Operating Tool For an Artificial Lift System

Abstract

An operating tool for an artificial lift system includes a housing having a key slot. The operating tool further includes at least one biasing member disposed in the housing. The operating tool further includes a key including a key head having a key profile, wherein the key head is remove from the slot when aligned with the key slot. The operating tool further includes a cam including a cam profile, wherein the cam is disposed in the housing and biased toward the slot by the at least one biasing member, wherein the cam profile is configured to engage the key profile to align the key head with the key slot.

Claims

1. An operating tool, comprising: a housing including a key slot; at least one biasing member disposed in the housing; a key including a key head having a key profile, wherein the key head is removable from the slot when aligned with the key slot; and a cam including a cam profile, wherein the cam is disposed in the housing and biased toward the slot by the at least one biasing member, wherein the cam profile is configured to engage the key profile to align the key head with the key slot.

2. The operating tool of claim 1, wherein the cam profile includes a clutch shoulder, wherein the clutch shoulder is configured to engage the key profile to align the key head with the key slot.

3. The operating tool of claim 2, wherein the cam profile includes a lock profile.

4. The operating tool of claim 3, wherein the lock profile has two or more pitches.

5. The operating tool of claim 2, wherein the key profile includes a first profile portion and a second profile portion, wherein the clutch shoulder is configured to engage the first profile portion to align the key head with the key slot.

6. The operating tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing member is a plurality of disk springs.

7. The operating tool of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a uniform shoulder configured to engage a uniform shoulder of the key.

8. The operating tool of claim 1, wherein the cam includes a first fork and a second fork, wherein the cam profile is a first cam profile of the first fork, wherein the second fork includes a second cam profile.

9. The operating tool of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide pin disposed in a corresponding slot of the cam.

10. An operating tool, comprising: a housing including a slot and a seat; at least one biasing member disposed in the housing; a key including a key head and a shoulder; and a cam including a pocket, a first clutch profile, and a second clutch profile, wherein the cam is disposed in the housing and biased toward the slot by the at least one biasing member; wherein: when operating tool is in a locked configuration, the key head is misaligned with the slot and the key head is disposed in the pocket of the cam, wherein the shoulder is configured to engage the seat when the key head is misaligned with the slot; and when the operating tool is in an unlocked configuration, the first clutch profile and the second clutch profile are engaged with the key head and the key head is aligned with the slot.

11. The operating tool of claim 10, wherein the first clutch profile includes a first clutch shoulder and the second clutch profile includes a second clutch shoulder, wherein the first clutch shoulder and the second clutch shoulder are engaged with the key head in the unlocked configuration of the operating tool.

12. The operating tool of claim 10, wherein the cam includes a first lock profile and a second lock profile.

13. The operating tool of claim 12, wherein the first lock profile and the second lock profile have two or more pitches.

14. The operating tool of claim 10, wherein the at least one biasing member is a plurality of disk springs.

15. The operating tool of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a uniform shoulder configured to engage a uniform shoulder of the key.

16. The operating tool of claim 10, further comprising at least one guide pin disposed in a corresponding slot of the cam.

17. The operating tool of claim 10, wherein the housing is connectable to a sucker rod string and the key is connectable to a pump.

18. A method of operating an operating tool, comprising: disconnecting the operating tool, wherein disconnecting the operating tool includes: unlocking the operating tool by rotating a housing of the operating tool relative to a key of the operating tool, wherein the rotation of the housing relative to the key is limited by the engagement of a clutch profile of a cam disposed within the housing with a key head of the key, wherein the key head is aligned with a slot of the housing when the clutch profile is engaged with the key head; and moving the housing relative to the key to withdraw the key head from the slot.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein after disconnecting the operating tool, the method includes: connecting the operating tool, wherein the connecting of the operating tool includes: inserting the key head into the slot, wherein the key head engages the clutch profile and the cam moves longitudinally relative to the housing away from the slot against the biasing force of at least one biasing member; and rotating the housing to lock the key to the housing, wherein the biasing member causes the cam to travel longitudinally toward the slot as the housing is rotated until the key head is disposed in a pocket of the cam and misaligned with the slot, wherein a shoulder of the key head is engageable with a seat of the housing when the key is locked to the housing.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the cam profile includes a clutch shoulder, wherein the rotation of the housing relative to the key is limited by the engagement the clutch shoulder with the key head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 1A-1B illustrates an artificial lift system. FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary pump.

