ACTUATION MECHANISM, DOWNHOLE DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

Provided is an downhole actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising: a first part having a guiding surface; a second part defining a passageway; the second part being movable with respect to the guiding surface between a first position and a second position; the second part defining a first clearance of the passageway in the first position; the second part defining a second clearance of the passageway in the second position, the second clearance being larger than the first clearance.

Claims

1. An downhole actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising: a first part having a guiding surface; a second part defining a passageway; the second part being movable with respect to the guiding surface between a first position and a second position; the second part defining a first clearance of the passageway in the first position; the second part defining a second clearance of the passageway in the second position, the second clearance being larger than the first clearance.

2. The actuation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a sleeve; and wherein the passageway extends through the sleeve.

3. The actuation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second part is configured to be radially expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration; wherein in the first position the guiding surface is acting on the second part so as to maintain the second part in the first configuration; and wherein in the second position the guiding surface allows the second part to expand into the second configuration.

4. The actuation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first part is a tubular body; and the guiding surface is an interior surface of the tubular body.

5. A downhole device comprising the actuation mechanism according to claim 1; and a catcher device which is configurable in a catching configuration in which a first element is being retained by the catcher device and a bypassing configuration in which a second element is being bypassed; wherein the second part is coupled to the catcher device for actuating the catcher device; wherein the catcher device is in the bypassing configuration if the second part is in the first position; and wherein the catcher device is in the catching configuration if the second part is in the second position.

6. The downhole device according to claim 5, wherein the catcher device comprises a diverter.

7. The downholed device according to claim 6, the diverter being moveable between a first diverter position and a second diverter position; the catcher device comprising a catching path and a bypass path besides the catching path; wherein the diverter includes an inlet and an outlet; wherein the outlet is fluidically coupled to the inlet; wherein in the first diverter position the outlet is located facing the bypass path; and wherein in the second diverter position the outlet is facing the catching path.

8. The downhole device according to claim 7, wherein a movement of the diverter between the first diverter position and the second diverter position includes a rotation of the diverter.

9. The downhole device according to claim 7, wherein the inlet of the diverter is fluidically coupled to passageway of the second part.

10. The downhole device according to claim 6, wherein the diverter and the second part are rotatably mounted with respect to each other.

11. An operating assembly comprising: a downhole device according to claim 5, the actuation mechanism being provided for actuating the downhole device; and the first element having a diameter larger than the first clearance and smaller than the second clearance.

12. A method of operating a downhole device, the method comprising: providing an element in a fluid flow towards the downhole device; locating the element in a part defining a first clearance of a passageway, the element thereby at least partially obstructing the passageway; increasing a pressure of the fluid upstream the element to move the part from a first position into a second position by the increased pressure, wherein in the second position the part defines a second clearance of the passageway, the second clearance allowing the element to pass through the passageway.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the downhole device comprises a diverter and wherein a movement of the part from the first position to the second position operates the diverter.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein operating the diverter includes rotating the diverter.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the movement of the part is an axial movement along in an axial direction and wherein operating the diverter includes rotating the diverter about an axis of rotation which is parallel to the axial direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a downhole device according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows part of the downhole device of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows the downhole device of FIG. 1 with the second part in a second position.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows part of the downhole device of FIG. 3 in greater detail.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows part of the downhole device of FIG. 3 in still greater detail.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows part of the downhole device of FIG. 1 in a perspective view without the first part.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows part of the second part the downhole device of FIG. 6 in greater detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The illustration in the drawings is schematic. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs. Accordingly, the description of the similar or identical features is not repeated in the description of subsequent figures in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions. Rather, it should be understood that the description of these features in the preceding figures is also valid for the subsequent figures unless explicitly noted otherwise. Further, sectional areas are only partly hashed to enhance readability of the drawings and reference lines.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a downhole device 100 according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the downhole device 100 comprises a downhole actuation mechanism 102 (also referred to as “actuation mechanism”) and a catcher device 104.

