Tool trap assembly and method
View Patent ↗An apparatus ( 100 ) and a method to prevent undesired objects (not shown) when communication conduit (not shown) is disposed therethrough. The apparatus ( 100 ) and method include a flapper assembly ( 150 ) to selectively open and close when objects (not shown) larger than the communications conduit (not shown) are desired to pass therethrough.
1. An apparatus located within a tubular string to control access to a wellbore and allow a communications conduit to pass therethrough, the apparatus comprising:
a main body having a bore therethrough, said bore large enough to pass tools disposed upon the communications conduit therethrough;
a flapper assembly contained within said bore, said flapper assembly including a first flapper and a second flapper, each of said flappers having a first position and a second position;
said flappers configured with a predetermined gap therebetween to restrict passage of objects through said bore and to allow the passage and manipulation of the communications conduit through said bore when in said first position; said flappers configured to allow the passage of said objects through said bore when in said second position; and
an actuator configured to selectively manipulate said flappers from said first position to said second position when said objects are to pass through said bore.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said main body further includes a connection to the tubular string at an upper end and at a lower end.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flappers include wear rings.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wear rings are configured with a hardness less than that of the communications conduit.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wear rings are configured with a hardness greater than that of the communications conduit.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said wear rings comprise hardened steel.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said wear rings comprise tungsten carbide.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said hydraulic cylinder includes a spring to bias a piston housed therein to an un-energized state.
10. A method to prevent the passage of objects through a tubular body while a communications conduit is disposed therethrough, the method comprising:
opening a flapper assembly to allow the passage of a tool disposed upon a distal end of the communications conduit therethrough, the flapper assembly including a first flapper and a second flapper;
passing the communications conduit with tools disposed thereupon through the tubular body; and,
closing the flapper assembly, the first and second flappers of the flapper assembly providing a gap therebetween to allow the communications conduit to pass therethrough in the closed position.
11. A tool trap assembly to substantially block access to a bore comprising:
a body with a longitudinal bore extending through the body;
an edge of a first flapper pivotably connected to an internal wall of the longitudinal bore of the body, moveable by an actuator connected thereto;
an edge of a second flapper pivotably connected opposite the first flapper to the internal wall of the longitudinal bore of the body, moveable by an actuator connected thereto;
the first flapper extending into the longitudinal bore when moveably actuated to a closed position and retained substantially parallel to the longitudinal bore when moveably actuated to an opened position;
the second flapper extending into the longitudinal bore when moveably actuated to a closed position and retained substantially parallel to the longitudinal bore when moveably actuated to an opened position; and,
a distal edge of the first flapper spaced from an adjacent distal edge of the second flapper to restrict the passage of an object larger than a communication conduit into the bore when the first and the second flapper are in the closed position.