[0038] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate a conventional on-off tool with an external clutch disposed in a wellbore.

[0039] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a conventional on-off tool without an external clutch. FIGS. 3A-3B are cross-sectional views of the conventional on-off tool. FIG. 3C is a perspective view with a portion of the housing cut away to reveal internal features.

[0040] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an operating tool according to the present disclosure in a locked configuration. FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a cross-section of the tool. FIGS. 4C-4B are perspective views of the tool, with a portion of the housing cut away to reveal internal features.

[0041] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a cam of the operating tool of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5A-5B are different perspective views of the cam. FIG. 5C is a close-up view of the circled region in FIG. 5B.

[0042] FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of a key of the operating tool of the present disclosure. FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the key head.

[0043] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate the key engaged with the clutch profile of the cam. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the operating tool. FIGS. 7A, and 7C-7D are perspective views of the tool, with a portion of the housing cut away to reveal internal features.

[0044] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate the unlocking of the operating tool of the present disclosure. FIGS. 8A-8C are perspective views of the tool, with a portion of the housing cut away to reveal internal features. FIG. 8A illustrates the on-off tool in the locked configuration. FIG. 8B illustrates the tool in the unlocked configuration. FIG. 8C illustrates a disconnected tool, with the key separated from the housing.

[0045] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an exemplary operating tool such as an on-off tool 100, according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the on-off tool 100 including a housing 110, a cam 140, and a key 170. As will be described herein, the tool 100 has an internal clutch profile 152 that prevents over rotation during disconnection. As will be described herein, the tool 100 may also have a uniform shoulder contact area between the key 170 and housing 110 to improve the wear resistance and durability of the tool 100. The tool 100 can be used for connecting a sucker rod string 24 to a plunger rod 33 of a pump 30 of an artificial lift system, such as the artificial lift system 20 previously discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B. FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a cross-sectional view of the tool 100. FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate a perspective view of the tool 100 with a portion of the housing 110 omitted to better show the internal components of the tool 100.

[0047] The tool 100 may include a fitting 102, guide pins 104, the housing 110, the cam 140, the key 170, and one or more biasing members 190. The biasing member 190 may be a plurality of disk springs as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D. In some embodiments, the biasing member 190 is one or more coiled springs.

[0048] The housing 110 has first and seconds end portions 114, 116 and defines an interior 112. The first end portion 114 connects to the fitting 102. The interior 112 defines a key slot 120 at the second end portion 116 of the housing 110. The key slot 120 terminates at a seat 122 within the housing 110. The second end portion 116 also includes an end shoulder 117.

[0049] FIGS. 5A-5C also illustrate the cam 140. The cam 140 is disposed in the interior 112 of the housing 110. The cam 140 may be machined. In some embodiments the cam 140 includes two forks 144. The cam 140 may also include a slot 142 on opposing sides corresponding to the guide pins 104. The cam 140 further includes a pocket 146 between the forks 144 to receive a head 172 of the key 170. The cam 140 is longitudinally moveable within the housing 110. The biasing member 190 biases the cam 140 towards the second end portion 116. As the cam 140 moves longitudinally within the housing, a guide pin 104 rides in a respective slot 142. The travel of the cam 140 towards the second end portion 116 is limited by the abutment of the guide pins 104 with the end of the slots 142. The cam 140 is rotationally locked to the housing 110 by the interaction of the slots 142 with the guide pins 104.

