Mechanical stepper

Abstract

A mechanical stepper and method of incrementally actuating a device. An insert is placed in a housing. The housing has a chamber and a stepper sleeve located in the chamber. The stepper sleeve includes a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first equilibrium diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second equilibrium diameter that is smaller than the first equilibrium diameter. The insert includes a first protrusion. The insert moves through the housing, and the movement of the insert through the housing is incrementally limited by changing the diameter of the first stop member and the diameter of the second stop member via the first protrusion.

Description

Background Art

[0001] In the resource recovery industry, production involves the flow of fluids from a formation into a tubular for transport to a surface location. However, there is a need to be able to control the amount of fluid flowing through the tubular and thus regulate the flow of fluid to the tubular. Summary of the invention

[0002] A method of incrementally actuating a device is disclosed herein. An insert is placed in a housing having a chamber and a step sleeve located in the chamber, the step sleeve including a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first equilibrium diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second equilibrium diameter that is smaller than the first equilibrium diameter. The insert includes a first protrusion. The insert is moved through the housing. Movement of the insert through the housing is incrementally limited via the first protrusion by changing the diameter of the first stop member and the diameter of the second stop member.

[0003] The present invention also discloses a mechanical stepper. The mechanical stepper includes a housing having a cavity on an inner diameter surface; a stepper sleeve located in the cavity, the stepper sleeve including a first stop member having a balance position defined by a first balance diameter and a second stop member having a balance position defined by a second balance diameter smaller than the first balance diameter; and an insert located in the housing and movable relative to the housing, the insert including a protrusion. The insert moves incrementally through the housing via interaction between the protrusion on the insert and the first stop member and the second stop member.

[0004] The present invention also discloses a mechanical stepper. The mechanical stepper includes a housing having a protrusion on an inner diameter surface; an insert located in the housing and movable relative to the housing, the insert including a chamber located on its outer surface; and a stepper sleeve located in the chamber, the stepper sleeve including a first stop member having a balance position defined by a first balance diameter and a second stop member having a balance position defined by a second balance diameter greater than the first balance diameter. The insert moves incrementally through the housing via the interaction between the protrusion on the housing and the first stop member and the second stop member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The following description should not be considered limiting in any way. Referring to the accompanying drawings, like elements are represented by like reference numerals:

[0006] Figure 1 A mechanical stepper in one embodiment is shown;

[0007] Figure 2 A side view showing a cross section of a housing of a mechanical stepper;

[0008] Figure 3 An insert of a mechanical stepper is shown;

[0009] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a stepper sleeve of a mechanical stepper;

[0010] Figure 5 A close-up of the carrier is shown, depicting details of the first stop member and the second stop member;

[0011] Figure 6 A first step of the insert within the housing is shown to produce a stepping motion;

[0012] Figure 7 A second step for producing a stepping motion is shown;

[0013] Figure 8 A third step for producing a stepping motion is shown;

[0014] Fig. 9 A fourth step for producing a stepping motion is shown;

[0015] Fig.10 A fifth step for producing a stepping motion is shown;

[0016] Fig.11 A sixth action for producing a stepping motion is shown;

[0017] Fig.12 A seventh action for producing a stepping motion is shown;

[0018] Fig.13 An insert of a mechanical stepper is shown, wherein a protrusion of the insert is located on the left side of the stepper sleeve;

[0019] Fig.14 Movement for rotating the carrier out of alignment with the insert is shown;

[0020] Fig.15 The insert is shown in free axial movement relative to the stepping sleeve;

[0021] Fig.16 Shown in Fig.15 After the movement, the insert has moved to the right side of the stepping sleeve;

[0022] Fig.17 The motion for rotating the insert into alignment with the carrier to produce a stepping motion is shown;

[0023] Fig.18 The operation of the mechanical stepper is shown to control the flow of fluid through the housing; and

[0024] Fig.19A mechanical stepper in another embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein is presented by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0026] refer to Figure 1 , a mechanical stepper 100 is shown in one embodiment. The mechanical stepper 100 includes a housing 102, an insert 104 that can move through the housing 102, and a stepper sleeve 106 that resides in the housing 102. The stepper sleeve 106 extends circumferentially around a section of the insert 104 and can slide along an outer surface of the insert 104. The mechanical stepper 100 extends longitudinally between a first end 110 and a second end 112 opposite the first end 110, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 as shown in .

