BACKGROUND
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Natural resources, such as oil and gas, are used as fuel to power vehicles, heat homes, and generate electricity, in addition to various other uses. Once a desired resource is discovered below the surface of the earth, drilling and production systems are often employed to access and extract the resource. These systems may be located onshore or offshore depending on the location of a desired resource. Such systems generally include a wellhead through which the resource is extracted. At various times, wireline operations may be carried out to inspect or to service the well, for example. During wireline operations, a pressure control equipment (PCE) stack is mounted above the wellhead to protect other surface equipment from surges in pressure within a wellbore or to carry out other supportive functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an offshore system having a wireline pressure control equipment (PCE) stack;
FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the wireline PCE stack of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool trap that may be used within the wireline PCE stack of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the tool trap of FIG. 3 in a closed position;
FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 4 taken within line 5-5;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the tool trap of FIG. 3 in an open position due to withdrawal of a tool across the tool trap;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 6 taken within line 7-7;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the tool trap of FIG. 3 in a fully open position due to withdrawal of the tool across the tool trap;
FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 8 taken within line 9-9;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the tool trap of FIG. 3 in the open position due to actuation via an actuator;
FIG. 11 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 10 taken within line 11-11;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool trap with a gear assembly that may be used within the wireline PCE stack of FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the gear assembly of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a keyed shaft and a shaft gear that may be used in the tool trap of FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 12 in a closed position;
FIG. 16 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 12 in an open position due to withdrawal of a tool across the tool trap;
FIG. 17 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 12 in an open position due to actuation via an actuator;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a two-piece plate that may be used in a tool trap of the wireline PCE stack of FIG. 1;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of portions of the two-piece plate of FIG. 18 prior to assembly to form the two-piece plate;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the portions of the two-piece plate of FIG. 12 during assembly to form the two-piece plate;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the portions of the two-piece plate of FIG. 12 coupled to one another to form the two-piece plate;
FIG. 22 is an end view of the two-piece plate of FIG. 18;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool trap having a door that may be used in the wireline PCE stack of FIG. 1;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the tool trap of FIG. 22 with the door in an open position;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view a one-piece plate being inserted into the tool trap of FIG. 22 through an opening that may be covered by the door;
FIG. 26 is a side view of an embodiment of a tool trap having an angular plate that may be used in of the wireline PCE stack of FIG. 1;
FIG. 27 is a side view of the tool trap of FIG. 26 with the angular plate in a closed position;
FIG. 28 is a side view of the tool trap of FIG. 26 with the angular plate in a closed position that blocks passage of a tool across the tool trap;
FIG. 29 is a side view of the tool trap of FIG. 26 with the angular plate in a closed position and the tool in contact with a wear insert;
FIG. 30 is a side view of a portion of a tool trap having sliding plates that may be used in the wireline PCE stack of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 31 is a top view of a portion of the tool trap of FIG. 30.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
The present embodiments generally relate to a tool trap that may be used within a wireline pressure control equipment (PCE) stack. Wireline PCE stacks are coupled to and/or positioned vertically above a wellhead during wireline operations in which a tool supported on a conduit (e.g., communication conduit, wireline, slickline, or coiled tubing) is lowered through the wireline PCE stack to enable inspection and/or maintenance of a well, for example. The wireline PCE stack includes components that seal about the conduit as it moves relative to the wireline PCE stack. Thus, the wireline PCE stack may isolate the environment, as well as other surface equipment, from pressurized fluid within the well.
The wireline PCE stack may also include a tool trap that is configured to block the tool from falling vertically into the well. The tool trap may include one or more plates (e.g., collars or flappers) that adjust between an open position in which the one or more plates enable the tool to move across the tool trap and a closed position in which the one or more plates block the tool from falling vertically into the well. The one or more plates may be biased (e.g., via a biasing member, such as a spring) toward the closed position. As the tool is lowered toward the well, an actuator (e.g., electric actuator) may temporarily drive the one or more plates to the open position to enable the tool to move across the tool trap. During withdrawal of the tool from a wellbore of the well, the tool may contact and exert an upward force on the one or more plates to drive the one or more plates to the open position, and the biasing member may return the one or more plates to the closed position after the tool moves vertically above the tool trap. The present embodiments include a keyed shaft that blocks the tool from back driving the actuator (e.g., providing an input at an output of the actuator) during withdrawal of the tool from the wellbore of the well. Various other features of the tool trap are disclosed herein, including a two-piece plate, an access door, an angled plate, and/or sliding plates.
