Spline insert for a downhole tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016017664-A1
Application number	US-201514797341-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 13, 2015
Priority date	Jul 15, 2014
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An expandable tool includes a body and a recess extending at least partially through the body from an outer radial surface of the body. A spline insert may be at least partially positioned in the recess and coupled to the body. The spline insert may include a single spline or multiple splines. A cutter block or other expandable member may be at least partially positioned in the recess. The cutter block or other expandable member may include a spline on a side surface thereof, which spline may be engaged with the one or more splines of the spline insert. Engagement between one or more splines of the spline insert and spline of the cutter block or other expandable member may allow the expandable member to move radially outward from a retracted position to an expanded position, and vice versa.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An expandable tool, comprising:
a body having a recess therein; a spline insert coupled to the body adjacent or at least partially within the recess, the spline insert including at least one spline; and an expandable member at least partially positioned in the recess and configured to move radially between a retracted position and an expanded position, the expandable member including a spline on a side surface, the spline of the expandable member being engaged with the spline of the spline insert to facilitate radial movement of the expandable member relative to the body.

2 . The expandable tool of claim 1 , the body including a slot, and the spline insert being coupled to the body via a dovetail connection with the slot.

3 . The expandable tool of claim 1 , the spline insert including at least two separate spline inserts engaged with the spline of the expandable member.

4 . The expandable tool of claim 1 , the spline insert including at least two splines sharing a common base.

5 . The expandable tool of claim 1 , the spline insert having an opening therein between opposing first and second inner side surfaces, the spline of the spline insert including a first spline formed on the first inner side surface of the spline insert and a second spline formed on the second inner side surface of the spline insert, the expandable member being at least partially positioned in the opening.

6 . The expandable tool of claim 1 , the spline insert including a first spline insert proximate a first side surface of the expandable member and a second spline insert proximate a second side surface of the expandable member, a distance between outer side surfaces of the first and second spline inserts being greater proximate a longitudinal axis of the body than an outer radial surface of the body.

7 . The expandable tool of claim 1 , the spline insert including first and second wings circumferentially offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body, the at least one spline of the spline insert including:
a first spline on the first wing, the first spline being engaged with the spline of the expandable member; and a second spline on the second wing, the second spline being engaged with a spline of another expandable member.

8 . The expandable tool of claim 1 , the spline insert being configured to be removed from the body and replaced with another spline insert.

9 . A method, comprising:
removing a first spline insert from within a recess in a body of a downhole tool having at least one expandable member configured to expand radially between retracted and expanded positions; and inserting a second spline insert at least partially into the recess in the body, the first and second spline inserts each including a spline configured to engage the at least one expandable member.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
engaging the spline of the second spline insert with a spline of one of the at least one expandable member.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein inserting the second spline insert at least partially into the recess in the body further includes coupling a base of the second spline insert to the body using an interlocking connection or a mechanical fastener.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein inserting the second spline insert at least partially into the recess in the body further includes:
moving the second spline insert through an axial bore in the body; and moving the second spline insert radially outward from the axial bore at least partially into the recess.

13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising at least one of:
re-facing at least a portion of a first surface of the spline of the second spline insert after the spline of the second spline insert is damaged, thereby forming a new, undamaged spline surface; or forming an additional spline on each of opposing inner side surfaces of the second spline insert after the downhole tool has been used in a wellbore.

14 . A downhole tool, comprising:
a body having a recess formed in an outer surface thereof; a cutter block within the recess in the body, the cutter block including at least one spline configured to be used to radially expand and retract the cutter block relative to the body; and at least one spline insert replaceably coupled to the body, the at least one spline insert engaging the at least one spline of the cutter block.

15 . The downhole tool of claim 14 , the at least one spline insert including a plurality of spline inserts, each of the plurality of spline inserts including a single spline.

16 . The downhole tool of claim 14 , the at least one spline insert including a plurality of splines coupled to a common base.

17 . The downhole tool of claim 14 , the body including a slot configured to receive the at least one spline insert therein.

18 . The downhole tool of claim 14 , the at least one spline insert engaging at least one spline on each of two opposing side surfaces of the cutter block.

19 . The downhole tool of claim 14 , the at least one spline insert engaging at least one spline on a single side surface of the cutter block.

20 . The downhole tool of claim 14 , the at least one spline insert including a plurality of splines having first and second outer surfaces oriented at an angle between 45° and 135° relative to one another.

Assignees

• Smith International

Inventors

• Barnhouse James A
• Mahajan Manoj D
• Salvo Vincente S
• Burdett Timothy A
• Burhan Yuri Y
• Hora Kenneth D

Classifications

• B23P15/46

  reaming tools · CPC title

• E21B10/32 Primary

  with expansible cutting tools · CPC title

• E21B7/28

  Enlarging drilled holes, e.g. by counterboring · CPC title

• B23P6/00

  Restoring or reconditioning objects (straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10) · CPC title