Hydrostatically actuatable systems and related methods

Abstract

A system such as a bottom hole assembly has: a central body (18); at least one hydrostatically actuated assembly (50) configured to extend radially outward from the central body (18), the hydrostatically actuated assembly (50) having at least one piston body (76) exposed to hydrostatic pressure; a plurality of passive structures (54), each passive structure being configured to extend radially outward from the central body (18); and circumferentially spaced from the at least one hydrostatically actuated assembly (50) and another of the plurality of passive structures.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 948,688, filed December 16, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates generally to drilling systems, and more specifically, to downhole drilling tools. Technical Field

[0005] This invention relates generally to drilling systems, and more specifically, to downhole drilling tools. Background Technology

[0006] Wells are typically drilled into the surface or seabed to extract natural sediments containing oil and natural gas, as well as other desired materials trapped in geological formations within the Earth's crust. Drilling is done using a drill bit attached to the lower end of a drill string. Drilling mud is pumped down the drill string to the drill bit. The drilling mud lubricates and cools the drill bit and carries drill cuttings from the annular space between the drill string and the wellbore back to the surface.

[0007] For successful oil and gas exploration, controlling the drilling direction and collecting information about the subsurface formations penetrated by the borehole are beneficial. For example, rotary steerable systems (RSS) are frequently used in drilling applications to control the drilling direction, allowing for precise placement of the wellbore along a predetermined path. The information collected about the subsurface formation can include measurements of formation pressure and permeability. These measurements can be used to predict the production capacity and production life of the subsurface formation.

[0008] Techniques have been developed to measure formation properties using tools and devices located near the drill bit in the drilling system. Therefore, formation measurement during drilling is commonly referred to in the art as “MWD” (measurement-while-drilling) and “LWD” (logging-while-drilling). MWD refers to measuring the drill bit trajectory and borehole temperature and pressure, while LWD refers to measuring formation parameters or properties such as resistivity, porosity, permeability, and sound velocity. Real-time data such as formation pressure allows the drilling entity to make decisions regarding the weight and composition of drilling mud, as well as decisions regarding drilling rate and pressure on bit, during the drilling process.

[0009] Tools and devices associated with RSS, MWD, and LWD can include mechanical and / or electronic components for measurement, power supply, and control of the wellbore formation process. Internal components are typically contained within a cylindrical tube that can be pressure-sealed to protect them from the high hydrostatic pressures present within the wellbore. Furthermore, the internal components need to be confined within the drill collars to minimize the risk of damage from shocks and vibrations during wellbore formation.

[0010] Traditionally, internal components are mounted to the drill collar via through bolts in the drill pipe and / or drill collar. However, this technique introduces weaknesses into the drill pipe and / or drill collar by creating stress concentrations, which can lead to fatigue cracking under bending or torsional loads.

[0011] Another traditional solution to this problem is to use a lock nut that applies axial pressure to the internal components to lock them against the retaining shoulder within the drill collar. A drawback of this configuration is that it limits the difference in thermal expansion between the drill collar and the internal components, caused by factors such as differences in material properties. Furthermore, this construction makes it more challenging to modify the length of the internal components, for example, by adding additional parts, as the drill collar locking feature is matched to a specific length of the entire internal assembly.

[0012] Another conventional solution is to slide the internal components into the drill collar and support them via multiple spacer mounts attached to the internal components. These spacer mounts center the components within the drill collar and minimize lateral movement of the components. An example of such a system is disclosed in WO 2013 / 082376, entitled "Pressure Actuated Centralizer". In this configuration, the internal components include axial threads that secure one end of the component to a corresponding thread in the drill collar. To allow for assembly and disassembly of the components, and to account for tolerance accumulation, a small radial clearance or radial compliance is required between the mounts and the drill collar. A disadvantage of this solution is that if lateral impacts from the drilling process are transmitted from the drill collar to the internal components, which are smaller in mass than the drill collar, the radial clearance can amplify the impact. This amplification can lead to accelerated failure of the internal components.