[0050] Each fork 144 includes an interior surface 145 and a cam profile 150 having a helical progression along the fork 144. The cam profile 150 includes a lock profile 151 and a clutch profile 152. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 5A-5C, the clutch profile 152 includes a curved surface adjacent a clutch shoulder 153. The clutch shoulder 153 may be a flat face. The clutch shoulder 153 is configured to engage a profile 180 of the key 170 to align the key 170 with the slot 120 during an unlocking operation of the tool 100. Additionally, the clutch shoulder 153 is configured to prevent the key 170 from ratcheting within the housing 110 due to an over rotation of either the housing 110 or the key 170 relative to one another. The lock profile 151 may have two or more pitches such that the profile 180 of the head 172 travels longitudinally relative to the housing at a different rate per unit of rotation. The lock profile 151 cooperates with the profile 180 when the tool 100 is connected to reduce the instances of unintended unlocking of the tool 100 when in use downhole. To disconnect the tool 100, sufficient torque applied to the housing 110 or key 170 to cause the cam 140 to slide along the profile 180 against the biasing force of the biasing member 190 as the key head 172 is aligned with the slot 120. An increased slope of the lock profile 151, such as a steep slope of the pitch, increases the amount of torque necessary to disconnect the tool 100. Therefore, the lock profile 151 is configured to lock the key 170 to the housing 110 until sufficient torque is applied to disconnect the tool 100. The differing pitches of the lock profile 151 may correspond to differing torque thresholds of the tool 100, such as a torque necessary to disconnect the tool 100. In some embodiments, the two or more pitches of the lock profile 151 may accommodate the insertion and locking of the key head 172 within the spatial constraints of the housing 110 and the longitudinal range of movement of the cam 140 within the housing 110.

[0051] The key 170 is shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. The key 170 includes a stem 171, a head 172, and a base 178. The stem 171 is disposed between the head 172 and the base 178. The head 172 includes the profile 180 on opposing sides of the head 172. The end of the head 172 may be rounded as shown in the figures. The head also includes shoulder 175 corresponding to the seat 122. The head 172 has an oblong cross-section that corresponds to the slot 120. The base 178 may include a shoulder 177 that corresponds to the shoulder 117 of the housing 110. The base 178 may further include a connector, such as a box connector 178c, to facilitate the connection of the key 170 to the plunger rod 33.

[0052] The head 172 is configured to be inserted or removed the housing 110 once aligned with the slot 120. When the head 172 is inserted into the housing 110 past the slot 120, either the housing 110 or the key 170 may be rotated, such as clockwise by 90 degrees, to misalign the head 172 with the slot 120 to lock the key 170 to the housing 110. When the key 170 is locked to the housing 110, the shoulder 175 may engage the seat 122. The engagement of the seat 122 with the shoulder 175 transfers tensile forces during operation of the tool 100. Additionally, the shoulders 117 and 177 may be engaged when the tool 100 is in the connected. The shoulders 117 and 177 may have uniform surface areas. The cooperation of the shoulders 117, 177 may reduce wear of the shoulders 117, 177 as they contact one another during use of the tool 100 to improve the wear resistance and durability of the tool 110.

[0053] FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of the key head 172 which includes the profile 180. The profile 180 may have a first profile portion 182 and a second portion 184. As shown, the first profile portion 182 is the outer surface of the key head 172 near the tip of the key head 172. The first profile portion 182 is configured to engage the cam profile 150. The cam profile 150 and the first profile portion 182 interact to guide the head 172 into the pocket 146 during the locking of the key 170 to the housing 110. The second portion 184, such as a face, is configured to engage the interior surface 145 of a fork 144.

[0054] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate the tool 100 in a locked configuration. When the key 170 is locked to the housing 110, the tool 100 is connected. Prior to disconnecting the tool 100 (i.e., separating the key 170 from the housing 110), the tool 100 is unlocked. To unlock the tool, either the housing 110 or key 170 is rotated to align the key head 172 with the slot 160 such that the key head 172 may be withdrawn from the slot 160 to disconnect the tool 100.

[0055] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate the engagement of the clutch profile 152 with the first profile portion 182 of the profile 180. This engagement of the clutch profile 152 occurs during the insertion of the key 170 into the housing 110. The clutch profile 152 is the first point of contact of the head 172 with the cam 140 when the head 172 is initially inserted into the slot 120. Continued insertion of the head into the slot 120 will overcome the biasing force of the biasing member 190, causing the cam 140 to travel longitudinally within the housing 110 to accommodate the insertion of the key head 172. When unlocking the tool 100, the tool will return to this position. Thus, FIGS. 7A-7D also show the tool 100 in an unlocked configuration. As the tool 100 is unlocked, the key head 72 will reengage the clutch profile 152 to align the key head 172 with the slot 120.

