Abstract: A setting tool for hanging a tubular string includes: a tubular mandrel having an actuation port formed through a wall thereof; a debris barrier for engaging an upper end of the tubular string; and a piston having an upper face in fluid communication with the actuation port. The setting tool further includes: an actuator sleeve extending along the mandrel and connected to the piston; a latch releasably connecting the debris barrier to the actuator sleeve and for releasably connecting the debris barrier to the tubular string; a packoff connected to the mandrel below the piston and operable to seal against an inner surface of the tubular string, thereby forming a buffer chamber between the debris barrier and the packoff; and a passage. The passage: is in fluid communication with a lower face of the piston, is formed in a wall of and along the mandrel, and bypasses the packoff.

Abstract: A setting tool for hanging a tubular string includes: a tubular mandrel having an actuation port formed through a wall thereof; a debris barrier for engaging an upper end of the tubular string; and a piston having an upper face in fluid communication with the actuation port. The setting tool further includes: an actuator sleeve extending along the mandrel and connected to the piston; a latch releasably connecting the debris barrier to the actuator sleeve and for releasably connecting the debris barrier to the tubular string; a packoff connected to the mandrel below the piston and operable to seal against an inner surface of the tubular string, thereby forming a buffer chamber between the debris barrier and the packoff; and a passage. The passage: is in fluid communication with a lower face of the piston, is formed in a wall of and along the mandrel, and bypasses the packoff.

Abstract: A fluid actuated packer 10 and collar 36 assembly is provided for positioning on a tubular member 12. The collar 36 is moveable by a running tool 110 positioned within the tubular member and has a closed position and a packer activate position, fluidly connects the collar 36 to the packer element 14 when in the packer activate position, and closes off the flow path 26 when in the closed position. According to a method of the invention, the flow path 26 extends from the collar to the expandable packer element 14 and is open to activate the packer element 14 and closes off the flow path 26 when in the closed position.

Abstract: An improved inflatable packer 10 is provided having a pre-stretched bladder to minimize Z-folding. An expandable outer body 11 includes an inner elastomeric bladder layer 12, a reinforcement layer 14 which may include overlapping slats or cable, and an outer elastomer cover layer 16 which may cover only a portion of the reinforcement layer 14. The bladder 12 may expand non-uniformly due to the variations in the cross-section of the borehole 20, irregularities in construction of the bladder 12, and/or difference in resistance to expansion between the covered portion and the exposed portion of the reinforcement layer 14. An improved inflatable packer and method comprises pre-stretching the bladder 12 to keep the bladder in tension and minimize the occurrence of Z-folds.

Abstract: An improved inflatable packer 10 is provided having a pre-stretched bladder to minimize Z-folding. An expandable outer body 11 includes an inner elastomeric bladder layer 12, a reinforcement layer 14 which may include overlapping slats or cable, and an outer elastomer cover layer 16 which may cover only a portion of the reinforcement layer 14. The bladder 12 may expand non-uniformly due to the variations in the cross-section of the borehole 20, irregularities in construction of the bladder 12, and/or difference in resistance to expansion between the covered portion and the exposed portion of the reinforcement layer 14. An improved inflatable packer and method comprises pre-stretching the bladder 12 to keep the bladder in tension and minimize the occurrence of Z-folds.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the internal diameter of a wellbore for a wireline formation sample taking instrument, including an hydraulically actuated probe and back up shoe for selective engagement with the wall of a wellbore, an hydraulic pump and selectively controllable valves for selectively controlling extension and retraction of the probe and back up shoe, and an hydraulic fluid reservoir to supply hydraulic fluid to the pump for extending and retracting the probe and back up shoe. The reservoir includes a pressure compensator for balancing the pressure in the reservoir to an hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore. A position sensor is coupled to the compensator to determine its position. The position of the compensator corresponding to the fluid volume in the reservoir, the extension distance of the probe and back up shoe, and the internal diameter of the wellbore at the location of the probe and back up shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting a downhole tool relative to a borehole. The invention comprises a phase change material such as a shape memory metal engaged with the tool in an initial position which is activatable to move into an operating position relative to the tool. An actuator activates the phase change material to orient the tool relative to the borehole. The member is engaged with said housing and with the phase change material for selective movement relative to said housing between an initial position and an operating position. The actuator activates said phase change material to move said member. A return spring can move the phase change material to or from the initial position. The invention can be combined with a logging tool or other downhole device to orient the tool within a borehole. In different applications, the invention can center the tool or urge the tool against one side of the borehole wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a downhole tool in a borehole. A phase change material such as a shape memory metal is activated to engage the borehole and to transport the tool through the borehole. After the tool has been advanced in the borehole, the phase change material is deactivated to release from the borehole wall, and advances into position to continue the transport process. An extension can be engaged with the phase change material to extend the movement range of the phase change material. The phase change material actuator requires few moving parts and can be integrated with other tool components. The invention can operate in opposite directions within a borehole and can replace wellbore tractors and other locomotive tools.

Abstract: Actuation of downhole tools is accomplished by inducing motion in the wireline. The downhole tool monitors such motion for predetermined patterns. Detection of a predetermined pattern actuates performance of a desired function. The pattern selected is sufficiently unique to avoid random or premature actuation. The tool may thus be actuated using ordinary nonconducting cable. In like fashion the tool can transmit stored information to the surface by a mechanical means such the resonant frequency of a mechanical signal in the cable.