With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an offshore system 10. The offshore system 10 includes a wellhead 12, which is coupled to a mineral deposit 14 via a wellbore 16. The wellhead 12 may include any of a variety of other components such as a spool, a hanger, and a “Christmas” tree. In the illustrated embodiment, a wireline pressure control equipment (PCE) stack 18 is coupled to the wellhead 12 to facilitate wireline operations, which are carried out by lowering a conduit 20 (e.g., communication conduit, wireline, slickline, or coiled tubing) and a tool 22 (e.g., configured to collect data about the mineral deposit 14 and/or the wellbore 16) through a bore 24 defined by the wireline PCE stack 18, through a bore 26 defined by the wellhead 12, and into the wellbore 16. As shown, a controller 28 (e.g., an electronic controller) is provided to control one or more components of the wireline PCE stack 18. For example, the controller 28 may control an actuator (e.g., electric actuator) to adjust one or more plates of a tool trap of the wireline PCE stack 18.
FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the wireline PCE stack 18 that may be used in the offshore system 10 of FIG. 1. The wireline PCE stack 18 includes various components that enable the wireline PCE stack 18 to seal about the conduit 20 as it moves relative to the wireline PCE stack 18. Thus, the wireline PCE stack 18 may isolate the environment, as well as other surface equipment, from pressurized fluid within the wellbore 16 (FIG. 1).
In the illustrated embodiment, the wireline PCE stack 18 includes a stuffing box and/or grease head 30, a tool catcher 32, a lubricator section 34, a tool trap 36, a wireline valve 38, and a connector 40 to couple the wireline PCE stack 18 to the wellhead 12 (FIG. 1) or other structure. These components are annular structures stacked vertically with respect to one another (e.g., coaxial) to enable the conduit 20 to extend through the wireline PCE stack 18 (e.g., from a first end 42 to a second end 44 of the wireline PCE stack 18) into the wellhead 12. As shown, the conduit 20 extends from the first end 42 of the wireline PCE stack 18 and over a sheave 46 to a winch 48, and rotation of the winch 48 raises and lowers the conduit 20 with the tool 22 through the wireline PCE stack 18. It should be appreciated that the wireline PCE stack 18 or the tool 22 may include various other components (e.g., cable tractoring wheels to pull the conduit 20 through the stuffing box 30, a pump-in sub to enable fluid injection).
The stuffing box 30 is configured to seal against the conduit 20 (e.g., to seal an annular space about the conduit 20) to block a flow of fluid from the bore 24 (FIG. 1) vertically above the stuffing box 30. The tool catcher 32 is configured to engage or catch the tool 22 to block the tool 22 from being withdrawn vertically above the tool catcher 32 and/or to block the tool 22 from falling vertically into the wellbore 16. The lubricating section 34 may include one or more annular pipes joined to one another, and the lubricating section 34 may support or surround the tool 22 while it is withdrawn from the wellbore 16. The tool trap 36 is configured to block the tool 22 from falling vertically into the wellbore 16. The wireline valve 38 may include one or more valves that are configured to seal the bore 24. The controller 28 may provide control signals to one or more actuators to adjust one of more of these components of the wireline PCE stack 18, such as to adjust one or more plates of the tool trap 36. As discussed in more detail below, the tool trap 36 may include various features, such as a keyed shaft that facilitates operation of the tool trap 36.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tool trap 36 that may be used in the wireline PCE stack 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The tool trap 36 includes a housing 50 with an upper connector 52 (e.g., annular connector) and a lower connector 52 (e.g., annular connector) that couple the tool trap 36 to other components (e.g., the lubricating section 34 and the wireline valve 38, respectively). In FIG. 3, walls of the housing 50 are transparent to enable visualization of internal components and to facilitate discussion; however, it should be appreciated that the walls of the housing 50 may be opaque, solid walls. The tool trap 36 includes a linkage assembly 56 (e.g., mechanical linkage) that is configured to transfer forces generated by an actuator 58 (e.g., electric actuator) to one or more rotating shafts 60 (e.g., pivot bars, linkage member) that are coupled (e.g., non-rotatably coupled) to one or more plates 62 (e.g., collars or flappers) of the tool trap 36. In the illustrated embodiment, an output shaft of the actuator 58 is coupled (e.g., non-rotatably coupled) to a keyed shaft 64 of the linkage assembly 56, and the keyed shaft 64 is positioned within an opening 66 (e.g., aperture or recess) formed in a first linkage member 68 (e.g., central member, bar-like member) of the linkage assembly 56. The keyed shaft 64 protrudes from the opening 66 to facilitate engagement with the output shaft of the actuator 58.
