A method and apparatus for propelling a tool having a body within a passage. The tool includes a gripper including at least a gripper portion which can assume a first position that engages an inner surface of the passage and limits relative movement of the gripper portion relative to the inner surfa
A method and apparatus for propelling a tool having a body within a passage. The tool includes a gripper including at least a gripper portion which can assume a first position that engages an inner surface of the passage and limits relative movement of the gripper portion relative to the inner surface. The gripper portion can also assume a second position that permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper portion and the inner surface of the passage. The tool includes a propulsion assembly for selectively continuously moving the body of the tool with respect to the gripper portion while the gripper portion is in the first position. This allows the tool to move different types of equipment within the passage. For example, the tool advantageously may be used in drilling processes to provide continuous force to a drill bit. This enables the drilling of extended horizontal boreholes.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A tool for moving within a passage, comprising: an elongated body; a first fluid-actuated gripper assembly engaged with and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the first gripper assembly configured to grip onto an inner surface of the passage when the first gripp
What is claimed is: 1. A tool for moving within a passage, comprising: an elongated body; a first fluid-actuated gripper assembly engaged with and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the first gripper assembly configured to grip onto an inner surface of the passage when the first gripper assembly receives a pressurized fluid; a first barrel surrounding and engaged with the body, the first barrel being longitudinally fixed with respect to at least one end of the first gripper assembly and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the first barrel and the body defining a first annular space therebetween, wherein one or more interfaces between the first barrel and the body are sealed to substantially prevent escape of fluid from the first annular space to an exterior of the first barrel; a first piston longitudinally fixed with respect to the body and positioned within the first barrel, the first piston fluidly separating the first annular space into aft and forward chambers of the first barrel, wherein sizes of the aft and forward chambers of the first barrel vary as the first piston moves longitudinally within the first barrel; a second fluid-actuated gripper assembly engaged with and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the second gripper assembly configured to grip onto the inner surface of the passage when the second gripper assembly receives a pressurized fluid; a second barrel surrounding and engaged with the body, the second barrel being longitudinally fixed with respect to at least one end of the second gripper assembly and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the second barrel and the body defining a second annular space therebetween, wherein one or more interfaces between the second barrel and the body are sealed to substantially prevent escape of fluid from the second annular space to an exterior of the second barrel; a second piston longitudinally fixed with respect to the body and positioned within the second barrel, the second piston fluidly separating the second annular space into aft and forward chambers of the second barrel, wherein sizes of the aft and forward chambers of the second barrel vary as the second piston moves longitudinally within the second barrel; a valve assembly within the tool for directing fluid to and from the first and second gripper assemblies, the aft and forward chambers of the first barrel, and the aft and forward chambers of the second barrel to propel the tool within the passage; a closed system fluid circuit within the tool, for circulating a fluid through the valve assembly, the gripper assemblies, and the barrels to propel the tool within the passage; a pump configured to circulate fluid within the closed system fluid circuit; and a motor configured to power the pump; wherein the valve assembly comprises a main valve having a first position in which the main valve provides (1) a flow path from an outlet of the pump to the first gripper assembly and to the aft chamber of the first barrel, (2) a flow path from the pump outlet to the forward chamber of the second barrel, (3) a flow path from the second gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the second barrel to a low-pressure chamber that conveys fluid to an inlet of the pump, and (4) a flow path from the forward chamber of the first barrel to the low-pressure chamber, the main valve having a second position in which the main valve provides (1) a flow path from the pump outlet to the second gripper assembly and to the aft chamber of the second barrel, (2) a flow path from the pump outlet to the forward chamber of the first barrel, (3) a flow path from the first gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the first barrel to the low-pressure chamber, and (4) a flow path from the forward chamber of the second barrel to the low-pressure chamber. 