Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CATCHING APPARATUS
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a catching apparatus for use in catching an
object, such as within a downhole flow path.
BACKGROUND TO INVENTION
In the oil and gas industry many downhole operations rely on objects dropped
from surface to be caught at some point along a downhole system to perform a
desired function, such as mechanical actuation, flow diversion or the like.
For
example, WO 2011/117601 and WO 2011/117602 each disclose downhole
apparatus which catch objects for use in actuation of a downhole tool and flow
diversion within the tool, for example for use in fracturing operations.
A collet type catching apparatus includes a number of collet fingers each
carrying a collet or seat member. In use, the collet fingers are capable of
being
deflected radially inwards to move the seat members between the radially
extended
configuration and a radially retracted configuration which permits an object
to be
caught.
In some circumstances, however, it is possible for the collet fingers to
inadvertently move to the radially retracted configuration, impairing the
passage of an
object or tool through the downhole system.
Inadvertent movement of the collet fingers to the radially retracted
configuration may occur, for example, where residual stresses retained in the
apparatus from its manufacture are released when the apparatus is subject to
repeated impact events during its operational life, such as from the impact of
an
object or objects to be caught by the apparatus.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a
downhole apparatus, such as a catching apparatus for catching an object,
comprising:
a plurality of radially moveable seat members arranged circumferentially
around a longitudinal axis, wherein the seat members are moveable between a
radially extended configuration and a radially retracted configuration; and
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a releasable lock arrangement configured to retain the seat members in the
radially extended configuration.
The radially extended configuration may permit passage of an object through
the seat members and the radially retracted configuration may permit an object
to be
caught by the apparatus/seat members.
Providing a lock arrangement may permit the seat members to be retained in
the radially extended configuration and so prevent inadvertent movement or
collapse
of the seat members towards a radially retracted configuration, for example as
a
result of impact of an object on the seat members. Providing a lock
arrangement
may permit the seat members to be retained in the radially extended
configuration
without reliance on equalised stresses in the apparatus to keep them in
position.
The apparatus may be configured to be retained in the radially extended
configuration until acted on by an actuation event. Retaining the apparatus in
the
radially extended configuration until acted on by an actuation event may
ensure that
the apparatus is not collapsed until an operator wishes to actuate the tool.
The lock arrangement may define a locked condition and an unlocked
condition.
The lock arrangement may be biased towards the locked condition. The lock
arrangement may be biased towards the locked condition by a biasing member,
such
as a spring or the like.
The lock arrangement may be configured to move from the locked condition
to the unlocked condition. The lock arrangement may be configured to move from
the locked condition to the unlocked condition to permit movement of the seat
members towards the retracted configuration. Thus, the apparatus may be
retained
until it is desired to release the lock arrangement.
The lock arrangement may be configured to move from the locked condition
to the unlocked condition by axial movement. The actuation event may comprise
the
axial movement.
The lock arrangement may be configured to move from the unlocked
condition to the locked condition. The lock arrangement may be configured to
move
from the unlocked condition to the locked condition to permit the seat members
to
again be retained in the extended configuration. Thus, the lock arrangement
may be
re-useable, being moveable between the locked condition and the unlocked
condition
a plurality of times. The lock arrangement may be configured to move from the
locked condition to the unlocked condition by axial movement.
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At least part of the lock arrangement may be defined by a seat member.
At least part of the lock arrangement may be defined by a housing. The
apparatus may comprise the housing or the housing may be operably associated
with the catching apparatus.
At least part of the lock arrangement may be defined by a tool. The
apparatus may comprise the tool or the tool may be operably associated with
the
catching apparatus. The tool may be disposed about the seat members. The tool
may be disposed between the housing and the seat members.
The tool may comprise an annular member. The tool may comprise a ring, a
washer or the like.
The tool may comprise a sleeve, such as an insert sleeve, disposed within the
housing. The insert sleeve may be secured to the housing. Providing an insert
sleeve may assist in manufacture of the lock arrangement.
In particular embodiments, the lock arrangement may be defined by the seat
members, the annular member, such as the ring, and the housing/ insert sleeve.
The lock arrangement may comprise a lock profile.
The lock profile may comprise an external profile. For example, the lock
profile may comprise an external profile formed or otherwise provided on one
or more
of the seat members.
The lock profile may comprise an internal profile. For example, the lock
profile may comprise an internal profile formed or otherwise provided on the
annular
member, such as the ring. Alternatively, or additionally, the lock profile may
comprise an internal profile formed or otherwise provided on the housing or
insert
sleeve.