The illustrated linkage assembly 56 includes additional linkage members (e.g., bar-like members) that extend between and mechanically link the first linkage member 68 and the one or more rotating shafts 60 to one another. As shown, a second linkage member 70 is coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled) to one end portion of the first linkage member 68 and coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled) to a third linkage member 72, which is coupled (e.g., non-rotatably coupled) to one of the one or more rotating shafts 60 to drive movement of one of the one or more plates 62. Additionally, a fourth linkage member 74 is coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled) to another end portion of the first linkage member 68 and coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled) to a fifth linkage member 76, which is coupled (e.g., non-rotatably coupled) to another one of the one or more rotating shafts 60 to drive movement of another one of the one or more plates 62. As shown, various pins and associated components (e.g., fasteners, bolts, nuts, retainers that hold the one or more rotating shafts 60 in place within the housing 50) are used to couple the linkage members to one another and to the one or more rotating shafts 60.
As discussed in more detail below, the keyed shaft 64 may enable the actuator 58 to drive the one or more plates 62 from the closed position to the open position, while also enabling the tool 22 to drive the one or more plates from the closed position to the open position without back driving the actuator 58 (e.g., without rotating the output shaft of the actuator). The illustrated embodiment also includes one or more levers 78 coupled to the one or more rotating shafts 60 to provide a visual indication of the position of the one or more plates 62 (e.g., open position or closed position) and/or to enable an operator to manually drive rotation of the one or more rotating shafts 60 to move the one or more plates 62 between the closed position and the open position without back driving the actuator 58. The illustrated embodiment also includes a biasing member 84 (e.g., spring, such as a coiled spring) that biases the one or more plates 62 toward the closed position. It is noted that the biasing member 84 is omitted in other figures for clarity; however, the biasing member 84 may adjust between a compressed position and an extended position as the one or more plates 62 move between the closed position and the open position. To facilitate discussion, the tool trap 36 and the components therein may be described with reference to the axial axis or direction 90 and a lateral axis or direction 92. The axial axis 90 is generally parallel to a central axis of the bore 24.
As shown, the controller 28 includes a processor 80 and a memory 82. It should be appreciated that the controller 28 may include various other components, such as an input and/or output device (e.g., user interface or display) that is capable of providing data or other information for visualization by an operator and/or that is capable of receiving an input (e.g., from an operator) that instructs the controller 28 to control the actuator 58 to adjust the tool trap 36. It should also be appreciated that the processor 80 may include one or more processors that may be used to execute instructions or software. The memory 82 may include a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as ROM. The memory 82 may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory 82 may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor 80 to execute, such as instructions for providing control signals to the actuator 58 to open the tool trap 36 at an appropriate time as the tool 22 is lowered through the bore 24.
