US2719485A - Magnetic control devices - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 4, 1955 A. z. BENDAR 2,719,485

MAGNETIC CONTROL DEVICES Filed Jan. 9, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l ing /Y /X//l/ /X/ /r f/7Ur Z. BenQ/Of INVENTR. l

Oct. 4, 1955 A. z. BENDAR 2,719,485

MAGNETIC CONTROL DEVICES Filed Jan. 9, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alf/f A9 /7 ATTO/@Mfrs Oct. 4, 1955 Filed Jan. 9, 1950 A.Z.BENDAR MAGNETIC CONTROL DEVICES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Arf/wr Z BenQ/af HVVENTOR.

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Oct. 4, 1955 Filed Jan. 9, 1950 A. z. BENDAR MAGNETIC CONTROL DEVICES f-ZJU 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 B jfd /4 TTORNY United States Patent O MAGNETIC CNTROL DEVICES Arthur Z. Bendar, Denver, Colo., assignor to Eastman Oil Well Survey Company, Denver, Colo., a corporation of Delaware Application January 9, 1950, Serial No. 137,663

Claims. (Cl. 102-20) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in magnetic control devices and relates particularly to magnetic control devices for controlling the actuation of instruments, tools and apparatus within well bores.

Various types of instruments and apparatus are in general use in well bore operations and are ordinarily controlled in their actuation by some type of clock or timing mechanism which is pre-set prior to lowering of the instrument or apparatus within the Well bore and which causes actuation of the instrument or apparatus at the desired time. Examples of such instruments and apparatus are well survey instruments for recording inclination and direction of inclination, gun perforators and fluid bailcrs.

In time-controlled instruments or apparatus, the clock or timing mechanism is adjusted to permit a suiiicient time lapse before operation of the instrument whereby the instrument or other well apparatus may be properly positioned at the desired elevation within the well bore. If the estimated time for lowering is erroneously figured or if for some other reason the well apparatus is not in position at the time that the clock mechanism operates to actuate said apparatus the desired operation is not properly accomplished and the instrument must be rerun. In order to assure that the well instrument or apparatus is properly positioned, the usual procedure is to allow more time than is actually necessary to lower said instrument or apparatus into such position with the result that an actual waste of time occurs because of a waiting period before actual operation. Another disadvantage of the usual clock or timing mechanism is the expense of maintenance since the relatively small precision parts thereof are easily damaged by the excessive shock and jar occasioned by the lowering and raising of the instrument within the well bore.

lt is one object of the present invention to provide an improved control device for well instruments and apparatus which entirely eliminates any clock or timing mechanism for controlling the operation of the instrument or apparatus whereby the errors in recordings, as well as the disadvantages which are incident to the use of such clock or timing mechanism are obviated.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved control device for controlling the actuation of a well instrument or apparatus and having means actuated when the instrument or apparatus is landed in proper position within a Well bore for operating said instrument or apparatus, whereby positive operation of the survey instrument at the desired time is assured.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved magnetic control device for well instruments and apparatus wherein the control element may be utilized to close an electrical switch or may be employed to impart direct mechanical movement to a valve or other mechanism, whereby said device is universally applicable for use in controlling the operation of any type of well instrument, tool or apparatus which must be lowered to a desired position prior to operation thereof.

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Another object is to provide an improved magnetic control device, of the character described, which is so arranged that it may be actuated by a Wire line extending to the surface, by pump pressure, or by landing of the device and the well apparatus to which it is applied, in proper position within the well bore.

Still another object is to provide a magnetic control improved device of the character described, wherein a pair of telescoping or movable members function to control operation of an actuating element; said telescoping members including magnetic elements which are physically unconnected but which coact magnetically with each other to control the position of said actuating element whereby the necessity for a direct physical connection between the telescoping members is eliminated and sealing and other problems are thereby simpliiied.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described, wherein a magnetic element is connected with an actuator which controls operation of a well apparatus and also wherein the element and actuator are sealed against well pressures to prevent damage thereto, together with a second magnetic element movable relative to, but physically unconnected with, the tirst magnetic element to impart movement to said first magnetic element to operate the actuator and thereby operate the well apparatus.

