Down-Hole Vibrational Oscillator

Abstract

The invention discloses a set of valves that impart hydraulic pressure pulses at specific frequencies that provide oscillatory movement of a shuttle valve within a of a downhole tool operations. These vibrations can lead to pulses for vertical seismic profiling of formations drilled, to check the location of the bit, or to detect the presence of abnormal pore pressure ahead of the bit. The pressure pulses can also be used to enhance drilling and production of wells.

Claims

1. A vibrational oscillator comprising; a shuttle valve assembly disposed along a length of a and within a casing wherein said shuttle valve assembly comprises at least a plunger, a receiving assembly, a cavity, and a valve, within said shuttle valve assembly within which fluid can flow into and out of said shuttle valve assembly and a conduit with an inlet port and an outlet port through which fluid can flow into an upstream section of said oscillator toward and out of a downstream section of said oscillator with at least one fluid passage configured to selectively couple in fluid communication with said inlet port and said outlet port through which fluid passes; such that said plunger is capable of receiving fluid and fits into said receiving assembly and said shuttle valve assembly is sealed so as to always allow at least some volume of said fluid to enter or escape said cavity; and said oscillator includes said plunger that can be at least partially positioned within said receiving assembly to at least partially interrupt fluid flow through said conduit which is in contact with and allows for movement of a fully assembled oscillator component of said oscillator and provides compressive forces that compress at least one spring or set of springs from said receiving assembly and eventually releases said compressive forces when said plunger is removed from said receiving assembly thereby providing for expansion of said springs so that oscillations within said springs located along and/or within said casing are created.

2. The vibrational oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said plunger disposed within said shuttle valve assembly is actuated by pressurized fluid so that said valve can cycle between an opened position and a closed position, such that when in said closed position, said plunger at least partially interrupts a flow of said pressurized fluid through said outlet port; and wherein said plunger reciprocates back and forth between at least a first and a second position during cycling of pressurized fluid into and through said oscillator such that position of said plunger controls fluid into and out of said inlet port of said valve thereby causing a variable force to act on said one or more set of springs resulting in oscillations of said springs.

3. The vibrational oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said oscillations of said springs are along a longitudinal direction and become self-oscillating after an initial oscillation is initiated due to operation of said shuttle valve assembly.

4. The vibrational oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said casing is a cartridge assembly that houses said oscillator.

5. The vibrational oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said oscillator is an agitator in that said oscillator causes vibrations that vibrate within said oscillator causing agitation along at least a portion of a drill string and thereby overcomes static friction downhole.

6. The vibrational oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said valve is a leaky shuttle valve in that said plunger disposed within said cavity of said cartridge includes said leaky shuttle valve that does not fully open or fully close during operation .

7. The valve of claim 1, wherein a plurality of fluid passages include at least one fluid passage configured to divert a flow of pressurized fluid upstream of said outlet port when said plunger is in a closed position, thereby substantially reducing a water hammer effect.

8. The valve of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fluid passages include at least one fluid passage configured to divert a flow of pressurized fluid downstream of said outlet port when said plunger is in an open position, thereby at least partially reducing a water hammer effect.

9. The valve of claim 1, wherein said plunger is coaxially disposed within said oscillator.

10. The valve of claim 1, wherein at least one fluid passage includes: (a) a fluid passage through which pressurized fluid is applied to said plunger to cause said plunger to cycle toward a closed position, thereby partially closing said outlet port, when said plunger is in a first position; (b) the same or a different fluid passage through which pressurized fluid is applied to said plunger to cause said plunger to shift to said second position and; (c) a same or different fluid passage through which said pressurized fluid is applied to said plunger to allow said plunger to cycle back toward an initial position thereby defining a cycle time of said valve.

11. The valve of claim 10, wherein said cycle time of said valve is a function of a size of said at least one fluid passage.

