초록 ▼

A flow tool has a sensor that detects plugs (darts, balls, etc.) passing through the tool. An actuator moves an insert in the tool once a preset number of plugs have passed through the tool. Movement of this insert reveals a catch on a sleeve in the tool. Once the next plug is deployed, the catch en

A flow tool has a sensor that detects plugs (darts, balls, etc.) passing through the tool. An actuator moves an insert in the tool once a preset number of plugs have passed through the tool. Movement of this insert reveals a catch on a sleeve in the tool. Once the next plug is deployed, the catch engages the plug on the sleeve so that fluid pressure applied against the seated plug through the tubing string can move the sleeve. Once moved, the sleeve reveals ports in the tool communicating the tool's bore with the surrounding annulus so an adjacent wellbore interval can be stimulated. The actuator can use a sensor detecting passage of the plugs through the tool. A spring disposed in the tool can flex near the sensor when a plug passes through the tool, and a counter can count the number of plugs that have passed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A downhole flow tool actuated by plugs deployed therein, the tool comprising: a catch disposed in a bore of the tool, the catch having an inactive condition for passing one or more of the plugs through the bore, the catch having a default active condition for engaging at least one of the plugs in

1. A downhole flow tool actuated by plugs deployed therein, the tool comprising: a catch disposed in a bore of the tool, the catch having an inactive condition for passing one or more of the plugs through the bore, the catch having a default active condition for engaging at least one of the plugs in the bore;an insert disposed in the bore and movable between first and second positions relative to the catch, a portion of the insert in the first position engaging the catch and putting the catch in the inactive condition, the portion of the insert in the second position disengaged from the catch and putting the catch in the default active condition exposed in the bore; andan actuator responsive to passage of the one or more plugs and moving the insert from the first position to the second position in response to a preset number of the one or more plugs passing through the bore. 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein a sleeve disposed in the bore comprises the catch, the sleeve movable from a closed condition to an open condition relative to a first port in the tool. 3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the sleeve moves from the closed condition to the opened condition in response to fluid pressure activating against the at least one plug engaged with the catch. 4. The tool of claim 2, wherein the catch comprises a profile defined in an interior passage of the sleeve, the profile in the inactive condition being covered by the portion of the insert in the first position, the profile in the active condition being exposed. 5. The tool of claim 4, further comprising a plug device as the at least one plug deployable through the bore of the tool, the plug device having at least one biased key disposed thereon, the at least one biased key engaging the profile in the active condition. 6. The tool of claim 2, wherein the catch comprises at least one key disposed on the sleeve and biased toward an interior passage of the sleeve, the at least one key in the inactive condition being retracted from the interior passage by the portion of the insert in the first position, the at least one key in the active condition being extended into the interior passage. 7. The tool of claim 6, further comprising a plug device as the at least one plug deployable through the bore of the tool, the plug device engaging the at least one key in the active condition. 8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises at least one flexure member disposed in the bore of the tool, the at least one flexure member movable from an unflexed condition to a flexed condition by engagement with the one or more plugs, the actuator responsive to the at least one flexure member in the flexed condition and moving the insert from the first position to the second position in response thereto. 9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises a sensor responsive to proximity of a portion of the at least one flexure member in the flexed condition. 10. The tool of claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises a counter counting a number of flexed conditions of the at least one flexure member, and wherein the actuator moves the insert when the counted number reaches a predetermined number. 11. The tool of claim 8, wherein the at least one flexure member comprises a plurality of springs disposed about the bore of the tool, each of the springs having one end affixed in the bore and having another end free to move in the bore. 12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator opens fluid communication through a port in the tool, the insert movable from the first position to the second position in response to fluid pressure communicated from the port when opened. 13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises a valve opening fluid communication through the port. 14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid having a plunger movable relative to the port. 15. The tool of claim 1, wherein a biasing element biases the insert from the first position to the second position, and wherein the actuator selectively releases the insert from the first position. 16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a pin movable relative to the insert from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition, the pin in the disengaged condition releasing the insert from the first position. 17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid moving the pin relative to the insert. 18. The tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a sensor responsive to proximity of a sensing element passing relative thereto. 19. The tool of claim 1, wherein the insert moved from the first position to the second position opens a port in the bore of the tool. 20. A downhole flow tool actuated by plugs deployed therein, the tool comprising: a catch disposed in a bore of the tool, the catch having an inactive condition for passing one or more of the plugs through the bore, the catch having an active condition for engaging at least one of the plugs in the bore;at least one flexure member disposed in the bore of the tool, the at least one flexure member movable from an unflexed condition to a flexed condition by engagement with the one or more plugs passing through the bore of the tool;an insert disposed in the bore of the tool and movable between first and second positions relative to the catch, the insert in the first position putting the catch in the inactive condition, the insert in the second position putting the catch in the active condition; andan actuator responsive to the at least one flexure member in the flexed condition and moving the insert from the first position to the second position in response thereto. 