[0027] The terms "left" and "right" are used herein to describe the relative position and / or orientation of various elements and the relative direction of movement of these elements, as shown in the figures. It should be understood that the terms "left" and "right" are intended only for ease of explanation and are not meant to limit the present invention. A first element being located to the left of a second element indicates that the first element is closer to the first end 110 than the second element. Similarly, a first element being located to the right of a second element indicates that the first element is closer to the second end 112 than the second element. In addition, an element moving to the left is moving from the second end to the first end, and an element moving to the right is moving from the first end to the second end.

[0028] Figure 2A side view of a cross section of the housing 102 of the mechanical stepper 100 is shown. The housing 102 is a component having a longitudinal hole therethrough. The housing 102 includes a first housing segment 202 and a second housing segment 204, which when combined form a chamber 206 located on the inner diameter surface 205 of the housing 102. In an alternative embodiment, the housing 102 can be a single component having the chamber 206. The chamber 206 extends from a first end wall 208 to a second end wall 210. The chamber 206 includes a first restricted area 212, a second restricted area 214, and an expansion area 216 axially located between the first restricted area 212 and the second restricted area 214. The first restricted area 212 is located to the left of the expansion area 216 and has a first restricted outer surface 220, which is radially separated from the inner diameter surface 205 of the housing 102 by a radial depth "h". The second restricted zone 214 is located to the right of the expanded zone 216 and has a second restricted outer surface 222 that is radially separated from the inner diameter surface 205 of the housing 102 by a radial depth "h". The expanded zone 216 has an expanded outer surface 224 that is radially separated from the inner diameter surface 205 of the housing 102 by a radial depth "H", where H>h. Although the radial depths of the first restricted zone 212 and the second restricted zone 214 are both less than the radial depth of the expanded zone 216, in various embodiments, the radial depth of the first restricted zone 212 may be different from the radial depth of the second restricted zone 214. The first inclined surface 226 connects the expanded outer surface 224 to the first restricted outer surface 220. Similarly, the second inclined surface 228 connects the expanded outer surface 224 to the second restricted outer surface 222. Although shown in cross-section, it should be understood that the chamber 206 extends circumferentially around the inside of the housing 102.

[0029] Figure 3 The insert 104 of the mechanical stepper 100 is shown. In one embodiment, the insert 104 includes a body 302 extending from a first end 110 to a second end 112 and defining a hole therethrough. The insert 104 includes one or more sets of protrusions. Figure 3In the exemplary embodiment of the insert 104, the insert shows a first protrusion group 304, a second protrusion group 310, and a third protrusion group 312. Each protrusion group is located at a selected azimuth position on the outer surface of the insert 104. Each protrusion group also includes a plurality of protrusions 306a, 306b, ..., 306n, which are axially separated from each other in the longitudinal direction by a selected protrusion spacing 308. Each protrusion 306a, 306b, ..., 306n has a selected circumferential length to cover only a portion of the circumference of the insert 104. Each protrusion 306a, 306b, ..., 306n has a non-perpendicular angled surface facing the first end 110 and a surface angled with the outer surface of the insert 104 facing the second end 112. In various embodiments, the angle can be perpendicular to plus or minus 15 degrees.

[0030] The insert 104 further includes a slotted track 320 formed in its outer surface. The slotted track 320 includes a first axial slot 322 and a second axial slot 324 circumferentially displaced from the first axial slot. A first angled transverse slot 326 connects the first axial slot 322 to the second axial slot 324 at one axial end of the slotted track 320. A second angled transverse slot 328 connects the first axial slot 322 to the second axial slot 324 at the opposite axial end of the slotted track 320.