Another object is to provide an improved magnetic control device which is particularly adapted for use with well survey instruments and which is so constructed that it may be actuated any desired number of times without removal from the well to operate the survey instrument successively and thereby provide check records which will verify the accuracy of the indications made and recorded by the instrument.

Still another object is to provide an improved magnetic control or actuating device for well apparatus which is so constructed that the well apparatus to which it is applied may be lowered on a wire line or may be dropped or go-deviled into final position within the well bore; the device being extremely rugged in construction and including a minimum number of Working parts, whereby it will withstand the excessive jar and shock occasioned by rapid lowering and raising Within the well bore.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features thereof.

The invention Will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specication and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and where- 1n:

Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a magnetic control device, constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the same applied to a well survey instrument,

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of the improved device illustrating the same controlling actuation of a switch apparatus with the switch in circuitopening position,

Figure 3 is a similar View with the switch in circuitclosing position,

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional'view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modified form of the invention,

Figure 7 is a sectional detail of a modification illustrating a time delay mechanism connected in the electrical circuit,

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the magnetic control device actuating a mechanical, rather than an electrical type survey instrument,

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the device controlling operation of a valve mechanism,

Figure l is a view, similar to Figures 8 and 9, illustrating the device controlling operation of an explosive, and

Figure ll is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the invention, wherein the device is operated by pump pressure.

In Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, the magnetic control or actuating device or apparatus comprising this invention and generally indicated at A is illustrated as controlling the operation of a well survey instrument while in Figures 9 to l1 it is shown as controlling other types of apparatus. The invention resides in the device A and since it may be employed for controlling any desired instrument or apparatus, it is not to be limited to the various instruments and apparatus which are shown and described herein as examples of the application of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the letter B designates a well survey instrument which may be of any desired construction but which is illustrated as the usual drift indicator well survey instrument. The instrument is adapted to provide an indication or record of the inclination or deviation of a well bore and includes an instrument casing 10 having a tubular plumb bob 11 mounted in its lower portion. The plumb bob is suspended above a record disc 12 which is constructed of printing out paper and an electrical lamp or bulb 13, positioned above the plumb bob, is arranged to direct a light beam downwardly through the plumb bob onto the record disc. The plumb bob has suitable lenses 14 therein for focusing the light beam onto the record disc and when the instrument casing 10 is disposed in a vertical plane the plumb bob hangs vertically to project the light beam onto the center of the disc; any inclination of the instrument from the vertical will cause the universally mounted plumb bob which maintains a vertical position to direct the light beam olf-center of the record disc 12 and thus the record formed on the disc 12 will indicate the degree of deviation or inclination of the instrument.

The power source for illuminating the lamp 13 is a dry cell'battery 15 which is mounted in the upper portion of the instrument casing 10, the lower contact of said battery engaging the socket end of the bulb. When the upper contact 15a of the battery is electrically connected to ground, the circuit to the lamp 13 is closed to illuminate the lamp and cause a beam to be directed onto the record disc. The well survey instrument casing 10 is provided with a closure collar 16 which is threaded into said casing and the lower portion of an electrical insulating stem or rod 17 having a conductor wire 18 therein extends through the bore of said collar. The lower end of the electrical conductor wire 18 has connection with a contact 15a which engages the upper contact of the battery 15 while the upper end of said wire is connected to an axial contact prong 19. The instrument B is mounted within the usual outer protective barrel 20 which has its lower end closed by a plug or closure 21 and the upper end of the barrel projects upwardly for some distance beyond the upper end of the instrument.

As has been stated, the particular instrument B is described merely for the purposes of illustration and any of the well known survey instruments now in general use may be substituted therefor. So long as the instrument B is electrically operated the improved magnetic control device hereinafter described may be employed therewith.

In carrying out the present invention the magnetic control or actuating device A is adapted to be connected with the outer barrel 20 within which the survey instrument is mounted and includes a tubular body 22 having its lower end connected by a coupling 23 with the upper end of the instrument barrel. The coupling 23 is threaded into the upper end of the barrel and the joint at this connection is sealed by a suitable O ring packing 24. The insulating rod or stem 17 having the electrical conductor 18 therein extends through the axial bore 23a of the coupling 23 and the upper contact prong 19 is located immediately above the coupling in the lower portion of the tubular body 22 of the control apparatus A. A suitable centering collar 25 surrounding the upper portion of the rod or stem 17 maintains the same axially aligned within the bore of the coupling 23.

