US20020070015A1 - Down-hole tool hydraulic force intensifier - Google Patents
Down-hole tool hydraulic force intensifier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020070015A1 US20020070015A1 US10/006,459 US645901A US2002070015A1 US 20020070015 A1 US20020070015 A1 US 20020070015A1 US 645901 A US645901 A US 645901A US 2002070015 A1 US2002070015 A1 US 2002070015A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- intensifier
- piston
- tool
- fluid
- force
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000012190 activator Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
- E21B23/04—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion
- E21B23/042—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion using a single piston or multiple mechanically interconnected pistons
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/26—Drill bits with leading portion, i.e. drill bits with a pilot cutter; Drill bits for enlarging the borehole, e.g. reamers
- E21B10/32—Drill bits with leading portion, i.e. drill bits with a pilot cutter; Drill bits for enlarging the borehole, e.g. reamers with expansible cutting tools
- E21B10/322—Drill bits with leading portion, i.e. drill bits with a pilot cutter; Drill bits for enlarging the borehole, e.g. reamers with expansible cutting tools cutter shifted by fluid pressure
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
- E21B23/04—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion
- E21B23/0416—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion characterised by force amplification arrangements
Definitions
- the invention relates to apparatus for increasing the force used to activate a hydraulically operated down-hole tool and more particularly relates to an apparatus that increases such force without having to increase the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
- Expandable reaming tools are commonly used during the above described procedure and typically comprise a plurality of expandable arms which can move between a closed and an open position.
- the expandable reaming tool is passed through the in-place casing with the arms in a closed position behind a pilot drill bit which drills the section of the borehole. After passing through the casing the expandable reaming tool or underreamer can be opened in order to enlarge the borehole below the casing.
- the blades of extendible reaming tools are commonly extended by a piston which is activated by a hydraulic force created by the pressure of fluid passing through the work string.
- a piston which is activated by a hydraulic force created by the pressure of fluid passing through the work string.
- Fluid pressure is typically determined by pumping apparatus at the surface, and such pressure may progressively diminish due to various back pressures at remote distances down-hole. It is also not always desirable, or possible, to use high pressure in certain conditions, for example, in deep, low-pressure wells.
- a hydraulically operated down-hole tool having one or more pistons in series wherein each piston provides a fluid facing surface on which hydraulic fluid operates wherein the combined fluid facing surface of the plurality of pistons increases the surface area on which the hydraulic fluid operates such that the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid on the down-hole tool is proportionately greater than the force which would be produced by any given hydraulic pressure alone.
- the down-hole tool of this invention can be an expandable reaming tool having a plurality of reaming members which are movable between a first closed position and a second expanded position.
- the reaming members can be moved from a first closed position to the second expanded position by virtue of the movement of a first activating piston.
- Such activating piston is usually biased against movement under hydraulic force by a mechanical spring.
- the spring can serve to return the activating piston to its original position when fluid pressure is reduced.
- the expandable reamer tool can have a plurality of restricted exit flow ports.
- An intensifier piston or pistons in series of this invention is used in conjunction with such activating piston.
- Such intensifier piston(s) is adapted to be acted upon by fluid pressure and is mechanically linked with the activating piston so as to transmit such force onto the activating piston.
- a plurality of intensifier pistons in series can be used to increase the total surface area upon which pressurized fluid is able to act, thereby increasing the total activating force.
- the activating and intensifier piston(s) can have an internal collinear axial bore.
- the intensifier piston can have a plurality of fluid outlet ports which allow fluid to pass from the internal bore of the intensifier piston into a recess located substantially behind the activator piston.
- the intensifier piston can be slidably mounted in a sub wherein the sub is connectable to a work string.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the intensifier piston of this invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an intensifier sub without an associated intensifier piston therein.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the intensifier piston of FIG. 1 in position within the sub of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a down-hole tool having an activator piston and intensifier piston therein.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the down-hole tool of FIG. 4 after hydraulic pressure has been applied thereto.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of this invention having two intensifier pistons arranged in series.
- FIG. 1 illustrates intensifier piston 1 having narrow piston body 2 and relatively narrower throughbore 3 .
