Claims
- 1. A method of hydraulically controlling multiple well tools in a well, the method comprising the steps of:
interconnecting a plurality of hydraulic lines to each of the tools; and selecting a first one of the tools for actuation thereof by generating a first predetermined pressure on a first combination of the hydraulic lines, the first pressure being generated on the first combination of the hydraulic lines in a first predetermined sequence in which the first pressure is applied successively to selected ones of the first combination of the hydraulic lines.
- 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a second one of the tools for actuation thereof by generating the first predetermined pressure on the first combination of the hydraulic lines, the first pressure being generated on the first combination of the hydraulic lines in a second predetermined sequence.
- 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a second one of the tools for actuation thereof by generating the first predetermined pressure on a second combination of the hydraulic lines, the first pressure being generated on the second combination of the hydraulic lines in a second predetermined sequence.
- 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of permitting fluid communication between at least one of the first combination of the hydraulic lines and an actuator of the first well tool in response to the selecting step.
- 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is pressure balanced prior to the selecting step.
- 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is operative in response to pressure applied to first and second ports thereof, wherein the first and second ports are in fluid communication with each other prior to the selecting step, and wherein the selecting step further comprises preventing fluid communication between the first and second ports.
- 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the selecting step further comprises permitting fluid communication between a first hydraulic line of the first combination of hydraulic lines and the first port, and permitting fluid communication between a second hydraulic line of the first combination of hydraulic lines and the second port.
- 8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the fluid communication permitting step further comprises permitting fluid communication between the actuator and each of first and second hydraulic lines of the first combination of the hydraulic lines, and wherein the method further comprises the step of generating a second pressure on the first hydraulic line after the fluid communication permitting step, thereby transmitting fluid from the first hydraulic line to the actuator.
- 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second pressure generating step further comprises receiving fluid from the actuator into the second hydraulic line in response to transmitting fluid from the first hydraulic line to the actuator.
- 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein in the second pressure generating step, the second pressure is greater than the first predetermined pressure.
- 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of preventing selection of the first tool for actuation thereof by generating the first pressure on a first hydraulic line of the first combination of the hydraulic lines, the first hydraulic line not being included in the selected ones of the first combination of the hydraulic lines.
- 12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of preventing selection of the first tool for actuation thereof by generating fluid pressure on the first combination of the hydraulic lines in a second sequence.
- 13. An actuation control device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
first and second hydraulic inputs; first and second hydraulic outputs; and a sequence detecting mechanism, the mechanism placing the first hydraulic input in fluid communication with the first hydraulic output, and placing the second hydraulic input in fluid communication with the second hydraulic output, only when fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 14. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a third hydraulic input, and wherein the sequence detecting mechanism prevents fluid communication between the first hydraulic input and the first hydraulic output, and prevents fluid communication between the second hydraulic input and the second hydraulic output, when fluid pressure is generated at the third hydraulic input.
- 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the mechanism permits fluid communication between the first and second hydraulic outputs only when fluid pressure has not been generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the mechanism includes a first piston responsive to fluid pressure generated at the first hydraulic input and a latch responsive to fluid pressure generated at the second hydraulic input, the latch selectively permitting and preventing displacement of the first piston.
- 17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the latch permits displacement of the first piston only when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input after fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input.
- 18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the latch includes an engagement structure, the structure engaging the first piston and thereby preventing displacement of the first piston when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input before fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input.
- 19. The device according to claim 16, wherein the latch includes a second piston, the second piston having first, second and third positions relative to the first piston, the latch preventing displacement of the first piston when the second piston is in the first position and when the second piston is in the third position.
- 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the second piston is in the first position when fluid pressure has not been generated at the second hydraulic input, wherein the second piston displaces from the first to the third position when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the first hydraulic input, and wherein the second piston displaces from the first to the second position when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input after fluid pressure has been generated at the first hydraulic input.
- 21. The device according to claim 13, wherein the sequence detecting mechanism prevents fluid communication between the first and second hydraulic outputs only when fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 22. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a valve selectively permitting and preventing fluid communication between the first and second hydraulic outputs.