12. The valve of claim 1, wherein said plunger is configured to move with said receiving assembly when said plunger is in a first position, such that when said plunger moves from an open position to a closed position, a momentum imparted to said plunger facilitates compression of at least a pilot of said shuttle valve shifting toward either said open or said closed position.

13. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a housing in which said valve is disposed.

14. The valve of claim 13, wherein said housing is adapted to be incorporated in a drillstring.

15. The valve of claim 14, wherein said housing is configured to isolate a section of said casing such that an at least partial interruption of pressurized fluid in said casing by said valve generates a negative pressure pulse in said section of casing wherein said negative pulse is isolated.

16. The valve of claim 15, wherein said cycle time required for said plunger to cycle between said open position and said closed position is less than or equal to a two-way travel time of an acoustic pressure wave in a length of said casing.

17. The valve of claim 1, further comprising an on/off mechanism having an on position and an off position, such that when said on/off mechanism is in an off position, said plunger is held in said open position, preventing said valve or said vibrational oscillator from cycling.

18. The valve of claim 17, wherein said on/off mechanism is sensitive to a pressure in said casing, such that said on/off mechanism changes from an off position to an on position after said pressure within said casing reaches a preset level.

19. The valve of claim 1, wherein an at least partial interruption of flow of pressurized fluid by actuation of said valve generates a pressure pulse that propagates away from said valve.

20. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a frequency modulator configured to repeatedly vary a cycle rate of said valve.

21. The valve of claim 20, wherein said frequency modulator comprises a variable volume in fluid communication with a timing shaft, said timing shaft being coupled with said plunger, such that a change in said variable volume produces a corresponding change in a motion of said plunger, thereby changing said cycle rate of said valve.

22. The valve of claim 1, wherein said plunger is a ball, a poppet, or other geometrically symmetrical device that at least partially seals said shuttle valve so that fluid can enter and exit said cavity within said valve.

23. The oscillating vibrator of claim 1, wherein energy from said vibrator is coupled to one or more devices, wherein said devices provide, electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic power.

24. A method for using an oscillating vibrator device comprising; (i) allowing fluid to enter an upstream section of at least one fluid cavity within said device through an upstream mechanical stop and flow diverter section attached to an outer casing with an upstream shuttle valve spacer used to provide spacing between an upper section of a shuttle valve and an upstream mechanical stop assembly, wherein said shuttle valve includes a plunger positioned to be activated by forces exerted from an entrance of fluid into said vibrator, wherein (ii) said fluid forces said shuttle valve to move in a downstream direction until said shuttle valve plunger engages with a shuttle valve receiving assembly causing an upstream spring located above said shuttle valve assembly to lengthen; and wherein (iii) using a downstream spacer for said shuttle valve assembly for spacing at a bottom of said upstream spring is provided so that pressure is building within said shuttle valve receiving assembly, causing downstream directional motion of said shuttle valve receiving assembly and a fully assembled oscillator component portion of said vibrator during compression of a first downhole oscillator spring that allows said shuttle valve plunger to disengage from said shuttle valve receiving assembly, causing said upstream spring for said shuttle valve assembly to return elastically to its initial or starting position; and wherein; (iv) a downstream surface of said shuttle valve receiving assembly is connected to at least one downhole spring receiving shaft which runs axially and is aligned with downstream components housing at least said first downhole oscillator spring positioned on either side of a casing mechanical stop and attached to at least a portion of a fully assembled oscillator component portion such that said downhole spring receiving shaft is allowing for movement in a linear fashion based on loading of said at least one downhole oscillator spring and positioning of said shuttle valve plunger in a partially and/or fully engaged or disengaged position with said shuttle valve receiving assembly causing oscillations of said at least one downhole oscillator spring and along a length of said oscillator thereby allowing for agitation due to vibration along a drillstring.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said oscillations are required to overcome static downhole forces and variability of a loading force on said at least one downhole oscillator spring controls a magnitude of said oscillations and frequency of said vibration allowing for tailoring of said vibration and subsequent seismic pulses utilized downhole.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said plunger disposed within said shuttle valve assembly is actuated by pressurized fluid so that said valve can cycle between an opened position and a closed position, such that when in said closed position, said plunger at least partially interrupts a flow of said pressurized fluid through said outlet port; and wherein said plunger reciprocates back and forth between at least a first and a second position during cycling of pressurized fluid into and through said oscillator such that position of said plunger controls fluid into and out of said inlet port of said valve thereby causing force to act on one or more set of springs resulting in oscillations of said set of springs.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein said vibrational oscillator is providing oscillations of said springs along a longitudinal direction and become self-oscillating after an initial oscillation is started due to operation of said shuttle valve assembly.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein said casing is a cartridge assembly that houses said oscillator.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein said oscillator is an agitator in that said oscillator causes vibrations within said oscillator causing agitation along at least a portion of a drill string and thereby overcomes static friction downhole.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein said shuttle valve is a leaky shuttle valve in that said plunger disposed within said cavity of said cartridge housing said valve does not fully open or fully close during operation .

31. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one fluid passage is configured to divert a flow of pressurized fluid upstream of said outlet port when said plunger is in a closed position, thereby substantially reducing a water hammer effect.

32. The method of claim 24, wherein said at least one fluid passage is configured to divert a flow of pressurized fluid downstream of said outlet port when said plunger is in a open position, thereby at least partially reducing a water hammer effect.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein said plunger is coaxially disposed within said oscillator.

34. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one fluid passage includes: (a) a fluid passage through which pressurized fluid is applied to said plunger to cause said plunger to cycle toward a closed position, thereby partially closing said outlet port, when said plunger is in a first position; (b) the same or a different fluid passage through which pressurized fluid is applied to said plunger to cause said plunger to shift to said second position and; (c) a same or different fluid passage through which said pressurized fluid is applied to said plunger to allow said plunger to cycle back toward an initial position.

35. The method of claim 24, wherein a cycle time of said valve is a function of a size of said at least one fluid passage.

36. The method of claim 24, wherein said plunger is configured to move with said receiving assembly when said plunger is in a first position, such that when said plunger moves from said open position to said closed position, a momentum imparted to said plunger facilitates compression of said plunger shifting to a second position.

37. The method of claim 24, further comprising a housing in which said valve is disposed.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said housing is adapted to be incorporated in a drillstring.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein said housing is configured to isolate a section of conduit, such that an at least partial interruption of pressurized fluid in a conduit adjacent to said valve generates a negative pressure pulse in an isolated section of said conduit.

40. The method of claim 24, wherein a cycle time required for said plunger to cycle between an opened position and a closed position is less than or equal to a two-way travel time of an acoustic pressure wave in a length of a section of said casing.

41. The method of claim 24, further comprising an on/off mechanism having an on position and an off position, such that when said on/off mechanism is in said off position, said plunger is held in said open position, preventing said fully assembled oscillator component portion from cycling.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said on/off mechanism is sensitive to a pressure in said conduit, such that said on/off mechanism changes from said off position to said on position after pressure within said conduit reaches a predetermined level.

43. The method of claim 24, wherein at least partial interruption of flow of pressurized fluid by actuation of said valve generates a pressure pulse that propagates away from said valve.

44. The method of claim 24, further comprising a frequency modulator configured to repeatedly vary a cycle rate of said oscillating vibrator.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said frequency modulator comprises a variable volume in fluid communication with a timing shaft, said timing shaft being coupled with said plunger, such that a change in said variable volume produces a corresponding change in a motion of said plunger, thereby changing said cycle rate of said valve and/or said vibrator.

