Magnetic retrieval apparatus
10208553 ยท 2019-02-19
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
Y10T29/49895
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y10T29/53657
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
E21B37/00
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
A downhole retrieval tool includes a mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnets coupled to the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnets, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnets are rotatable relative to the mandrel. In another aspect, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.
Claims
1. A downhole retrieval tool, comprising: a mandrel having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the mandrel to a second end of the mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnets coupled to the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnets, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnets are rotatable relative to the mandrel, and wherein the outer sleeve includes a plurality of outer sleeve valleys that extend into a corresponding plurality of valleys between two adjacent magnets, wherein two adjacent outer sleeve valleys are circumferentially spaced relative to one another about the outer sleeve, the plurality of outer sleeve valleys extending along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the mandrel to the second end of the mandrel.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve includes one or more channels for receiving the plurality of magnets.
3. The tool of claim 2, wherein each magnet is attached to the inner sleeve by a fastener extending through the magnet and a fastener aperture in the corresponding channel.
4. The tool of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of apertures extending between two adjacent channels.
5. The tool of claim 1, wherein each magnet includes a north pole and a south pole, wherein the north pole is disposed on a left side or a right side of the magnet and the south pole is disposed on the other side of the magnet.
6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising two stabilizers, wherein one stabilizer is coupled to each end of the inner sleeve.
7. The tool of claim 6, further comprising a bearing disposed between each stabilizer and the mandrel.
8. The tool of claim 6, further comprising a key and groove connection for coupling the inner sleeve to the stabilizers.
9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the key has a groove configured to receive the outer sleeve.
10. The tool of claim 1, wherein each stabilizer includes a plurality of stabilizer valleys, wherein each stabilizer valley is aligned with a corresponding outer sleeve valley.
11. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a spacer disposed between two adjacent magnets, wherein the spacer contacts both adjacent magnets.
12. The tool of claim 1, wherein at least one magnet includes at least two retainer bores to facilitate handling of the at least one magnet.
13. A downhole retrieval tool, comprising: a mandrel having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the mandrel to a second end of the mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnetic columns coupled to the inner sleeve; the plurality of magnetic columns having a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnetic columns are circumferentially spaced around the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnetic columns, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnetic columns are rotatable relative to the mandrel, and wherein the outer sleeve includes a plurality of outer sleeve valleys that extend into and aligned with a corresponding plurality of valleys between two adjacent magnetic columns, the plurality of outer sleeve valleys extending along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the mandrel to the second end of the mandrel.
14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the inner sleeve includes a plurality of channels for receiving the plurality of magnetic columns, wherein each magnetic column is partially disposed in a corresponding channel.
15. The tool of claim 14, wherein each magnet in each magnetic column is attached to the inner sleeve by a fastener extending through the magnet and a fastener aperture in each channel.
16. The tool of claim 15, wherein each magnet in each magnetic column includes at least one retainer bore to facilitate handling of each magnet.
17. The tool of claim 15, further comprising a column of apertures between two adjacent channels.
18. The tool of claim 13, further comprising a spacer disposed between two adjacent magnets in each magnetic column, wherein each spacer contacts both adjacent magnets.
19. A downhole retrieval tool, comprising: a mandrel having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the mandrel to a second end of the mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnetic columns having a first end and a second end coupled to the inner sleeve, each magnetic column extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end, each of the plurality of magnetic columns having a plurality of magnets; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnetic columns, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnetic columns are rotatable relative to the mandrel, and wherein the outer sleeve includes a plurality of outer sleeve valleys that extend into a corresponding plurality of valleys between two adjacent magnetic columns, wherein the plurality of outer sleeve valleys and the corresponding plurality of valleys between two adjacent magnetic columns both extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the inner sleeve includes a plurality of channels for receiving the plurality of magnetic columns, wherein each magnetic column is partially disposed in a corresponding individual channel of the plurality of channels.
21. The tool of claim 20, wherein each magnet is attached to the inner sleeve by a fastener extending through the magnet and a fastener aperture in the corresponding individual channel of the plurality of channels.
22. The tool of claim 21, further comprising a column of apertures extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis between two adjacent channels of the plurality of channels.
23. The tool of claim 21, wherein each magnet includes at least one retainer bore to facilitate handling of each magnet.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, 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 typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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(17) Referring now to
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(19) In one embodiment, the north pole and the south pole of the magnet are oriented on either the left side or the right side of the magnet. For example, as shown in
(20) The retrieval tool 100 may include a housing sleeve 25 disposed around the magnets 50 and the inner sleeve 30. The housing sleeve 25 may conformed to the contour of the retrieval tool 100 formed by the magnets 50 and the inner sleeve 30. In one example, the housing sleeve 25 may have an outer shape that is complementary to the outer shape of the magnets 50 on the inner sleeve 30. In this respect, the housing sleeve 25 includes valleys 29 that are aligned with the valleys 59 between adjacent columns of magnets 50.
(21) A stabilizer 20 may be disposed at each end of the inner sleeve 30. Referring to
(22) Assembly of the retrieval tool 100 will now be described.