In particular embodiments, the lock profile may be defined by an external
profile on the seat members, and internal profiles on the ring and insert
sleeve. The
internal profiles may be axially spaced.
In use, the lock profiles may cooperate to retain the lock arrangement in the
locked condition.
The apparatus may be configured to define multiple locked configurations.
For example, in a first locked configuration the seat member lock profile may
be
arranged to cooperate with the annular member lock profile. In a second locked
configuration the seat member lock profile may be arranged to cooperate with
the
housing or insert sleeve lock profile.
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The, or at least one, lock profile may comprise a hook profile, a barb, or the
like.
The, or at least one, lock profile may comprise an acute angle.
In particular
embodiments, the, or at least one, lock profile may comprise an angle of 50
degrees.
The angle may alternatively be, for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60
degrees, 70
degrees, or any other suitable angle.
The lock arrangement, more particularly the lock profile or profiles, may
assist
in providing erosion protection. This may be achieved since the profile, or
profiles,
define more material to be eroded should erosion occur. Thus the profile, or
profiles,
may be at least partially sacrificial.
At least one of the apparatus, the seat members, housing, annular member,
sleeve, ring may be provided with or comprise an erosion resistant coating.
Providing an erosion resistant coating may assist in providing erosion
protection.
The catching apparatus may be configured to catch an object such as a ball,
dart, plug, tool or the like.
The catching apparatus may be for use in catching an object passing along
any flow path, such as in a pipeline environment, downhole environment or the
like.
The catching apparatus may be configured to catch an object travelling in a
downhole environment, for example travelling through a tubular structure
positioned
within a wellbore, such as a tubing string, completion string, tool string,
production
string, injection string, fracturing string or the like. The catching
apparatus may be
configured to be located within a tubular structure. For example, the catching
apparatus may be configured to be mounted within a housing of a downhole tool.
The catching apparatus may define a catching sleeve.
In such an
arrangement the apparatus may be provided in the form of a sleeve.
The catching apparatus may be configured to function as a flow diverter when
an object is caught.
The catching apparatus may be configured to function as an actuator when
an object is caught. For example, the catching apparatus may be configured to
actuate another component, structure, apparatus, tool or the like. For
example, when
an object is caught by the catching apparatus, the object may facilitate
movement of
the catching apparatus, for example by impact of the object against the
apparatus, by
a pressure differential established across the object/catching apparatus, or
the like.
The catching apparatus may be provided in combination with a j-slot actuator
arrangement.
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The catching apparatus may be configured to function as a bore plug when
an object is caught, for example to isolate a region within a tubing
structure. Such an
arrangement may facilitate pressure to be controlled, for example elevated, in
a
section of a tubing structure. Such an arrangement may facilitate pressure
actuation
5 of a
further component, structure, apparatus, tool or the like, such as packers,
slips,
rupture disks and the like.
The catching apparatus may be configured to function as a flow restrictor
when an object is caught. For example, the catching apparatus may be
configured to
function as a choke.
The catching apparatus may be configured for use within a fracturing system
or operation. For example, the catching apparatus may be configured to actuate
or
open one or more fracturing valves to permit a fracturing fluid to be
delivered into a
surrounding formation. Alternatively, or additionally, the catching apparatus
may be
configured to function as a flow diverter when an object is caught to divert
flow of
fracturing fluid outwardly through opened ports and into a surrounding
formation.
The seat members may be radially moveable to be radially extended and
retracted relative to a central bore of the catching apparatus. That is, the
seat
members may be moveable radially inwardly to be retracted into the central
bore to
define a reduced effective inner diameter. The seat members may be moveable
radially outwardly to be radially extended from the central bore to define an
increased
effective inner diameter. When the seat members are positioned radially
inwardly
and retracted into the central bore said members may be positioned into the
path of
an object passing through the catching apparatus. When in such a configuration
the
seat members may be engaged by an object. When the seat members are
positioned radially outwardly and extended from the central bore said members
may
be outside the path of an object passing through the catching apparatus.
The catching apparatus may be configurable from a free configuration in
which the seat members permit an object to pass the catching apparatus, to a
catching configuration in which the seat members catch an object.
The catching apparatus may be reconfigured to or in its catching configuration
by radially supporting the seat members in a radially inward position such
that
outward radial movement is prevented. In such a configuration an object
passing
through the catching apparatus may become seated against the radially
supported
seat members.
