Cleaning Device

Abstract

A cleaning device for use in subterranean fluid production which includes a tool mandrel and a retaining sleeve surrounding the tool mandrel. One or more C-ring-style support rings are used to support and bias cleaning members, such as scraper blades, into contact with the interior radial surface of a retaining sleeve.

1 . A cleaning device for use in subterranean fluid production comprising:
 a tool mandrel;   a retaining sleeve radially surrounding the tool mandrel and radially rotatable about the mandrel, the retainer sleeve having a sleeve body with a window disposed through the sleeve body; and   at least one cleaning member disposed within the window of the retainer sleeve, the cleaning member having a base portion and a working portion; and   a support ring that radially surrounds the tool mandrel, the support ring having an annular ring body with an axial separation thereof, the support ring biasing the cleaning member radially outwardly such that the working portion is urged radially outwardly through the window.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the support ring has a shape-memory to help bias the cleaning member outwardly. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the base portion of the working member is biased against an interior radial surface of the retainer sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein there are multiple support rings and multiple support rings support and bias a single cleaning member. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein a single support ring supports and biases multiple cleaning members. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning member comprises a scraper blade. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  further comprising a stabilizer radially surrounding the tool mandrel. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the support ring deflects radially inwardly in response to an obstruction in a surrounding wellbore. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaning device for use in subterranean fluid production comprising:
 a tool mandrel;   a retaining sleeve radially surrounding the tool mandrel and radially rotatable about the mandrel, the retainer sleeve having a sleeve body with a plurality of windows disposed through the sleeve body; and   a plurality of cleaning members, each cleaning member disposed within one of the windows of the retainer sleeve, the cleaning members each having a base portion and a working portion; and   a support ring that radially surrounds the tool mandrel, the support ring having an annular ring body with an axial separation thereof, the support ring biasing at least one of the cleaning members radially outwardly such that the working portion is urged radially outwardly through the window within which it is disposed.   
     
     
         10 . The cleaning device of  claim 9  wherein the cleaning members comprise scraper blades. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning device of  claim 9  wherein the support rings each have shape memory to help bias the cleaning members outwardly. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning device of  claim 9  wherein the base portion of each working member is biased against an interior radial surface of the retainer sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning device of  claim 9  wherein a single support ring supports and biases multiple cleaning members. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning device of  claim 9  wherein there are multiple support rings and wherein multiple support rings support and bias a single cleaning member. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning device of  claim 9  further comprising a stabilizer radially surrounding the tool mandrel. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning device of  claim 9  wherein the support ring deflects inwardly in response to an obstruction in a surrounding wellbore. 
     
     
         17 . A cleaning device for use in subterranean fluid production comprising:
 a tool mandrel;   a retaining sleeve radially surrounding the tool mandrel and radially rotatable about the mandrel, the retainer sleeve having a sleeve body with a window disposed through the sleeve body; and   at least one cleaning member disposed within the window of the retainer sleeve, the cleaning member having a base portion and a working portion;   a support ring that radially surrounds the tool mandrel, the support ring having an annular ring body with an axial separation thereof, the support ring biasing the cleaning member radially outwardly such that the working portion is urged radially outwardly through the window; and   a stabilizer radially surrounding the tool mandrel.   
     
     
         18 . The cleaning device of  claim 17  wherein each of the at least one cleaning member comprises a scraper blade. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning device of  claim 17  wherein a single support ring supports and biases multiple cleaning members. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning device of  claim 17  wherein there are multiple support rings and wherein multiple support rings support and bias a single cleaning member.