Abstract: The invention comprises a uniquely shaped sealing element or elements for a packer. In an application using a stack of elements, the upper element is configured so that at least a portion of its inside diameter represents an interference fit with the mandrel onto which it is mounted. A built-in moment within the packing element occurs as a result of the partial interference fit. Additionally, a taper is provided which, in effect, shifts the point of contact of the upper element closer to a central element, tending to better give extrusion support to the central element. The taper also facilitates the creation of a resistive moment which fights the tendency of the upper element to extrude in the upper outermost corner of the upper element, for example. The central element can also be installed on a mandrel with interference throughout its length to create a built-in radial force urging the element back into its original shape after it is expanded and allowed to relax.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing through a casing without perforation are disclosed. The casing can be rotated while it is cemented and includes a multiplicity of sliding sleeve valves. Each of the valves selectively covers a plurality of pistons, each of which preferably has a rupture disc mounted therein. A pressure-regulating device is provided in association with each rupture disc to ensure retention of sufficient internal pressure in the tubing such that all discs eventually burst without any short circuiting through the discs which ruptured earlier. The outward movement of the pistons acts to assist in fracturing the formation. Thereafter, the pressure used to rupture the discs aids in further channeling the fluid energy of the fluid rupturing the discs, as well as putting additional pressure on the movable pistons to further stress fracture the formation.As the piston is pumped outward, the grease that is held captive within the piston assembly is forced outward through a bladder.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the power supplied to a drill bit by a downhole fluid powered motor to prevent the motor from rotating the bit at high speeds when there is little or no weight in the bit while maintaining full circulation through the fit. Apparatus also disclosed for restricting the flow of drilling fluid of the drill pipe when circulation is fully or partially lost.

Abstract: An electroplating shield for providing controlled electroplating of an article having an irregular surface of crests and valleys. The shield, being made of a nonconductive material such as chlorinated polyvinylchloride, includes at least one aperture that spatially corresponds to the valleys of the article to be plated. A remote alignment fixture may be used to precisely align the shield apertures with the article valleys. Alternatively, a plurality of threaded alignment holes may be interspersed between a plurality of shield apertures, alignment being accomplished by threading a plurality of alignment screws through the threaded alignment holes and into the article valleys. A cylindrical embodiment of the electroplating shield having at least one spiralling aperture, is particularly suited for uniform plating of a spiral lobe rotor.

Abstract: A control apparatus preferably for concurrently protecting a downhole fluid pressure operated device from excessive fluid pressures and indicating at the surface when any such excessive fluid pressure level has been reached. The pressured fluid is directed through a bore of a sleeve, and a flow plug is normally located in an axially remote position relative to the sleeve bore. The flow plug is moved upon the occurrence of a predetermined fluid pressure across the downhole device to move into the bore of the sleeve and produce a flow constriction which will result in an detectable fluid pressure signal at the surface. Concurrently, a bypass flow path is established around the fluid pressure operated device to immediately reduce the fluid pressure being applied to such device.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting core samples from the side walls of a subterranean well bore comprises an axial force generating tool insertable into the well with such tool carrying a stationary support rod and the movable element of such tool producing a movement of a housing surrounding the stationary support rod. Annular core forming tools are mounted on plural anvil plates disposed on sides of the stationary support rod and such tools are moved into penetrating relationship with the well bore side wall through association with a linkage between the movable housing, the anvil plates, and the stationary support rod. The movement of the axial force generating element is opposed by a resistance element. A limit to the maximum force applied to the core forming tools is provided by a shearable element series connected in the stationary support rod.

Abstract: An anchor for a tubing string for use with a sucker rod pump is provided which defines a large fluid passage area for the passage of treatment fluids through the anchor. The anchor comprises a tubular body or body extensions having two vertically spaced sets of radial ports. A flow sleeve is positioned in straddling relationship across the bore of the anchor body and has its external surface recessed to provide an annular passage connecting the two sets of radial flow ports. The upper set of flow ports are connected to a tubular flow line extending to the well surface while the lower set of flow ports are connected tubular flow line extending to the production zone or to the location where corrosion, scale or other treatment becomes necessary. The flow sleeve is run into the well with a sucker rod pump on the sucker rod string and can be detachably latched to the tubing string in overlapping sealing relationship to the radial flow ports.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated by-pass and relief valve are positioned between a source of fluid under pressure and the hollow interior of a rotor in a fluid pressure actuated downhole drilling motor. The valve includes a hollow mandrel with an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening at the other end connected to the rotor interior and slidably received in a movable sleeve. Fluid pressure at a first predetermined value moves the mandrel into the sleeve to block the inlet opening such that the fluid by-passes the valve and flows between the stator and the rotor to rotate a bit. Fluid pressure at a higher second predetermined value moves the sleeve relative to the mandrel to expose the inlet opening and relieve the fluid pressure on the rotor and the stator. The movement of the sleeve exposes a greater surface area thereof to the fluid pressure such that a spring moves the sleeve back to block the inlet opening only at an intermediate third predetermined fluid pressure value.