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The catching apparatus may be configurable between its free and catching
configurations by an actuator. Any suitable actuator may be used to actuate
and
reconfigure the catching apparatus. For example, a valve member, such as a
valve
sleeve, arranged in proximity to the catching apparatus may function to
reconfigure
the catching apparatus. For example, opening and/or closing of a valve member
may also reconfigure the catching apparatus.
An indexing sleeve, such as a collet sleeve disclosed in WO 2011/117601
and/or WO 2011/117602 may be used to reconfigure the catching apparatus.
A piston assembly may be used to reconfigure the catching apparatus. A
shifting tool, such as a coiled tubing or wireline deployed shifting tool may
be used to
reconfigure the catching apparatus.
The seat members may be biased in a radial direction.
In one embodiment the seat members may be biased radially outwardly. In
such an arrangement the seat members may require to be positively moved
against
this bias to be moved radially inwardly and be retracted into the central bore
to be
engaged by an object. Thus, when the catching apparatus is in its free
configuration
an object may freely pass through the catching apparatus without or with
minimal
engagement with the seat members. The catching apparatus may be reconfigured
into its catching configuration by positively moving the seat members radially
inwardly into the central bore against the bias to catch an object.
In one embodiment the seat members may be biased radially inwardly. In
such an arrangement the seat members may be required to be positively moved
against this bias to be moved radially outwardly and be extended from the
central
bore to allow passage of an object, when required. Such outward radial
movement
of the seat members may be caused by an object acting against the seat members
during passage of the object through the catching apparatus when the catching
apparatus is configured in its free configuration.
The catching apparatus may be axially moveable to be configured between its
free and catching configurations.
The catching apparatus may be held stationary and a support arrangement,
such as a sleeve, may be moved axially relative to said catching apparatus to
selectively support the seat members in a radially inward position.
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The catching apparatus may be configurable from the catching configuration
to a release configuration in which the seat members permit release of a
previously
caught object.
In one embodiment the catching apparatus may be configurable to the
release configuration by de-supporting the seat members. When the seat members
are de-supported a bias force may act to move the seat members radially
outwardly
and extend the seat members from the central bore. Alternatively, or
additionally,
when the seat members are de-supported displacement of an object, for example
by
fluid pressure, may deflect the seat members radially outwardly, thus allowing
the
object to pass.
The catching apparatus may be axially moveable to permit said catching
apparatus to be reconfigured to the release configuration. Such axial movement
may
be achieved by action of an object seated against the seat members, for
example by
action of a differential pressure permitted to be established across the
interface
between the object and the seat members.
The catching apparatus may be axially moveable to align the seat members
with a region of increased inner diameter, thus permitting the seat members to
be
moved radially outwardly.
The catching apparatus may be provided in combination with a release
arrangement. The catching apparatus and the release apparatus may form part of
a
catching system according to an alternative aspect of the present invention.
The
release arrangement may be actuated by axial movement of the catching
apparatus.
The release arrangement may be configured to facilitate de-supporting of the
seat
members to permit the catching apparatus to be configured in its release
configuration.
The release arrangement may comprise a release sleeve. The release
sleeve may be moveable between a supporting position in which the release
sleeve
may radially support the seat members in the radially inward or retracted
position,
towards a de-supporting position in which the release sleeve removes the
radial
support to the seat members, allowing the seat members to be moved radially
outwardly.
The release sleeve may cover a release recess, for example formed within a
tubing structure, when said release sleeve is located within its supporting
position.
The release sleeve may be moved axially towards its release position to
uncover the
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release recess and permit the seat members to be moved radially outwardly and
received within the release recess to permit release of an object.
The release sleeve may be moved axially by an actuator.
The release sleeve may be moved axially by the catching apparatus,
The release sleeve may define a load profile, such as a load shoulder,
configured to be engaged by the catching apparatus.
The catching apparatus may define a load profile configured to engage a load
profile on the release sleeve to permit the catching apparatus to apply a
force on the
release sleeve.
One or more seat members may comprise a load profile, such as a notch,
configured to engage a load profile on the release sleeve to permit the
release sleeve
to be moved by the catching apparatus. One or more seat members may comprise a
load profile on a radially outer surface thereof and configured to engage a
corresponding load profile, such as an annular shoulder, on a radially inner
surface
thereof.
Each seat member may comprise a load profile, wherein when said seat
members are moved radially inwardly the individual load profiles define a
substantially circumferentially continuous load profile.