(23) In
(24) In
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(26) The conveyance 220 is configured to extend or retract the holder 230. In one embodiment, the conveyance 220 is movable relative to the anchor 210. The conveyance 220 may be a rod 221 configured to mate with one or more couplers 223 attached to the collar 211. In one example, the rod 221 is threadedly coupled to the coupler 223. In this respect, rotation of the rod 221 will move the rod 221 relative to the collar 211. In one example, the coupler 223 is a nut, and three couplers 223 are used to couple the rod 221 to the collar 211. The rod 221 may be rotated manually or using a motor. In another example, gears may be used to move the conveyance 220 relative to the collar 211. In yet another embodiment, the rod 221 may be coupled to the coupler 223 using splines, and may be moved manually, or using a mechanical device such as a motor or a piston.
(27) The holder 230 is coupled to and movable by the conveyance 220. The holder 230 includes two retaining arms 231 configured to retain a magnet between the arms 231. An optional guide member 233 may be disposed on the exterior of the arms 231. The guide member 233 is configured to prevent movement of the holder 230 toward an adjacent magnet. In one embodiment, the guide member 233 is sized to contact or nearly contact the adjacent magnet. The guide member 233 may be attached to the arm 231 using a pin, a screw, adhesive, or any suitable mechanism known to a person skilled in the art. The arms and/or the guide member may be made of a non-metallic material. In another embodiment, the guide member 233 may be integral with the arms 231. Any suitable releasable retainer may be used to couple the magnet to the holder 230. In one example, a pin 234 may be inserted through one of the arms 231 and the retainer bore 54 of the magnet 50.
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(31) Thereafter, the pin 234 is released from the magnet 50, and the holder 230 is retracted from the magnet 50.
(32) To install another magnet, the collar 211 is released from the inner sleeve 30 by unlocking the locking device 213. Then, the collar 211 is rotated until the holder 230 is aligned with the next intended channel 32, and the locking device 213 is allowed to engage with the inner sleeve 30, as shown in
(33) Thereafter, the inner sleeve 30 is released from the extension mandrel 110 by removing the fastener 112. The inner sleeve 30 is moved onto the mandrel 10 toward the stabilizer 20, as shown in
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(35) In one embodiment, a downhole retrieval tool includes a mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnets coupled to the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnets, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnets are rotatable relative to the mandrel.
(36) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the inner sleeve includes one or more channels for receiving the plurality of magnets.
(37) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, each magnet includes a north pole and a south pole, wherein the north pole is disposed on the left side or the right side of the magnet and the south pole is disposed on the other side of the magnet.
(38) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a stabilizer coupled to each end of the inner sleeve.
(39) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a bearing disposed between the stabilizer and the mandrel.
(40) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a key and groove connection for coupling the inner sleeve to the stabilizer.
(41) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the stabilizer includes a valley aligned with a valley of the inner sleeve.
(42) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a spacer disposed between two adjacent magnets.
(43) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, at least one magnet includes a retainer bore to facilitate handling of the at least one magnet.
(44) In another embodiment, a method of assembling a downhole retrieval tool includes providing an assembly tool having an anchor, a conveyance, and a holder; disposing an inner sleeve around a mandrel; coupling the anchor to the inner sleeve; using the holder to retain a magnet; operating the conveyance to move the magnet to a desired location on the inner sleeve; attaching the magnet to the inner sleeve; and moving the holder away from the magnet.
(45) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the method includes decoupling the anchor from the inner sleeve; repositioning the anchor; retaining a second magnet; and operating the conveyance to move the second magnet to another location on the inner sleeve.
(46) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the method includes repositioning the anchor by at least one of rotating the anchor relative to the inner sleeve and axially moving the anchor relative to the inner sleeve.
(47) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, coupling the anchor to the inner sleeve comprises inserting a locking device into an aperture of the inner sleeve.
(48) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the inner sleeve includes a slot for receiving the locking device.
(49) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the conveyance is coupled to the anchor using threads, and operating the conveyance comprises rotating the conveyance relative to the anchor.
(50) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, retaining the magnet comprises inserting a retainer into a retainer bore in the magnet.
(51) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the method includes providing the assembly tool with a guide member.
(52) In another embodiment, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to and movable with the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.
(53) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a retainer for coupling with a retainer bore in the magnet.
(54) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the retainer is inserted through the arm of the magnet holder.
(55) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the anchor is tubular shaped and includes a retracting locking device for anchoring the assembly tool.
(56) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the conveyance is threadedly coupled to the anchor.
(57) In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a guide member attached to the arm.
(58) In another embodiment, a method of assembling a downhole retrieval tool includes providing an assembly tool having an anchor, a conveyance, and a holder; disposing an inner sleeve around a mandrel; coupling anchor to the inner sleeve; using the holder to retain a magnet; operating the conveyance to move the magnet to a desired location on the inner sleeve; attaching the magnet to the inner sleeve; and moving the holder away from the magnet.
(59) In another embodiment, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.
(60) The features and mechanisms of each embodiment may be interchangeable with the other embodiments described herein. Additionally, while the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.