Well tools with actuators utilizing swellable materials
Well tools utilizing swellable materials. Actuators for well tools may incorporate swellable materials as force generating devices. A well tool includes an actuator which actuates the well tool in response to contact between a swellable material and a well fluid. A method of actuating a well tool includes the steps of: installing a well tool including an actuator; contacting a swellable material of the actuator with a well fluid; and actuating the well tool in response to the contacting step. A well system includes a well tool with a flow control device and a swellable material. The well tool is operative to control flow through a passage of a tubular string in response to contact between the swellable material and well fluid.
1. A well tool, comprising:
an actuator which actuates the well tool in response to contact between a swellable material and a selected fluid;
a passage for fluid flow in the well tool; and
a closure member which is displaceable to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow through the passage, and wherein the closure member pivots in a direction opposite to a direction in which the swellable material swells when contacted with the selected fluid.
2. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the swellable material increases in volume in response to the contact between the swellable material and the selected fluid.
3. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the swellable material displaces an actuator member of the actuator in response to the contact between the swellable material and the selected fluid.
4. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the swellable material applies a biasing force to an actuator member of the actuator in response to the contact between the swellable material and the selected fluid.