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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to steering tools. More particularly, the present
invention relates to an apparatus for inducing and assisting an electrical
tool or the like being lowered down and raised up an oil well bore hole.
Even more particulary, the apparatus of the present invention would relate
to a steering tool having a combination of directional impellar and
thrusting mechanisms, sonic vibration means, and mechanical oscillator
means for steering an electrical device down an oil well bore thus
maintaining the device in proper postion within the hole enabling the
electrical tool to move freely and more rapidly therein.
2. General Background
Due to the ever increasing need for oil, the result or one of the results
has been the need to drill oil wells at greater depths in order to reach
the oil. As can be expected, in these greater depths, deeper wells are
encountering many hazardous drilling problems due mainly to the increased
friction, temperatures and pressures which are directly proportional to
the increased depth. In the art of drilling oil wells, for each foot that
is drilled into the earth, there is an increased pressure of approximately
1/2 pound per square inch on the drilling apparatus. The result being that
a zone encountered at a depth, for example, of 2 miles, will have a
pressure of approximately 5,000 pounds per square inch. In order to
maintain this pressure and prevent it from moving up the bore hole
unchecked, which would result in a blow-out and loss of valuable rig time,
not to mention perhaps injury to workers and loss of valuable equipment;
drilling mud, which is usually a combination of water, dirt and various
chemicals, is circulated down the drill pipe, out and around the drill bit
and up outside the drill pipe through the drill casing, and back into
conditioning pits on the ground, wherein the mud is reconditioned and
recirculated back down the drill pipe once more. The need for the drill
mud is such that the hydrostatic weight of the column of the drilling mud
must always be greater than the pressure of the formation being penetrated
or the pressure will overcome the weight of the mud and a blow-out will
occur. Obviously greater drilling mud weights are necessary to drill
through deeper and higher pressurized zones in todays deeper wells. This
deeper drilling also causes many problems within the bore hole due to
these higher mud weights, higher temperatures and increased friction.
Additional problems within the bore hole are caused by an abundance of
deviated bore holes, which are wells drilled intentionally at an angle
rather than straight down so that the bottom of the hole will be located
at a distance away from the surface location.
Throughout the course of the drilling process, during the completion or
recompletion of an oil well, many electrical devices are lowered into the
bore hole on what is called a wireline electrical cable from a surface
recording unit. Many of the aforementioned drilling problems; increased
temperatures, pressure, drilling mud weight and deviated holes, which are
all effects of todays deeper drilling, frequently cause these electrical
devices to become stuck in the hole, and are many times therefore
unretrievable. The loss of one of these electrical devices is not only
expensive in itself, but results in the loss of drill time and the loss of
very valuable information generated by the unretrieved logging devices.
Thus, if the electrical device cannot be retrieved, tools must be lowered
into the hole by the drill pipe to either grind up the unretrievable
electrical device and retrieve the pieces in a basket, thereby removing
the obstacle or redrill the obstructed hole.
An additional problem is encountered in the lowering of these electrical
logging devices through the heavy mud weight being used today as heavy mud
has a tendency to congeal and even to solidify. The existing electrical
devices have reduced weight, of course, when lowered into water, so their
weight almost becomes nonexistant when they are placed in a super
saturated, heavy drilling mud. Suspension of these devices in the mud
causes them to travel very, very slowly down the bore hole and have a
tendency to drift within the hole and also to become lodged on any small
obstruction within the bore hole. The deep and deviated wells frequently
have bridges, ledges and washouts i.e. changes in the diameter of the hole
which also cause the electrical devices to hang up, therefore preventing
them from getting down to the desired depth.