A supporting element or block 26 is threaded within the lower portion of the tubular body 22 above the upper end of the coupling 23 and is formed with a tubular housing 27 (Figure 2) projecting axially and upwardly therefrom. A suitable seal ring 26a seals the joint between the upper end of the coupling and the supporting block. The housing 27 is preferably made integral with the element 26 and is constructed of a non-magnetic material. The bore 28 of the tubular housing 27 is closed at its upper end while the lower end of said bore communicates with a central cavity 29 formed within the supporting element 26. The lower portion of the cavity 29 is enlarged as indicated at 30 and a switch block 31 is mounted within this enlarged lower portion of the cavity.

As is clearly shown in Figure 4 the switch block 31 is circular in cross-section and is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses within which the lower portions of switch contact arms or elements 33 and 34 are mounted. The contact arms are formed of metallic spring metal and are secured to the block by a single diametrically extending bolt 35 with the bolt being insulated from the switch arm 34 by an insulating collar or bushing 34a. When in a normal position the contact arms are as shown in Figure 2, with their upper portions curved inwardly and spaced from each other in diametrically opposed relationship. The contact arm 33 has an angular extension 33a at its lower end and said extension overlies the under side of the block and is engaged with the upwardly directed contact prong 19 of the conductor 18, whereby an electrical connection is provided between the prong and contact arm. The second contact arm 34 has electrical connection through a curved contact spring 36 with the metallic body of the supporting element 26, the curved contact spring being mounted on the insulating bushing 34a adjacent the arm 34 and being retained on said bushing by the head of the bolt 35.

Since the contact arms 33 and 34 are metallic it will be evident that when a metallic connection is made between said arms the electrical circuit to the illuminating lamp 13 of the well survey instrument will be closed since connection of the switch arms will connect one side of the battery 15 to ground. The connection of one side of the battery 15 to ground is accomplished through the conductor 1S, contact prong 19, contact arm 33, contact arm 34 and the curved spring contact 36 which engages the metallic supporting element 26.

For making and breaking the electrical contact between the diametrically opposed contact arms 33 and 34 a contact plunger 37 which is constructed of non-magnetic material is mounted within the tubular housing 27 and has its lower portion projecting downwardly into the cavity 29 within the supporting element 26. The lower portion of the plunger is formed with an annular recess 38 which when the plunger is in its lowered position (Figure 2) is disposed opposite the upper ends of the contact arms 33 and 34; in such position of the plunger there is no electrical connection between the contact arms and the circuit is open. When the contact plunger 37 is moved upwardly within the housing 27, as will be explained, the enlarged head portion 37a at the lower end of the plunger which is that portion formed below the annular recess 38 moves upwardly into engagement with the inwardly directed upper ends of the Contact arms 33 and 34 (Figure 3) and a physical electrical connection between the contact arms 33 and 34 is made. At such time a grounding of the circuit which actuates the survey instrument B is effected and said survery instrument is thereby operated.

For controlling the movement of the contact plunger 37 so that the circuit may be closed when desired, said plunger is provided with an axial bore 39 and a cylindrical magnet 4) is mounted within this bore. The magnet has a press t and is immovably mounted within the bore of the plunger so that any movement of the magnet imparts movement to the plunger. The magnetic lines of forces extend longitudinally of or parallel to the axis of the cylindrical magnet 40 and as illustrated the north pole of the magnet is disposed at the upper end thereof. The magnet 40 provides the force for imparting movement to the contact plunger 37 and said plunger magnet is adapted to be controlled by a second actuating magnet 41 which is movable relative thereto. The magnet 41 is preferably in the form of an annular collar and is magnetized with the magnetic lines of force extending parallel to the axis with the south pole of said actuating magnet at its lower end. It is noted that the magnet 41 may be annular or if desired two or more cylindrical magnets may be substituted for the single collar-type magnet.