- 23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the sequence detecting mechanism closes the valve when fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 24. The device according to claim 13, further comprising first and second valves, the first valve selectively permitting and preventing fluid communication between the first hydraulic input and the first hydraulic output, and the second valve selectively permitting and preventing fluid communication between the second hydraulic input and the second hydraulic output.
- 25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the sequence detecting mechanism includes a member engageable with at least one of the first and second valves for operation thereof.
- 26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the member engages the first valve and opens the first valve when fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 27. The device according to claim 25, wherein at least the first valve is a check valve, and wherein the member engages and opens the check valve, displacing a closure of the check valve a substantial distance relative to a seat of the check valve, when fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 28. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a pressure relief valve interconnected to the first hydraulic output, the pressure relief valve permitting fluid flow therethrough only when fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input and fluid pressure generated at the first hydraulic input is greater than a predetermined fluid pressure.
- 29. A well control system, comprising:
a first valve assembly including a first actuation control device, a first actuator and a first valve; and first and second hydraulic lines interconnected to the first actuation control device, the first actuation control device responding to a first sequence of a first predetermined fluid pressure generated on the first hydraulic line and then a second predetermined fluid pressure generated on the second hydraulic line to permit fluid communication between the first actuator and at least one of the first and second hydraulic lines for operation of the first valve.
- 30. The well control system according to claim 29, wherein the first predetermined fluid pressure is substantially equal to the second predetermined fluid pressure.
- 31. The well control system according to claim 29, wherein the first actuator is pressure balanced by the first actuation control device while the first actuation control device prevents fluid communication between the first actuator and at least one of the first and second hydraulic lines.
- 32. The well control system according to claim 29, further comprising a second valve assembly including a second actuation control device, a second actuator and a second valve, the first and second hydraulic lines being interconnected to the second actuation control device, and the second actuation control device responding to a second sequence of the first predetermined fluid pressure generated on the second hydraulic line and then the second predetermined fluid pressure generated on the first hydraulic line to permit fluid communication between the second actuator and at least one of the first and second hydraulic lines for operation of the second valve.
- 33. The well control system according to claim 29, further comprising a third hydraulic line interconnected to the first actuation control device, the first actuation control device preventing fluid communication between the first actuator and at least one of the first and second hydraulic lines when fluid pressure is generated on the third hydraulic line.
- 34. An actuator for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
an actuator member configured for actuation of a well tool upon displacement of the actuator member; first and second hydraulic inputs; and a sequence detecting mechanism, the mechanism permitting displacement of the actuator member only when fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 35. The actuator according to claim 34, further comprising a third hydraulic input, and wherein the sequence detecting mechanism prevents displacement of the actuator member when fluid pressure is generated at the third hydraulic input.
- 36. The actuator according to claim 34, wherein the mechanism prevents displacement of the actuator member when fluid pressure has not been generated at the first hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the second hydraulic input.
- 37. The actuator according to claim 34, wherein the mechanism includes a first piston responsive to fluid pressure generated at the first hydraulic input and a latch responsive to fluid pressure generated at the second hydraulic input, the latch selectively permitting and preventing displacement of the first piston.
- 38. The actuator according to claim 37, wherein the latch permits displacement of the first piston only when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input after fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input.
- 39. The actuator according to claim 37, wherein the latch includes an engagement structure, the structure engaging the first piston and thereby preventing displacement of the first piston when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input before fluid pressure is generated at the first hydraulic input.
- 40. The actuator according to claim 37, wherein the latch includes a second piston, the second piston having first, second and third positions relative to the first piston, the latch preventing displacement of the first piston when the second piston is in the first position and when the second piston is in the third position.
- 41. The actuator according to claim 40, wherein the second piston is in the first position when fluid pressure has not been generated at the second hydraulic input, wherein the second piston displaces from the first to the third position when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input prior to fluid pressure being generated at the first hydraulic input, and wherein the second piston displaces from the first to the second position when fluid pressure is generated at the second hydraulic input after fluid pressure has been generated at the first hydraulic input.
- 42. The actuator according to claim 37, wherein the actuator member is formed as a part of the first piston.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a U.S. national stage filing of International Application No. PCT/US00/10116, filed Apr. 14, 2000, and is a continuation in part of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 09/510,701, filed Feb. 22, 2000.
[0002] The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by this reference.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US00/10116 |
4/14/2000 |
WO |
|