[0013] Therefore, it is necessary to address this impact amplification and extend the lifespan of internal components. Summary of the Invention

[0014] Some embodiments of the system include a central body; at least one hydrostatically actuated component configured to extend radially outward from the central body, the hydrostatically actuated component having at least one piston body exposed to hydrostatic pressure; a plurality of passive structures, each passive structure configured to extend radially outward from the central body; and circumferentially spaced from the at least one hydrostatically actuated component and another of the plurality of passive structures.

[0015] In some embodiments of this system, at least one hydrostatically actuated component includes a housing having a recess configured to receive at least one piston body, wherein the at least one piston body is configured to be disposed within the recess of the housing such that the at least one piston body and the housing cooperate to define a sealed chamber therebetween.

[0016] Some embodiments of this system include an outer body, a central body, at least one hydrostatically actuated component, and a plurality of passive structures disposed within the outer body, wherein, when at least one piston body is exposed to a threshold hydrostatic pressure, at least one hydrostatically actuated component is configured to move to contact the inner surface of the outer body, thereby fixing the central body relative to the outer body.

[0017] In some embodiments of this system, at least one piston body has a first piston surface in fluid communication with the chamber and a second piston surface in fluid communication with the center body.

[0018] In some embodiments of this system, the surface of the second piston is in fluid communication within the annular space defined between the outer body and the central body.

[0019] In some embodiments of this system, the surface area of ​​the second piston surface is greater than the surface area of ​​the first piston surface.

[0020] In some embodiments of this system, each of the passive structures is equidistant from each other along the circumference of the central body and is equidistant from at least one hydrostatically actuated component.

[0021] In some embodiments of this system, the central body includes a longitudinal axis, and each passive structure and hydrostatically actuated component is positioned substantially at the same location along the longitudinal axis of the central body.

[0022] Some embodiments of this system include the same number of hydrostatically actuated components and passive structures.

[0023] Some embodiments of the system include an interface pad configured to be coupled to at least one piston body, wherein the interface pad is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of at least one piston body within a recess.

[0024] In some embodiments of this system, the chamber comprises a fluid at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments of this system, the chamber comprises ambient air.

[0025] In some embodiments of this system, at least one of the passive structures includes a body made of an elastic material.

[0026] Some embodiments of the hydrostatically actuable anchoring mount of the present invention include: a housing configured to extend from a central body having a central channel, the housing having a recess configured to receive a piston body; a piston body configured to be disposed within the recess of the housing such that the piston body and the housing cooperate to define a sealed chamber therebetween, the piston body having: a first piston surface in fluid communication with the chamber; and a second piston surface that is sealed and isolated from the chamber and the central channel of the central body.

[0027] In some embodiments of the hydrostatically actuated anchoring mount of the present invention, the surface area of ​​the second piston surface is greater than that of the first piston surface.

[0028] Some embodiments of this system include an interface pad configured to be coupled to a piston body, wherein the interface is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of the piston body within a recess.

[0029] In some embodiments of the hydrostatically actuated anchoring mount of the present invention, the chamber comprises fluid at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments of the hydrostatically actuated anchoring mount of the present invention, the chamber comprises ambient air.

[0030] In some embodiments of the hydrostatically actuable anchoring mount of the present invention, the housing includes a second recess configured to receive a second piston body, and further includes a second piston body configured to be disposed within the second recess of the housing such that the second piston body and the housing cooperate to define a second sealed chamber therebetween, the second piston body having: a first piston surface in fluid communication with the second chamber; and a second piston surface that is sealed and isolated from the central channel of the second chamber and the central body.

