Abstract: A ferromagnetic, high strength, corrosion resistant material for use in electromagnetic equipment. The material comprises Cobalt or Nickel or a combination of these elements in an amount equal to or greater than 60% by weight, with the balance comprising one of a group consisting of Beryllium, Lithium, Aluminum, or Titanium. In different embodiments of the invention, 3% or less of the material comprises Beryllium, with the balance comprising Nickel or Cobalt. The material provides adequate yield strength for use downhole in wellbores, is highly resistant to corrosion induced by downhole well fluids and sea water, and has high ferromagnetic characteristics suitable for use in solenoid valves and other downhole well equipment.

Abstract: A high pressure connector for engagement with a hydraulic conduit for use in high pressure conditions such as downhole in a wellbore. A housing for receiving a conduit end is attachable to a primary retainer. A primary seal and a second seal are positioned between the primary retainer and the housing to provide redundant sealing capabilities. A secondary retainer holds a third seal against the primary retainer. The third seal provides redundant sealing capability and further provides a secondary gripping connection along the conduit length. The secondary gripping connection provides greater tensile strength and reduces the impact of conduit vibration. A test apparatus can be adapted to test the primary seal and the second and third seals before the connector is installed downhole in the well or other high pressure environment.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus for sealing a space downhole in a wellbore. The apparatus has an expandable body having a hollow interior for defining an open flow path. A deformable material within the hollow body interior partially obstructs the flow path when the body is run into the wellbore, and the deformable material is displaceable to expand the body into the downhole space and to open the body flow path. Such material can be displaced with a setting tool or with mechanical movement of the body components. A second body section can be moved relative to a first body section to displace the deformable material from the body interior. The second body section can initially be discontinuous with the first body section to permit installation through narrow wellbore spaces and can be connected downhole to create a unitary body structure.

Abstract: A high expansion slip system for anchoring a tool to a downhole wellbore surface. A slip is initially retained within the interior volume of a tool body for installation downhole in the wellbore. The slip has an inclined surface which moves the slip radially outwardly when the slip is move axially along a longitudinal axis through the tool body. Two opposing slips can be operated to center the tool body within the wellbore, and the setting of the two slips can be synchronized to control the tool body position and setting force on each slip. After the slips have been moved from the interior space to engage the wellbore surface, the hollow interior space within the tool body is unobstructed to open an unobstructed flow path for passage of fluids or well tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting electricity between downhole well tools and the well surface. The apparatus incorporates a surface controller in combination with a conductor and a downhole receiver module. A choke prevents electricity from the controller from entering a high voltage DC power source, and a downhole regulator converts high voltage, low current power into high current, low voltage power. This feature of the invention permits a single wire to transmit sufficient power to operate multiple downhole well tools. The controller also includes a transmitter and a modulator operable to generate an electric signal representating at least two states, wherein a first state is represented by a signal, and wherein a second state is represented by the absence of an electric signal. A receiver module receives the electric signals and selectively transmits commands to the associated well tool or to the surface controller.

Abstract: A packer for sealing a space downhole in a well. The packer includes a deformable sheath having a body and first and second ends for defining an interior volume proximate to a tool surface. A material located within the interior volume is deformable, when the sheath second end is moved toward the sheath first end, to move the deformable sheath into the downhole space. The sheath can function as a sealing element or a backup element, and can be applied to different structures and tool configurations downhole in a wellbore. One or more deformation surfaces can selectively contact the sheath body to shape the deformation of the sheath body during the setting process.

Abstract: A high pressure connector for connecting an insulated electrical conductor or wire (24) to a recessed electrical contact (16) in a plug housing (10). The connector has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the plug housing (10) and is positioned within the plug housing (10) to electrically connect the wire (24) and the recessed electrical contact (16) without permitting high pressure well fluids from entering plug housing (10). A locking retainer (34) tightens a ferrule or seal (32) to provide a metal-to-metal seal that prevents pressurized well fluid from intruding into the plug housing (10). An electrical contact such as connector (44) engages conductor (30) of wire (24) and electrical contact (16) while permitting relative axial movement therebetween to facilitate tightening of locking retainer (34) to plug housing (10). Other retainers (76) and seals (72,80) can provide a metal-to-metal connection to prevent the well fluid from contacting the interior of plug housing (10).