Several patents have been found in the art which speak to apparatuses for
lowering down a drill hole. The most pertinent being as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,500 issued to W. A. McPhee entitled "Well Logging
Method and Apparatus Using Friction-Reducing Agents" discloses the use of
a well logging instrument having a fluid chamber at its lower end which
maintains friction reduction agent, and a means in the apparatus for
forcing the friction reduction agent into the bore hole at various points
along the length to facilitate movement of the apparatus through the bore
hole. The apparatus is an electronic instrument that is lowered by cable
with electricity being fed along the cable.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,938 issued to R. Roussin entitled "Methods and
Apparatus for Operating Borehole Equipment" discloses an apparatus which
would enable one to operate a tool and a well in various differences in
the hydrostatic pressure of the well liquid at different levels in the
well. Essentially, the pressure in the apparatus is maintained to the
pressure of the hydrostatic pressure at the various levels, and the tube
is able to operate at a different level with the pressure in the tube
being the same as the hydrostatic pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,380 issued to John R. E. Smith entitled "Method and
Apparatus for Logging Inclined Earth Boreholes" discloses the method and
apparatus of logging formations surrounded earth boreholes by having an
elongated well logging instrument connected to the earth's surface by a
well logging cable at least two pad members which make contact with the
edges of the borehole for transmitting a control signal for operation of
the apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,106 issued to E. R. Basham entitled "Apparatus for
Ejecting Fluid in a Borehole", U.S. Pat. No. 1,230,666 issued to D. A.
Garden entitled "Cleaning Device for Wells" and U.S. Pat. No. 2,187,845
issued to E. Tatalovich entitled "Clean-Out Tool" and U.S. Pat. No.
3,799,276 issued to K. Matsushita entitled "Fluid Driven Below Ground
Motor for Sinking a Caisson" all teach various down hole devices.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention would solve the problems encountered
in the present state of the art, through the combination of mechano
electrical components to provide an apparatus for assisting electrical
devices, in particular, logging equipment being lowered down and retrieved
from primarily open bore holes, being uncased holes, but also completed or
cased holes of oil wells or other holes drilled in the earth's surface
having similar problems. The apparatus would comprise in combination, an
upper sub for connectable engagement with the wire line, a microprocessor
component for directing the various functions of the overall apparatus
down hole; a motor section having a plurality of thrust directional motors
and ball screw assembly for movement of steering gates; a motor driven
impellar means for providing thrust and flow through a portion of the
apparatus and in combination with the flow gates providing steering in a
certain direction; an electric transducer portion for providing ultrasonic
vibrations around the circumference of the apparatus in discongealing
molecular substrate adjacent the apparatus; a mechanical vibration coil
assembly means on the lower end of the apparatus for descongealing larger
areas of congealing in a substrate around the apparatus, and a lower sub
for connectably engaging the electrical unit to be steered down hole. The
apparatus may also comprise on either end a thrust explosive sub for
explosively dislodging the apparatus in the event of lodging occuring
downhole.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus
for inducing and assisting electro tools in their journey down and from an
oil well bore;
It is a futher object of the present invention to provide an apparatus
having a plurality of means for steering, thrusting, or dislodging a tool
lowered downhole.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus which, guided by an inhouse microprocessor, provides the proper
guiding, thrusting and lateral movement of the apparatus downhole.
In order to accomplish the above objects of the present invention, it is a
primary feature of the apparatus to provide an upper motor section having
thrust directional motors and ball screw assembly for operating steering
gates in the wall of the apparatus;
It is an additional feature of the apparatus to provide an impellar within
the apparatus on one hand thrusting the apparatus down hole and on the
other hand thrusting the apparatus uphole and in conjunction with the
aforesaid gates, providing lateral steering movement of the apparatus both
down hole and up hole.