FIGS. 4-7 are side views of the tool trap 36 with the keyed shaft 64 in a neutral position 98 as the tool 22 drives the one or more plates 62 from a closed position 100 to an open position 102 (e.g., partially or fully open position). In particular, FIG. 4 is a side view of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the closed position 100, and FIG. 5 is a portion of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the closed position 100 taken within lines 5-5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a side view of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the open position 102 due to contact between the tool 22 and the one or more plates 62 during withdrawal of the tool 22 through the tool trap 36, and FIG. 7 is a portion of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the open position 102 taken within lines 7-7 of FIG. 6.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, while the keyed shaft 64 is in the neutral position 98 and while the one or more plates 62 are in the closed position 100, gaps 112 exist between the first linkage member 68 and the keyed shaft 64. The gaps 112 enable the first linkage member 68 to move or rotate (e.g., in a direction 114) relative to the keyed shaft 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaps 112 are sized to enable the first linkage member 68 to rotate relative to the keyed shaft 64 through an angle of approximately 45 degrees (e.g., 35 to 55 degrees, or 40 to 50 degrees), although the gaps 112 may be sized to enable the first linkage member 68 to rotate relative to the keyed shaft 64 through any angle that enables the one or more plates 62 to rotate through an angle of approximately 90 degrees (e.g., 80 to 100 degrees, or 85 to 95 degrees). For example, the linkage members of the linkage assembly 56 may be arranged in various other configurations for which different size gaps 112 are appropriate. In the illustrated embodiment, in the closed position 100, the first linkage member 68 extends generally along the axial axis 90 although various other configurations are envisioned.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tool 22 drives the one or more plates 62 to the open position 102, which causes the linkage assembly 56 to move. In particular, the tool 22 drives the one or more plates 62 to the open position 102, which causes the first linkage member 68 to rotate relative to the keyed shaft 64 in the direction 114. Due to the presence of the gaps 112, the first linkage member 68 rotates through an angle without contacting or exerting a force against surfaces 116 (e.g., radially-extending surfaces) of the keyed shaft 64. Thus, the keyed shaft 64 remains in the neutral position 98 and the tool 22 may be withdrawn across the tool trap 36 without back driving the actuator 58. Once the tool 22 is no longer in contact with the one or more plates 62, the biasing member 84 (FIG. 3) may drive the one or more plates 62 to return to the closed position 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 without back driving of the actuator 58.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are side views of the tool trap 36 and illustrate that the one or more plates 62 may move through an angle that is larger than the angle shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, the one or more plates 62 may rotate through an angle of approximately 90 degrees to a fully open position 102 without causing the first linkage member 68 to contact or exert a force against surfaces 116 of the keyed shaft 64. Thus, a larger tool or a tool that is off-center within the bore 24 may be withdrawn across the tool trap 36 without back driving the actuator 58. As shown in FIG. 9, the first linkage member 68 includes an axis 118 (e.g., longitudinal axis) that is oriented at an angle 119 of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axial axis 90 while the one or more plates 62 are in the fully open position 102.
The keyed shaft 64 may have various configurations and may be positioned at any suitable location between the actuator 58 and the plate 62 to facilitate the techniques disclosed herein. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the keyed shaft 64 includes a center shaft portion 120 (e.g., body portion) and two key portions 122 extending from opposite sides of the center shaft portion 120. The center shaft portion 120 is rotatably positioned within a center opening portion 124 (e.g., body receiving portion) of the opening 66, and the key portions 122 are positioned within respective key receiving portions 126 of the opening 66. The key portions 122 of the keyed shaft 64 are smaller than the respective key receiving portions 126 of the opening 66, thereby forming the gaps 112 that enable the first linkage member 68 to rotate relative to the keyed shaft 64 as the tool 22 is withdrawn across the tool trap 36. The keyed shaft 64 and the first linkage member 68 include a common axis of rotation 128.
The key portions 122 of the keyed shaft 64 and the respective key receiving portion 126 of the opening 66 have corresponding curved edges. In particular, an outer surface of the key portions 122 of the keyed shaft 64 and an inner surface of the key receiving portion 126 of the opening 66 have corresponding radii of curvature to enable the inner surface of the key receiving portion 126 of the opening 66 to slide relative to the outer surface of the key portions 122 of the keyed shaft 64 as the first linkage member 68 rotates relative to the keyed shaft 64. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the key receiving portion 126 of the opening 66 may contact and slide along the outer surface of the key portions 122 of the keyed shaft 64 as the first linkage member 68 rotates relative to the keyed shaft 64, or a small radial clearance may exist between the key portion 122 and the key receiving portion 126 to reduce friction. In the neutral position 98, the keyed shaft 64 is oriented at an angle (e.g., non-parallel) relative to the axial axis 90 although various other configurations are envisioned. As shown in FIG. 5, in the neutral position 98, the keyed shaft 64 includes an axis 128 (e.g., longitudinal axis) extending through the key portions 122 that is oriented at an angle 130 of approximately 30 degrees (e.g., 20 to 40 degrees or 25 to 35 degrees) relative to the axial axis 90.
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the tool trap 36 in the open position 102 due to actuation via the actuator 58. In particular, FIG. 10 is a side view of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the open position 102 due to actuation via the actuator 58 (FIG. 3), and FIG. 11 is a portion of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the open position 102 due to actuation via the actuator 58 taken within lines 11-11 of FIG. 10.