- Piston body 2 has a plurality of drilled holes 4 defined therein. Piston body 2 is designed such that it provides an enlarged fluid facing top surface 5 on which hydraulic fluid can operate to create a downward force. Body 2 also has an O-ring seal 6 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates an intensifier sub 7 having O-ring 8 and sub through holes 9 which act as pressure equalizers. Sub 7 further has a threaded end connection 10 which enables sub 7 to be mounted on a work string or the like.
- intensifier piston 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 it can be seen that intensifier piston 1 is slidably fitted within sub 7 and can move relative to sub 7 under the influence of hydraulic fluid operating on fluid facing top surface 5 .
- FIGS. 4 and 5 a down-hole tool 11 is depicted. Shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is an extendible reaming tool otherwise known as an underreamer although it should be noted that any hydraulically operated tool can be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
- Tool 11 comprises body 12 and plurality of blades 13 which can be moved from a first closed position, as seen in FIG. 4, to a second open position, as seen in FIG. 5 where the blades have been rotated 90 degrees. In use, the tool is run into a well borehole with blades 13 entering first.
- Body 12 contains activating piston 14 which is movable and which acts to extend blades 13 .
- the main body of the tool also comprises an activating member 15 which is located next to coiled spring 16 .
- Intensifier piston 17 increases the force exerted on activating piston 14 by hydraulic fluid by virtue of increasing the surface area on which the hydraulic fluid operates. Specifically, the hydraulic fluid pumped from the surface of the well borehole will push on fluid facing surfaces 19 and 20 and cause intensifier piston 17 to move relative to piston sub 18 from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5. In turn, activating member 15 and coiled spring 16 are compressed, moving activating piston 14 in a downward direction and moving blades 13 from the closed position shown in FIG. 4 to the open position shown in FIG. 5 where the blades are shown rotated 90 degrees.
- Intensifier piston 17 also has defined therein intensifier piston bore 21 . It will be appreciated that fluid will be able to pass through intensifier piston bore 21 through intensifier piston 17 . This fluid flow passes through intensifier piston bore 21 until it reaches drilled piston holes 4 , as shown in FIG. 1. The fluid can pass through these holes 4 into a recess 22 which is located next to, and directly above, activating member 15 . This fluid acts to create further force on activating member 15 of activating piston 14 which in turn helps compress coiled spring 16 and move activating piston 14 downwards. Activating piston 14 also has an activating piston bore 23 defined therein.
- the advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the inclusion of the intensifier piston increases the surface area on which the hydraulic fluid within the work string can push, and consequently creates an increase in force on the activating piston which activates the hydraulic tool. This increased force can be achieved without increasing the pressure at which the fluid is pumped down-hole.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the piston when activated. Fluid can escape by means of a plurality of restricted exit ports, not shown, on the underreamer tool itself, or by being forced back through activating piston 23 of activating piston 14 via back pressure and exiting into recess 22 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein a double intensifier piston is used.
- Sub 24 is elongated such that a first and second intensifier piston 25 and 26 are positioned in series and are aligned with one another directly behind an activator piston which is not shown.
- two intensifier pistons will further increase the surface area on which the hydraulic fluid can operate, namely on fluid facing surfaces 27 , 28 , 29 and 30 .
- only one or two intensifier pistons are illustrated, it is within the scope of this invention that a series of such intensifier pistons can be incorporated into a tool.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
A down-hole tool hydraulic force intensifier is disclosed utilizing an intensifier piston having an enlarged fluid facing top surface for receipt of hydraulic pressure thereon to force such intensifier piston against the activating structure of the down-hole tool to effectively increase the hydraulic force thereon.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to apparatus for increasing the force used to activate a hydraulically operated down-hole tool and more particularly relates to an apparatus that increases such force without having to increase the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
- 2. History of the Prior Art
- It is conventional practice when drilling well boreholes to create such boreholes in steps. Initially a large diameter borehole is drilled to a particular depth. In order to structurally support the borehole and prevent collapse, the borehole is lined with standard steel tubing known as a casing which is cemented in place. Subsequent sections of the borehole are then drilled with a smaller drill bit attached to a work string which can be lowered through the previously installed casing. As a consequence each section of the borehole and casing will have a smaller diameter to that which is above it.
- Expandable reaming tools are commonly used during the above described procedure and typically comprise a plurality of expandable arms which can move between a closed and an open position. The expandable reaming tool is passed through the in-place casing with the arms in a closed position behind a pilot drill bit which drills the section of the borehole. After passing through the casing the expandable reaming tool or underreamer can be opened in order to enlarge the borehole below the casing.
