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US 7,730,953 B2Granted
Multi-cycle single line switch
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorDario Casciaro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for selectively operating multiple hydraulic pressure controlled devices (PCDs) within a borehole using a common inflow and outflow line and a common cycling line. A control system is used wherein each of the PCDs is operationally associated with a separate sleeve controller. The sleeve controller for each PCD controls whether the individual PCD can be actuated by hydraulic pressure variations in the common inflow and outflow lines.
Claims18
A control system for controlling first and second hydraulic pressure-controlled devices comprising:
- a common hydraulic control line in operable association with the first and second pressure controlled device;
- a first sleeve controller associated with the first pressure controlled device and the common control line to provide selective control of the first pressure controlled device via the control line;
- a second sleeve controller associated with the second pressure controlled device and the common control line to provide selective control of the second pressure controlled device via the control line;
- the first and second sleeve controllers each comprising:
- a housing which defines a piston chamber;
- a piston member moveably disposed within the housing between a first position wherein the piston member does not block fluid flow between the control line and the associated pressure-controlled device, and a second position wherein the piston member does block fluid flow between the control line and the associated pressure-controlled device;
- a J-slot indexing mechanism that controls the position of the piston within the chamber;
- and
- the first and second sleeve controllers each being operable between a first condition, wherein control of the associated pressure-controlled device is permitted, and a second condition, wherein control of the associated pressure-controlled device is permitted.
6 more elements
A flow control system for use within a production tubing string within a wellbore, the system comprising:
- a first hydraulic pressure-controlled device for governing flow between the wellbore and the tubing string;
- a second hydraulic pressure-controlled device for governing flow between the wellbore and the tubing string;
- a common hydraulic control line in operable association with the first and second pressure-controlled devices;
- a first sleeve controller associated with the first pressure-controlled device and the common control line to provide selective control of the first pressure-controlled device via the control line;
- a second sleeve controller associated with the second pressure-controlled device and the common control line to provide selective control of the second pressure-controlled device via the control line;
- the first and second sleeve controllers each comprising:
- a housing which defines a piston chamber;
- a piston member moveably disposed within the housing between a first position wherein the piston member does not block fluid flow between the control line and the associated pressure-controlled device, and a second position wherein the piston member does block fluid flow between the control line and the associated pressure-controlled device;
- and
- a J-slot indexing mechanism that controls the position of the piston within the chamber.
7 more elements
A flow control system for use within a production tubing string within a wellbore, the system comprising:
- a first hydraulic pressure-controlled device for governing flow between the wellbore and the tubing string;
- a second hydraulic pressure-controlled device for governing flow between the wellbore and the tubing string;
- a common hydraulic control line in operable association with the first and second pressure-controlled device;
- a first sleeve controller associated with the first pressure-controlled device and the common control line to provide selective control of the first pressure-controlled device via the control line;
- a second sleeve controller associated with the second pressure-controlled device and the common control line to provide selective control of the second pressure-controlled device via the control line;
- wherein the first and second sleeve controllers each comprise:
- a housing which defines a piston chamber;
- a piston member moveably disposed within the housing between a first position wherein the piston member does not block fluid flow between the control line and the associated pressure-controlled device, and a second position wherein the piston member does block fluid flow between the control line and the associated pressure-controlled device;
- and
- a J-slot indexing mechanism that controls the position of the piston within the chamber.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.