Installation System with Force Generating Tool

Abstract

Devices and methods for applying axial force for such uses as running and releasing tools or other articles within a wellbore. An installation system is described that includes a force generator used to generate axial forces. The installation system also releasably secures an article and is capable of releasing the article once it has been emplaced or installed with the force generator.

1 . An installation system for use emplacing an article within a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a release tool which releasably secures an article to the system;   an anchor for securing the system in place within the wellbore; and   a stroker tool for creating an axial force between the anchor and the release tool, the axial force emplacing the article within the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The installation system of  claim 1  wherein the stroker tool comprises:
 a tool body defining a piston chamber; 
 a piston portion that is at least partially retained within the piston chamber and which is axially moveable with respect to the tool body between an axially retracted position and an axially extended position, the piston portion comprising:
 a mandrel defining a central flowbore; and 
 a ball seat secured within the flowbore of the mandrel upon which a ball is landed to permit fluid pressure to move the piston portion to its axially extended position. 
 
 
     
     
         3 . The installation system of  claim 2  wherein the ball seat is secured within the flowbore with a frangible shear member. 
     
     
         4 . The installation system of  claim 2  further comprising a compression spring disposed within the piston chamber and biasing the piston portion toward the axially retracted position. 
     
     
         5 . The installation system of  claim 1  wherein the release tool comprises:
 a release tool body; 
 an engagement member shaped and sized for releasably engaging the article to be emplaced, the engagement member being axially moveable with respect to the release tool body between a first position wherein the article is engaged with the release tool and a second position wherein the article is disengaged from the release tool; and 
 a pressure chamber defined within the release tool body, the engagement member being moved to the second position when the pressure chamber is filled with fluid. 
 
     
     
         6 . The installation system of  claim 5  wherein the engagement member comprises a collet which engages a complimentary latching recess on the article. 
     
     
         7 . The installation system of  claim 3  wherein the flowbore of the mandrel of the stroker tool further includes a baffle to capture the sheared ball seat but permit fluid flow through the baffle. 
     
     
         8 . An installation system for use emplacing a diverter module within a lateral entry module within a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a release tool which releasably secures the diverter module to the system;   an anchor for securing the system in place within the wellbore;   a stroker tool for creating an axial force between the anchor and the release tool, the axial force seating the diverter module within the lateral entry module, the stroker tool comprising:   a) a tool body defining a piston chamber;   b) a piston portion that is at least partially retained within the piston chamber and which is axially moveable with respect to the tool body between an axially retracted position and an axially extended position, the piston portion comprising:   c) a mandrel defining a central flowbore; and   d) a ball seat secured within the flowbore of the mandrel upon which a ball is landed to permit fluid pressure to move the piston portion to its axially extended position.   
     
     
         9 . The installation system of  claim 8  wherein the ball seat is secured within the flowbore with a frangible shear member. 
     
     
         10 . The installation system of  claim 8  further comprising a compression spring disposed within the piston chamber and biasing the piston portion toward the axially retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The installation system of  claim 8  wherein the flowbore of the mandrel of the stroker tool further includes a baffle to capture the sheared ball seat but permit fluid flow through the baffle. 
     
     
         12 . The installation system of  claim 8  wherein the release tool comprises:
 a release tool body; 
 an engagement member shaped and sized for releasably engaging the diverter module, the engagement member being axially moveable with respect to the release tool body between a first position wherein the diverter module is engaged with the release tool and a second position wherein the diverter module is disengaged from the release tool; and 
 a pressure chamber defined within the release tool body, the engagement member being moved to the second position when the pressure chamber is filled with fluid. 
 
     
     
         13 . The installation system of  claim 12  wherein the engagement member comprises a collet which engages a complimentary latching recess on the diverter module. 
     
     
         14 . A method of installing an article within a wellbore, the method comprising:
 affixing an article to be installed to an installation system having:   a) a release tool which releasably secures the article to the system;   b) an anchor for securing the system in place within the wellbore; and
 c) a stroker tool for creating an axial force between the anchor and the release tool, the axial force emplacing the article within the wellbore; 
   disposing the article and the installation system within the wellbore on a running string having a flowbore;   setting the anchor to secure the installation system within the wellbore;   actuating the stroker tool to generate an axial force to seat the article within a complimentary seating arrangement within the wellbore; and   operating the release tool to disengage the installation system from the article.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of operating the release tool further comprises communicating fluid pressure through the stroker tool and to the release tool to cause the release tool to disengage from the article. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the stroker tool further comprises a telescoping assembly that is moveable between an axially retracted position and an axially extended position, and wherein the step of actuating the stroker tool to generate an axial force further comprises:
 landing a ball on a ball seat within the stroker tool; and 
 increasing fluid pressure within the flowbore of the running string against the landed ball to move the stroker tool from the axially retracted position to the axially extended position. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of operating the release tool further comprises:
 increasing fluid pressure within the flowbore of the running string to a point wherein the ball seat is sheared out of the flowbore; and 
 communicating fluid pressure from the running string through the stroker tool to the release tool to cause the release tool to disengage from the article. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of,  claim 17  wherein fluid pressure causes the release tool to disengage from the article by filling a release chamber within the release tool with fluid to release an engagement member from the article.