- The blades of extendible reaming tools are commonly extended by a piston which is activated by a hydraulic force created by the pressure of fluid passing through the work string. However it will be appreciated that boreholes often extend several thousands of meters in depth, and it is therefore difficult when working at such depths to effectively control the pressure of the hydraulic fluid and hence the driving force on the tool. Fluid pressure is typically determined by pumping apparatus at the surface, and such pressure may progressively diminish due to various back pressures at remote distances down-hole. It is also not always desirable, or possible, to use high pressure in certain conditions, for example, in deep, low-pressure wells.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool design of the type which is activated by a hydraulic force, the level of which force is adjustable without the requirement of an increase in fluid pressure beyond a predetermined maximum.
- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for increasing the hydraulic force applied to a hydraulically operated down-hole tool for any given hydraulic fluid pressure.
- According to the present invention there is provided a hydraulically operated down-hole tool, the tool having one or more pistons in series wherein each piston provides a fluid facing surface on which hydraulic fluid operates wherein the combined fluid facing surface of the plurality of pistons increases the surface area on which the hydraulic fluid operates such that the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid on the down-hole tool is proportionately greater than the force which would be produced by any given hydraulic pressure alone.
- In a preferred embodiment the down-hole tool of this invention can be an expandable reaming tool having a plurality of reaming members which are movable between a first closed position and a second expanded position. The reaming members can be moved from a first closed position to the second expanded position by virtue of the movement of a first activating piston. Such activating piston is usually biased against movement under hydraulic force by a mechanical spring. The spring can serve to return the activating piston to its original position when fluid pressure is reduced. The expandable reamer tool can have a plurality of restricted exit flow ports.
- An intensifier piston or pistons in series of this invention is used in conjunction with such activating piston. Such intensifier piston(s) is adapted to be acted upon by fluid pressure and is mechanically linked with the activating piston so as to transmit such force onto the activating piston. A plurality of intensifier pistons in series can be used to increase the total surface area upon which pressurized fluid is able to act, thereby increasing the total activating force.
- The activating and intensifier piston(s) can have an internal collinear axial bore. The intensifier piston can have a plurality of fluid outlet ports which allow fluid to pass from the internal bore of the intensifier piston into a recess located substantially behind the activator piston. The intensifier piston can be slidably mounted in a sub wherein the sub is connectable to a work string.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the intensifier piston of this invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an intensifier sub without an associated intensifier piston therein.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the intensifier piston of FIG. 1 in position within the sub of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a down-hole tool having an activator piston and intensifier piston therein.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the down-hole tool of FIG. 4 after hydraulic pressure has been applied thereto.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of this invention having two intensifier pistons arranged in series.
- FIG. 1 illustrates
intensifier piston 1 having narrow piston body 2 and relativelynarrower throughbore 3. Piston body 2 has a plurality of drilledholes 4 defined therein. Piston body 2 is designed such that it provides an enlarged fluid facing top surface 5 on which hydraulic fluid can operate to create a downward force. Body 2 also has an O-ring seal 6. - FIG. 2 illustrates an
intensifier sub 7 having O-ring 8 and sub through holes 9 which act as pressure equalizers.Sub 7 further has a threadedend connection 10 which enablessub 7 to be mounted on a work string or the like. The relationship betweensub 7 of FIG. 2 andintensifier piston 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 it can be seen thatintensifier piston 1 is slidably fitted withinsub 7 and can move relative tosub 7 under the influence of hydraulic fluid operating on fluid facing top surface 5. - In FIGS. 4 and 5 a down-
hole tool 11 is depicted. Shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is an extendible reaming tool otherwise known as an underreamer although it should be noted that any hydraulically operated tool can be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention.Tool 11 comprisesbody 12 and plurality ofblades 13 which can be moved from a first closed position, as seen in FIG. 4, to a second open position, as seen in FIG. 5 where the blades have been rotated 90 degrees. In use, the tool is run into a well borehole withblades 13 entering first.Body 12 contains activatingpiston 14 which is movable and which acts to extendblades 13. The main body of the tool also comprises an activatingmember 15 which is located next to coiledspring 16. - To activate the underreamer, hydraulic fluid is pumped through the work string which, although not shown, is well known in the prior art. Positioned directly behind activating