[0055] In accordance with an embodiment, the actuation mechanism 102 comprises a first part 106 having a guiding surface 108 and the second part 110 having a passageway 112. In accordance with an embodiment, the second part 110 is movable with respect to the guiding surface 108. According to an embodiment, the second part 110 comprises a sleeve 114. According to a further embodiment, the sleeve 114 of the second part 110 is coupled, e.g. mechanically coupled, to a sleeve 116, e.g. by a threaded connection 118. For example, according to an embodiment the sleeve 116 may be the sleeve of a downhole tool (not shown in FIG. 1). According to other embodiments, the second part 110 is decoupled from the downhole tool (not shown in FIG. 1). According to still further embodiments, the sleeve 116 is provided for biasing the second part 110 into a predetermined position, e.g. into the first position, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1. To this end, a biasing element 158 may be provided, the biasing element 158 biasing the second part 110 into the predetermined position, e.g. the first position. According to an embodiment, the biasing element 158 may be provided in a dedicated sub 117, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1, or may be included in the downhole device 100, just to name some examples.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the catcher device 104 is configurable in a bypassing configuration 120 in which an element, e.g. a second element 122, is bypassed, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1. In accordance with an embodiment, the catcher device 104 comprises a diverter 124 which is movable between a first diverter position (corresponding to the bypassing configuration 120) and a second diverter position (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0057] According to an embodiment, the catcher device 104 comprises a catching path 126 and a bypass path 128. Further according to an embodiment, the diverter 124 comprises an inlet 130 and an outlet 132 which is fluidically coupled to the inlet 130, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1. According to an embodiment, in the first diverter position (bypassing configuration 120) the outlet 132 is facing the bypass path 128, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the second part 110 is coupled to the diverter 124, e.g. mechanically coupled. For example, according to an embodiment the second part 110 is coupled to the diverter 124 by a swivel coupling. According to a further embodiment, the inlet 130 of the diverter 124 is fluidically coupled to the passageway 112 of the second part 110, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1. For example, according to an embodiment the inlet 130 is located facing the passageway 112, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1.

[0059] According to an embodiment, a straight movement of the diverter 124 (e.g. in an axial direction 134 such as in a direction parallel to the guiding surface 108) includes a rotation of the diverter 124. For example, according to an embodiment the diverter 124 is configured such that the straight movement of the diverter 124 necessarily involves (leads to) the rotation of the diverter 124. For example, according to an embodiment the diverter 124 and its surrounding surface 136 are provided with a guide pin and guide groove arrangement. For example, according to an embodiment the guide grooves may be provided in the outer surface 138 of the diverter 124 (e.g. such as the guide grooves 140 shown in FIG. 1). According to an embodiment, the guide groove is helically with respect to the axial direction 134, thus resulting in the rotation of the diverter 124 upon straight movement of the diverter 124 in the axial direction 134.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows part of the downhole device 100 of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the second part 110 defines a clearance 141 of the passageway 112. In accordance with an embodiment, the clearance 141 is a first clearance 142 in a first position 144 of the second part 110. According to an embodiment, in the first position 144 the second part 110 forms a seat 143, wherein the seat 143 defines the first clearance 142, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the second part 110 includes a wear ring 146 on the exterior of the second part 110 in order to eliminate or at least reduce the possibility of the second part wedging with the guiding surface 108. The first position 144 of the second part 110 corresponds to a first diverter position 145. According to an embodiment, the first diverter position 145 corresponds to a first angular position of the diverter 124. Since according to an embodiment, the outlet 132 of the diverter is located radially offset from an axis of rotation 147 of the diverter 124, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the outlet 132 is changed by rotating the diverter 124.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the second part includes at least one cutout 148 and/or two or more segments 150, e.g. a plurality of segments 150, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2, thus allowing the clearance 141 defined by the second part 110 to expand from the first clearance 142 to a second clearance (not shown in FIG. 2) which is larger than the first clearance if such an expansion is not inhibited. According to an embodiment, the segments 150 define an end portion of the second part 110. Further according to an embodiment, the segments 150 define the seat 143 if the second part 110 is in the first position 144. According to an embodiment, the segments 150 together define a continuous seating surface (i.e. at least in the portions that define the seat neighboring segments contact each other if the second part 110 is in the first position).