[0031] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view 400 of a stepper sleeve 106 of a mechanical stepper 100 is shown. The cross-sectional view 400 shows the inner surface of the stepper sleeve 106. The stepper sleeve 106 includes a carrier 402, a first stop member 404, and a second stop member 406. In various embodiments, the first stop member 404 is a first C-shaped ring, and the second stop member 406 is a second C-shaped ring. The first C-shaped ring and the second C-shaped ring extend partially around the circumference of the carrier 402. When in a natural state in which no force is applied, the first stop member 404 has a first equilibrium diameter. When in a natural state in which no force is applied, the second stop member 406 has a second equilibrium diameter. In other words, the equilibrium position of the first stop member 404 is defined by the first stop member 404 having the first equilibrium diameter, and the equilibrium position of the second stop member 406 is defined by the second stop member 406 having the second equilibrium diameter. The first equilibrium diameter is greater than the second equilibrium diameter. The first stop member 404 and the second stop member 406 are each flexible so as to be able to radially expand or contract.

[0032] The first stop member 404 and the second stop member 406 can each independently or individually move between an expanded state and a collapsed state. For the first stop member 404, the expanded state is the state when the first stop member 404 is at its equilibrium position (i.e., at a first equilibrium diameter). In the collapsed state, the first stop member 404 has a diameter that is smaller than the first equilibrium diameter. In a non-limiting embodiment, the diameter of the first stop member 404 in the collapsed state is the second equilibrium diameter.

[0033] For the second stop member 406, the collapsed state is the state when the second stop member 406 is at its equilibrium position (i.e., at the second equilibrium diameter). In the expanded state, the second stop member 406 has a diameter greater than the second equilibrium diameter. In a non-limiting embodiment, the diameter of the second stop member 406 in the expanded state is the first equilibrium diameter.

[0034] In various embodiments, in the expanded state, the stop member is located radially outward from the carrier 402, and in the collapsed state, the outer surface of the stop member is flush with or lower than the outer surface of the carrier 402.

[0035] The first stop member 404 resides at a first axial position 408 of the carrier 402. The carrier 402 may include a first circumferential track at the first axial position 408 to guide or accommodate the first stop member 404. Similarly, the second stop member 406 resides at a second axial position 410 of the carrier 402, and the carrier 402 may include a second circumferential track at the second axial position 410 to guide or accommodate the second stop member 406. The first axial position 408 is closer to the first end 110, and the second axial position 410 is closer to the second end 112.

[0036] The carrier 402 further includes circumferentially spaced sets of holes. Figure 3 The exemplary carrier 402 of FIG. 4 shows a first hole group 418, a second hole group 420, and a third hole group 422. Each hole group includes a first hole 412 and a second hole 414 axially separated from each other. For ease of explanation, these holes are further discussed with respect to the first hole group 418.

[0037] The first hole set 418 includes a first hole 412 located at the first axial position 408 and a second hole 414 located at the second axial position 410. The first hole 412 can retain at least a portion of the first stop member 404, and the second hole 414 can retain at least a portion of the second stop member 406. The first hole 412 and the second hole 414 are separated by an inner track region 416 having a selected axial length.

[0038] The carrier 402 further includes an ear 430 located on its inner diameter surface, which extends radially inward from the inner diameter surface. The ear 430 interacts with the grooved track 320 of the insert 104 to rotate the stepping sleeve 106 relative to the insert 104, as described below with respect to Figures 13 to 18 discussed in further detail.

[0039] Figure 5 A close-up of the carrier 402 is shown, depicting details of the first stop member 404 and the second stop member 406 in one embodiment. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 4 , the first stop member 404 is located to the left of the second stop member 406 .

[0040] The first stop member 404 includes a stop portion 502 and an inner flange 504. The stop portion 502 includes an outer stop surface 506. A left inclined surface 508 is located to the left of the outer stop surface 506, and a right inclined surface 510 is located to the right of the outer stop surface 506. The left inclined surface 508 is at an angle that matches the angle of the first inclined surface 226 of the housing 102. The inner flange 504 extends radially inward from the stop portion 502. The stop portion 502 defines an inner stop surface 512, and the inner flange defines an inner flange surface 514. The step surface 516 extends from the inner stop surface 512 to the inner flange surface 514 in a vertical manner. The step surface 516 can form any suitable angle, including but not limited to a vertical angle. The angle of the step surface 516 can match the angle of the protrusions 306a, 306b, ..., 306n. However, this is not a necessary limitation. The step surface 516 is exposed to the first end 110. The right side of the inner flange 504 includes an angled surface 518 .