It is still a further feature of the apparatus to provide a piezo electric
transducer component for providing ultrasonic energy around that portion
of the apparatus for breakup of molecular congealing of the substrate;
It is still a further feature of the apparatus to provide a mechanical
vibration coil assembly for mechanically discongealing the substrate
around that portion of the apparatus through vibration;
It is still a further feature of the apparatus to provide an explosive sub
for providing retro-thrusting of the apparatus in the event the apparatus
becomes lodged down hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present
invention, reference shold be had to the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts
are given like reference numerals and, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the interchangeable top
sub-portion of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the interspace within the apparatus
housing the electronic assembly and micro processor in the unit of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention illustrating the motor section
including the thrust directional motors and ball screw assembly;
FIG. 3-a is a perspective view of the gate member of the present invention;
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the thrust impeller assembly in the preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates the connection between the impeller section and the
thrust drive impeller motor in the preferred embodiment of the apparatus
of the present invention;
FIGS. 7 and 7a illustrate the electric transducer section in the preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates the mechanical vibration coil assembly in the preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates the interchangeable bottom sub-assembly in the preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates the explosive propellent charged sub-assembly in the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the electrical circuitry involved in the
electronic assembly and micro processing unit in the preferred embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate in partial cross-sectional views, the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, along a
continuous longitudinal cross-sectional axis that will be described more
fully below.
Apparatus 10, as a whole, of the preferred embodiment, comprises a top
interchangeable sub; a bottom interchangeable sub; primary components of
an electronic assembly; a motor section with thrust directional motors; a
thrust impeller section; a thrust drive motor section; an electric
tranducer section; and a mechanical vibration coil assembly; all
components therebetween the top and bottom interchangeable subs. There is
further provided as an alternative feature, an explosive propellent charge
sub-assembly which can be positioned at either end of the apparatus, the
function of which will be explained further. In order to more properly
describe the function of each particular section, each section will be
discussed individually, making reference to the appropriate FIGURES, for a
thorough discussion of the entire invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates in cross-sectional view, primarily the interchangeable
top sub/portion of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the
present invention as illustrated by the number 12. Top sub 12 is
substantially a tubular shaped portion having a continuous side wall 14
with threaded portions 16 and 18 at either end. Sub 12 would threadably
engage threaded wall portion 20 of the main body portion of apparatus 10,
with male threads 18 of sub 12 engaging female thread portion 23 of
apparatus 10. At the point of connection, as illustrated in FIG. 1, there
is provided a double O-ring 21 and 22 for preventing any fluid, such as
drilling fluids or the like from the surrounding hole 24 from entering
into the inter chamber 26 of sub 12. As further seen in FIG. 1, top sub 12
provides an interior chamber 26 which houses electrical wire line 28 as
wire line 28 extends from the end portion 30 through sub 12 into the main
body portion of apparatus 10 and connecting thereto at point 32. Wire line
28 basically comprises a plurality of electrical conducting wires for
providing electrical power from the rig floor to the apparatus 10 for
operation thereto. Interchangeable top sub 12 further comprises connector
means 40 which is substantially a flip type connector having electrical
points of contact (not seen in drawing), which are typical plug type
contacts for connecting the wire 28 (as seen in phanthom) from the rig
floor to be connected onto the sub itself. Sub 12 further provides on its
second end, threads 16 which would adapted to threadably engaged bridle
45, (phantom line) which is a flexible connector component, known in the
art, substantially 20 feet in length and would threadably engage between
the wireline and the sub as illustrated in phanthom view. The bridle 45 is
not part of this invention, but is a typical bridle utilized in the
drilling field having electrodes or the like for inserting into connector
means 40 and interconnecting the electrical source with the apparatus.
Likewise, there is further provided double O-rings 46 and 48 which also
provide fluid tight seals between the exterior substrate 24 and the inner
chamber 26 of sub 12 in order to prevent fluid from seeping into the
connector means and damaging the electrodes and wireline.
It should be noted that in this particular type of sub 12, although this is
a preferred embodiment, the interchangeable sub is interchangeable in
order to accommodate the various downhole eletric tools onto the
apparatus, manufactured by Schlumberger, McDermott, or others. Therefore,
this interchangeable sub would be of different dimensions in certain
instances depending on the particular logging instrument utilized in the
particular job.
Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 8, a discussion will be had of the primary
invention, namely the combination of components making up this particular
apparatus. As was discussed earlier, apparatus 10 comprises a
substantially tubular shaped body having a continuous wall portion 20 of
steel or the like, the interior surrounded by wall portion 20 defining the
interspace in which the functioning components of the apparatus are
housed. Apparatus 10, would have at its first end a female threaded
portion 23 for connecting onto interchangeable top sub 12 as was discussed
earlier. The first section of apparatus 10 would be the electronic
assembly micro processor section 50 which is best illustrated in the
circuit drawings in FIGS. 10 and 11, with this section 50 housing the
electrical circuitry for the micro processor which would be fed by
electrical wireline 28 into the micro processor at point 52 with micro
processor being housed in space 54 which is shown as a blank space in the
drawings as was explained earlier. It should be noted that space 54 has
exterior wall 56 which is a separate wall portion from the exterior wall
20 of the apparatus. The inter space 57 between wall 56 and wall 20 which
would preferably house a type of silicon oil for providing an equalized
pressure within the apparatus from the pressure without the apparatus as
will be discussed in further detail. Naturally, the micro processor
assembly 50 would provide electrical impulses or the like at its lower end
59 into the next section of the apparatus via continuous line 28 which, as
was discussed further, is a primary electrical feed line for all functions
of the apparatus which runs continuously through the apparatus.
The first mechanically operative section of the apparatus adjacent the
micro processor is the motor section with thrust bi-directional motors,
the motor section being indicated by numeral 60, in FIGS. 3, 3A and A.
Motor section 60 would be provided on its first end, i.e. that end
adjacent the micro processor section 50, a mounting means 62 which would
be securely mounted to the end portion 59 of micro processing unit 50,
with the mounting means comprising basically a metal mounting bracket or
the like. Mounting means 62 would be mounted to a plurality of
bi-directional drive motors 64, 66, 68 and 70, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
3-A. It should be noted that although drive motor 64 and 68 are
illustrated, there are 4 drive motors substantially equidistant apart
around the circumferential space within apparatus 10, the function which
will be described further. Bi-directional drive motors 64 through 70 would
be secured in place with mounting plate 72 on their second end, said
mounting plate being adapted with a plurality of bores 73 for providing a
through port for drive shafts 74 of motors 64 through 70. Shafts 74 of the
plurality of drive motor 64 through 70 would be adapted at their furthest
end onto ball screw assembly mount 78 which would be firmly mounted to
shafts 74, so that rotation of shaft 74 would impart rotation to ball
assembly mount 82. As seen in the FIGURES, ball screw assembly 82
comprises a mounting base 78 mounted to shafts 74 on its first end and
extending integral to a threaded shaft portion 80, with the ball screw
assembly itself threadably engaged to shaft 80 for movement thereupon. In
describing the function of ball screw assembly 82, arrows 83 illustrate
the movement of ball screw assembly 82 downward toward base 78 as shaft 74
is rotated which would impart rotation to threaded shaft 80.
It should be made clear that each drive motors 64 through 70 would function
independently of one another, with each drive motor operating a separate
and individual ball screw assembly 82. This is imperative in the
functioning of ball screw assembly 82 which will be described further.
Ball screw assembly 82 is attached on its second end to mounting plate 84
which is affixed to an inter unit sub 85 with sub 85 being threadably
attached to the wall portion 51 of apparatus 10. Sub 85 is positioned at
this point so that access can be had by threadably disengaging thrust
motor section 60 in order to have easy access to the individual hall screw
assemblies 82. As seen in the FIGURES, there is provided O-ring 88 at the
juncture of motor section 60 and inter sub 85 again to prevent fluid
contact from the outside into the assembly unit. Sub 85 provides a
plurality of bores 87 for housing shafts 88, 89, 90 and 91 respectively
each shaft connectably engaged at point 95 to each separate ball screw
assembly 82. Shafts 88 through 91 are substantially hard metal shafts
which will move according to the movement of ball screw assembly 82.
Again, as illustrated in FIG. 4, each shaft 88 through 91 is provided with
an O-ring seal 96 between the wall portion of sub 85 which is contiguous
with shaft 88 through 91 so that fluid leakage is prevented from occuring
between the shafts 88 through 91 and the wall of sub 85. Likewise, there
is provided double O-rings 98 and 99 between again the wall portion of sub
85 and continuous electrical wire 28 that runs through the apparatus for
feeding electrical power to each component.
