Systems and methods for activating a downhole tool

Abstract

A downhole tool may include a body with a flow channel therethrough. The flow channel may be an outer flow channel that is radially outward relative to an inner flow channel and/or a rod. The rod or inner flow channel may act as a valve to allow flow within the outer flow channel. A plunger may be positioned within the body and acted upon by fluid in the inner flow channel or the rod. The plunger may move from a first position that restricts fluid flow from the outer flow channel to a chamber in the body to a second position that allows fluid flow from the outer flow channel to the chamber in the body at least partially in response to fluid flowing through the inner flow channel. An expandable member, such as a cutting tool or isolation tool, may be movably coupled to the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An activation system, comprising:
 a body having an outer flow channel and a chamber therein;   a valve within the body, the valve including an inner flow channel therein, the inner flow channel being positioned radially inward from the outer flow channel;   a plunger configured to move at least partially in response to fluid flowing through the inner flow channel from a first position that restricts fluid flow from the outer flow channel to the chamber in the body to a second position that allows fluid flow from the outer flow channel to the chamber in the body; and   an expandable component coupled to the body, the expandable component being configured to move radially from a retracted position to an expanded position at least partially in response to fluid flowing into the chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The activation system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first sleeve within the body, the first sleeve being axially movable within the body between:
 a first axial position that restricts fluid flow into the inner flow channel; and 
 a second axial position that allows fluid flow into the inner flow channel. 
   
     
     
         3 . The activation system of  claim 2 , the valve including an opening providing a path of fluid communication to the inner flow channel, the valve being configured to be positioned at least partially within the first sleeve when the first sleeve is in the first axial position such that the first sleeve restricts fluid flow through the opening of the valve. 
     
     
         4 . The activation system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second sleeve within the body, the first sleeve being biased in a first axial direction, and the second sleeve being biased in a second axial direction opposed to the first axial direction.   
     
     
         5 . The activation system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mandrel coupled to the body, the mandrel including an opening that provides a path of fluid communication from the outer flow channel to the chamber in the body, the chamber being radially inward from the outer flow channel.   
     
     
         6 . The activation system of  claim 1 , the plunger being biased toward the first position. 
     
     
         7 . An activation system, comprising:
 a body having a flow channel extending at least partially therethrough;   a rod axially movable within at least a portion of the body and positioned radially inward from the flow channel; and   an expandable component movably coupled to the body and positioned radially outward from the rod, the expandable component being configured to move radially from a retracted position to an expanded position at least partially in response to axial movement of the rod.   
     
     
         8 . The activation system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first sleeve within the body, the first sleeve being movable with the rod to selectively provide a path of fluid communication to the flow channel.   
     
     
         9 . The activation system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second sleeve movably positioned within the body, the first and second sleeves being biased to move in opposing axial directions.   
     
     
         10 . The activation system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a mandrel within the body, the mandrel including a radial opening providing a path of fluid communication from the flow channel to a chamber in the body, the chamber being positioned radially inward from the flow channel.   
     
     
         11 . The activation system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a plunger coupled to the rod and configured to move together with the rod from a first position that restricts fluid flow through the radial opening to the chamber in the body to a second position that allows fluid flow through the opening to the chamber in the body.   
     
     
         12 . The activation system of  claim 11 , the plunger including an axial opening providing a path of fluid communication from the radial opening to the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A method for activating a downhole tool, comprising:
 running a downhole tool into a wellbore, the downhole tool including:
 a body having an outer flow channel; 
 a valve within the body, the valve including an inner flow channel positioned radially inward relative to the outer flow channel; 
 a first sleeve within the body, the sleeve being coupled to a first seat; 
 a plunger within the body and in fluid communication with the inner flow channel; and 
 a cutting tool movably coupled to the body; 
   introducing a first ball into the downhole tool and causing the first ball to be received by the first seat; and   supplying fluid to the downhole tool, wherein supplying fluid to the downhole tool includes:
 building fluid pressure behind the first ball; 
 passing the first ball past the first seat; 
 moving the first sleeve axially within the body from a first position that restricts fluid flow into the inner flow channel to a second position that allows fluid flow into the inner flow channel at least partially in response to passing the first ball past the first seat; and 
 moving the plunger from a first position that restricts fluid flow from the outer flow channel to a chamber in the body to a second position that allows fluid flow from the outer flow channel to the chamber in the body at least partially in response to fluid flowing into the inner flow channel. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein supplying fluid to the downhole tool includes moving the cutting tool radially outward from a retracted position to an expanded position at least partially in response to fluid flowing into the chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein building fluid pressure behind the first ball includes deforming at least one of the first ball or the first seat. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein moving the first sleeve axially within the body is performed at least partially in response to a first biasing member biasing the first sleeve toward the second position when the first ball moves past the first seat. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 introducing a second ball into the downhole tool and causing the second ball to be received by a second seat coupled to a second sleeve within the body; and   returning the first sleeve to the first position at least partially in response to the second ball being received by the second seat.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein returning the first sleeve to the first position includes using a second biasing member that biases the second sleeve toward the first position when the second ball moves past the second seat. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , the downhole tool further including a cap coupled to the body and radially outward of the first and second sleeves, the cap being coupled to the first and second sleeves by one or more shear elements. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , the first sleeve including an opening providing a path of fluid communication from an axial bore in the body to the inner flow channel, the outer flow channel, or both.