[0041] The angled surface 518 may match the corresponding surface of the protrusions 306a, 306b, ..., 306n. However, this is not a necessary limitation. In the second radial state, the outer stop surface 506 is flush with the outer surface 540 of the carrier 402, and the inner flange 504 extends through the first hole 412 to a position located radially inward of the carrier.

[0042] The second stop member 406 includes a stop portion 522 and an inner flange 524. The stop portion 522 includes an outer stop surface 526. A left inclined surface 528 is located to the left of the outer stop surface 526, and a right inclined surface 530 is located to the right of the outer stop surface 526. The right inclined surface 530 is at an angle that matches the angle of the second inclined surface 228 of the housing 102. The inner flange 524 extends radially inward from the stop portion 522. The stop portion 522 defines an inner stop surface 532, and the inner flange defines an inner flange surface 534. An angled step surface 536 extends from the inner stop surface 532 to the inner flange surface 534. The angled step surface 536 is exposed to the right side of the second stop member 406. The left side of the inner flange 524 includes a vertical surface 538. The angle of the vertical surface 538 and the angle of the angled step surface 536 can match the corresponding surfaces of the protrusions 306a, 306b, ..., 306n that interact with these surfaces. However, this is not a necessary limitation. In the extended state, the inner stop surface 534 is flush with the inner surface 542 of the carrier 402, and the inner flange 524 extends through the second hole 414 to a position located radially inward of the carrier 402.

[0043] Figures 6 to 12 Operation of the mechanical stepper 100 is shown to perform stepwise motion of an insert 104 relative to the housing 102. The insert 104 moves along a shared longitudinal axis within the housing 102. In various embodiments, the stepwise motion of the insert 104 can be used to incrementally actuate a device.

[0044] Figure 6 The first step of the insert 104 within the housing 102 is shown to produce a stepping motion. The step sleeve 106 is located in a first position or rightmost position, wherein the carrier 402 is close to the second end wall 210 of the chamber 206. In this position of the carrier 402, the first stop member 404 is located within the expansion area 216. Since the first stop member 404 is in an expanded state (i.e., in its equilibrium position), it extends to the expanded outer surface 224 of the chamber. The second stop member 406 is confined within the second confined area 214 and is in a collapsed state (i.e., in its equilibrium position). The insert 104 is positioned with its protrusions 306a, 306b, ..., 306n located on the right side of the housing 102 and moves from right to left in the step sleeve 106 in a first direction, so that the first protrusion 306a (i.e., the leftmost protrusion) forms a first contact with the inner flange 524 of the second stop member 406.

[0045] Figure 7A second step for generating the stepping motion is shown. The insert 104 continues to move to the left, thereby exerting a force on the carrier 402 to move it to the left from the first position to the second position. The first protrusion 306a pushes against the angled stepping surface 536 to push the carrier 402 to the left. As the carrier 402 moves to the left, the first stop member 404 is forced into a collapsed state via the interaction between the left inclined surface 508 of the first stop member 404 and the first inclined surface 226 of the housing 102.

[0046] Figure 8 The third step for generating the stepping motion is shown. The insert 104 is now moved to the left, placing the carrier 402 in the second position, in which the carrier 402 is close to the first end wall 208 of the chamber 206. The first stop member 404 is confined within the first confined area 212 and is therefore in a collapsed state. The second stop member 406 enters the expanded area 216. Although the equilibrium position of the second stop member 406 is the collapsed state, the first protrusion 306a pushes against the angled stepping surface 536 of the second stop member 406 to force it into the expanded state. With the second stop member 406 in the expanded state, the first protrusion 306a now has the opportunity to move further in the first direction. The first protrusion 306a moves under the second stop member 406 and enters the track-in-area 416 of the carrier 402. Once the first protrusion 306a is within the track-in-area 416 and is no longer under the second stop member 406, the second stop member 406 will collapse back to the collapsed state.