The lower most portion of sub 85 is again threadable engaged to the wall 51
of apparatus 10, again provided with O-ring 100 for preventing fluid
leakage thereinto. Following the threadably engagement of sub 85 onto the
next portion of apparatus 10, as seen in the FIGURES, shafts 88 through 91
protrude out of the lower end of sub 85, and/or threadably attached at
point 102 to a plurality of slideable gates 104 which can be imparted with
movement upward and downward as illustrated by arrow 105.
Although the functioning of gates 104 will be discussed further, the
movements of gates 104 is imparted by the movement of ball screw assembly
82. In describing this function, returning back to motor 64 through 68, as
an example drive motor 64, upon imparting electrical power to drive motor
64, shaft 80 would be rotated with ball screw assembly moving in the
upward or downward direction depending on the direction of the rotation of
shaft 80. Upon ball screw assembly moving upward or downward, shaft 89
would likewise move in the up or down direction imparting upward or
downward movement to gate 104. In this particular example, gate 104 would
normally, in the down position, block flow through extended port 106B from
the outside (See arrow 107 in FIG. 3-A), and in the up position allow flow
therethrough. The function of port 106, which would be a plurality of
ports around the circumference of apparatus 10, each port being coincident
with a particular gate 104, will be more fully discussed in the "Operation
of the Apparatus".
In discussing the functioning of the next section of the apparatus, i.e.
the thrust and impeller section 110, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 it is best
discussed in conjunction with thrust drive motor section 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 6.
Thrust impeller section 110 for the most part, houses extended impeller
120, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, extending from its upper most point at
mounting portion 122, i.e. mounted in a bottom most portion of sub 85, for
allowing rotation of the shaft portion 123 of impeller 120. Impeller 120
further provides continuous annular blade portion 124 which extends
substantially the length of shaft 123 through section 110, in a type of
cork screw fashion for allowing flow of fluid therethrough as blade 124 is
rotated. Impeller section 110 as is stated earlier, is threadably engaged
to the lower portion of sub 85, which provides a continuous wall portion
51 as does the previous sections. It should be noted here, that wall 51
becomes substantially thickened between points X & Y, so that the inner
most surface 128 of wall 51 substantially abuts the outer most point of
cork screw impeller 124 as is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Therefore, any
fluid flow through the space 129 defined by the inner most surface 128,
between points X and Y must flow within the confines of blade 124 rather
than around the outer edges of blade 124. This would provide better
movement of fluid through the apparatus, the function of which will be
described further. As seen in the FIGURES, wall 51 which substantially
houses impeller 120 from the point at which gates 104 join wall 51 in the
closed position, slope inward along the sloping shoulder portion 130 to
the desired thickness at interior surface 128 and likewise at the second
end of the wall portion of a second sloping shoulder 132 to return to the
normal thickness of wall 51. Therefore, at either end portion of impeller
124, there is provided a greater interior space 135 than the interior
space 129 between continuous inner surfaces 128. This would allow greater
fluid accumulation at the entrance and exit of fluid flow through impeller
section 110.
Earlier, there was described fluid flow through interior 129 of the
apparatus, as the impeller was operated. This fluid flow would be directed
from the exterior of the apparatus in surrounding area 24 which would be
drilling fluid or the like. In order to obtain this flow, there is
provided at the lower end of impeller 124 a plurality of openings 138
which, unlike openings 106, have no accommodations for a movable gate or
the like, but simply allow fluid flow therethrough as seen by arrows 139.
However, it can be seen in the FIGURES that although fluid is allowed to
flow into ports 138 and up around impeller 120 to ports 106, if gates 104
are in the closed position, fluid will be blocked (see FIG. 3-A). Thus the
spaces substantially 129, 135 and 136 will be filled with fluid allowing
no additional fluid to flow into ports 138. Therefore, there will be no
fluid flow through the spaces unless and until at least one gate 104 is at
least in the partially opened position. The reasons for opening and
closing of gates 104 shall be discussed further in the "Operation of the
Apparatus."