To reach the open position 102 from the closed position 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuator 58 drives the keyed shaft 64 to rotate in the direction 114. As the keyed shaft 64 rotates in the direction 114, surfaces 140 of the keyed shaft 64 contact and exert a force against surfaces 142 of the first linkage member 68, thereby causing the first linkage member 68 to rotate with the keyed shaft 64. As the first linkage member 68 rotates in the direction 114, the additional linkage members adjust to drive rotation of the one or more rotating shafts 60 (FIG. 3) and the one or more plates 62 to move the one or more plates 62 to the open position 102. Thus, rotation of the keyed shaft 64 from the neutral position 98 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to an actuated position 144 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 drives the one or more plates 62 to the open position 102. In the actuated position 144, the keyed shaft 64 is oriented at an angle (e.g., non-parallel) relative to the axial axis 90, and the angle may be greater than the angle 130 when the keyed shaft 64 is in the neutral position 98 (FIG. 5) although various other configurations are envisioned. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, in the actuated position 144, the axis 128 of the keyed shaft 64 is oriented at an angle 146 of approximately 75 degrees (e.g., 65 to 85 degrees or 70 to 80 degrees) relative to the axial axis 90.
FIGS. 12-17 illustrate an embodiment of the tool trap 36 in which the linkage assembly 56 includes a gear assembly 150. It should be noted that the same numbers have been used to identify elements that were shown and described in FIGS. 3-11. In particular, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tool trap 36 having the gear assembly 150, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the gear assembly 150. In FIG. 12, walls of the housing 50 are transparent to enable visualization of internal components and to facilitate discussion; however, it should be appreciated that the walls of the housing 50 may be opaque, solid walls. As shown, the gear assembly 150 includes multiple linkage members, such as a motor gear 152, a transition gear 154, and shaft gears 156. An output shaft of the actuator 58 is coupled (e.g., non-rotatably coupled) to the motor gear 152, and the one or more rotating shafts 60 include or are coupled to keyed shafts 158 (e.g., keyed end portions or keyed ends) that are positioned within respective openings 160 (e.g., aperture or recess) formed in the shaft gears 156. In operation, the linkage assembly 56 is configured to transfer forces generated by the actuator 58 to the one or more rotating shafts 60 that are coupled (e.g., non-rotatably coupled) to the one or more plates 62 of the tool trap 36. As discussed in more detail below, the keyed shafts 158 may enable the actuator 58 to drive the one or more plates 62 from the closed position 100 to the open position 102, while also enabling the tool 22 to drive the one or more plates 62 from the closed position 100 to the open position 102 without back driving the actuator 58.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the rotating shafts 60 having the keyed shaft 158 and one of the shaft gears 156. It should be appreciated that the other one of the rotating shafts 60 and the other one of the shaft gears 156 may have the same features. As shown, the keyed shaft 158 includes a first portion 162 (e.g., body portion) and a second portion 164 (e.g., key portion) that protrudes or extends radially outwardly relative to the first portion 162. Together, the first portion 162 and the second portion 164 define or extend about a circumference of the keyed shaft 158. The opening 160 of the shaft gear 156 includes a first portion 166 (e.g., body receiving portion) and a second portion 168 (e.g., key receiving portion) that has a diameter greater than the first portion 166. Together, the first portion 166 and the second portion 168 define or extend about a circumference of the opening 160. As discussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 15-17, these features enable the actuator 58 to drive the one or more plates 62 from the closed position 100 to the open position 102, while also enabling the tool 22 to drive the one or more plates 62 from the closed position 100 to the open position 102 without back driving the actuator 58.
FIG. 15 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the closed position 100. As shown in FIG. 15, the first portion 166 of the opening 160 has a radius of curvature that generally corresponds to that of the first portion 162 of the keyed shaft 158, and the second portion 168 of the opening 160 has a radius of curvature that generally corresponds to that of the second portion 164 of the keyed shaft 158. The various portions of the keyed shaft 158 and the opening 160 are sized such that a gap 170 (e.g., circumferential and/or radial gap) exists between the keyed shaft 158 and the shaft gear 156. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 166 and the second portion 168 of the opening 160 each extend about 50 percent (e.g., within +/−5 or 10 percent) of the circumference of the opening 160, while the first portion 162 and the second portion 164 of the keyed shaft 158 extend about 75 percent (e.g., within +/−5 or 10 percent) and 25 percent (e.g., within +/−5 or 10 percent), respectively, of the circumference of the keyed shaft 158.