The actuating magnet 41 is mounted within the lower end of a non-magnetic sleeve 42 which is formed with a female thread 43 at its upper end. The lower end of an operating mandrel 44 is threaded into the sleeve and said mandrel is slidable through the bore 45 of a flanged cap or closure 46 which is secured within the upper end of the tubular body 22. The upper end of the mandrel 44 has connection with a weight or sinker bar 47, which bar is suspended from a lowering line or cable 48.

It will be evident that the non-magnetic carrier sleeve 42 within which the actuating magnet 41 is mounted and which is connected to the mandrel 44 provides an enlargement on the lower end of the mandrel and its upper end is adapted to be engaged by the lower end 46a of the closure or cap 46 in the upper end of the body. Thus, the weight of the tubular body 22 of the apparatus A, together with the weight of the barrel and well survey instrument will normally be supported from the sleeve 42, and therefore, during lowering of the apparatus, the instrument B and the control switch apparatus A are suspended from the mandrel 44. In such position the annular actuating magnet 41 is raised with respect to the cylindrical magnet 40 within the contact plunger (Figure 2), and the north pole of the actuating magnet is closer to the north pole of the plunger magnet 40 than is the south pole of the actuating magnet. Since like poles repel each other, the actuating magnet 41 will function to urge the plunger magnet 4t) downwardly to maintain the contact plunger in the position shown in Figure 2, which is the circuit-opening position. Of course, it is evi-dent that the south pole of the actuating magnet is also attracting the north pole of thel plunger magnet and is at the same time repelling thea south pole of said plunger magnet. The position of the magnets is such that the repelling forces plus the attracting forces are combined to hold the plunger 37 in a lowered position.

The lower portion of the mandrel 44 is bored out to provide an axial bore 49 and lateral relief ports 50 extending from the upper end of this bore communicate with slots 50a formed in the upper edge portion of the carrier sleeve 42. The tubular housing 27 within which the contact plunger is mounted has a loose fit within the bore of the actuating magnet 41 and also within the bore 49 to permit free sliding movement thereof as the actuating magnet and mandrel telescope said housing. Fluid outlet ports 51 are provided in the tubular body 22 below the lower end 46a of the closure 46 and communicate through the slots 50a with the relief ports 5t) in the mandrel. Similar uid outlet ports 52 extend through the wall of the body 22 just above the supporting element 26 and communicate with the interior of the body below the carrier sleeve 42. With this arrangement the uid may circulate freely within and through the upper portion of the body 22 as the mandrel 44, sleeve 42 an-d actuating magnet 41 telescope within said body. lt is noted that the plunger magnet 40 which is mounted within the tubular housing as well as the contact arms 33 and 34 are completely sealed against the fluid within the well bore and are thereby protected against contact with said iluid.

In the operation of the device the parts are assembled as illustrated in Figure l with the survey instrument B being mounted within its barrel 20. The tubular body 22 of the magnetic control of actuating device A is connected to the barrel by the coupling 23 and the apparatus is suspended from the mandrel 44, such suspension being effected by the engagement of the lower end 46a of the upper closure 46 with the upper end of the sleeve 42. The mandrel 44 as has been explained has connection with a suitable weight bar which in turn is suspended from the lowering line or cable 48. With the parts in this position the north pole of the plunger magnet 40 above the horizontal center of the actuating magnet is closer to the north pole of said actuating magnet 41, whereby the repelling force of the like poles plus the attracting force of the south pole of the actuating magnet 41 to the north pole of the plunger magnet will maintain the plunger in the lower position. Thus, the contact arms 33 and 34 are disposed opposite the annular recess 38 in the contact plunger and there is no electrical connection between said arms. It is again noted that the housing 27 within which the plunger magnet is mounted as well as the carrier sleeve 42 are constructed of non-magnetic material so that the function of the magnets is not impaired.

The apparatus is lowered downwardly through the well bore until the lower plug 21 of the instrument barrel strikes the bottom of the well bore or engages a bridger plate within the well pipe or drill string (not shown) and at such time further lowering of the barrel 20 and body 22 is halted. By slacking oh on the lowering line 48 the weight bar 47 will telescope the mandrel 44 into the body 22 of the device A and thereby cause the sleeve 42 which carries the actuating magnet 41 to move downwardly within the body. Any uid within the body below the sleeve 42 may readily escape through the outlets 52.

