Actuation mechanism, downhole device and method

Abstract

Provided is an downhole actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising: a first part having a guiding surface; a second part defining a passageway; the second part being movable with respect to the guiding surface between a first position and a second position; the second part defining a first clearance of the passageway in the first position; the second part defining a second clearance of the passageway in the second position, the second clearance being larger than the first clearance.

1 . An downhole actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising:
 a first part having a guiding surface;   a second part defining a passageway;   the second part being movable with respect to the guiding surface between a first position and a second position;   the second part defining a first clearance of the passageway in the first position;   the second part defining a second clearance of the passageway in the second position, the second clearance being larger than the first clearance.   
     
     
         2 . The actuation mechanism according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second part comprises a sleeve; and   wherein the passageway extends through the sleeve.   
     
     
         3 . The actuation mechanism according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second part is configured to be radially expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration;   wherein in the first position the guiding surface is acting on the second part so as to maintain the second part in the first configuration; and   wherein in the second position the guiding surface allows the second part to expand into the second configuration.   
     
     
         4 . The actuation mechanism according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first part is a tubular body; and   the guiding surface is an interior surface of the tubular body.   
     
     
         5 . A downhole device comprising
 the actuation mechanism according to  claim 1 ; and   a catcher device which is configurable in a catching configuration in which a first element is being retained by the catcher device and a bypassing configuration in which a second element is being bypassed;   wherein the second part is coupled to the catcher device for actuating the catcher device;   wherein the catcher device is in the bypassing configuration if the second part is in the first position; and   wherein the catcher device is in the catching configuration if the second part is in the second position.   
     
     
         6 . The downhole device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the catcher device comprises a diverter.   
     
     
         7 . The downholed device according to  claim 6 ,
 the diverter being moveable between a first diverter position and a second diverter position;   the catcher device comprising a catching path and a bypass path besides the catching path;   wherein the diverter includes an inlet and an outlet;   wherein the outlet is fluidically coupled to the inlet;   wherein in the first diverter position the outlet is located facing the bypass path; and   wherein in the second diverter position the outlet is facing the catching path.   
     
     
         8 . The downhole device according to  claim 7 , wherein a movement of the diverter between the first diverter position and the second diverter position includes a rotation of the diverter. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole device according to  claim 7 , wherein the inlet of the diverter is fluidically coupled to passageway of the second part. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole device according to  claim 6 , wherein the diverter and the second part are rotatably mounted with respect to each other. 
     
     
         11 . An operating assembly comprising:
 a downhole device according to  claim 5 , the actuation mechanism being provided for actuating the downhole device; and   the first element having a diameter larger than the first clearance and smaller than the second clearance.   
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a downhole device, the method comprising:
 providing an element in a fluid flow towards the downhole device;   locating the element in a part defining a first clearance of a passageway, the element thereby at least partially obstructing the passageway;   increasing a pressure of the fluid upstream the element to move the part from a first position into a second position by the increased pressure, wherein in the second position the part defines a second clearance of the passageway, the second clearance allowing the element to pass through the passageway.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the downhole device comprises a diverter and wherein a movement of the part from the first position to the second position operates the diverter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein operating the diverter includes rotating the diverter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the movement of the part is an axial movement along in an axial direction and wherein operating the diverter includes rotating the diverter about an axis of rotation which is parallel to the axial direction.