Filamentous member injector and method for injecting filamentous members

Abstract

A filamentous member injection device including a housing; a capstan drivably disposable in the housing; a restricted diameter tubular extending from the housing and being in fluid communication with an interior of the housing. A method for injecting a filamentous member into a target tubular includes wrapping the filamentous member about a capstan; causing a tensile force to be placed on a portion of the filamentous member downstream of the capstan, the tensile force acting on the capstan; binding the filamentous member to the capstan; and driving the filamentous member into the target tubular with the capstan.

1 . A filamentous member injection device comprising:
 a housing;   a capstan drivably disposable in the housing;   a restricted diameter tubular extending from the housing and being in fluid communication with an interior of the housing.   
   
   
       2 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing is a pressure vessel. 
   
   
       3 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the capstan further includes a spiral guide fixedly attached to the housing. 
   
   
       4 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the capstan is in operable communication with a motor. 
   
   
       5 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the restricted diameter tubular has a diameter calculated to enhance a fluid drag force upon a filamentous member disposed therein. 
   
   
       6 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing further includes a filamentous member inlet and fluid inlet. 
   
   
       7 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the spiral guide is receptive of the filamentous member to both guide the member from one axial end of the capstan to the other and to avoid entanglement of the filamentous member. 
   
   
       8 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the spiral guide is a member having a helical groove therein. 
   
   
       9 . The injection device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the spiral guide is a helical spring. 
   
   
       10 . A method for injecting a filamentous member into a target tubular comprising:
 wrapping the filamentous member about a capstan;   causing a tensile force to be placed on a portion of the filamentous member downstream of the capstan, the tensile force acting on the capstan;   binding the filamentous member to the capstan; and   driving the filamentous member into the target tubular with the capstan.   
   
   
       11 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises feeding the filamentous member into a restricted diameter tubular. 
   
   
       12 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises creating a fluid drag on the filamentous member within a restricted diameter tubular. 
   
   
       13 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the causing is by flowing a fluid through a restricted diameter tubular through which the filamentous member extends. 
   
   
       14 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the binding is by causing sufficient friction between the filamentous member and the capstan to allow the capstan to drive the filamentous member. 
   
   
       15 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the wrapping is spirally wrapping. 
   
   
       16 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the fluid flows through a restricted diameter tubular prior to entering the target tubular. 
   
   
       17 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the fluid flows through a restricted diameter tubular prior to entering the target tubular. 
   
   
       18 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the flowing fluid couples to the filamentous member providing fluid drag thereto along an entirety of the target tubular. 
   
   
       19 . The method for injecting a filamentous member as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the driving is by activating a motor in operable communication with the capstan.