[0047] Fig. 9 A fourth step for generating a stepping motion is shown. With the carrier 402 in the second position and prevented from further leftward movement, the insert 104 continues to move leftward to abut the first protrusion 306a against the first stop member 404, thereby preventing any further leftward movement of the insert 104.

[0048] Fig.10 A fifth step for producing the stepping motion is shown. With the carrier 402 in the second position, the insert 104 is now moved in a second direction (to the right) so that the first protrusion 306a makes a second contact with the second stop member 406 at a vertical surface 538 that matches the vertical surface of the first protrusion 306a.

[0049] Fig.11A sixth action for producing a stepping motion is shown. The insert 104 continues to move in the second direction, causing the first protrusion 306a to push against the vertical surface 538 of the inner flange 524 of the second stop member 406, thereby moving the carrier 402 back to the first position, in which the carrier abuts the second end wall 210 of the chamber 206, thereby preventing any further rightward movement of the insert 104. As a result, the second stop member 406 moves within the second restricted area 214 of the chamber 206. The first stop member 404 enters the expansion area 216 and expands radially outward against the expanded outer surface 224 of the expansion area 216, thereby relaxing back to the expanded state.

[0050] Fig.12 A seventh action for producing a stepping motion is shown. The insert 104 is again moved in the first direction. Since the first stop member 404 is in the extended state, the first protrusion 306a moves to the left unhindered. In fact, there is no substantial contact between the insert 104 and the carrier 402 until the second protrusion 306b contacts the angled stepping surface 536 of the second stop member 406. At this point, the carrier 402 is positioned relative to the first stop member 404. Figure 6 The only difference is that the first protrusion 306a has moved through the carrier 402 and the second protrusion 306b is at Fig.12 The first protrusion 306a is located in the middle Figure 6 Thus, the second protrusion is now in position to repeat Figures 6 to 12 Thus, these steps can be repeated until the final or rightmost protrusion 306n passes through the left side of the carrier 402. Once the last protrusion 306n has passed through the carrier, the insert can be returned to its rightmost position, using the following instructions for Figures 13 to 18 The method described.

[0051] Figures 13 to 18 A method is shown for moving the insert 104 to the right relative to the housing 102. The method uses the slotted track 320 of the insert to align or misalign the protrusions 306a, 306b, ..., 306n with the first and second stop members 404, 406 of the carrier 402.

[0052] Fig.13 The insert 104 of the mechanical stepper 100 is shown with the protrusions 306a, 306b, ..., 306n of the insert located to the left of the stepper sleeve 106. The first protrusion group 304 is shown to be located at the same circumferential position 1302 as the first hole group 418. Similarly, the second protrusion group 310 is circumferentially aligned with the second hole group 420, and the third protrusion group 312 is aligned with the third hole group 422. In this configuration, the insert 104 and the stepper sleeve 106 are aligned to produce a stepping motion, such as Figures 6 to 12 As shown previously.

[0053] Since the protrusions 306 a , 306 b , . . . , 306 n are all moved to the left side of the carrier 402 , the ear 430 of the carrier 402 is located at the rightmost end of the first axial slot 322 .

[0054] Fig.14 A motion is shown for rotating the insert 104 out of alignment with the carrier 402. Due to the diagonal trajectory of the second angled transverse slot 328, moving the insert 104 further to the left (in the first direction) causes the carrier 402 to rotate relative to the insert 104, thereby aligning the ears 430 with the second axial slots 324. As a result, the first protrusion set 304 is no longer located at the same circumferential position 1302 as the first hole set 418, but is located at circumferential position 1402. Similarly, the second protrusion set 310 is out of alignment with the second hole set 420, and the third protrusion set 312 is out of alignment with the third hole set 422.

[0055] Fig.15 The insert 104 is shown free for axial movement in a second direction relative to the stepping sleeve 106 , with the sets of projections circumferentially displaced from their corresponding sets of holes. The ears 430 now move along the second axial slots 324 .

[0056] Fig.16 Shown in Fig.15 After the movement of , the insert has been moved to the right side of the stepping sleeve 106. The ear 430 is now located at the leftmost position in the second axial slot 324.

