Back to results
US 9,115,793 B2Granted
Controllable mechanical transmission for downhole applications
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsKeith R. Nelson, Todor Sheiretov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transmission for rotatably coupling an input shaft with an output shaft about a longitudinal axis is disclosed, which may include a continuous variable transmission and an output torque sensing control mechanism. The continuous variable transmission may be a toroidal disc continuous variable transmission. The output torque sensing control mechanism may include a spring and an intermediary output shaft rotatably connected with an output rotating member of the continuous variable transmission, and the output shaft may be externally threaded and matable with an internally threaded portion of the intermediary output shaft.
Claims9
A transmission system for rotatably coupling an input shaft with an output shaft about a longitudinal axis, the transmission comprising:
- a continuous variable transmission comprising:
- an input rotating member rotatably connected to the input shaft;
- an output rotating member;
- a toroidal disc provided between the input rotating member and the output rotating member;
- and a toroidal disc arm connected to the toroidal disc and operable to pivot the toroidal disc between multiple positions between the input rotating member and the output rotating member;
- and
- an output torque sensing control mechanism comprising:
- a spring positioned proximate to the input shaft;
- and an intermediary output shaft rotatably connected to the output rotating member, the intermediary output shaft having an internally threaded portion matably receivable with an externally threaded portion of the output shaft, the intermediary output shaft movable in the longitudinal direction as the intermediary output shaft is threaded with the output shaft a first longitudinal member having ends and provided between the spring and the toroidal disc arm;
- and a second longitudinal member having ends and provided between the toroidal disc arm and the intermediary output shaft.
7 more elements
A downhole tractor comprising:
- a motor;
- an input shaft rotatably driven by the motor;
- a transmission system connected to the input shaft, the transmission system comprising:
- a continuous variable transmission, wherein the continuous variable transmission comprises:
- an input rotating member rotatably connected to the input shaft an output rotating member;
- a toroidal disc provided between the input rotating member and the output rotating member;
- and a toroidal disc arm connected to the toroidal disc and operable to pivot the toroidal disc between multiple positions between the input rotating member and the output rotating member;
- and
- an output torque sensing control mechanism, wherein the output torque sensing control mechanism comprises:
- a spring;
- and an intermediary output shaft rotatably connected to the output rotating member, the intermediary output shaft having an internally threaded portion matably receivable with an externally threaded portion of the output shaft, the intermediary output shaft movable in the longitudinal direction as the intermediary output shaft is threaded with the output shaft, a first longitudinal member provided between the spring and the toroidal disc arm;
- and a second longitudinal member provided between the toroidal disc arm and the intermediary output shaft, wherein the ends of the first and second longitudinal members proximate the toroidal disc arm are rounded so as to permit the toroidal disc arm to pivot while contacting the first and second longitudinal members;
- and
- an output shaft rotatably connected to the transmission system.
11 more elements
A method for downhole conveyance comprising:
- providing a downhole tractor comprising:
- a motor,
- an input shaft rotatably driven by the motor,
- a transmission system connected to the input shaft, the transmission system comprising:
- a continuous variable transmission comprising:
- an input rotating member rotatably connected to the input shaft;
- an output rotating member;
- a toroidal disc provided between the input rotating member and the output rotating member;
- and a toroidal disc arm connected to the toroidal disc and operable to pivot the toroidal disc between multiple positions between the input rotating member and the output rotating member, and
- an output torque sensing control mechanism comprising:
- a spring positioned proximate to the input shaft and an intermediary output shaft rotatably connected to the output rotating member, the intermediary output shaft having an internally threaded portion matably receivable with an externally threaded portion of an output shaft connected with the transmission system, the intermediary output shaft movable in the longitudinal direction as the intermediary output shaft is threaded with the output shaft a first longitudinal member having ends and provided between the spring and the toroidal disc arm;
- and a second longitudinal member having ends and provided between the toroidal disc arm and the intermediary output shaft;
- and
- a downhole tractor connected to the output shaft;
- inserting the downhole tractor, the output shaft, and the transmission system into a hole;
- and
- operating the motor thereby propelling the downhole tractor.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.