Back to results
US 8,739,864 B2Granted
Downhole multiple cycle tool
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsJames Alan Crider, Gregory L. Hern, Charles W. Pleasants
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool for use in a wellbore which includes a housing having an axial flow bore and a piston sleeve moveably disposed within the flow bore. The tool is moveable between first and second operating positions by an actuation mechanism having a piston with a ball seat. The tool can be moved between first and second operating positions with the use of actuating balls of different sizes that can be landed upon the ball seat.
Claims18
A tool for use in subterranean hydrocarbon production, the tool comprising:
- a housing defining an axial flow bore;
- a piston sleeve axially moveably disposed within the flow bore between a first position corresponding to a first operating position for the tool, and a second position corresponding to a second operating position for the tool;
- an actuation mechanism for moving the tool between the first and second operating positions, the actuation mechanism comprising a ball seat carried by the piston sleeve, the ball seat being formed of dogs upon which an actuation ball can rest and that are moveable radially inwardly and outwardly to capture and release said actuation ball;
- wherein:
- a) the actuation mechanism moves the tool from the first operating position to the second operating position by landing a first actuation ball onto the ball seat and thereafter varying fluid pressure within the flow bore of the housing;
- b) the actuation mechanism moves the tool from the second operating position to the first operating position by landing a second actuation ball that is of a different size than the first actuation ball onto the ball seat after the first actuation ball has been released from the ball seat and thereafter varying fluid pressure within the flow bore of the housing;
- and
- an indexing mechanism that governs the axial position of the piston sleeve with respect to the housing, the indexing mechanism comprising:
- a) an annular lug pathway having positions corresponding to the tool operating positions;
- and
- b) a lug that moves within the lug pathway as the tool is moved between operating positions.
8 more elements
A circulation valve tool for use in subterranean hydrocarbon production and comprising:
- a housing defining an axial flow bore and having an outer lateral fluid port formed therein;
- a piston sleeve axially moveably disposed within the flow bore and having an inner lateral fluid port, the piston sleeve being moveable between a first position corresponding to a first operating position for the tool, and a second position corresponding to a second operating position for the tool;
- an actuation mechanism for moving the tool between the first and second operating positions, the actuation mechanism comprising a ball seat carried by the piston sleeve, the ball seat being formed of dogs upon which an actuation ball can rest and that are moveable radially inwardly and outwardly to capture and release said actuation ball;
- an indexing mechanism that governs the axial position of the piston sleeve with respect to the housing, the indexing mechanism comprising an annular lug pathway having positions corresponding to the tool operating positions and a lug that moves within the lug pathway as the tool is moved between operating positions;
- and
- wherein:
- a) the actuation mechanism moves the tool from the first operating position to the second operating position by landing a first actuation ball onto the ball seat and thereafter varying fluid pressure within the flow bore of the housing;
- and
- b) the actuation mechanism moves the tool from the second operating position to the first operating position by landing a second actuation ball that is of a different size than the first actuation ball onto the ball seat after the first actuation ball has been released from the ball seat and thereafter varying fluid pressure within the flow bore of the housing;
- a first actuation ball;
- and
- a second actuation ball which is of a different size than the first actuation ball.
9 more elements
A circulation valve tool for use in subterranean hydrocarbon production and comprising:
- a housing defining an axial flow bore and having an outer lateral fluid port formed therein;
- a piston sleeve axially moveably disposed within the flow bore and having an inner lateral fluid port, the piston sleeve being moveable between a first position corresponding to a first operating position for the tool, and a second position corresponding to a second operating position for the tool;
- an indexing mechanism that governs the axial position of the piston sleeve with respect to the housing, the indexing mechanism comprising an annular lug pathway having positions corresponding to the tool operating positions and a lug that moves within the lug pathway as the tool is moved between operating positions;
- an actuation mechanism for moving the tool between the first and second operating positions, the actuation mechanism comprising a ball seat carried by the piston sleeve, the ball seat being formed of dogs upon which an actuation ball can rest and that are moveable radially inwardly and outwardly to capture and release said actuation ball;
- wherein the actuation mechanism moves the tool from the first operating position to the second operating position by landing a first actuation ball onto the ball seat and thereafter varying fluid pressure within the flow bore of the housing;
- and
- wherein the actuation mechanism moves the tool from the second operating position to the first operating position by landing a second actuation ball that is of a different size than the first actuation ball onto the ball seat after the first actuation ball has been released from the ball seat and thereafter varying fluid pressure within the flow bore of the housing.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.