[0031] Some embodiments of this method include: coupling at least one hydrostatically actuated component to a central body, the hydrostatically actuated component having a piston body configured to be exposed to hydrostatic pressure; coupling a plurality of passive structures to the central body, wherein each of the plurality of passive structures is spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from the at least one hydrostatically actuated component; positioning the at least one hydrostatically actuated component, the plurality of passive structures, and the central body within an outer body; exposing the piston body to hydrostatic pressure such that the piston body contacts the at least one hydrostatically actuated component with an inner surface of the outer body to fix the central body relative to the outer body.

[0032] Some embodiments of this method involve mounting a hydrostatically actuated anchoring bracket to a central body. Some embodiments of this method involve positioning the system within a borehole in the formation.

[0033] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the term “coupled” is defined as a connection, although not necessarily a direct connection or a mechanical connection; the two items “coupled” may be integral to each other. Unless otherwise expressly required by this disclosure, the terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily entirely as specified (and includes what is specified; for example, substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees, and substantially parallel includes parallel). In any disclosed embodiment, the terms “substantially,” “probably,” and “about” may be replaced with “within [percentage]” of a specified range, where percentages include 0.1, 1, 5, and 10%.

[0034] The phrase “and / or” means both or both. For example, A, B and / or C includes: A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B and C.

[0035] The terms “comprises” (and any form of inclusion, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “has” (and any form of having, such as “has” and “having”), “includes” (and any form of inclusion, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contains” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended connecting verbs. Therefore, a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more elements possesses, but is not limited to, possessing only those elements. Similarly, a method that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more steps possesses, but is not limited to, possessing only those steps.

[0036] Any embodiment of any device, system, and method may consist of or substantially consist of any of the described steps, elements, and / or features—not including / comprises / contains / has any of the described steps, elements, and / or features. Therefore, in any claim, the terms “consisting of” or “substantially consisting of” may replace any of the open-ended connecting verbs listed above in order to change the scope of the given claim, rather than using open-ended connecting verbs.

[0037] Unless expressly prohibited by the nature of this disclosure or the embodiments, one or more features of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments even if not described or shown.

[0038] Furthermore, a device or system configured in a certain way is at least configured in that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described.

[0039] The following describes some details related to the above embodiments and other embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 Depicting along Figure 2 The image is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the system, taken from line 1-1.

[0041] Figure 2 Depicting Figure 1 A cross-sectional end view of the system.

[0042] Figure 3 Depicting applicable Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the hydrostatically actuated component of the system described in this application.

[0043] Figure 4 Depicting along Figure 3 The line 4-4 was cut Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the component.

[0044] Figure 5 Depicting Figure 3 3D exploded view of the components.

[0045] Figure 6 A cross-sectional end view of a second embodiment of the system is depicted.

[0046] Figure 7 A cross-sectional end view of a third embodiment of the system is depicted. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The following figures are illustrative by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, each feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which the structure appears. The same reference numerals do not necessarily indicate the same structure. Rather, the same reference numerals may be used to indicate similar features or features having similar functions, and different reference numerals may also be used. The figures are drawn to scale (unless otherwise stated), which means that, at least for the embodiments shown in the figures, the dimensions of the shown elements are accurate relative to each other.

[0048] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, more specifically, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2The accompanying drawings, denoted by reference numeral 10, illustrate an embodiment of the system, such as a bottom drilling tool assembly. As shown, system 10 includes an outer body 14 and a central body 18 disposed within the outer body.

[0049] In this embodiment, the outer body 14 includes a collar that can be coupled at opposite ends to one or more sections of the tubing 22, such as drill pipe and / or drill bit, and run downhole during drilling operations. Figure 1 As shown, the outer body 14 includes a conduit 26 defined by a sidewall 30 of the outer body. A central body 18 is disposed within the conduit 26 and secured to the outer body 14 at a first end 34 of the central body. In this embodiment, the central body 18 includes a shunt 38 located at the first end 34, the shunt 38 being coupled to the central body housing 42 and the outer body 14. The central body 18 can be connected to the outer body 14 in any suitable manner (e.g., at the first end 34), for example by a threaded connection or by one or more fasteners. As shown, the central body 18 includes a second free end 46 that is not secured to the outer body 14.

[0050] The central housing 42 can be configured to house one or more measuring devices, such as measurement while drilling (“MWD”) devices, logging while drilling (“LWD”) devices, etc., to record and / or transmit formation measurement results during drilling.

[0051] In some embodiments, the system (e.g., 10) may include a rotatable guidance system (RSS) coupled to a pipe (e.g., 22) to control the drilling direction and allow precise placement of the wellbore along a predetermined path. In some such embodiments, a central body (e.g., 18) within the RSS may include a chamber (e.g., 44) containing one or more electrical and / or mechanical components to prevent lateral impacts and vibrations as disclosed herein.

[0052] System 10 includes one or more hydrostatically actuable components 50 and multiple passive structures 54 configured to be disposed within the conduit 26 of the outer body 14, and more specifically, within the annular space 60 between the central body 18 and the outer body. As described herein, the one or more hydrostatically actuable components 50 and passive structures 54 cooperate to secure the central body 18 to the outer body 14, thereby protecting the measuring devices within the central body housing 42 from lateral impacts and vibrations applied to the central body during wellbore formation (e.g., impacts between the outer body 14 and / or conduit 22 and the wellbore, impacts between the drill bit and the wellbore, and / or similar events). Otherwise, such lateral impacts and vibrations could impair the effectiveness and / or integrity of the measuring devices within the central body housing 42.

[0053] To reduce this lateral impact and vibration, each hydrostatically actuated component 50 and passive structure 54 is configured to contact the inner surface 64 of the sidewall 30 of the outer body 14 to limit lateral movement of the second end 46 of the central body 18 relative to the outer body, as described herein. To achieve the desired reduction in lateral impact and vibration, each component 50 and passive structure 54 can be attached to the central body 18 at any suitable location along the length of the central body, such as at or near the second end 46 of the central body.

[0054] Each hydrostatically actuated component 50 is configured to extend radially outward from the central body 18. For example... Figure 3-5 As shown, one or more hydrostatically actuated components 50 may include a component housing 68 configured (e.g., via one or more fasteners 72) to be coupled to a central body housing 42. When coupled to the central body housing 42, the component housing 68 is configured to extend radially outward from the central body 18.

[0055] Each component 50 includes one or more piston bodies 76, each piston body configured to be received in a corresponding recess 80 of the component housing 68. For illustration, the piston body 76 is configured to be disposed within the recess 80 of the component housing 68 such that the piston body and the component housing cooperate to define a compressible fluid chamber 84 therebetween. The assembly chamber 84 is configured to be sealed off from the fluid within the annular space 60 by a plurality of seals 90 (e.g., one or more resilient O-rings). For example, the piston body 76 includes a first piston surface 94 in communication with the compressible fluid in the chamber 84 and a second piston surface 98 sealing the chamber. The assembly chamber 84 can contain any suitable compressible fluid at atmospheric pressure. For example, the component 50 can be assembled on the ground such that the piston body 76 and the component housing 68 are coupled to trap ambient air within the component chamber 84. As shown, for example, in Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this process, the surface area of ​​the first piston surface 94 (i.e., the surface area of ​​the piston body 76, which, when exposed to fluid, causes the piston body to exert a force in the first direction 102) is greater than the surface area of ​​the second piston surface 98 (i.e., the surface area of ​​the piston body, which, when exposed to fluid, causes the piston body to exert a force in the second direction 106, opposite to the first direction).

[0056] Although each component 50 is coupled to the central body 18, each component (e.g., as a whole) is capable of being hermetically isolated from the fluid central body chamber 44. Thus, each component 50 is only exposed to the fluid within the annular space 60.

[0057] Each hydrostatically actuated assembly 50 is configured to, in response to fluid forces within the annular space 60, anchor the central body 18 (e.g., at or near the second end 46) to the outer body 14. For example, as drilling mud circulates during drilling, the drilling mud may enter the tube 22 at its first end 110 and travel toward the central body 18 and the outer body 14 (i.e., toward the formation surface). The drilling mud may enter the first end 114 of the outer body 14 and flow into one or more channels 118 of the central body 18 to guide the mud around the central body. The drilling mud can then flow from the second end 122 of the outer body 14 to the surface. Because the assembly 50 is located within the annular space 60 during drilling, the drilling fluid column within the annular space exerts hydrostatic force on the assembly. In this case, the hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by the fluid in the wellbore due to gravity. Due to the increase in the weight of the fluid exerting a downward force from above, the hydrostatic pressure increases proportionally to the wellbore depth measured from the surface.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, the second piston surface 98 of the piston body 76 is configured to communicate with the fluid in the annular space 60 when the assembly 50 is coupled to the central body 18 and the system 10 is lowered into the wellbore. When the second piston surface 98 of the piston body 76 is exposed to the critical pressure within the annular space 60, the piston body moves radially outward (i.e., away from the central body 18) and compresses the fluid within the chamber 84. Conversely, the piston body 76 brings the assembly 50 into contact with the inner surface 64 of the outer body 14 to secure the central body to the outer body. As shown, the assembly 50 may include one or more interface pads 126 configured (e.g., via one or more fasteners 130) to be coupled to the piston body 76. Due to being coupled to the piston body 76, the interface pads 126 are configured to move relative to the assembly housing 68 between a retracted position and an extended position, extending further from the assembly housing in the extended position than in the retracted position, in response to the fluid pressure exposed to the piston body within the annular space 60 and movement within the recess 80.

[0059] Components of each assembly 50 (e.g., 68, 72, 76, 126, 130) can be made of a variety of materials, including metals (e.g., any suitable grade of stainless steel, whether magnetic or non-magnetic, tool steel, alloy steel with suitable corrosion protection, aluminum, titanium, copper-based alloys and / or the like), hard elastomers (e.g., plastics), and / or the like. The materials used for the components of assembly 50 can be selected based on specific downhole applications, the spacing within the conduit of the outer body 14, fluid compatibility, the mass of the central body 18, the expected magnitude of shock and / or vibration, the magnitude of hydrostatic pressure, and / or similar factors. The interface pad 126 can include friction-enhancing materials (e.g., elastomers) and / or surface treatments (e.g., shot peening) to reduce relative movement between the central body 18 and the outer body 14 under load.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, each passive structure 54 can be configured to be connected to the central body 18 via one or more fasteners, such that the passive structure extends radially outward from the central body. In some embodiments, one or more passive structures (e.g., 54) are integral with the central body (e.g., 18). The passive structure 54 can include any suitable spring and / or damping material, such as an elastic material.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, passive structures 54 and components 50 can be circumferentially spaced from each other, for example, equidistantly spaced along the periphery of the central body 18. In other embodiments, the circumferential spacing between any two passive structures (e.g., 54) and / or any two components (e.g., 50), measured along a circle centered on the longitudinal axis (e.g., 120) of the central body (e.g., 18), can be approximately any of the following: 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, and 150 degrees. Passive structures 54 and components 50 can be arranged circumferentially around the longitudinal axis 120 of the central body 18 such that, in response to lateral impacts and vibrations applied to the central body during wellbore formation (e.g., impacts between the outer body 14 and / or the pipe 22 and the wellbore, impacts between the drill bit and the wellbore, etc.), at least one passive structure cooperates with at least one component to absorb such lateral impacts and / or vibrations as disclosed herein. For example, as Figure 2 As shown, at least one component 50 and the passive structure 54 can be positioned relative to each other on the central body 18. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the system (e.g., 10a) can include two components (e.g., 50) and a passive structure (e.g., 54), each component being equidistant from adjacent components or structures surrounding a central body (e.g., 18) (i.e., approximately 120 degrees apart, as measured circumferentially around the central body). Another example is... Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the system (e.g., 10b) can include one component (e.g., 50) and two passive structures (e.g., 54), each passive structure being equidistant from adjacent components or structures surrounding the central body (e.g., 18) (i.e., approximately 120 degrees apart, as measured circumferentially around the central body).

[0062] System 10 can have any suitable number of passive structures 54 and components 50 to achieve the desired reduction in lateral impact and / or vibration as described herein. For example, system 10 can include one, two, three, four or more components 50 and one, two, three, four or more passive structures 54, as well as any suitable combination of components and passive structures, including an equal number of passive structures and components 50. Each passive structure 54 and component 50 can be coupled to the central body 18 at any suitable location along the length of the central body. One or more passive structures 54 and one or more components 50 can be aligned along the longitudinal axis (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 1 (as shown), or they can be staggered along the longitudinal axis.

[0063] When system 10 is lowered into the wellbore (e.g., during drilling operations) and fluid (e.g., drilling mud) fills the annular space 60, as described herein, the fluid column above assembly 50 increases and causes a force (corresponding to the hydrostatic pressure at assembly 50) to act on the assembly. When this force reaches or exceeds a critical point, the fluid force causes piston body 76 to move in a first direction 102 (i.e., away from the central body 18). Next, interface pad 126 moves toward the extended position and contacts the inner surface 64 of outer body 14. After assembly 50 contacts the inner surface 64 of outer body 14, piston body 76 no longer compresses the fluid within assembly chamber 84. Instead, the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column causes assembly 50 to exert a force on outer body 14 proportional to the difference in surface area between the first piston surface 94 and the second piston surface 98 (“locking force” or “F1”). As long as the locking force exceeds any lateral impact and / or vibration impact force (“F2”), this locking force prevents relative movement between the central body 18 and the outer body 14, which can be characterized by the following equation: F1>F2=m1a1, where m1 is the mass of the central body 18 and a1 is the acceleration of the central body generated by lateral impact and / or vibration.

[0064] Importantly, the resultant force of each hydrostatically actuated component 50 must be counteracted by the resultant force of one or more passive structures 54 to avoid counteracting the locking force of the component against lateral impacts and / or vibrations. For illustration, each component (e.g., 50) can be analogized to a spring assembly. Although the component (e.g., 50) can exert a strong locking force on the external body (e.g., 14), the “stiffness” exhibited by the component and defined by the fluid in the component chamber (e.g., 84) is relatively low. For example, due to the very limited stroke of the piston body (e.g., 76), the fluid in the chamber (e.g., 84) requires very little compression before the component (e.g., 50) contacts the external body (e.g., 14). Instead, the frictional resistance between the piston seal (e.g., 90) and the housing (e.g., 68) will be the primary source of force preventing the piston body (e.g., 76) from moving.

[0065] Potential problems may arise when two components (e.g., 50) of a piston body (e.g., 76) with similar or identical piston surface areas (e.g., 94, 98) are positioned relative to each other on a central body (e.g., 18). In other words, the components (e.g., 50) will act as parallel springs. In this case, the locking forces of the two components (e.g., 50) will be balanced. However, due to the relatively low “stiffness” of each component (e.g., 50), the central body (e.g., 18) will be able to move back and forth in response to lateral impacts and / or vibrations with very little resistance from the components. That is, disregarding the relatively high locking force, moving the central body (e.g., 18) a small distance will require a relatively small force. Therefore, even small lateral impacts and / or vibrations will be amplified in this case. To avoid this phenomenon, the force exerted on the outer body 14 by the component 50 is counteracted by the force exerted on the outer body by a plurality of passive structures 54. At least in this way, the locking force of component 50 is not counteracted by another component of system 10, and lateral impacts and / or vibrations are indeed suppressed by the cooperation of the relative passive structure 54 and component 50.

[0066] For assembling system 10, the central body housing 42 can be coupled to the splitter 38. One or more components 50 and multiple passive structures 54 can be coupled to the central body 18. The central body 18 can then be coupled to the outer body 14. The outer body 14 can be coupled to the pipe 22, for example, to a diverter joint. When the central body 18 is coupled to the outer body 14, the components 50 and passive structures 54 cooperate to allow sufficient radial clearance between the central body and the outer body for easy assembly. System 10 can then be lowered into the wellbore, where the hydrostatic pressure generated by the fluid in the wellbore causes the components 50 to extend radially outward away from the central body 18, as disclosed herein, and the central body 18 to be fixed relative to the outer body 14. At least in this way, the components 50 and passive structures 54 cooperate to reduce lateral impact amplification, which would otherwise occur when impact is transmitted from the outer body 14 (with high mass) to the inner body (with low mass). Furthermore, at least in this way, component 50 and passive structure 54 cooperate to increase friction between the component and passive structure and the outer body 14 in order to reduce the effects of torsional vibration and stick-slip generated during drilling, which can be transmitted from pipe 22 to central body 18.

[0067] Some embodiments of this method include coupling at least one hydrostatically actuated component (e.g., 50) to a central body (e.g., 18), the hydrostatically actuated component having a piston body (e.g., 76) configured to be exposed to hydrostatic pressure; coupling a plurality of passive structures (e.g., 54) to the central body, each of the plurality of passive structures being circumferentially spaced from each other and spaced from at least one hydrostatically actuated component; positioning at least one hydrostatically actuated component, the plurality of passive structures, and the central body within an outer body (e.g., 14); exposing the piston body to hydrostatic pressure such that the piston body contacts at least one hydrostatically actuated component with an inner surface (e.g., 64) of the outer body to fix the central body relative to the outer body.

[0068] Some embodiments include mounting the hydrostatically actuable anchoring assembly (e.g., 50) of this application onto a central body (e.g., 18).

[0069] Some embodiments include positioning the system (e.g., 10) in a borehole in the formation.

[0070] The foregoing descriptions and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of the illustrative embodiments. While certain embodiments have been described above with a degree of specificity or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various changes to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the various illustrative embodiments of the methods and systems are not intended to be limited to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and substitutions falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than those shown may include some or all of the features of the shown embodiments. For example, elements may be omitted or combined into a single structure, and / or connections may be substituted. Furthermore, where appropriate, aspects of any of the foregoing examples may be combined with aspects of any other described examples to form other examples having comparable or different properties and / or functions and solving the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the foregoing benefits and advantages may apply to one embodiment or several embodiments. For example, embodiments of the methods and systems may be practiced and / or implemented using different structural configurations, materials, ion-conducting media, monitoring methods, and / or control methods.

[0071] The claims are not intended to include, nor should they be construed as including, limitations of means plus function or steps plus function, unless such limitation is expressly stated in the given claims using the phrases “means” or “step” respectively.

Claims

1. A hydrostatically actuable system, comprising: A central body with a chamber; At least one hydrostatically actuated component, sealed and isolated from the chamber, and configured to extend radially outward from the central body, the hydrostatically actuated component having at least one piston body exposed to hydrostatic pressure, wherein the at least one piston body is configured to be disposed within a recess of the housing such that the at least one piston body and the housing cooperate to define a sealed chamber therebetween, the at least one piston body having: The surface of the first piston is in communication with the fluid in the chamber; The surface of the second piston is sealed and isolated from the central channel of the chamber and the central body; The at least one piston body is configured to move outward when exposed to hydrostatic pressure; Multiple passive structures, each of the multiple passive structures: Configured to extend radially outward from the central body; and It is circumferentially spaced from the at least one hydrostatically actuable component and another of the plurality of passive structures; The at least one hydrostatically actuated component includes a housing having a recess configured to receive the at least one piston body, and the housing is fixed relative to the central body.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising an outer body, wherein the central body, the at least one hydrostatically actuated component, and the plurality of passive structures are disposed within the outer body, and wherein, When the at least one piston body is exposed to a threshold hydrostatic pressure, the at least one hydrostatically actuated component is configured to move to contact the inner surface of the outer body, thereby fixing the central body relative to the outer body.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The first piston surface of the at least one piston body is in fluid communication with the fluid in the chamber, and the second piston surface of the at least one piston body is in fluid communication with the fluid outside the center body.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The second piston surface is in fluid communication with the annular space defined between the outer body and the central body.

5. The system according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein, The surface area of ​​the second piston surface is greater than the surface area of ​​the first piston surface.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the passive structures is equidistant from each other along the circumference of the central body and is equidistant from the at least one hydrostatically actuated component.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The central body includes a longitudinal axis, and each passive structure and hydrostatically actuated component is positioned substantially at the same location along the longitudinal axis of the central body.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The system comprises the same number of hydrostatically actuated components and passive structures.

9. The system of claim 2, further comprising an interface pad configured to couple to the at least one piston body, wherein the interface pad is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of the at least one piston body within the recess; and The interface pad is configured to contact the external body when in the extended position.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The chamber contains fluid at atmospheric pressure.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The room includes ambient air.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the passive structures includes a body made of an elastic material.

13. A hydrostatically actuable anchoring assembly, comprising: A housing configured to extend from a central body having a central channel, the housing having a recess configured to receive a piston body; A piston body configured to be disposed within a recess of the housing, such that the piston body and the housing cooperate to define a sealing chamber therebetween, the piston body being sealingly isolated from the central channel, and having: The surface of the first piston is in communication with the fluid in the chamber; The surface of the second piston is sealed and isolated from the central channel of the chamber and the central body; The piston body is configured to move outward when the second piston surface is exposed to a threshold hydrostatic pressure.

14. The component according to claim 13, characterized in that, The surface area of ​​the second piston surface is greater than that of the first piston surface, and when the second piston surface is exposed to a threshold pressure, the piston body moves away from the central body and compresses the fluid in the sealed chamber.

15. The component according to any one of claims 13-14, comprising an interface pad configured to be coupled to the piston body, wherein, In response to the movement of the piston body within the recess, the interface pad is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position.

16. The component according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein, The chamber contains fluid at atmospheric pressure.

17. The component of claim 13, wherein, The housing includes a second recess configured to receive a second piston body, and further includes a second piston body configured to be disposed within the second recess of the housing such that the second piston body and the housing cooperate to define a second sealing chamber therebetween, the second piston body having: a first piston surface in fluid communication with the second sealing chamber; and a second piston surface that is sealed and isolated from the second sealing chamber and the central channel of the central body.

18. A hydrostatically actuable method, comprising: At least one hydrostatically actuated component according to claim 13 is coupled to a central body such that the hydrostatically actuated component is sealed and isolated from a chamber defined by the central body, the hydrostatically actuated component having a piston body configured to be exposed to hydrostatic pressure; A plurality of passive structures are coupled to the central body, wherein each of the plurality of passive structures is spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from the at least one hydrostatically actuated component; The at least one hydrostatically actuable component, the plurality of passive structures, and the central body are positioned within the external body; The piston body is exposed to hydrostatic pressure such that the piston body causes the at least one hydrostatically actuated component to contact the inner surface of the outer body to fix the central body relative to the outer body; The piston body is configured to move outward when exposed to a threshold hydrostatic pressure.

19. A hydrostatically actuable method, comprising: The hydrostatically actuated anchoring assembly according to any one of claims 13-17 is mounted on the central body.

20. A hydrostatically actuable method, comprising: Position the system according to any one of claims 1-12 into a borehole in the formation.

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