[0064] According to an embodiment, the configuration in which the second part 110 defines the first clearance 142 is referred to as first configuration and the configuration in which the second part 110 defines the second clearance is referred to as second configuration. For example, according to an embodiment the guiding surface 108 is configured for configuring the second part so as to define the first clearance of the passageway in the first position, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2. For example, according to an embodiment in the first position the guiding surface is inhibiting the second part to expand and thus define the second clearance of the passageway. In other words, according to an embodiment in the first position the guiding surface is acting on the second part 110 so as to maintain the second part 110 in the first configuration. According to a further embodiment, the guiding surface 108 comprises a recess 152 which allows the second part to expand and define the second clearance of the passageway, if the second part is in the second position. According to an embodiment, the recess 152 is an annular recess, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2. According to a further embodiment (not shown in FIG. 2) the recess 152 may comprise two or more recess portions, e.g. three, five or ten recess portions and the second part may comprise corresponding protrusion portions which are capable of moving into the recess portions to thereby expand the second part.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the sleeve 116 and the second part 110 overlap each other, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2. For example, according to an embodiment the sleeve 116 overlaps even with the segments 150 of the second part, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows the downhole device 100 of FIG. 1 with the second part 110 in a second position 154. However in the configuration shown in FIG. 3 the second part has not yet fully expanded and hence, as depicted in FIG. 3, does not yet define the second clearance of the passageway 112.

[0067] In accordance with an embodiment, moving the second part 110 into the second position 154 is effected by providing a first element 156 in the second part 110, wherein the first element 156 has a diameter larger than the first clearance 142. Accordingly, when the second part 110 is in the first position 144 (see for example FIG. 2), the first element 156 is inhibited from passing through the (entire) passageway 112 but is rather caught by the passageway 112, e.g. as shown in FIG. 3. Hence, a passageway portion 155 upstream the first element 156 can be pressurized, e.g. up to a predetermined increased pressure. This pressure can move the second part 110 downward against the action of a biasing element 158, e.g. a spring, e.g. as shown in FIG. 3. According to an embodiment, the biasing element 158 is biasing the second part towards the first position 144 (see FIG. 1).

[0068] By the movement of the second part into the second position 154 also the diverter 124 has moved in axial direction 134 and, by virtue of the guide pins (not shown) and guide grooves 140, has been rotated into the second diverter position 160 in which the outlet 132 of the diverter is located facing the catching path 126, e.g. as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, in accordance with an embodiment, if the second part 110 is in the second position 154, the diverter 124 is in the second diverter position 160, e.g. as shown in FIG. 3.

[0069] It should be understood that the first element 156 may be followed by further elements 157, e.g. as shown in FIG. 3. For example, according to an embodiment the first element 156 may be an activation element of a downhole tool, for example a downhole valve providing a bypass flow upon activation by the actuation element, e.g. a downhole valve as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,119. In such a case, the further elements 157 may be for example deactivation elements which are provided for closing bypass ports and deactivation of the bypass flow.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows part of the downhole device 100 of FIG. 3 in greater detail.

[0071] According to an embodiment, in the second position 154 the second part 110 can expand into a recess 152, thus allowing the second part to define a second clearance of the passageway 112, wherein the diameter of the first element 156 is smaller than the first clearance. As noted with regard to FIG. 3, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the second part 110 is not fully expanded yet and hence does not yet define the second clearance.

[0072] According to a further embodiment, the mechanical the coupling between the second part 110 and the diverter 124 is configured so as to allow the second part 110 to expand and the thus provide the second clearance of the passageway 112. For example, according to an embodiment, the second part 110 has a portion 162 which is located with sufficient free radial motion in a recess 164 of the diverter 124. In order to provide a mechanical coupling in the axial direction 134, a pin and groove arrangement may be provided, e.g. by providing a groove 166 in the second part 110 and by providing a pin 170 in the diverter 124, e.g. as shown in FIG. 4.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows part of the downhole tool of FIG. 3 in still greater detail.

[0074] According to an embodiment, a shape of the recess 152 (of the guiding surface 108) at least in part corresponds to (e.g. is mating with) the shape of the second part 110 in a region 172 facing the recess 152, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5. According to an embodiment, the second part 110 comprises a protrusion 174 that protrudes over a body 176 of the second part 110 in a radial direction 173, perpendicular to the axial direction 134. By providing the protrusion 174 manufacturing tolerances for the body 176 are less relevant and the area that has to be adapted to the guiding surface 108 and/or the recess 152 can be kept small which reduces manufacturing efforts, e.g. a machining time. According to an embodiment, the region 172 is facing the recess 152 in the second position 154 of the second part 110.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the wear ring 146 is provided on the protrusion 174.

