Tool catcher system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11162318-B2
Application number	US-201916569423-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 12, 2019
Priority date	Sep 12, 2019
Publication date	Nov 2, 2021
Grant date	Nov 2, 2021

Abstract

A tool catcher system that includes a housing. The housing defines a bore that receives a tool. The tool catcher system includes a plurality of ring segments that move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool. A spring plate supports the plurality of ring segments. An actuator plate couples to the spring plate. A plurality of shafts couple the actuator plate to the spring plate. An actuator system moves the actuator plate and the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tool catcher system, comprising:
a housing, the housing defining a bore through the housing, the housing is configured to receive a tool;
a plurality of ring segments, the plurality of ring segments are configured to move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool;
a spring plate configured to support the plurality of ring segments;
an actuator plate configured to couple to the spring plate;
a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to couple the actuator plate to the spring plate;
an actuator system configured to move the actuator plate and the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool; and
a spring configured to bias the spring plate in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the spring is configured to bias the tool catcher system to a closed position.

2. The tool catcher system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator system comprises a cam configured to contact and move the actuator plate in the first direction to release the tool.

3. The tool catcher system of claim 2 , comprising an electric actuator coupled to the cam, wherein the electric actuator is configured to rotate the cam to lift the actuator plate.

4. The tool catcher system of claim 2 , comprising a manual actuator coupled to the cam, wherein the manual actuator is configured to rotate the cam to lift the actuator plate.

5. The tool catcher system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to extend into the bore and are pressure balanced.

6. The tool catcher system of claim 1 , comprising an angled surface configured to contact and drive the plurality of ring segments radially inward to capture the tool.

7. The tool catcher system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ring segments define a flange, wherein the flange is configured to support the tool.

8. The tool catcher system of claim 1 , comprising a position sensor coupled to the actuator plate, wherein the position sensor is configured to sense changes in a position of the actuator plate, and wherein the position sensor is outside of the bore.

9. A tool catcher system, comprising:
a plurality of ring segments, the plurality of ring segments are configured to move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to a tool;
a spring plate configured to couple to and move axially with the plurality of ring segments, wherein the plurality of ring segments are configured to slide radially inward and outward with respect to the spring plate;
an actuator system configured to move the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool; and
a spring configured to bias the spring plate in a second direction opposite the first direction to capture the tool; and
a position sensor coupled to an actuator plate, wherein the position sensor is configured to sense changes in a position of the actuator plate, and wherein the position sensor is outside of a bore defined by a housing.

10. The tool catcher system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of ring segments define a flange, wherein the flange is configured to support the tool.

11. The tool catcher system of claim 9 , comprising a housing defining a bore that receives the plurality of ring segments.

12. A tool catcher system, comprising:
a plurality of ring segments, the plurality of ring segments are configured to move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to a tool;
a spring plate configured to couple to and move with the plurality of ring segments;
an actuator system configured to move the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool;
a spring configured to bias the spring plate in a second direction opposite the first direction to capture the tool; and
an actuator plate configured to couple to the spring plate, wherein the actuator system is configured to move the actuator plate in the first direction to release the tool.

13. The tool catcher system of claim 12 , comprising a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to couple the actuator plate to the spring plate.

14. The tool catcher system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to extend into a bore of a housing, and wherein the plurality of shafts are pressure balanced.

15. The tool catcher system of claim 12 , wherein the actuator system comprises a cam configured to contact and move the actuator plate in the first direction to release the tool.

Assignees

• Cameron Int Corp
• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Mcdaniel Ian
• Garcia Jesse
• Lambert Jeffrey
• Pettibone Nathaniel
• Stevenson Ross
• Carrillo Kody

Classifications

• E21B33/072

  for cable-operated tools (E21B33/076 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/0407 Primary

  with a suspended electrical cable · CPC title

• E21B47/00

  Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) · CPC title