While the one or more plates 62 are in the closed position 100, the shaft gear 156 is in a neutral position 172 and the keyed shaft 158 is a first position 174 in which the second portion 164 of the keyed shaft 158 may be positioned proximate to or against a first edge 176 (e.g., circumferentially-facing and/or radially-extending surface) of the opening 160 between the first portion 166 and the second portion 168 of the opening 160. As shown, the keyed shaft 158 and the shaft gear 156 include a common axis of rotation 175. A visual marker 178 is provided on the shaft gear 156 in FIGS. 15-17 to facilitate discussion, although the visual marker 178 may also be provided on the shaft gear 156 in use to enable visualization of the position of the shaft gear 156. As shown in FIG. 15, the visual marker 178 extends along the axial axis 90.
FIG. 16 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap 36 while the one or more plates 62 are in the open position 102 due to contact between the tool 22 and the one or more plates 62 during withdrawal of the tool 22 through the tool trap 36. In operation, the tool 22 drives the one or more plates 62 to the open position 102, which causes rotation of the rotating shafts 60 having the keyed shafts 158 relative to the shaft gears 156 in a direction 184. As shown in FIG. 16, due to the presence of the gap 117, the keyed shaft 158 rotates through an angle (e.g., up to approximately 90 degrees) to a second position 180 without contacting or exerting a force against a second edge 182 (e.g., circumferentially-facing and/or radially-extending surface) of the opening 160 between the first portion 166 and the second portion 168 of the opening 160. Thus, the shaft gear 156 remains in the neutral position 172 and the tool 22 may be withdrawn across the tool trap 36 without back driving the actuator 58. Once the tool 22 is no longer in contact with the one or more plates 62, the biasing member 84 (FIG. 3) may drive the one or more plates 62 to return to the closed position 100 shown in FIG. 15 without back driving of the actuator 58.
FIG. 17 is a side view of a portion of the tool trap 36 in the open position 102 due to actuation via the actuator 58 (FIG. 3). To reach the open position 102 from the closed position 100 shown in FIG. 15, the actuator 58 drives rotation of the shaft gear 156 (e.g., via the motor gear 152 and/or the transition gear 154). As the shaft gear 156 rotates in the direction 184, the first edge 176 of the opening 160 contacts and exerts a force against a surface 188 of the keyed shaft 158, thereby causing the rotating shaft 60 and the attached plate 62 to rotate to the open position 102. Thus, rotation of the shaft gears 156 from the neutral position 172 shown in FIG. 15 to an actuated position 190 shown in FIG. 17 drives the one or more plates 62 to the open position 102. In the illustrated embodiment, to reach the actuated position 190, the shaft gear 156 may rotate through an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
As noted above, the illustrated configurations are merely exemplary and the various features shown in FIGS. 3-17 may be combined in any suitable manner. For example, the linkage assembly 56 shown in FIGS. 3-11 may be utilized with keyed shafts on the one or more rotating shafts 60 rather than the keyed shaft 64 that is coupled to the output shaft of the actuator 58. Similarly, the gear assembly 150 shown in FIGS. 12-17 may be utilized with a keyed shaft that is coupled to the output shaft of the actuator 58 rather than the keyed shafts 158 on the one or more rotating shafts 60. The keyed shaft 64, 158 may have any of the features of one another, as well as other configurations. For example, any suitable number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) of key portions and corresponding key receiving portions may be provided. Furthermore, while the illustrated tool trap 36 includes two plates 62, it should be appreciated that the components may be adapted for use with a tool trap that includes one plate 62. Similarly, while the actuator 58 is described as an electric actuator, it should be appreciated that the components may be used with any of a variety of actuators (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic). The components may also be adapted for use with another tool blocking device, such as the tool catcher 32 (FIG. 2) of the wireline PCE stack 18 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Various methods of operating the tool trap 36 may be understood with reference to FIGS. 1-17 and the corresponding description.