[0056] The tool 100 may be connected at its fitting 102 to a sucker rod string 24 with a coupling 25 and may be connected at its key 170 to the plunger rod 33 of a pump 30. For example, fitting 102 may be connected to the coupling 25 by a pin connector 102c and the key 170 may be connected to the plunger rod 33 via the box connector 178c. In some embodiments, the key 170 will be connected to the sucker rod string 24 and the fitting 102 may be connected to the plunger rod 33. As will be detailed below, locking and unlocking of the tool 100 is achieved through the interaction of the key 170 with the housing 110 and cam 140 biased by the biasing members 190.

[0057] To connect the tool 100, the key 170 is inserted into the housing 110 via the slot 120. As the key 170 is inserted into the housing 110 via the slot 120, the head 172 will engage the cam 140. The first profile portion 182 contacts the cam profile 150, such as contacting the clutch profile 152 as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D. Continued insertion of the key 170 will overcome the biasing force of the biasing member 190, causing the cam 140 to travel longitudinally within the housing 110 to accommodate the insertion of the key head 72. Once the head 172 is fully inserted into the housing 110, either the key 170 or the housing 110 may be rotated a number of degrees, such as clockwise 90 degrees, to misaligned the head 172 with the slot 120. Misalignment of the head 172 with the slot 120 also facilitates the expansion of the biasing member 190 to slide the cam 140 over the key head 172. As either the housing 110 or key 170 is rotated, the cam profile 150 will slide along the profile 180 as the expansion of the biasing member 190 causes the cam 140 to travel within the housing 110. The key head 172 will be guided along the cam profile 150 such that the key head 172 is housed within the pocket 146 of the cam 140 when the tool 100 is in the locked configuration as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D. The biasing force of the biasing member 190 and the weight of the string 24 may be sufficient to slide the cam 140 over the key head 172 which applies torque sufficient to rotate the key 170 into misalignment with the slot 120. For example, as the housing 110 is rotated, the biasing force and weight may cause the key head 172 to rotate into misalignment with the slot 120. In some embodiments, upon insertion of the key head 172 into the slot 120, the biasing member 190 expands and the cam 140 slides over the key head 172 causing the key 170, and the plunger rod 33, to rotate into misalignment of the slot 120 without rotating the sucker rod string 24 at the surface.

[0058] The key 170 is locked within the housing 110 because it cannot be withdrawn from the slot 120 due to the engagement of the shoulder 175 and the seat 122. The cam 140, the key head 172, and the biasing member 190 interact to maintain the misalignment of the key 170 with the slot 120 until an unlocking operation is performed.

[0059] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate an unlocking operation. As shown in FIG. 8A, the tool 100 is in the locked configuration. To unlock the tool 100, the key head 172 needs to be aligned with the slot 120. The pump 30 may be set on the bottom of the stroke prior to the beginning of the unlocking operation. Either the housing 110 or the key 170 is rotated relative to the other to unlock the tool 100. To rotate the housing 110 or key 170, the sucker rod string 24 may be rotated in the release direction. The sucker rod string 24 may be slowly picked up as it is rotated. In some embodiments, the housing 110 may be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise relative to the key 170 to align the key head 172 with the slot 120. A torque is applied to overcome the locking force of the biasing member 190 and the lock profile 151. As the housing 110 rotates, the cam profile 150 slides along the profile 180 of the key head 172 which causes the cam 140 to move longitudinally and compresses the biasing member 190. The rotation of the housing 110 is limited by the engagement of the clutch profile 152 with the first profile portion 182. The abutment of the clutch profile 152 with the first profile portion 182 prevents further travel of the profile 180 along the cam profile 150. FIG. 8B illustrates the tool 100 in the unlocked configuration, with the profile 180 engaged with the clutch profile 152. The abutment of the clutch shoulder 153 with the first profile portion 182 transfers torque applied to the housing 110 to the key head 172. Thus, the abutment of the clutch shoulder 153 with the profile prevents the key 170 from over-rotating in the housing 110 and aligns the key head 172 with the slot 120 allowing for ease of tool 100 disconnection.

[0060] Once the tool 100 is unlocked, the tool 100 may be disconnected as shown in FIG. 8C. For example, the sucker rod string 24 may be raised to lift the housing 110 off the key 170. The housing 110 may be raised to the surface.