[0057] Fig.17 The motion for rotating the insert 104 into alignment with the carrier 402 to produce a stepping motion is shown. Due to the diagonal trajectory of the first angled transverse slot 326, further moving the insert 104 to the right (in the second direction) causes the carrier 402 to rotate relative to the insert 104, thereby aligning the ears 430 with the first axial slots 322. As a result, the first protrusion set 304 is placed at the same circumferential position 1302 as the first hole set 418. In this alignment, when the insert is again moved in the first direction, the protrusions 306a, 3062b, ..., 306n can interact with the first stop member and the second stop member, thereby producing Figures 6 to 12 The stepping motion described in .

[0058] Fig.18The operation of the mechanical stepper 100 is shown to control the flow of a fluid through the housing 102. The insert 104 includes a flow channel for the fluid to flow therethrough. The second housing section 204 extends axially and includes a plurality of ports 1802. The relative position of the insert 104 within the second housing section 204 determines how many ports 1802 will be covered by the insert, and therefore determines the amount of fluid entering the second housing section 204 via the ports 1802. When the insert 104 is located at the far right, the insert will cover all ports 1802. When the insert 104 moves to the left, another port 1802 is not covered by the insert 104. The spacing between the ports 1802 can be the same as the spacing between the protrusions 306a, 3062b, ..., 306n. Due to the applied force, the insert 104 can move through the housing 102. In various embodiments, the applied force can be hydraulic force, mechanical force, electrical force, magnetic force, electromagnetic force, etc. The force may be applied by a mechanically operated actuator, an electrically operated actuator, etc. The mechanical stepper 100 may regulate the flow of a fluid through the insert 104 and through the housing 102 .

[0059] Fig.19 A mechanical stepper 1900 in another embodiment is shown. The mechanical stepper 1900 includes a housing 1902, an insert 1904, and a stepper sleeve 1906. A chamber or recess 1908 is formed on an outer surface of the insert, and the stepper sleeve 1906 resides within the recess 1908. The housing 1902 includes protrusions 1910a, ..., 1910n that interact with first and second stop members 1912, 1910n of the stepper sleeve to incrementally move the insert through the housing. The radial orientation of the first and second stop members 1912, 1914 is opposite to the radial orientation of the first and second stop members 404, 406, thereby allowing interaction with the protrusions 1910a, ..., 1910n to change their radial states. For the stop member 1912 and the stop member 1914 , the equilibrium position of the first stop member 1912 is located at a radially inward position, and the equilibrium position of the second stop member 1914 is a radially outward position.

[0060] In another embodiment, the mechanical stepper can be used as a counter by, for example, tracking the number of protrusions that have passed through the stepper sleeve or by tracking the number of ports that are not covered by an insert.

[0061] Some embodiments of the aforementioned disclosure are shown below:

[0062] Embodiment 1: A method for incrementally actuating a device, the method comprising: placing an insert in a housing having a chamber and a step sleeve located in the chamber, the step sleeve comprising a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first equilibrium diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second equilibrium diameter smaller than the first equilibrium diameter; the insert comprising a first protrusion; moving the insert through the housing; and incrementally limiting the movement of the insert through the housing via the first protrusion by changing the diameter of the first stop member and the diameter of the second stop member.

[0063] Embodiment 2: A method according to any previous embodiment, wherein incrementally moving the insert through the shell further includes: forming a first contact between the first protrusion and the second stop member, wherein the step sleeve is located at a first position in the chamber; moving the insert along a first direction to move the step sleeve from the first position to a second position in the chamber via the first contact; moving the insert along the first direction to move the first protrusion past the second stop member; moving the insert along the first direction to move the first protrusion to contact the first stop member; moving the insert along the second direction to move the step sleeve back to the first position via a second contact between the first protrusion and the second stop member; and moving the insert along the first direction to move the first protrusion past the first stop member.

[0064] Embodiment 3: The method according to any previous embodiment, wherein moving the step sleeve to the second position collapses the first stop member from its equilibrium position, and moving the step sleeve to the first position allows the first stop member to expand back to its equilibrium position.