46. A method for generating pressure pulses within a conduit using a vibrational oscillator comprising at least partially interrupting flow of a pressurized fluid flowing through a casing of said oscillator comprising the steps of: (i) introducing a pressure activated flow interruption shuttle valve into said casing said valve being configured to periodically at least partially interrupt a flow of pressurized fluid within said casing; (ii) allowing flow of said pressurized fluid through said casing; and (c) directing said pressurized fluid through said valve to actuate said valve, actuation of said valve being implemented by: (iii) using said pressurized fluid to cause at least a first spring section to compress such that when said valve is in a closed position said at least said first spring section fully compresses thereby also at least partially interrupting a flow of the pressurized fluid in said casing ; and (iv) using energy stored in said at least first spring when released, is causing oscillatory cycling of pulses within said pressurized fluid.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of redirecting at least a portion of flow of said pressurized fluid within said conduit such that a step of directing said pressurized fluid through said valve to actuate said valve to at least partially interrupt flow of said pressurized fluid in said casing does not completely interrupt a circulation of said pressurized fluid in said conduit, thereby at least partially reducing a water hammer effect.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein a step of redirecting at least a portion of flow of said pressurized fluid within said casing comprises the step of redirecting at least a portion of the flow of said pressurized fluid upstream of a section of said casing such that said valve at least partially interrupts flow of said pressurized fluid in said conduit.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein energy from said vibrator is coupled to one or more devices, wherein said devices provide, electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic power.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0074] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0075] FIG. 1 is a cut-away view that shows the relationship of the inner components of the vibrational oscillator with respect to the outer casing of same as provided for movement generation along a drill string;

[0076] FIG. 2 is an exploded view that the shows inner components of the vibrational oscillator;

[0077] FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C are a cross-sectional view that shows the vibrational oscillator in the beginning (A), intermediate (B) and near final (C) stage of operation as the fluid is causing the spring action in accord with the present invention;

DESCRIPTION

[0078] The present invention is a vibrational oscillator device that creates movement along a drill-string utilizing borehole fluid flow of an incompressible liquid that normally generates a water-hammer effect which is usable for overcoming downhole static friction during drilling.

[0079] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the basic configuration of the vibrational oscillator [100] within an outer casing [105] disposed within a cartridge housing, which is located along a drill string (not shown). The vibrational oscillator (agitator) device [100] is part of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) of a drill string (not shown), which is positioned in a borehole. Vibrations are produced within and through the vibrational oscillator [100] device designed so that resulting movement in the form of oscillations are provided in and along a drill string to overcome static friction downhole by using the force of the drilling fluid through a flow diverter [125] against one or more springs held within the outer casing [105] in a location prior to the shuttle valve as the fluid travels from uphole toward downhole through and along the cartridge housing. This force can also be provided via the generation of a water hammer effect. As previously stated, the water hammer effect is normally produced by the interruption of the flow of an incompressible liquid (e.g., drilling mud) through a drillstring in a borehole which also is capable of generating pressure pulses.

[0080] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the downhole vibrational oscillator [100] utilizes the flow of a fluid flowing within a borehole. Fluid flow enters through the upstream mechanical stop assembly [110] and shuttle valve assembly [120], joined through fitted attachment to the outer casing [105] engaging the shuttle valve assembly [120] and building pressure which translates into a force per unit area in the downhole direction. The shuttle valve shown in FIG. 2 as [220],which comprises a flow diverter [125] and a shuttle valve plunger [225], can be opened or closed utilizing the shuttle valve plunger [225] which engages with a shuttle valve receiving assembly [240], thereby changing the pressure of the fluid acting to exert forces internal to the vibrational oscillator [100].