The tool trap 36 may additionally or alternatively have various other features, such as a two-piece plate, an access door, an angled plate, and/or sliding plates. For example, in some cases, it may be advantageous to utilize a two-piece plate in the tool trap 36. In some existing systems, a one-piece plate is used with a tool trap having a two-part housing. The one-piece plate may only be fully inspected or removed from the tool trap by disassembling the two-part housing of the tool trap, which may be difficult as the threads between portions of the two-part housing may seize. However, the two-piece plate disclosed herein may advantageously enable use of a one-part housing that has a lower height than the two-part housing and/or may enable inspection or removal without disassembling the housing.
With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of a two-piece plate 200 (e.g., collar or flapper) that may be used in the tool trap 36. The two-piece plate 200 includes a first portion 202 and a second portion 204 that may be inserted separately into a cavity of the housing (e.g., housing 50 of FIG. 3 or 12) of the tool trap 36. Subsequently, the two-piece plate 200 may be assembled within the cavity via an interlocking interface (e.g., a key-slot interface). For example, the two-piece plate 200 may be assembled by inserting a key 206 (e.g., protrusion) of the first portion 202 into a slot 208 (e.g., groove) of the second portion 204, and then sliding the first portion 202 and the second portion 204 relative to one another. One or more bars (e.g., rotating shafts 60) may then be inserted through the cavity of the housing and through the assembled two-piece plate 200. In operation, the one or more bars may be driven to rotate to adjust the two-piece plate 200 from a closed position to an open position.
FIGS. 19-21 illustrate the assembly of the two-piece plate 200. As shown in FIG. 19, the key 206 of the first portion 202 and the slot 208 of the second portion 204 are aligned with one another. As shown in FIG. 20, the first plate 202 may be driven in a direction 210 to slide relative to the second plate 204 until fully assembled to form the two-piece plate 200 shown in FIG. 21. At least one of the first portion 202 or the second portion 204 may include a stop that blocks the first portion 202 from sliding in the direction 210 beyond the position illustrated in FIG. 21.
The interlocking interface may have any of a variety of configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the interlocking interface includes the key 206 and the slot 208. As shown in FIG. 22, which is an end view of the two-piece plate 200, the key 206 and the slot 208 may have a corresponding T-shape, for example. As noted above, the two-piece plate 200 may advantageously enable use of a one-part housing that has a lower height than the two-part housing and/or may enable inspection or removal of the two-piece plate 200 without disassembling the housing. A single two-piece plate 200 may be used alone in the tool trap 36, which may also enable actuation via a single actuator 58, thereby reducing the number of components, as well as complexity and cost, for example. However, multiple two-piece plates 200 may also be used together in the tool trap 36. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the two-piece plate 200 disclosed herein may be used in any of a variety of tool traps having any of a variety of features (e.g., without the linkage assembly 56 or other features described above).
As noted above, in some existing systems, a one-piece plate may only be fully inspected or removed from a tool trap by disassembling a two-part housing of the tool trap, which may be difficult as the threads between portions of the two-part housing may seize. While multiple plates (e.g., the plates 62 in FIG. 3 or 12) or one two-piece plate (e.g., two-piece plate 200) may be used to address these issues, additionally or alternatively, a door (e.g., access door) may be provided in the housing of the tool trap.
With the foregoing in mind FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of a door 220 (e.g., access door) coupled to the housing 50 of the tool trap 36. As shown, the door 220 includes a panel 222 that is secured to the housing 50 via multiple fasteners 224 (e.g., bolts). The door 220 may include a handle 226 to enable an operator to easily grip the door 220.
As shown in FIG. 24, the door 220 may be removed from the housing 50 to reveal an opening 228 (e.g., through-hole) formed in a surface 230 (e.g., side surface) of the housing 50 and to provide access to a cavity 232 within the housing 50. A seal element 234 (e.g., annular seal, elastomer seal) may be provided between the panel 222 and the housing 50 to block flow across the seal element 234, thereby isolating the bore 24 (FIG. 1) from the external environment.