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the main valve has a first surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the main valve toward its first position, the main valve having a second surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the main valve toward its second position, the valve assembly further comprising: an aft reverser valve having a first position in which the aft reverser valve provides a flow path from the low-pressure chamber to the first surface of the main valve, and a second position in which the aft reverser valve provides a flow path from the pump outlet to the first surface of the main valve; and a forward reverser valve having a first position in which the forward reverser valve provides a flow path from the low-pressure chamber to the second surface of the main valve, and a second position in which the forward reverser valve provides a flow path from the pump outlet to the second surface of the main valve. 3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the aft reverser valve is biased toward its first position, the aft reverser valve having a pilot surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the aft reverser valve toward its second position, the pilot surface of the aft reverser valve being in fluid communication with the second gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the second barrel, the forward reverser valve being biased toward its first position, the forward reverser valve having a pilot surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the forward reverser valve toward its second position, the pilot surface of the forward reverser valve being in fluid communication with the first gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the first barrel. 4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the valve assembly further comprises springs that bias the aft and forward reverser valves toward their first positions, respectively. 5. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a start/stop valve downstream of the pump outlet and upstream of an inlet chamber of the main valve, the start/stop valve having an open position in which it provides a flow path from the pump outlet to the inlet chamber of the main valve, the start/stop valve having a closed position in which it provides a flow path from the inlet chamber of the main valve to the low-pressure chamber. 6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the start/stop valve is biased toward its closed position, the start/stop valve having a pilot surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the start/stop valve toward its open position, the pilot surface being in fluid communication with the pump outlet. 7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the closed system fluid circuit comprises a fluid storage tank upstream of the pump and downstream of the valve assembly. 8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the closed system fluid circuit comprises a check valve downstream of the valve assembly and upstream of an inlet of the pump, the check valve configured to allow fluid flow from the valve assembly to the pump inlet and to substantially prevent fluid flow from pump inlet to the valve assembly. 9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second gripper assemblies comprise bladders. 10. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a pressure regulation valve configured to limit an outlet pressure of the pump. 11. A method of moving within a passage, comprising: providing an elongated body; providing a first fluid-actuated gripper assembly engaged with and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the first gripper assembly configured to grip onto an inner surface of the passage when the first gripper assembly receives a pressurized fluid; providing a first barrel surrounding and engaged with the body, the first barrel being longitudinally fixed with respect to at least one end of the first gripper assembly and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the first barrel and the body defining a first annular space therebetween; providing a first piston longitudinally fixed with respect to the body and positioned within the first barrel, the first piston fluidly separating the first annular space into aft and forward chambers of the first barrel, wherein sizes of the aft and forward chambers of the first barrel vary as the first piston moves longitudinally within the first barrel; providing a second fluid-actuated gripper assembly engaged with and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the second gripper assembly configured to grip onto the inner surface of the passage when the second gripper assembly receives a pressurized fluid; providing a second barrel surrounding and engaged with the body, the second barrel being longitudinally fixed with respect to at least one end of the second gripper assembly and longitudinally movable with respect to the body, the second barrel and the body defining a second annular space therebetween; providing a second piston longitudinally fixed with respect to the body and positioned within the second barrel, the second piston fluidly separating the second annular space into aft and forward chambers of the second barrel, wherein sizes of the aft and forward chambers of the second barrel vary as the second piston moves longitudinally within the second barrel; providing a valve assembly within the tool for directing fluid to and from the first and second gripper assemblies, the aft and forward chambers of the first barrel, and the aft and forward chambers of the second barrel to propel the tool within the passage; providing a closed system fluid circuit within the tool, for circulating a fluid through the valve assembly, the gripper assemblies, and the barrels to propel the tool within the passage; using a pump to circulate fluid within the closed system fluid circuit; and powering the pump with a motor; wherein providing a valve assembly comprises providing a main valve having a first position in which the main valve provides (1) a flow path