The catching apparatus may be biased in a preferred axial direction. Such
bias may be provided by a spring, for example. In some embodiments such bias
may be provided in a direction to permit the catching apparatus to be
configured in its
free configuration. In one embodiment the catching apparatus may be biased in
a
direction opposite to the direction in which a release sleeve is moved to be
positioned
within a release position. Such an arrangement may permit the catching
apparatus
to be axially returned, following actuation of the release sleeve, to a
position at which
the seat members may be aligned with an uncovered release recess.
The seat members may collectively define a substantially complete annular
structure when positioned radially inwardly, for example when the catching
apparatus
is configured within its catching configuration. In such an arrangement each
seat
member may be engaged or be brought into very close proximity with
circumferentially adjacent seat members when positioned radially inwardly.
The ability to provide a substantially complete annular structure may permit a
high degree of sealing to be achieved between the seat members and an object
when seated against the seat members. The ability to provide a substantially
complete annular structure may permit a more robust structure to be formed,
which
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may facilitate improved mechanical response to the operational forces, such as
impact forces upon engagement by an object, actuation forces by an object
seated
against the seat members, resistance to extrusion forces and the like.
One or more seat members may define a seat surface on one axial side
thereof. Such a seat surface may be configured to be engaged by an object.
The seat surface of a seat member may be arranged to provide a
substantially continuous or complete engagement with an object.
Such an
arrangement may permit sealing engagement to be achieved between the seat
surface and an object. In one embodiment the seat surface may define a
circumferential profile which corresponds to a circumferential profile of an
object.
One or more seat members may define a curved seat surface. One or more
seat members may define a convex seat surface. Such an arrangement may be
provided in combination with use of an object having a curved, such as convex,
surface.
One or more seat members may be configured to be engaged by an object
from opposing axial directions. Such an arrangement may permit an object to be
caught or arrested when passing in either axial direction. For example, in
some
embodiments reverse flow through the catching apparatus may cause an object
which has previously passed in a forward direction to be engaged or seated
against
the seat members. Further, such an arrangement may permit the catching
apparatus
to be actuated to move in opposing axial directions in response to engagement
by an
object in either axial direction.
One or more seat members may comprise a first seat surface on one axial
side thereof, and a second seat surface on an opposing axial side thereof.
The catching apparatus may comprise or define a collet sleeve.
The catching apparatus may comprise a tubular portion and a plurality of
fingers extending longitudinally from the tubular portion. Each finger may
support a
respective seat member. A distal end of each finger may support a respective
seat
member. Each finger may be radially deformable, for example by longitudinal
bending, to permit the respective seat members to be moved radially outwardly
and
inwardly. The fingers may be elastically deformable to provide a desired
radial bias.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method for catching an object, comprising:
arranging a catching apparatus according to any other aspect within a path of
travel of an object;
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retaining the catching apparatus in a radially extended configuration by a
releasable lock arrangement;
releasing the lock arrangement;
configuring the catching apparatus into a catching configuration; and
5 catching the object.
The method may comprise configuring the catching apparatus into a release
configuration to permit the object to be released.
The method may comprise reconfiguring the catching apparatus to the
radially extended configuration after the object has been released.
10
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method for manufacturing a catching apparatus, such as a catching apparatus
according to any other aspect.
The method may comprise deforming the individual collet fingers radially
outwardly.
The method may comprise forming the lock arrangement on the catching
apparatus.
The method may comprise forming a lock profile on the catching apparatus.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a
downhole tool comprising a catching apparatus according to any other aspect.
The downhole tool may comprise a tool housing defining a central bore and
including a fluid port. The fluid port may be configured to permit fluid
communication
between the central bore and a location external to the housing. The fluid
port may
extend in any suitable direction. The fluid port may extend generally
perpendicularly
relative to the central bore. In some embodiments the fluid port may extend
generally obliquely relative to the central bore. The fluid port may extend in
varying
directions, for example portions of the fluid port may extend at least one of
perpendicularly, parallel and obliquely relative to the central bore.
A valve member, such as a valve sleeve may be mounted within the housing.
The valve member may be moveable, for example axially moveable, from a closed
position in which the fluid port is blocked to an open position in which the
fluid port is
opened. The fluid port may be opened to provide fluid communication between
the
central bore of the tool and an external downhole location, such as an
annulus, a
surrounding formation or the like. The fluid port may be arranged to
accommodate
one or both of outflow and inflow.
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The downhole tool may comprise a catching apparatus, such as provided in
accordance with any other aspect. The catching apparatus may be mounted within
the housing, for example on a downhole side of the valve member.