[0061] In some embodiments, the key 170 is connected to the sucker rod string 24 while the housing 110 is connected to the pump plunger 33. In some embodiments, the key 170 may be rotated by the sucker rod string 24 relative to the housing 110 to unlock or lock the tool 100.

[0062] In some embodiments, the on-off tool 100 may be used to connect and disconnect with a downhole tool that is not a pump.

[0063] In one embodiment, an operating tool includes a housing including a key slot. The operating tool further includes at least one biasing member disposed in the housing. The operating tool further includes a key including a key head having a key profile, wherein the key head is remove from the slot when aligned with the key slot. The operating tool further includes a cam including a cam profile, wherein the cam is disposed in the housing and biased toward the slot by the at least one biasing member, wherein the cam profile is configured to engage the key profile to align the key head with the key slot.

[0064] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the cam profile includes a clutch shoulder, wherein the clutch shoulder is configured to engage the key profile to align the key head with the key slot.

[0065] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the cam profile includes a lock profile.

[0066] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the lock profile has two or more pitches.

[0067] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the key profile includes a first profile portion and a second profile portion, wherein the clutch shoulder is configured to engage the first profile portion to align the key head with the key slot.

[0068] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the at least one biasing member is a plurality of disk springs.

[0069] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the housing includes a uniform shoulder configured to engage a uniform shoulder of the key.

[0070] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the cam includes a first fork and a second fork, wherein the cam profile is a first cam profile of the first fork, wherein the second fork includes a second cam profile.

[0071] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the operating tool further comprising at least one guide pin disposed in a corresponding slot of the cam.

[0072] In one embodiment, an operating tool includes a housing including a slot and a seat. The operating tool further includes at least one biasing member disposed in the housing. The operating tool further includes a key including a key head and a shoulder. The operating tool further includes a cam including a pocket, a first clutch profile, and a second clutch profile, wherein the cam is disposed in the housing and biased toward the slot by the at least one biasing member. When operating tool is in a locked configuration, the key head is misaligned with the slot and the key head is disposed in the pocket of the cam, wherein the shoulder is configured to engage the seat when the key head is misaligned with the slot. When the operating tool is in an unlocked configuration, the first clutch profile and the second clutch profile are engaged with the key head and the key head is aligned with the slot.

[0073] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the first clutch profile includes a first clutch shoulder and the second clutch profile includes a second clutch shoulder, wherein the first clutch shoulder and the second clutch shoulder are engaged with the key head in the unlocked configuration of the operating tool.

[0074] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the cam includes a first lock profile and a second lock profile.

[0075] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the first lock profile and the second lock profile have two or more pitches.

[0076] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the at least one biasing member is a plurality of disk springs.

[0077] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the housing includes a uniform shoulder configured to engage a uniform shoulder of the key.

[0078] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the operating tool further comprising at least one guide pin disposed in a corresponding slot of the cam.

[0079] In some embodiments of the operating tool, the housing is connectable to a sucker rod string and the key is connectable to a pump.

[0080] In one embodiment, a method of using an operating tool, comprising disconnecting the operating tool. Disconnecting the operating tool includes unlocking the operating tool by rotating a housing of the operating tool relative to a key of the operating tool, wherein the rotation of the housing relative to the key is limited by the engagement of a clutch profile of a cam disposed within the housing with a key head of the key, wherein the key head is aligned with a slot of the housing when the clutch profile is engaged with the key head. Disconnecting the operating tool further includes moving the housing relative to the key to withdraw the key head from the slot.

[0081] In some embodiments, the method of using the operating tool further includes connecting the operating tool after disconnecting the operating tool. Connecting of the operating tool includes inserting the key head into the slot, wherein the key head engages the clutch profile and the cam moves longitudinally relative to the housing away from the slot against the biasing force of at least one biasing member. Connecting the operating tool further includes rotating the housing to lock the key to the housing, wherein the biasing member causes the cam to travel longitudinally toward the slot as the housing is rotated until the key head is disposed in a pocket of the cam and misaligned with the slot, wherein a shoulder of the key head is engageable with a seat of the housing when the key is locked to the housing.

[0082] In some embodiments of the method of using the operating tool, the cam profile includes a clutch shoulder, wherein the rotation of the housing relative to the key is limited by the engagement the clutch shoulder with the key head.

[0083] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.