As the actuating magnet 41 moves downwardly with respect to the plunger magnet 40 the south pole of the actuating magnet will move downwardly to a position below the south pole of the plunger magnet and since like poles repel and unlike poles attract, the plunger magnet 40 will be moved upwardly and will thereby move the contact plunger 39 upwardly within the bore 2S of the housing 27 to the position shown in Figure 3. In such position the head 37a of the contact plunger will be moved between the contact arms 33 and 34 to make an electrical connection between the said contact arms. As explained the electrical connection between the contact arms connects one side of the battery 15 of the well survey instrument to ground to close the electrical circuit to the lamp 13 to actuate the survey instrument. It is apparent that the circuit will remain closed so long as the slack is maintained in the line 48 and thus the operator at the surface may control the length of time that the lamp 13 of the survey instrument remains lighted.

After sucient time has elapsed to make a record on the survey instrument record disc 12 an upward pull is exerted on the line 48 and such pull will result in an upward movement of the mandrel 44, sleeve 42 and actuating magnet 41 relative to the body 22 of the device A, and also relative to the plunger magnet 40. As the actuating magnet 41 moves upwardly, opposite and then past the plunger magnet 40 the north pole of the actuating magnet moves opposite and then above the north pole of the plunger magnet and functions to repel said magnet and thereby move the contact plunger 37 back to its lowermost position, whereby the switch arms 33 and 34 are again disposed opposite the annular recess 38 in the contact plunger to open the electrical circuit. If desired, the mandrel and actuating magnet 41 may again be telescoped inwardly of the body 18 to repeat the operation and cause a second record to be made after which the contact plunger will again be moved downwardly to circuit-opening position. In this manner a check record may be made to verify the accuracy of the tirst record with the control being from the surface through the lowering line 4S.

Following actuation of the survey instrument and return of the contact plunger to its lowermost position, as above described, a continued lifting on the line 48 will cause the upper end of the sleeve 42 which is connected to the mandrel 44 to engage the lower end 46a of the closure 46 and subsequent upward movement of the line will retrieve the apparatus from the well bore. It is thus evident that the line 48 functions not only as a lowering and raising line but also operates as the control means for controlling the operation of the control device A. The use of the magnets provides for a positive operation of the electrical switch and yet permits the contact elements of the switch, which in this case are the arms 33 and 34 and the plunger 37, to be fully protected against contact with the uid within the well bore.

As shown in Figures 1 through 5, upward movement of the contact plunger 37 closes the electrical circuit while downward movement thereof opens the circuit. However, it is evident that the apparatus may be operated in a reverse manner so as t close the circuit with the plunger lowered and to open said circuit with the plunger raised. To permit such operation a plunger 37 (Figure 6) is substituted for the plunger 37 and is formed with a reduced extension 37b on its lower end. With the plunger 37' in a lowered position the contact arms 33 and 34 engage the outer surface of the plunger and an electricalconnection is made therebetween. When the mandrel and actuating magnet 41 are telescoped inwardly of the body the plunger 37 is moved upwardly to dispose the reduced extension 37b between the contact arms 33 and 34 whereby the electrical circuit therebetween is opened. It will be evident that the modification shown in Figure 6 operates in an identical manner and would be applicable to other types of survey instruments where it is desirable that the circuit be opened in order to cause the instrument to operate. In both instances the magnetic coupling principle between the actuating magnet 41 and the plunger magnet 40 is employed to impart movement to the contact plunger and to assure the maintenance of the plunger in its two positions. The contact plunger as well as its magnet and the other contact elements of the switch may all be housed so as to be fully protected from contact from any uid within the well bore. The device is extremely simple and its only moving part exposed to uid within the well bore is the actuating magnet 41 which obviously is extremely rugged and capable of withstanding such fluid.

As has been noted the control or actuating device A may be employed with any electrically operated well survey instrument and the particular instrument B which is illustrated and described herein is merely for the purpose of showing one application of the device. The use of the magnets eliminates the provision of parts which may be subjected to excessive wear and with the contact arms and plunger protected from the well uids, the apparatus will operate for long periods of time without any maintenance costs.

