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US 8,474,552 B2Granted
Piston devices and methods of use
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsFabio de Paula Neves, Alex Slocum, Ian David Thomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Piston steering devices and methods for use of piston devices. One aspect as disclosed herein provides a ball piston device including: a sleeve in fluid communication with a fluid source and a ball received within the sleeve. The ball is movable within the sleeve from a recessed position and an extended position.
Claims16
A piston device comprising:
- a sleeve in fluid communication with a particulate laden fluid source;
- and
- a loose element received within the sleeve;
- wherein the loose element is movable within the sleeve between a recessed position and an extended position;
- and
- a bias pad in proximity to the sleeve;
- wherein the movement of the loose element to the extended position causes the bias pad to rise and deflect the device with respect to a wellbore and wherein movement of the loose element to the recessed position causes the loose element to disconnect from the bias pad as it moves into the sleeve.
4 more elements
A steerable rotary tool comprising:
- a rotary cylinder;
- and
- one or more piston steering devices, located on the exterior of the cylinder to steer the cylinder during drilling of a wellbore, each of the piston steering devices comprising:
- a sleeve in fluid communication with a particulate laden fluid source;
- and a biasing element
- a loose element received and trapped within the sleeve, the loose element being in the form of a ball and detached from the biasing element;
- wherein the loose element is movable within the sleeve between a recessed position in which the loose element is fully contained within the sleeve and an extended position in which the loose element protrudes from the sleeve while being retained against separation from the sleeve by a member extending inwardly from the sleeve to block further travel of the loose element.
4 more elements
A method of drilling a curved hole within a wellbore comprising:
- providing a steerable rotary tool comprising:
- a rotary cylinder;
- a cutting surface;
- and
- one or more piston steering devices, located on the exterior of the cylinder, each of the piston steering devices comprising:
- a sleeve in fluid communication with a particulate laden fluid source;
- and
- a loose element received within the sleeve and trapped within the sleeve by a lip;
- and
- a biasing element;
- wherein the loose element is movable within the sleeve from a recessed position in which the loose element is detached from the biasing element and an extended position in which the loose element applies force against the biasing element;
- rotating the steerable rotary tool within the wellbore;
- and
- selectively actuating at least one of the one or more pistons to deflect the steerable rotary tool from the wellbore, thereby drilling a curved hole within the wellbore.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.