Downhole vibratory communication system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9574439-B2
Application number	US-201414296148-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2014
Priority date	Jun 4, 2014
Publication date	Feb 21, 2017
Grant date	Feb 21, 2017

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling one or more downhole tools. A vibratory signal is produced by interaction between an actuation profile and a contact profile. In response to the vibratory signal, a controller actuates one or more downhole tools.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for actuating a downhole device that is operably associated with a tubular string having a tubular flowbore, the system comprising:
a contact profile within the tubular flowbore; and
a signal sub that is disposed within the tubular flowbore, the signal sub presenting an activation profile that produces a vibratory signal upon contact with the contact profile; and
an actuation subassembly operably associated with the downhole device, the actuation subassembly including a controller which governs actuation of the downhole device in response to the vibratory signal; and
wherein the activation profile comprises at least one dog that extends radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the signal sub.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor operably associated with the controller, the sensor adapted to detect the vibratory signal and transmit a signal representative of the vibratory signal to the controller.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal sub is disposed into the tubular flowbore connected to a pump-down plug or drop bar.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the contact profile comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves formed within the tubular flowbore.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the activation profile comprises a plurality of dogs that extend radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the signal sub.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein:
the contact profile comprises a plurality of grooves that are formed to be complementary to the plurality of dogs; and
the plurality of dogs are interconnected so as to enter the grooves of the contact profile simultaneously.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the dogs are spring-biased radially outwardly.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the downhole device is a device from the group consisting of: a packer setting tool, a shifting tool, and an opening tool.

9. A system for actuating a downhole device that is operably associated with a tubular string having a tubular flowbore, the system comprising:
a contact profile within the tubular flowbore; and
a signal sub that is disposed within the tubular flowbore, the signal sub presenting an activation profile that produces a vibratory signal upon contact with the contact profile; and
an actuation subassembly operably associated with the downhole device, the actuation subassembly including a controller which governs actuation of the downhole device in response to the vibratory signal and a sensor adapted to detect the vibratory signal and transmit a signal representative of the vibratory signal to the controller; and
wherein the activation profile comprises at least one dog that extends radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the signal sub.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the contact profile comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves formed within the tubular flowbore.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the downhole device comprises a device from the group consisting of: a packer setting tool, a shifting tool, and an opening tool.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the dog is spring-biased radially outwardly.

13. A method of actuating or controlling a downhole device comprising the steps of:
generating a vibratory signal within a tubular flowbore;
detecting the vibratory signal;
actuating or controlling a downhole device in response to detection of the vibratory signal; and
wherein the vibratory signal is generated by interaction between a contact profile within the tubular flowbore and an activation profile that is formed upon a signal sub that is disposed into the tubular flowbore, wherein the activation profile comprises a plurality of dogs that extend radially outwardly from the signal sub.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the signal sub is disposed into the tubular flowbore via a pump-down plug, drop bar, or wireline.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the vibratory signal is detected by a sensor.

16. A method of actuating or controlling a downhole device comprising the steps of:
producing a vibratory signal at a downhole location;
the vibratory signal then actuating a downhole device; and
wherein the vibratory signal is generated by interaction between a contact profile within a tubular flowbore and an activation profile that is formed upon a signal sub that is disposed into the tubular flowbore, wherein the activation profile comprises a plurality of dogs that extend radially outwardly from the signal sub.

Assignees

• Baker Hughes Inc

Inventors

• Joseph Basil J
• O'Connor Keven

Classifications

• E21B47/18

  through the well fluid {, e.g. mud pressure pulse telemetry} · CPC title

• E21B34/14

  operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools {(E21B34/066 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• E21B47/16

  through the drill string or casing {, e.g. by torsional acoustic waves} · CPC title

• E21B33/12

  Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) · CPC title

• E21B47/12

  Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling · CPC title