As above described, the control or actuating device is adapted to be lowered into the well bore by the wire line or cable 48 and is arranged to be controlled in its operation by manipulation of said line. In some instances, it may be desirable to drop or go-devil the device to etect operation of the same when the device has been landed in proper position. In Figure 7 a slight modification of the device is illustrated which would permit the same to be dropped or go-deviled within a well bore. In this form, a coil spring 6i) is interposed between the sinker bar 47 and the upper end of the cap or closure 46 and said spring has a sufficient strength to normally maintain the mandrel extended or in an upper position with respect to the body 42 during a lowering movement of the assembly through well uid, whereby the switch arms 33 and 34 are disposed opposite the annular recess 3S of the contact plunger 37. Thus, when the device is dropped downwardly through the well bore the spring 66 will prevent the instrument barrel 20 from moving upward due to the rapid rate of descent in a buoyant or heavy mud or uid and will thereby maintain the magnets 40 and 41 in a position holding the plunger lowered and the electrical circuit open. Upon striking bottom or a suitable landing plate (not shown) within the well bore the instrument and the tubular body 22 is halted and the weight and inertia of the sinker bar and mandrel 44 moves the actuating magnets 41 downwardly whereby the contact plunger 37 is pulled upwardly magnetically to close the electrical circuit. In this case, an electrical timing device 61 of any suitable construction is mounted within a cavity 23b formed in the coupling 23 and is connected in the electrical circuit. When the switch arms 33 and 34 are electrically connected by the plunger 37, the circuit to the timing device 61 is closed and after a predetermined time lapse the timing device 61 will close the circuit to the survey instrument; the timing device will also reopen the circuit after a predetermined lapse of time suicient to make the record.

It `will be evident that with the form shown in Figure 7 the control device may be dropped into position and a record made and said device may then be retrieved either when the drill pipe or string (not shown) is removed from the well bore or by means of the usual retrieving tool (not shown) which is lowered by a wire line. In this case, movement of the actuating magnet 41 with respect to the plunger magnet 4t) is effected by the weight and inertia of the assembly above the mandrel 44 when the body 22 is halted in its movement.

The control device A need not be employed for controlling an electrical circuit and as shown in Figure 8 the device may be employed for effecting a mechanical movement. In this application of the device a mechanical marking type of well survey instrument C is illustrated, this instrument being substituted for the instrument B of Figure l. The instrument comprises an upstanding plumb bob 62 having a slidable carrier 63 movable with respect thereto. A record disc 64 is mounted in the under side of the carrier and when said carrier is moved relative to the plumb bob a marking pin 65 on the upper end of the plumb bob will mark the disc.

The plunger 37 of the tirst form of the invention is replaced by a cylindrical plunger 137 which has the magnet 40 mounted in its upper portion. A link 66 has its upper end pivoted to the lower end of the plunger with its lower end pivoted to an operating lever 67. A link 68 connects the lever 67 with the stem 69 of the disc carrier 63.

In the operation of this form, which is identical to the form heretofore described so far as the actuating magnet 41 and the plunger magnet 40 is concerned, the plunger is normally in its lowermost position as the device is lowered through the well bore. When the actuating magnet 41 is f moved downwardly relative to the plunger magnet 40 either by means of a wire line or by an inertia operation such as shown in Figure 7, the magnets 40 and 41 coact to lift the plunger 137 and thereby swing the lever 67. Such swinging of the lever moves the disc carrier 63 downwardly into contact with the marking pin 65 of the upstanding plumb bob 62 whereby a record of inclination is obtained. It is evident that in this form the magnetic control or actuating device A is employed to impart a direct mechanical movement to the record carrier.

The invention is not limited in its application to well survey instruments and in Fig. 9 a modification is shown wherein operation of a valve is controlled by the magnets 40 and 41. In this form a coupling 123 is substituted for the coupling 23 and has longitudinal flow ports 124 and 125 connected at their upper ends by a transverse passage 126. A valve seat 127 is formed within the passage and is arranged to be engaged by a conical valve member 128 which is formed on the lower end of an operating plunger 237. The plunger 237 is substituted for the plunger 37 of the form shown in Figure 1 and for the plunger 137 in the form shown in Figure 8.

