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US 8,006,768 B2Granted
System and method for controlling a downhole actuator
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsReinhard Powell, Laure Mandrou
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A technique is provided for utilizing a hydraulic fluid metering control module in cooperation with a downhole component. The downhole component is shifted via hydraulic fluid delivered through first and/or second control lines to an actuator of the downhole component. The hydraulic fluid metering control module works in cooperation with the actuator and the control lines to enable shifting of the actuator according to a controlled, incremental process.
Claims17
A system for use in a well, comprising:
- a flow control valve having an actuator positioned to control flow;
- a fluid metering control module coupled to the actuator;
- a first hydraulic control line coupled to the fluid metering control module;
- and
- a second hydraulic control line coupled to the fluid metering control module,
- wherein the fluid metering control module comprises a metering piston disposed in a piston chamber and a piloted valve that respond to hydraulic inputs through at least one of the first and the second hydraulic control lines to close the piloted valve and thus enable shifting of the actuator by increments, each increment being limited by displacement of the metering piston against a stop, and
- wherein the first hydraulic control line and the piston chamber are connected via a crossover line extending through the piloted valve, wherein an appropriate pressure signal applied to the first or second hydraulic control lines causes the piloted valve to block flow along the crossover line.
4 more elements
A method of controlling flow in a well application, comprising:
- coupling a fluid metering control module to an actuator that can be moved to control a flow in a wellbore;
- positioning the fluid metering control module and the actuator downhole in a wellbore;
- supplying hydraulic fluid through a first control line at sufficient pressure to close a piloted valve and to move the actuator;
- directing hydraulic fluid displaced by the actuator, during movement of the actuator, through a second control line and into a piston chamber to displace a metering piston;
- limiting movement of the metering piston to control the incremental movement of the actuator;
- releasing pressure on the first control line to enable movement of the piloted valve to an open position;
- and
- biasing the metering piston to discharge hydraulic fluid from the piston chamber and into the first control line, wherein the first control line and the piston chamber are connected via a crossover line extending through the piloted valve, wherein an appropriate pressure signal applied to the first or second hydraulic control lines causes the piloted valve to block flow along the crossover line.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.