The downhole tool may comprise an indexing mechanism mounted within the
housing. The indexing mechanism may be located on an uphole side of the valve
member. The indexing mechanism may be arranged to be moved axially along the
housing towards an actuation site. Upon reaching the actuation site the
indexing
mechanism may initiate actuation, for example movement, of at least one of the
valve
member and the catching apparatus.
The downhole tool may define a downhole fracturing tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 a longitudinal sectional view of a downhole tool which
includes a
catching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention, shown in a radially extended configuration;
Figure 2 the downhole tool of Figure 1, reconfigured to a catching
configuration
prior to receiving an object to be caught;
Figure 3 the downhole tool of Figures 1 and 2 in the catching
configuration,
after the object has been received;
Figure 4 the downhole tool of Figures 1, 2 and 3, reconfigured to a
release
configuration, after the object has been released;
Figure 5 an enlarged view of a region of the downhole tool shown in Figure
1,
showing the catching apparatus.
Figure 6 an enlarged view of a region of Figure 5, showing the lock
arrangement;
Figure 7 an enlarged view of a region of the downhole tool shown in
Figure 2,
showing the catching apparatus.
Figure 8 an enlarged view of a region of Figure 7, showing the lock
arrangement;
Figure 9 an enlarged view of a region of the downhole tool shown in
Figure 3,
showing the catching apparatus.
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Figure 10 an enlarged view of a region of Figure 9, showing the lock
arrangement;
Figure 11 an enlarged view of a region of the downhole tool shown in
Figure 4,
showing the catching apparatus.
Figure 12 an enlarged view of a region of Figure 11, showing the lock
arrangement;
Figure 13 a longitudinal section view of a collet sleeve of the
catching apparatus;
Figure 14 a longitudinal section view of an insert sleeve of the
catching
apparatus; and
Figure 15 a longitudinal section view of an annular ring of the catching
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring initially to Figures 1 and 5, there is shown a downhole tool,
generally identified by reference number 10, according to an embodiment of the
present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the downhole tool 10 is for
use in
treating, for example fracturing, a subterranean formation 11. The downhole
tool 10
comprises a housing 12 which defines a plurality of ports 14 (one port is
visible in
Figure 1). A valve sleeve 16 is mounted within the housing 12 and is shown in
a
closed position in Figure 1, in which the ports 14 are closed and sealed via o-
rings
18. When in this initial closed position the valve sleeve 16 is pinned to the
housing
12 via a shear pin 19.
A catching apparatus 20, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, is mounted within the housing 12 on a downhole side of the valve
sleeve
16. The catching apparatus 20 is provided, generally, in the form of a collet-
type
sleeve, and comprises a tubular body 22 and a plurality of collet fingers 24
which
extend axially from the tubular body 22. Each finger 24 carries at a distal
end thereof
a respective seat member 26. The catching apparatus 20 defines a longitudinal
axis
28, which is coincident with the longitudinal axis 29of the tool 10, and the
fingers 24
and seat members 26 are circumferentially distributed around this axis 28. The
fingers 24 are deformable by bending in a longitudinal direction to permit the
seat
members 26 to be selectively moved radially into and out of a central bore or
passage 30 defined by the catching apparatus 20.
In the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 5, the seat members 26 are
positioned in a biased radially outward position, received within a recess 32
provided
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in an insert sleeve 33 disposed within the housing 12, and thus removed from
the
central bore 30. Accordingly, any object passing through the tool 10 will not
be
caught by the catching apparatus 20. For example, a passing object may
continue
past the tool 10 to perform some operation further downhole, for example
within a
deeper tool. In this respect, the catching apparatus 20 may be considered to
be
presented in a free configuration in Figures 1 and 5.
An activator sleeve 34 is located downhole of the catching apparatus 20,
wherein said sleeve 34 defines an activation surface 36 and a step profile 38.
In the
configuration shown in Figure 1 the activator sleeve 34 is secured to the
insert sleeve
33 via a number of shear screws 40, and covers an annular recess 42.
Referring now also to Figure 6, which shows an enlarged view of a region of
Figure 5, a lock arrangement 44 is provided for retaining the catching
apparatus 20 is
the radially extended free configuration.
In the illustrated embodiment, the lock arrangement 44 comprises a barb 46
formed on an external surface 48 of the collet fingers 26 and a corresponding
barb
50 formed on an internal surface 52 of a washer ring 54 disposed within the
housing
12. A corresponding barb 56 is also formed on an internal surface 58 of the
insert
sleeve 33, as will be described further below.