Normally the plunger is in its lowered position, as shown in Figure 9, engaging the valve seat and closing flow from the passages 124 to the passages 125. Upon relative movement of the actuating magnet 41 with respect to the plunger magnet 40, the plunger 237 is lifted to disengage its valve 128 from the valve seat 127 and thereby permit a flow between the longitudinal passages 124 and 125. A valve such as illustrated in Figure 9 would be adaptable for controlling the discharge of fiuid from a bailer device or other well apparatus.

Another application of the control or actuating device is illustrated in Figure l wherein an elongate plunger 337 is substituted for the plunger 37 of the first form. A coupling 223 is substituted for the coupling 23 and has a transverse passage 224 provided with a cartridge 225 in one end thereof. A firing pin 226 having a spring 227 constantly urging the pin toward the cartridge is confined in the opposite end of the passage. An axial bore 228 intersects the transverse passage 224 and has the lower portion of the plunger 337 movable therein. The extreme lower end of the plunger is adapted to engage and confine the firing pin 226 so that normally said firing pin is held within its end of the transverse passage 224.

The operation of this form is obvious since normally the plunger 337 is held in a lowered position by the coaction between the actuating magnet 41 and the plunger magnet 40. Upon downward movement of the actuating magnet 41 relative to the plunger magnet 4@ the plunger 337 is raised and is moved out cf the path of the firing pin 226 whereby the spring 227 may drive the firing pin into the cartridge 225 to fire the same. Obviously, the control device A will function efciently to control firing of the cartridge 225 at the desired time. 1t is evident that lowering may be accomplished either by the wire line or cable 48 of Figure l or by a go-deviling operation with the structure illustrated in Figure 7.

In addition to actuating the device A by means of the wire line or by the weight and inertia developed by go-deviling or dropping the device, operation may be effected by pump pressure and such arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1l. In this modification a main body 122 similar to the body 22 is provided and carrier sleeve 42 slidable within the body has connection through a stem 70 with an enlarged head 71 which is preferably a flexible rubber disc. The sleeve carries the actuating magnet 41 and telescopes the tubular housing 27 within which a plunger 437 is mounted. The tubular housing 27 extends upwardly from a supporting block 126 similar to the block 26 which is threaded into the housing. A spring 72 surrounds the tubular housing 27 and normally maintains the carrier sleeve 42 in a raised position with respect to the tubular housing 27 within which the actuating plunger 437 is mounted.

The enlarged head 71 is normally disposed in the restricted portion 73 of the bore 74 of a drill stem D and in such position the plunger 437 is lowered. The body 122 may be supported within the drill stern D in any suitable manner as by a spider support 75. When the device is to be actuated a pump pressure is applied to the head 71 and since the head is within the restricted area 73 of the drill stern bore, the head and sleeve 42 are moved downwardly against the pressure of the spring 72; obviously, as the actuating magnet 41 moves with respect to the plunger magnet 40 the actuating plunger 437 is lifted. This plunger may be connected to any suitable device to and the mechanism which it controls is therefore readily be operated such as an electrical switch, valve or gun perforator. As the head 71 moves downwardly and out of the restricted portion 73 of the bore 74 of the drill stem, the restriction to the flow of fiuid through the bore of the drill stem is removed and fluid may by-pass downwardly around the body 122 of the assembly. So long as pressure is applied it will be evident that the sleeve 42 will remain in its lowered position and the plunger 437 will be raised. When pump pressure is released the spring '72 will return the sleeve 42 to its raised position whereby the actuating plunger 437 will be returned to its normal lower position. f p

From the foregoing it will be evident that the control or actuating device A may be employed with any type of instrument or apparatus. The operation is positive since the magnets will coact with each other to impart movement to the control element or plunger. It is not necessary to physically connect the magnets and therefore sealing off of the plunger magnet, together with its associated parts, is simplified and the operating plunger protected from contact with the well fluids.

As many possible embodiments may be made of lthe invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A magnetic control device for well apparatus including, a tubular body, an electrical switch mounted in 'the body and comprising a switch blade and a contact plunger which is movable relative to the switch blade to circuit-closing or circuit-opening position, movable magnetic means connected with the contact plunger, a support telescopically connected with the tubular body, and a magnetic element carried by the support and movable in a path longitudinally of the magnetic means to cause the combined repulsion and attraction forces of both magnets to impart movement to the magnetic means and the Contact plunger in accordance with the position of the support with respect to the tubular body.

