Wellbore tool positioning system and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for positioning a section of a tool in a section of a wellbore including a first arm coupled to a motor actuator at a first end and a positioning component at a second end. The system also includes a second arm coupled to a biasing member at a first end and the positioning component at a second end. The motor actuator drives rotation of the first end of the first arm about a rotation axis to change a radial position of the positioning component with respect to a tool axis at the section of the tool.

1 . A system for performing downhole operations, the system comprising:
 a tool string;   a downhole tool forming at least a first portion of the tool string; and   a positioning system forming at least a second portion of the tool string, the positioning system comprising:
 a plurality of adjustable arm devices (AADs), the AADs driving respective positioning components radially outward from an axis of a section of the tool string toward a wellbore wall, wherein each AAD of the plurality of AADs is individually actuatable in response to a deployment command and driven radially outward by a respective external motive force. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the AAD comprises:
 a first arm coupled to a motor actuator at a first end of the first arm and to the positioning component at a second end of the first arm;   a second arm coupled to a biasing member at a first end of the second arm and to the positioning component at a second end of the second arm; and   wherein the motor actuator drives rotation of the first arm about a rotation axis, the rotation of the first arm driving the positioning component radially outward from the axis of the section of the tool string.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the AAD further comprises:
 a communication device communicatively coupled to the motor actuator, the communication device sending and receiving instructions to and from the motor actuator; and   an actuator sensor, the actuator sensor determining a position of the motor actuator, wherein the position of the motor actuator is correlated to a radial position of the positioning component.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the biasing member exerts a force opposite the motor actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tool string comprises a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter, the first diameter being different than the second diameter, the system further comprising:
 the plurality of AADs arranged about the first portion of the tool string; and   a second plurality of AADs arranged about the second portion of the tool string;   wherein the respective positioning components of the plurality of AADs and the second plurality of AADs are individually actuatable to contact the wellbore wall and be positioned at respective radial distances from the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of AADs are positioned equally offset about a circumference of the tool string and each AAD of the plurality of AADs is individually actuatable such that a radial position of a first AAD of the plurality of AADs is not equal to the radial position of a second AAD of the plurality of AADs. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning component comprises a sensor, a roller, a pad, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the positioning component is the roller, the roller further comprising a motor to drive rotation of the roller about a roller axis. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning system further comprises:
 a body sheet, the body sheet arranged about an outer diameter of the tool string; and   an attachment coupling formed in the body sheet, the attachment coupling receiving the AAD.   
     
     
         10 . A system for positioning a section of a tool in a section of a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a first arm coupled to a motor actuator at a first end and a positioning component at a second end;   a second arm coupled to a biasing member at a first end and the positioning component at a second end;   wherein the motor actuator drives rotation of the first end of the first arm about a rotation axis to change a radial position of the positioning component with respect to a tool axis at the section of the tool.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a gear box coupled to the motor, the gear box adjusting a force output from the motor;   a drive arm extending between the motor and the first end of the first arm; and   an actuator sensor, the actuator sensor measuring a position of the motor with respect to the radial position of the positioning component.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the positioning component comprises an outward roller, a pad, a sensor, a basket, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sensor arranged on the positioning component, the sensor detecting contact between the positioning component and a wellbore wall; and   a communication device communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the motor, wherein the communication device sends a signal to the motor to adjust the radial position of the positioning component based at least in part on an indication received from the sensor.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a body sheet formed from a plurality of sheet sections, the sheet sections being rotatably coupled to one another;   an attachment coupling formed in the body sheet, the attachment coupling engaging a housing associated with the motor actuator; and   a clasp arranged at an end of the body sheet, the clasp securing the body sheet in a circumferential arrangement about a tool body.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sheet sections are removably coupled to one another, and a sheet section of the plurality of sheet sections is removed or added based at least in part on a diameter of the tool body. 
     
     
         16 . A method for determining a position of a downhole tool, the method comprising:
 receiving an instruction to position a portion of the downhole tool at a radial offset relative to a wellbore axis;   adjusting an adjustable arm device (AAD), based at least in part on the instruction, to change a radial position of a positioning device;   receiving a signal indicative of the radial position of the positioning device; and   determining the radial offset, based at least in part on the radial position of the positioning device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 performing a second adjustment of the AAD if the determined radial offset is not substantially equal to an instructed radial offset.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the signal indicative of the radial position comprises at least one of one of an indication that the positioning device is in contact with a wellbore wall, a position of a motor, or a command from a surface location. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 maintaining the radial position of the positioning device while the determined radial offset is substantially equal to an instructed radial offset.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 performing a wellbore operation while the determined radial offset is substantially equal to an instructed radial offset.