[0081] As also shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the shuttle valve assembly [120] contains an upstream spring assembly [130] that allows return of the shuttle valve assembly [120] to an initial position either before or after compression. Compression of the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140] occurs when the force of the fluid or water hammer pushes the shuttle valve plunger [225]FIG. 2, of the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240] toward the upstream spring assembly [130] which presses against a fully assembled oscillator component (this is an assembly of the following components; {[ 240], [245], [250], [255], [260] and [265]}shown in FIG. 3 as [310], within the agitator [100] forcing the mass of the fully assembled oscillator component [310] to start moving in a downward direction toward a casing mechanical stop [145]. This casing mechanical stop [145] is located within the outer casing [105] thereby providing a limit to the compression of the upstream spring assembly [130] that is accepting a load on the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140]. The fully assembled oscillator component [310] of the agitator [100] then moves past the shuttle valve plunger [225] allowing the shuttle valve plunger [225] freedom to move back in an upward (with respect to the borehole) direction toward a wider opening in the agitator [100]. The fully assembled oscillator component [310] continues moving in a downward direction compressing a second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150] that is positioned in a direction downhole from the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140] and adjacent to the casing mechanical stop [145]. Engagement of the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140] actuates motion of the second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150] in the same downhole direction. Downhole motion of the second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150] causes physical contact with the upper lip portion of both the downstream mechanical stop assembly [160] and the fully assembled oscillator component [310], generating oscillations that can also cause resonating pulses and reverses the motion of the second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150]. This allows return of the second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150] to an initial (or start) position. Return of the second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150] to its initial or start position causes a compressive force on the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140] coupled to both the fully assembled oscillator component [310] and the casing mechanical stop [145], thus directing a load and corresponding force on the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140].

[0082] The first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140] and the second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150] work together with the upstream spring assembly [130] to absorb and later release the energy which can be initiated by either the drilling fluid and/or a water hammer effect causing any downhole pressure differential. Linear elastic restoring forces allow the compression (or loading) of the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140] to provide the compression (or loading) of the second downstream oscillator spring assembly [150] upon return of the first downstream oscillator spring assembly [140] to its initial or starting position. An unloaded spring constitutes an at rest position of any of the spring(s) assemblies contained within the vibrational oscillator [100]. In this manner, the vibrational oscillator operates on the same principal as an oscillating pendulum. More specifically, the pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. When the pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position. In the present disclosure, the restoring force is from the first and second downstream oscillator spring assemblies [140] and [150]. When released, the restoring force combined with the pendulum's mass, causes it to oscillate about the equilibrium position, swinging back and forth. This is simply a weight (or bob) on the end of a massless cord suspended from a pivot, without friction. When given an initial push, it will swing back and forth at constant amplitude. Real pendulums are subject to friction and air drag, so the amplitude of their swings declines.

[0083] In the present disclosure, the actual vibrational oscillator is subject to friction and fluid drag occurring downhole. The shuttle valve plunger [225] moves similar to the action of a pendulum, however the movement is not along an arc but in a linear fashion. The first and second downstream oscillator spring assemblies [140] and [150] allow for continued back and forth movement that is initiated by the shuttle valve assembly [120]. The valve is designed to leak slightly so that fluid can always exert pressure, but still allow for fluid to escape when the compressive forces become excessive, leading to potential damaging of the spring. Controlling of the escaping drilling fluid is also desirable in order to control compression and thereby also control pressure pulses when so desired. By controlling the operation of the valve, it is possible to adjust the amplitude, oscillations and the frequency of the resulting vibrations. Measurement of pressure below the valve is also always possible even when there is no flow. This is desirable, as knowledge of pressure downhole is useful for controlling all aspects of oil and gas exploration including well completion and production.

[0084] It is important to understand that pressure differential can be generated by operation of the shuttle valve by controlling the opening and closing of the valve. This opening and closing operation can be performed by direct or indirect contact with the valve. The valve can be operated from uphole wireless or wired signals or can be operated downhole with devices within the casing or probes that activate a receiver located on or near the shuttle valve. It is desirable to control the flow of fluid into and out of the shuttle valve, so that the resulting oscillation can also be controlled. By controlling the oscillation, it is possible to control the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations that allow the agitator to function according to need. Complete opening or closing of the shuttle valve is possible and could either initiate or terminate the oscillations and the resulting vibrations. Fluid pressure that opens and subsequently closes the shuttle valve enhances drilling performance in several ways. A vibrational thrust can act on the drill bit, increasing the force with which it contacts the rock face. Furthermore, if the magnitude of the force is sufficiently great, i.e., any static friction along the drill string will be overcome. The pulsing vibrational action could even reach the rock face when vibrational pulses from the agitator are large enough to influence the drill bit. Overcoming static friction and providing the necessary energy to the drill string to keep the dynamic drilling operation functional and functioning (without interruption) is a major purpose of the agitator.