The lower most end of thrust impeller section 110, like the previous
section, is threadably engaged to the next lower thrust drive motor
section 150 via threads 140. It should be noted again there is provided an
O-ring 142 to sealably engage any fluid flow from the outside which may
leak into threads 140. As was also discussed earlier, bi-directional
thrust drive motor section 150 substantially accommodates bi-directional
motor 152 which like the previous functioning aspects of apparatus 10 is
provided with electrical power via continuing electrical line 28 for
functioning. As seen in the drawings, motor 152 is housed within a sub 154
which is mounted via a pair of mounting screws 156 and 158 at its upper
most end through the top portion 159 of sub 154. Of course upon imparting
electrical power to motor 152, shaft 123 is rotated either direction as
selected thus imparting rotation to cork screw impeller 124 in the
movement of the impeller. Motor 152, in the preferred embodiment, would be
able to accommodate a plurality of speeds and thus depending on the need
for power, would function accordingly. Like the micro processor section 50
as was discussed earlier, motor 152 is housed within an annular space 160
of sub 154, providing a space 161 between the wall portion of motor 152
and the inner surface 162 of sub 154. This space is filled with silicon
oil which provides equal and opposite force should excessive force be
exercised on the outer wall of the apparatus which could do damage to the
motor housed within sub 154.
FIGS. 7 and 7A illustrate the next section of apparatus 10 being electric
transducer section 160, being of the type manufactured by Piezo Electric,
Inc. Section 160 comprises several interconnecting sub units each of which
will be described individually together with their relationship to the
several other components. Within transducer section 160, there is provided
upper sub 172 which threadably engages to the lower portion of thrust
impeller section 150 again providing an O-ring 173 for fluid tight
connection there between. Sub 172 further provides an interior continuous
bore 174 for housing continuous electrical wire 28 for providing
electrical energy thereto. Contained within bore 174 is a pair of O-rings
175 and 176 which again provide a fluid tight seal between bore 174 and
the exterior, particularly space 160 which is filled with silicon oil.
There is further provided a pair of bores 178 and 180 running through the
body portion of sub 122 wherein said bores 178 and 180 are in fluid
communication with space 160 for receiving thereinto silicon oil also.
Body portion 172 also provides filling screw 182 which is removable for
injecting silicon oil via bore 178 into space 160 for providing oil
surrounding motor 152 and into bores 178 and 180. Sub 172 also provides an
upper threaded section 186 which threadably engages at its lower end an
extended exterior collar section 190 with collar 190 adapted with a
plurality of 6 slots 191 through 196 opening to the exterior of apparatus
10. Contained within collar portion 190 is an electric transducer section
itself. This comprises an interior ceramic electric transducer 200 which
is substantially a collar mounted on either end by mounting by rubber
mounts 202 and 204. Completely surrounding the translucent 200 there is
mounted a continuous rubber boot 205 which provides protection of
translucent 200 from the exterior drilling fluid and the like which would
be accessible to the transducer.
It should be noted that interior to the transducer is metal shaft portion
208 which is a shaft integral from the body portion of sub 172 and also
having an interior bore 174 for housing electrical wire 28 as it travels
through apparatus 10. Shaft 208 connectably engages a second lower
interior sub 210 via threaded portion 233. Upon threadably engaging shaft
208 onto interior sub 210 provides a removable means for obtaining access
to electric transducer section 160 which is housed between the body
portion of lower sub 172 and the upper portion of interior sub 210.
Interior sub 210 would threadably engage at its lower most end with a male
portion of the next lower sub again providing a pair of O-rings 211 and
212 for providing again a fluid tight seal between the interior and the
outside of the apparatus.
