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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Downhole tool utilizing well fluid compression

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5475447

A method is described of operating a downhole tool string, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing in the tool string an operating element, a power piston operatively associated with the operating element, and upper and lower longitudinally spaced packer means; (b) lowering the tool string into a well bore; (c) sealing the upper and lower packer means between the tool string and the well bore, and thereby defining a sealed well annulus zone between the upper and lower packer means; (d) communicating a lower pressure side of the power piston means with the sealed well annulus zone through a compression passage; (e) applying an actuating pressure to a high pressure side of the power piston means; (f) moving the power piston means in response to a difference between the actuating pressure and well fluid pressure within the sealed well annulus zone, and thereby operating the operating element; (g) compressing well fluid within the sealed well annulus zone as the power piston means is moved to operate the operating element and thereby storing in fluid compression a portion of the energy applied to move the power piston means; (h) subsequently decreasing a pressure applied to the high pressure side of the power piston means; and (i) expanding the compressed well fluid in the sealed well annulus zone, and thereby returning the power piston to an original position thereof.

Assignee:
Halliburton Co., Duncan, OK
Patent Number(s):
US 4589485
OSTI ID:
5475447
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English