[0085] Although the vibrational agitator [100] in FIG. 1 is described for use at the bottom of a borehole, different configurations can be employed in which the vibrational agitator [100] is disposed at other locations in a borehole. For example, the vibrational agitator [100] can be disposed at various positions selected. The vibrations from the agitator generated by the valve can be employed to descale tubulars, to remediate formation damage, to remove fines, or even to generate seismic pulses.

[0086] FIG. 2 provides an exploded view of the internal components [200] of the vibrational oscillating agitator [100] of the present disclosure. Fluid enters the vibrational agitator [100] through the upstream mechanical stop assembly [110] and flow diverter [125] which is attached to the outer casing [105] (as shown in FIG. 1) through a fitted attachment (threaded, notched, or other acceptable form of attachment). An upstream shuttle valve spacer [210] is used to provide spacing between the upper portion of the shuttle valve [220] and the upstream mechanical stop assembly [110].The shuttle valve [220] with shuttle valve plunger [225] is activated by the force exerted from the entrance of fluid into the vibrational agitator [100]. Encased in the upstream spring for shuttle valve assembly [230], the shuttle valve [220] moves in a downward (or at least left to right motion as shown in the horizontal position) motion until the shuttle valve plunger[225] engages the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240] causing the upstream spring for shuttle valve assembly [230] to lengthen. A downstream spacer for the shuttle valve assembly [235] is used for spacing at the bottom of the upstream spring. Pressure is then built within the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240] causing downhole directional motion of the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240] and compression of the first downhole oscillator spring [245]. The shuttle valve plunger [225] then disengages the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240], causing the upstream spring for shuttle valve assembly [230] to return elastically to its initial or start position. The lower surface of the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240] is connected to the downhole spring receiving shaft [250] which runs axially, aligns the lower device components and houses the first downhole oscillator spring [245] and second downhole oscillator spring [255] as positioned on either side of the casing mechanical stop [145] and the fully assembled oscillator component [310] (as also shown in FIG. 1). The downhole spring receiving shaft [250] moves in a linear fashion based on the loading of the first and second downhole oscillator springs [245,255] and the positioning of the shuttle valve plunger[225] as engaged or disengaged with the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240]. The loads and resulting forces on the spring(s) are governed by the general equation

F=kX, (3)

where k is the spring constant and X is the displacement of the spring(s)

[0087] FIG. 1 illustrates the device in an engaged position.

[0088] The downhole spring receiving shaft [250] fits within the sleeve for the downstream sleeve for mechanical stop [260] which has a diameter that houses and supports the upper portion of the downstream collar [265]. The lower portion of the downstream collar [265] physically contacts the upper portion of the downstream mechanical stop assembly [160], which corresponds to movement of the fully assembled oscillator component [310] thereby causing return of the first and second downstream oscillator spring assemblies [140,150] (as shown in FIG. 1) to their initial (or starting) positions. In this manner, it is possible to provide cyclical oscillations along the length of the oscillator allowing for agitation due to vibration along the drillstring.

[0089] Oscillations as needed to overcome static downhole forces are generated based on loading of the first downhole oscillator spring [245]. The more the first downhole oscillator spring [245] is loaded the more oscillations are produced, while the variability of the loading force determines the magnitude of the oscillation produced allowing for tailoring of the vibrational forces and subsequent seismic pulses (if so desired) utilized downhole.

