is aligned between modules.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The assembly of claim 10, wherein:
at least two modules are tubular and define a debris collection space around said tubular and within said body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The assembly of claim 11, wherein:
said modules comprise a one way valve and an adjacent screen to allow bypass of said valve when it is in the closed position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein:
said body comprises a mill having a main bore and a debris inlet at least as large as said main bore.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein:
said body comprises a mill having a main bore and a debris inlet offset with a bend from said main bore.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The assembly of claim 14, wherein:
said inlet is located adjacent the outer periphery of said mill.