As shown in FIG. 25, the opening 228 may enable insertion of a one-piece plate 236 into the cavity 232 without disassembling an upper connection 238 (e.g., threaded connector) or a lower connection 240 (e.g., lower connection) or any other parts of the housing 50. Thus, the door 220 may result in reduced downtime during inspection and/or maintenance operations (e.g., during inspection or removal of the one-piece plate 236). The single one-piece plate 236 may advantageously enable actuation via a single actuator 58 and may reduce the number of components, as well as complexity and cost, as compared to multiple plates (e.g., the plates 62 in FIG. 3 or 12) or one two-piece plate (e.g., two-piece plate 200). However, it should be appreciated that multiple plates (e.g., the plates 62 in FIG. 3 or 12), one or more two-piece plates (e.g., two-piece plate 200), or other types of plates may also be used in the tool trap 36 having the door 220.
As noted above, the tool trap 36 may additionally or alternatively include an angular plate. FIGS. 26-29 illustrate an embodiment of the tool trap 36 having an angular plate 250 (e.g., collar or flapper). In particular, FIG. 26 is a side view of the tool trap 36 with the angular plate 250 in the open position 102, FIG. 27 is a side view of the tool trap 36 with the angular plate 250 in the closed position 100, FIG. 28 is a side view of the tool trap 36 with the angular plate 250 in the closed position 100 as the tool 22 contacts the angular plate 250, and FIG. 29 is a side view of the tool trap 36 with the angular plate 250 in the closed position 100 with the tool 22 against a wear insert 252 (e.g., annular or semi-annular).
With reference to FIG. 26, in the open position 102, the angular plate 250 is positioned out of the bore 24 to enable the tool 22 to move across the tool trap 36. As shown in FIG. 27, in the closed position 100, the angular plate 250 is oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal axis 254 that is orthogonal to the axial axis 90. In some embodiments, the angular plate 250 may have an axis 256 (e.g., longitudinal axis) that is oriented at an angle 258 that is equal to or greater than approximately 15, 30, or 45 degrees and/or between approximately 30 to 60 degrees or 40 to 50 degrees relative to the horizontal axis 254.
As shown in FIG. 28, the angular plate 250 may advantageously reduce an angle of impact and impact loading from the tool 22 as the tool 22 falls and lands on the angular plate 250 (e.g., as compared to plates that are orthogonal to the axial axis 90 in the closed position 100). As shown in FIG. 29, once the tool 22 strikes the angular plate 250, the tool 22 may slide along the angular plate 250 into contact with the wear insert 252, which protects the housing 50 from the tool 22, for example.
As noted above, the tool trap 36 may additionally or alternatively include sliding plates. FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate an embodiment of the tool trap 36 having two sliding plates 270 (e.g., collars or flappers). The sliding plates 270 slide relative to the cavity 232 between the closed position 100 and the open position 102 (e.g., without rotating or pivoting). Each sliding plate 270 may be driven via a corresponding actuator assembly 272 that is coupled to the housing 50 of the tool trap 36. Each actuator assembly 272 includes a cylinder 274 surrounding a piston 276 that extends from the actuator assembly 274, through the housing 50 of the tool trap 36, and couples to the sliding plate 270. A fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) may be provided through an inlet 278 to a chamber 280 (e.g., annular chamber) to drive the sliding plate 270 from the closed position 100 to the open position 102 to enable the tool 22 to be lowered across the tool trap 36, as discussed above. However, other types of actuators (e.g., electric actuators) may be utilized to drive the sliding plates 270. The sliding plate 270 may be biased toward the closed position 100 via a biasing member 282. In the closed position 100, a gap between the sliding plates 270 may allow a wire to travel through the bore 24, but also enable the sliding plates 270 block the tool 22 from falling below the sliding plates 270. In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding plates 270 include an angled surface 284. During withdrawal of the tool 22, the tool 22 may contact the angled surface 284 to drive the sliding plates 270 apart and to allow the tool 22 to pass across the tool trap 36.
Advantageously, the sliding plates 270 may be inserted and removed without disassembling the housing 50 of the tool trap 36 as the sliding plates 270 fit through the upper connector 52 and/or the lower connector 52. Because the sliding plates 270 slide into the cavity 232, the sliding plates 270 may have an increased thickness relative to a height of the housing 50 and/or the housing 50 may have a reduced height (e.g., as compared to tool traps that are designed to accommodate pivoting plates). The position of the piston 276 may also result in lower impact forces on the piston 276 (e.g., as compared to tool traps with pivoting plates mounted on bars).
It should be appreciated that any of the various features disclosed herein may be used in combination with one another. While the disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims.
Patent Application
20190383113