[0076] According to a further embodiment, the protrusion comprises a stop face 178 which is abutting the diverter 124. According to an embodiment, the stop face 178 protrudes from the protrusion 174 in axial direction 134, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the passageway 112 comprises a restriction 175 which defines the clearance 141 of the passageway 112. According to an embodiment, the restriction 175 is located radially opposite the protrusion 174, e.g. radially inwardly with respect to the protrusion 174, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5. According to a further embodiment, bulk material is provided between the radially outer surface of the protrusion (region 172) and the radially inner surface of the restriction 175, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5. This provides a reliable force transfer between the first part 106 and the radially inner surface of the restriction 175. Hence, the profile (including the recess 152) of the guiding surface 108 thus reliably defines the clearance of the passageway 112 of the second part 110 (e.g. reliably defines inter alia the first clearance in the first position 144 and the second clearance in the second position 154).

[0078] According to an embodiment, the sleeve 116 overlaps with the cutouts 148, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5. Since in an embodiment the second part 110 is exposed to flow (e.g. flow of drilling fluid) over long periods of time (e.g. during any operation in which fluid is routed past the actuation mechanism, e.g. during drilling, during split flow circulating operations etc.) the second part and in particular the cutouts 148 are susceptible to erosion in such a case. Further, according to an embodiment, the body 176 is at least partly flexible. In such a case, material treatment and/or heat treatment of the body 176 may adversely affect the body 176. An overlap of the sleeve 116 with the body 176 may reduce adverse effects, e.g. adverse effects on the body 176 due to at least one of exposure to flow/material treatment/temperature treatment. According to an embodiment, the sleeve 116 (e.g. an axial end face of the sleeve 116) is abutting (e.g. is making contact with) the body 176, e.g. with an axial end face of the body 176, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5.

[0079] FIG. 6 shows part of the downhole device 100 of FIG. 1 in a perspective view without the first part 104.

[0080] In particular, FIG. 6 shows the diverter 124, the second part 110 and the sleeve 116. The individual elements discussed above have been denoted by the same reference signs in the description thereof is not repeated here.

[0081] FIG. 7 shows part of the second part 110 of FIG. 6 in greater detail.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the wear ring 146 (not shown in FIG. 7) is located in a groove 177 in the protrusion 174. According to an embodiment, each of the segments 150 is supported by an elongated part 180. The elongated parts 180 together form part of the body 176. Between two of the elongated parts 180 the cutout 148 is provided, e.g. as shown in FIG. 7, thus providing radial movability to the segments 150 (e.g. by providing flexibility of the elongated parts 180, e.g. as shown in FIG. 7). In other words, the elongated parts are spaced from each other in circumferential direction, e.g. as shown in FIG. 7. According to an embodiment, the elongated parts 180 extend from a common piece 182, e.g. as shown in FIG. 7. The common piece may include for example a thread 184 which may be used for the threaded connection 118 between the second piece 110 and the sleeve 116 (if the actual implementation uses a sleeve 116 (not shown in FIG. 7)).

[0083] According to an embodiment, the segments 150, the body 176 (e.g. the elongated parts 180) and the common piece 182 are formed from a single piece of material, e.g. as shown in FIG. 7. According to other embodiments (not shown), the segments 150, the body 176 and the common piece 182 are at least partially from individual elements which are attached to each other so as to form the second part 110 according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

[0084] It should be noted that any entity disclosed herein (e.g. components, elements and devices) are not limited to a dedicated entity as described in some embodiments. Rather, the herein disclosed subject matter may be implemented in various ways and with various granularity on device level while still providing the specified functionality. Further, it should be noted that according to embodiments a separate entity may be provided for each of the functions disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, an entity is configured for providing two or more functions as disclosed herein. According to still other embodiments, two or more entities are configured for providing together a function as disclosed herein.

[0085] Further, it should be noted that while the exemplary downhole devices and actuation mechanisms in the drawings comprise a particular combination of several embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter, any other combination of embodiment is also possible and is considered to be disclosed with this application and hence the scope of the herein disclosed subject matter extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative implementations of the herein disclosed subject matter.

[0086] It should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. According to an embodiment, the term “comprising” includes the meaning “consisting of”. According to a further embodiment, the term “comprising” includes the meaning “comprising inter alia”. Also, elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0087] According to an embodiment the term “adapted to” includes inter alia the meaning “configured to”. Further, herein the disclosure of a function which is performed by an entity implicitly discloses that according to an embodiment the entity is configured to perform the function.

[0088] In order to recapitulate some of the above-described embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter one can state: Provided is an downhole actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising: a first part having a guiding surface; a second part defining a passageway; the second part being movable with respect to the guiding surface between a first position and a second position; the second part defining a first clearance of the passageway in the first position; the second part defining a second clearance of the passageway in the second position, the second clearance being larger than the first clearance.