Downhole Device Actuator and Method

Abstract

An actuator to actuate a device received on a tubular string adjacent the device. The actuator comprises an energy storage member, such as a spring, restrained in a compressed mode between a stop collar and an outer sleeve threadedly received on a threaded portion of a non-magnetic tubular segment. An outer magnet is coupled to the outer sleeve to magnetically interact with an inner magnet coupled to an inner pipe string. The inner pipe string is run into the bore of the tubular string and the outer sleeve to position the inner magnet proximal the outer magnet to form a magnetic clutch. The inner pipe string rotates to transfer torque to the outer sleeve via a magnetic clutch, to rotate and threadedly disengage the outer sleeve from the tubular segment to release energy from the energy storage member to displace the outer sleeve to engage and actuate the device.

1 . A method of actuating a device comprising the steps of:
 threadably receiving an outer sleeve, comprising a magnet, on an externally threaded portion of a non-magnetic tubular segment made up into a tubular string, the outer sleeve positioned intermediate the device and an adjacent energy storage member in a charged mode;   running the tubular string into an earthen borehole;   running a second magnet disposed on an inner pipe string into a bore of the non-magnetic tubular segment to position the second magnet proximal the magnet of the outer sleeve to form a magnetic clutch;   rotating the inner pipe string to rotate the outer sleeve from threaded engagement with the non-magnetic tubular segment using the magnetic clutch;   releasing energy stored in the energy storage member to displace the outer sleeve to actuate the device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 disposing a centralizer having a first collar, a second collar and a plurality of flexible ribs therebetween adjacent the outer sleeve;   securing at least one of the first and second collars of the bow spring centralizer to the tubular string; and   displacing the other of the first and second collars of the bow spring centralizer toward the one of the first and second collars to radially deploy the bow springs.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 disposing a packing member intermediate a first collar and a second collar adjacent the outer sleeve;   securing the first collar to the tubular string; and   displacing the second collar toward the first collar to radially deploy the packing member.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 disposing a cement basket having a first collar and a second collar adjacent the outer sleeve;   securing at least one of the first and second collars of the cement basket to the tubular string; and   displacing the other of the first and second collars of the cement basket toward one of the one of the first and second collars to radially expand the cement basket.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 displacing a sleeve relative to a fluid port;   wherein the device is a valve.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy storage member comprises a spring. 
     
     
         7 . An actuator to actuate a device disposed on a tubular string run into a borehole, comprising:
 an energy storage member intermediate a first collar and an outer sleeve threadedly received on a threaded portion of a non-magnetic tubular segment adjacent the device, the outer sleeve comprising a magnet; and   an inner pipe string to position a second magnet within the bores of the non-magnetic tubular segment and the outer sleeve to magnetically couple the inner pipe string to the outer sleeve;   wherein rotation of the inner pipe string in a first direction rotates the outer sleeve from threaded engagement with the non-magnetic tubular segment to release the energy storage member from a charged mode to displace at least one component of an actuatable device.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a thrust bearing rotatably disposed intermediate the energy storage member and the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a second stop collar coupled to the non-magnetic tubular segment in a spaced-apart relationship from the first stop collar to together straddle the energy storage member, the outer sleeve and the device.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the non-magnetic tubular segment comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the non-magnetic tubular segment is removably attachable to a tubular string. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the energy storage member comprises a spring. 
     
     
         13 . A deployable centralizer comprising:
 an energy storage member intermediate a first stop collar and an outer sleeve threadedly coupled to a non-magnetic tubular segment adjacent the downhole device, the outer sleeve comprising a magnet;   an inner pipe string to position a second magnet within the bores of the non-magnetic tubular segment and the outer sleeve to magnetically couple the inner pipe string to the outer sleeve;   a centralizer having a plurality of flexible ribs coupled between a first end collar and a second end collar, the centralizer intermediate a second stop collar and the outer sleeve;   wherein threaded disengagement of the outer sleeve from the tubular segment releases energy from the energy storage member to displace the second end collar toward the first end collar to bow the ribs.   
     
     
         14 . The deployable centralizer of  claim 13  wherein the second stop collar is integral with the first end collar of the centralizer. 
     
     
         15 . The deployable centralizer of  claim 13  comprising a stop collar disposed intermediate the first end collar and the second end collar. 
     
     
         16 . The deployable centralizer of  claim 13  further comprising a thrust bearing disposed between the outer sleeve and the energy storage member. 
     
     
         17 . The deployable centralizer of  claim 13  wherein the non-magnetic tubular segment comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         18 . A deployable packer to engage a bore comprising:
 an energy storage member intermediate a first stop collar and an outer sleeve threadedly coupled to a non-magnetic tubular segment, the outer sleeve comprising a magnet; and   an inner pipe string to position a second magnet within the bores of the non-magnetic tubular segment and the outer sleeve to magnetically couple the inner pipe string to the outer sleeve;   a second stop collar coupled to the tubular segment in a spaced-apart relationship with the first stop collar to together straddle the energy storage member and outer sleeve; and   a packing member received on the tubular segment intermediate the second stop collar and the outer sleeve;   wherein upon rotation of the inner pipe string, the outer sleeve threadedly disengages the outer sleeve from the non-magnetic tubular segment to allow the energy storage member to displace the outer sleeve against the packing member;   wherein the packing member is radially expanded by engagement with the outer sleeve to engage a bore.   
     
     
         19 . The deployable packer of  claim 18  wherein the non-magnetic tubular segment comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         20 . The deployable packer of  claim 18  further comprising a thrust bearing disposed between the outer sleeve and the energy storage member. 
     
     
         21 . The deployable packer of  claim 18  wherein the energy storage member comprises a spring. 
     
     
         22 . A method of deploying a centralizer to an expanded mode within a bore comprising the steps of:
 threadably receiving an outer sleeve having a magnet on an externally threaded portion of a non-magnetic tubular segment made up into a tubular string, the outer sleeve positioned intermediate a centralizer and an energy storage member;   running the tubular string into an earthen borehole;   running a second magnet on an inner pipe string into a bore of the non-magnetic tubular segment to position the second magnet proximal the magnet of the outer sleeve to form a magnetic clutch;   rotating the inner pipe string to rotate the outer sleeve from threaded engagement with the non-magnetic tubular segment; and   releasing energy from the energy storage member to displace the outer sleeve against an end collar of the centralizer to deploy the centralizer to an expanded mode.