21. The tool of claim 20, wherein a sleeve disposed in the bore comprises the catch, the sleeve movable from a closed condition to an open condition relative to a first port in the tool. 22. The tool of claim 21, wherein the sleeve moves from the closed condition to the opened condition in response to fluid pressure activating against the at least one plug engaged with the catch. 23. The tool of claim 21, wherein the catch comprises a profile defined in an interior passage of the sleeve, the profile in the inactive condition being covered by the portion of the insert in the first position, the profile in the active condition being exposed. 24. The tool of claim 23, further comprising a plug device as the at least one plug deployable through the bore of the tool, the plug device having at least one biased key disposed thereon, the at least one biased key engaging the profile in the active condition. 25. The tool of claim 21, wherein the catch comprises at least one key disposed on the sleeve and biased toward an interior passage of the sleeve, the at least one key in the inactive condition being retracted from the interior passage by the portion of the insert in the first position, the at least one key in the active condition being extended into the interior passage. 26. The tool of claim 25, further comprising a plug device as the at least one plug deployable through the bore of the tool, the plug device engaging the at least one key in the active condition. 27. The tool of claim 20, wherein the actuator comprises a sensor responsive to proximity of a portion of the at least one flexure member in the flexed condition. 28. The tool of claim 20, wherein the actuator comprises a counter counting a number of the flexed conditions of the at least one flexure member, and wherein the actuator moves the insert when the counted number reaches a predetermined number. 29. The tool of claim 20, wherein the at least one flexure member comprises a plurality of springs disposed about the bore of the tool, each of the springs having one end affixed in the bore and having another end free to move in the bore. 30. The tool of claim 20, wherein the actuator opens fluid communication through a port in the tool, the insert movable from the first position to the second position in response to fluid pressure communicated from the port when opened. 31. The tool of claim 30, wherein the actuator comprises a valve opening fluid communication through the port. 32. The tool of claim 31, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid having a plunger movable relative to the port. 33. The tool of claim 20, wherein a biasing element biases the insert from the first position to the second position, and wherein the actuator selectively releases the insert from the first position. 34. The tool of claim 33, wherein the actuator comprises a pin movable relative to the insert from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition, the pin in the disengaged condition releasing the insert from the first position. 35. The tool of claim 34, wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid moving the pin relative to the insert. 36. The tool of claim 20, wherein the actuator comprises a sensor responsive to proximity of a portion of the at least one flexure member passing relative thereto. 37. The tool of claim 20, wherein the insert moved from the first position to the second position opens a port in the bore of the tool. 38. A wellbore fluid treatment system, comprising: a plurality of plugs deploying down a tubing string;a first sliding sleeve deploying on the tubing string, the first sliding sleeve having a first sensor detecting passage of the plugs through the first sliding sleeve and activating a first catch in response to a first detected number of the plugs, the first catch engaging a first one of the plugs passing in the first sliding sleeve once activated, the first sliding sleeve opening fluid communication between the tubing string and an annulus in response to fluid pressure applied down the tubing string to the first plug engaged in the first catch; anda second sliding sleeve deploying on the tubing string uphole from the first sliding sleeve, the second sliding sleeve having a second sensor detecting passage of the plugs through the second sliding sleeve and activating a second catch in response to a second detected number of the plugs, the second catch engaging a second one of the plugs passing in the second sliding sleeve once activated, the second sliding sleeve opening fluid communication between the tubing string and the annulus in response to fluid pressure applied down the tubing string to the second plug engaged in the second catch. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the first or second sliding sleeve comprises: a sleeve disposed in a bore of the first or second sliding sleeve and having the catch, the catch having an inactive condition for passing the plugs through the bore, the catch having an active condition for engaging the plugs in the bore;an insert disposed in the bore and movable between first and second positions relative to the catch, the insert in the first position putting the catch in the inactive condition, the insert in the second position putting the catch in the active condition; andan actuator having the first or second sensor responsive to passage of the plugs, the actuator moving the insert from the first position to the second position in response to the first or second detected number of the plugs. 40. The tool of claim 39, wherein the actuator comprises at least one flexure member disposed in the bore, the at least one flexure member movable from an unflexed condition to a flexed condition by engagement with the plugs, the first or second sensor of the actuator being responsive to the at least one flexure member in the flexed condition. 41. The tool of claim 40, wherein the first or second sensor is responsive to proximity of a portion of the at least one flexure member in the flexed condition. 42. The tool of claim 41, wherein the first or second sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor responsive to material of the at least one flexure member. 43. The tool of claim 40, wherein the actuator comprises a counter counting a number of flexed conditions of the at least one flexure member, and wherein the actuator moves the insert when the counted number reaches a predetermined number. 