[0065] Embodiment 4: A method according to any previous embodiment, wherein the chamber further includes an expansion zone and a restricted zone, wherein when the step sleeve is in the first position, the first stop member is located in the expansion zone, and when the step sleeve is in the second position, the first stop member is located in the restricted zone.

[0066] Embodiment 5: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein moving the first protrusion past the first stop member places the second protrusion in contact with the second stop member.

[0067] Embodiment 6: The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising rotating the first stop member and the second stop member to disengage the first stop member and the second stop member from alignment with the first protrusion to move the insert without moving the stepping sleeve.

[0068] Embodiment 7: The method according to any of the previous embodiments, further comprising moving the insert due to the force applied to the insert.

[0069] Embodiment 8: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein moving the insert relative to the housing opens a port to the flow channel.

[0070] Embodiment 9: The method according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein movement of the step sleeve and movement of the first stop member and the second stop member causes movement of the insert.

[0071] Embodiment 10: A mechanical stepper, comprising: a housing having a cavity on an inner diameter surface; a stepping sleeve located in the cavity, the stepping sleeve comprising a first stop member having a balance position defined by a first balance diameter and a second stop member having a balance position defined by a second balance diameter smaller than the first balance diameter; and an insert located in the housing and capable of moving relative to the housing, the insert comprising a protrusion; wherein the insert moves incrementally through the housing via interaction between the protrusion on the insert and the first stop member and the second stop member.

[0072] Embodiment 11: The mechanical stepper according to any previous embodiment, wherein at least one of the first stop member and the second stop member is a C-ring.

[0073] Embodiment 12: A mechanical stepper according to any previous embodiment, wherein when the stepping sleeve is in a first position within the chamber, the first stop member is in its equilibrium position, and when the stepping sleeve is in a second position within the chamber, the first stop member is in a collapsed position.

[0074] Embodiment 13: A mechanical stepper according to any previous embodiment, wherein the chamber further includes an expansion zone and a first restricted zone, wherein when the stepping sleeve is in the first position, the first stop member is located in the expansion zone, and when the stepping sleeve is in the second position, the first stop member is located in the first restricted zone.

[0075] Embodiment 14: A mechanical stepper according to any previous embodiment, wherein the chamber further includes a second restricted area, wherein when the stepping sleeve is in the first position, the second stop member is located in the second restricted area, and when the stepping sleeve is in the second position, the second stop member is located in the expansion area.

[0076] Embodiment 15: The mechanical stepper of any preceding embodiment, wherein the insert further comprises a slotted track for rotating the first stop member and the second stop member to disengage the first stop member and the second stop member from alignment with the protrusion.

[0077] Embodiment 16: The mechanical stepper of any preceding embodiment, wherein the housing includes a port, wherein a force applied to the insert moves the insert relative to the housing to expose the port.

[0078] Embodiment 17: A mechanical stepper, comprising: a housing having a protrusion on an inner diameter surface; an insert located in the housing and capable of moving relative to the housing, the insert comprising a chamber located on its outer surface; and a stepping sleeve located in the chamber, the stepping sleeve comprising a first stop member having a balance position defined by a first balance diameter and a second stop member having a balance position defined by a second balance diameter greater than the first balance diameter; wherein the insert moves incrementally through the housing via interaction between the protrusion on the housing and the first stop member and the second stop member.

[0079] In the context of describing the present invention (particularly in the context of the appended claims), the use of the terms "a", "an", and "the" and similar references should be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. In addition, it should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier "about" used in conjunction with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has a meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity).

[0080] The teaching content of the present disclosure can be used for multiple well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat the stratum, the fluid resident in the stratum, the wellbore, and / or the equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agent can be in the form of a liquid, a gas, a solid, a semi-solid, and a mixture thereof. Exemplary treatment agents include but are not limited to fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, preservatives, cementing agents, permeability regulators, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers, etc. Exemplary well operations include but are not limited to hydraulic fracturing, production increase, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water injection, cementing, etc.

[0081] Although the present invention has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the basic scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode for implementing the present invention, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. In addition, in the drawings and specific embodiments, exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, and although specific terms have been adopted, unless otherwise indicated, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense, and not for the purpose of limitation, otherwise the scope of the present invention is therefore not limited thereto.

Claims

1. A method of incrementally actuating a device, the method comprising: placing an insert in a housing having a chamber and a step sleeve located in the chamber, the step sleeve including a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; the insert including a first protrusion; moving the insert to form contact between the first protrusion and the second stop member when the step sleeve is in a first position; moving the insert through the housing to push the step sleeve from the first position to a second position in the longitudinal direction of the device via contact between the first protrusion and the second stop member, thereby collapsing the first stop member from the first diameter to the second diameter; as well as Moving the insert through the housing moves the first protrusion, thereby expanding the second stop member from the second diameter to the first diameter.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein incrementally moving the insert through the housing further comprises: moving the insert in a first direction to move the first protrusion past the second stop member to contact the first stop member; moving the insert in a second direction to move the stepping sleeve back to the first position via a second contact between the first protrusion and the second stop member, thereby allowing the first stop member to expand to the first diameter; as well as The insert is moved in the first direction to move the first protrusion past the first stop member. 3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein moving the stepping sleeve to the first position allows the first stop member to expand back to its rest position.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the chamber further comprises an expansion zone and a restricted zone, wherein when the step sleeve is in the first position, the first stop member is located in the expansion zone, and when the step sleeve is in the second position, the first stop member is located in the restricted zone. 5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein moving the first protrusion past the first stop member places the second protrusion in contact with the second stop member. 6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising rotating the first and second stop members out of alignment with the first protrusion to move the insert without moving the stepping sleeve.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving the insert as a result of a force applied to the insert.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the insert relative to the housing opens a port to a flow passage.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein movement of the stepper sleeve and movement of the first and second stop members causes movement of the insert.

10. A mechanical stepper, comprising: a housing having a cavity on an inner diameter surface; a stepper sleeve located within the chamber, the stepper sleeve including a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and an insert, the insert being located in the housing and being movable relative to the housing, the insert comprising a protrusion; wherein the stepper sleeve is configured to move from a first position to a second position within the chamber along a longitudinal direction of the mechanical stepper via movement of the insert within the housing by contact between the protrusion and the second stop member, thereby collapsing the first stop member from the first diameter to the second diameter; and wherein movement of the insert through the housing when the stepping sleeve is in the second position moves the protrusion to expand the second stop member from the second diameter to the first diameter. 11 . The mechanical stepper of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first stop member and the second stop member is a C-ring.

12. The mechanical stepper of claim 10, wherein the first stop member is at a first diameter when the stepper sleeve is in a first position within the chamber, and the first stop member is in a collapsed position when the stepper sleeve is in a second position within the chamber.

13. A mechanical stepper according to claim 12, wherein the chamber further includes an expansion zone and a first restricted zone, wherein when the stepping sleeve is in the first position, the first stop member is located in the expansion zone, and when the stepping sleeve is in the second position, the first stop member is located in the first restricted zone.

14. The mechanical stepper of claim 13, wherein the chamber further comprises a second restricted zone, wherein when the stepping sleeve is in the first position, the second stop member is located in the second restricted zone, and when the stepping sleeve is in the second position, the second stop member is located in the expansion zone.

15. The mechanical stepper of claim 10, wherein the insert further comprises a slotted track for rotating the first and second stop members to disengage the first and second stop members from alignment with the protrusion.

16. The mechanical stepper of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a port, wherein a force applied to the insert moves the insert relative to the housing to expose the port.

17. A mechanical stepper, comprising: a housing having a protrusion on an inner diameter surface; an insert positioned within the housing and movable relative to the housing, the insert including a cavity on an outer surface thereof; and a stepper sleeve located within the chamber, the stepper sleeve including a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second diameter greater than the first diameter; wherein the step sleeve is configured to move from a first position to a second position within the chamber along the longitudinal direction of the mechanical stepper via movement of the insert within the housing by contact between the protrusion and the second stop member, thereby expanding the first stop member from the first diameter to the second diameter; and Wherein movement of the insert through the housing when the stepping sleeve is in the second position moves the protrusion to collapse the second stop member from the second diameter to the first diameter.

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