Tools for use in subterranean boreholes having expandable members and related methods
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsSteven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh, S. Richard Gentry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Expandable apparatus for use in subterranean boreholes include at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. A latching member disposed in the tubular body may selectively retain the at least one member in the retracted position. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus include securing at least one member of the expandable apparatus in a retracted position by engaging an inner wall of a tubular body with at least one latch member disposed in at least one aperture formed in a latch sleeve.
Claims18
An expandable apparatus for use in a subterranean borehole, comprising:
- a tubular body having a longitudinal bore and at least one opening in a wall of the tubular body;
- at least one member positioned within the at least one opening in the wall of the tubular body, the at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position;
- a sleeve member disposed in the tubular body and having a longitudinal bore forming a fluid passageway through the sleeve member to allow fluid to flow therethrough, the sleeve member comprising a retaining portion exhibiting a width that is greater than a width of an adjacent portion of the sleeve member;
- and
- a latch sleeve having at least one aperture formed therein and at least one latch member at least partially disposed within the at least one aperture, wherein, in an initial position, the retaining portion of the sleeve member selectively retains the at least one latch member in engagement with a portion of the tubular body to retain the at least one member in the retracted position, and wherein, in a triggered position, the sleeve member enables a portion of the at least one latch member to move radially inward into the longitudinal bore extending through the latch sleeve to disengage the at least one latch member from the tubular body.
An expandable apparatus for use in a subterranean borehole, comprising:
- a tubular body having a longitudinal bore and at least one opening in a wall of the tubular body;
- at least one member positioned within the at least one opening in the wall of the tubular body, the at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position;
- at least one slidable latch member disposed within the tubular body;
- and
- a sleeve member disposed in the tubular body and having a longitudinal bore forming a fluid passageway through the sleeve member to allow fluid to flow therethrough, the sleeve member comprising an enlarged portion sized and configured to directly engage the at least one slidable latch member within the tubular body to force the at least one slidable latch member into engagement with a portion of the tubular body to retain the at least one member in the retracted position, wherein the at least one slidable latch member is configured to slidably translate along a substantially lateral direction relative to the longitudinal bore of the tubular body, and wherein displacement of the sleeve member enables the at least one slidable latch member to slidably translate radially inward along the substantially lateral direction to disengage the portion of the tubular body enabling the at least one member to move to the extended position.
A method for operating an expandable apparatus for use in a subterranean borehole, comprising:
- securing at least one member of the expandable apparatus in a retracted position comprising engaging an inner wall of a tubular body of an expandable apparatus with at least one latch member disposed in at least one aperture formed in a latch sleeve;
- slidably translating the at least one latch member within the at least one aperture in the latch sleeve radially inward toward a longitudinal bore extending through the latch sleeve to disengage the at least one latch member from the inner wall of the tubular body of the expandable apparatus;
- and
- moving the at least one member of the expandable apparatus from the retracted position to an extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.