from an outlet of the pump to the first gripper assembly and to the aft chamber of the first barrel, (2) a flow path from the pump outlet to the forward chamber of the second barrel, (3) a flow path from the second gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the second barrel to a low-pressure chamber that conveys fluid to an inlet of the pump, and (4) a flow path from the forward chamber of the first barrel to the low-pressure chamber, the main valve having a second position in which the main valve provides (1) a flow path from the pump outlet to the second gripper assembly and to the aft chamber of the second barrel, (2) a flow path from the pump outlet to the forward chamber of the first barrel, (3) a flow path from the first gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the first barrel to the low-pressure chamber, and (4) a flow path from the forward chamber of the second barrel to the low-pressure chamber. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the main valve has a first surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the main valve toward its first position, the main valve having a second surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the main valve toward its second position, wherein providing the valve assembly further comprises: providing an aft reverser valve having a first position in which the aft reverser valve provides a flow path from the low-pressure chamber to the first surface of the main valve, and a second position in which the aft reverser valve provides a flow path from the pump outlet to the first surface of the main valve; and providing a forward reverser valve having a first position in which the forward reverser valve provides a flow path from the low-pressure chamber to the second surface of the main valve, and a second position in which the forward reverser valve provides a flow path from the pump outlet to the second surface of the main valve. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the aft and forward reverser valves each have pilot surfaces that receive fluid pressure forces directed to push the aft and forward reverser valves, respectively, toward their second positions, the method further comprising: biasing the aft reverser valve toward its first position; placing the pilot surface of the aft reverser valve in fluid communication with the second gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the second barrel; biasing the forward reverser valve toward its first position; and placing the pilot surface of the forward reverser valve in fluid communication with the first gripper assembly and the aft chamber of the first barrel. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein biasing the aft and forward reverser valves comprises biasing the reverser valves with springs. 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a start/stop valve downstream of the pump outlet and upstream of an inlet chamber of the main valve, the start/stop valve having an open position in which it provides a flow path from the pump outlet to the inlet chamber of the main valve, the start/stop valve having a closed position in which it provides a flow path from the inlet chamber of the main valve to the low-pressure chamber. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the start/stop valve has a pilot surface that receives a fluid pressure force directed to push the start/stop valve toward its open position, the method further comprising: biasing the start/stop valve toward its closed position; and placing the pilot surface of the start/stop valve in fluid communication with the pump outlet. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein providing a closed system fluid circuit comprises providing a fluid storage tank upstream of the pump and downstream of the valve assembly. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein providing a closed system fluid circuit comprises providing a check valve downstream of the valve assembly and upstream of an inlet of the pump, the check valve configured to allow fluid flow from the valve assembly to the pump inlet and to substantially prevent fluid flow from pump inlet to the valve assembly. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the first and second gripper assemblies comprises providing bladders. 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising limiting an outlet pressure of the pump with a pressure regulation valve. 21. The method of claim 11, further comprising: sealing one or more interfaces between the first barrel and the body to substantially prevent escape of fluid from the first annular space to an exterior of the first barrel; and sealing one or more interfaces between the second barrel and the body to substantially prevent escape of fluid from the second annular space to an exterior of the second barrel.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (38)
Cendre Andr (Cosne sur Loire FRX) Fay Jean-Baptiste (Paris FRX) Amaudric du Chaffaut Benoit (Voisins le Bretonneux FRX), Actuating device associated with a drill string and comprising a hydrostatic drilling fluid circuit, actuation method an.
Chevallier Sebastien Arnaud,NLX ; Faure Alban Michel,NLX ; Oosterling Peter,NLX, Apparatus for providing a thrust force to an elongate body in a borehole.
Graham Gordon A. (28 Tuscan Street Rossmoyne W.A. 6155 AUX) Pasznicki William V. (5 Pavetta Crescent Forrestfield W.A. 6058 AUX) Connell William F. (Lot 186 Old Northam Road Chidlow W.A. 6556 AUX) Pr, Self-propelled apparatus.
Baiden Gregory R.,CAX ; Young Donald D.,CAX ; Delabbio Fredric C.,CAX ; Pascoli Jean P.,CAX ; de Vlugt Paul,CAX, Tractor for remote movement and pressurization of a rock drill.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.