Abstract: A packer for sealing a space downhole in a well. The packer includes a deformable sheath having a body and first and second ends for defining an interior volume proximate to a tool surface. A material located within the interior volume is deformable, when the sheath second end is moved toward the sheath first end, to move the deformable sheath into the downhole space. The sheath can function as a sealing element or a backup element, and can be applied to different structures and tool configurations downhole in a wellbore. For example, the packer can be applied to plugs, to through tubing mandrals, and to other well tools in open hole or in cased wellbore configurations. The packer resists damage to the seal elements, provides confirmation of the packer setting force, and is less expensive than conventional packer designs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communicating electricity from a well surface to a downhole well tool. An electrical conductor is positioned within a sheath, and fluid is placed within a passage extending through the sheath. Electricity is transmitted to the well tool through the conductor, and the fluid prevents well fluid intrusion into the sheath interior. The fluid can be pressurized from the well surface to communicate hydraulic fluid pressure to the well tool and to provide structural rigidity to the cable system. A diverter between the sheath and the well tool can selectively direct electricity or hydraulic fluid pressure to selected portions of the well tool, or to other tools positioned in the well.

Abstract: A system for providing large quantities of power at a selected voltage to a downhole well tool. A conductor extends between a surface regulator and the well tool. The voltage is continuously measured downhole at the well tool, and a signal proportional to such downhole voltage is transmitted to the surface regulator. The power transmitted by the surface regulator to the conductor is increased or decreased depending on fluctuations in the tool requirements and the downhole voltage. The downhole voltage signal can be modulated through the conductor to the surface regulator or can be transmitted through another conductor.

Abstract: A system for extending the life span of electronic components in a high temperature well. A thermal electric cooler is located in a position thermally communicating with the electronic component in the well. The thermal electric cooler lowers the temperature of the electronic component to a temperature that retards the deterioration of the electronic component, and is particularly useful in well completion tools requiring an extended life. A vacuum is maintained about the thermal electric cooler or the electronic components to reduce convection energy losses.

Abstract: A system for extending the life span of electronic components in a high temperature well. A thermal electric cooler is located in a position thermally communicating with the electronic component in the well. The thermal electric cooler lowers the temperature of the electronic component to a temperature that retards the deterioration of the electronic component, and is particularly useful in well completion tools requiring an extended life. The cold side of the thermal electric cooler can comprise a multi chip module directly bonded to the electric component to reduce the mass and size of a packaged electronic component or integrated circuit formed with more than one electronic component.

Abstract: A well apparatus for detecting the position of a moving element in a well. Downhole well tools normally comprise a magnetically permeable material which forms a Faraday Shield to interrupt the flux of a magnet positioned within the well tool. The invention attaches a magnet to a moving element surrounded by a magnetically permeable second element, and a magnetic sensor is positioned within a recess in the second element. The magnetic sensor detects the proximate position of the magnet and generates a signal. The signal can be transmitted to a surface controller for display or for generating a command signal to displace the moving element within the second element. A single wire can transmit signals from multiple sensors in a sensor array, and the absolute position and movement rate of the moving element can be identified by the sensor array. The magnet can comprise a permanent magnet or can comprise an electromagnet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting downhole electronic components and for monitoring the deterioration of such components. The electronic components are positioned within a tool recess, and a vacuum is drawn on the recess to remove oxygen, water vapor, and other contaminants from contact with the electronic components. In one embodiment of the invention, insulating fluid or an inert gas can be placed in the recess to isolate the electronic components. The seal integrity of the recess can be tested before the tool is run into the well or before the tool is set in the well. A pressure sensor monitors the deterioration of the vacuum, or fluctuations in the pressure of the insulating fluid or inert gas, to detect leakage of well fluids into the recess, leakage of gas away from the recess, or to detect gases formed from corrosion of the electronic components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively restricting fluid flow in a well or well conduit. A dissolvable core material is positioned in the well and is isolated from the well fluids with an inpermeable sheath. The sheath is punctured with a control mechanism or other device so that the sheath is breached. The fluid dissolves the core material and permits fluid flow through the well or well conduit. The sheath can be punctured by pressurizing the well fluid, or by controlling the fluid pressure to activate a pressure sensitive control mechanism.

Abstract: A system for extending the life span of electronic components in a high temperature well. A thermal electric cooler is located in a position thermally communicating with the electronic component in the well. The thermal electric cooler lowers the temperature of the electronic component to a temperature that retards the deterioration of the electronic component, and is particularly useful in well completion tools requiring an extended life. One or more thermal electric coolers or other electrical equipment may be connected to a common electric wire, and a surface controller may selectively adjust the power supplied to each thermal electric cooler to prevent the electric wire from being overloaded. The power to each component can be controlled to produce the lowest attainable temperature for each thermal electric cooler, which reduces the deterioration of electronic components to the greatest extent possible.