44. The tool of claim 40, wherein the at least one flexure member comprises a plurality of springs disposed about the bore, each of the springs having one end affixed in the bore and having another end free to move in the bore. 45. A downhole flow tool actuated by plugs deployed therein, the tool comprising: a sleeve disposed in a bore of the tool and movable from a dosed condition to an open condition relative to a first port in the tool, the sleeve having a catch comprising a profile defined in an interior passage of the sleeve, the profile having an inactive condition for passing one or more of the plugs through the bore, the catch having an active condition for engaging at least one of the plugs in the bore;an insert disposed in the bore and movable between first and second positions relative to the catch, a portion of the insert in the first position covering the profile of the sleeve and putting the catch in the inactive condition, the portion of the insert in the second position exposing the profile of the sleeve and putting the catch in the active condition; andan actuator responsive to passage of the one or more plugs and moving the insert from the first position to the second position in response to a preset number of the one or more plugs passing through the bore. 46. The tool of claim 45, wherein the sleeve moves from the dosed condition to the opened condition in response to fluid pressure activating against the at least one plug engaged with the catch. 47. The tool of claim 46, further comprising a plug device deployable through the bore of the tool as the at least one plug, the plug device having at least one biased key disposed thereon, the at least one biased key engaging the profile in the active condition. 48. The tool of claim 45, wherein the actuator opens fluid communication through a second port in the tool, the insert movable from the first position to the second position in response to fluid pressure communicated from the second port when opened. 49. The tool of claim 48, wherein the actuator comprises a valve opening fluid communication through the second port. 50. The tool of claim 49, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid having a plunger movable relative to the port. 51. The tool of claim 45, wherein a biasing element biases the insert from the first position to the second position, and wherein the actuator selectively releases the insert from the first position. 52. The tool of claim 51, wherein the actuator comprises a pin movable relative to the insert from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition, the pin in the disengaged condition releasing the insert from the first position. 53. The tool of claim 52, wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid moving the pin relative to the insert. 54. The tool of claim 45, wherein the actuator comprises a sensor responsive to proximity of a sensing element passing relative thereto. 55. A downhole flow tool actuated by plugs deployed therein, the tool comprising: a catch disposed in the bore of the tool, the catch having an inactive condition for passing one or more of the plugs through the bore, the catch having an active condition for engaging at least one of the plugs in the bore;an insert disposed in the bore and movable between first and second positions relative to the catch, the insert in the first position putting the catch in the inactive condition, the insert in the second position putting the catch in the active condition; andan actuator responsive to passage of the one or more plugs and moving the insert from the first position to the second position in response to a preset number of the one or more plugs passing through the bore, the actuator comprising a valve opening fluid communication through a first port in the tool, the valve comprising a solenoid having a plunger movable relative to the first port,wherein the insert is movable from the first position to the second position in response to fluid pressure communicated from the port when opened. 56. The tool of claim 55, wherein a sleeve disposed in the bore comprises the catch, the sleeve movable from a closed condition to an open condition relative to a second port in the tool in response to fluid pressure activating against the at least one plug engaged with the catch. 57. The tool of claim 56, wherein the catch comprises at least one key disposed on the sleeve and biased toward an interior passage of the sleeve, the at least one key in the inactive condition being retracted from the interior passage by a portion of the insert in the first position, the at least one key in the active condition being extended into the interior passage. 58. The tool of claim 57, further comprising a plug device deployable through the bore of the tool as the at least one plug, the plug device engaging the at least one key in the active condition. 59. The tool of claim 55, wherein the actuator comprises a sensor responsive to proximity of a sensing element passing relative thereto. 60. The tool of claim 55, wherein the insert moved from the first position to the second position opens a second port in the bore of the tool. 61. A downhole flow tool actuated by plugs deployed therein, the tool comprising: a catch disposed in a bore of the tool, the catch having an inactive condition for passing one or more of the plugs through the bore, the catch having an active condition for engaging at least one of the plugs in the bore;an insert disposed in the bore and movable between first and second positions relative to the catch, the insert in the first position putting the catch in the inactive condition, the insert in the second position putting the catch in the active condition;a biasing element biasing the insert from the first position to the second position; andan actuator responsive to passage of the one or more plugs, the actuator selectively releasing the insert from the first position and moving the insert from the first position to the second position with the biasing element in response to a preset number of the one or more plugs passing through the bore. 62. The tool of claim 61, wherein a sleeve disposed in the bore comprises the catch, the sleeve movable from a closed condition to an open condition relative to a first port in the tool in response to fluid pressure activating against the at least one plug engaged with the catch. 63. The tool of claim 62, wherein the catch comprises at least one key disposed on the sleeve and biased toward an interior passage of the sleeve, the at least one key in the inactive condition being retracted from the interior passage by a portion of the insert in the first position, the at least one key in the active condition being extended into the interior passage. 64. The tool of claim 63, further comprising a plug device deployable through the bore of the tool as the at least one plug, the plug device engaging the at least one key in the active condition. 65. The tool of claim 61, wherein the actuator comprises a pin movable relative to the insert from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition, the pin in the disengaged condition releasing the insert from the first position. 66. The tool of claim 65, wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid moving the pin relative to the insert. 67. The tool of claim 61, wherein the actuator comprises a sensor responsive to proximity of a sensing element passing relative thereto. 68. The tool of claim 61, wherein the insert moved from the first position to the second position opens a port in the bore of the tool.