Downhole vibratory communication system and method
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for controlling one or more downhole tools. A vibratory signal is produced by interaction between an actuation profile and a contact profile. In response to the vibratory signal, a controller actuates one or more downhole tools.
1. A system for actuating a downhole device that is operably associated with a tubular string having a tubular flowbore, the system comprising:
a contact profile within the tubular flowbore; and
a signal sub that is disposed within the tubular flowbore, the signal sub presenting an activation profile that produces a vibratory signal upon contact with the contact profile; and
an actuation subassembly operably associated with the downhole device, the actuation subassembly including a controller which governs actuation of the downhole device in response to the vibratory signal; and
wherein the activation profile comprises at least one dog that extends radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the signal sub.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor operably associated with the controller, the sensor adapted to detect the vibratory signal and transmit a signal representative of the vibratory signal to the controller.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal sub is disposed into the tubular flowbore connected to a pump-down plug or drop bar.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the contact profile comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves formed within the tubular flowbore.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the activation profile comprises a plurality of dogs that extend radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the signal sub.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein:
the contact profile comprises a plurality of grooves that are formed to be complementary to the plurality of dogs; and
the plurality of dogs are interconnected so as to enter the grooves of the contact profile simultaneously.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the dogs are spring-biased radially outwardly.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the downhole device is a device from the group consisting of: a packer setting tool, a shifting tool, and an opening tool.
9. A system for actuating a downhole device that is operably associated with a tubular string having a tubular flowbore, the system comprising:
a contact profile within the tubular flowbore; and
a signal sub that is disposed within the tubular flowbore, the signal sub presenting an activation profile that produces a vibratory signal upon contact with the contact profile; and
an actuation subassembly operably associated with the downhole device, the actuation subassembly including a controller which governs actuation of the downhole device in response to the vibratory signal and a sensor adapted to detect the vibratory signal and transmit a signal representative of the vibratory signal to the controller; and
wherein the activation profile comprises at least one dog that extends radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the signal sub.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the contact profile comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves formed within the tubular flowbore.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the downhole device comprises a device from the group consisting of: a packer setting tool, a shifting tool, and an opening tool.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the dog is spring-biased radially outwardly.
13. A method of actuating or controlling a downhole device comprising the steps of:
generating a vibratory signal within a tubular flowbore;
detecting the vibratory signal;
actuating or controlling a downhole device in response to detection of the vibratory signal; and
wherein the vibratory signal is generated by interaction between a contact profile within the tubular flowbore and an activation profile that is formed upon a signal sub that is disposed into the tubular flowbore, wherein the activation profile comprises a plurality of dogs that extend radially outwardly from the signal sub.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the signal sub is disposed into the tubular flowbore via a pump-down plug, drop bar, or wireline.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the vibratory signal is detected by a sensor.
16. A method of actuating or controlling a downhole device comprising the steps of:
producing a vibratory signal at a downhole location;
the vibratory signal then actuating a downhole device; and
wherein the vibratory signal is generated by interaction between a contact profile within a tubular flowbore and an activation profile that is formed upon a signal sub that is disposed into the tubular flowbore, wherein the activation profile comprises a plurality of dogs that extend radially outwardly from the signal sub.