Wells – Automatic
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-20
2001-03-13
Bagnell, David (Department: 3672)
Wells
Automatic
C166S066400, C166S066700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199628
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to force generators and force generating methods used downhole in a well, such as an oil or gas well. A particular aspect of the invention is its automated control which enables varying degrees of different states of operation to be obtained. For example, a particular embodiment of the invention provides for variable control of fluid flow through an “infinitely” variable choke that is operated across a continuum of “openness” or “closedness” as distinguished from merely one open state and one closed state.
Although the present invention can be used in any type of borehole in which the usefulness of the invention is needed, it will be described with reference specifically to an oil or gas well. In drilling, testing, completing and producing such a well, many different types of equipment can be used in the well. Some of this equipment is operated by a force applied to the equipment. For example, a valve is one type of equipment typically used in an oil or gas well, and a force typically needs to be applied to the valve member to rotate or slide it between fully closed and fully open positions.
Different types of forces may be needed to accomplish the foregoing. One example is a hydraulic force exerted by a fluid under pressure. Another example, and the one relevant to the present invention, is a mechanical force exerted by one structural body moved relative to another structural body. Such force can act in different directions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the force acts longitudinally relative to the well. An example of a longitudinally acting force generating apparatus is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,173 to Kilgore et al.
A shortcoming of the apparatus disclosed in the Kilgore et al. patent is that it does not have the ability to variably control itself. The Kilgore et al. apparatus provides a longitudinal force to operate a device down in a well; however, the Kilgore et al. patent does not disclose a programmed downhole controller to control the apparatus across a continuum, or to different degrees, of one or more general states. With regard to fluid flow, this control is desirable such as for obtaining different flow rates or for maintaining a constant flow rate even as a flow control orifice of the downhole device being operated deteriorates because of an abrasive fluid flowing through it. Thus, there is the need for a downhole force generator and a downhole force generating method by which variable control of a downhole operated device can be obtained. Preferably such control should be obtained automatically, such as to implement a single event or a preprogrammed sequence, and at relatively low cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-noted and other shortcomings of the prior art, and satisfies the aforementioned needs, by providing a novel and improved force generator and force generating method. The present invention achieves variable control of a downhole operated device. This preferably occurs automatically by a programmed controller operating a downhole power unit through which the force is generated.
Other intended advantages of the invention include: more reliability than obtained from manipulating a carrier wire; less surface force required from wire spool operating equipment; less sophistication required in the knowledge of the person operating the surface equipment; greater force generation downhole than with conventional slickline operations; and less significant effect by depth of the tool since the carrier wire need only be used to position the tool string.
Although not limited in its broadest sense to longitudinal force, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a downhole longitudinal force generator. This downhole longitudinal force generator comprises: a longitudinal force generating and transmitting assembly adapted to be moved into a well, and a controller adapted to be moved into the well and connected to the longitudinal force generating and transmitting assembly. The controller includes a memory containing a program to control the longitudinal force generating and transmitting assembly to obtain at least one desired operating condition in the well. The downhole longitudinal force generator can also comprise a sensor connected to the controller. The downhole longitudinal force generator can further comprise a self-contained power source adapted to be moved into the well.
In a particular implementation, the longitudinal force generating and transmitting assembly includes an electric motor and a jackscrew assembly. The motor includes a rotor, and the motor is responsive to control from the controller. The jackscrew assembly includes a rotational member connected to the rotor, and it further includes a translational member. The translational member engages the rotational member such that rotation of the rotational member moves the translational member longitudinally relative to the rotational member.
The present invention also includes a method of providing a linear force in an oil or gas well. This particular method comprises sensing in the well with a detector a parameter responsive over a continuum to changes in a selected operating condition in the well. This includes generating with the detector electrical signals representing the sensed parameter. This method further comprises actuating a microcontroller, located in the well and connected to the detector in the well, to run a predetermined program stored in the microcontroller and running the program to obtain a specific state of the selected operating condition represented within the continuum of the sensed parameter. This includes connecting a power source disposed in the well with the microcontroller to initiate continuous linear movement of a first body relative to a second body, wherein the first and second bodies are disposed in the well with the microcontroller and the power source; continuously processing electrical signals received from the detector and determining where within the continuum the sensed parameter is; and disconnecting the power source to stop the linear movement of the first body relative to the second body when it is determined that the sensed parameter is at the point in the continuum corresponding to the specific state of the selected operating condition. This method can further comprise fixing the second body in position relative to either the well or an object in the well.
Therefore, from the foregoing, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved force generator and force generating method. Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5332035 (1994-07-01), Schultz et al.
patent: 5358035 (1994-10-01), Grudzinski
patent: 5492173 (1996-02-01), Kilgore et al.
patent: 5558153 (1996-09-01), Holcombe et al.
patent: 5732776 (1998-03-01), Tubel et al.
patent: 5868201 (1999-02-01), Bussear et al.
patent: 5906238 (1999-05-01), Carmody et al.
“DPU® Downhole Power Unit System—Economical and Dependable Setting and Retrieving for Downhole Tools,” Halliburton Company (1997) (document itself not admitted to be prior art but it discloses a prior Downpole Power Unit system).
“SPE 26063—New Electronic Measurement System Enhances Slickline Service Capabilities,” Larimore et al., Society of Petroleum Engineers (1993).
“OTC 7877—A Battery-Operated, Electro-Mechanical Setting Tool for Use with Bridge Plugs and Similar Wellbore Tools,” Gazda et al., Offshore Technology Conference (1995).
“SPE 35236—Low Cost Solutions for Well Interventions Through Advanced Slickline Services,” Larimore et al., Society of Petroleum Engineers (1996).
“Low-Cost Well Interventions With Slickline,” Live-Well Intervention (Feb. 1997).
“World Expro 1996—The International Review of Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production Technology,” Sterling
Beck Harold Kent
Goiffon John Joseph
Jackson Alan Tancel
Robison Clark Edward
Bagnell David
Gilbert, III E. Harrison
Halliburton Energy Service,s Inc.
Herman Paul I.
Walker Zakiya
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