2. A magnetic control device for a well apparatus including, a tubular body, a supporting element within the lower portion of the body having a cavity therein, a tubular housing projecting upwardly from the cavity and having a closed upper end, a contact arm mounted in the cavity, a contact plunger movable within the tubular housing and having its lower end movable relative to the switch arm to engage and disengage the same, a magnet connected with the plunger and confined within the housing, a support telescopically connected with the tubular body of the apparatus, and an actuating magnet carried by the support and disposed within the body for co-acting with the magnet connected with the plunger, whereby movement is imparted to the plunger magnet and plunger in accordance with the position of the support relative to the tubular body.

3. The combination with an electrically operated well survey instrument, of a magnetic control device comprising a pair of telescoping members each having a magnet therein and movable therewith, means for moving one of said telescoping members and its magnet with respect to said other magnet between two extreme positions, said other magnet being mounted for relative free movement between two positions due to repulsion and attraction forces which are dependent upon the position of said movable telescoping member and its magnet, one of the poles of one magnet being disposed intermediate the poles of the other magnet when said magnets are in either of their extreme positions relative to the other, switch operating means carried by said magnet which has relative free movement, and an electrical switch means connected in the electrical circuit of the survey instrument and actuated by the switch operating means which is operated by the movement of one of the magnets relative to the other.

4. A magnetic actuating device including, a tubular body, an axial housing mounted axially within the body, an operating plunger slidable within the housing, a magnet secured to the plunger, a carrier telescopically slidable within the body with respect to the tubular housing between an extended position and a telescoped position, an actuating magnet mounted within the carrier, whereby movement of the carrier within the housing imparts a movement of the actuating magnet relative to the plunger magnet, and means for limiting the movement of the carrier within the body to locate one of the poles of the actuating magnet intermediate the poles of the plunger magnet when the carrier is at the limits of its movement, whereby the co-acting repulsion and attraction magnetic forces of both magnets are utilized to impart movement to the plunger, means for limiting the outward movement of the carrier relative to the body whereby the carrier and body are interconnected while allowing a limited sliding movement of the carrier longitudinally of the body, and means for connecting the carrier to a exible line whereby said line may be utilized to lower the device within a well bore and to control the sliding movement of said carrier with respect to the housing.

5. A magnetic actuating device including, a tubular body, an axial housing mounted axially within the body, an operating plunger slidable within the housing, a magnet secured to the plunger, a carrier telescopically slidable within the body with respect to the tubular housing between an extended position and a telescoped position, an actuating magnet mounted within the carrier, whereby movement of the carrier within the housing imparts a movement of the actuating magnet relative to the plunger magnet, and means for limiting the movement of the carrier within the body to locate one of the poles of the actuating magnet intermediate the poles of the plunger magnet when the carrier is at the limits of its movement, whereby the co-acting repulsion and attraction magnetic forces of both magnets are utilized to impart movement to the plunger, means for limiting the outward movement of the carrier relative to the body whereby the carrier and body are interconnected while allowing a limited sliding movement of the carrier longitudinally of the body, and resilient means for normally maintaining the carrier in an extended position relative to the body, whereby said carrier may undergo movement when the device is dropped within a well bore and the body suddenly arrested to permit the inertia of the carrier to overcome the force of the resilient means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 1,951,638 Walker Mar. 20, 1934 2,103,475 Lindsly Dec. 28, 1937 2,161,557 Clark June 6, 1939 2,246,319 Ring June 17, 1941 2,261,349 Edelman Nov. 4, 1941 2,264,058 Vigren Nov. 25, 1941 2,371,511 Faus Mar. 13, 1945 2,405,127 Beach Aug. 6, 1946 2,419,942 Brewer May 6, 1947 2,424,358 Kothny July 22, 1947 2,445,047 Turechek July 13, 1948 2,463,795 Neuzerling Mar. 8, 1949 2,483,717 Zacek Oct. 4, 1949 2,544,979 Brokaw et al Mar. 13, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 237,269 Switzerland Aug. 16, 1945

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