As is further seen in FIG. 6, at the end point 213 of shaft 208, electrical
line 214 branches off from primary electric wire 28 to provide electrical
power via connector wire 215 to internal transducer 200. Upon electric
power being provided therethrough, transducer 200, as is common, would
emit ultrasonic waves outward of the transducer into the area surrounding
the apparatus. So that the ultrasonic energy from the transducer can be
made accessible to the exterior of the apparatus, vertically disposed
slots 191 through 196 provide exterior access for ultrasonic waves to exit
through the slots into the surrounding media of the apparatus the function
of which will be explained further. It should be further noted that collar
190, as was discussed earlier is mounted via threadably engagement at
point 186 to sub 172, on its lower most end is engaged against the
interior sub 210 via a plurality of mounting screws 226, therefore
obtaining total stability along the length of collar 190.
There is threadably engaged to interior sub 210 housing sub 230 as seen in
FIGS. 7 and 8, which for the most part would house mechanical vibration
coil assembly 232. Sub 230 comprises upper male thread engaging portion
233 which threadably engages the lower most portion of sub 210 and further
provides a pair of O-rings 211 and 212 for a fluid seal there between. On
its lowermost end, sub 230 threadably attaches to connections sub 160,
with O-rings 261 providing a fluid-tight seal to the outside. Sub 230
further provides interior bore 234 which houses continuous electric line
28 through its interior. And provides an interiour annular space 235 for
housing vibration coil assembly 232. Coil assembly 232 further comprises a
spring loaded solenoid 238 which threadably engages into the interior of
sub 230 at threads 237, solenoid 238 comprising mounting portion 240 which
is substantially an annular mounting means with an interior bore 242
surrounded by solenoid coils 243 housed within bore 242 is spring 244
which is biased against the interior upper shoulder 245 defining the upper
most wall of bore 242 with spring 244 extending to its lower most end in
contact with extendable shaft 250. Shaft 250 extends into the next series
of subs the function of which will be explained further. Approximately one
third down shaft 250 is annular shoulder portion 252 which rests between
the end portion of solenoid housing 240 and lower next sub 260. As seen in
the FIGURES, shoulder 252 is abutting the upper most edge of connecting
sub 260, and there is provided a space 254 between the lower most edge of
solenoid housing 240 and shoulder 252 so that upon the activation of
solenoid 238, wherein spring 244 is retracted, shaft 250 is allowed to
move upwardly within that space to provide the necessary vibration of
mechanical vibration coil assembly 232, preferably at a speed of 60 cycles
per minute (see arrows 261). As is seen in the FIGURE, shaft 250 extends
through a bore 260 through the center of connecting sub 264 with O-ring
265 providing a fluid tight seal between the wall of shaft 250 and the
inner wall of bore 264 in order to prevent fluid contact with vibration
coil assembly 232. The lower portion of connecting sub 260 is provided
with male engaging portion 270 which threadably engages an annular collar
portion 272 which is provided with a plurality of ports 274 throughout its
length in order to accommodate the movement of fluid in and out of the
portion as will be discussed further. Collar 272 houses shaft 250 which
extends through the interior space of collar 272 and housing within its
interior bore continuing electric line 28. There is provided rubber
bellows 276 sealably attached at its upper portion 277 onto the lower most
male portion 270 of sub 260 and on its lower most end to the next
connecting sub 280. As seen in the drawings, the interior space 275
between rubber bellows 276 and the exterior wall of shaft 250 is filled
with a type of silicon oil, preferably Dow Corning 200 fluid. As seen in
the FIGURE, silicon oil is inserted into the rubber bellows via the
insertion channel 282 which extends from the interior of boot 276 through
the body portion of sub 260 and outward to the interior at point 283 which
is normally pluged by plug screw 284. In order to maintain the oil within
bellows 276, there is provided upper O-ring 265 between the body of sub
260 and the shaft 250, and the lower O-ring 284 which provides a fluid
tight seal between the body portion of next connector sub 280 and the
shaft 250. Therefore, the oil is maintained within the bellows between
these two O-rings even as shaft 250 vibrates upward and downward. The
lower most end portion of shaft 250 is threadably engaged to lower most
connector sub 280, with the lower portion of sub 280 threadably connecting
onto lower most interchangeable bottom sub 300. Connector sub 280 likewise
has an interior bore 282 for providing a space for continuing electric
line 28 to run therethrough with the lower most portion of sub 280
providing a female annular wall portion 286 the interior of which provides
threads 288 for threadably engaging sub 300 thereinto. Likewise, there is
further provided a pair of O-rings 289 and 290 for again affecting a fluid
tight seal from the outside. It should be noted that there is provided a
shoulder portion 291 on sub 280 which would have a space 292 between it
and the lower most edge 293 of annular collar 272. This space is critical
in view of the fact that as shaft 250 is cycled upward and downward
between solenoid 238 and spring 244, the space would likewise provide a
means for movement of the shaft connected onto the lower subs as the
upward and downward movement occurs.
