Resettable downhole torque limiter and related methods of use
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsBenton T. Knobloch, Jr., Todd J. Roy, David J. Tilley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a torque limiter having driver mandrel and driven axially aligned mandrels, a piston movable into and out of an engaged position wherein the driver and driven mandrels are coupled together to transmit torque there between. Hydraulically locking the movable piston in an engaged position. Disengaging the hydraulic lock when during rotation when a specified torque magnitude is exceeded to allow relative rotation between the mandrels. Resetting the torque limiter by hydraulically locking the piston in the engaging position when relative rotation ceases or is reduced.
Claims13
An apparatus for connection in a tubing string at a subterranean location in a well and for preventing the torque transmitted by the apparatus from exceeding a specified magnitude, comprising:
- a tubular body having a passageway therethrough and having first and second ends mounted to rotate relative to each other;
- means on the ends of the body for connection in a tubing string;
- a piston assembly having a passageway therethrough mounted in a chamber in the body for movement into and out of an engaged position, coupling the first and second ends to rotate together and transmitting torque between the ends of the body, the piston assembly comprising a resilient member and pressure relief valve;
- and
- a hydraulic fluid in the chamber in the body locking the piston assembly in the engaged position and the pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid releasing the piston assembly to move from the engaged position when the specified torque magnitude is exceeded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.