piston 14, and in series therewith, isintensifier piston 17 and associatedpiston sub 18.Intensifier piston 17 increases the force exerted on activatingpiston 14 by hydraulic fluid by virtue of increasing the surface area on which the hydraulic fluid operates. Specifically, the hydraulic fluid pumped from the surface of the well borehole will push onfluid facing surfaces intensifier piston 17 to move relative topiston sub 18 from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5. In turn, activatingmember 15 and coiledspring 16 are compressed, moving activatingpiston 14 in a downward direction and movingblades 13 from the closed position shown in FIG. 4 to the open position shown in FIG. 5 where the blades are shown rotated 90 degrees. -
Intensifier piston 17 also has defined thereinintensifier piston bore 21. It will be appreciated that fluid will be able to pass through intensifier piston bore 21 throughintensifier piston 17. This fluid flow passes through intensifier piston bore 21 until it reaches drilledpiston holes 4, as shown in FIG. 1. The fluid can pass through theseholes 4 into arecess 22 which is located next to, and directly above, activatingmember 15. This fluid acts to create further force on activatingmember 15 of activatingpiston 14 which in turn helps compress coiledspring 16 and move activatingpiston 14 downwards. Activatingpiston 14 also has an activating piston bore 23 defined therein. - It will be appreciated that the advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the inclusion of the intensifier piston increases the surface area on which the hydraulic fluid within the work string can push, and consequently creates an increase in force on the activating piston which activates the hydraulic tool. This increased force can be achieved without increasing the pressure at which the fluid is pumped down-hole.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the piston when activated. Fluid can escape by means of a plurality of restricted exit ports, not shown, on the underreamer tool itself, or by being forced back through activating
piston 23 of activatingpiston 14 via back pressure and exiting intorecess 22. - FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein a double intensifier piston is used.
Sub 24 is elongated such that a first andsecond intensifier piston - Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substituted therefor without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.
Claims (2)
1. A hydraulic force intensifier for use with a down-hole tool having activating means and a bottom, comprising:
an intensifier piston having an enlarged fluid facing top surface, a narrow piston body and a relatively narrower throughbore defined longitudinally therein;
a sub having an aperture defined therein for slideable receipt of said piston body and enlarged fluid facing top surface of said intensifier piston, said sub including means for attachment to said down-hole tool at the bottom thereof;
means for attachment to a source of hydraulic pressured fluid; and
said enlarged fluid facing top surface adapted to receive said hydraulic fluid pressure over a wider surface area than would otherwise be received by said tool for increasing the force of said intensifier piston body on said activating means of said tool.
2. The force intensifier of claim 1 further including:
a plurality of said intensifier pistons aligned in series to receive said hydraulic fluid pressure against the enlarged fluid facing top surfaces of each of said intensifier pistons for effectively increasing the pressure on said activating means of said down-hole tool.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0029949.5 | 2000-12-07 | ||
GBGB0029949.5A GB0029949D0 (en) | 2000-12-07 | 2000-12-07 | Downhole tool with intensifier |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020070015A1 true US20020070015A1 (en) | 2002-06-13 |
Family
ID=9904694
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/006,459 Abandoned US20020070015A1 (en) | 2000-12-07 | 2001-12-06 | Down-hole tool hydraulic force intensifier |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20020070015A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0029949D0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050230122A1 (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2005-10-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Setting Tool for Hydraulically Actuated Devices |
CN113685152A (en) * | 2021-09-17 | 2021-11-23 | 成都西南石大石油工程技术有限公司 | Hydraulic-based reinforcement upward-pulling and releasing device |
-
2000
- 2000-12-07 GB GBGB0029949.5A patent/GB0029949D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2001
- 2001-12-06 US US10/006,459 patent/US20020070015A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050230122A1 (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2005-10-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Setting Tool for Hydraulically Actuated Devices |
US7562712B2 (en) | 2004-04-16 | 2009-07-21 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Setting tool for hydraulically actuated devices |
CN113685152A (en) * | 2021-09-17 | 2021-11-23 | 成都西南石大石油工程技术有限公司 | Hydraulic-based reinforcement upward-pulling and releasing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0029949D0 (en) | 2001-01-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |