RU2655074C2 - Downhole apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to mining and can be used in a downhole apparatus or tool. Downhole apparatus or tool comprises a seat configured to receive an object, for example a ball. Seat comprises a convex object engaging surface for blocking an object. Said convex object engaging surface comprises a plurality of segments.

EFFECT: technical result consists in preventing the swaging, jamming or lodging of the object in the seat.

35 cl, 36 dwg

Description

The technical field of the invention

This invention relates to a downhole device and method. More specifically, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present invention relate to a receptacle for receiving an object, such as a ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the oil and gas exploration and production industry, wellbores are drilled to access underground oil and gas bearing strata. A pipe string, such as a completion string or a launch string, can be assembled, lowered into the wellbore and operated to perform a number of different operations in the wellbore. Some operations may require the activation of one or more tools from the downhole configuration to the activated configuration.

 Various activating mechanisms may be used. One or more tools can be mechanically activated, for example, transferring force from the surface or lowering a mechanical activating or installation tool into the well and applying force to the tool using the installation tool. Alternatively or additionally, one or more instruments can be activated by fluid pressure, for example, by applying fluid pressure from the surface and / or by hydrostatic pressure. In one mechanism for activating the pressure of the fluid, the creation of a section of a reduced inner diameter or socket adapted to receive the ball is used. In operation, the ball can be lowered through a pipe string for installation in a socket. By sealing or throttling the channel of the pipe string, the applied fluid pressure can be used to activate a tool, for example, a sleeve, from a descent configuration into a well into an activated configuration.

To ensure reliable trapping and holding the ball in the nest, the ball and / or nest can be made with the largest possible contact area between the ball and the nest. In some cases, this can be obtained by grinding or otherwise performing one or both of the socket and the ball such that the socket firmly grips the ball. This also gives a reduction in stress, since forces can be distributed over a larger area of the contact surface.

Although the creation of enlarged contact surface areas provides several advantages, in the environment with high temperature and high pressure of some oil and gas wells, conventional devices suffer from the problem that the forces acting between the ball and the socket may be sufficient to plant or otherwise jam the ball in the nest with the creation of an unwanted permanent obstacle to the passage. In some cases, this may lead to the need to remove the pipe string from the wellbore or to carry out additional overhaul or drilling to remove or bypass the obstacle to the passage, which creates a significant investment of time and costs for the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a downhole device or tool is provided comprising:

a nest configured to receive an object, the nest comprising a convex surface interacting with the object.

The device may include a tubular housing or casing, made with the possibility of ensuring the passage of the object.

The object may have any suitable shape and construction. In specific embodiments, the implementation of the object is a ball, in particular but not exclusively, a spherical ball, or the like.

In use, an object may be discharged, pumped, or otherwise advanced through a tubular body prior to being installed in a socket, and the device may be used in various applications to perform one or more work in the well or to provide one or more work in the well. For example, the device may be configured such that, in the interaction between the object and the socket, the fluid passage through the tube body is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which increases the upstream pressure of the fluid, and the increased upstream pressure of the fluid is used to perform or provide perform work in the well. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be configured such that, when interacting between the object and the socket, the fluid passage through the tube body is hermetically closed or at least throttled to create a differential pressure of the fluid on the socket, while the differential pressure of the fluid is used to perform or ensure work in the well. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be configured such that impact of an object on the nest can be used to perform or enable work to be performed in the well. One or more of the activities in the wellbore may, for example, comprise transferring the downhole tool from a first configuration to a second configuration. The first configuration may be a downhole configuration. The second configuration may be an activated configuration.

Preferably, embodiments of the invention can prevent or at least weaken the planting, pinching, or otherwise jamming of an object in a nest, while ensuring that the obstruction caused by the interaction of the object with the nest is removed, for example, by using fluid pressure or reverse fluid circulation. Embodiments of the invention can alternatively or additionally provide a higher degree of regulation of the transmission of the load-generating forces between the object and the socket during their interaction, as well as other components of the device or components functionally associated with the device. For example, in embodiments of the invention, the interaction between the socket and the object can be performed so that the path of the loads of the resulting force transmitted to the socket can be adjusted or set to increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces along a specific vector to activate another component of the device, or component, functionally associated with the device and / or the exclusion or weakening of the driving forces. The control of the transmission of the load-generating forces can additionally or alternatively provide optimization of a part of the device, or of the components functionally connected to the device, since the redundancy required otherwise in the absence of transmission control of the load-generating forces can be reduced or eliminated.

In specific embodiments, the surface interacting with the object may be or be part of the surface of the nest facing upstream or toward the wellhead. For example, the device may be configured such that the socket receives an object directed from a surface or from another location upstream or closer to the wellhead.

Alternatively or in addition, the surface interacting with the object is to constitute or form part of the surface of the nest facing downstream or to the bottom of the well. For example, the device may be configured such that the socket receives an object directed from a surface or from another location downstream or closer to the bottom of the well.

It is understood that although the terms used are closer to the wellhead, upstream, downstream or closer to the bottom of the well, the device can be oriented at any desired angle or have the desired orientation and can be used in a vertical wellbore, directional wellbore or horizontal wellbore, if required.

The surface interacting with the object may have any suitable shape and construction.

The surface interacting with the object can be performed with the possibility of minimizing the contact area between the socket and the object, in contrast to a conventional device in which they tend to maximize the contact area between the socket and the object.

The surface interacting with the object can be configured to create a linear or point interaction between the nest and the object.

The surface interacting with the object may comprise a portion of a curved convex surface. The surface interacting with the object may contain a half-toroidal surface, a d-shaped profile in longitudinal section, or the like.

The surface interacting with the object may comprise a linearized convex surface. For example, a surface interacting with an object may comprise a toroidal polyhedral surface triangular in longitudinal section or the like.

In specific embodiments, the surface interacting with the object may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

The device can be configured to create one linear or point contact with the object during interaction. The surface interacting with the object may be annular.

The device can be configured to create multiple individual points of contact with the object. For example, a socket may comprise a plurality of circumferentially or radially spaced components or segments.

The device may be configured to interact with the seal between the object and the socket. Alternatively, the device may be configured to provide a bypass for at least a portion of the fluid when the object and socket are brought into interaction.

The device may be configured to be lowered into the wellbore as part of a pipe string, for example, but not exclusively a completion string, a launch string, a drill string, or the like. The device may be configured to be installed in any suitable place in the column. In some embodiments, the device may be configured to be installed at or near the distal end of the tubing string.

The tube body may have any suitable shape and construction.

The tube body may comprise a wall and an axial bore. The axial hole may be an axial flow passage. The axial bore may be configured to create a flow passage substantially adjacent to the axial bore of the tubular string. In use, the object can be guided through the pipe string from a surface or other place upstream into the axial hole of the pipe body before being inserted into the socket.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the tubular body may include a transverse passage of fluid flow, for example, but not exclusively, a window. The transverse fluid flow passage may comprise at least one fluid passage window. The transverse fluid flow passage may comprise a single window. Alternatively, the transverse fluid flow passage may comprise multiple windows. In embodiments where there are a plurality of transverse fluid flow windows, two or more windows may be circumferentially arranged. Alternatively, or additionally, two or more windows may be axially arranged.

The socket may be of any suitable shape and design.

The socket may have an inner diameter smaller than that of the tube body.

The socket may be adjacent to / in the tubular body.

The nest may comprise an intermediate portion.

The intermediate section may be established or performed between the surface of the nest located upstream or facing the wellhead and the surface of the nest located downstream or facing the bottom of the well.

In some embodiments, the socket may be integral with the tubular body.

In some embodiments, the socket may be coupled to the tubular body.

In some embodiments, the socket may be separate from the tubular body and may, for example, be connected or created on an opening element, such as a sleeve, operatively associated with the tubular body.

The socket may have an inner diameter smaller than that of the hole element or sleeve.

The socket may be adjacent to the hole element or sleeve, as well as in them.

During operation, the tubular body and the hole element or sleeve can together create a downhole tool for performing or providing work in the well. The device may transition from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first configuration may be a downhole configuration. The second configuration may be an activated configuration. The hole element or sleeve can be moved relative to the tube body to transfer the device from the first configuration to the second configuration. The device may be configured to prevent lateral passage of fluid through the tubular body when it has a first configuration, and to provide lateral passage of fluid when it has a second configuration.

The hole element or sleeve may comprise a transverse fluid flow passage, for example, but not exclusively a window. The transverse passage of the fluid stream may include at least one window. The transverse fluid flow passage may comprise a single window. Alternatively, the transverse fluid flow passage may comprise multiple windows. In embodiments where there are a plurality of side windows for fluid flow passage, two or more windows may be circumferentially arranged. Alternatively, or additionally, two or more windows may be axially arranged.

In some embodiments, both the tool and the tubular body may comprise at least one side window, and the device may be configured to prevent lateral passage of fluid through the tubular housing when it is in the first configuration and to allow lateral passage of the fluid when it has a second configuration using the combined windows in the tool or sleeve and tube body.

The device may comprise a chuck. The socket can be created on the chuck or with its help.

The surface interacting with the object can be created on the chuck or in connection with it. For example, a chuck may comprise a plurality of fingers of a chuck and a surface interacting with an object may be created on or connected to at least one, and in particular embodiments, all fingers of the chuck.

The chuck can be created on the tube body or connected to the tube body. In specific embodiments, implementation, however, the chuck can be created on or connected to the hole element or sleeve. In use, the chuck can be configured to trap an object to enable work to be performed in the well and to be able to release the object.

The object may contain a surface interacting with the nest. The surface interacting with the socket may have any suitable shape and construction. The surface interacting with the nest can be configured to minimize the contact area between the nest and the object, in contrast to a conventional device in which the contact area between the nest and the object is maximized. The surface interacting with the nest can be performed with the possibility of creating a linear or point interaction between the nest and the object. The surface interacting with the nest may comprise a portion of a curved convex surface. The surface interacting with the nest may comprise a half-toroidal surface, a d-shaped profile in longitudinal section, or the like. The surface interacting with the nest may comprise a linearized convex surface. For example, a surface interacting with a nest may comprise a toroidal polyhedral surface triangular in longitudinal section or the like.

A connecting device may be configured to connect the device to a pipe string component located on the wellhead side. In specific embodiments, the implementation of the connecting device may be a threaded locking nipple. In other embodiments, the implementation of the connecting device may be a threaded lock sleeve, a quick coupler, or any other suitable connecting device or combination thereof.

A connecting device may be configured to connect the device to a tubing string component located on the downhole side of the well. In specific embodiments, the implementation of the connecting device may be a threaded locking nipple. In other embodiments, the implementation of the connecting device may be a threaded lock sleeve, a quick coupler, or any other suitable connecting device or combination thereof.

The device can functionally communicate with the downhole tool.

In use, the device may be configured to translate a downhole tool from a first configuration to a second configuration. The first configuration may be a downhole configuration. The second configuration may be an activated configuration.

A downhole tool operably associated with the device may be located upstream of the socket. In such embodiments, a device may be configured to pull a downhole tool to translate the downhole tool from a first configuration to a second configuration.

A downhole tool operably connected to the device may be located downstream of the socket. In such embodiments, a device may be configured to push a downhole tool to move the downhole tool from a first configuration to a second configuration.

The device can functionally communicate with one downhole tool. Alternatively, the device may functionally communicate with a variety of downhole tools.

A downhole tool operatively associated with the device may have any suitable shape and construction.

In specific embodiments, the downhole tool may comprise a sleeve.

The downhole tool may include a transverse fluid flow passage, for example, but not exclusively a window. The transverse passage of the fluid stream may include at least one window. The transverse fluid flow passage may comprise a single window. Alternatively, the transverse fluid flow passage may comprise multiple windows. In embodiments where there are a plurality of side windows for fluid flow passage, two or more windows may be circumferentially arranged. Alternatively, or additionally, two or more windows may be axially arranged.

At least one downhole tool may comprise a socket.

In the case of equipment of a plurality of downhole tools, at least two of the downhole tools may comprise a socket. In particular embodiments, the nests of at least two of the downhole tools may be configured to receive an object of the same size. Alternatively or in addition, the socket of at least one of the downhole tools may be configured to receive an object with a size different from the size of the object received by another socket.

At least one downhole tool may comprise a chuck and a socket may be formed by a chuck.

The surface interacting with the object can be created on the chuck or connected to the chuck. For example, a chuck may comprise a plurality of chuck fingers, and a surface interacting with an object may be created on or connected to at least one, and in particular embodiments, all fingers of the chuck. In use, the chuck can be configured to trap an object to enable work to be performed in the well and to be able to release the object.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for constructing a downhole device is provided, comprising:

creating a socket configured to receive an object;

and creating a convex interacting surface with the object on the nest.

A tube body or casing may be created, the tube body being configured to allow passage of an object.

In specific embodiments, the implementation of the creation of a convex interacting with the object surface may include creating a convex interacting with the object surface on the socket. Any suitable means of creating a convex surface interacting with the object can be used. For example, a convex surface interacting with an object can be performed using machine tools, grinding, or combinations thereof.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for activating a downhole tool comprising:

creating a downhole device according to the first aspect;

the introduction of the object into interaction with the nest,

the interaction between the object and the socket provides the application of fluid pressure or the application of a differential pressure of the fluid to activate the downhole tool.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a nest is configured to receive an object, and the nest comprises a convex surface cooperating with the object.

An object, for example, an object described above in accordance with any of the previous aspects, may be created in combination with a socket.

In accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention, there is provided a downhole device or tool comprising:

a nest configured to receive an object, the nest contains a convex surface interacting with the object.

Embodiment 2, in accordance with Embodiment 1, comprising a tubular body or casing configured to permit passage of an object.

Embodiment 3, in accordance with Embodiments 2 or 1, wherein the object is a ball.

An implementation option 4, in accordance with option 3, in which the object is a spherical ball.

Embodiment 5, in accordance with any of the preceding embodiments, configured to seal or at least throttle a fluid passage through a pipe body in an interaction between an object and a socket.

Embodiment 6, configured to seal or at least throttle a fluid passage through a pipe body when interacting between an object and a receptacle to increase upstream fluid pressure.

Embodiment 7, in accordance with Embodiment 6, configured to seal or at least throttle a fluid passage through a tubular body in an interaction between an object and a receptacle that increases the upstream pressure of a fluid to perform or provide work in the well.

An implementation option 8, in accordance with options 5, 6 or 7, configured to seal or at least throttle the passage of fluid through the tube body in the interaction between the object and the socket to create a differential pressure of the fluid on the socket.

Embodiment 9, in accordance with Embodiment 8, configured to seal or at least throttle a fluid passage through a tubular body when interacting between an object and a socket, creating a differential pressure of the fluid on the socket to perform or provide work in the well.

Embodiment 10, in accordance with any previous embodiment, is configured to use an object to strike at a nest to perform or enforce work in a wellbore.

An implementation option 11, in accordance with any option 7-10, where the work in the wellbore comprises moving the downhole tool from the first configuration to the second configuration.

An implementation option 12, in accordance with option 11, in which the first configuration is a configuration of the descent into the well.

An implementation option 13, in accordance with option 11 or 12, in which the second configuration is an activated configuration.

Embodiment 14, in accordance with any previous embodiment, configured to, when interacting with the socket and the object, adjust or select the path of the load from the resulting force transmitted to the socket.

An implementation option 15, in accordance with option 14, is configured to, when interacting with the socket and the object, adjust or select the path of the load from the resulting force transmitted to the socket, to increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces along a particular vector.

Embodiment 16, in accordance with Embodiment 15, configured to, when interacting with a socket and an object, adjust or select the path of the load from the resulting force transmitted to the socket to increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces along a specific vector to activate another component of the device or component, functionally associated with the device.

An implementation option 17, in accordance with option 15 or 16, made with the possibility of the interaction of the socket and the object to adjust or select the path of the load from the resulting force transmitted to the socket, to eliminate or weaken the driving forces.

Embodiment 18, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the surface interacting with the object is or forms a part of the nest surface facing upstream or to the wellhead.

Embodiment 19, in accordance with Embodiment 18, configured to receive an object directed from a surface or from another location located upstream or closer to the wellhead into the socket.

Embodiment 20, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the surface interacting with the object is, or forms part of, a downhole surface or downhole of a well surface.

An implementation option 21, in accordance with option 20, is configured to receive in the socket an object directed from a location located downstream or closer to the bottom of the well.

Embodiment 22, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the surface interacting with the object is configured to minimize a contact area between the nest and the object.

Embodiment 23, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the surface interacting with the object is configured to create a linear or point interaction between the nest and the object.

Embodiment 24, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the object interacting surface is a portion of a curved convex surface.

Embodiment 25, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the surface interacting with the object is a half-toroidal surface.

Embodiment 26, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the surface interacting with the object has a d-shaped profile in longitudinal section.

An implementation option 27, in accordance with the variant according to any option 1-23, in which interacting with the object surface is a linearized convex surface.

An implementation option 28, in accordance with option 27, in which interacting with the object surface is a toroidal polyhedral surface.

An implementation option 29, in accordance with option 27 or 28, in which the surface interacting with the object is triangular in longitudinal section.

An implementation option 30, in accordance with option 2-29, in which interacting with the object surface is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

An implementation option 31, in accordance with option 23-30, configured to create one linear or point interaction with the object.

Embodiment 32, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, wherein the object-interacting surface is annular.

Embodiment 33, in accordance with an embodiment of any previous embodiment 1-30, configured to create a plurality of individual contact points with an object.

Embodiment 34, according to Embodiment 33, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of circumferentially or radially spaced components or segments.

Embodiment 35, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, configured to interact with a seal between an object and a socket.

Embodiment 36, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment 1-34, configured to bypass at least a portion of the fluid when an object and a socket are engaged.

Embodiment 37, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, configured to be lowered into the wellbore as part of a tubing string.

An implementation option 38, in accordance with the variant according to any option 2-37, in which the tubular body contains a wall and an axial hole.

An implementation option 38, in accordance with option 38, in which the axial hole is an axial flow passage.

An implementation option 40, in accordance with option 38 or 39, depending on option 37, in which the axial hole is configured to create a passage of a stream essentially adjacent to the axial passage hole of the pipe string.

Embodiment 41, according to an embodiment of any one of embodiments 2-40, wherein the tubular body comprises a transverse fluid flow passage.

An implementation option 42, in accordance with option 41, in which the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains at least one window.

An implementation option 43, in accordance with option 42, in which the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows.

An implementation option 44, in accordance with option 43, in which two or more windows are located around the circumference.

An implementation option 45, in accordance with option 43 or 44, in which two or more windows are located axially.

Embodiment 46, according to any one of Embodiments 2-45, wherein the receptacle has an inner diameter smaller than that of the tubular body.

Embodiment 47, in accordance with any one of Embodiments 2-46, wherein the receptacle is adjacent to / in the tubular body.

An implementation option 48, in accordance with any one of the options in which the socket contains an intermediate section.

An implementation option 49, in accordance with any one of options 2-48, in which the socket is integral with the tubular body.

An implementation option 50, in accordance with any one of options 2-48, in which the socket is connected to the tubular body.

Embodiment 51, in accordance with any one of the embodiments in which a socket is created connected to or formed on an opening element or sleeve operably connected to the tubular body.

An implementation option 52, in accordance with option 51, in which the socket has an inner diameter smaller than that of the hole element or sleeve.

An implementation option 53, in accordance with option 50 or 51, in which the socket is adjacent to / in the hole element or sleeve.

An implementation option 54, in accordance with option 51, 52 or 53, in which the tubular body and the hole element or sleeve together form a downhole tool for performing or providing work in the wellbore.

Embodiment 55, according to an embodiment of any one of embodiments 51-54, wherein the hole element or sleeve comprises a transverse fluid flow passage.

An implementation option 56, in accordance with option 55, in which the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains at least one window.

An implementation option 57, in accordance with option 56, in which the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows.

An implementation option 58, in accordance with option 56, in which two or more windows are located around the circumference.

An implementation option 59, in accordance with option 56, in which two or more windows are located axially.

Embodiment 60, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, comprising a chuck.

An implementation option 61, in accordance with option 60, in which the socket is made on a chuck or is formed by a chuck.

An implementation option 62, in accordance with option 60 or 61, in which interacting with the object surface is made on a chuck or connected to a chuck.

Embodiment 63, according to embodiment 60, 61, or 62, wherein the chuck comprises a plurality of chuck fingers, and a surface interacting with an object is formed on or connected to at least one of the chuck fingers.

An implementation option 64, in accordance with option 60-63, depending on option 2, in which the chuck is made on the tube body or connected to the tube body.

Embodiment 65, according to an embodiment of any one of Embodiment 60-63, depending on Embodiment 51, wherein the chuck is formed on, or connected to, an aperture, or bushing.

Embodiment 66, according to an embodiment of any one of embodiment 60-65, wherein the chuck is adapted to trap an object.

An implementation option 67, in accordance with option 66, in which the chuck is configured to trap the object to ensure that the work in the well.

An implementation option 68, in accordance with option 60-67, in which the chuck is configured to release the object.

Embodiment 69, in accordance with an embodiment of any preceding embodiment, in combination with an object.

An implementation option 70, in accordance with option 69, in which the object contains interacting with the socket surface.

An implementation option 71, in accordance with option 70, in which interacting with the socket surface is configured to minimize the contact area between the socket and the object.

An implementation option 72, in accordance with option 70 or 71, in which interacting with the socket surface is configured to create a linear or point interaction between the socket and the object.

An implementation option 73, in accordance with option 70, 71 or 72, in which interacting with the socket surface is a portion of a curved convex surface.

An implementation option 74, in accordance with option 70, 71 or 72, in which interacting with the socket surface is a linearized convex surface.

Embodiment 75, in accordance with an embodiment of any previous embodiment, operatively associated with at least one downhole tool.

Embodiment 76, in accordance with Embodiment 75, configured to pull a downhole tool to move the downhole tool from a first configuration to a second configuration.

Embodiment 77, in accordance with Embodiment 75, configured to push a downhole tool to move the downhole tool from a first configuration to a second configuration.

An implementation option 78, in accordance with option 75, 76 or 77, in which the downhole tool comprises a sleeve.

Embodiment 79, in accordance with an embodiment of any one of embodiments 75-78, wherein the downhole tool comprises a transverse fluid flow passage.

An implementation option 80, in accordance with option 79, in which the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains at least one window of the passage of the fluid.

An implementation option 81, in accordance with option 80, in which the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows.

An implementation option 82, in accordance with option 81, in which two or more windows are located around the circumference.

An implementation option 83, in accordance with option 81 or 82, in which two or more windows are located axially.

Embodiment 84, in accordance with an embodiment of any one of embodiments 75-83, wherein the at least one downhole tool comprises a socket.

Embodiment 85, according to Embodiment 84, wherein the plurality of downhole tools comprise a socket, and the sockets of at least two of the downhole tools are configured to receive an object of the same size.

Embodiment 86, according to embodiment 84 or 85, wherein the plurality of downhole tools comprise a socket, and the sockets of at least two of the downhole tools are configured to receive objects of not the same size.

Embodiment 87, according to an embodiment of any one of embodiments 75-86, wherein the at least one downhole tool comprises a chuck.

An implementation option 88, in accordance with option 87, in which the socket is formed by a chuck.

An implementation option 89, in accordance with option 88, in which interacting with the object surface is made on a chuck or connected to a chuck.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for constructing a downhole device, comprising:

creating a nest configured to receive an object;

and creating a convex interacting surface with the object in the nest.

An embodiment of a previous method for activating a downhole tool, comprising:

creating a downhole device according to the first aspect;

the engagement of the object with the socket, and the interaction between the object and the socket provides the supply of fluid pressure or the application of a differential pressure of the fluid to activate the downhole tool.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nest adapted to receive an object, the nest comprising a convex surface interacting with the object.

It is understood that the features defined above according to any aspect of the present invention or below for any particular embodiment of the invention can be applied either individually or in combination with any other specific feature, in any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other aspects of the present invention are described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the following is shown.

In FIG. 1A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 1A with an object in interaction with a nest.

In FIG. 1C shows a cross section of a device 1B with an object in interaction with a socket.

In FIG. 1D and 1E are longitudinal sections of the device of FIG. 1A-1C showing the application of the applied pressure to actuate a downhole tool operably associated with a device.

In FIG. 2A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 2A, an object is shown in interaction with a nest.

In FIG. 2C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 2A and 2B in the second position.

In FIG. 3A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 3B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 3A with an object in interaction with a nest.

In FIG. 3C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 3A and 3B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 4A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 4B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 4A with an object in interaction with a nest.

In FIG. 4C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 4A and 4B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 5A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 5B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 5A, an object is shown in interaction with a nest.

In FIG. 5C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 5A and 5B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 6A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 6B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 6A, an object is shown in interaction with a nest.

In FIG. 6C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 6A and 6B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 7A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 7B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 7A, an object is shown in interaction with a socket.

In FIG. 7C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 7A and 7B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 8A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 8B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 8A, an object is shown in interaction with a socket.

In FIG. 8C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 8A and 8B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 9A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 9B shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 9A, an object is shown in interaction with a socket.

In FIG. 9C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 9A and 9B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 9D shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 9A, 9B and 9C, the device is shown in a third position.

In FIG. 10A shows a longitudinal section of a device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the device is shown in a first position.

In FIG. 10B is a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 10A, an object is shown in interaction with a socket.

In FIG. 10C shows a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 10A and 10B, the device is shown in a second position.

In FIG. 10D shows a longitudinal section of the devices of FIG. 10A, 10B and 10C, the device is shown in a third position.

In FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of a power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1B with a segmented receptacle according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Drawings

In FIG. 1A-1E, a device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the device 10 forms part of the tubular string S, for example, a completion string, a launch string, a drill string or the like, the string S is suitable for installation in a wellbore, for example, an oil or gas wellbore B. The section of the shown string S includes a device 10, two sections S1, S2 of the pipe string and a downhole tool T, in operation, the apparatus 10 is used to activate the downhole tool T described below. In the embodiment shown, the downhole tool T is provided with a transverse fluid flow passage in the form of one or more side LP windows (one LP window is shown) and a stopper in the form of one or more safety plugs with a bursting disc, RD, are sealed in each side LP window . However, it is understood that tool T may be any suitable downhole tool, for example, shutoff valves, couplings, hydraulic fracturing tools, flow control or other pressure-driven tools.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 1A and 1B, device 10 has a tubular body 12 with an axial bore 14 configured to allow passage of an object, such as ball 16 (shown in FIG. 1B). The socket 18 is designed to receive the ball 16, the socket 18 has a first surface 20 facing the wellhead and a second surface 22 facing the bottom of the well. As shown in FIG. 1A and 1B, the first surface 20 is or forms a convex object-interacting surface 24 for interacting with the ball 16. In the shown embodiment, the entire first surface 20 is convex, however, it is understood that in other embodiments, only part of the first surface 20 can be convex. Also in the embodiment shown, the first surface 20 and the second surface 22 are integral in the tube body 12 and the intermediate portion 26 formed between the first surface 20 and the second surface 22. However, it is understood that the socket 18 may contain only the first surface 20 or the second the surface 22 and can be created without an intermediate part 24. The socket 18 may also be a separate component connected, mounted or otherwise installed in the passage opening 14 of the tube body 12.

As also shown in FIG. 1D and 1E, socket 18 forms a portion with a diameter smaller than that of the passage 14, and in operation, the ball 16 is reset, pumped or otherwise, is passed through the column S and the passage 14 until the ball 16 is inserted into the socket 18. In FIG. 1B-1E, the device 10 of FIG. 1A, with ball 16 locked in socket 18.

In this first embodiment, the device 10 is configured such that, when engaged between the ball 16 and the seat 18, the fluid passage is sealed or at least throttled downstream of the seat 18, increasing the upstream pressure P of the fluid, increasing upstream fluid pressure P is used to perform or ensure that work in the well is performed by activating tool T. For example, upstream pressures may exceed the threshold required for times yva safety element RD (elements), degradable at a predetermined pressure to the tool T to provide fluid communication between the bore 14 and the annular space located between the device 10 and the barrel wall W in the well.

In the work, the convex interacting surface 24 with the object creates an opposite, and not complementary or consistent interacting surface for mounting the ball 16 and creates a reduced or minimal contact surface, preferably linear or point contact, between the ball 16 and the socket 18, while preventing or at least while decreasing the possibility of seating or otherwise jamming the ball 16 in the seat 18. By preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating, pinching or otherwise jamming If the ball 16 is in the socket 18, the obstacle to passage created by the interaction of the ball 16 with the socket 18 can be removed when necessary. In the shown embodiment, the ball 16 can be removed by reverse circulation (from bottom to top, as shown in the figures) or by increasing the pressure P to a level that pushes the ball 16 through the socket 18.

It will be appreciated that socket 18 of the present invention can be used in various devices or downhole tools, and several alternative embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to FIG. 2A-12. To simplify the description, other components of column S are not shown.

In FIG. 2A, 2B and 2C, the device 210 according to the second embodiment is shown, the components in the device 210 are the same as the components of the first embodiment, are represented by the same numbers with the addition of the number 2. In FIG. 2A shows a longitudinal section of a device 210 in a first position. In FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal section of the device 210 with a ball 216 blocked in the socket 218. In FIG. 2C shows a longitudinal section of a device 210 in a second position.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A-2C, socket 218 is disposed on sleeve 28 slidably mounted in axial passage bore 214 of tube body 212. Sleeve 28 is held in the position shown in FIG. 2A with one or more clips, for example, but not exclusively, with a shear pin 30 or the like. In this embodiment, the tubular body 212 further comprises a transverse flow passage in the form of a side window 32, and in the first position shown in FIG. 2A, the passage of fluid through the side window 32 is prevented by the sleeve 28. The leakage of fluid between the sleeve 28 and the pipe body 212 is prevented by the sealing elements 34a, 34b installed in the recesses 36a, 36b provided in the pipe body 212. One or more sealing elements ( not shown) and one or more recesses (not shown) can also be made in the sleeve 28.

In operation, ball 216 (shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C) is reset, pumped, or otherwise advanced through column S and into opening 214 of tube body 212 prior to being inserted into socket 218, as shown in FIG. 2B. In this second embodiment, the device 210 is configured such that when engaged between the ball 216 and the socket 218, the passage of fluid through the pipe body 212 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure on the socket 218, a differential pressure of the fluid pressure PD , is used to perform or ensure that work is performed in the well, in this embodiment, cutting the shear pin 30 and moving the sleeve 28 relative to the pipe body 212 from the position shown in FIG. 2A to the position shown in FIG. 2C, in this position, access is provided to the side window 32 to allow fluid to pass between the passageway 214 and the annular space.

As in the first embodiment, in operation, the convex interacting surface 224 creates an opposed rather than complementary interacting surface for mounting the ball 216, and creates a reduced or minimal contact surface, preferably a line or contact point between the ball 216 and the socket 218, with thereby preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating or otherwise jamming the ball 216 in the seat 218. By preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating, pinching I or otherwise jamming the ball 216 in the socket 218, the obstacle to passage created by the interaction of the ball 216 with the socket 218 can be removed when necessary. In the shown embodiment, the ball 216 can be removed by reverse circulation (from bottom to top as shown in the figures) or by increasing the pressure drop PD to a level that allows the ball 216 to be forced through the socket 218.

In FIG. 3A, 3B and 3C, a device 310 according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown, the components in the device 310, the same as the components of the previous embodiment, are represented by the same numbers with the addition of the number 3. In FIG. 3A shows a longitudinal section of a device 310 in a first position. In FIG. 3B shows a longitudinal section of a device 310 with a ball 316 locked in a receptacle 318. FIG. 3C shows a longitudinal section of a device 310 in a second position.

The device 310 is similar to the device 210, the difference is that the sleeve 328 in this third embodiment also contains a transverse flow passage in the form of one or more side windows 38 (one window 38 is shown).

In operation, ball 316 is reset, pumped, or otherwise advanced through column S and into passage opening 314 of tubular housing 312 for insertion into receptacle 318. In this third embodiment, device 310 is configured so that when engaged between ball 316 and receptacle 318, it is hermetically closed or at least the fluid passage through the tube body 312 is throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure PD on the socket 318, the differential pressure of the fluid pressure PD is used to perform or ensure the work in the well e, in this embodiment shearing shear pin 330 and sleeve 328 moving relative to the tubular body 312 from the position shown in FIG. 3A to the position shown in FIG. 3C, in this position, the side window 38 of the sleeve 328 is aligned with the side window 332 of the tube body 312 to allow fluid to pass between the passage opening 314 and the annular space. As in the previous embodiment, fluid leakage between the sleeve 328 and the pipe body 312 is prevented by the sealing elements 334a, 334b installed in the recesses 336a, 336b made in the pipe body 312. One or more sealing elements (not shown) and one or more recesses ( not shown) can also be created in sleeve 328.

As in previous embodiments, in operation, the convex object-interacting surface 324 creates an opposed, rather than complementary, interacting surface for mounting the ball 316 and creates a reduced or minimal contact surface, preferably a line or contact point between the ball 316 and the receptacle 318, with this prevents or at least reduces the possibility of seating or otherwise jamming the ball 316 in the seat 318. By preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating I, pinching or otherwise jamming the ball 316 in the socket 318, the obstacle to passage created by the interaction of the ball 316 with the socket 318 can be removed when necessary. In the shown embodiment, the ball 316 can be removed by reverse circulation (from bottom to top as shown in the figures) or by increasing the pressure drop PD to a level that allows the ball 316 to be pushed through slot 318.

In FIG. 4A, 4B and 4C show a device 410 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, in this embodiment, the components in the device 410 are the same as the components of the previous embodiment, are represented by the same numbers with the addition of the number 4. In FIG. 4A shows a longitudinal section of a device 410 in a first position. In FIG. 4B shows a longitudinal section of a device 410 with a ball 416 locked in a slot 418. FIG. 4C shows a longitudinal section of a device 410 in a second position.

The device 410 is similar to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2A-2C, the difference is that the device sleeve 428 is connected to the downhole tool T. In the shown embodiment, the downhole tool T comprises a sleeve 40. The downhole tool T is located downstream or downstream from the socket 418, and the ball 416 is in operation discharged, pumped, or otherwise advanced through column S and into opening 414 of tube housing 412 for installation in receptacle 418, as shown in FIG. 4B. In this fourth embodiment, the device 410 is configured such that when engaged between the ball 416 and the socket 418, the fluid passage through the pipe housing 412 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure PD on the socket 418, wherein the differential pressure PD environment, is used to perform or ensure that work is performed in the well, in this embodiment, cutting the shear pin 430 and moving the sleeve 428 and sleeve 40 relative to the pipe body 412 from the position shown in FIG. 4A to the position shown in FIG. 4C, in this position, access is made to the side window 432 in the tube body 412, allowing fluid to pass between the passage 414 and the annular space. In this embodiment, the differential pressure PD is used to push the sleeve 428, tool T, sleeve 40 from the first position shown in FIG. 4A and 4B to the second position shown in FIG. 4C. As in previous embodiments, fluid leakage between the sleeve 428 and the pipe body 412 is prevented by sealing elements 434a, 434b installed in recesses 436a, 436b provided in the pipe body 412. One or more sealing elements (not shown) and one or more recesses (not shown) can also be created in bushings 428.

As in previous embodiments, in operation, the convex object-interacting surface 424 creates an opposed rather than complementary interacting surface for mounting the ball 416 and creates a reduced or minimal contact surface, preferably a line or contact point, between the ball 416 and the socket 418, with this prevents or at least reduces the possibility of seating or otherwise jamming the ball 416 in the seat 418. By preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating I, pinching or otherwise jamming the ball 416 in the socket 418, the obstacle to passage caused by the interaction of the ball 416 with the socket 418 can be removed when necessary. In the shown embodiment, the ball 416 can be removed by reverse circulation (from bottom to top as shown in the figures) or by increasing the pressure drop PD to a level that allows the ball 416 to be forced through the socket 418.

In FIG. 5A, 5B and 5C, a device 510 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown, components in a device 510 similar to the previous embodiments are represented by similar numbers with the addition of the number 5. In FIG. 5A shows a longitudinal section of a device 510 in a first position. In FIG. 5B shows a longitudinal section of a device 510 with a ball 516 locked in a slot 518. FIG. 5C shows a longitudinal section of a device 510 in a second position.

The device 510 is similar to the device 410 shown in FIG. 4A-4C, the difference is that the sleeve 528 also contains a transverse flow passage in the form of a side window 538.

In operation, ball 516 is discarded, pumped, or otherwise advanced through column S and into passage opening 514 of tube body 512 for mounting in socket 518. In this fifth embodiment, device 510 is configured so that when engaged between ball 516 and socket 518, it is hermetically closed or at least a fluid passage through the tubular body 512 is throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure at the socket 518, a differential pressure of the fluid pressure PD is used to perform or provide work in the well, Embodiment shearing shear pin 530 and moving sleeve 528 and the sleeve device 540 relative to the tubular tool body 512 from the position shown in FIG. 5A and 5B to the position shown in FIG. 5C, in this position, the side window 538 of the sleeve 528 is aligned with the side window 532 of the tubular body 512 to allow fluid to pass between the passageway 514 and the annular space. As in previous embodiments, fluid leakage between the sleeve 528 and the tube body 512 is prevented by the sealing elements 534a, 534b installed in the recesses 536a, 536b provided in the tube body 512. One or more sealing elements (not shown) and one or more recesses (not shown) can also be created in sleeve 528 or tool sleeve 540.

As in previous embodiments, in operation, the convex interacting surface 524 creates an opposed rather than complementary interacting surface for mounting the ball 516 and creates a reduced or minimal contact surface, preferably a line or contact point, between the ball 516 and the socket 518, while the possibility of seating or otherwise jamming the ball 516 in the seat 518 is prevented or at least reduced. By preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating , Pinching or otherwise jamming of the ball 516 in the socket 518, the obstruction to passage created by the interaction of the ball 516 with the socket 518 can be removed when required. In the shown embodiment, the ball 516 can be removed by reverse circulation (from bottom to top as shown in the figures) or by increasing the pressure drop PD to a level that allows the ball 516 to be pushed through the socket 518.

In FIG. 6A, 6B and 6C, a device 610 according to a sixth embodiment is shown, the components in the device 610 similar to the components of the previous embodiments are represented by similar numbers with the addition of the figure 6. In FIG. 6A shows a longitudinal section of a device 610 in a first position. In FIG. 6B shows a longitudinal section of a device 610, with a ball 616 locked in a receptacle 618. FIG. 6C shows a longitudinal section of a device 610 in a second position.

The device 610 is similar to the device 410 shown in FIG. 4A-4C, the difference is that the device 610 is connected to the downhole tool T located upstream or from the side of the wellhead from the socket 618, and in operation, the ball 616 is reset, pumped, or otherwise advanced through the string S and into the passage hole 614 of a tubular housing 612 for installation in a receptacle 618, as shown in FIG. 6B. In this sixth embodiment, the device 610 is configured such that when engaged between the ball 616 and the socket 618, the fluid passage through the pipe body 612 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure PD on the socket 618, wherein the differential pressure PD The medium is used to perform or ensure that work is performed in the well, in this embodiment, cutting the shear pin 630 and moving the device sleeve 628 and tool sleeve 640 relative to the pipe body 612 of the position shown in FIG. 6A and 6B to the position shown in FIG. 6C, in this position, access is made to the side window 632 in the tube body 612 to allow fluid to pass between the passage 614 and the annular space. In this embodiment, a fluid pressure differential PD is used to push tool T from the first position shown in FIG. 6A and 6B to the second position shown in FIG. 6C. As in previous embodiments, fluid leakage between the sleeve 628 and the tubular body 612 is prevented by sealing elements 634a, 634b mounted in recesses 636a, 636b provided in the tubular body 612. One or more sealing elements (not shown) and one or more recesses (not shown) can also be created in sleeve 628 or sleeve 640.

As in previous embodiments, in operation, the convex interacting surface 624 creates an opposed rather than complementary interacting surface for mounting the ball 616 and creates a reduced or minimal contact surface, preferably a line or contact point, between the ball 616 and the socket 618, with this prevents or at least reduces the possibility of seating or otherwise jamming the ball 616 in the seat 618. By preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating I, pinching or otherwise jamming the ball 616 in the socket 618, the obstacle to passage created by the interaction of the ball 616 with the socket 618 can be removed when necessary. In the shown embodiment, the ball 616 can be removed by reverse circulation (from bottom to top as shown in the figures) or by increasing the pressure drop PD to a level that allows the ball 616 to be forced through the socket 618.

In FIG. 7A, 7B and 7C, a device 710 according to a seventh embodiment of the invention is shown, components in the device 710 similar to the components of the previous embodiments are represented by similar numbers with the addition of the number 7. In FIG. 7A shows a longitudinal section of a device 710 in a first position. In FIG. 7B shows a longitudinal section of a device 710, with a ball 716 locked in a slot 718. FIG. 7C shows a longitudinal section of a device 710 in a second position.

The device 710 is similar to the device 610 shown in FIG. 6A-6C, the difference is that the sleeve 42 also contains a transverse flow passage in the form of a side window 738. In operation, the ball 716 is reset, pumped, or otherwise advanced through the column S and into the passage opening 714 of the tube body 712 for installation in the socket 718 as shown in FIG. 7B. In this sixth embodiment, the device 710 is configured so that when it engages between the ball 716 and the socket 718, the fluid passage through the tube body 712 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure at the socket 718, a differential pressure of the fluid pressure PD is used to perform or ensure that work is performed in the well, in this embodiment, cutting the shear pin 730 and moving the device sleeve 728 and tool sleeve 740 relative to the pipe body 712 from Ia, FIG. 7A and 7B to the position shown in FIG. 7C, in this position, the side window 42 of the sleeve 740 is aligned with the side window 732 of the tube body 712 to allow fluid to pass between the passage 714 and the annular space. In this embodiment, a fluid pressure differential PD is used to pull the sleeve 740 of the tool T from the first position shown in FIG. 7A and 7B to the second position shown in FIG. 7C. Fluid leakage between the sleeve 740 and the tubular body 712 is prevented by sealing elements 734a, 734b mounted in recesses 736a, 736b provided in the tubular body 712. One or more sealing elements (not shown) and one or more recesses (not shown) can also be created at sleeve 728.

As in previous embodiments, the convex object-interacting surface 724 creates an opposite, rather than complementary, interacting surface for mounting the ball 716 and creates a reduced or minimal contact surface, preferably a line or contact point, between the ball 716 and the socket 718, wherein the possibility of seating or otherwise jamming the ball 716 in the seat 718 is prevented or at least reduced. By preventing or at least reducing the possibility of seating , Pinching or otherwise jamming of the ball 716 in the socket 718, the obstruction to passage created by the interaction of the ball 716 with the socket 718 can be removed when required. In the shown embodiment, the ball 716 can be removed by reverse circulation (from bottom to top as shown in the figures) or by increasing the pressure drop PD to a level that allows the ball 716 to be forced through the socket 718.

In any or all of the above embodiments, in addition to eliminating or reducing the possibility of a ball in the socket, the device can also provide a higher level of regulation of the transfer of loads between the ball and the socket when they interact with other components of the device, or components functionally connected to the device, for example , but not exclusively, a downhole tool, pipe body, or surrounding wellbore. The interaction between the socket and the ball is configured so that the path of the loads of the resulting force transmitted to the socket can be adjusted or set to increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces by specific vectors to activate another component, or a component functionally connected to the device and / or to eliminate or weaken the driving forces. The transmission control of the load generating forces may additionally or alternatively provide optimization of part of the device or components operably connected to the device, since the redundancy required in the absence of transmission control of the load generating forces can be reduced or eliminated.

In FIG. 8A, 8B and 8C, a device 810 according to an eighth embodiment of the invention is shown, components in the device 810 and previous embodiments are represented by similar numbers with the addition of the number 8. In FIG. 8A shows a longitudinal section of a device 810 in a first position. In FIG. 8B shows a longitudinal section of a device 810, with a ball 816 blocked in a socket 818. FIG. 8C shows a longitudinal section of a device 810 in a second position.

The device 810 is similar to the device 210 shown in FIG. 2A-2C, the difference is that in this embodiment, the sleeve 828 comprises a chuck 44 having a plurality of chucks 46 spaced apart around the circumference of the fingers, with a socket 818 and a convex surface 824 interacting with the object being formed in the chuck fingers 46. In operation, ball 816 is discarded, pumped, or otherwise advanced through column S and into opening 814 of tube body 812 for installation in socket 818 formed in fingers 46 of the chuck. In this embodiment, the device 810 is configured such that when engaged between the ball 816 and the socket 818, the fluid passage through the pipe housing 812 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure at the socket 818, the differential pressure of the fluid pressure is used to perform or to ensure that work is performed in the well, in this embodiment, cutting the shear pin 830 and moving the sleeve 828 relative to the pipe body 812 from the position shown in FIG. 8A and 8B to the position shown in FIG. 8C, in this position, access is provided to the side window 832 to allow fluid to pass between the passage 814 and the annular space. As shown in FIG. 8C, in the second position, the fingers of the chuck 46 interact with the recess 48 of the fingers of the chuck and the ball 816 is released.

In addition to eliminating or reducing the possibility of a ball in the socket, in this embodiment, the device also provides a higher degree of control of the transmission of the load-generating forces between the ball 816 and the socket 818 during their interaction, as well as with other components of the device 810 or functionally associated with the components. The interaction between socket 818 and ball 816 is configured such that the path of the loads of the resulting force transmitted to socket 818 can be adjusted or set to increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces along a specific vector to activate another component of the device, or a component that is functionally connected with the device and / or elimination or weakening of the driving forces. The control of the transmission of the load-generating forces can additionally or alternatively provide optimization of a part of the device 810, or of the components functionally associated with the device 810, since the redundancy required otherwise without the transmission control of the load-generating forces can be reduced or eliminated.

In FIG. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, the device 910 according to the ninth embodiment is shown, the components in the device 910 are similar to the components in the above-described embodiments, the same numbers are added with the addition of the number 9. FIG. 9A shows a longitudinal section of a device 910 in a first position. In FIG. 9B shows a longitudinal section of a device 910 with a ball 916 locked in a socket 918. FIG. 9C shows a longitudinal section of a device 910 in a second position with a ball 916 locked in a socket 918. FIG. 9D shows a longitudinal section of the device 910 in the third position, where the ball 910 is released.

The device 910 is similar to the device 810 shown in FIG. 8A-8C, the difference is that in addition to providing selective access to the side window 932 while moving, the sleeve 928 with the chuck 942 pushes the downhole tool T, which may also include the sleeve 940. In operation, the ball 916 is reset, pumped or otherwise moves through the column S and into the passage opening 914 of the pipe body 912 for installation in the socket 918 formed in the fingers 944 of the chuck. In this embodiment, the device 910 is configured such that when engaged between the ball 916 and the socket 918, the fluid passage through the pipe body 912 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure on the socket 918, the differential pressure of the fluid pressure is used to perform or ensure that work is performed in the well, in this embodiment, cutting the shear pin 930 to move the sleeve 928, the chuck 944 relative to the pipe body 912 from the position shown in FIG. 9A and 9B to the position shown in FIG. 9C. Following the movement from the position shown in FIG. 9B to the position shown in FIG. 9C, the differential pressure PD of the fluid may decrease, as a result of which the device 910 moves from the position shown in FIG. 9C to the position shown in FIG. 9D, in this position, the device 910 retracts upstream or toward the wellhead under the action of a biasing member, spring, or the like. (represented by elastic force k), the chuck fingers 946 interacting with the chuck receiving fingers of the recess 948, now accessible by moving the tool sleeve 940 downstream / to the bottom of the well, and the ball 916 is released.

As in the previous embodiment, in addition to eliminating or reducing the possibility of a ball in the socket in this embodiment of the device 910, the convex surface 924 interacting with the object also provides a higher degree of regulation of the transmission of the load-generating forces between the ball 916 and the socket 918 during their interaction and others components of the device 910, or components functionally associated with it. For the interaction between the socket 918 and the ball 916, such a configuration is made that the path of the loads of the resulting force Fres transmitted to the socket 918 can be adjusted or set to increase or maximize the transmission of the forces creating the load along a specific vector to activate another component of the device or component, functionally associated with the device and / or the exclusion or weakening of the driving forces. The control of the transmission of the load-generating forces can additionally or alternatively optimize parts of the device 910, or components that are functionally related to the device 910, since the redundancy required otherwise in the absence of transmission control of the load-generating forces can be reduced or eliminated.

In FIG. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D, a device 1010 according to a tenth embodiment of the invention is shown, components in a device 1010 similar to those in the above-described embodiments are represented by similar numbers with the addition of 10. In FIG. 10A shows a longitudinal section of a device 1010, a device 1010 is shown in a first position. In FIG. 10B is a longitudinal section through a device 1010 showing a ball 1016 blocked in a first receptacle 1018a. In FIG. 10C shows a longitudinal section of the device 1010 in a second position in which the ball 1016 is locked in the second slot 1018b. In FIG. 10D shows a longitudinal section of the device 1010, the device 1010 is shown in the third position.

In this embodiment, the device 1010 comprises, or forms part of, the downhole tool T, the downhole tool T comprising a mechanical meter or incremental displacement device that can be used as a fluid diverting device. As shown, the tubular body 1012 comprises a plurality of recesses 1048a, 1048b, 1048c and 1048d receiving the fingers of a chuck, and in the shown embodiment, the device 1010 comprises two sleeves 1028a, 1028b, each of the sleeves 1028a, 1028b having a chuck 1044a, 1044b. Note that any suitable number of couplings 1028 can be created. The downhole tool T further comprises a sleeve 1040.

In operation, ball 1016 is flushed, pumped, or otherwise advanced through column S and into opening 1014 of tube housing 1012 for insertion into socket 1018 formed in fingers 1046 of the chuck of first sleeve 1028a. In the position shown in FIG. 10A, the fingers of the chuck 1046a of the first sleeve 1028a form a configuration to catch the ball 1016, and the fingers 1046b of the chuck of the second sleeve 1028b are locked in the third finger receiving chuck of the recess 1048c. The device 1010 is configured so that when it engages between the ball 1016 and the socket 1018 of the first sleeve 1028a, the fluid passage through the pipe body 1012 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure at the socket 1018, the differential pressure of the fluid pressure is used to moving the sleeves 1028a, 1028b and the sleeves 1040 relative to the tube body 1012 from the position shown in FIG. 10B to the position shown in FIG. 10C. In this position, the fingers of the clamping chuck of the first sleeve 1028a are blocked by the first finger-receiving chuck of the recess 1048a when the fingers 1046b of the chuck of the second sleeve 1028b have already moved from the receiving chuck of the recess 1048c and are in a configuration in which they can catch the ball 1016 when it is released from the first sleeve 1028a. The device 1010 is configured so that when it engages between the ball 1016 and the socket 1018b of the second sleeve 1028b, the fluid passage through the tube body 1012 is hermetically closed or at least throttled, which creates a differential pressure of the fluid pressure on the socket 1018b, the differential pressure of the fluid pressure is used to moving the sleeves 1028a, 1028b and the sleeves 1040 relative to the tube body 1012 from the position shown in FIG. 10C to the position shown in FIG. 10D. In this position, the fingers of the clamping chuck of the first sleeve 1028a have already moved from the receiving chuck of the recess 1048a, and the fingers 1046b of the chuck of the second sleeve 1028b are blocked in the fourth fingers receiving chuck of the recess 1048, in this position the ball 1016 is released.