As can be seen, in the configuration shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6 the lock
arrangement 44 is in a locked condition, in which the barbs 46, 50 cooperate
to
radially restrain movement of the collet fingers 26 and so retain the catching
apparatus 20 in the radially extended free configuration.
The washer ring 54 engages a no-go shoulder 60 on the insert sleeve 33 and
a spring 62 biases at least one, and in the illustrated embodiment both, of
the washer
ring 54 and the collet fingers 26 to the engaged position.
The catching apparatus 20 is configured such that erosion of the seat
members 26 is minimised when said members 26 are positioned radially outwardly
and the apparatus 20 configured in its free configuration, and the larger
surfaces
defined by at least one of the barbs may assist in preventing erosion.
Referring now to Figures 2, 7 and 8, the downhole tool 10 is shown in an
initial activated configuration. Specifically, the shear screw 19 has been
sheared and
the valve sleeve 16 has been axially moved in a downhole direction to open the
ports
14 and permit fluid communication outwardly from the tool 10. The valve sleeve
16
may be moved by any suitable actuator, such as via a piston. In some
embodiments
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the valve sleeve may be moved or actuated by an indexing sleeve, such as a
collet
sleeve disclosed in WO 2011/117601 and/or WO 2011/117602.
During actuation, the valve sleeve 16 acts upon the catching apparatus 20,
causing this apparatus 20 to also move axially downhole within the housing 12,
moving the barbs 46, 50 out of engagement and driving the seat members 26 out
of
the recess 32 and onto the activation surface 36 of the activator sleeve 34.
Relative
movement of the catching apparatus 20 and activator sleeve 34 is arrested upon
engagement of the seat members 26 against the step profile 38. Thus, the seat
members 26 are positioned radially inwardly and into the central bore 30 of
the
apparatus 20. Such a configuration of the apparatus 20 may be considered a
catching configuration. That is, any object, such as a ball 64 of appropriate
dimension passing through the tool 10 will engage and seat against the seat
members 26, thus becoming caught, as shown in Figures 3, 9 and 10.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3, 9 and 10, the ball 64 may
function to block the tool 10 and establish a flow diversion such that
substantially all
fluid may be diverted outwardly through the ports 14, for example to fracture
a
surrounding formation. Further, in some embodiments the ball 64 may have
previously operated a system, such as an indexing system, to initially move
the valve
sleeve 16 and/or catching apparatus 20.
Referring now also to Figures 4, 11 and 12, when the ball 64 is to be released
the catching apparatus 20 may be reconfigured into a release configuration.
Pressure may be elevated uphole of the ball 64, increasing the force being
applied
axially on the catching apparatus 20, and also on the activator sleeve 34 via
the
engagement of the seat members 26 with the step profile 38. Upon reaching a
predetermined axial force the shear screws 40 will shear, permitting the
catching
apparatus 20 and activator sleeve 34 to move axially downhole. As such, the
annular recess 42 may become uncovered, and upon relief of fluid pressure the
spring 62 may move the catching apparatus 20 in an uphole direction (left as
shown
in the Figures) to permit the seat members 26 to become located within the
annular
recess 42, and allowing the ball 64 to be released. By such use, the activator
sleeve
34 may function as a release sleeve.
As shown, the barb 46 engages the barb 56 on the insert sleeve 33, such that
in the configuration shown in Figures 4, 11 and 12 the lock arrangement 44
defines a
second locked condition retaining the apparatus 20 in a radially extended
CA 02899568 2015-07-28
WO 2014/140605
PCT/GB2014/050780
configuration which permits passage of an object, such as another ball or a
tool, such
as a shifting tool, or the like.
Referring now to Figures 13, 14 and 15, there is shown longitudinal section
views, respectively, of the catching apparatus 20 showing the barb 46, the
insert
5 sleeve 33 showing the barb 56 and washer ring 54 showing barb 50.
It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely
exemplary and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
For example, any suitable lock arrangement may be provided. The lock
10 arrangement may alternatively or additionally comprise a mechanical
retainer, such
as a shear pin or the like.
In the exemplary embodiments described the catching apparatus is utilised
within a tool which is used for fracturing operations. However, generally, the
catching
apparatus may be utilised in any situation where an object must be caught. For
15 example, the catching apparatus may function as an actuator, wherein
movement of
the apparatus to actuate a further apparatus or process may be achieved upon
or
subsequent to catching an object.