Like upper sub 12, bottom sub 300, as explained earlier, is threadably
engaged to the lower most portion of connector sub 280, and also has an
annular inter space 302 for housing electric line 28 as it connects onto
the bottom connector portion 304 which would make mating contact with the
logging equipment 310 as seen in phantom in FIG. 9. The lower most end of
bottom sub 300 would be accommodated with male threaded portion 306 for
threadably accommodating logging equipment 310, and following the
threading of logging equipment onto the sub, electrical contact is made at
point 309 for providing electrical power to the logging equipment as it is
used down the hole.
An additional componet of the apparatus, which could be attachable between
the upper end most portion of the apparatus and upper sub 12 or lower sub
300. This particular attachment would be entitled an explosive propellent
charged sub 320 as seen in FIG. 12. Explosive sub 320 would provide on its
first end a male threadable collar 321 for threadably engaging a portion
of the apparatus 10. There is also provided a pair of O-rings 322 and 324
for disallowing fluid flow between the outside and the interior of the
sub. Provided within the interior of sub 320 would be central bore 325
extending substantially the length of sub 320 allowing and providing a
passageway for continuous electric line 28. Upon entering sub 320,
electric line 28 would have a pair of electric feeders 326 and 327 each
supplying electrical current to independent electric lines 328 and 329 at
electrical connections 330 and 332 respectively. Lines 328 and 329
respectively would lead into a pair of chambers 340 and 342, each chamber
being open ended to the surrounding exterior of sub 320 via portals 350
and 352. Contained within each of chambers and 340 and 342 is explosive
means 354 and 356 respectively. Explosive means 354 and 356 would comprise
detenator caps 358 and 359 connected to explosive charges 360 and 362
respectively. Should the apparatus become lodged in the well hole, one
choice would be to supply electrical current to the detenator cap for
detenating either explosive charges 360 or 362 depending on the relative
lodging of the apparatus, with the explosive charge emitting a retro type
of fire 365 through port 350 or 352 in order to push the apparatus upward
were the lower explosive sub detenated or to push the apparatus downward
were the upper sub detenated.
What follows is an explanation which provides the several uses of the
apparatus as it is used downhole, together with the functioning of its
combination of components in order to provide its varied and unique
functions with this type of equipment.
OPERATION OF APPARATUS
In the use of apparatus 10, apparatus 10 would be threadably connected at
its uppermost end to bridle 45 which would be a flexible connector
approximately 20 feet in length and rubber coating housing electrodes and
the like for providing electro connection between the wireline upon which
the equipment is lowered down in the apparatus. As was stated earlier, in
view of the fact that different manufacturers manufacture different sized
linkages for bridles, apparatus 10 for connecting onto the particular
bridle in use, would be provided with various sizes of interchangeable top
subs 12 for connectively engaging apparatus 10 thereunto. At the lower
most end of apparatus 10, again interchangeable bottom sub 300 like top
sub 12, would be of varying sizes depending on the manufacturer of the
logging equipment to be utilized in the particular downhole exercise. The
logging equipment would be again threadably engaged to the bottom sub 300
and would be electrically connected within the linkage provided within sub
300 for electrical power to the logging equipment.
In explaining the operation of apparatus 10, it must be kept in mind that
the apparatus is primarily a steering and guidance and thrusting tool
utilized in lowering logging equipment down into the h | | |