As in the previous embodiments, in addition to eliminating or decreasing the possibility of the ball landing in the socket, in this embodiment, the device 1010 convex contacting the object surfaces 1024a, 1024b of the sockets 1018a, 1018b also provide a higher degree of regulation of the transmission of the load-generating forces between the ball 1016 and sockets 1018a, 1018b in interaction with other components of the device 1010 or components functionally associated with the device. The interaction between the sockets 1018a, 1018b and the ball 1016 is configured such that the path of the loads of the resulting force Fres transmitted to the sockets 1018 can be adjusted or set to increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces along a specific vector to activate another component of the device, or component, functionally associated with the device and / or the exclusion or weakening of the driving forces. The control of the transmission of the load-generating forces can additionally or alternatively provide optimization of a part of the device 1010, or of the components functionally connected to the device 1010, since the redundancy required otherwise if there is no transmission control of the load-generating forces can be reduced or eliminated.

In FIG. 11 shows that, as described above, in any or all of the proposed embodiments, in addition to eliminating or reducing the possibility of a ball landing in the socket, the device can also provide a higher degree of regulation of the transmission of the load-generating forces between the ball and the socket during their interaction, as well as other components devices or with components operably associated with the device, for example, but not exclusively, the downhole tool T, the tubular body, or the surrounding wellbore B. For the example of FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of a device 1110 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the transfer of forces in the interaction between the convex surface 1124 of the receptacle 1118 and a ball that is configured so that the path of the loads of the resulting force (Fres) from the radial force (Frad) and axial force (Fax) transmitted to the slot can be adjusted or set to increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces along a specific vector to activate another component of the device a solid, or component, functionally associated with the device and / or eliminating or weakening the driving forces. Alternatively or in addition, controlling the transmission of the load-generating forces may optimize part of the device, or components operably associated with the device, since the redundancy required otherwise in the absence of transmission control of the load-generating forces can be reduced or eliminated.

It is understood that the embodiments described herein are examples only and that various modifications thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the embodiments shown, the convex object-interacting surface or surfaces are circular and form a continuous surface, in alternative embodiments, as shown by way of example in FIG. 12, a convex object-interacting surface for receiving a ball 1216 may comprise several segments 1224a, b, c, d, or the like.

For example, although in the embodiment shown, the object is a ball, in other embodiments, the object may comprise a dart, a cork, or the like.

For example, although in some embodiments, the socket or parts thereof are integral in the tube body, in other embodiments, the socket or parts can be or are created as separate components.

Claims (68)

1. A downhole device or tool comprising: a nest configured to receive an object, the nest contains a surface that interacts with the object, the surface that interacts with the object is convex and contains several segments. 2. The device according to claim 1, containing a tubular housing or casing made with the possibility of passage of the object. 3. The device according to claim 1, in which the object is a ball. 4. The device according to claim 2, made with the possibility of one of the following: hermetically closing or at least throttling the fluid passage through the pipe body in the interaction between the object and the socket; hermetically closing or at least throttling the passage of the fluid through the tube body in the interaction between the object and the socket to increase the upstream fluid pressure; hermetically closing or at least throttling the passage of the fluid through the pipe body in the interaction between the object and the socket, increasing the upstream pressure of the fluid to perform or ensure that work in the well is performed. 5. The device according to claim 1, made with the possibility of the interaction of the socket and the object to adjust or select the path of the load from the resulting force transmitted to the socket. 6. The device according to claim 5, made with the possibility of the interaction of the socket and the object to adjust or select the path of the load from the resulting force transmitted to the socket, for at least one of the following: increase or maximize the transmission of the load-generating forces along a particular vector; increasing or maximizing the transmission of the load-generating forces along a particular vector to activate another component of the device or component functionally associated with the device; exclusion or weakening of driving forces. 7. The device according to claim 1, in which the surface interacting with the object is or forms part of at least one of the following: the surface of the socket facing upstream or to the wellhead; and facing downstream or to the bottom of the borehole surface of the nest. 8. The device according to claim 1, in which the surface interacting with the object is configured to create a linear or point interaction between the socket and the object. 9. The device according to claim 1, in which there is one of the following: the surface interacting with the object is a portion of a curved convex surface; the surface interacting with the object is a half-toroidal surface; the surface interacting with the object has a d-shaped profile in longitudinal section; the surface interacting with the object is a linearized convex surface; the surface interacting with the object is a toroidal polyhedral surface; the surface interacting with the object is triangular in longitudinal section. 10. The device according to claim 2, in which the surface interacting with the object is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 11. The device according to claim 1, in which the surface interacting with the object is annular. 12. The device according to claim 1, configured to create many separate points of contact with the object. 13. The device according to item 12, in which the segments of the nests are spaced around the circumference or radially. 14. The device according to claim 2, in which the tubular body comprises a transverse passage of fluid flow. 15. The device according to 14, in which there is at least one of the following: the transverse passage of the fluid stream comprises at least one window; the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows; two or more windows are arranged in a circle; two or more windows are axially arranged. 16. The device according to claim 2, in which the socket is made integral with the tube body. 17. The device according to claim 2, in which the socket is connected to the pipe body. 18. The device according to 17, which creates a socket connected to or made on the element of the hole or sleeve, functionally associated with the tube body. 19. The device according to p, in which the hole element or sleeve contains a transverse passage of fluid flow. 20. The device according to claim 19, in which there is at least one of the following: the transverse passage of the fluid stream comprises at least one window; the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows; the transverse passage of the fluid stream comprises a plurality of windows, two or more windows are arranged in a circle; the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows, two or more windows are axially arranged. 21. The device according to claim 1, containing a chuck. 22. The device according to item 21, in which the socket is made on a chuck or is formed by a chuck. 23. The device according to item 21 or 22, in which the surface interacting with the object is made on a chuck or connected to a chuck. 24. The device according to item 21, in which the chuck contains many fingers of the chuck, and interacting with the object surface is made on or connected to at least one of the fingers of the chuck. 25. The device according to claim 2, in which the device comprises a chuck and the chuck is made on the pipe body or connected to the pipe body. 26. The device according to p. 18, in which the device comprises a chuck and the chuck is made on the hole element or sleeve or connected to the hole element or sleeve. 27. The device according to item 21, in which there is at least one of the following: the chuck is capable of catching the object to ensure that work is performed in the well; the chuck is capable of releasing an object. 28. The device according to claim 1, in combination with an object. 29. The device according to claim 1, functionally associated with at least one downhole tool. 30. The device according to clause 29, in which there is at least one of the following: the downhole tool comprises a sleeve; the device is configured to pull or push the downhole tool to move the downhole tool from the first configuration to the second configuration. 31. The device according to clause 29, in which the downhole tool comprises a transverse passage of fluid flow. 32. The device according to p, in which there is at least one of the following: a transverse fluid flow passage comprises at least one fluid passageway; the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows; the transverse passage of the fluid stream comprises a plurality of windows, two or more windows are arranged in a circle; the transverse passage of the fluid stream contains many windows, two or more windows are axially arranged. 33. A method for constructing a downhole device, comprising: creating a socket configured to receive an object; and creating a surface interacting with the object in the nest, and the surface interacting with the object is convex and contains several segments. 34. A method of activating a downhole tool, comprising: the creation of a downhole device according to claim 1; the engagement of the object with the surface of the nest of the downhole device interacting with the object, the interaction between the object and the nest providing fluid pressure or applying a differential pressure of the fluid to activate the downhole tool. 35. The use of a downhole device according to claim 1 for preventing planting, jamming or jamming of an object in a nest.

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