[0090] FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional view [300] of the assembled vibrational oscillator [100] within an outer casing [105] that creates movement along a drill-string utilizing borehole fluid flow. The fully assembled oscillator component [310] of the device is provided as the conjunction of the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240], downhole spring receiving shaft [250] which houses the first and second downhole oscillator springs [245, 255], downstream sleeve for mechanical stop [260] and the downstream collar [265]. Actuation of the fully assembled oscillator component [310] is achieved through the engagement of the shuttle valve assembly [120] with the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240] by the introduction of fluid flow to the device through the upstream mechanical stop assembly [110] and the flow diverter [125]. Restriction of linear motion of the shuttle valve [220], and therefore the shuttle valve plunger [255], is provided by the upstream shuttle valve spacer [210] and the downstream spacer for shuttle valve assembly [235], limiting the loading of the upstream spring for shuttle valve assembly [230] based on the spring constant of the selected spring and the distance provided between the selected spacers. Any limitations on the loading of the first downhole oscillator spring [245] are determined by the distance between the casing mechanical stop [145] and the upper portion of the downhole spring receiving shaft [250] and associated spring constant, while limitations on the loading of the second downhole oscillator spring [255] are determined by the distance between the casing mechanical stop [145] and the downstream sleeve for mechanical stop [260]. Fluid flow exits the device through the downstream mechanical stop assembly [160], allowing for the introduction of a continuous fluid flow and therefore continuous generation of oscillations within the vibrational oscillator [100].

[0091] To illustrate the onset of oscillatory motion of the device, FIGS. 3 and corresponding FIGS. 3 A, 3B, and 3C have been provided. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates the initial or starting position of the vibrational oscillator. In this position, the plunger [225] is just beginning to engage with the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240]. Fluid enters the casing through the entrance of the upstream mechanical stop assembly [110] and the flow diverter [125] to begin forcing the shuttle valve plunger [225] into the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240]. In this position, no oscillation has yet occurred.

[0092] FIG. 3A indicates how the shuttle valve plunger [225] enters the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240] which begins to cause slight compression of the first downhole oscillator springs [245] as the fully assembled oscillator component [310] begins to move in a linear fashion from right to left (in a horizontal position or uphole to downhole in a vertical position) . Compression of the first downhole oscillator spring [245] continues as is shown in FIG. 3B, as the shuttle valve plunger [225] is fully engaged and as the fully assembled oscillator component [310] moves further towards the downstream sleeve for the mechanical stop [260]. Eventually the first downhole oscillator spring [245] is fully compressed. In this position oscillation is about to begin.

[0093] FIG. 3C indicates how the second downhole oscillator spring [255] is subsequently compressed, the motion of which coincides with initial withdrawal of the shuttle valve plunger [255] from the shuttle valve receiving assembly [240]. This motion also coincides with the fully assembled oscillator component [310] hitting bottom by contact with the downstream mechanical stop assembly [160] causing a return of the fully assembled oscillator component [310] to move back towards its original (initial starting) position (as shown in FIG. 3). As the return of the fully assembled oscillator component [310] occurs, the first downhole oscillator spring [245] has already recoiled back toward an initial (at rest) position and oscillation throughout the device and the resulting vibrations have already begun. The position of the shuttle valve plunger [225] will not move past the upstream spring assembly [130] and associated spring which provides an upstream buffer when the shuttle valve plunger [225] is under tremendous force as it travels back to its initial position (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0094] Eventually the fully assembled oscillator component [310] moves back to its original (initial starting) position (as shown in FIG. 3) along with the shuttle valve plunger [225] and the first (motion) cycle is completed and ready to begin again. These motion cycles are repeated and the frequency of these cycles is controlled by fluid flow through the leaky shuttle valve. The frequency of the oscillations and resulting vibrations of the device are controlled by the mass of the fully assembled oscillator component [310] and the spring constants of the first and second downhole oscillator springs [245, 255]. The fully assembled oscillator component [310] is suspended between the first and second downhole oscillator springs. The motion as described in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C, is similar to that of a mechanical shock absorber, however instead of intentionally dampening the oscillations and resulting vibrations, the device is designed to provide maximum oscillatory vibrations. Use of the shuttle valve to control the amplitude of the